need creative ways to cut the budget and save money

[imgoingtodisney]

OK now that Christmas is over Im looking at paying the Mastercard Bill which has Christmas and our unexpected trip to WDW on it. I try to pay it off at once so there is no finance charge. Then there is the DVC dues which we pay in 1 lump sum. And then there is the car insurance by the end of Feb which also gets paid in 1 lump sum.
I already decided DS & I will stay home this winter instead of our weekend getaways. Instead of 6 long summer weekend getaways Ive deciced on only 3. How else can I save but still feel like Im not depriving myself?

 

[rbuzzotta]

It doesn't sound like your depriving yourself at all with the amount of trips and weekend getaways...not to mention the luxury of owning DVC.

Maybe sell/rent your points to at least cover your maintence fee so you can get back on your feet.........then next year....spend wisely!!!

Good luck.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Do not order out... cook all meals.. that is a great way to save money.. believe it or not. Clip coupons for food shopping..(wish I was that disciplined, but some save lots of money that way)... just a few thoughts..

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

For Pete's sake, you are not the only one with bills!!!!! Stop whining, Please!!!!!!!!!!! You don't have to pay your dues in one lump, you can do it over 12 months without finance charge. If you cannot pay your MC bill in one lump sum, so what !!! divide it up a bit. I pay my car insurance in 12 payments, no finance charge ( I know that insurance companies vary). If you spent more time figuring out an alternative rather them constantly whining about EVERYTHING on this board I think you we be much happier, and I sure know we would be.

 

[becka]

I am sorry that you can't figure out a way to pay for all of your trips and DVC.

I wish I had those kind of bill problems. We have not had a vacation since May 2001 and we can't even afford a weekend getaway right now or in the near future.

Doesn't the whining make you feel bad? Maybe if you stopped whining about things that are luxuries to most people you might start feeling better.

 

[janette]

As Gail pointed out there is no reason to pay DVC dues in a lump sum, no benefit and they'll set up automatic withdrawal so you don't have to worry about sending them a check. Very easy and a small payment every month.

Usually car insurance can be broken into payments also with a minimum of fees. Mine charges me $2 to split the semi-annual payment into 2 so it works out to a quarterly payment.

I get offers every week for low or 0% interest on balance transfer cards. Get one and transfer the balance of the mastercard so you have more time to pay for it.

 

[Saffron]

There's a Budget Board here on the DIS that might be able to help you.

 

[JohnTBap]

Perhaps a search on Google might help.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
For Pete's sake, you are not the only one with bills!!!!! Stop whining, Please!!!!!!!!!!! You don't have to pay your dues in one lump, you can do it over 12 months without finance charge. If you cannot pay your MC bill in one lump sum, so what !!! divide it up a bit. I pay my car insurance in 12 payments, no finance charge ( I know that insurance companies vary). If you spent more time figuring out an alternative rather them constantly whining about EVERYTHING on this board I think you we be much happier, and I sure know we would be.

Gail.........."Very well put".

I think most DIS'ers that have been following her (imgoingtodisney)posts agree with you. Enough is enough.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

A friend of mine said why don't you give up your internet service?

That would save you money depending on what type of line your using and what provider you use.

 

[Eeyore2U]

You could always get a second job and a third if needed.

 

[DaisyDebbie]

Have to agree with Spaceman Spiff on this one

 

[Jenzebelle]

Do what the rest of us do:
clip coupons, not go out to eat as much, bring lunches to work, and not go on any vacations.

My DH and I have never taken a vacation alone together and probably won't until we get our debt in control. Do I feel like I'm missing out? Of course!

But that's life and there's no use sitting there thinking about how we're being deprived- it's much better to count your blessings.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When we were in trouble with finances we cut everything back and did not eat out and clipped coupons.
We canceled internet, dish, anything that was extra. Nothing was bought that wasn't absolutely needed.
We did not vacation for 2 years.
Let me tell you...we had alot of "money"! So examine where your money is going and then you can begin to cut corners. It does work.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I wish I had those kind of bill problems. We have not had a vacation since May 2001 and we can't even afford a weekend getaway right now or in the near future.

Totally OT, but, Becka, in looking at that beautiful baby of yours, I sure would not mind putting off a trip or two for such a beautiful miracle.

 

[DonnaS]

All of those expenses are routine expenses that you really should have budgeted for throughout the year. If the WDW trip was such a hit on your pocketbook then perhaps you should have just wasted the airfare instead of incurring additional expenses.

We have a cruise planned and we have purchased trip insurance that will cover our air expenses if something unforeseen happens. You might want to look into trip insurance before you take another trip.

 

[aahmom1]

our unexpected trip to WDW on it.

You poor thing some people have it so bad.

 

[becka]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Totally OT, but, Becka, in looking at that beautiful baby of yours, I sure would not mind putting off a trip or two for such a beautiful miracle.

Me neither! Even if it meant I would never again take a vacation I would not trade him in for a minute. He gives me so much more joy that a vacation ever could.

I don't want you to think that I am depressed because we can't really afford to go anywhere but I guess it just bugs me to see someone complain so much about not being able to afford luxuries when some people on the boards (thankfully not me) are dealing with some serious issues including the death of a family member and/or serious illnesses, etc.

 

[Mskanga]

Originally posted by imgoingtodisney
Then there is the DVC dues which we pay in 1 lump sum.
I already decided DS & I will stay home this winter instead of our weekend getaways. Instead of 6 long summer weekend getaways Ive deciced on only 3.

Are you serious??? You mean if you don't take your yearly WDW trips with your DVC , or your winter and summer weekend getaways you feel deprived??? Man , I have been deprived all my life and I didn't know it.
We take 10 days vacation, and go out on a weekend getaway with the kids maybe twice a year. Geez, where have I been?

 

[Mskanga]

Originally posted by imgoingtodisney
Then there is the DVC dues which we pay in 1 lump sum.
I already decided DS & I will stay home this winter instead of our weekend getaways. Instead of 6 long summer weekend getaways Ive deciced on only 3.

Are you serious??? You mean if you don't take your yearly WDW trips with your DVC , or your winter and summer weekend getaways you feel deprived??? Man , I have been deprived all my life and I didn't know it.
We take 10 days vacation, and go out on a weekend getaway with the kids maybe twice a year. Geez, where have I