Trying to squirrel away more $$

[dizcrazy]

30%?????
try going to a local credit union and getting a loan at a lower rate
even consider calling a NOT FOR PROFIT credit agency to help you negotiate

you poor dears!

 

[CheapMom]

You have to do something about that credit card- It will take forever to pay it off. Call consumer credit counselling for free advice.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by mad4themouse
Thanks, Cheapmom. That makes more sense. I don't know why I was under the impression that pumpkinboy was taking out a home equity to pay for WDW and then considering that paying it off early is a savings. As Emily Litella would say...."never mind".

Yes, CheapMom clarified accurately. The home equity loan is pre-existing, and we actualy do have a savings account for emergencies, but only keep 2 months salary in it, since it makes more sense to reduce 3.75% debt than to keep it in 1.5% savings (on which I pay tax). But in a way it is using the home equity as a savings vehicle, but we use it in place of higher-interest alternatives, like carrying balances on credit cards (never!) or car loans (not in this house). Our home equity loan is flexible and the limit is far more than we need, and even if we were to borrow to the max we could comfortably service on one of our two incomes (thank God!). But eventually we'll pay it off, then we'll be stuck with regular savings vehicles (and I am not talking a 1990 Honda Civic, but rather a savings account), but then we'll plow more into mutual funds and stuff like that.
Oh, and Frann, that is one Evil credit card bank. Time to give your business to someone else!

 

[CheapMom]

Best tip- tell her to come to the budget boards for info.
Take water bottles into the parks instead of buying water or soda. Eat breakfast in your room. ...

 

[krissy3483]

You said you had better credit now. Have you considered transferring the balance to a credit card with a lower rate to at least save yourself a little money that way? Just a thought.

 

[mad4themouse]

frannn,
I checked the Better Business Bureau and found this with regards to crosscountrybank.com:

Government Actions

Attorney General's Offices in New York, and Minnesota have filed suit against Cross Country Bank and its affiliate Applied Card Systems, Inc. The suits involve allegations that the company violated each state's Fair Debt Collection Act. The allegations involve unfair, deceptive, or abusive methods to collect the debt.
The matters are still pending.

If your credit is better now, apply for another card from a reputable credit company (BankOne, BankAmerica, CitiBank). All of them are sure to offer lower interest rates than those crooks. Balance transfers often come with low introductory interest rate. Just make sure that you understand how high the new rate will be after that introductory period.

With 30% interest, monthly fees and an annual fee, this company is virtually guaranteeing that you will always owe them money. You can use this
Credit Card Repayment Calculator to determine how long it will take you to pay off the debt. It may surprise and shock you to see it.

Good luck getting rid of that dog of a credit card. They sound like a bunch of parasites to me.

 

[vhoffman]

Several months ago dh and I did what I call our "budget reduction act". We went through all our bills with a fine tooth comb, to see ways we could save. The biggest savings came from refinancing our mortgage, a savings of $330 per month. We also saved quite a bit from changing long distance service, internet service, and cell phone service. We have the same level of quality and service, but less payments. These are highly competitive, so it pays to review them every now and then. But don't forget the small stuff--like little $5 fees on credit cards for usless services, such as reporting lost or stolen cards, etc. But we found out one thing--a penny saved is not a penny earned unless you put that money aside. Otherwise, reducing your expenses just puts more money in your checking account which just goes for other things. We opened an *** account, which is a great place to stash extra funds. There's no fees, minimum balances, etc and it pays 2% interest per year. The sign on bonus and referral bonuses added up nicely, too. Too bad we can't get referrals off this board anymore, since I still have some left. Anyways, like I say, its not enough to cut your expenditures. You also have to have a plan to save that money, or it just goes.

 

[vhoffman]

I opened an INGdirect account with a referral. So far, my account has grown to about $800, with about $250 from referrals. Its a great way to put aside money for vacations, etc., so it doesn't get comingled with other funds. Too bad we can't do referrals on this board anymore, since I still have some left over.

