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Across the Fence:  News Article; Living Paycheck to Paycheck harder..  |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 08:33:25 AM
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I avoided reading the article because it scared me so much--we are really feeling the crunch this year, due to a number of factors (utility and gas increases, and medical insurance increases-high deductible plan-blech!!!)
What do you do to cut costs? Grocery and household and UTILITY. A lot of this is just common sense, but everytime I get that utility bill, I'm just shocked. Even this month, after having the air off, it's STILL over $100.
Do any of you work more than one job?
I'm really debating on getting a part-time job, but just don't know where I'll find the energy (or time), and keep up with everything else I do.
I just don't see things getting easier, either. Sticking to a budget is very difficult when there's more money going out than in, and you've pared down all that you can.
It all looks so "doable" on paper, then real life happens...there isn't any money to set aside for emergencies.
I'm looking for ideas that help you....so speak up :)
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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Hideaway Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1553 Posts
Jo
Virginia
USA
1553 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 08:49:25 AM
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Jonni,
It sounds like you have pared down as much as possible already, and I know first-hand that it is tough to find more ways to save when you are already at your most frugal...
Just a thought, but is there anyone you trust that could look over your budget and offer some fresh perspective? There may be things you can still do to cut down on certain expenses, and a fresh set of eyes just might see something you've overlooked.
Other ideas, pare down the holiday gift-giving, for yourselves and for friends, and family. Now the right time to let others that you normally exchange gifts with know that you need to focus on other expenses this year, and that you appreciate their understanding (and if they insist on still giving to you, a simple and honest "thank you" will suffice).
Also, can you list "everything" that you do...are there some things that you can eliminate, even temporarily, to give you more energy and time for overtime hours at your day job if possible. Are there some hobbies, or causes that you support, that you can step back from for a while, in order to put those funds into emergency stash or current bills.
Finally, check out books at the library from Dave Ramsey; he's great at setting/keeping budgets and Suze Orman is great as well.
Good luck, girl!
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
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Canadian farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Lori
Ontario
Canada
482 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 09:18:44 AM
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I found out about another book on a past thread about cutting grocery bills. It's called Live your life for half the price, by Mary Hunt. I got my library to interlibrary loan it, as they didn't have it. Anyway, I'm reading it right now, and it does have lots of good information in it.
As for taking a job, I've done that, but then we had to get a better, reliable car to make sure I could get to work on time every day, which meant monthly payments, higher insurance, etc. Sometimes it doesn't even out, you have to look at if you will have daycare expenses, clothing, etc. One thing for sure, I can't cook near as much from scratch (like I used to). It does take a lot of planning, and like you say, something always seems to come up. I had an unexpected vet bill this month which set me back $200. Christmas does make for a lot of bills, so as Jo advised, this would be a good year to scale back, if possible.
Read the book I suggested, she has lots of good information and websites. Her website is www.cheapskatemonthly.com
Hope this helps,
Lori |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 09:56:34 AM
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If I could offer any advice (in my 39 years) to a newly married couple or even a single person living on their own it would be this...
Do not get sucked in by the credit card system.
Allow yourself only 1 credit card, and make sure that it is a low interest rate(less than 9 percent/beware of variable rates!!) and that if it is used by a couple that each has an agreement to consult the other before anything is charged, and that there is an agreement to pay off the charge at the end of the month.
Alot of debt that I have seen in young couples is the credit card debts getting too out of hand. Seems every store you go into has an offer for a "buy now/pay later" credit card..thing is most of those cards have 18 percent or higher interest rates and if you are the least bit late..well..you are basically up the creek without a paddle..paying out the wazzoo for forever.
Maintaining only 1 card is better, and also allows you to have an established credit line if needed.
But more than one..you are flirting with possible bankruptcy and in debt for a long time to come.
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My other advice is...sincerely look at your schooling options..can you obtain the degree you want through a local community college instead of one where you'll have to pay extremely high rates on student loans for a long time to come? and possibly never get the type of job that you went to college for?
I know many people that went to high dollar colleges and many of them do not even work in the same field that they were trained in. Basically their degree is a simple piece of paper that they paid an outrageous amount of money for and have never been able to apply to their daily lives and work situations.
