We did it- No cc use this month!!!!

[mommybrown]

Just wanted to thank all you budget disers for so many great ideas. We paid cash for everything this month!!! We became a one income family in August when we moved to a new state for a job transfer for dh. I gave up my full-time dental hygiene job with the move. Great pay and benefits. We did not expect my job search in the new state to be so difficult!!! I have been looking for a part time job for 4 months- no luck. So I am now a SAHM who subs in various offices when needed- which I am so grateful for. Needless to say we had not prepared for the complete loss of my income. So this is where your creativity has helped.

We now eat all meals at home except Pizza night once a week. Cheapest way to feed a family of 5. I about died when Mcdonalds was $25.00. Though we have given the kids frozen pizza with no complaints.

We canceled all premium channels on our dish. We were able to do a bundle pack for our phones,tv and internet. It was a huge savings compared to our old package.

We rent movies instead of going to the theater. Once again it is so expensive for all five of us to go.

No Daycare expenses since I stay home.

I swear I never buy anything that is not on sale- I love the Sunday paper.

We have always gone to consignment stores to buy our kids clothes so that helps. I can't wait for Garage sale season.

Thank God we didn't listen to our lender on how much house we could afford. We bought our house for 1/2 of what we were approved for. We would have been in big trouble.

We will not be out of cc debt as quickly as we had planned but have been able to lock what debt we have at 5.9 for the life of the balance. We have always paid more than the minimum but we still had been charging so we weren't making a difference on the balance.

I am still hoping that a job will open up and have told dh if needed I will look for a job in the evening to supplement our income. It hasn't been needed yet.
Too bad I wasn't a budget diser years ago

Anybody else celebrating a better budget friendly start to 2009?

 

[joy@disney]

Congratulations Great job.

We are trying to get out of CC debt too, it is not an easy thing to do.

Keep up the good work.

 

[2005s4]

Own my own business and towards the end of last yr into this year, sales have been down significantly. I was eating out 4-5 times/week now I dine out once a week. Not only am I saving money, but I've lost 15 lbs! lol

I also cut out all my driving around that wasn't needed as well as going to the movies like you mentioned. Overall I definitely don't see me going back to my old ways even when business picks back up. I am doing fine with my "new lifestyle" and don't miss my old ways.

 

[lacool]

Congratulations! It is such a hard habit to break, and the little things add up so fast when you charge them.

I have not been as successful, although now I use my debit card before resorting to the credit card. I still find myself pulling out the cc on occasion, when payday is too far away and I need gas in the car. I'm so happy for you that you were able to go cold turkey this month!

 

[Kriii]

We cut out so much waste and have now paid off our ccs and all debt except the mortgage. Eliminating the 3-5x a week eating out, couponing, dropping the land line etc all have helped so much. I am facing a similar situation as the OP. Dh is being transferred this summer and I don't know how long it will take to procure employment. We put an offer on a new home based on dh's current salary alone so that we are not nervous about the payments in case it takes me awhile to find new work. The new home is a short sale so we are actually getting a good deal. Alas, no Disney this year though! I also credit the disboards for inspiring me to get out of debt.

 

[dthagg]

Congrats. As a person that work for one of the CC companies I'm very happy for you.

I'm a student of Dave Ramsey and did well for a few years. Then I bought the new house and started using again. CC's are a drug.

 

[Chicago526]

I'll always use a CC for the miles and convienance, but I pay it off every month so it's like using cash.

But so far this year I've done great with groceries, by combining sale prices with coupons I've saved about 50% off regular price. Granted, I always tried to buy things on sale before but now I'm really making an effort to only buy if it's on sale and I have a coupon, the only exception is if it's something we need ASAP and can't wait. I'm stock piled up so much I won't need to shop this weekend at all, and likely won't need anything other than dairy and fresh veggies for the next several weeks.

I was about to cancel our broadband since my company pays for my dsl, but the very same day my dsl modem went kaput and we need my broadband as back up until we get a replacement. Otherwise I'd have to work from the office instead of at home! Oh the horror! Anyway, that will be a $45 a month savings. I wanted to cancel it earlier but DH didn't want to give up his download speed. But he's seen the light and is ready to help me cut our budget. Now I just need to convince him to go to a pre-paid cell and we'll really see some savings! His plan is $85 a month, if he went to pre-paid we'd spend less than $20 most months. But he doesn't want to give up his "features", whatever those are. But I'm working on him!

