I'm usually in this site a couple of times a day. Looking for more info, checking out what everyone else is up to, looking for new freebies. I've learned so many great tips here. Reading the blogs is comforting because it helps me see that I'm not alone in dealing with debt and trying to get more with less.
I've been able to pay extra on a loan which feels great. I track payments made each month so I can watch our balances go down over time.
My husband thinks I spend too much time worrying about our financial situation. I don't use my time to worry, but to learn and explore and put to use some of the knowledge I've gained. Cutting coupons, sending out rebates and ordering free samples all take time. I feel it is time well spent.
I love this site
August 8th, 2006 at 07:58 pm
August 8th, 2006 at 08:09 pm 1155064192
August 8th, 2006 at 09:59 pm 1155070750
August 9th, 2006 at 12:37 am 1155080276
I like this site too.
August 9th, 2006 at 04:24 am 1155093850
August 11th, 2006 at 08:41 pm 1155325314
For the last six months (since I first started my blog), Ive been finding more ways to save and earn. I've been reading some books (The everything book about Money, The everything book about budgeting, Tightwad Gazette...), reading a lot of blogs and visiting several sites.
I work an 8 to 5 job as an accountant where I am paid a decent salary. I'm still selling Avon as well as working the Flea Market on Saturday's.
I recently opened an ING savings account and two savings accounts at HSBC, which all earn pretty good interest.
I've decided when I get my annual raise next month, instead of increasing my paycheck, I will increase the percentage I put into my 401k. Since we've been able to live on what I bring in now, we should be fine. I have not increased ny CC debt at all. Paying more on my LOC than the monthly payment and a little extra on a low interest credit card. We're now down to 4 years on the LOC, CC and SUV, then all payments will go to pay off our home which should be paid off in 9 years.
It feels good to get this debt lowered. Just wish we were able to go out to dinner or a movie once in a while. However, we are going to Florida for a week a little later in the month for vacation. I've been saving for a year. Nothing extravagant. I own a timeshare, which has been paid for for years, so the room (actually it's like a 2 bedroom apartment), is paid for, we bought the airline tickets about 8 months ago, before the fuel increase so they weren't too expensive and we bought passes online to visit as many sites as we can with all entrance fees paid. The only expenses we'll have when we get there are for the car rental, gas, tolls, parking and food. Since there's a full kitchen in our room, we don't need to go out to eat, just grocery shop. I like checking out grocery stores in different places that I vist. Different brands, different sections are bigger. ooooh, different coupons!
I've also been keeping busy by pulling out some of my old cross stitch patterns. Since I have all of the materials, it's a no cost hobby for me.
I spend a lot of time going over the Rite Aid and Walgreen's weekly ads and monthly rebates. I've been able to stock up on shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, vitamins, soap and more for little or no cost.
I've gotten a few tomatoes and peppers from the little garden I started. Next year I'll increase the size and make it more workable. We have a small yard, but there should be plenty of room to add a few more veggies to the garden. This year was my my first real try at trying to grow something, so I'm pretty happy.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:33 am 1253144019
There's something called Levelized billing that you can arrange with your utility company so you won't have to pay high rates when your air conditioning is overworking during the summer months. You pay what an average month usually amounts to. Look into this; I think you'll find it to be yet another way to save.