What are you most proud of doing to survive this economy?

[Princesca]

We've been fortunate not to have to change anything since the recesion, we've faced neither job loss nor cut wages. But we have reaped the benifits of planning we've done since getting engaged in 2004 (married in '05).

You guys are hardcore. That's awesome.

 

[punkin]

It's not the taste that gets me with tongue, it's peeling it.

Ahhh!

I don't enjoy that part either.

 

[Princesca]

For one thing, anybody with that many gift trips could have someone help pay CC bills. Also, even on so-called gift trips, you still end up spending a chunk of cash on incidentals.

Not true. As aforementioned, my in-laws rent a house every summer. They have, for years. Whether they fill one bedroom or three doesn't matter to them. But that is not money that I would ask them to give us for our bills.

While we are there, they pay for everything. Granted, we do pay for gas there and back, but in an economy car, with less than a day's drive, that's minimal. We didn't buy any souvenirs or incidentals, because we were at the beach - not like it's Paris or something.

That's my background - that's why I was hesitant to blame the PP without knowing the details, because I could see how my own actions could be unfairly judged by people who were of a mind to do so.

 

[furb & dez]

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Then all message boards might as not well exist. Your statement is code for "I'm going to say something and I don't want anyone to be able to call me on the carpet when I'm wrong." Or otherwise: "I'm always right, no matter what you say."

All of which are used to squelch discussion when one can't intelligently argue one's points.

If you don't want someone to question your opinions, don't offer them. Adults shouldn't have to resort to bullying tactics like "If you don't..." to prevent open discussion of ideas.

 

[Princesca]

The accomplishment I'm most proud of is buying our home outright.

That's fantastic! That's going to be such a blessing to you throughout the rest of your life. A mortgage can be such a weight on life.

 

[Princesca]

Eww tongue. I'm sure it's yummy, but ever since it was described to me in a particular way, I have not really been able to consider eating it without triggering my gag reflex.

 

[inkedupmomma]

OP, you have an AMAZING ability to keep your attitude positive on here! bravo! Also bravo on the weight loss and for taking Zumba! Isn't it SO much fun??

As for us, I started a "budget" about a year ago, and love it!

I'd like to say we eat out less, but we do not! That is the one big thing that holds us back! Which sadly is my fault, because I work from home and really have no reason not to make menus and stick to home cooked meals On that note, we do eat out less than we used to a year ago... work in progress I suppose?

I have always been a bargain shopper, and stalk certain stores for my kids clothes and shoes. No real trick, just luck usually.

I have recently started taking money right form our checks and putting it into the growth part of our account ( LOVE PNC's Virtual Wallet!) For us if it is out of sight it is out of mind!

I started buying a lot of store brand items. I just can't taste the difference, but I sure do see a price difference!

Like others have said we enjoy family games nights, or free things in our area. We bought a GIANT raft and go tubing down the Delaware river, all free of charge, minus whatever snacks and drinks you bring!

We do pot lucks, and I bake quite a bit! Hopefully my own bread soon!

Oh another fun one is, I make my dog dog treats!! he LOVES them and the kids have a fun project!

I can't think of what else we do, but whatever I have been doing it has been working! We don't have much savings, but this is the first time in our lives that emergencies have come up and we haven't had to crawl to our parents or credit cards!


Loving all the ideas on here so far.. except the not so fun eating of various animal parts

 

[OceanAnnie]

OP, you have an AMAZING ability to keep your attitude positive on here! bravo! Also bravo on the weight loss and for taking Zumba! Isn't it SO much fun??

As for us, I started a "budget" about a year ago, and love it!

I'd like to say we eat out less, but we do not! That is the one big thing that holds us back! Which sadly is my fault, because I work from home and really have no reason not to make menus and stick to home cooked meals On that note, we do eat out less than we used to a year ago... work in progress I suppose?

I have always been a bargain shopper, and stalk certain stores for my kids clothes and shoes. No real trick, just luck usually.

I have recently started taking money right form our checks and putting it into the growth part of our account ( LOVE PNC's Virtual Wallet!) For us if it is out of sight it is out of mind!

I started buying a lot of store brand items. I just can't taste the difference, but I sure do see a price difference!

Like others have said we enjoy family games nights, or free things in our area. We bought a GIANT raft and go tubing down the Delaware river, all free of charge, minus whatever snacks and drinks you bring!

We do pot lucks, and I bake quite a bit! Hopefully my own bread soon!

Oh another fun one is, I make my dog dog treats!! he LOVES them and the kids have a fun project!

I can't think of what else we do, but whatever I have been doing it has been working! We don't have much savings, but this is the first time in our lives that emergencies have come up and we haven't had to crawl to our parents or credit cards!


Loving all the ideas on here so far.. except the not so fun eating of various animal parts

I do that too. There are only a handful of actual "name brands" I stick to. Heinz ketchup being one in particular.

I find I do much better with in store coupons and buy one get one free deals. I love those! That's the only way I buy ice cream anymore.

 

[daisax]

The idea of tongue and heart is giving me the slow shivers, but I understand it's completely irrational.

When I was a kid (in the 60s) swordfish was considered a junk fish and my mom bought it because it was cheap and she needed to stretch her food budget. And a couple of hundred years ago lobster used to be fed to prisoners in New England until it was outlawed for being cruel and unusual to force them to eat something no respectable person would eat.

