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| 04:09 PM | ||
| Users Online Now: 2,121 (Who's On?) | Visitors Today: 967,550 | |
| Pageviews Today: 1,614,211 | Threads Today: 647 | Posts Today: 11,642 |
| 04:09 PM | ||
PERSONAL BUDGET STORIES - WHAT EXPENSES HAVE YOU CUT OUT OR CHANGED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS???? | |
Vision Thing
 User ID: 1552951  United States09/16/2011 11:53 PM  Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | In winter i have thought that we will only live in one heated room all winter and make that room really warm using blankets, slippers, cozy cushions, etc, windows covered.The rest of the house will be a little cold but we wont be using the other romms for long anyway, and put hot water bottles in bed to warm it up.I think that'll be really cozy especially if it snows and we are all cuddled up with hot chocolate. Quoting: Anonymous CowardI like all your other things too, but you made this sound especially nice, and if you are going to only heat one room, it makes sense to make it extra warm and cozy, really toasty and nice. Then it's almost like a treat, isn't it? Instead of having the whole house be barely tolerable. I think you could look forward to that! Last Edited by Vision Thing on 09/16/2011 11:54 PM |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1553563 United States09/17/2011 12:31 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1553565 United States09/17/2011 12:36 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1532554 United States09/17/2011 12:51 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | get rid of cable tv and the cell phone contract. go with a pre paid cell and don't hand your number out. Get a Magic Jack and hand that out when needed. I don't even have my MJ hooked up. I get voice messages in my email . Then I call back with my pre paid cell if needed..... |
| AuthorAuthor
User ID: 1125583 United States09/17/2011 12:54 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Fewer haircuts. Fewer trips in the car. Eating ground turkey instead of ground beef because it's about $1.20 a pound cheaper. I also stock up when the turkey goes on sale. Haven't bought any clothes in about eight months. The good news is that in recent weeks my income has gone up due to more people ordering my book. But prior to that, the last year had been not so good. It looks like the sales might continue to rise because I just found a new way to reach lots more potential buyers. Last Edited by AuthorAuthor on 09/17/2011 01:09 AM Seymour Brenner's, MD, FACR, opinion regarding Dr. Emanuel Revici: "As a Diplomate of Radiology, I have reviewed many cases of incurable cancer that Revici has cured." |
| amywood71605
User ID: 1422833 United States09/17/2011 12:55 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | It extends, for me, a little further out than 2 years but the premise is the same. Everything is paid off now, except for a small balance on a land purchase...credit is a "four" letter word. If an item is truly needed , for me or my friends and family either directly or indirectly, cash is king. I don't deny myself pleasures or wants but they are definitely more thought out. Quoting: DeadBeacon   Absolutely ..everything has be well thought out . In fact I will be utilizing lay-away this year for the holiday's. All the years and years before we overspent and were short in January. This Year is 1 gift limit and a Nice meal. Agreed. I'm sure we've all noticed that both Kmart and Walmart are bringing back lay-away....they can see the writing on the wall, it's going to be a very tough "season". The gift is the meal! What time?  I think Sears is doing Lay Away too! Christmas Day Dinner at 5pm  oh the holidays! Know whats nuts in my house? My oldest son's bday is dec. 10th..my middle son's is dec. 26th...my husband's is 1/9!! That's 3 bdays right near Christmas....my youngest son's bday is 1/25 and mine is 2/5 - so these are closer too. WIth that much going on, I HAVE to start Christmas and birthday shopping early every year, have to. We usually start in August...each payday spend a little, and it works out pretty good. "Live each day like it's your last, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching." GO PATS!! :Go Patriots!: |
| amywood71605
User ID: 1422833 United States09/17/2011 12:57 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Cut back cable, keeping it made my internet that my wife needs for school cheaper than internet alone was. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1359219 Use netflix as main source of movies, etc. Stopped going to movies years ago, now stopped buying dvd's also. Buy toiletries and many other items at dollar store. Cut out any unnecessary driving, if I crank the car I have a reason and combine errands into one trip. Eat less expensive foods and utilize the leftovers until used up. A chicken casserole is good for several night's supper. Will not accept any prescriptions that are not on the $4 generic list. Cut out Christmas gift exchange in my family years ago, no need to spend $X on something and the other person spends $X on your gift and you don't even know if the recipient will really use it or want it. Buy my sodas in bulk and store them at home and office, buy them when they are on sale only. I'm using them too and so are others recognizing the savings. From today's headlines. [link to www.marketwatch.com] I also utilize Family Dollar as well We have a family dollar about 15 minutes away and just this past year we got a Dollar General store right in town - love it! haha "Live each day like it's your last, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching." GO PATS!! :Go Patriots!: |
| amywood71605