(please note: I am not against a college education in any way...just pointing out something that I see too often and an easy debt builder for young folks..so basically saying..try to make sure that the job equals the learning..and that it was "worth it")
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Last but not least... try not to compare your life style to that of another..do you really need the same size large screen t.v. that Joe next door has, because he just "had" to show it off to you?
Does your son need those fancy rims on his jeep just because Johnny at school has a "cool dude" truck that all the girls like?
you get the idea...are you living to compete with the Joneses?..it's an easy trap..and a common one.
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~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 10:53:34 AM
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Jonni, I think I may have read the same article. The one I saw on MSN's homepage a few days ago was about the "middle class crunch". Why do people feel like it's harder to make a living now when we keep hearing that the price of consumer goods has never been lower? The answer in this article was that, yes, compared to 1970s prices, items like appliances, food, and clothes are much cheaper than they used to be. But the basics of life (housing, education, and medical care) have increased in price by a percentage that is at least as great as those savings, if not greater. So I think the bottom line is that life is more expensive now that it used to be, and cutting corners on the things we can trim back isn't going to help us as much as it helped our parents and grandparents.
I think I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I live as simply and as cheaply as I can. I can't think of anything I can reasonably cut back on that would make a significant difference to my pocketbook. I mean, I can scrimp on the quality of food I buy, but that's not going to add up to an extra mortgage payment. And I'll be less healthy. I have to say, I think the era of the tightwad genius is over. I don't mean to be depressing. Please, somebody prove me wrong! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 11:22:40 AM
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Thanks, girls. Glad to see that others think the same way, and feel like there is little else one can do to be frugal. I agree that eating lesser grade foods is just detrimental--our bodies, our temples...
The main issue we have is my medical plan at work--dh has coverage through me, and the two of us make a "family", so it's a $3000 deductible and then everything is free....They keep talking about a similar plan for him at work, and if it was just me on the plan, by now everything would be free. So, we went from a $50.00 co-pay for one of my monthly prescriptions to $285.00--though now they've found a generic at $225.00 (what a break!!!). All office visits and everything else comes out of pocket, so if we have to go to the doctor, it's another $100 here and there. I think that's the most difficult aspect of our monthly budget--then throw in emergencies, like vet bills or car issues, and you can simply forget paying anything else. What do you choose, medicine or heat and food? Or medicine or facing foreclosure? This year has really made me think of what it will be like for me as a senior, and what my grandmother went through--why she ate ramen noodles everyday, sometimes 2 times a day (she said she loved them).
I learned early on about credit cards, and though we do have 2 store cards (Home Depot and Tractor Supply), they have come in handy for large projects and needs at home. I also don't get the urge to "treat myself" to something nice at these stores, like I would at say, Ann Taylor Loft :)
Christmas is going to be totally meager this year--and if folks don't like handmade, they can lump it. I like the idea of mentioning it ahead of time, and that way folks don't feel slighted. Unfortunately, as much as I love my dh's side, they really do like gifts from the mainstream/$$$$$.
I hadn't thought about the car situation with a second job--frankly, in my "real world" it probably wouldn't work out, anyway--we share a car and carpool to work together, he takes the bus across the river, leaves the car with me, and I pick him up and we ride home together.
We live so unlike everyone around us, it's difficult to imagine trying to BE like the Jones's...we don't have cable, no cell phones, and it's difficult enough to keep up with telephone bill/internet thingee. I just don't want to be a slave to monthly payments like that, but there are some things I guess you can have--we just got our computer this year for Christmas!
I think I'm going to program the thermostat to start...I don't mind layering clothing, and the dogs and cats certainly don't need to have it 76 degrees inside. That may help, though in our area, it's not just natural gas this year rising, but electric, too. That's about all I can come up with today.
Will go to halfprice books with the list of books you girls have referenced. Couldn't hurt!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 8:14:44 PM
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As I am reading this, I am thinking it would be neat if MJF could ad a "frugal living" forum. We could all share ideas of how we save money, how to stretch our budget further, etc. Think I will check in with the "big whigs" and see if this is something they might consider.
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2007 : 8:54:39 PM
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Jonni,
My heart goes out to you. I have had a taste of no paycheck the last few months due to an unexpected emergency eye surgery and it's scary. And, State Disability Insurance doesn't pay worth a - you know what.
