Beauty

[Irish1210]

Testing ~ third attempt at posting to this thread ~

[Havarti]

Is the print getting smaller on this forum....or is it just my old eyes?????

[3redheads]

On 1/11/2015 Havarti said:

Is the print getting smaller on this forum....or is it just my old eyes?????

Sometimes, I accidentally hit the wrong button and the print gets smaller. If you press

Ctrl and the + symbol at the same time, it will get bigger. If it gets too big, hit Ctrl and the - minus symbol.

[KonaKat]

I want to give you an example of what can be done. I'm from the Shopaholics thread. In the first year, when we analyzed our expenditures everywhere by reviewing order status, spreadsheets, etc., we dramatically reduced our expenditures. I went more or less "cold turkey" for a year, permitting myself only to buy needs, and one want per month and one dinner out. At the end of the year, I had saved enough money to take care of a week in Australia, including food hotel, and sightseeing. I was undergoing a medical issue at the time, and I wanted one of my bucket list activities to become a reality. I used frequent flier miles and went first class. I have never regretted it. I was never deprived during that time as I had already purchased plenty of things to last forever, or it seemed.

Let me give you another statistic. I have a heart condition. Last year, the total costs of prescriptions was over $9,000. Yes, I had a co-pay and insurance took care of much of it, but these are specialty drugs which requires a higher co-pay. The yearly co-pay for these drugs was $1200. I'm just now finishing a 3 week heart monitoring test. I have already seen what the insurance company was billed by looking at the site. That test was $4,700. I'm not going to bore you with last year's tests. Trust me, all these expenses mount up.

It isn't the big expenses you forget; it is the small expenses that you may pay with cash and then wonder where the cash went. If you track every expenditure whether it be by cash or credit card or debit card, you can see where you can target for a savings.

[2slow2]

On 1/10/2015 AnnMarie-1 said:

My journey started this week, first I have to get this house cleaned & then tackle the organization

I did get a thorough clean to one bedroom, bathrooms & kitchen (rugs, floors, dust)

This coming week I will tackle the paper piles, THIS IS MY PROBLEM area, but I am determined

Then my "dump" extra bedrooms, just wish it was warmer here, so cold to go into those closed door bedrooms

For me, to simplify & spend less I need to be organized, then I will feel more in control, I am sure some understand....like others say shop your own stuff and when your own stuff is organized you can see what you have & not look on the floor, oh, where is it, in what pile? in what drawer? LOL

Congrats AnnMarie-1, you're off to a great start!!! I know what you mean about the paper piles, I have had many! Finally got rid of all of them with my last move, so now I just have to take care of paper things as they come in; either file where it needs to be or shred. If I don't do it the instant it comes into the house, I end up with piles again! My apartment is so small, it has forced me to keep it under control, which I'm really happy about.

I read this on Dave Ramsey's site and love it, I think it can apply to more than debt!!!

"Back in the old days, when a pirate ship was trying to outrun somebody, they would dump all the stuff they didn't need over the side of the boat to get more speed. When you are a gazelle running away from the cheetah (i.e. your debt), you need to cut the lifestyle and dump the unnecessary stuff. Your burden will be much lighter, and you'll be debt-free that much faster. "

[azgal]

KonaKat,is there a program to use to track your expendables or do you just write it down?

[3redheads]

I bit the bullet a few years ago and invested in the NeatDesk scanner. It is still really hard for me to get rid of the paper receipts etc, but it makes life so much easier. You could probably save money and just use your own scanner for the same thing. Make sure you back up whatever you save.

Getting rid of paper piles makes me feel so much better! In many instances, I get my bills through email instead of paper bills. No more paper statements either.

[KonaKat]

On 1/11/2015 azgal said:

KonaKat,is there a program to use to track your expendables or do you just write it down?

I used Excell to develop my own spreadsheet and design. Basically, across the top columns, I put the categories of spending (gasoline, food, eating out, meds, etc.) Down the left side, I had the date of the month. You can do it by hand by writing it down, and then adding it up for each date or for each category.

[Havarti]

On 1/11/2015 3redheads said:

On 1/11/2015 Havarti said:

Is the print getting smaller on this forum....or is it just my old eyes?????

Sometimes, I accidentally hit the wrong button and the print gets smaller. If you press

Ctrl and the + symbol at the same time, it will get bigger. If it gets too big, hit Ctrl and the - minus symbol.

3redheads: You are a GENIUS! Thank you so much for your help. You have simplified my life in a whole new way. I am always in awe of people who are computer savvy.

Can you tell me what I do to make it happen so I will know not to do that again?

Thanks again for your help. The gift of knowledge lasts forever!

Oops! I got carried away...now my print is as big as my hips!

[azgal]

Thanks, KonaKat.