Cost cutting measures

[barkley]

But I have to use scent free on detergent (I'm allergic to all fragrances),

totaly get it-both myself and my youngest get terrible migraines from scented products which i why i get the arm and hammer.

 

[MrsPete]

Oh, I totally agree that individuals shouldn't chase a better score or even use debt. However, I understand that not everyone agrees, so at least taking actions to improve a low score can have a positive universal effect.

Unfortunately, once someone is seen as a credit risk, it can affect all areas of their life. Low credit scores can negatively impact credit card rates, rent or security deposits, car insurance, employment, etc.

If someone is struggling with high rates everywhere, it can be hard to make progress anywhere. So, focusing on timely payments while reducing balances can help a tough situation from getting worse.

If anyone needs encouragement, please feel free to stop by The Dave Ramsey 'Baby Steps' Thread.

I think you kinda missed my point: Don't chase the credit score, which is a measure of how well you repay your debts. Aim for financial stability -- spending less, no debt, accumulating savings -- and the credit score will follow.

I used to be SO BAD about this (and honestly, sometimes still am). I've been purging closets and it's crazy how many things I got "for a deal!" that were never even used.

Yeah, I understand. I remember when we were expecting our second child -- in anticipation of her arrival, I cleaned out the closet in our spare bedroom, and I was ashamed of what I found: Things I'd bought for the house, things I'd bought for our older child, etc. -- all still in the bags! Clothes our older child had already outgrown. Things I'd intended to give people for Christmas.

Made me realize I'd been using shopping as a hobby, and that's not smart.

 

[disdreaming2]

we shop our house first before buying anything. Usually there is almost always something to use up first.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Don't chase the credit score, which is a measure of how well you repay your debts. Aim for financial stability -- spending less, no debt, accumulating savings -- and the credit score will follow.

I agree!

 

[Dakota731]

We only stream the ESPN/Hulu/Disney package and Discovery+. But we do the ads version. Wife absolutely hates sitting through 3 minutes of ads. She'd rather pay $1 more per month than sit watch ads. And Amazon music is part of the Amazon Prime package we have. So no Spotify or other music streaming. I do YouTube, but we're thinking about upgrading to commercial free version due to having to sit through 30 seconds of ads every 5 minutes (we probably won't, but I'm seriously thinking about it).

No memberships for us that I know of.

And as far as cell phones, I recently upgraded from a slider phone to an Iphone. I typically just use it to make/receive phones, but I don't take on many. Maybe just 3-4 a day. And I text about 15 messages a day. Don't get online or anything. And I have the cheapest package offered by Verizon at $115/month.

Isn’t Amazon prime a membership?
I recommend Straight Talk for phones. It’s $49 a month for limited everything, talk text and data.
Also, I started shopping at Aldi and save at least 30% from my previous grocery store, and everything there has been high quality as well as more economical.

 

[focusondisney]

Isn’t Amazon prime a membership?

Yes, $15 a month.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I have poor college students, dd21 gave plasma a few times, but it didn’t work out due to an infection. I think dd23 is going to give it a shot, I think you can donate twice a week?

We have a couple of friends whom regularly donate plasma. This really is a win-win situation. Helping others & making easy money for doing so!
Good suggestion mjkacmom

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Yea, I guess Amazon is a membership. It goes into our streaming. Plus we buy stuff there (like makeup for my wife) cause it's cheaper than Walmart. We tried Aldi (went in looking for Disney stuff because DW saw something on TikTok), and we just felt uncomfortable there. Felt like the food was cheap or leftover stuff Walmart didn't sell. And we haven't been back.

As far as switching phones, I'm not going to do that. I've had my same number since 2005. I can't change my phone number at this point. I know excuse. But I truly don't want to change my number after having it for nearly 20 years.

Isn’t Amazon prime a membership?
I recommend Straight Talk for phones. It’s $49 a month for limited everything, talk text and data.
Also, I started shopping at Aldi and save at least 30% from my previous grocery store, and everything there has been high quality as well as more economical.