It foced me to get a little creative with making ends meet. But, what I did discover was how much I really had. The only groceries I bought was produce and dairy, on sale and in limited quantities so nothing would go to waste. I was amazed at what was really in the pantry & freezer.
You mentioned your thermostat and if weather permits I would recommend turning it down. Our gas company suggests 68 degrees. I try not to even turn mine on until end of Oct/Mid-Nov, but we are in a more temperate area. You may also be able to call the utility companies and have them help you identify areas where you can reduce. Our utilities also have a service where you can have your annual bill averaged over 12 months so you don't have months that are really high. That might even out the payments and drop your bill some.
After my divorce I lost my perscription coverage and boy was that a shocker. I'm prone to sinus infections, especially during the winds we are currently having and the antibiotics were $175. I called my doctor to explain the situation and asked for some lower cost generic brand, but instead, she gave me brand name sample packs from the drug reps - 5 months for free. When she found out my insurance wasn't going to pay for office visits because I never met the deductable she gave the bare bottom cash price, as did all my other dr's once I talked with them. I think doctors are more willing to help than we give them credit for. They know first hand what a mess insurance is.
At my previous job I didn't have dental or vision and my med deductable was $1,000. Needless to say most of my visits were out of pocket like yours are. Instead of getting freaked out about it I just decided to pay them on my time not there's because I had a DD to care for and she was much more important than all of them put together. So, I paid a little each month instead of the entire bill. When they asked, I assured them they would get paid, but I was not going to put this on a credit card.
In one of your posts you mentioned vet bills. If these are for routine booster shots rather than something bigger call around to pet store and animal shlters to see if they have vaccination days. I can get booster shots for under $10 at a local feed/pet store. I also worm my dogs myself and don't do the monthly flea/tick treatment.
A book I would recommend is "America's Cheapest Family", by Steve and Annette Economides. It's all about living better, spending less and cashing in on your dreams. Maybe you can get it from the library or read it at the bookstore. That way you wouldn't have to purchase it.
I thought I was pretty creative and frugal, but they had some great suggestions even I hadn't come across before.
I think the biggest idea was understanding that your money crunch is only temporary and if you make a game of it you don't feel so deprived.
Hope this helps. Don't get discouraged. |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 04:28:37 AM
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It seems so many of us are in this same boat. Someone on here, forgive me I cannot remember who, had a link on their blog on making a zero based budget. It is very imformative and interesting. http://www.gettingfinancesdone.com/blog/archives/2006/08/how-to-create-a-zero-based-budget/ Budgeting is probably my worst area. I know in my head what goes in and out but that allows for great error as I have been dealing with the past few weeks with errors in my bank account. ugh!! I am going to focus on making a budget and sticking to it.
Most doctors have more drug samples than they can possibly hand out. Always ask for samples and speak frankly with your doctor about your situation. Also, most all medical facilities will give you a discount if you can pay your bill in full at the beginning. I know this cannot always be done, but something to consider.
Living paycheck to paycheck every month is really starting to get to me. I am in my determined mode to change that within a year. I read something also that can help on spending. It used to be that we knew our neighbors as friends and shared with them. I mean sharing things like lawnmowers, garden tillers, different kinds of small equipment etc. EVeryone may not have had their own, but different people had different things and they all shared. To me that sounds so ideal to help us beat our stinky economy and help the enviornment too. Sometimes I think I was born about 100 years too late.
Another thing I am doing is changing my system to paying cash for everything other than bills that need a reciept. I have gotten in the habit of using my debit card and sometimes forgetting to write things down. When I have cash in my pocket I don't like to part with it and it's easier for me to say no to excessive spending.
Blessings....
Sarah
www.mustangsuzie.blogspot.com
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4759 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4759 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 07:03:20 AM
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Thanks for all of your frugal living tips ladies! I too would love to see a separate section for this topic here. Thanks too for the book suggestions. I've written them down & will be checking to see if my library has any of them. We keep finding ways to trim down our expenses, but then we get hit with increases that we have no control over. For example, we were notified our real estate taxes will be increased 7%, our electric & gas will have more significant increases for the winter (bless them) and those food prices just keep creeping up, coupons or no coupons I can't get ahead! We have two older vehicles that are paid off, but gas and maintenance prices keep going up, up, up! So I guess like everyone else, we're feeling the crunch really hard this year & need all the ideas we can get to cope.
