Budget board sure has changed

[writersblock42]

I recently returned after a 4 year hiatus from the disboards. My last trip was in August 2007 and I stuck around for about a year and half after that. So it has been since early 2009. I remember threads on the budget board such as how people would use washcloths instead of toilet paper to wipe or gather up the fragments of soap in the tub all in an effort to save a buck for Disney. There were some other extreme things, but I would have to look back at my subscribed posts to see. Now, I see things about Abercromie, Dyson, smart phones and staying at the deluxe resorts. Is this a sign of the economy changing finally or maybe just a different crowd now.

 

[lilmrsellis]

If I'm scrounging up old soap and wiping my behind on washcloths I don't have the cash for a phone or Internet, let alone even thinking of planning a Disney trip. Please Budget Board friends, if those days ever come, tell me to spend my cash on something more worthwhile.

 

[writersblock42]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1342354
Not sure if that link will work but that is the thread with all the cheap things that people did but there were also lots of threads about reusable sanitary pads, and washing sponges, and many other frugal ideas. It certainly is not everyone's cup of tea but everybody spends money in different ways.

 

[ceecee]

I've been reading these boards for yrs and don't remember that! I must confess reading these threads have cost me $$$ buying all the great deals that I have to have and didn't know I needed!!!
My best ever deal was the Mickey TV from Sears that cost like $25, DD is still using it!

 

[Marionnette]

Not sure if that link will work but that is the thread with all the cheap things that people did but there were also lots of threads about reusable sanitary pads, and washing sponges, and many other frugal ideas. It certainly is not everyone's cup of tea but everybody spends money in different ways.

Why would you even want to revisit those threads? They were bat-guano crazy back then and they haven't become any more mainstream in the passing years. Can't we just let them stay dead and buried?

 

[disykat]

I think, even taking out the two extremes of someone using reusable toilet paper or Bill Gates needing advice about how to budget his million dollars to get the best vacation, I agree that the Budget Board is much less about frugality than it used to be.

IMO, it is now more about how to get the best deal to make your vacation budget stretch to stay at nicer hotels, etc. than about those traveling on a bare bones budget trying to afford a basic trip.

 

[DawnM]

You had to dredge that up didn't you?

I had forgotten about. I had moved on. I had un-harbored my resentment towards my local Sears that would not honor that deal.

Now I am bitter again.

Dawn

I've been reading these boards for yrs and don't remember that! I must confess reading these threads have cost me $$$ buying all the great deals that I have to have and didn't know I needed!!!
My best ever deal was the Mickey TV from Sears that cost like $25, DD is still using it!

 

[eliza61]

For me, "budget" is way more than taking value vacations.

For me "budget" is how to get the most value for my hard earned dollars.

for example you mentioned deluxe resorts. Now for my family value resorts are too small and we don't like them. So for me staying at a value is a huge waste of money. So if some one can inform me of a deal at a deluxe, well then that's a good "budget" tip.

No matter what my income level is, I want to spend the least amount, get good quality and save a buck or two.

 

[a1tinkfans]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1342354
Not sure if that link will work but that is the thread with all the cheap things that people did but there were also lots of threads about reusable sanitary pads, and washing sponges, and many other frugal ideas. It certainly is not everyone's cup of tea but everybody spends money in different ways.

Oh my goodness. glad I missed out on those threads.....think I would have

 

[hsmamato2]

I remember those threads....I filed it all away in my brain for 'emergency situations'....you never know when you'll need to know that kind of stuff Op is talking about FWIW,I used to enjoy all that kind of stuff.... but there are still plenty of interesting topics here,just keep reading!

 

[crisi]

I love my reusable sanitary napkins, for ecological reasons, not for budget reasons. Through I've had the same set five years. More comfortable. Rinse them out and throw them in the wash. And they are cheaper.

http://www.partypantspads.com/

 

[plummer925]

Why would you even want to revisit those threads? They were bat-guano crazy back then and they haven't become any more mainstream in the passing years. Can't we just let them stay dead and buried?

