Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

I think for most people that have been living their lives in "supersize" mode for however long, starting small & seeing how it makes a difference is the best way to start changing their lifestyle.
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I agree with this 100%- I have been slowly changing my ways for a about a year now

when I look back on the way DH and I used to live- I can't believe how silly we was

we used to waste tons of money, get take out 5 nights a week- and not just Pizza- resturant meals

change can come over night- but starting out small is the best way to start

when I first read total money make over by Dave Ramsey- I laughted at giving up my leased car

but then I read the book again, and I read more books- and my mind set totally began to change

my car is going back 09/09 - and I am buying a pre-owned car to replace it- that I plan on driving till it dies-

if I can change- I think anyone can change- I just wish I started sooner!

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

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you have made a fantastic change Beth, I remember your threads from a couple of years ago before you started thinking differently. I you for your efforts!


thanks! people like you inspire me!

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

Posted by Beth1210

QUOTE]

you have made a fantastic change Beth, I remember your threads from a couple of years ago before you started thinking differently. I you for your efforts!

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

My friend just did a ferw things to increase her monthly savings. These were a few things we thought of that don't seem like a lot of money but over the year can add up.

-cancel hbo and on demand channels.
-change your cell phone contract. Instead of 1500 minutes she switched to a lower plan of 700 minutes.
-Put a freeze on gym mebership.
-Stop buying bottled water.

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

- Shop at walmart for food
- dont go out to eat at expensive restaurants
-bring a bag lunch
-dont use the AC in your car or your home if you dont have to. Most people can live without AC.
-Dont buy brand new cars. Buy used cars
-Do a budget and try to stick with it

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

stick to my budget! we live below our means already, so there isnt really anythign to cut. I recently got a nice raise, and im acting like I didnt (except increasing my 401k) - so i can bank that $$.

definitely save more money by bringing lunch to work. I forgot my lunch today and its killing me

we are being stingy with the AC, but the upstairs of our house gets really hot - so thats not going to last much longer!

DH needed a new car (he bought his new in 2000 so we drive 'em till they die), so he opted for a honda civic. we could afford anything he wanted, but we'd rather have the $$ in the bank than a flashy new car.

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

I love this thread, let's keep it rolling! I'm sure there are more tips!

Here are mine:

1. Automatically deposit savings into retirement account every few months.

2. Borrow most books, magazines and DVDs at library when and if possible.

3. One car for two people - we have been using DH's first car of 13 years and it does not look or run like it at all

4. Don't compare ourselves to richer friends or neighbors.

5. Buy only stuff on sale.

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

We always save but now its harder with prices. Some things we do to try and save a little more:
- Fill up during the week, prices go up on the weekend and keep air pressure in tires @ the correct level (not too high or too low)
- Buy meat on sale in bulk and freeze in small portions
- Use Craigslist.com, a lot! (In fact our washer just went kaput today and I bought a 4 month old one for less then 1/2 the retail value just because someone wanted it gone. Also just bought the most beautiful used crib, in great condition, for $100, a great price.) I've found this site to be a goldmine of savings.
- Use coupons, like many
- Remember to turn off lights, keep the a/c off when gone, and unplug appliances when not in use if possible

Message edited 6/1/2008 8:10:04 PM.

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

these are all little things that totally add up....

We have a basic cell plan (no texting/internet), with just enough minutes w/o going over. we have no landline at home.

For food:
brita water instead of bottled

we dilute juice in water (20%/80%) rather than drinking bottled drinks (saves tons of calories too!)

trader joes has some great deals! Fairway does too... Find other stores with deals for the foods you usually eat.

we seldom eat out, if ever. We cook large meals and portion it into leftovers for both lunch and dinner (once again, also healthier!)

don't buy pre-packaged foods... those conveniences cost you tons of $$ and frankly, aren't generally good for you anyway...

travel mugs of coffee and tupperware containers for our water/juice.

our coffee is gourmet, but only costs $7/ lb.... (portorico.com We buy 2 mo supply (8lbs) per order... low shipping costs too!)

marcal papergoods: cheap AND made from recycled paper!

target for sale cleaning agents

our cars get 35 mpg+

for clothes: target and H&M
for 'special clothes': outlets!

going out: go to a park and have an ice cream instead of going out to eat and then to the movies

Message edited 6/1/2008 8:52:54 PM.

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

we just bought a new coffee machine. My DH didnt like the perk pot I had so we got a good drip one. The coffee isnt bad but at leaset we are saving about $5-$10 a day. We got the machine for $45 (with the 20% off coupon) at Bed bath and beyond

Re: spin off to are you doing anything different thread

Posted by Kara

To be honest, while the little things DO add up, the only way to truly live beneath your means is to cut your largest expenses and big debts. This means living in a house with a very comfortable mortage payment (which is difficult on LI, I know), owning cars you can comfortably afford, eliminating credit card debt, and paying down / paying off student loans.

We don't live well beneath our means because we don't go to Starbucks and don't eat out on weekends. We live comfortably because we bought a house that was much less expensive than what we could afford, purchased cars that were less expensive than we could really afford and paid them off long before the end of the loan term, etc. These are the sorts of things that make it so that we don't have to worry about every last cent we spend at lunch, Dunkin Donuts, etc.

If you're unwilling to go that route, then the above advice is helpful -- cut out unnecessary expenses, budget well, and look for deals... however, I still think that the big time savings comes from having your main living expenses well below what you can comfortably afford. I realize that is difficult on Long Island, but it's not necessarily impossible. [/QUOTE\


DITTO! thanks for posting this. DH and I bought a house last year with an affordable morgtage. We did not want to be house poor, and cut down on things that we liked.

Having no CC debt snf only one for emergencies, really helps. Having no car payments is also a plus. Although, I am due for a new car soon, and that will be something I can't avoid. We are not coffee drinkers so that eliminates DD or starbucks. I do have to admit, once in while I get a kivk on having the passion fruit lemonade from starbucks which I .

I am going to start using coupons. I have never used them before. I have a baby boy on the way, so need I think, the coupons can help.