Dawn in IL |
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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 07:15:13 AM
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Hi, Jonni! My dh & I were having this very same discussion last week. We feel we already live down to the bare bones, and still have very little left over. My mom recommended (as do most of the Financial Gurus) that we get a notebook and write down EVERY SINGLE PENNY we spend. Mark it accordingly - bills, groceries, etc. Do this for three months. Then, go back and assess what you've spent, mark each item as necessity (gas, water, electric) and all others as necessity or luxury. Even itemize your grocery shopping (we put in a total amount in our notebook, but keep the detailed receipt to do the itemizing later.) You would be amazed at what you spend -- and what you actually 'thought' was a necessity but was really an extra or a luxury. The only area where we were able to cut back was the grocery shopping (with a teenaged kid at home, I was frequently buying frozen pizza, frozen Natchitoches Meat Pies or other such fun and quick things for him to snack on). Cutting these out saved me almost $30/month, which added up to $360 a year. There were other small (very) things we cut out, and so far, our average savings is around $408 a year. I've just started this, so now that I see it works, I'm scouting around to find other areas I can 'fix'. Also, Sarah suggested the 'neighbor sharing' program. I swap out some things with my neighbors, and they are always coming down to 'borrow' things from us. It works well here, but fair warning. For some reason, our city neighbors weren't quite as willing. Plus, we always felt that if we borrowed something and it broke, it was up to us to pay for repairs or replacement. Randy had been borrowing a log splitter from a neighobr (ours had been stolen) and finally broke down and bought one -- his fear of replacing the neighbors was too great, and he would rather buy us one than our neighbor! (Our only heat in the house is wood burning, so it was a valid expense for us). I'm also trying the 'scrounging' method for building and maintenance on the farm. To me, it doesn't have to be a shiny new Home Depot part if something else cheaper will work! Good luck with your venture. If I can help any further, just let me know. I'll be happy to share my successes as well as my 'ballon busters' with you!
from the hearts of paradise... |
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MasterGardener
True Blue Farmgirl
572 Posts
Chandra
Louisiana
USA
572 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 08:27:22 AM
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I'm all for the "Frugal Living" forum...Great idea!
Chandra
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16 |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 08:33:24 AM
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My all time favorite book, I know I've said it before lol, is The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacycyn(sp?). It is almost getting a little outdated price and inflation wise, (only written in the 1990s..sheesh) but she is extreme and her ideas are wonderful.
Blessings....
Sarah
www.mustangsuzie.blogspot.com
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 08:53:03 AM
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These are great ideas!!! I also think of saving money like a game, and I'm "game"! This week, despite just having all of my bill money for car insurance stolen by some russian person from PA (see other posting), I have $20.00 cash in my wallet that is going to last me--in fact, it's going to last through next week's payday.
I have to say, I read the "Not Buying It" book (anyone read that?), but I didn't gain any knowledge from it. In fact, I just kept thinking--"you people have two houses!"
I try to budget our bills into 2 week increments, but sometimes that's hard with the unexpected, but I'm going to get back to that.
I'm also going to write everything down--I can tell you right now where I can cut back in the "luxury" sense...I'm not a wino, but I really like a glass of wine with dinner, and have since I lived in Europe. I really don't need to buy a couple of bottles here and there, or any at all, considering dh doesn't like it. Cha ching!
I also like the idea of using what I have--I'm VERY guilty of buying fresh meat when I have plenty of meat in the freezer.
**Also, Julie, I don't know what Natchitoches Meat pies are, but I want them!**
I also like the neighbor sharing idea, but all of our neighbors are so old--in fact, the guy across the street (who incidentally is the neighborhood pest/nosy parker) asked if I wanted to borrow a type of saw for our rainbarrow--I thought that was a nice gesture until my husband hissed "Are You CRAZY...I'm not using that man's tools! It's a lawsuit waiting to happen!!!!"...So I politely declined 
We also have budget billing, and I'll see if we can sign up for that. According to the useage chart, it's still going to be over $100.00 (they base it on last years usage), but that might be better than nothing. In the end they credit your account if you didn't use all that energy.
