We made it! Celebration is now in order. The official total is $178.10 that has been saved by not buying food (besides perishables) at the grocery store for the past 30 days. Instead, meals have been made by what was already in the pantry, but was passed over because we wanted something else. The surprising thing is that there is probably another month's worth out there in "pantry-land", but the updates will just be occassional. The funny thing is that one of our local grocery stores has a "no coupon" day today in which you get $10 off $50 purchase. That works out to be 20%. Of course the saving percent goes down as your bill grows.
That's why I shop with a list (and do the math as I go along) and keep it as close to $50 as I can. If there is ever an occassion to need more than $100, I will make two trips, one in the morning and one in the evening (it is a 24 hour store). Some people don't shop there because you bag the groceries yourself. I will bag my own to save a few cents on every item. Remember that pennies add up, especially when you are saving money to eliminate your credit card debt. Buckled with the interest that most people pay on their credit cards, it makes a HUGE difference in the bottom line.
One thing that I notice living in a strong union town is that people are unwilling to use a self check out for a small purchase. Their argument is that they don't want to put anybody out of a job. I usually keep my mouth shut because 1) the use of the self checker saves the store enough money to keep the prices as low as they are 2) a job is created to supervise the self checkouts and 3) if someone plans on making cashiering to be their career, perhaps some career counseling is in order. 'Nuff said.
Have a great day, and here is to YOUR success in eliminating your credit card debt.
Showing posts with label savings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label savings. Show all posts
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
One More To Go
$169.67. That's where we stand. It doesn't seem possible, but the goal is almost here. The check for the extra payment to the credit card company will be mailed on Friday, and it seems great. At the interest rate, it will save me $200 this calendar year.
Always on the lookout for a good value and money saving ideas, we decided not to have our weekly dinner out (at around $20 each for sushi), we decided on leftovers and some food that was around the home. It was difficult because my wife and I really enjoy well-prepared sushi, but when you have your eyes on the prize, instant gratification sort of goes by the wayside.
Unfortunately, if you noticed, this post is about 18 hours later than it is usually put up. There were some storms in the area last night, and the wireless router seems to have been affected, so tonight it is a direct hookup to the cable, and it works fine. Since we have our Internet and phone all in one place (still haven't been able to beat the deal with DirecTV yet). But I do know that phone and Internet through the cable beats the price we were paying for DSL and a phone line. We rarely use the phone line because of cell phones, but it is still nice to have for faxing things.
Keep up the great work, and thanks for the suggestions that you have given us for saving money in order to eliminate credit card debt!
Always on the lookout for a good value and money saving ideas, we decided not to have our weekly dinner out (at around $20 each for sushi), we decided on leftovers and some food that was around the home. It was difficult because my wife and I really enjoy well-prepared sushi, but when you have your eyes on the prize, instant gratification sort of goes by the wayside.
Unfortunately, if you noticed, this post is about 18 hours later than it is usually put up. There were some storms in the area last night, and the wireless router seems to have been affected, so tonight it is a direct hookup to the cable, and it works fine. Since we have our Internet and phone all in one place (still haven't been able to beat the deal with DirecTV yet). But I do know that phone and Internet through the cable beats the price we were paying for DSL and a phone line. We rarely use the phone line because of cell phones, but it is still nice to have for faxing things.
Keep up the great work, and thanks for the suggestions that you have given us for saving money in order to eliminate credit card debt!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
23 Skiddoo
Although the jury is out, some put the meaning of the phrase 23-Skiddoo as a popular slang phrase of the 1920's meaning to "get out while the getting's good." Well I am not getting out of here, but the 23rd day has been reached, and there are just seven days remaining to make it 30 days without grocery shopping except for perishables. I did happen to go to a Cardinals ball game again last night, but instead of buying a $6.00 soda with supper, I just settled for a $6.25 nachos (ouch!). That, and a hurried breakfast on the run (overslept a bit) had my spending at $9.53 for the day and brought my savings for this period down to $119.37. Still over $100 and more than I would have if no effort was made. See how the little things add up?
One chapter of my upcoming eBook is on saving by keeping accurate records. Without a map, (or as some might say GPS) it is hard to know where you are, much less how you are going to get to where you are going. One of the most difficult things is to develop the habit of keeping track of every little thing that you spend your money on. It really doesn't matter how you keep track, it could be on a pocket notebook, a laptop, a printed budget form...whatever. The important thing is to keep a record. Having taught Excel at a local college for a semester made it easy for a spreadsheet to be set up. Now, there is a budget set up on which I track every cent that comes in, and every cent that goes out.
A casual asking on where your money goes will often result in the shrugging of your shoulders. Not any more. When you are determined to eliminate your credit card debt, it is imperative that you know exactly where your money is going. As has been mentioned before, there are many sources for assistance with this including mint.com or typing "personal finance worksheet" into Google and coming up with a result like this. If you need help, help is there.
Here's to eliminating your credit card debt and to your financial success!
One chapter of my upcoming eBook is on saving by keeping accurate records. Without a map, (or as some might say GPS) it is hard to know where you are, much less how you are going to get to where you are going. One of the most difficult things is to develop the habit of keeping track of every little thing that you spend your money on. It really doesn't matter how you keep track, it could be on a pocket notebook, a laptop, a printed budget form...whatever. The important thing is to keep a record. Having taught Excel at a local college for a semester made it easy for a spreadsheet to be set up. Now, there is a budget set up on which I track every cent that comes in, and every cent that goes out.
A casual asking on where your money goes will often result in the shrugging of your shoulders. Not any more. When you are determined to eliminate your credit card debt, it is imperative that you know exactly where your money is going. As has been mentioned before, there are many sources for assistance with this including mint.com or typing "personal finance worksheet" into Google and coming up with a result like this. If you need help, help is there.