 

[Dakota731]

Aldi often uses local farms for meats and produce which saves money in shipping costs. They use private label brands (which are often made by national companies) and they have a lot less items both which save costs to the consumer. They don’t have fancy stores or spend much money on decor or ads but their products have been equal to anything I’ve bought in expensive stores. They certainly don’t buy leftover food from other retailers. And they are the number one contributor to the food banks in our area. But to each his own

Yea, I guess Amazon is a membership. It goes into our streaming. Plus we buy stuff there (like makeup for my wife) cause it's cheaper than Walmart. We tried Aldi (went in looking for Disney stuff because DW saw something on TikTok), and we just felt uncomfortable there. Felt like the food was cheap or leftover stuff Walmart didn't sell. And we haven't been back.

As far as switching phones, I'm not going to do that. I've had my same number since 2005. I can't change my phone number at this point. I know excuse. But I truly don't want to change my number after having it for nearly 20 years.

FYI, you don’t have to change phone numbers to switch carriers!

 

[DisneyTexan]

As far as switching phones, I'm not going to do that. I've had my same number since 2005. I can't change my phone number at this point.

It was probably not long after 2005 when the new phone number requirement went away. You can switch carriers and keep your number!

 

[disdreaming2]

US Mobile works on Verizon wireless backbone. We switched from Verizon and our cell phone bill went from $140 to a predictable $75 per month and that is for 3 lines that have unlimited texting and data! Also, call your current providers whatever they are and negotiate a lower rate. Usually takes a good 20-30 minutes but the savings are well worth it!

 

[disdreaming2]

For streaming I didn't want to cut cable until I can find a replacement for Hallmark (I know) lol
We found Frndly TV and I think it's $6.99 a month. They have a 7 day free trial.

 

[barkley]

For streaming I didn't want to cut cable until I can find a replacement for Hallmark (I know) lol
We found Frndly TV and I think it's $6.99 a month. They have a 7 day free trial.

off topic but-i just started binging an old network sitcom that i ended up recording off hallmark. i was very surprised at how much hallmark bleeps out dialogue-they bleep out stuff that would have flown right by on the insp channel which i always found to be the most restrictive i have encountered (given the subject matter of the sitcom i'm binging i don't understand why, if hallmark channel is so conservative they are even airing the particular comedy).

 

[focusondisney]

We tried Aldi (went in looking for Disney stuff because DW saw something on TikTok), and we just felt uncomfortable there. Felt like the food was cheap or leftover stuff Walmart didn't sell. And we haven't been back.

Aldi often uses local farms for meats and produce which saves money in shipping costs. They use private label brands (which are often made by national companies) and they have a lot less items both which save costs to the consumer. They don’t have fancy stores or spend much money on decor or ads but their products have been equal to anything I’ve bought in expensive stores. They certainly don’t buy leftover food from other retailers. And they are the number one contributor to the food banks in our area. But to each his own

@Dakota731 is exactly right. My husband was the manager of a food production factory. They make their own award winning nationally recognized brands. Like many large manufacturers, they also make “private label” products for other companies, including retailers like Aldi & yes, Walmart. Some retailers had their own recipes that his plant would follow for them. Or the retailer would require their products be packaged in a certain way. Aldi was one that required unique packaging. The products are put out in the packing boxes, instead of having a lot of stock people spending time unboxing & reshelving products. It’s how they keep prices low. Because they order so much product, they also get better prices from the manufacturer. The company my husband worked for has a plant that produces meat products plus the plant he managed that makes multiple frozen pasta items. The big point is, there may be some taste variations if the private retailer has their own recipe. But the quality of ingredients & the final product is exactly the same.

However, I understand being put off by the look of the Aldi store. I went in 1 many years ago & thought the store was dirty & run down. So no way could I shop there. My DIL has been shopping there for 7 years & had nothing but good to say. The stores in our area have been remodeled over the last year or 2, plus a new store was built about 5 minutes away. Last year I decided to try it again & was pleasantly surprised. The stores are brighter & cleaner. They have even added self checkout which I love. The meats especially are excellent quality & much better prices than our local grocery stores. Not sure how long ago you were in Aldi @WDW_fan_in_TX , but if it’s been awhile you might want to check them out again.