ETA: Sorry, forgot to say CONGRATS!!!!!

 

[CoP Luv]

Congrats!!!!! I am sure you are seeing how much you can save just by doing a little research and making a good effort!! Great job!

Like PP, I only use my CC (I never have cash on me) but pay off the balance in full every month...the rewards are really good.

 

[FINFAN]

AWESOME! We were almost to 2 months (December was rough, but we did it!) then last week...BAM! $700 repair on DH's pontiac. Thank heavens we have AAA so the tow truck was free. We have the $700 in our emergency fund, but DH wanted to pay w/a card in case there were "issues" w/the repair, I just have to make sure no OTHER emergencies pop up before I get the bill paid!
Hang in there on the job search...but sounds like you are doing awesome at making being a SAHM work!

 

[mominwestlake]

That is great! This board has helped me rethink a lot of purchases lately. My kids are rather sick of me telling them that it's no buy January! I wish my dh's business would pick back up but my new spending habits would remain the same so I could get us out of the hole we are in.

 

[StephMK]

Congrats!!! Sounds like you have some great changes! We have not used our cc either. I want to throw more it but I'm happy to see the balance go down at least slowly each month.

 

[mombare]

We are another one of those self-employed families, except that right now I am the only one bringing in an income. I sometimes feel resentment because I am working more than I would like, but then I remind myself that there are millions of working mothers out there and I just need to "put my big girl panties on and deal with it". We also use our credit cards for everything, and get some great reward money back just for paying out bills - but we also pay them off each month. We used to have a huge savings and it is hard to see it dwindle. In January, we starting writing down all of our purchases - and boy has it been a real eye opener. We are not frivilous spenders, but there are definitely areas we can make change. And my latest decision...since my DH is not working at all right now, he should have plenty of time to cook dinner each night so we don't eat out! I know...BRILLIANT!
I love the budget disboards - and completely feel comfortable sharing my opinions (unlike some of the other threads on disboard)! I am so glad to find support!

 

[mommybrown]

You know I am glad I have these habits. I always thought I was a saver but it has been an eye opener. I do not ever want to know how much money we wasted on silly things. I guess with this recession we will all come out much better consumers. We never ever talked about what we were going to buy- we just bought it. Now we scrutinize every little purchase. It is a liberating feeling to pay cash.
Thanks for the congrats- love to see other disers doing the same and hoping that the economy turns around so others can do as well. I know that we are fortunate to be able to have the means to pay off the debt.

 

[mommybrown]

We are another one of those self-employed families, except that right now I am the only one bringing in an income. I sometimes feel resentment because I am working more than I would like, but then I remind myself that there are millions of working mothers out there and I just need to "put my big girl panties on and deal with it". We also use our credit cards for everything, and get some great reward money back just for paying out bills - but we also pay them off each month. We used to have a huge savings and it is hard to see it dwindle. In January, we starting writing down all of our purchases - and boy has it been a real eye opener. We are not frivilous spenders, but there are definitely areas we can make change. And my latest decision...since my DH is not working at all right now, he should have plenty of time to cook dinner each night so we don't eat out! I know...BRILLIANT!
I love the budget disboards - and completely feel comfortable sharing my opinions (unlike some of the other threads on disboard)! I am so glad to find support!

Just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain- for seven years I worked full time while dh went to college. He was so good at making dinner and helping to get things done around the house so I could enjoy the kids when I came home. I remember how hard it was to get up and work while everyone else was sleeping in. Hope that the business picks up for your DH. I am enjoying my time home- I just never thought I wouldn't get a job. I guess we should be careful what we wish for

 

[Shawn429]

I don't really post on the budget board but I definitely lurk and have used the advice. As a single male, it doesn't always apply per say, but it's good learning for the future.

I will say so far, I've gone the entire month without using a credit card, kind of. I did purchase a new touch screen cell phone (on sale, of course) on my Best Buy card but it will be paid for in full with my tax refund in a few months.