Here's to eliminating your credit card debt and to your financial success!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Twenty One Gun Salute
Is usually used as a salute for Presidents, heads of state, and special occasions. So, paying down debt is not exactly a reason for that kind of respect, it is deserving of at least notation. We are at day twenty-one (I had to think of something catchy for the title) and the running total now stands at $112.63. While that may be chump change to a lot of people, it isn't exactly that for someone who has spent the last quarter of a century living paycheck to paycheck. These techniques I share with you will hopefully help you in your quest to become free of credit card debt, or prevent you from getting in those dire straights to begin with. A question often arises when the discussion about saving money on food.
Do we have to sacrifice quality and taste when we save money on food? That depends. Store brands of food items are often made by the same manufacturer as the name brand foods. Take for example Frosted Flakes. I have been a fan of cereal for most of my life. There is a slight difference in the Kellogg brand and the store bran, but that is really a minute change. When shopping at the grocery store, you will notice a big difference in the price of the two. Why?
Advertising costs. As a child, I would spend many of my afternoons and most of my Saturday mornings watching cartoons. Looking back, there were tons of cereal commercials on, particularly from Post or Kellogg. I don't recall a single commercial for the store brand of those foods. Since stores don't have to pay for the advertising, they can basically get the same thing for a fraction of the cost. In fact, the store may make a higher margin of profit on these items so we, as consumers, win by having a fine quality food for a fraction of the cost of a box of cereal.
As an ingredient, one can rarely tell the difference between the store brand and the national brand. It is when you eat them as a solo item that you may be able to tell a marked difference. You should try the low-cost alternatives...at least try them to see how much more food you get for your money. You can always use that saving to pay off debt.
Have a great day!
Do we have to sacrifice quality and taste when we save money on food? That depends. Store brands of food items are often made by the same manufacturer as the name brand foods. Take for example Frosted Flakes. I have been a fan of cereal for most of my life. There is a slight difference in the Kellogg brand and the store bran, but that is really a minute change. When shopping at the grocery store, you will notice a big difference in the price of the two. Why?
Advertising costs. As a child, I would spend many of my afternoons and most of my Saturday mornings watching cartoons. Looking back, there were tons of cereal commercials on, particularly from Post or Kellogg. I don't recall a single commercial for the store brand of those foods. Since stores don't have to pay for the advertising, they can basically get the same thing for a fraction of the cost. In fact, the store may make a higher margin of profit on these items so we, as consumers, win by having a fine quality food for a fraction of the cost of a box of cereal.
As an ingredient, one can rarely tell the difference between the store brand and the national brand. It is when you eat them as a solo item that you may be able to tell a marked difference. You should try the low-cost alternatives...at least try them to see how much more food you get for your money. You can always use that saving to pay off debt.
Have a great day!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sweet Sixteen
Like a snowball rolling down the mountainside, this has started to gain momentum. Day 16 and the running total is $88.47. It's all downhill from here. One thing that hasn't been discussed too much lately is communication services. Yes, that means the landline. What once was a necessary item in the American home is losing its stronghold. I should know: I was the third generation of telephone employees. My grandfather retired from Michigan Bell (which started out as Bell Telephone back in the grand old days of the telephone monopoly), my father retired from AT&T (although it was SBC after it was Southwestern Bell), and I attempted to be the black sheep of the family but because there was a need to eat, I succumbed and worked for Verizon (I was hired by GTE, but my first paycheck was from Verizon).
Cellular phones were once considered a luxury and now they are extremely prevalent. When I worked for Verizon from 2000-2006, I witnessed first-hand the demise of the landline. For Internet services, it was just about the only way to hook up. It was first through slow 56K dial up modems. If you wanted the ability to receive incoming phone calls while you were checking your email (and boy, was service slow back then), you often had to have second telephone line. I know, because that is exactly what we did. A second phone line was installed so that my wife and I could be on the internet at the same time. That was before DSL which gave you the ability to be online and on the telephone at the same time.
Telephone service has come down in price as the demand has dwindled. Sure, there are less populated areas that only have a connection to the Internet via phone line. There are satellite services and cable services that allow you to do away with your landline completely. Whereas we used to pay over $100 a month for our landlines alone, phone service is now through our cable company and we, through technology, can have two or more connections to the Internet simultaneously.
Do you need to have a phone line? It used to be that it was for safety that it was considered necessary, but with the popularity of cell phones, most people have one and use it exclusively for their communication needs. I cannot recall the last time that I took a call on our landline. I never give the number out as I exclusively use my cell phone which has built in voicemail so I never lose a call. You may be able to save the money that you spend for a landline to help erase your credit card debt. You simply have to weigh the pros and cons. It may come to the point where the cons outweigh the pros and you find that it is less expensive to go with an upgraded cellular plan than it is to hold on to the landline. That is an individual decision, but when it comes to saving money, you have to take a hard look at everything in your life.
Until tomorrow, have a great day!
Cellular phones were once considered a luxury and now they are extremely prevalent. When I worked for Verizon from 2000-2006, I witnessed first-hand the demise of the landline. For Internet services, it was just about the only way to hook up. It was first through slow 56K dial up modems. If you wanted the ability to receive incoming phone calls while you were checking your email (and boy, was service slow back then), you often had to have second telephone line. I know, because that is exactly what we did. A second phone line was installed so that my wife and I could be on the internet at the same time. That was before DSL which gave you the ability to be online and on the telephone at the same time.
Telephone service has come down in price as the demand has dwindled. Sure, there are less populated areas that only have a connection to the Internet via phone line. There are satellite services and cable services that allow you to do away with your landline completely. Whereas we used to pay over $100 a month for our landlines alone, phone service is now through our cable company and we, through technology, can have two or more connections to the Internet simultaneously.
