Geekbabe
Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
I play the Walgreen's Register rewards and CVS extra care bucks games. I'm on mailing lists for coupons and we really look at the supermarket flyers. The costs of food are skyrocketing
and I do everything possible to keep us ahead of the game.
and I do everything possible to keep us ahead of the game.
It's started to work pretty well. 10 for $10 frozen dinners from Kroger. Eat 1-2 a day + whatever else I have (cereal, small snacks at home, etc.) is much better than upwards of $10 a day on food. I still pick up something from the cafeteria a little too often, but I'm doing it as a gradual change since they have 1 item I really like.
Honestly, I told my boss "gas, food, and rent's more expensive...I need a raise."....and I got it. Thing is the amount I set for myself was nice, but shit still keeps going up in price daily so I may have undercut myself 
not going out as much so less money on alcohol. . . .riding with windows/ sunroof down instead of running A/C. . . .eating @ home more. . . .maxing 401K
I've stopped drinking, except for I'll have a bottle of wine (over the course of a week) once a month or so. I've stopped smoking weed (which I've come to realize is a very expensive habit). I stopped going out. I never eat anywhere but at home, and when I work long shifts I take a banana and a protein bar. I pretty much only drink water now.
But then again, I am saving up for a new bass and cables and such, so there's a method to my madness.
But then again, I am saving up for a new bass and cables and such, so there's a method to my madness.
We got ourselves on diet, which has the side effect of saving money. I'm eating Quaker Oats for breakfast every day, which only costs about 7 cents per serving when you get it from Costco (not counting milk). We are also eating out less and just eating less food in general to improve our health.
I spend roughly $150 every week on gasoline. So I have changed my driving habits a bit behind the wheel to maximize gas mileage. I figure it saves me about $10 a week to just coast farther, "say no to the brakes," and draft behind SUV's whenever possible. I also got the Costco AMEX card, which has 3% cash back for gas. That's about $1.50 back on every fill-up, or another $4.50 saved per week.
To people saying "gas prices don't effect anyone," I'd just like to point out that in the past 20 months, I have increased my spending on gasoline by roughly $200-$300 a month, purely due to gas prices. That completely wipes out my promotion and my yearly raise. In the same time period, average rent on a 1-bedroom apartment in our area has increased by roughly $220 a month (reported by the newspaper), and that fits with the rents I have ended up paying.
That means that my monthly expenses have gone up by nearly $500 a month (that's $6,000 a year) just to maintain an identical lifestyle, and that doesn't count food or any other kind of inflation. While I still sock away money as fast as possible, have zero debt, and don't live paycheck to paycheck, it has put a big dent in the amount I am able to save each month.
I spend roughly $150 every week on gasoline. So I have changed my driving habits a bit behind the wheel to maximize gas mileage. I figure it saves me about $10 a week to just coast farther, "say no to the brakes," and draft behind SUV's whenever possible. I also got the Costco AMEX card, which has 3% cash back for gas. That's about $1.50 back on every fill-up, or another $4.50 saved per week.
To people saying "gas prices don't effect anyone," I'd just like to point out that in the past 20 months, I have increased my spending on gasoline by roughly $200-$300 a month, purely due to gas prices. That completely wipes out my promotion and my yearly raise. In the same time period, average rent on a 1-bedroom apartment in our area has increased by roughly $220 a month (reported by the newspaper), and that fits with the rents I have ended up paying.
That means that my monthly expenses have gone up by nearly $500 a month (that's $6,000 a year) just to maintain an identical lifestyle, and that doesn't count food or any other kind of inflation. While I still sock away money as fast as possible, have zero debt, and don't live paycheck to paycheck, it has put a big dent in the amount I am able to save each month.
I haven't changed my habits at all. It's always good to be frugal.
Food prices have gone up. I guess I have been buying fewer steaks... actually, I haven't had a steak in a long time, but I have never eaten them that often because they've always been pricier than most food options.
Gas prices have gone up, but I never really drive anywhere... I've always lived on or next to campus (I'm a grad student)
So yeah, I'm in a unique situation where I'm barely affected by the higher prices. Higher prices always suck, but it's not hitting me too hard. My savings account continues to rise, it just rises more slowly than a few years ago.
Food prices have gone up. I guess I have been buying fewer steaks... actually, I haven't had a steak in a long time, but I have never eaten them that often because they've always been pricier than most food options.