It's so much better using only cash. I almost never use my debit card even. With cash, I find myself actually SEEING what I have to spend instead of checking my bank statement once a week and seeing how much I've spent on just random little things. I've become so much more frugal and cautious. I still have a ways to go, but instead of having five dollars left to my name a week before my next paycheck I now have some decent money left in my pocket.

My goal is to actually start putting some of that extra cash into savings but I always end up having that one night where friends want to go out, or I need something at the store, or I need gas in the car so ...

 

[seashoreCM]

If you have a low interest balance or low interest balance transfer on a credit card, you should not keep using that card for purchases. Otherwise you will be whittling down the low interest balance with your monthly payments while the new purchases rack up high interest.

It is still a good idea to keep using a credit card that begets rebates or thank you points or airline miles or points towards a Disney vacation while paying off the entire balance each month so as not to rack up any interest.

 

[kinntj]

Congratulations on using cash for a month! It's really hard to give up that cc habit. We still use ours for groceries, gas and clothes. I'm decluttering the house now and the stuff I found that we spend money on is rediculous. I find I'm donating it or throwing it out. What a waste. I think more now when I purchase things. Do I want this stuff sitting around my house?

Our eating out habits have gone down too. We have pizza Fridays and that's it. I agree that McDonalds is so expensive for the whole family to eat there.

We're thinking about downgrading our cable package too. DH wouldn't get rid of his HD, but we have an extra digital box we're getting rid of.
It's funny because they have been calling asking us to add their phone service to the package for a great deal for a year. We declined.

We're really trying to save some money now due to our declining 401k's and the uncertainty down the road.

Keep up the great work.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Count me in as going without credit cards My mind is set and I'm getting us out of our debt. I just paid off 6 (yes six!) cards this month. I only have 2 left. I will be applying the extra money on them each month. I could kick myself for getting into this situation. We have always been able to pay our bills, thank god, however with the economy the way it is it scared me. No need to use cards anymore.

I'm watching what I spend on groceries too. I used to go and blow an easy $250 a week without even blinking. I'm really cutting back and making more "easy" meals instead of big ones.

I'm excited. It is almost like a challenge - can I go another day, week, month without wasteful spending. I like this

Good luck! Let's keep this thread going motivating each other.

 

[mommybrown]

Count me in as going without credit cards My mind is set and I'm getting us out of our debt. I just paid off 6 (yes six!) cards this month. I only have 2 left. I will be applying the extra money on them each month. I could kick myself for getting into this situation. We have always been able to pay our bills, thank god, however with the economy the way it is it scared me. No need to use cards anymore.

I'm watching what I spend on groceries too. I used to go and blow an easy $250 a week without even blinking. I'm really cutting back and making more "easy" meals instead of big ones.

I'm excited. It is almost like a challenge - can I go another day, week, month without wasteful spending. I like this

Good luck! Let's keep this thread going motivating each other.

I had to laugh about the game. I love to see how much I saved at the end of the grocery receipt. I live close to a lot of grocery stores so it is nice to be able to pick up different sale items w/o traveling all over.

We had one credit card that we used and paid off each month- but I think we were spending more so it was getting harder to pay it off and have the extra to pay more on the low interest cards. We never charged on those- we learned that they get you by taking the payments off of the low interest balance and leaving the balance on the higher interest to collect every month. That's right CC companies we are on to your schemes

We just bought a house in July. I have been dying to finish the living room and dining room but w/o charging, the money is not there. I have the rug, paint, and light fixture picked out- just need the funds. This is taking a lot of discipline on my part. Yes my name is Angie and I am a recovering spendaholic. LOL

 

[momtosam]

Congrats to you and keep it up!

My CCs have been on ice this month -- literally. I threw them into a Tupperware dish, filled it with water and threw it in the basement chest freezer. I know I should just make the leap and cut them up, but I can't let go of the "in case of emergency" feeling. Anyway, without CCs in my pocket this month I've found that I've just stopped buying stupid junk. I buy so many dumb things for no reason that serve no purpose! Just cutting out that is a big savings for us. And I can honestly say there hasn't been anything that I felt I missed out on or wished I could have bought with a CC this month.