Among Friends

[Meowingkitty]

Among all those listed above I try to put possible (wants not needs) purchases on hold for at least 48 hours. Often times I think about it and change my mind and say forget it. I'll ask myself if I really need it or can I made do. If after a couple of days I still feel I want it I'll get it. Lots of times I either forget about it or just don't want it anymore. Also I use one credit card. No store cards and pay it off every month.  Keeps tracking easier.

[patbz]

On large purchases ( nhouse, car) pay as much down as you can and always pay extra monthly ex. additional  $500). If rates go down refi, if possible go from 30 yrs to 15 yrs, even if your mthly payment is higher.  Consider buying a used car with very low mileage. A little thing we do is DH and I cut each others hair (my last salon haircut was in 2019, used to spend $1000 A year).

[rockygems123]

---

@They CallMe MRWILKES wrote:

Using credit cards doesn't mean you are carrying a balance.  There is not always a negative connotation to credit card usage.  I see no reason to avoid their use, personally. 

I use mine for the cash back rewards on almost every purchase.  Once the charge is posted, reward accrued, I just go in and pay the charge.  I never wait for the end of a billing cycle.

I advise against the advice to avoid credit cards.  They can be a fabulous means to save and can be used exactly like cash, if you have the discipline and gumption.  Get a cash back card and USE IT!

For me, the cards are a very sound and rewarding financial management tool.

Of course,  this might not work for everyone.  Credit cards have been given a bad rap by those who likely have had a bad experience with them.

---

@They CallMe MRWILKES 

Agree 100%.  Most of my expenses go on Amex which is paid off monthly.  When I remodeled last I used Amex points to add hardwood floors to most of my house.  Fixtures also.

I've accrued about the same amount of points again and will use them toward household items or possibly travel.

[Effie54]

I use credit cards or cash. I don't use ATM cards. But I only buy what I can afford to pay at bill time. If I can't afford it, I don't look at it nor buy it. Plus, we use coupons and sales at the grocery stores. It's really common sense. 

[GingerHead]

What? You can save it?  haha

Seriously, we use our Amex Blue cash card on everything and pay it off at the end of the month and we get cash back on our purchases.

  I use Mr Rebates and really look for deals and my extra purchases are really considered and researched.

I buy beauty tools and gizmos to save on expensive derm visits

Try to eat healthy and exercise to save on medical costs.

Do more Stay-cays and not many va-cays (but maybe we do that because we prefer it....but it does save $$$

[occasionalrain]

I put everything I buy, every bill on a credit card because I get cash back. I pay the balance off each month so I never pay interest. Chase pays 5% on Amazon purchases and this quarter also pays 5% at grocery stores and gas stations. Next quarter Discover pays 5% back at restaurants and grocery stores. It adds up to hundreds of free money. I keep money in a Discover savings account that pays well over 4% interest and transfer what I need to pay off cc balances each month.

[cindyNC]

Look at needs vs wants. 

Invested in company 401K plans when working

CC for online purchases, usually cash or debit card for local purchases

Always shop sales or wait for what I want to go on sale. 

have always kept my cars past 100,000 unless it's a vehicle w/issues. 

[speedy girl]

From the day we got married (many years ago) we paid ourselves just like any other bill each month. It was non-negotiable and went into our savings faithfully. When we had enough then we would transfer money into a CD and start saving all over again.  It has served us well and our nest egg. 

[Desertdi]

The Arizona legislature is currently considering requiring high school students to complete a course in FINANCIAL LITERACY.    

[Luvsmyfam]

@Meowingkitty Sounds silly,but I usually unplugg everything but tv,and turn heat way down.Of course that is how I broke my wrist bc I got tangled in blankets!Let that teach me a lesson

HAVE A GREAT WORKWEEK Q BUDDIES