Do you need to have a phone line? It used to be that it was for safety that it was considered necessary, but with the popularity of cell phones, most people have one and use it exclusively for their communication needs. I cannot recall the last time that I took a call on our landline. I never give the number out as I exclusively use my cell phone which has built in voicemail so I never lose a call. You may be able to save the money that you spend for a landline to help erase your credit card debt. You simply have to weigh the pros and cons. It may come to the point where the cons outweigh the pros and you find that it is less expensive to go with an upgraded cellular plan than it is to hold on to the landline. That is an individual decision, but when it comes to saving money, you have to take a hard look at everything in your life.
Until tomorrow, have a great day!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Fifteen and We Are Halfway There
Wow, still going and the savings add up. Now the total stands at $80.14 and the sweet scent of success can be felt. Last night, a pot of black-eyed peas and rice was scrounged up that will make 4 or 5 meals for the next few days. Not only are those items low cost to purchase (they were already in the pantry), but they are low-fat options for taking my lunch to my day job (which solves a couple of issues at one time). If you work at a job which has a refrigerator available that you can take your lunch in and save money, here are some ideas that you could use that will allow you to survive the day without blowing your budget or diet.
* Try making a pot of soup (better, for some reason, in the cooler months of the year). You can find some great recipes out on the Internet such as places like recipes.com.
*There is always the good old sandwich routine. Buy a loaf of bread, a package of lunch meat and perhaps even some cheese. You will be able to make quite a few meals that work out to be less than $1.00 a meal. When I was a kid, we often would be packed a peanut butter or bologna sandwich. Hey, it has worked for people for years.
* Make some casseroles and take the leftovers. I haven't been as good with eating leftovers until the past few years. Who says that a good meal can only be eaten once?
* There is always a bowl of low-cost ramen noodles. There is a wide host of recipes available as well.
* Frozen dinners and pot-pies give another low-cost option. There is no need to spend a fortune when many of the "bargain" meals can run right at $1.00 per dinner (Hint: You need to keep your eyes open for deals at your local grocery store or Wal-Mart. Look online for specials and coupons as well.
Keep up your success and you will find the money that has been mysteriously slipping between your fingers! You can then eliminate your credit card debt.
Have a great day! Visit my website if you like.
* Try making a pot of soup (better, for some reason, in the cooler months of the year). You can find some great recipes out on the Internet such as places like recipes.com.
*There is always the good old sandwich routine. Buy a loaf of bread, a package of lunch meat and perhaps even some cheese. You will be able to make quite a few meals that work out to be less than $1.00 a meal. When I was a kid, we often would be packed a peanut butter or bologna sandwich. Hey, it has worked for people for years.
* Make some casseroles and take the leftovers. I haven't been as good with eating leftovers until the past few years. Who says that a good meal can only be eaten once?
* There is always a bowl of low-cost ramen noodles. There is a wide host of recipes available as well.
* Frozen dinners and pot-pies give another low-cost option. There is no need to spend a fortune when many of the "bargain" meals can run right at $1.00 per dinner (Hint: You need to keep your eyes open for deals at your local grocery store or Wal-Mart. Look online for specials and coupons as well.
Keep up your success and you will find the money that has been mysteriously slipping between your fingers! You can then eliminate your credit card debt.
Have a great day! Visit my website if you like.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Fourteen = Two Weeks
It is difficult to imagine, but now it is at the fourteen day mark (only shopped for perishables) and the savings now stand at $71.81. That's $71.81 that can be used to eliminate credit card debt and push further toward the path of being debt-free. A few years ago, if one would have asked for $71.81 (okay, let round it to $70) in two weeks time, I would have thought that it would have been impossible to come up with the extra money, but now i am learning that the money is there, you just have to be wiser with the spending of it.
You can find "extra" money as well. You see, you just have to look for it, and you will most assuredly find it. As people are fond of saying that "you do what you have to do", once the mindset is there to save money/pay off credit card debt, the doors will open wide. You will think twice about buying a candy bar on impulse at the checkout lane of the grocery store or when picking up a box of nails from Home Depot: that "only a buck" will add up to wasted money in the long haul. Stores count on consumers to pick up things on impulse. Usually those items are marked up slightly (yes, I can remember when candy bars were bigger and cost only a quarter) if not a lot. Why do you think that there are impulse items at the checkout lanes of Wal-Mart? It certainly isn't that we need those items, it is that the stores need us to help line their pockets with a little more of our hard earned money.
Stand your ground! Buy only what you need and make do on less so that you can enjoy life more. I have lived most of my entire life from paycheck to paycheck when, in retrospect, I could have done without the soda and still lived, and had a lot more to show for life. You can too! I am just trying to be a guide for you (it is the teacher in me that wants to share this with you).
Here's to a happy, successful and financially worry-free life!
(visit here for a free report)
You can find "extra" money as well. You see, you just have to look for it, and you will most assuredly find it. As people are fond of saying that "you do what you have to do", once the mindset is there to save money/pay off credit card debt, the doors will open wide. You will think twice about buying a candy bar on impulse at the checkout lane of the grocery store or when picking up a box of nails from Home Depot: that "only a buck" will add up to wasted money in the long haul. Stores count on consumers to pick up things on impulse. Usually those items are marked up slightly (yes, I can remember when candy bars were bigger and cost only a quarter) if not a lot. Why do you think that there are impulse items at the checkout lanes of Wal-Mart? It certainly isn't that we need those items, it is that the stores need us to help line their pockets with a little more of our hard earned money.
Stand your ground! Buy only what you need and make do on less so that you can enjoy life more. I have lived most of my entire life from paycheck to paycheck when, in retrospect, I could have done without the soda and still lived, and had a lot more to show for life. You can too! I am just trying to be a guide for you (it is the teacher in me that wants to share this with you).
Here's to a happy, successful and financially worry-free life!
(visit here for a free report)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Is Thirteen Unlucky?
