Reduced spending lately, how?

[CuppaJoe]

Looks like I won't deplete my cushion this year but still am concerned.

Today, ate at home and took advantage of free day at the museum, didn't hang out and buy coffee, just spent $25.00 on food for home. Packed a breakfast & snack for jury duty tomorrow. Thinking about using the $50.00 Borders gift certificate for the new Bogle book and lunches at their coffee shop.

There was a storm yesterday, stayed home, spent no money, you wouldn't believe how bad my emergency food is. Yick.

If it rains again, I'll do some baking.

[slimm]

I have become more "mindful" regarding expenses...
1. beginning of the month, I recharge a Walmart debit card for household purchases, food, & gas. It's a set amount and towards the end of the month...that's it - no writing checks, credit card for extras.
2. consolidate trips to town - less fuel
3. rarely wear clothes that need dry cleaning
4. keep heat & ac use to a minimum
5. hair appointments are no longer monthly.. extended to 6 or even 8 weeks
6. no more manicures or pedicures
7. no TV
8. read WSJ & IBD at library
9. buy used books from Amazon
10. eat out much less frequently
11. check insurance policies
12.`vaccinate/worm pets myself
13. keep the ol' crockpot humming
14. cut back on the pricey wine
15. do yardwork & house cleaning myself
16. stay out of Cabellas!!!
17. buy shotgun shells by the pallet
18. stay out of Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus....period
19. no more Chanel makeup

I certainly don't feel deprived - just more in control.
I've always l been a LBYM'er, however, I feel in this climate, there is always room for improvement, even a little tweak here and there!

[Walt34]

Lately we've been doing our part to stimulate the economy, simply because I got a job recently and we have more to spend. The job nets about $3k/month, two-thirds or more of which goes to savings/investments. Yesterday for example, we dropped $40 on breakfast (filet mignon, eggs, sausage, toast, pass on the champagne) but we only do something like that about twice a year. The other major expense has been making improvements to FIL's place to try to sell it, which he will pay that back when it sells.

But we do not ever pay credit card interest, I always bring lunch to work, and we're on the "all you can eat" long-distance phone plan since DW talks for hours on the phone and everyone is long distance from here. We generally shop once per week for groceries and stick to the list. Very little travel except for day trips, and I'm going to get a motorcycle for driving to work and "lite" trips - it grates on me to drive a 5,000 lb. truck to pick up a prescription if DW has the car.

I'm looking for a used bike but if I haven't found what I want by January I'll write a check for a new one since I think dealers will be hungry then. Still bouncing back & forth between the Suzuki C50T (800 cc) and the C90T (1400 cc). Both are touring bikes and come with windshield & saddlebags.

DW will finish her BA degree in the spring and intends to get a part time or low-stress full time job then, but around here jobs that pay much more than minimum wage are scarce.

We've always been generally frugal though. We wear clothing until it has holes in it and other than a few luxuries (we do not scrimp on heating the house in winter) we don't travel much, take cruises, or eat out often. It's just being aware of where the money is going and making rational decisions about what is important to us and what is not.

So for the moment we're doing fine, but are very much aware of how lucky we are.

[audreyh1]

Wow - so many of you folks really cutting back, and figuring out how to do so more!

That tells me this recession is going to last longer.

Audrey

[TromboneAl]

Quote:

My son can now wear the shoes my older daughter used to wear

[Sarah in SC]

Slimm, that is an interesting take on the cash only system, to load up the Walmart debit card for your food/fuel/household purchases once a month. I like the idea but I don't think I could bear going to Walmart that much. It serves as a reminder of how much I dislike dealing with the General Public.
But I am thinking that might be a good idea--like for gift cards, just to help keep our spending in line. Hmmmm.... thanks for the good idea.

[shoe]

We are really pretty frugal here but have recently downgraded our wine purchases from 3 buck Chuck to Ripple.

[Lsbcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoe We are really pretty frugal here but have recently downgraded our wine purchases from 3 buck Chuck to Ripple.

And here I thought it was 2 buck-Chuck. I really like the Sauvignon Blanc at about $25 for a case. It got a gold medal too (think it was at the California State Fair).

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoe We are really pretty frugal here but have recently downgraded our wine purchases from 3 buck Chuck to Ripple.

They still make that stuff?

[FANOFJESUS]

No room to cut see these two posts.

http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ing-40247.html

http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...oll-40239.html

[shoe]

Khan, the reference to buying Ripple was a weak attempt at humor. My young adults would have mentioned Ripple if it was still around. Seems that something called "Natty" has taken it's place.

[FinanceDude]

I'm more of a MadDog 20/20 guy myself........

[Sarah in SC]

Yeah, Mad Dog had a Kiwi flavor I remember. A guy I gave a ride home from Clemson once paid me with a bottle. I hid from him on Fridays for the rest of the semester!

[slimm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah in SC Slimm, that is an interesting take on the cash only system, to load up the Walmart debit card for your food/fuel/household purchases once a month. I like the idea but I don't think I could bear going to Walmart that much. It serves as a reminder of how much I dislike dealing with the General Public. But I am thinking that might be a good idea--like for gift cards, just to help keep our spending in line. Hmmmm.... thanks for the good idea.

Sarah, yes, I know how dreary(and unispiring!) to do most of the shopping at WalMart - but from a time management angle, it works for me.
Where else can a gal buy everything from gas, groceries, tractor oil, shotgun shells, and lingerie?!! All kidding aside, the cash only doesn't work for me - I hate carrying that much cash and/or writing checks AND the finite amount on the recharged "debit" card has really made me mindful of my spending...plus, Walmart discounts fuel 3 cents per gallon with the card....every little bit helps.
Hugs!

[unclemick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah in SC Yeah, Mad Dog had a Kiwi flavor I remember. A guy I gave a ride home from Clemson once paid me with a bottle. I hid from him on Fridays for the rest of the semester!

Sooo - nobody's Grandmother taught them when they were little how to make Elderberry wine(sparkling if you had the bottles) in time for Thanksgiving?

heh heh heh - We made all kinds - cherry, blackberry, concord grape, apple(hard cider actually), and yeck - Dandelion!

heh heh heh -

[Yankees Rule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclemick Sooo - nobody's Grandmother taught them when they were little how to make Elderberry wine(sparkling if you had the bottles) in time for Thanksgiving? heh heh heh - We made all kinds - cherry, blackberry, concord grape, apple(hard cider actually), and yeck - Dandelion! heh heh heh -

No dandelion wine?? We do real justice to the yellow flowers in spring and baby it sure gives on heck of a turkey sandwich at 3am on Friday after turkeyday! Love your posts.

[FIREd]

Yum, spring dandelion salad with boiled eggs... classic lunch fare where I grew up, and dirt cheap!

[freebird5825]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimm Where else can a gal buy everything from gas, groceries, tractor oil, shotgun shells, and lingerie?!!

sounds like a shopping list for a country wedding reception.
why rent a limo when you can go in style in a shiny green and yellow Deere?
hmmm.. we oughta send that to Jeff, my good ol' birthday pal.

[freebird5825]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude I'm more of a MadDog 20/20 guy myself........

No Boone's Farm fans? strawberry hill, apple, and one other flavor....that evades my memory right now.

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird5825 No Boone's Farm fans? strawberry hill, apple, and one other flavor....that evades my memory right now.

Maybe peach ? I went to a Woodstock party and I brought Boone's farm as a hostess gift . I got a strange look at the liquor store .