Sarah, I'm going to check into the samples thing with the doctor--I have my annual appt. in mid November, so I'm going to address my $285 prescription and see if there's something she can suggest. I guess this one doesn't qualify for the $4.00 Walmart deal!!!!
As trying as this is, I really am having some fun with the possibilities. It's refreshing to read others views, and what helps them! Keep em coming, and thanks again!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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Kay Marie
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
Kay
Tomball
TX
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 09:26:44 AM
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Hey ladies, I love all of the suggestions. There is a forum called Thrifty Living ( http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3816 ) under the Gathered up section here on the MJF forums that also has some great ideas on how to cut costs. The following are some of the things I do to cut costs. Granted, I'm single so these are easy for me to do because I don't have to worry about another person's comfort or desires at this point in my life.
In order to cut my electric bill down, I placed all of my electronic equipment on power strips that I can turn off with the flick of a switch. I didn't realize how much electricity that the TV and computer pulled even when powered down. I replaced my digital alarm clock with a wind-up alarm clock. I even programmed the microwave so that the clock function is turned off. I also switch the AC/Heat off everyday when I leave the house. I live in a 704 sq ft first floor apartment so I have neighbors to insulate the apartment on all but the front side. I was able to drop my electric bill by $20 a month this way. Now that the winter months are approaching, I plan to spend the Saturdays I'm not working at the local library to read the periodicals and maybe even sit in a quiet corner and do my needlework. I figure that they will have the heat and lights turned on already for the other patrons.
To cut grocery costs, I took a friend up on the offer to cook for her family 3-4 nights a week. She and her husband both work and she hates to cook. They pay for the food and I supply the recipes and labor. Also, they don't eat leftovers and I do. That always helps with a brown bag lunch for work. I also go to the farmer's market twice a month for fresh produce that I can either freeze or can.
Right now while the days are longer and it's not bad weather, I take a book or my dulcimer out on to the porch and entertain myself there until it gets too dark to see. This way I can delay when I have to turn the lights on inside.
I know it sometimes sounds so crazy to worry about the pennies that 30 minutes of a light bulb costs, but I'd rather put those pennies into either my savings account or my retirement fund.
Good luck on keeping more of the $$ to yourselves and not the bills.
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Lavendar fields dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
1032 Posts
little monkeys mommy
washington
USA
1032 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 09:39:03 AM
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being frugal isnt easy. we dont have health insurance for my dh or me but thanks to the state our kids are covered or we would probably be homeless(due to my dd medical expenses with her asthma). we go to a clinic that has a sliding scale and is for the families who dont have medical. at the moment i have medical cause i'm pregnant and we qualify for state coverage and i am so thankful for that coverage.
we had an older car that i loved and was paid for but unfortunately it had a mental breakdown and was not repareable. we ended up buying a newer car cause we didnt want to buy a car that we were going to have to sink money into that we didnt have. its been nice not to have to worry if the car is going to break down, really nice actually. the car is still under warranty thank god
lavendar girl |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2007 : 11:09:50 AM
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It's not crazy saving pennies. My grandma use to say, "if you save your pennies, the dollars will follow."
Someone had mentioned an article on MSN. I tried to find it last night but couldn't. I did find another interesting article that may be of some help. I searched the site for "living paycheck to paycheck" and it came up with over 700 articles, but one was about making ends meet on $150,000. per year. I should have such challenges
Anyway, the author had some good suggestions on hidden expenses that people don't necessarily factor into their cost cutting process. She was trying to encourage families to concentrate on the larger expenses instead of the smaller one's like Starbuck and the like.
One suggestion that was really interesting was, in addition to tracking daily expenses, we should go back through check registers, CC and bank statements and categorize our expenses, which will give us a better idea where big chunks of money go. She zeroed in on vacations and outings, and kid stuff as areas where most families are out of control ie: lessons, sports, kid clothes, etc.
Kid stuff is a big area for me with DD's lambs and other animals. But, it's far less expensive than rehab or therapy. So in my mind it's kind of a necessity.