Day 13 and now the savings are at $63.47 for the 30 day period. There has only been the need to go to the store for perishables and the excitement builds as the potential savings mounts. Breakfast portrays one of the most important meals of the day, yet it also represents what is normally the least-expensive one. It is a good way to start off your day nutritionally as well as financially. After all, the 30 day goal is to see how much one can save to eliminate credit card debt.
I am not becoming more frugal because I have to: I am beginning to enjoy it because I can. There is a great satisfaction because I am not living as if there is no alternative to being a frugal, money-conscious person, I am starting to gain immense satisfaction knowing that I can live on less, I can save money, and I can demolish my credit card debt which has been suffocating me lo these long years.
Most people drive a car, unlike my father's mother who never drove a day in her life (she didn't need to). One small way that you can save money is something that is often overlooked; your tires. It is important to keep your tires properly inflated because estimates show that that you can cost six cents a gallon. I drive about 300 miles a week. At 22 miles per gallon on my car, my weekly gas consumption is around 13 gallons per week, with a potential savings of $0.81 for the week, or roughly $43 a year. That's $1,075 in 25 years. Every little thing adds up, just be aware of all the ways that you can save so that you can be debt free and financially free faster than you originally though possible.
Have a great day!
I am not becoming more frugal because I have to: I am beginning to enjoy it because I can. There is a great satisfaction because I am not living as if there is no alternative to being a frugal, money-conscious person, I am starting to gain immense satisfaction knowing that I can live on less, I can save money, and I can demolish my credit card debt which has been suffocating me lo these long years.
Most people drive a car, unlike my father's mother who never drove a day in her life (she didn't need to). One small way that you can save money is something that is often overlooked; your tires. It is important to keep your tires properly inflated because estimates show that that you can cost six cents a gallon. I drive about 300 miles a week. At 22 miles per gallon on my car, my weekly gas consumption is around 13 gallons per week, with a potential savings of $0.81 for the week, or roughly $43 a year. That's $1,075 in 25 years. Every little thing adds up, just be aware of all the ways that you can save so that you can be debt free and financially free faster than you originally though possible.
Have a great day!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Cheaper By the Dozen
It's the name of a popular 2003 remake of a movie. As the name implies, things may be cheaper by the dozen. That is true, but you have to watch and make sure. When saving money for elimating your credit card debt, it may be best to purchase some things in bulk (I will explain shortly). I am attempting to show some simple ways that you can save money so that your hard-earned money will go further and that you can make smart decisions so that you can help eliminate credit card debt from your life.
First, an update: No groceries were purchased yesterday so the twelve day savings now stands at $55.14 (and we have not even reached the halfway point). There will more than likely be an adjustment to the budget for food expenses (a decrease) an a corresponding increase to the budget for eliminating credit card debt!
Now, on to the explanation promised earlier. Let's imagine that you need to buy eggs (eggs are a low-cost food item and are also used in a variety of recipes). The grocery store has three selections: a six-pack for $0.79, a dozen for $1.29, and 18 for $1.67. You hover in the decision because you do go to the grocery store often, so it isn't like they aren't accessible or seasonal. Doing the serious math you can break the cost per egg down to (figures are rounded) to $0.13 (six), $0.11 (12), or $0.09 (18). The cost between each egg is fairly insignificant, but remember that EVERY PENNY COUNTS!! In the world of money, one must be penny-wise. Retailers cound on us to not worry about a few cents. If they have 1,000 customers a day, four cents per customer is $40.00 a day. That means $14,600 a year. And that is just one item.
So, be wise, take the time to do some math (most cell phones have a calculator feature on them) and watch every cent so that it will add up to dollars in savings and you can use those dollars to help eliminate your credit card debt. (Please visit my website)
First, an update: No groceries were purchased yesterday so the twelve day savings now stands at $55.14 (and we have not even reached the halfway point). There will more than likely be an adjustment to the budget for food expenses (a decrease) an a corresponding increase to the budget for eliminating credit card debt!
Now, on to the explanation promised earlier. Let's imagine that you need to buy eggs (eggs are a low-cost food item and are also used in a variety of recipes). The grocery store has three selections: a six-pack for $0.79, a dozen for $1.29, and 18 for $1.67. You hover in the decision because you do go to the grocery store often, so it isn't like they aren't accessible or seasonal. Doing the serious math you can break the cost per egg down to (figures are rounded) to $0.13 (six), $0.11 (12), or $0.09 (18). The cost between each egg is fairly insignificant, but remember that EVERY PENNY COUNTS!! In the world of money, one must be penny-wise. Retailers cound on us to not worry about a few cents. If they have 1,000 customers a day, four cents per customer is $40.00 a day. That means $14,600 a year. And that is just one item.
So, be wise, take the time to do some math (most cell phones have a calculator feature on them) and watch every cent so that it will add up to dollars in savings and you can use those dollars to help eliminate your credit card debt. (Please visit my website)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Two Steps Forward . . .
It was bound to happen eventually: there was a need to feed a vice that is in my life. There is an addiction that I have that, although the intensity isn't what it used to be (nor the cost), still is fed. As it has been mentioned before, I have spent thousands of dollars over the years on Diet Coke. At least I have now cut it down to one 12-ounce can a day and the purchase is made in bulk rather than buying a fountain one of 64 or 128 ounces. I went to the grocery store for soda and perishables. This will be enough for a month, but $19.86 was spent at the grocery store. That brings the monthly savings down to $58.33. Still an admirable achievement considering that there is still 19 days left (and plenty of food remaining).
But I still have a burning desire to eliminate credit card debt.
Who knows, I may give up the Diet Coke habit entirely.
