Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot?

cadillactaste · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:38 PM

My birthday isn't until July...Even with the expenses going out. (Vet bills for a certain proceedure my bulldog needs) I can put back each month...By the time July comes...I could have quite a bit put back for a LARGE Coach bag...So...How do I do it? Does anyone have a clue...?...

Maybe stop lerking at eBay auctions for one?

What are some helpful hints...If I could save up for July...I could have a HUGE nest egg...

And whom knows...Maybe hubby will be kind and well hand over some cash too...

fieldsinspring · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:41 PM

oh man if I knew the secret I would be rich, right?!?

I would suggest heading over to the Money Talks Forum.. there is a great curbing consumerism thread and bag ban buddy club.

Also, maybe if you don't have one already open up an ING account and you can electronically put money in.. their interest is pretty good and you can watch that money grow!!!

Congrats on saving your money.

divajess · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:42 PM

1. Budget it in and actually pay yourself.
2. Make the money difficult to get to!

I discovered that the key to savings is budgeting. I budget in our savings to our monthly expenses and then I actually move the money at the beginning of the month to our savings account. We were trying to save whatever we had at the end of the month, and when we did that...we didn't have anything left to save!!

When I'm saving my own $$ for something I want, I move it from my checking account to an ING Savings Account. It's not that difficult to get to, but I have to wait a few days both ways to transfer to/from the account. That makes it harder to be an impulsive shopper and waste the money I've got put back!!

Good luck!

Mommyville · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:42 PM

My motto is NO CREDIT CARDS!!!! If you cant buy it w/ cash, you dont need it that bad!!!! HTH

fieldsinspring · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:44 PM

Great advice.. and I love the no credit cards.. I am learning that.. slowly but surely

Mommyville · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fieldsinspring

Great advice.. and I love the no credit cards.. I am learning that.. slowly but surely

Cut them ALL up....we did that right before we moved into our new house 3 years ago and NEVER looked back!!! If we use a credit card now (like for a sale...use this credit card and get this percentage off) we pay it off at the end of the month and NEVER carry balances.

LindaP · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:50 PM

I too recommend the curbing consumerism thread, I found it recently and felt so inspired! Already I've discovered some ways to improve our budget and just reading the posts gives me the motivation to cut back on spending.

Linda
ps, staying off eBay for a while would be a good start.

enshogirl · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divajess

When I'm saving my own $$ for something I want, I move it from my checking account to an ING Savings Account. It's not that difficult to get to, but I have to wait a few days both ways to transfer to/from the account. That makes it harder to be an impulsive shopper and waste the money I've got put back!!

That's a good point.

I think I'm going to look into an ING Savings Account. I keep hearing about how good it is. Then I can save up for fun things like vacations... and purses. Okay, mostly purses.

I want to try and get down to only one credit card too. Hopefully I can do that by the time summer comes.

CoachGirl84 · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:54 PM

lol... I wish I was that strong haha

fieldsinspring · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mommyville

Cut them ALL up....we did that right before we moved into our new house 3 years ago and NEVER looked back!!! If we use a credit card now (like for a sale...use this credit card and get this percentage off) we pay it off at the end of the month and NEVER carry balances.

Yeah ours are all cut up now.. okay.. all but one....

But we really only use that when we pay it off (for gas, etc)

ranskimmie · Jan 23rd, 2008, 06:03 PM

I have an enevlope hidden away. When ever a check is deposited I make a small w/d and before you know it, it really adds up.

cadillactaste · Jan 23rd, 2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaP

I too recommend the curbing consumerism thread, I found it recently and felt so inspired! Already I've discovered some ways to improve our budget and just reading the posts gives me the motivation to cut back on spending.

Linda
ps, staying off eBay for a while would be a good start.

I'll have to try that thread...

I do put money into the one checking that is with Paypal...We have automatic withdrawals come out. And I put almost $60 back a month into it. And it starts to add up...(It's money that I don't end up grabbing for the kids since it's not a checking account I use typically) I mean...You add that up and by the time July comes around...I'd have close to $350! But...I then eBay shop...And take my cash flow down...Boycotting Ebay I think is the best way...Now...How does one go about sticking to it...