Gas prices have gone up, but I never really drive anywhere... I've always lived on or next to campus (I'm a grad student)
So yeah, I'm in a unique situation where I'm barely affected by the higher prices. Higher prices always suck, but it's not hitting me too hard. My savings account continues to rise, it just rises more slowly than a few years ago.
James3shin
Diamond Member
- Apr 5, 2004
- 4,426
- 0
- 76
Cutting back on fishing tackle, specifically plugs/lures. I'm also going to be selling my backups and duplicates so I can start my next fishing venture, fly fishing. I guess I'm not saving, just reshuffling.
Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
- 34,543
- 651
- 126
No kids, no wife, no non-asset backed debt.
Gasoline prices have cost me quite a bit more for work. So I raised my fees and cut scheduling down to two days.
If you absolutely MUST have something done on a day I'm not doing it, it will cost you minimum 40% extra.
Gasoline prices have cost me quite a bit more for work. So I raised my fees and cut scheduling down to two days.
If you absolutely MUST have something done on a day I'm not doing it, it will cost you minimum 40% extra.
Try to make sure I'm not eating out for lunch at work, stocking up on food when its on sale and limiting my discretionary spending.
- Oct 28, 1999
- 62,484
- 8,345
- 126
Cut out Dish and just sucked it up with OTA signals ($85 a month saved).
Switching from cable ISP to cheaper DSL ($30 a month saved)
Considering dropping land line and trying out Magic Jack ($50 a month saved)
Replaced two vehicles that averaged 17 & 18 MPG for ones that do 25 & 26 ($100 month)
Stopped eating out as much ($100+ a month)
Switching from cable ISP to cheaper DSL ($30 a month saved)
Considering dropping land line and trying out Magic Jack ($50 a month saved)
Replaced two vehicles that averaged 17 & 18 MPG for ones that do 25 & 26 ($100 month)
Stopped eating out as much ($100+ a month)
We're not going out to eat as often. But the price of gas isn't the reason why we're cutting back.
Nothing. I'm a horrible person and should not ever be put in charge of balancing any sort of "budget".
AgaBoogaBoo
Lifer
- Feb 16, 2003
- 26,108
- 5
- 81
Toss me on this list tooOriginally posted by: tfinch2
Originally posted by: Kadarin
....And so did I!
Ditto.
What do I do to save? Basically just don't spend money on impulse buys and limit myself on what I buy... it's hard to give specifics because it's a lifestyle, but it can be seen in a few places. First, at any kind of restaurant, I'll stick with water instead of a soft drinks. Second, my daily food is pretty simple - milk & cereal in the morning, small sandwich for lunch (pb&j), then an apple and banana throughout the day, and something small again for dinner. I went vegetarian back in February and so that cut down on my costs for a lot of things, plus it makes you think twice before pulling over to a Wendy's for $1 sandwich
In the past 3 months I've cut my "monthly's" in half by:
- Paying off and closing old unused accounts. I know it's not ideal for credit, but the temptation of spending followed by paying interest on already high prices is easier if it's not there.
- Reducing my utility bill... in the coldest month of the winter my bill for a 1BR apt with poor insulation was about $215, this past month it was $67 and should be below $50 this month. I turned the thermostat off for the past few months and I haven't been uncomfortable, I turned my water heater down and now my gas usage should be much, much lower.
- I called my insurance agent and renegotiated my rates... cut that in half and since I had already paid for the current time at the rate that was twice as much, I won't owe again until next year.
- Removed a bunch of crap from my car to raise my MPG just a slight bit more... I'm going to give the bus a whirl starting June 1.
- Stopped going out to eat for lunches... I was going out everyday... cut that to just Fridays... then I cut Fridays out because the people I went with always wanted to go to places where it costs at least $10 for a meal (Plus tip.) and they always wasted an extra half hour there... which was a half hour I wasn't getting paid for. I also only take half-hour lunches now so I can leave a half hour early and not have to waste gas in traffic.
- Stopped going to bars... pretty much stopped buying beer unless I'm going to a party. I don't miss it.
- I don't have cable (only cable internet). I had a "first 6 months" price of 29.95, and after that I simply called and asked if I could still have it for $29.95 and said I was going to cancel if it went up to $44.95. $1/day for internet is acceptable... if it went up I could deal with DSL at $25/mo instead.