Wow..."bat-guano crazy"? that is so rude. Seriously. I, too, have found the budget board to have changed a LOT the past few years. Just because someone does something different than you does not give you the right to name calling!

 

[Colleen27]

I love my reusable sanitary napkins, for ecological reasons, not for budget reasons.

I've switched away from a lot of disposable products for the same reason (though I draw the line at toilet paper! ) and have generally been happier with the cloth equivalents of paper products.

 

[TwilightGoddess]

I'm sorry but the true meaning of budget is limiting expenses and sticking to a financial plan. AKA how to save money for a trip, IE: if you have a coupon for cereal that you would have bought anyway, and it was for a dollar, you would take that dollar and put it your "disney jar" and use your coupon. Or have a yard sale etc.. these are just basic ideas.

When I see a disney budget board, to me it means ideas on how to save money for your trip and a support group to help you get there. The fun part is supposed to find new ways to save money.

Bottom line, you set an amount you need to save for your trip, based on the type you want to take whether its a value trip or a deluxe trip. You give each other ideas on how to save more money, not spend more. That defeats the purpose of a budget. I'm also not into extreme thrifting either lol like reusing TP.

Anyway that has been what I traditionally expect from a budget board, its great to have that support to help you save towards your goal!

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Speaking of this, is Dave Ramsey still around? Used to see him everywhere, now haven't seen or heard him in a year or two, both local stations have dropped his show.

 

[EagleScout]

Speaking of this, is Dave Ramsey still around? Used to see him everywhere, now haven't seen or heard him in a year or two, both local stations have dropped his show.

Fox business channel dropped him 2010 so not on tv, but radio show (where he started) still exists ans syndicated on 100s of channels across country, including most major markets (including Orlando)

 

[eliza61]

Speaking of this, is Dave Ramsey still around? Used to see him everywhere, now haven't seen or heard him in a year or two, both local stations have dropped his show.

Not really. I think like many "fads" they tend to fade after a while.

 

[lttlmc3]

I, for one, got sick of Dave Ramsey. It seemed the richer he got from his show, the more he was cruel to the callers. MHO

 

[crisi]

I've switched away from a lot of disposable products for the same reason (though I draw the line at toilet paper! ) and have generally been happier with the cloth equivalents of paper products.

Yeah, the "family cloth" thing wasn't for me - and frankly, I think it was more for something for people to point at and few people did it.

But I do wash sponges as well - my husband tosses them the moment they get stinky, I throw them in the microwave in a little bleach water.

And I still love my reusable grocery bags

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

or gather up the fragments of soap in the tub all in an effort to save a buck for Disney.

There were some other extreme things, but I would have to look back at my subscribed posts to see. Now, I see things about Abercromie, Dyson, smart phones and staying at the deluxe resorts. Is this a sign of the economy changing finally or maybe just a different crowd now.

Yes! I do this!
The slivers of soap go with whatever travel size soap I have lurking in my linen closet, or in the bottom of the bathroom cabinet, into a saucepan on the stove with some water and get melted down.

Add lots of water when it's boiling to make your own soft soap for your soap dispenser or add only a small amount of water and use a potato masher to mash and mix the soap well and pour into lined muffin cups to make your own "new" soap.

I added some drops of lime oil someone had given me to my melted soap
and Ooooooh... it smells SO GOOD

I keep soap in a small, old zippered lingerie laundry bag in the shower- which is like a netted bath spongee when you squish it all up.
My soap lathers well and the bag means I am never picking slimey soap off the floor of the shower or picking hair off the soap.

Thanks for the topic, OP.
I think the topic of budgeting and saving money can range from true frugality (you should visit http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/ ) to saving on i phones...

Even though I have no desire to have an i phone (and to me they are a luxury item) I can see how saving on a phone and plan is pertinent in today's world.

But so is saving soap and packing lunches, and making hand made gifts and finding a source of bat guano for fertilizing your garden...

I guess that makes me bat-guano crazy~