I want to talk today about how a small amount (usually pennies a day) is earned. There is a site called InboxDollars on which I earn about $0.03 - $0.08 a day. It isn't much, but it does add up. Here is how it works: Everyday, I get 2-4 emails daily that has an advertiser in it. I visit the site and I get a few cents. They also have offers there (be careful because not everything is as good as it sounds). I have already received one check for $30+ and it is making an extremely small dent in the credit card debt. It costs nothing to join. There is even a referral program in which you earn a percentage of what your referrals earn. (I have none, this has been a solo effort so far.) If you are interested in becoming a referral, just email me, and I could help you get set up.
Every penny counts. It is when you add up all the pennies, you get dollars and dollars become a way to pay down your credit card debt. Remember when it was mentioned that you begin to develop a mindset that you find ways to save a few cents here, a few cents there and it adds up. Being more mindful of your expenses is not being cheap, it is not being miserly, but it is being wise with what you earn.
Here's to your getting wisdom in your life. If you please, visit my website.
But I still have a burning desire to eliminate credit card debt.
Who knows, I may give up the Diet Coke habit entirely.
I want to talk today about how a small amount (usually pennies a day) is earned. There is a site called InboxDollars on which I earn about $0.03 - $0.08 a day. It isn't much, but it does add up. Here is how it works: Everyday, I get 2-4 emails daily that has an advertiser in it. I visit the site and I get a few cents. They also have offers there (be careful because not everything is as good as it sounds). I have already received one check for $30+ and it is making an extremely small dent in the credit card debt. It costs nothing to join. There is even a referral program in which you earn a percentage of what your referrals earn. (I have none, this has been a solo effort so far.) If you are interested in becoming a referral, just email me, and I could help you get set up.
Every penny counts. It is when you add up all the pennies, you get dollars and dollars become a way to pay down your credit card debt. Remember when it was mentioned that you begin to develop a mindset that you find ways to save a few cents here, a few cents there and it adds up. Being more mindful of your expenses is not being cheap, it is not being miserly, but it is being wise with what you earn.
Here's to your getting wisdom in your life. If you please, visit my website.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Nine is Fine
It is hard to believe that we are up to day nine of the challenge to not spend money at the grocery store needlessly and the total savings now stand at $61.52. And that is just one category that most have each and every month. That savings, after the month, will be used to help eliminate credit card debt. It is amazing that there is so much waste in our lives that we are sitting on abundance when it seems like we are sucked deeper and deeper into financial ruin.
It doesn't have to be that way.
Let's talk briefly about saving on cellular phone service. Fifteen years ago, there weren't that many cell phones (or cell phone companies) around to choose from and you paid a lot for very little. That has changed. You get a lot more talk time for less money than when the cellular phones started to hit the market. It is difficult to go anywhere without seeing people with cell phones in the hands or on their persons. You don't have to spend as much as most do. If you take the time to analyze your cell usage, you may find that you are paying for more than you need. Do you really need everything that is available for your phone? Probably not.
A good tool to use is a cellular phone plan comparison like here. You can find cellular plans that will get you what you need while not paying for what you don't need. I was paying for a much bigger plan than I needed that had over 1,000 minutes of anytime calling. I didn't use nearly that much and went to a smaller plan that saved about $25 a month, or $300 a year. In twenty years, I would have paid $6,000 more than I needed.
$6,000! That would make a dent in the credit card debt and will go a long way. And that is one one small area of saving. You can do it too. Simply spend less than you make and eliminate things that you don't need.
For more ideas, please visit my website.
Have a GREAT day!
It doesn't have to be that way.
Let's talk briefly about saving on cellular phone service. Fifteen years ago, there weren't that many cell phones (or cell phone companies) around to choose from and you paid a lot for very little. That has changed. You get a lot more talk time for less money than when the cellular phones started to hit the market. It is difficult to go anywhere without seeing people with cell phones in the hands or on their persons. You don't have to spend as much as most do. If you take the time to analyze your cell usage, you may find that you are paying for more than you need. Do you really need everything that is available for your phone? Probably not.
A good tool to use is a cellular phone plan comparison like here. You can find cellular plans that will get you what you need while not paying for what you don't need. I was paying for a much bigger plan than I needed that had over 1,000 minutes of anytime calling. I didn't use nearly that much and went to a smaller plan that saved about $25 a month, or $300 a year. In twenty years, I would have paid $6,000 more than I needed.
$6,000! That would make a dent in the credit card debt and will go a long way. And that is one one small area of saving. You can do it too. Simply spend less than you make and eliminate things that you don't need.
For more ideas, please visit my website.
Have a GREAT day!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Eight Is Great
No groceries were bought yesterdy, but money was spent out of the grocery fund. Let there be an explanation presented. We were presented with an opportunity to go to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game after work, which we gladly did. Lunch was prepared from home, so that part of the day was planned. There was no time for supper, so dinner was purchased at the ball park (sans soda) for $10.50. It was Hardee's (one of my favorites), so on day 8, the total saved on food stands at $53.19, still a respectible amount.
Rarely is the splurge for entertainment used and money was actually saved in the process. Again, an explanation is in order. Because the economy is not as robust as it should be, the powers that be at the St. Louis Cardinals deemed that some money was better than no money and tickets for weeknight games could be purchased at a 10 for the price of 5 offer. In the rising cost of professional baseball tickets, particularly with new stadiums to finance, this is a welcome relief.
You see, you have to be in the mindset to save money because opportunities will present themselves that never have been there before. Now, you will find yourself looking for coupons in the newspaper (if your city still has one), online, and wherever you happen to be. You will develop the attitude of looking for bargains, and because you have more discretionary funds available (even after diligently paying down your high-interest credit cards) to use to save money.
Hold your head up! Success is closer than you think! (visit my website if you please)
Rarely is the splurge for entertainment used and money was actually saved in the process. Again, an explanation is in order. Because the economy is not as robust as it should be, the powers that be at the St. Louis Cardinals deemed that some money was better than no money and tickets for weeknight games could be purchased at a 10 for the price of 5 offer. In the rising cost of professional baseball tickets, particularly with new stadiums to finance, this is a welcome relief.
