Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Jan 15, 2014 18:02:12 GMT -5
I might have $4 in my wallet right now, if so I will transfer it into my stash for next week.
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marvholly
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:45:21 GMT -5
Posts: 6,540
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Post by marvholly on Jan 16, 2014 6:44:14 GMT -5
Forgot to post.
Turned in my change at the bank on Mon. Had $27. Not bad since I only clear once/week, NOT daily.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
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Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jan 21, 2014 18:45:40 GMT -5
My savings action plan: I looked at my year end 2013 Excel sheet Total column for each expense, and just as I did last year, I wrote down what I can do to reduce expenses farther. On the list: ~Increase Wally World shopping vs the grocery store (except for produce and meat). ~Call the land line carrier's competition and see what they have to offer as far as office packages. ~Watch MVR fees here at the office. With one carrier, if we don't write the policy, they charge us $4.40 for each report. ~Shop my truck insurance, just as I do every year. ~Reduce my booze intake. Maybe. I'm also going to add to the Excel sheet a running debt balance for my school loan and two others to keep track of the downward trend this year. Meanwhile, I will continue putting away $100 into my EF each month. The goal is to have everything paid off by December. I ain't gettin' any younger, and momma needs a SEP IRA. K, following up 2 weeks later: ~I've been comparison shopping between our grocery store and WW. I'm finding the latter isn't always necessarily less expensive. ~Called the phone company competition for a quote for the office today, and the customer service rep said he would get back with me with a quote. ~Auto quotes have been slow, so MVR charges haven't been an issue yet this year. ~Shopped my own auto insurance and could not find a better rate than my current $220/6 months (liability only). ~Reduced my booze intake to weekends only. We ended the year at 9% up, so maybe, just maybbbeeeee that will mean a decent bonus in April. Anything received will go toward a personal loan. Also, I've hit $360 in groceries/HBAs/cleaning products for the month, so I am refraining from going to the store until Feb. How is everyone else doing? ETA: And it looks like our refi will go through by the end of the month. 6.5% down to 3.? We haven't locked in yet.
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grits
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 13:43:33 GMT -5
Posts: 3,185
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Post by grits on Jan 21, 2014 20:47:52 GMT -5
I haven't found a single new way for me to save money. Every time I read those articles about ways to save, it involves things I don't have. I don't have cable or high speed internet. I don't eat out a lot. I don't drive a luxury car. I don't do any of that stuff. I am wondering if I am pretty much maxed out on what I can do to save without stopping what few things give me pleasure. None of them are expensive, and they tend to help me mentally, and physically.
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donnafreedman
Junior Member
Smart Spending Host
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Post by donnafreedman on Apr 16, 2014 19:56:18 GMT -5
On my way home DF and I are going to use coupons to buy eight boxes of Triscuits for $1 each. That's about as cheap as we'll ever get them here in Alaska. Like others on this board, we stock up on things that go on sale and eat them until more things go on sale. Once or twice a week I'll have cheese, crackers and fruit for lunch -- that's a lot more affordable when the crackers cost $1 than when they cost $3.79 per box. So yes, that saves money. We've been eating out of the stockpile as much as possible lately, in part to clean out the freezer and in part to put some extra money into savings.
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Blonde Granny
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 15, 2013 8:27:13 GMT -5
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Post by Blonde Granny on Apr 17, 2014 7:15:21 GMT -5
I failed miserably at tucking away a few dollars every week. I do have about $200 in my stash, but that's it.
For now, we are eating from the freezer and pantry, if for no other reason that to quit buying more food to make room for and then still go out to eat (like last night).
So far this week, I've spent $17.02 at WMT for bread, fresh fruits and some milk. So at least this plan is working.
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coffeegrl
Established Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 0:33:29 GMT -5
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Post by coffeegrl on Apr 17, 2014 12:45:12 GMT -5
As of today, I have $487.40 in my savings account. I started with the $0.40 in there at the beginning of the year, so have added the $487. My mom will probably give me $20 in a card for Easter, so will transfer $20 over from checking and will have over $500 in savings. It's been a looong time since I've had much in my savings account. A little bit at a time, though, right?
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donnafreedman
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Smart Spending Host
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Post by donnafreedman on Apr 18, 2014 15:06:59 GMT -5
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Blonde Granny
Junior Associate
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Post by Blonde Granny on Apr 18, 2014 15:19:29 GMT -5
Donna, in case I missed anything recently, I just want to tell you how nice it is to have you back with us. I know some of your other supporters will be welcomed here with open arms (and closed checkbooks)...LOL
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
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Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Apr 18, 2014 15:27:55 GMT -5
Donna, in case I missed anything recently, I just want to tell you how nice it is to have you back with us. I know some of your other supporters will be welcomed here with open arms (and closed checkbooks)...LOL
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donnafreedman
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Post by donnafreedman on Apr 19, 2014 20:38:10 GMT -5
Thanks! I keep getting bound up in deadlines (and, yeah, Seasonal Affective Disorder) and forgetting to drop by and chat. Will try to do better. And a reminder to all of you: I have a giveaway every week on my personal website. Usually I put it up on Friday but sometimes it's Saturday. You can enter up to five times, all of them easy. This week it's a copy of the "Budget Bytes" cookbook: donnafreedman.com/2014/04/18/giveaway-budget-bytes-a-wonderful-cookbook/Good luck!
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donnafreedman
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Post by donnafreedman on May 1, 2014 13:39:42 GMT -5
Re the calendar challenge: A commenter over on Get Rich Slowly suggested that instead of doing $1 the first week, $2 the second, etc., savers try saving $52 the first week, $51 the second and so on. That way you're not putting the bigger amounts in the bank during the holiday season when additional expenses are likely to arise. Makes sense to me.
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Artemis Windsong
Senior Associate
The love in me salutes the love in you. M. Williamson
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:32:12 GMT -5
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Favorite Drink: Fresh, clean cold bottled water.
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Post by Artemis Windsong on May 1, 2014 16:58:30 GMT -5
I am using what is in my pantry and shopping the coupon specials.
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busymom
Distinguished Associate
Why is the rum always gone? Oh...that's why.
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Post by busymom on May 1, 2014 21:10:53 GMT -5
Pat, I've got a friend who, every year at Christmas, gives all members of her family a flannel pair of pajama pants that she has sewn. They love it, & she waits for clearance sales on the flannel. Just the basic kind with an elastic waistband. (I agree that notions like zippers are crazy-expensive these days.) She just checks with her kids & grandkids each year to see what size they're wearing, & adjusts her simple pattern accordingly.
I need to go check my change jar, & see if there's enough yet to put in the bank.
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donnafreedman
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Post by donnafreedman on May 5, 2014 15:55:18 GMT -5
That sounds like a great gift! And you know it'll be used, since PJ pants are soooo comfortable. My DF is still wearing a jellaba (sp?) that his father's wife sewed for him. It's a floor-length garment with pockets and is so incredibly comfortable that he hopes it will never, ever die. It's made of polypro so it might outlive him yet. I need to learn to sew. He and I both keep saying we want to learn. I have a how-to book and there are online tutorials but what's more likely is that we'll take a class. That is, when we have time. Maybe after retirement, because everybody knows you have nothing to do then.
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murphath
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Joined: Dec 22, 2010 16:12:33 GMT -5
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Post by murphath on Jun 20, 2014 11:30:00 GMT -5
I made my DH a jellaba (sp?) years ago. It finally gave out about 5 years ago. I'd first encountered these on a trip to Morocco when I was 21. It's what all the men wear. Those are made out of a very coarse, thickish material. I made DH's out of cotton so much softer.
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