Thanks for all the input guys! DH does use coupons but any money saved goes back into the food budget to extend it. Unfortunately, he does not believe in taking savings from one area and putting it into the vacation fund. Tried that!! That is non-negotiable. Our small tax refund goes into next year's tax fund because the cost of real estate in Boston keeps rising. He says we cannot afford to go to Disney every year or even every other year. I have had to use a small inheritance to build up our vacation budget. Here in Boston, inflation exceeds my annual merit raise, so whatever we save in one area gets eaten up in another. Our vacation budget is $150/month or $1800 a year. Since I get four weeks vacation per year, DH does not want to spend all the vacation money on one week at Disney. I pad that fund by participating in research trials at a major medical center here -- $300 last year just for brushing my teeth! Taking on a part-time job is not an option for me since I am an executive and work extra hours at home in the evening and on weekends. DH and DS are disabled so working outside the home does not work for DH either.
Our cable TV package is bundled with our long distance phone and internet service and where I live, you cannot pick and choose your channels. I do plan to sell my 1985 Chevette since it is our second car and just sits there. I will save something in insurance and excise tax but don't expect to get much for the car itself. Yard sales in my area do not net much because the frugal Yankee mentality tells them they CAN get something for next to nothing. Ebay is my next plan, but I need to convince DH that all security risks can be avoided.
I told you all it was a challenge! I told DH about my post and he is afraid I have portrayed him as a beast! He's not, of course, but has the thankless job of getting blood from a stone.
Our cable TV package is bundled with our long distance phone and internet service and where I live, you cannot pick and choose your channels. I do plan to sell my 1985 Chevette since it is our second car and just sits there. I will save something in insurance and excise tax but don't expect to get much for the car itself. Yard sales in my area do not net much because the frugal Yankee mentality tells them they CAN get something for next to nothing. Ebay is my next plan, but I need to convince DH that all security risks can be avoided.
I told you all it was a challenge! I told DH about my post and he is afraid I have portrayed him as a beast! He's not, of course, but has the thankless job of getting blood from a stone.