You see, you have to be in the mindset to save money because opportunities will present themselves that never have been there before. Now, you will find yourself looking for coupons in the newspaper (if your city still has one), online, and wherever you happen to be. You will develop the attitude of looking for bargains, and because you have more discretionary funds available (even after diligently paying down your high-interest credit cards) to use to save money.
Hold your head up! Success is closer than you think! (visit my website if you please)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Lucky Number Seven
Day 7 of the challenge and a trip was made to the grocery store. So it was for a gallon of milk ($2.98 including tax). That leaves the balance now remaining of money saved so far as $55.35. Not bad for one week. It used to be that a stop would be made for something like a Taco Bell combo meal for around $5.00 when I would get off work from my second job. Not only is it financially healthier to fix something at home, but it is far healthier for the body than a daily meal at a fast food joint.
I have to admit that my parents were right. They raised me to be frugal and we didn't needlessly consume any extras. Money was probably not tight, but we had a budget for everything and unnecessary expenses were nipped in the bud if possible. One point in particular was that groceries were expertly planned and purchased. My brother loved juice, but we were allotted one small glass a day. One of the first things he purchased after he got a high school job at Ken's Pizza, now known as Mazzio's, was a container of orange juice. He poured himself a big glass of that juice and drank it in front of my parents, much to their chagrin.
The case in point is that my parents were brought up to save money where you could, buy only what you needed, sort of a waste not, want not mindset. They tried in vain to instill that in me, and 25 years later, I finally get it. It is better to spend less than you make and I am trying to instill that virtue in those that I come in contact with. Credit card debt can ruin your life both financially and emotionally.
We shall overcome. Please visit my website.
I have to admit that my parents were right. They raised me to be frugal and we didn't needlessly consume any extras. Money was probably not tight, but we had a budget for everything and unnecessary expenses were nipped in the bud if possible. One point in particular was that groceries were expertly planned and purchased. My brother loved juice, but we were allotted one small glass a day. One of the first things he purchased after he got a high school job at Ken's Pizza, now known as Mazzio's, was a container of orange juice. He poured himself a big glass of that juice and drank it in front of my parents, much to their chagrin.
The case in point is that my parents were brought up to save money where you could, buy only what you needed, sort of a waste not, want not mindset. They tried in vain to instill that in me, and 25 years later, I finally get it. It is better to spend less than you make and I am trying to instill that virtue in those that I come in contact with. Credit card debt can ruin your life both financially and emotionally.
We shall overcome. Please visit my website.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Ants Go Marching Six by Six
Now a milestone has been struck: it is now day six of the thirty day experiment to clean out the pantry, fatten the wallet, and eliminate credit card debt (at least it will lower it a bit in the process). We are now sitting on the morning of the sixth day. Since I have to work both jobs today and there is food already prepared for my lunch/dinner, there won't be a need to shop at the grocery store. Savings stand at $50.00.
When you develop the mindset to seriously eliminate your credit card debt and begin to save in earnest, you will find ways to eliminate the excess. One place that is used for a timely source of saving (along with tax advice, freebies, etc.) is Dolans.com. There you can find some handy calculators (beside the one provided by David Bach, the Latte Factor). You will find it an easy read and a great source for all things financial. As you become more sensitive to the use of your money and finding sources of ways to save your hard-earned cash, you will begin to notice that there really is a great source of information out there in Internet-land for your having.
Saving money will become more of a way of life and less of a burdon for you. It doesn't have to be a chore, and you will see ways that you used to spend needlessly. No longer will you be a slave to credit cards and rising credit card debt, but, without too much effort, you will be able to live better with what you have.
Here's to a great life!! (Visit my website)
When you develop the mindset to seriously eliminate your credit card debt and begin to save in earnest, you will find ways to eliminate the excess. One place that is used for a timely source of saving (along with tax advice, freebies, etc.) is Dolans.com. There you can find some handy calculators (beside the one provided by David Bach, the Latte Factor). You will find it an easy read and a great source for all things financial. As you become more sensitive to the use of your money and finding sources of ways to save your hard-earned cash, you will begin to notice that there really is a great source of information out there in Internet-land for your having.
Saving money will become more of a way of life and less of a burdon for you. It doesn't have to be a chore, and you will see ways that you used to spend needlessly. No longer will you be a slave to credit cards and rising credit card debt, but, without too much effort, you will be able to live better with what you have.
Here's to a great life!! (Visit my website)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
And Now For Day Five
Okay, so this post got out a little bit late. The time has rolled now to five days and no grocery shopping. It turned out that milk did not need to be purchased, so the spending for grocery in the past five days stands at zero ($0.00). The savings so far has added up to $41.67. And we are 1/6th of the way through.
Some may be wondering why the infatuation with food. Food is one this that everybody has to have to survive. Most people eat every day whether they are rich or poor. You probably ate today. While everyone has to have food, food represents the one area that savings can be realized from. Name brand food is definitely more expensive that the store brand, but, if it is used as an ingredient (like in a pot of soup or a stew), chances are that you will not notice the difference. Save a buck here, a buck there, and soon you have found the extra money that you need to pay down your credit card debt. If you need more free information, you can always sign up here.
Another reason is that it is easier to maintain a good weight eating things that cost less. It is definitely cheaper to eat at home rather than picking up food at the drive through. It is healthier for you as well. Take the 30 day challenge and see how much money you can free up. This is now money that can be used to pay down debt, save for the future, fund some put-off medical expenses...whatever your heart desires.
To have more money, you simply need to spend less than you make. You can either save money or make more. For ideas, you can always go to my website or even click here.
Here is to your success!