I find when I put money in my stash...I spend it on the kids...My kids always seem to come first when I have extra cash I can get at. The money in the account helps me spend it on me...When I typically don't...But...I get the itch...But I won my Legacy Tote with money I was saving up...So it's not all bad...I just would like to buy a new LARGE Coach...Like walk into a department store and walk out with a handbag...That would be a new experiance for me. Since the ordering wasn't so much fun in my opinion...First experiance was a let down...With errors on their part. (But humans ARE human it's bound to happen)

Thanks for everyones adice...

meeowy · Jan 23rd, 2008, 07:13 PM

I don't really agree with cutting up credit cards because the only way to build a good credit is through responsible use of credit. The way I do it is to have the money automatically transferred to a saving account at every paycheck. If you don't see the money, then you won't be tempted to spend it.

wantmore · Jan 23rd, 2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fieldsinspring

Great advice.. and I love the no credit cards.. I am learning that.. slowly but surely

DH and I charge everything (for the rewards), but we pay it off every month. We've been doing this since 1999/2000! It feels really good not to owe anything, except for our mortgage and 1 car. I also hate paying the interest rates on the CCs.

Back to the OP...
(1) use coupons for groceries
(2) sell some of your kids' clothes that are not being used or have out grown
(3) have a grage sale or sell on eBay for your unwated "things"
(3) save recycables and turn them in for cash
(3) plan your day and run errands all at the same time to save on gas
(4) save loose change (you'll be amazed at how much they add up)
(5) instead of going out to a restaurant, ask DH for the $ instead and spend part of it on an awesome dinner at home, and save the rest for you

That's all I can think of at the moment.

fieldsinspring · Jan 23rd, 2008, 08:10 PM

Yeah, I think the key with credit cards is if you can use them responsibly.

Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:38 PM	#1
cadillactaste Member	Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? My birthday isn't until July...Even with the expenses going out. (Vet bills for a certain proceedure my bulldog needs) I can put back each month...By the time July comes...I could have quite a bit put back for a LARGE Coach bag...So...How do I do it? Does anyone have a clue...?... Maybe stop lerking at eBay auctions for one? What are some helpful hints...If I could save up for July...I could have a HUGE nest egg... And whom knows...Maybe hubby will be kind and well hand over some cash too... __________________ Memories...fill up a life time...Make each one count!

Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:41 PM	#2
fieldsinspring Trying to hold on... Location: Where the Sun Is!	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? oh man if I knew the secret I would be rich, right?!? I would suggest heading over to the Money Talks Forum.. there is a great curbing consumerism thread and bag ban buddy club. Also, maybe if you don't have one already open up an ING account and you can electronically put money in.. their interest is pretty good and you can watch that money grow!!! Congrats on saving your money. __________________ Don't Give up what you want MOST for what you want NOW

Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:42 PM	#3
divajess Totally Addicted! Location: Dallas, TX	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? 1. Budget it in and actually pay yourself. 2. Make the money difficult to get to! I discovered that the key to savings is budgeting. I budget in our savings to our monthly expenses and then I actually move the money at the beginning of the month to our savings account. We were trying to save whatever we had at the end of the month, and when we did that...we didn't have anything left to save!! When I'm saving my own $$ for something I want, I move it from my checking account to an ING Savings Account. It's not that difficult to get to, but I have to wait a few days both ways to transfer to/from the account. That makes it harder to be an impulsive shopper and waste the money I've got put back!! Good luck! __________________ My Wishlist: New Legacy, Zoe and Hamptons Vintage!

Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:42 PM	#4
Mommyville Sofa King Banned Location: in the middle of home renovations!	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? My motto is NO CREDIT CARDS!!!! If you cant buy it w/ cash, you dont need it that bad!!!! HTH

Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:44 PM	#5
fieldsinspring Trying to hold on... Location: Where the Sun Is!	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? Great advice.. and I love the no credit cards.. I am learning that.. slowly but surely __________________ Don't Give up what you want MOST for what you want NOW

Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:50 PM	#7
LindaP Member Location: Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia USA	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? I too recommend the curbing consumerism thread, I found it recently and felt so inspired! Already I've discovered some ways to improve our budget and just reading the posts gives me the motivation to cut back on spending. Linda ps, staying off eBay for a while would be a good start.

Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:54 PM	#9
CoachGirl84 Sofa King Banned Location: Scottsdale,Arizona	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? lol... I wish I was that strong haha

Jan 23rd, 2008, 06:03 PM	#11
ranskimmie Sofa King Banned	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? I have an enevlope hidden away. When ever a check is deposited I make a small w/d and before you know it, it really adds up.

Jan 23rd, 2008, 07:13 PM	#13
meeowy Member	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? I don't really agree with cutting up credit cards because the only way to build a good credit is through responsible use of credit. The way I do it is to have the money automatically transferred to a saving account at every paycheck. If you don't see the money, then you won't be tempted to spend it.

Jan 23rd, 2008, 08:10 PM	#15
fieldsinspring Trying to hold on... Location: Where the Sun Is!	Re: Anyone have some helpful hints to save without spending what's in the pot? Yeah, I think the key with credit cards is if you can use them responsibly. __________________ Don't Give up what you want MOST for what you want NOW