- Drink water. No bottled drinks... maybe a soda or something as a treat from time to time, but no more "a 2-Liter every couple of days".
- I had a friend who moved away to be with his family in September, and just decided to move back. I'm renting out my living room to him for half of my rent. My apartment is set up in a way where he could find a door on craigslist and it would be just like a second bedroom. The door to the outside is in a hallway and the framing to the living room has a door frame (just no door.), so adding one wouldn't destroy anything.
- Buy store brand products, avoid "ready made" products like Chef Boyardee, frozen microwave meals... also just eating a proper portion and having enough to take to work for lunch saves a ton and is doing my gut some favors.
- Walk when possible. I live within walking distance of the grocery store, if I go once a week on foot I'll save money by not driving there... but also I don't buy crap I don't need because then I have to carry it back, too. The only downfall is that my bread usually gets squished.
- Shop at dollar stores for detergent a paper goods. Same brands, much lower prices. Might make you feel a little trashy, but it's worth it.
I'm throwing every spare penny I can into savings and hope to be buying a house late this year or early to mid next year as the housing prices are supposed to near their "valley" at that time in my area.
Great read for a 20-something that just doesn't quite understand finances.
- Paying off and closing old unused accounts. I know it's not ideal for credit, but the temptation of spending followed by paying interest on already high prices is easier if it's not there.
- Reducing my utility bill... in the coldest month of the winter my bill for a 1BR apt with poor insulation was about $215, this past month it was $67 and should be below $50 this month. I turned the thermostat off for the past few months and I haven't been uncomfortable, I turned my water heater down and now my gas usage should be much, much lower.
- I called my insurance agent and renegotiated my rates... cut that in half and since I had already paid for the current time at the rate that was twice as much, I won't owe again until next year.
- Removed a bunch of crap from my car to raise my MPG just a slight bit more... I'm going to give the bus a whirl starting June 1.
- Stopped going out to eat for lunches... I was going out everyday... cut that to just Fridays... then I cut Fridays out because the people I went with always wanted to go to places where it costs at least $10 for a meal (Plus tip.) and they always wasted an extra half hour there... which was a half hour I wasn't getting paid for. I also only take half-hour lunches now so I can leave a half hour early and not have to waste gas in traffic.
- Stopped going to bars... pretty much stopped buying beer unless I'm going to a party. I don't miss it.
- I don't have cable (only cable internet). I had a "first 6 months" price of 29.95, and after that I simply called and asked if I could still have it for $29.95 and said I was going to cancel if it went up to $44.95. $1/day for internet is acceptable... if it went up I could deal with DSL at $25/mo instead.
- Drink water. No bottled drinks... maybe a soda or something as a treat from time to time, but no more "a 2-Liter every couple of days".
- I had a friend who moved away to be with his family in September, and just decided to move back. I'm renting out my living room to him for half of my rent. My apartment is set up in a way where he could find a door on craigslist and it would be just like a second bedroom. The door to the outside is in a hallway and the framing to the living room has a door frame (just no door.), so adding one wouldn't destroy anything.
- Buy store brand products, avoid "ready made" products like Chef Boyardee, frozen microwave meals... also just eating a proper portion and having enough to take to work for lunch saves a ton and is doing my gut some favors.
- Walk when possible. I live within walking distance of the grocery store, if I go once a week on foot I'll save money by not driving there... but also I don't buy crap I don't need because then I have to carry it back, too. The only downfall is that my bread usually gets squished.
- Shop at dollar stores for detergent a paper goods. Same brands, much lower prices. Might make you feel a little trashy, but it's worth it.
I'm throwing every spare penny I can into savings and hope to be buying a house late this year or early to mid next year as the housing prices are supposed to near their "valley" at that time in my area.
Great read for a 20-something that just doesn't quite understand finances.
OutHouse
Lifer
- Jun 5, 2000
- 36,410
- 616
- 126
Originally posted by: bapace
I seriously don't understand why people are hurting. I've only noticed a difference in gas prices, and it's nothing I would even come close to complaining/worrying about. Do most people not know how to manage money at all? if you know how to manage money, you shouldn't have to make any adjustments of any significance yet.
EDIT:READ AS::
are you married with kids?
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