 

[dclpluto]

Many people spend way too much on their cell phone plans. Combine your family. I got my wife, my grown up son and my mom on the plan and pay 100 a month plus taxes and 911 fees for unlimited through T-Mobile being a veteran. Even if you’re not a veteran you can save by combining your family and have them pay you their cost.

Don’t pay to get your hair cut both upstairs and downstairs.

I’m a dvc member instead of going on a few vacations this year I rented out my points. Instead of paying 15k dollars for tickets, plane, food, souvenirs, etc. I got 15k dollars that a 30k turn around.

No need for most people to have a computer. Once your computer goes bad don’t buy a new one you have your smart phone.

 

[DawnM]

You have gotten great ideas on this thread. I remember about a 10 year period that we struggled, well, we were fine, but we had to really watch our spending.

I found a pamphlet on "how to feed a family of 4 on $200/month". That was written in 2020, so I am sure it would be more now, but her ideas and concepts were great and I implemented many of them. Her method for meat was to get a half a cow per 6 months or something like that. We didn't do that because we aren't huge beef eaters, so I just got things on sale and stocked up.

The other book that helped me a lot was The Tightwad Gazette. Yes, it is a bit outdated, but the ideas are still relevant. She said they portioned out the meat (everyone gets 6oz of chicken for example) but they would be allowed unlimited fruit and starch (leftover rice for example could be used for a snack later.). She never bought prepared foods. Things she could buy used, she would buy used. No processed junk that cost money, she had popcorn for snacks. No buying drinks in cans, etc....She said one time her son said he really wanted chips. She told him it was .25 at the store and he could earn it and pay for it himself. I can't remember what she had him do for a chore, but he never asked again.

The main thing is to budget, and stick to it! If you can honestly say you don't make enough to cover basic expenses living very frugally, then you need to change something.....your living situation (move in with parents or downsize, etc...) or something drastic, like getting a less nice car, eating only "ingredients" (no prepared) for a while, put off some repairs or things you may think you need but you can do without a little longer, that sort of thing.

 

[gmi3804]

Our "senior" (over 55) plan with T-Mobile, unlimited talk/text/data, is $50/month for both of us. We've had it for six years.

 

[QueenIsabella]

You have gotten great ideas on this thread. I remember about a 10 year period that we struggled, well, we were fine, but we had to really watch our spending.

I found a pamphlet on "how to feed a family of 4 on $200/month". That was written in 2020, so I am sure it would be more now, but her ideas and concepts were great and I implemented many of them. Her method for meat was to get a half a cow per 6 months or something like that. We didn't do that because we aren't huge beef eaters, so I just got things on sale and stocked up.

The other book that helped me a lot was The Tightwad Gazette. Yes, it is a bit outdated, but the ideas are still relevant. She said they portioned out the meat (everyone gets 6oz of chicken for example) but they would be allowed unlimited fruit and starch (leftover rice for example could be used for a snack later.). She never bought prepared foods. Things she could buy used, she would buy used. No processed junk that cost money, she had popcorn for snacks. No buying drinks in cans, etc....She said one time her son said he really wanted chips. She told him it was .25 at the store and he could earn it and pay for it himself. I can't remember what she had him do for a chore, but he never asked again.

The main thing is to budget, and stick to it! If you can honestly say you don't make enough to cover basic expenses living very frugally, then you need to change something.....your living situation (move in with parents or downsize, etc...) or something drastic, like getting a less nice car, eating only "ingredients" (no prepared) for a while, put off some repairs or things you may think you need but you can do without a little longer, that sort of thing.

I still re-read my "Tightwad Gazette" books. Her numbers aren't valid anymore, but the process is (as far as calculating your costs, re-using things, etc.).

A half cow would probably last a normal family an entire year. You could consider a quarter cow, too. We never did that, but when we lived rural, my DH helped a farmer friend with his pigs--cared for them when the farmer was away, and helped with butchering. The farmer gave us a pig as payment, we had to pay for the processing (smoking hams and bacon, slicing into reasonable cuts, etc.).