Some may be wondering why the infatuation with food. Food is one this that everybody has to have to survive. Most people eat every day whether they are rich or poor. You probably ate today. While everyone has to have food, food represents the one area that savings can be realized from. Name brand food is definitely more expensive that the store brand, but, if it is used as an ingredient (like in a pot of soup or a stew), chances are that you will not notice the difference. Save a buck here, a buck there, and soon you have found the extra money that you need to pay down your credit card debt. If you need more free information, you can always sign up here.
Another reason is that it is easier to maintain a good weight eating things that cost less. It is definitely cheaper to eat at home rather than picking up food at the drive through. It is healthier for you as well. Take the 30 day challenge and see how much money you can free up. This is now money that can be used to pay down debt, save for the future, fund some put-off medical expenses...whatever your heart desires.
To have more money, you simply need to spend less than you make. You can either save money or make more. For ideas, you can always go to my website or even click here.
Here is to your success!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
So Far, So Good
Four days and counting. Today will be the day that some milk will have to be purchased, but so far no grocery shopping. At $8.33 per day for groceries, the potential savings (and subsequent debt pay down) stands at $33.33. And that is only in four days.
When you develop the mindset to eliminate your credit card debt, there seems to be so many little things that can be done to get you to where you want to be. Save a few cents here, clip a coupon there, eat less (and being gravity-enhanced, it is a good thing to decrease your size)...there are so many things that, on the onset, seem trivial and trite, but they weave together to form unbreakable cables of strength that you never knew that you had.
There are occasions that my family goes out to eat. It used to be a daily occurrence, but now, most food is eaten at home. One thing that I know adds up is merely the price of a soda. Twenty years ago, a soda with your meal might be 75 cents, but $1.79 seems to be the going rate, even at McDonald's. With a family of four, it could be $7.16 + tax that could be saved, or, at once a week, it figures to $372.32 + tax. I don't know about you, but I always could use an extra $372. Now I know where to find it.
You are always welcome to visit my website or for a great program to help you eliminate your credit card debt, click here.
When you develop the mindset to eliminate your credit card debt, there seems to be so many little things that can be done to get you to where you want to be. Save a few cents here, clip a coupon there, eat less (and being gravity-enhanced, it is a good thing to decrease your size)...there are so many things that, on the onset, seem trivial and trite, but they weave together to form unbreakable cables of strength that you never knew that you had.
There are occasions that my family goes out to eat. It used to be a daily occurrence, but now, most food is eaten at home. One thing that I know adds up is merely the price of a soda. Twenty years ago, a soda with your meal might be 75 cents, but $1.79 seems to be the going rate, even at McDonald's. With a family of four, it could be $7.16 + tax that could be saved, or, at once a week, it figures to $372.32 + tax. I don't know about you, but I always could use an extra $372. Now I know where to find it.
You are always welcome to visit my website or for a great program to help you eliminate your credit card debt, click here.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Two Down, Twenty-Eight To Go
So, here it is and two days of the challenge that I set for myself have now passed. Luckily, there were no perishables yet to purchase (but that will change by the weekend) and the pantry slowly gets cleaned out and the savings slowly add up. For those of you mathematically inclined, it works out to be $8.33 a day that I have budgeted for food. With two days of no grocery shopping, it now stands at $16.67. This is money that will be used to pay do credit card debt and bring it closer to the day when there is no more credit card debt.
You have to watch everything that goes on about credit card interest rates, terms. No longer will you throw away the mail thinking that it is merely junk when it may be a letter that is informing you of an important change to your credit card terms and conditions. I received one of those letters once and am glad that it was read. It seems that the card was changing from being a fixed rate (I believe that it was 8%) to being a variable rate. Keep in mind that this was back when the interest rates were on the rise and it was going to mess up what I thought was going to be a set amount due each month to a varying amount. When I ran through the numbers, it was going to end up costing more in the long run. I wrote the issuing bank and said “no thanks” to the change, and they ended up closing the account.
If I would have only knew the things that I do now, I would have opened each and every statement that I got to make sure that I wasn’t being taken advantage of. Credit card companies know that most people don’t even read through their mail and they count on that so that they can make more money, either in interest or in penalties. Think that your bill is due on the 3rd of each month? You had better check your mail to make sure that they didn’t make it the 1st. That way the credit card company could stick you with a late penalty, which is nothing but pure profit for them.
For a great program that you can use to pay less and eliminate your credit card debt, click here or visit my website.
You have to watch everything that goes on about credit card interest rates, terms. No longer will you throw away the mail thinking that it is merely junk when it may be a letter that is informing you of an important change to your credit card terms and conditions. I received one of those letters once and am glad that it was read. It seems that the card was changing from being a fixed rate (I believe that it was 8%) to being a variable rate. Keep in mind that this was back when the interest rates were on the rise and it was going to mess up what I thought was going to be a set amount due each month to a varying amount. When I ran through the numbers, it was going to end up costing more in the long run. I wrote the issuing bank and said “no thanks” to the change, and they ended up closing the account.
If I would have only knew the things that I do now, I would have opened each and every statement that I got to make sure that I wasn’t being taken advantage of. Credit card companies know that most people don’t even read through their mail and they count on that so that they can make more money, either in interest or in penalties. Think that your bill is due on the 3rd of each month? You had better check your mail to make sure that they didn’t make it the 1st. That way the credit card company could stick you with a late penalty, which is nothing but pure profit for them.
For a great program that you can use to pay less and eliminate your credit card debt, click here or visit my website.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Best Laid Plans
Eliminating your credit card debt takes a conscious effort. Not having a plan will result in you having less success of ever freeing yourself of clutches of high interest and outrageous fees and will take longer to pay off. The credit card companies plan on that. Why? Because they make more money from you and millions of othes. Why would they have your interests at heart? It's all about their bottom line. You are just merely one of millions of their customers. It is no wonder that credit card companies are so flush with cash.