 

[cshaffer21]

I have a special vacation savings account. Whenever I get a rebate check it goes in there. Also whenever I pay for something for someone (including my kids) and the person pays me back-that goes in the account also. When I deposit my and my husband's paycheck--If the check is for $167.58--I always deposit the extra amount into that account ($7.58). I don't really miss this money and I figure we're that much closer to Disney World!! Also not buying lunch out is a great saving!!!!! I usually buy Stouffers frozen entrees when they are on sale to take for lunch. Add a roll and dessert from home and I am full!!!!

 

[HappyLawyer]

we save all loose change, we come in and put it in a big can we have almost 700 for disney saved.

 

[daisyduck007]

I also did the jar thing. I call it the "pot." I have a glass jar in my room behind the TV that I've been putting all small bills, change and a couple rebate checks in. I also bought some certificates from restaurant.com. They seem like very good deals. My problem is is that I can't get my boyfriend to save anything. My quote of the month is "did you put anything in the pot??? hunnie?!!????!" The other day there was a scratch-off lottery ticket for $7 in there. How the heck am I sapposed to react to that? lol. Okay he's trying....but how much did he spend on the ticket?? Did he buy $20 worth and win $7? NOT MY IDEA OF SAVING, HUNNIE. I also havn't eaten out since I planned our trip and I give him a very big guilt trip whenever he eats out at work. We're also not allowed to drink pop anymore...we can drink water and any kind of little package of flavored sugar that can be mixed in lots of water and costs 25 cents a pack. Hehe. You can take koolaid to the parks too right?

<P>
Jim and I are leaving on March 22nd!

 

[jgates]

My suggestion to the change jar people would be to not let too much of it accumulate before you park it in a savings account. I speak from experience at having someone in your house removing money that was sitting there. And it was a relative no less!!!! Not a good experience. So once you have a small bundle, get it to the bank!!

 

[r3ngels]

A lot of you guys mentioned rebate checks, where do you get rebates from?

 

[dpayne1969]

Hello
i am expecting 2 rebate checks for 50.00 each.We purchased cell phones for 70.00 and each one came with a 50.00 rebate!

 

[jlw29]

Originally posted by dpayne1969
Hello
i am expecting 2 rebate checks for 50.00 each.We purchased cell phones for 70.00 and each one came with a 50.00 rebate!

I'm generally not a rebate person (Too disorganized) but over the last week I got a $50 cell phone rebate, a $29.95 and $10 turbotax rebate in the mail. I made myself send it in the day I got them, so I didn't have time to lose the stuff!!! Well worth it.

 

[HappyLawyer]

well the jar woprks great for us we have 6 filled so far more like coffee cans and we don't have a problem with sticky fingers, so if it works for you try it i save my change all year then cash it in at the bank 1 week before and that way it does not tie up any other funds for bills etc.
good luck

 

[GoofItUp]

This may seem a little TOO specific, but here's a tip.....

I NEVER order out for pizza. I keep 2-3 Digiorno's (sp?) in the freezer. I know they are an 'expensive' frozen pizza, but we like them a lot and they are 1/3 of the cost of ordering out.

So many people have offered great ideas, so I thought I'd try and think of something different rahter than repeat them!

 

[jlw29]

Originally posted by GoofItUp
This may seem a little TOO specific, but here's a tip.....

I NEVER order out for pizza. I keep 2-3 Digiorno's (sp?) in the freezer. I know they are an 'expensive' frozen pizza, but we like them a lot and they are 1/3 of the cost of ordering out.

So many people have offered great ideas, so I thought I'd try and think of something different rahter than repeat them!

We do this too! Actually, we really luck out. We have an Amelia's grocery outlet here, and they have DiGiornio's for $2.50 each! They are usually not quite perfectly round, so can't be sold regular, but they're just as tasty.

 

[sln88]

coupons, cutting expenses:

mycoupons.com

there are rebates out there that I had no idea about until I went to that site! Also, lots of women(and a few guys) who are great at finding the best deals on everything.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

To those of you who mentioned long distance savings...

I cancelled long distance (I think I was paying $8/mo) and got a 600 minute card from Sam's club for $26 (I think - it has been like 2 years and still have a ton of minutes left!). Just a thought!