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03-30-2020, 10:04 PM
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#21
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,176
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We are not intentionally cutting back on anything. Travel limitations and closures of recreational places like golf and bowling are doing that for us. A nephew's college graduation ceremony was officially cancelled so that saves us driving and hotel/lodging expenses. Another nephew's wedding in June that will be a rental car drive and hotel is also in jeopardy. A planned cruise and a separate vacation in April are cancelled. We will not be doing overseas trips to see family this year.
Some of this savings we will use to help other family members impacted in much worse ways than us.
__________________
FIREd date: June 26, 2018 - "This Happy Feeling, Going Round and Round!" (GQ)
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03-30-2020, 10:27 PM
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#22
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,358
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ivinsfan
What area do you live in?.can you do Amazon for any food staples? I noticed their stock of items is improving
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I've been getting my pantry items online and have them delivered, mostly from Amazon and Walmart. I just keep checking back from time to time and make an order when they have enough stuff I want to get free shipping. Items go in and out of stock very quickly, but I have been able to get all the basics - cereal, rice, an assortment of dried and canned beans, tuna, TP, canned soups, dried fruit, pasta and nuts.
__________________
Even clouds seem bright and breezy, 'Cause the livin' is free and easy, See the rat race in a new way, Like you're wakin' up to a new day (Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether lyrics, Alan Parsons Project, based on an EA Poe story)
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03-30-2020, 11:25 PM
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#23
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 766
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We're not cutting anything at this time. We're fortunate we don't have any rental income we rely on. I can appreciate the OP's concern.
Having said that, we're only a couple weeks into this. I might get out the pruning shears later in the year, depending on how things go.
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03-30-2020, 11:58 PM
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#24
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 4,663
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We normally spend a lot on travel, eating out, and social events/entertainment, so we have reduced our spending level substantially. As others have mentioned, our cars aren’t being driven so that is way down as well.
We will not be cutting any ongoing expenses at this time. Fortunately the tenant in our rental property has a very good job and is likely to continue paying rent.
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03-31-2020, 03:53 AM
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#25
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,512
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Thinking about culling AAA. But my dealer's towing warranty ends this year. I also have towing covered by my auto insurance, BUT I see so many warnings about NEVER using your auto insurance to cover a towing charge. On the other hand, I'm driving a 3 year old Honda Civic, very reliable. Anybody know anything about this issue?
__________________
FIRED:
July 12, 2018. On safari to stay!
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03-31-2020, 04:08 AM
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#26
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pellice
Thinking about culling AAA. But my dealer's towing warranty ends this year. I also have towing covered by my auto insurance, BUT I see so many warnings about NEVER using your auto insurance to cover a towing charge. On the other hand, I'm driving a 3 year old Honda Civic, very reliable. Anybody know anything about this issue?
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Using your auto insurance for a towing claim or two isn't likely to be a problem. However, using it too often might result in a rate increase.
In your situation I wouldn't opt for the extra expense. If you do get unlucky and have to use your auto policy for roadside assistance a couple of times, then you might consider going with AAA.
__________________
Numbers is hard
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03-31-2020, 04:37 AM
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#27
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 162
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Dropped our landline and YouTube TV (which we were using for ACC sports).
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03-31-2020, 04:38 AM
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#28
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,512
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo
Using your auto insurance for a towing claim or two isn't likely to be a problem. However, using it too often might result in a rate increase.
In your situation I wouldn't opt for the extra expense. If you do get unlucky and have to use your auto policy for roadside assistance a couple of times, then you might consider going with AAA.
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Thank you for this response!
__________________
FIRED:
July 12, 2018. On safari to stay!
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03-31-2020, 04:50 AM
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#29
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,901
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I usually run a pretty lean operation, with recurring expenses running at around $1,100 a month, so there isn't much to cut there. Actually, I just added a recurring expense by signing up for Amazon Prime to get access to their streaming service (only about $54 a year here in France).
But discretionary spending is dropping because... well I'm stuck at home. And I also want to have more clarity on the Covid economic fallout before blowing more dough (I am living solely off of my investments).
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03-31-2020, 05:59 AM
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#30
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Tampa Bay Area
Posts: 1,866
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I was already pretty lean so there isn't much to cut. I pay $80 / year for 2 phones with pageplus and I pay $115 / month with Spectrums "choice" (pick 10) plan plus internet and phone.
What I've found is that I have to spend more on groceries since I have to purchase what is in stock rather than what is on sale. We've also started ordering take out / pick up once a week (rather than once a month) to help support local restaurants. The increase is offset by my cancelled travel plans.
__________________
"For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." ~
Hebrews 12:11
ER'd in June 2015 at age 52. Initial WR 3%. 50/40/10 (Equity/Bond/Short Term) AA.
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03-31-2020, 06:41 AM
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#31
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 9,171
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Like many responses here, I’m spending less just because of the situation. However I am considering something a friend of mine did. He has kids who drive so it was worth more to him, but her took collision off all cars but one. Actually, he took everything off but comprehensive and parked the cars. Since no one is really driving, he saw no reason to insure them for driving. I think he decommissioned three cars (two kids and DW’s).
About a third of our budget is discretionary so a lot of that won’t be spent this year. It’s for things like movies, concerts, restaurants and interstate travel that we just won’t be doing this year. I think the economy will recover but social gathering will take much longer IMHO. That will effect the budget for this year and probably into next. Hopefully nothing more will be needed to stay on financial track.