I have read "Not Buying It". Found it interesting, but not much useful info. I found it humorious that they went on a spending spree to stock up on all the gourmet stuff they would have to do without for the year. Kinda defeats the purpose of the experiment.
Great posts. I'm getting some really good ideas. |
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elah
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Emily
SW
Michigan
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2007 : 06:08:31 AM
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Hi Jonni!
I'm no expert but my DH and I taught a personal finance course at our church for several years (before we moved out of state last this year). It sounds like you and your DH have done an awesome job cutting out un-needed expenses. One of the things that we always talked to the families going through our classes about is that if there is a money problem it boils down to one of two things. It a problem with it coming in or going out. You don't seem to have an outgoing problem so it might be an incoming problem. I don't know how much you make nor do I need to know.
You can actually approach in incoming issue from a couple different ways all at once. Are you making the most you can in your current career path? If not look at switching jobs, if yes look at switching career paths. If you are looking at switching fields of work think long term. Like what kind of investment ($) is needed for the field I want and what is the earning potential? That is important to know before hand. Also, I would recommended the book "40 days to the work you love" by Dan Miller.
If it will take a financial boost to get the career change rolling or if you would just rather try making a second income you could read Dan Miller's book on creative income. Or, the easier way is to take something you love or like to do and make money at it. Some things came to mind for me really fast after reading your post. 1. You have only one car 2. your neighbors are elderly.
1. DH could do lawn care for elderly neighbors (mowing, trimming, raking leaves, snow removal, gutter cleaning,etc)
2. You could offer a cooking/ companionship service. You could go to their home once a week and make them up several small meals that they could reheat for the week while visiting with them.
3. A house cleaning service for your neighbors.
4. Driving neighbors to the store might be another great service.
For all of the above it is flexible hours, cash, you don't need to drive anywhere (except #4). Your only real investment is printing up some business cards on your computer/printer. The sky is the limit for creative income ideas. Just look at what you like to do and see how you can make some money at it.
Something else you might want to look at doing to keep expense down is to see if your local utility company does free home energy audits. You might be able to cut your utilities in half by a few small cheap changes. We just added $300 in attic insulation a couple weeks ago after realizing we only had 2 inches! I'm sure we will be getting our $300 back in a matter of 2-3 months since it gets cold here in Michigan. Things like caulking windows, weather stripping doors, changing out lights to florescent all add up very very fast.
Also, if anyone would like a good zero based budget form in Exel I have one I could email you. It has sheets for the budget, spending, debt snowball, breakdown of savings, allocated spending plan (for people who get paid more then once a month), etc.
Blog: http://thelahs.blogspot.com/ |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2007 : 06:18:34 AM
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I would love that (spreadsheet), Elah! Those are some great ideas--and I really appreciate the time in which you took to post. Wish I could sit in on your husband's class! I do think ours is more of an in than out thing...with the cost of living increases, we really haven't increased our assets in the last few years, and the "going outs" have become increasingly expensive (like the new med plan here at work, more $$$ into 401K). I'm actually doing some cooking on the side for a lady, but it's infrequent. If I could branch that out, I would in heartbeat, because I love to do it.
Thanks again, and please do email me that spreadsheet when you get a free second.
J
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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Lavendar fields dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
1032 Posts
little monkeys mommy
washington
USA
1032 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2007 : 6:14:32 PM
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ok those spread sheets sound really helpful so if you email me one i would appreciate it
lavendar girl |
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vintagegrl
True Blue Farmgirl
280 Posts
Jeanette
NH
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2007 : 7:03:16 PM
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| Emily, Could you see your way to email that spreadsheet to me. Ever since I had to retire due to healthe issues it has been increasingly to make ends meet. I need all the help I can get. Thanks. |
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elah
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Emily
SW
Michigan
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 10:53:55 AM
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Jonni, Teresa, and Jeanette,
I have emailed all three of you!
Just an FYI. I can not attach a file to the email I send through the forum email. So if anyone else would like the form go ahead and email me so that I can reply with the attachment. Hope that makes sense because it sounds just as clear as mud to me right now!
Emily
Blog: http://thelahs.blogspot.com/ |
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Across the Fence: News Article; Living Paycheck to Paycheck harder.. |
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News Article; Living Paycheck to Paycheck harder..