You must have the long-term in mind. Resist the urge to satisfy your craving for a quick meal from the fast food restaurant (and charging it). How? Planning ahead. If you plan as much of your meals and expenses ahead of time, there will be less need to act impulsively. That's why I recommend using a service like mint.com. By using a debit card (one that has online access), they will track your spending and will display your results showing how much of your money is spent on various things. It has certainly helped me to curb some of those poor habits. Now, by planning ahead, I have meals that I can easily assemble and take for work, and where I would often stop by a fast food restaurant for breakfast on my commute to work, I have planned ahead, had an inexpensive meal at home and my coffee is at work (free) when I get there.
You can do it!
You must have the long-term in mind. Resist the urge to satisfy your craving for a quick meal from the fast food restaurant (and charging it). How? Planning ahead. If you plan as much of your meals and expenses ahead of time, there will be less need to act impulsively. That's why I recommend using a service like mint.com. By using a debit card (one that has online access), they will track your spending and will display your results showing how much of your money is spent on various things. It has certainly helped me to curb some of those poor habits. Now, by planning ahead, I have meals that I can easily assemble and take for work, and where I would often stop by a fast food restaurant for breakfast on my commute to work, I have planned ahead, had an inexpensive meal at home and my coffee is at work (free) when I get there.
You can do it!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Not Where, But What
Sometimes it is just how a phrase is considered that will begin to show a shift in your thinking about money, credit card debt elimination, ... life. I knew that the shift had begun when the question on the way shifted from being "where are we having dinner?" to "what are we having for dinner?" Let me set one thing straight, I am not a sexist that asks that his wife cook his dinner and have it ready when I walk in the door, like those from a different era. Quite the opposite is true: I love to cook and I do not mind cooking dinner and have even gone as far as cooking the traditional holiday meals. But there was a problem. Because of poor planing convenience was chosen over practicality and frugality. The nightly evening meal would often be eaten at a restaurant (there is somwhat of an aversion to fast food), so there would be a meal most nearly every night charged to the credit card. Big mistake. Not only was this meal setting us back $25-$30 each evening (on average $150 per week. or roughly $7,500 per year) it was being put on a credit card on which the minimum monthly payment was aroun $100 per month. (You can see how the debt quickly grew by leaps and bounds because since the minimum payment was being made, it was was gaining interest at around 22%...OUCH!!).
A change had to be made. It is said that "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail". True. Saving money and getting out of credit card debt is important to you, you will need to shift your thinking to do more planning. Plan out your meals in advance so that you will not have to run to the store or make a quick drive-through stop. Believe me when I tell you that stopping that mindset will free up money to pay down your credit card debt, or, if you are one of the few that have no credit card debt, it will free up money to invest for the future. Keep the faith!
Visit my website.
A change had to be made. It is said that "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail". True. Saving money and getting out of credit card debt is important to you, you will need to shift your thinking to do more planning. Plan out your meals in advance so that you will not have to run to the store or make a quick drive-through stop. Believe me when I tell you that stopping that mindset will free up money to pay down your credit card debt, or, if you are one of the few that have no credit card debt, it will free up money to invest for the future. Keep the faith!
Visit my website.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Frugal Lifestyle
Sometimes, in your quest to live life without spending excessively, people may call you a cheapskate, a tightwad, or worse. Maybe I've developed a bit of tough skin over this, but it really doesn't matter anymoe. What's funny is that these values were embraced by those of different generations. Growing up, my parents were never rich in things, but were rich in values and friendships. The tried to pass these values down to their children. Being the prodigal son, I was not always willing to adopt the same values and lifestyles, but as I grow older, I realize that a lot that they were attempting to teach me were the right things. Looking back (while looking forward at the same time), here are some things that have been learned:
* If you truly want it, save for it - there is no better feeling than seeing something that you want and saving for it little by little. If you truly want it, you will still want it by the time that you have saved enough to pay for it. Instant gratification is nice, but things have a tenency not to mean as much if you see it, grab it, charge it, and pay for it for a long time.
* Don't spend too much for things you need - mom was a great budgeter and she always kept her eye open for a good value. She had a budget and stuck to it.
* Waste not, want not - items were purchased for a reason and waste was not an option
* Buy quality, not quantity - mom and dad were not "brand buyers". I was not brought up to "need" to wear Nike shoes or Levi's jeans. Mom always bought quality clothes that lasted and didn't look too bad.
* Save for a rainy day - As I get older, it makes more sense, because sometimes life has a way of happening: your car may need shocks and struts (especially if you purchase a used car), the plumbing may stop up (and you cannot fix it yourself), your glasses may get broken, or something may need to be done that you don't normally expect. I now have a savings account online that pays a decent rate and the money is accessible if I truly need it.
Be wise, or as Spock would say, "Live long and prosper." Visit my website.
* If you truly want it, save for it - there is no better feeling than seeing something that you want and saving for it little by little. If you truly want it, you will still want it by the time that you have saved enough to pay for it. Instant gratification is nice, but things have a tenency not to mean as much if you see it, grab it, charge it, and pay for it for a long time.
* Don't spend too much for things you need - mom was a great budgeter and she always kept her eye open for a good value. She had a budget and stuck to it.
* Waste not, want not - items were purchased for a reason and waste was not an option
* Buy quality, not quantity - mom and dad were not "brand buyers". I was not brought up to "need" to wear Nike shoes or Levi's jeans. Mom always bought quality clothes that lasted and didn't look too bad.
* Save for a rainy day - As I get older, it makes more sense, because sometimes life has a way of happening: your car may need shocks and struts (especially if you purchase a used car), the plumbing may stop up (and you cannot fix it yourself), your glasses may get broken, or something may need to be done that you don't normally expect. I now have a savings account online that pays a decent rate and the money is accessible if I truly need it.
Be wise, or as Spock would say, "Live long and prosper." Visit my website.
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