__________________
Every day when I open my eyes now it feels like a Saturday - David Gray
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03-31-2020, 06:47 AM
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#32
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Florida's First Coast
Posts: 7,719
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We do not use, Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Sat TV, or any other streaming services, we DL all our content and have basic HD cable and Internet. So nothing to cut.
Limiting our use of TP, neighbors and surrounding homes are safe.………. for now!
__________________
"Never Argue With a Fool, Onlookers May Not Be Able To Tell the Difference." - Mark Twain
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03-31-2020, 07:21 AM
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#33
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,862
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeachOrCity
Since we can't go anywhere the spending is automatically down. Way down.
Smaller gas bill, restaurant bill, bar bill, travel bill, etc.
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Ditto. I'm not cancelling cable or Netflix or Amazon Prime for my music. If I'm going to be safe at home, I'm going to be entertained too.
__________________
FIRE Class of 2018 @ 61
Old men and women sit in the shade of trees they planted long ago
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03-31-2020, 07:47 AM
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#34
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,143
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Besides Amazon Prime, I've pretty much don't have any subscriptions.
I had thought about subscribing to watch baseball but since no baseball, glad that I was holding out.
Since staying in place at home, not driving so not using gas. Using toilet paper is one of life's luxuries, so I didn't cut down on that (though with so short supply in stores, couldn't stock up on my favorite brand). One thing I have done, since going to buy groceries is both inconvenient (lots of stuff not in stock, like TP, bread) and a bit risky, I wish to go only when needed. Instead of having two fried eggs each morning, I've only have one.
__________________
Have you ever seen a headstone with these words
"If only I had spent more time at work" ... from "Busy Man" sung by Billy Ray Cyrus
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03-31-2020, 08:13 AM
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#35
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 9,171
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One thing I did do is take advantage of SiriusXM 3 month free trial. I like XM, but I would not pay for it. Also, they did not take a credit card, so it's not one of those plans where you have to cancel or they'll start billing you automatically.
__________________
Every day when I open my eyes now it feels like a Saturday - David Gray
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03-31-2020, 08:23 AM
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#36
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Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sarasota,fl.
Posts: 11,447
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I am not cutting anything right now . With no travel and no dining out I have plenty of fat in the budget .
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03-31-2020, 08:25 AM
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#37
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: West of the Mississippi
Posts: 17,259
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michelek
Today we chopped Hulu, ($59) Spotify, ($15) some cell phone add ons ($40) , storage unit.
($79) Saved $193 per month with a few hours of work.
We are concerned about our tenants ability to continue paying rent. Otherwise we’re good.
What did you chop?
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You are doing a great job. Very good.
I actually added a subscription last week. $30 for Sunday delivery of the local Big City newspaper, and it includes 24/7 use of their online site which is quite good.
Normaly, I don't subscribe because there coverage of events outside the Big City city limits is poor to non-existent. But, they are doing a good job on the CV stuff, so I am reconsidering. I don't want to have to go to the national press for all my news. And their editorials are much more 'centered' than certain other well known papers.
__________________
Comparison is the thief of joy
The worst decisions are usually made in times of anger and impatience.
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03-31-2020, 08:39 AM
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#38
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Live And Learn
I was already pretty lean so there isn't much to cut. I pay $80 / year for 2 phones with pageplus and I pay $115 / month with Spectrums "choice" (pick 10) plan plus internet and phone.
What I've found is that I have to spend more on groceries since I have to purchase what is in stock rather than what is on sale. We've also started ordering take out / pick up once a week (rather than once a month) to help support local restaurants. The increase is offset by my cancelled travel plans.
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very similar. We run a lean operation and buy a lot of generics, typically from the commissary. So I cant cut out the yearly yacht painting, lots of subscriptions etc. And Im paying retail for name brand products from stores that do curbside on my groceries.
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03-31-2020, 08:50 AM
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#39
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,176
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pellice
Thinking about culling AAA. But my dealer's towing warranty ends this year. I also have towing covered by my auto insurance, BUT I see so many warnings about NEVER using your auto insurance to cover a towing charge. On the other hand, I'm driving a 3 year old Honda Civic, very reliable. Anybody know anything about this issue?
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We had our insurers towing insurance and the one year (2013) we used it a lot(4-5 times across multiple cars), our rate did not change.
Since then we purchased Toyotas and have never needed a tow.
Last year, after adding a 3rd car the AAA rate was cheaper than the insurers rate for all three, so we switched to AAA for that (plus the travel benefits that we got some use of in BC times).
__________________
FIREd date: June 26, 2018 - "This Happy Feeling, Going Round and Round!" (GQ)
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03-31-2020, 08:51 AM
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#40
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Washington State
Posts: 2,359
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We run rather lean too, and don't have any subscriptions other than Netflix. We really don't watch Netflix much, but my mom and daughter share the same account and get more use from it than we do. So it's worth keeping.
Some expenses have gone down since we can't eat out or go anywhere to spend money. On the other hand I have spent more shopping online. With my wife working from home now we decided to buy her a computer of her own. I also ordered a new laptop after realizing how slow my old laptop is while she is using my computer. Setting those up when they arrive should keep me busy for a while.
I do find I'm cooking more since I have extra time, which translates into eating more. I'm not getting any exercise, so I'm sure I'll gain weight during this situation.
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