What are some of your best money saving tips for 2... - Page 3

Jabberjaw · ‎03-10-2010

Set a goal. I want to retire in 4 years at age 62. I am a good saver, but also a big spender. I am going to cut back on impulse purchases. I really don't need another piece of jewelery, clothes that are a good deal but sit in my closet unworn, the latest cosmetic breakthroughs, etc. When I total all of my spending over 2014, I am actually appalled at what I spent. The next time I am tempted, to spend impulsively (I don't do credit cards), I am going to take that money and apply it to investments.

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

DoneTryin · ‎03-09-2010

I like the reverse version of the 52-week savings plan cited by another poster. In the 1st week, save $52, 2nd week is $51, & so forth. Still wind up with the same total amount at the end of the year, & I look forward to each week being a dollar less to put away.

To each his/her own, eh?

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

Honestly, it's "just say no." This might apply to dinner out, a new top, new shoes, every single purchase, make-up, except groceries.

In the last 3 years before retiring in '13, I had to make a deal with myself, because I knew our disposable income was going to go down the drain. So, now it's me telling myself "No" quite often.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/14/2015 NoelSeven said:
Instead of eating out or grabbing a coffee while you're out, learn to cook and collect recipes for inexpensive, healthy meals and sides. There are many, many such recipes online.

You'll save a fortune.

This is the truth! I usually keep X amount of dollars out of my paycheck every week. It's not a lot but was just some pocket money.

I get paid on Friday and generally by Tuesday, that money was gone. Picking up dinner Friday and Saturday nights, grabbing Subway for lunch Saturday, a Starbucks coffee a few times and bam. Money gone.

The day after x-mas I got sick and wasn't going to get coffees or any of those other foods. Imagine my surprise when the following payday, I had spent only $5.00 out of my weekly allowance from the week before!

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

I think it helps to think about 'want vs need'. I'm no less guilty than anybody else of purchasing things that I purely WANT and totally don't need. I put more thought into that and then I just put back the money I might otherwise have spent. I keep a little savings account in my checking account, primarily because I don't want to start a separate savings account and be charged a service fee. I just post off the 'savings' part of it and keep track of that on that page in the back of the checking log that nobody ever uses anyway and when I reconcile I'm always aware of the current balance that doesn't show in my checking log.

I also keep a 'e-only' checking account (BofA) so that I am not charged a service fee. My little account seldom has more than $5,000 in it and if I'm charged $14 (or whatever it is now) a MONTH, that's a lot of money! My only restrictions are just that I have to use the ATM for deposits and everything, instead of going through the teller line. I like that better anyway, and the deposit thing with ATMs now is so advanced! You can safely deposit cash or checks and get a copy of everything, plus it verifies the amount before you punch it through so there's no worry.

I also buy a lot of stuff from Amazon that I used to get at stores and save a lot that way. I get the same Wellness dog food that I used to get at PetSmart, but I save about $20 PER MONTH by getting it on AD through Amazon.

Although sometimes I miss it, I virtually never go out to dinner anymore. I just don't want to be around all those people. Sounds weird but I like being at home now. I had many years of socializing and loved it, but I guess I'm over it. Bring me a pizza from Papa Murphy's - my favorite chicken, spinach, bacon, and artichoke hearts with a garlic cream sauce on a cracker thin crust - and I'm a very happy chicken! Bake it in the oven on 425F for 14 minutes and it's a wonderful special dinner.

While I'm still on this liquid diet, from oral surgery, I'm craving all kinds of stuff though. My grocery bill is pretty small, though!

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

Take care CB!! Still glad we can hear from you and you're healing up just fine.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/14/2015 qualitygal said:
Take care CB!! Still glad we can hear from you and you're healing up just fine.

Thanks, Qualitygal! I'm having a bowl of Cream of Wheat for lunch and feel very happy right now. Tired of broth and frostys and working on getting more creative. I think it's starting to improve and that also makes me happy. I don't like mouth pain AT ALL!