User ID: 1422833 United States09/17/2011 01:01 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | ... Quoting: TXREPUBLICHONEY What are you doing in a Office Brief??? I'd figure you should be out making deals happen?? I'm a financial counselor... I bet that is Interesting these days Yeah it's fun to help someone put together their first budget with no income and payments on everything they have...including their furniture! If you dont mind me asking.....I know you responded to a post I made awhile back about purchasing a car.....we're considering (but in no rush) buying our first home in the future - like maybe within 2 years or so. Have always rented. But, I have no idea where to start. We both have pretty much no credit. I never got into credit cards and have always just paid cash for everything. We are still shopping around for a car, but as with the house - not in a rush. "Live each day like it's your last, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching." GO PATS!! :Go Patriots!: |
| AuthorAuthor
User ID: 1125583 United States09/17/2011 01:23 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Yeah it's fun to help someone put together their first budget with no income and payments on everything they have...including their furniture! This is the absolute prime reason our country is going down the shitter. Banksters have convinced everyone that life is free all you have to do is be born. Mean while they send your SS# to UN and make you a debt slave for life. Today, student loan debt is 50% higher than credit card debt. So there is a reckoning coming. Seymour Brenner's, MD, FACR, opinion regarding Dr. Emanuel Revici: "As a Diplomate of Radiology, I have reviewed many cases of incurable cancer that Revici has cured." |
| DoveInLight
User ID: 1366065 United States09/17/2011 01:24 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Excellent post op!! Quoting: DoveInLight 1. Turned my entire yard into an urban garden... have been growing all my own veggies and dehydrating/putting the extra up for winter. 2. I also have a weekly budget for groceries and got into 'extreme couponing' couponmom.com is an excellent site. 3. Pretty much the same as you on the electricity/water/cc 4. catch rainwater in empty barrels to water garden 5. I do my own hair now 6. cook all our meals, no more going out to eat 7. instead of going out to dinner with friends, I have been hosting potlucks. It's much more personal, fun, and no babysitter required. 8. Walk or ride bike anywhere within a mile or so of the house- limit my gas consumption on my automobile 9. Sew/repair clothing, utilizing hand me downs, and garage sales instead of shopping online/in the stores. 10. Cut up old t shirts and clothes for rags, instead of spending money on paper towels to clean house 11. I make my own cleaning supplies using vinegar, etc Wow Dove in Light ..That Potluck Thing sounds like a Awesome Idea!! Yup old Towels and torn sheets make great cleaning cloths I tried doing my own hair , but found that the local beauty college used me for free for live hair demo's for their testing .. they do a great job !!! Potluck and BYOB (bring yer own bottle) parties with people of all ages, little kids running around... it's like a family reunion :) You can keep an eye on your kids, hang out with people you love, and eat well. It's the one good thing about 'downsizing' due to financial woes. Everyone I know used to be a 'get a sitter and go to dinner on the weekend/drinks' types. Now we're all like old folks :) |
| BRIEF
User ID: 1551548 United States09/17/2011 09:38 AM  Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Yeah it's fun to help someone put together their first budget with no income and payments on everything they have...including their furniture! If you dont mind me asking.....I know you responded to a post I made awhile back about purchasing a car.....we're considering (but in no rush) buying our first home in the future - like maybe within 2 years or so. Have always rented. But, I have no idea where to start. We both have pretty much no credit. I never got into credit cards and have always just paid cash for everything. We are still shopping around for a car, but as with the house - not in a rush. You don't need credit if you are going to pay cash...not sure what you are asking me, but for my first home I rented a very cheap apartment while I saved up a pile if cash. I made a deal on a foreclosure that needed lots of work...roof leaked, etc. I bought it for next to nothing (30K) and moved in and fixed it up...made a fortune on it! Buying a foreclosure on a short sale is a great way to get a good home for a steal :) I never forgive and I never forget I am a licensed firearm holder. I will, under protection of law, use lethal force if attacked.  |
| BRIEF
User ID: 1551548 United States09/17/2011 09:39 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1550123 United States09/17/2011 12:54 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Everything is cut. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1527973 Lower wages. (if you'e lucky to have a job) Food. Gas. Thermostat way down. No vacation. No paid hoildays. No health insurance. No dental. Only buy what I really need. Basic cable/internet. You name it, it's all been cut. That goes for many people I know. Some things shouldn't be cut though...my brother, against my warnings, cut his car insurance to liability only...he was making payments on it too and totaled it. So now he's paying off a car loan with no car... Yes that is a huge risk ... I cut my car payment by getting rid of it and buying a cash beater.. I swear the thing makes ugly noises, missing hubcaps and reminds me of a smaller version of the Car From Uncle Buck!!!! Take Your Pick Of Any One Of These Ugly Cars [link to jessicafletcherisahack.blogspot.com] The National Lampoon's Family Vacation car was the funniest. It had garbage bags as air bags.LOL If I need a laugh I think of that particular scene. Oh and I love that microbus. |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1548308 United States09/17/2011 12:58 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Got rid of cable tv about two years ago. Shop at second hand stores and flea markets for most clothes. Make my own food from scratch, don't eat out. NEVER eat fast food crap, walk instead of driving whenever possible. No AC all summer. Used the clothesline instead of dryer and make my own gifts for birthdays and holidays. |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1550123 United States09/17/2011 01:10 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | i have cut down on magazines i used to buy loads but now i buy so few i cant even recognise most celebrities. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1550946 i stopped buying or renting dvds, instead i record any movies on tv, even ones i wouldnt normally watch.by doing that i have recorded some crap which i turned off after ten minutes, but i also have seen some really good movies which i might otherwise have missed out on. i stopped buying chocolates and coke at the local shops and waited till i went somewhere to buy them much cheaper (about a third of the price) in bulk and used these instead. i started to shop at cheaper stores eg aldi i am trying to cook what i need now rather than buy it readymade i am doing things like buy a really nice scented shower gel which is a bit more expensive but also but plain ones really cheap and use half and half of each which works out cheap save bits of soap to make another bar out of by melting them down if i see a bargain buy lots of it at that time instead of using a whole pack of chicken at one meal, divide it in four and get four meals out of it, in a sauce with vegetables nobody realises there is less chicken start using less expensive brands some are really nice and you cant tasts the difference turn out all lights except one room. In winter i have thought that we will only live in one heated room all winter and make that room really warm using blankets, slippers, cozy cushions, etc, windows covered.The rest of the house will be a little cold but we wont be using the other romms for long anyway, and put hot water bottles in bed to warm it up.I think that'll be really cozy especially if it snows and we are all cuddled up with hot chocolate. Hot water bottles really work. I love them. So does my cat.:o) And don't forget the popcorn with the hot chocolate. yum! |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1550123 United States09/17/2011 01:18 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I budget for Christmas and birthdays...a concept most people can't grasp...yeah, they come the same time every year just like going back to school with the kids...no shocker there, but yet most freak out at those times and don't have the money... We don't even do Christmas or birthdays anymore. The whole family(kids included) agreed just to buy what we need or to surprise each other whenever something strikes out fancy. And that is when something is on sale. Turned out we really like it and no stress whatsoever anymore. |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1550123 United States09/17/2011 01:35 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | here is an interesting thread about feeding people on the cheap Thread: Recession Proof GLP...$35 dollars a week for groceries ideas? to feed 4 to 6 people |
| BRIEF
User ID: 1551548 United States09/17/2011 02:47 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I budget for Christmas and birthdays...a concept most people can't grasp...yeah, they come the same time every year just like going back to school with the kids...no shocker there, but yet most freak out at those times and don't have the money... We don't even do Christmas or birthdays anymore. The whole family(kids included) agreed just to buy what we need or to surprise each other whenever something strikes out fancy. And that is when something is on sale. Turned out we really like it and no stress whatsoever anymore. That's a great way to give unconditionally... I never forgive and I never forget I am a licensed firearm holder. I will, under protection of law, use lethal force if attacked. |
| Mt.Mama User ID: 1532727 United States09/17/2011 03:01 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Cut back cable, keeping it made my internet that my wife needs for school cheaper than internet alone was. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1359219 Use netflix as main source of movies, etc. Stopped going to movies years ago, now stopped buying dvd's also. Buy toiletries and many other items at dollar store. Cut out any unnecessary driving, if I crank the car I have a reason and combine errands into one trip. Eat less expensive foods and utilize the leftovers until used up. A chicken casserole is good for several night's supper. Will not accept any prescriptions that are not on the $4 generic list. Cut out Christmas gift exchange in my family years ago, no need to spend $X on something and the other person spends $X on your gift and you don't even know if the recipient will really use it or want it. Buy my sodas in bulk and store them at home and office, buy them when they are on sale only. I'm using them too and so are others recognizing the savings. From today's headlines. [link to www.marketwatch.com] I also utilize Family Dollar as well We have a family dollar about 15 minutes away and just this past year we got a Dollar General store right in town - love it! haha Two of my favorite places to shop! add the $Tree! |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 1555446 United States09/18/2011 02:11 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Slightly off topic but saw this story about light bulbs,etc. May want to stock up on some now.Seems as if they will be increasing more in price. This is on yahoo finance... China Consolidates Grip on Rare Earths [link to finance.yahoo.com] Highlights from the story.. BEIJING — In the name of fighting pollution, China has sent the price of compact fluorescent light bulbs soaring in the United States. Soaring prices are rippling through a long list of industries. "The high cost of rare earths is having a significant chilling effect on wind turbine and electric motor production in spite of offsetting government subsidies for green tech products,” said one of the conference attendees, Michael N. Silver, chairman and chief executive of American Elements, a chemical company based in Los Angeles. It supplies rare earths and other high-tech materials to a wide range of American and foreign businesses. But with light bulbs, especially, the timing of the latest price increases is politically awkward for the lighting industry and for environmentalists who backed a shift to energy-efficient lighting. |