My husband hunts, but we also got a couple roadkill deer. We were firefighters, and the rule was, if a driver hit a deer and didn't want the carcass, first firefighter on the scene got first dibs. We shared our "wins" with a couple other firefighters, in exchange for them helping with gutting and hanging. I realize this isn't for everyone, no matter how broke, but free or cheap meat can really help the budget.

 

[mort1331]

Here's the basic idea:

I keep track of the "available" bank balance, plus the cash I am carrying, to the penny. I used Quicken for this, but you can use a spreadsheet if you prefer. When I withdraw from the ATM, I enter that in my own records by deducting it from my "available" bank balance but adding it to my cash balance. When that happens my "total money" doesn't change, just where it is.

When I buy something with cash, I keep the receipt, and enter it into my records, deducting it from my cash balance. That means my "total money" goes down. When I buy something with a credit card, I do the same thing, but deduct it from my "available" bank balance. So my "total money" still goes down. That money hasn't left my bank account yet, but it will when the credit card bill is paid.


You can. You just have to do the work to do it. This is why I reconciled my cash balance regularly---every few days---because it helped me catch the times when I forgot to record something. Over time, that happened a lot less often.

So what I started in college to control my own expenses. Track all expenses,,,dont change habits or spending patterns,,,,track for 3 months. Then I would sit down and put all into categories and see where I could save. You would be amazed on what we spend on that is not neeeded. This is what I now have done for 30 years. I dont need to track so much anymore, but I can quickly root out some bad spending habits that need correction sooner.
Since I have done this,,,,I try to put all expenses on credit card,,we get points and money back that has afforded us to get our special things. We dont overspend our CC,,,,and pay off the balance every month. Have not had a balance in over 25 years. So those points are really a bonus for all the tracking.
The money envelopes are a good starting point, but evolve from there, know your spending and get rewarded for staying on track with a CC.
Where we shop and the CC points allows us to purchase Disney GCs that we use to pay our DVC dues and our food while at Disney, so it can add up.
Big key,,,you cant run a balance,,any CC interest quickly negates ANY advantage to using CC.
Good luck all.

 

[MrsPete]

we shop our house first before buying anything. Usually there is almost always something to use up first.

So smart!

Also, I started shopping at Aldi and save at least 30% from my previous grocery store, and everything there has been high quality as well as more economical.

I love Aldi -- and Lidl, which seems to be fairly new to the US or at least to my area. Their prices are good, though we hate their pizza. Their cheese selection is the best in town, and their cheese prices are excellent; for example, goat cheese is literally half the price of the second cheapest price in our area! Also excellent prices on bread and chicken. BUT we can't get everything we want at Aldi; for example, they don't sell Dr. Pepper.

I found a pamphlet on "how to feed a family of 4 on $200/month". That was written in 2020, so I am sure it would be more now, but her ideas and concepts were great and I implemented many of them. Her method for meat was to get a half a cow per 6 months or something like that. We didn't do that because we aren't huge beef eaters, so I just got things on sale and stocked up.

I guess it's possible to feed four people for $200/month ... if two of those four people are small children AND you grow your own veggies, keep your own chickens, eat lots of carbohydrates and little meat, are very careful with leftovers, drink only water, and don't include paper products or cleaning products in that budget.

I used to buy half a cow ... not only was it a good value, the meat was better (especially the ground beef, which had no fat added like the grocery store stuff)! BUT the co-op from where I used to buy was sold, and it's no longer a good deal. Good deals do change over time.

I still re-read my "Tightwad Gazette" books. Her numbers aren't valid anymore, but the process is (as far as calculating your costs, re-using things, etc.).

I love that series of books; I think they're the best-written series on frugal living! True, her numbers are no longer valid, but her great strength was always "walking you through" how to find the best prices, so you can still use her lessons

You would be amazed on what we spend on that is not neeeded.

So true, so true -- I know I buy loads of things that aren't necessary, and I'm MUCH more frugal than most people.

The money envelopes are a good starting point, but evolve from there

Totally agree. When you're young and just learning to manage your own money (or if you're older and just haven't mastered it yet), you need to work harder at it ... but at some point you gain a 6th sense about money, and it falls into place.