Times change!

 

[inkedupmomma]

I do that too. There are only a handful of actual "name brands" I stick to. Heinz ketchup being one in particular.

I find I do much better with in store coupons and buy one get one free deals. I love those! That's the only way I buy ice cream anymore.

thats so funny, heinz is def still in here! idk what it is about ketchup, but there is a definite difference in taste!

 

[punkin]

The idea of tongue and heart is giving me the slow shivers, but I understand it's completely irrational.

When I was a kid (in the 60s) swordfish was considered a junk fish and my mom bought it because it was cheap and she needed to stretch her food budget. And a couple of hundred years ago lobster used to be fed to prisoners in New England until it was outlawed for being cruel and unusual to force them to eat something no respectable person would eat.

Times change!

Shad also.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Shad also.

oh no, Shad IS disgusting and dirty tasting! We have a BIG shad festival in our town every year and its funny, because only 2 of the restaurants actually serve anything shad related

 

[punkin]

oh no, Shad IS disgusting and dirty tasting! We have a BIG shad festival in our town every year and its funny, because only 2 of the restaurants actually serve anything shad related

I agree...except for the roe. That really is delicious fried.

 

[krcit]

I just settled with Citibank for 7 grand on a 14 grand credit card debt. Going to do the same with Chase next year for around the same amount, or hopefully even less. My brother and his wife have done the same thing this year, and it has really worked out well for them so far.

Once again, the average Joe who lives within their means is a sucker. I'm so freaking sick of people who pull crap like this and then to come here and brag about it

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Well I am proud. I am going to be able to my money back on track. I plan on doing this next year on several accounts that I am currently defaulting on now. Also, I won't be getting all of the 1099s that I will be due in one tax year. I will spread it out over two tax years. We usually get back around 10 grand, so I know we will get back a couple thousand less but with that money I can settle on my other cards in full. Hopefully for around 40%.



My sayin is Don't be a hater,
Be a motivator,
Settle your debt too and
follow me to Disney

 

[ilovemk76]

Well I am proud. I am going to be able to my money back on track. I plan on doing this next year on several accounts that I am currently defaulting on now. Also, I won't be getting all of the 1099s that I will be due in one tax year. I will spread it out over two tax years. We usually get back around 10 grand, so I know we will get back a couple thousand less but with that money I can settle on my other cards in full. Hopefully for around 40%.



My sayin is Don't be a hater,
Be a motivator,
Settle your debt too and
follow me to Disney

__________________
2013-Coronado Springs Resort and the Disney Fantasy
2011-Carribean Beach Resort and the Disney Dream
2009-Port Orleans Riverside, Free Dining
2008-All Star Sports, Free Dining
2007-Disney Wonder
2005-All Star Music, Free Dining


God
Family
Disney


What else is there?

Boy is God proud!!



Hmmmmmmm:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=42132444#post42132444

Date: 8/6/11:

I bought mine online at Disney.com, so I guess the only real reciept I have in an email confirmation from them. Is that good enough?

Date: 7/31/11:

Ya, I know. I will be keeping them, I plan on getting the amount onto my dummy date tommorow with my TA.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=42146284#post42146284

Date: 8/6/11:

I have been trying to get the presale code for the Chattanooga, TN show for a week now. But no luck.

 

[DawnM]

We have been doing several things to work on our budget in this economy and in our efforts to save.

We cut the boys down to only one extra curricular for now, saving about $100/mo.

We cut Directv and now use Netflix, saving $80/mo.

We are cutting back on our vacation fund, saving about $250/mo.

I stopped going to the Chiropractor, $70/mo.

We are looking to possibly refinance again, saving $30K off the interest off the life of the loan and $300/mo in our pockets, OR same payments and saving even more on the interest.

We tried to cut our food cost, but as quickly as we do, prices keep increasing! ARGH!

Dawn

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My sayin is Don't be a hater,
Be a motivator,
Settle your debt too and
follow me to Disney

This says it all to me.

In this posters mind. Charge as much as you want. Live beyond your mean because us idiots who pay our debt will just pay not only for our WDW trip but her famililes too.

This is part of the problem in this country. Yes some can't help it, but quit handing out free rides to freeloaders who don't know their limits. Oh yea and then come on a public message board and brag about it.

 

[ms.yt]

Well I am proud. I am going to be able to my money back on track. I plan on doing this next year on several accounts that I am currently defaulting on now. Also, I won't be getting all of the 1099s that I will be due in one tax year. I will spread it out over two tax years. We usually get back around 10 grand, so I know we will get back a couple thousand less but with that money I can settle on my other cards in full. Hopefully for around 40%.



My sayin is Don't be a hater,
Be a motivator,
Settle your debt too and
follow me to Disney

Just when I think I can't be any more disgusted with human behavior.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I do plan on looking into selling my plasma here soon to get myself anothet 250 dollar gift card to go towards my 2013 cruise. I will have enough gift cards paid on the cruise by then. I think this is a great way to get some disney money without having to go into debt. My credit card days are over. Only debit from now own. We are going to disney on ice in october. We always go and my child loves it. I will keep yall abreast when I settle the other cards.