tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post2783031769790833570..comments2024-03-26T04:27:54.485-06:00Comments on Du Wax Loolu: Tightening our beltsJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15942269316108576622noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-38394775902091429942010-09-01T10:00:59.626-06:002010-09-01T10:00:59.626-06:00All pizza places of USA http://pizza-us.com/califo...All pizza places of USA http://pizza-us.com/california/San%20Jose/Pappageorggeo%20Pizza/95136/<br /> <br />Find your best pizza.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-15110773296490448232008-12-17T18:08:00.000-07:002008-12-17T18:08:00.000-07:00These are great suggestions, Jess, and it's encour...These are great suggestions, Jess, and it's encouraging to hear of two newlyweds being so responsible with money right from the start. When we got married, we had no debt and our first financial adviser was in SHOCK. <BR/><BR/>That said, another easy way to avoid spending money is to move to a small town like ours that has to no place to shop and no decent place to eat out. Problem solved! :)bren j.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-89974216139895117062008-12-05T20:02:00.000-07:002008-12-05T20:02:00.000-07:00A year ago we stopped going out to eat every Frida...A year ago we stopped going out to eat every Friday in favor of getting carry-out subs as a break from cooking. Then this spring just before the baby came we stopped that. I've nearly always brown-bagged lunch, but now I find myself saying "I can't justify the expense" when I'm tempted to buy something we don't really need.<BR/><BR/>I'm the same with cash. I KNOW how much I've charged and for what, but at the end of the day I say, "Where did all my cash go?"M.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074688590930796183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-90729072879904719302008-12-05T06:58:00.000-07:002008-12-05T06:58:00.000-07:00Wow... you must be the only person I know who does...Wow... you must be the only person I know who does better with cards! I sure am not one of them. Had my cc's closed and just finished paying the last one off. I have a pre-paid cc now- so I can't buy anything I can't afford. Which will make things so much better in the long run! <BR/>I'm also all about brownbagged lunch. Way cheaper and often better than what they offer here.Emblitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17536633790763026037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-36164834292791089152008-12-04T22:36:00.000-07:002008-12-04T22:36:00.000-07:00Wow, your post actually made me feel guilty for no...Wow, your post actually made me feel guilty for not being better! I used to shop A LOT for clothes. I only get what I need, when I need it now. I just remind myself of the full closet I have at home and talk myself back from the ledge, ya know. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by today!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-91552348841085468672008-12-04T19:47:00.000-07:002008-12-04T19:47:00.000-07:00I am definitely with you on the card vs. cash ment...I am definitely with you on the card vs. cash mentality. I spend cash like it's nobody's business, but tend to be less irrational when there is plastic in my hand! Also, bringing lunch to work rather than eating out--that has helped, hugely!jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02087199266453673461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-21878636301432204042008-12-04T18:14:00.000-07:002008-12-04T18:14:00.000-07:00I'd like to pretend like I'm doing something but I...I'd like to pretend like I'm doing something but I'm not. I'm kind of always been a paycheck-to-paycheck girl and I think I will be for at least 5 more years...basically until I marry someone that makes me stop doing it.Maxiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16309902108360535182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-41657767748325715592008-12-04T17:24:00.000-07:002008-12-04T17:24:00.000-07:00My best effort so far is to pretend like I'm going...My best effort so far is to pretend like I'm going to quit shopping. It's very sad.SLynnRohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15016804259405363833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-17878829818830002402008-12-04T17:08:00.000-07:002008-12-04T17:08:00.000-07:00In a magazine I read, they gave two challenges to ...In a magazine I read, they gave two challenges to save money. I did it for two months and each of those months I was able to transfer an extra $900 to our savings account on top of what we normally save! Those two tips:<BR/><BR/>1. $20 food challenge. You can only spend $20 on food per week which means instead of buying a whole bag of carrots, you just buy a couple of loose ones. You eat what is in your pantry, make your meals from scratch (far more healthy anyway) etc... I didnt manage $20 a week but I did manage to chop $100 a week off our food bill.<BR/><BR/>2. Dont buy ANYTHING that isnt food unless you stop and think, "Do I really need this right now?" It curbed my spending a lot, I'd saved $400 for the month on groceries, surely I dont spend another $500 a month on unnecessary purchases!? Total eye-opener. Of course December probably isnt the month to start this challenge lol.<BR/><BR/>As for recession, my state in Australia isnt in recession but slowly stories of redundancy are coming through the grape vine so I doubt it is far off being official.<BR/><BR/>We dont have a mortgage for our current home anymore but do on our apartment in Melbourne so we put a lump sum on the mortgage so we could go quite a few years without paying it if necessary. While we could have used that cash for other things, we wanted to make sure our credit rating was secure at the end of the recession.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07787260126425552298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-51959675536152902602008-12-04T14:05:00.000-07:002008-12-04T14:05:00.000-07:00I am *definitely* feeling the effects, as evidence...I am *definitely* feeling the effects, as evidenced by the job interview I had the other day that began with the man telling me that, thanks to the lack of funding in the city school system, they probably *won't* be hiring anyone this year because schools aren't showing interest in their programs since they can't afford them.<BR/><BR/>In short: I am about to be in possession of a very expensive Master's degree... and am going to have an extremely difficult time finding a job.<BR/><BR/>Joy.the frog princesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263491966906372090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-78936827735890911352008-12-04T12:45:00.000-07:002008-12-04T12:45:00.000-07:00I'm a coupon clipper when I go grocery shopping an...I'm a coupon clipper when I go grocery shopping and we do try to only visit those places every 2 weeks instead of every week. We both take our lunch to work as often as possible because Little Rock may not be DC but lunch daily here can be $8 to $9 for a sandwich, chips, and drink. Crazy!Soozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01605252881095824120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-84569570249315763452008-12-04T12:31:00.000-07:002008-12-04T12:31:00.000-07:00What a great post. I think we are just being more...What a great post. I think we are just being more careful than before. The economy definitely makes you think about it more...<BR/><BR/>1)We buy in bulk. <BR/><BR/>2)I went black friday shopping for deals, which made a difference.<BR/><BR/>3)I don't carry cash, so having to sign my name for a purchase or go through the ordering of it all makes me think about it a lot more. <BR/><BR/>4)I've come to the conclusion that we don't need more STUFF. It is just more stuff, you trip over, get annoyed with--because it piles up and becomes clutter. No more BIG toys, buy a savings bond or something for the kids future. College for our kids will be way more expensive than it was for us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-84463103226626274412008-12-04T11:38:00.000-07:002008-12-04T11:38:00.000-07:00Off topic here....I finally found the time to look...Off topic here....I finally found the time to look at your wedding phots and you both look so in love it's so obvious. The dress looked lovely on you and I'm just so happy for you guys. <BR/><BR/>Now on to this post...I installed a (free) application on my phone that has a budget tracker in it and everytime I spend money I put it in there to track every penny. When I go over budget I stop spending. I also am trying not to touch my savings account, I bring my lunch every day to work and I cook things in large batches and freeze them for later. I also need to cut down on grocery shopping so I stop buying stuff I don't need.Kristiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06711250635865954102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-42717004045071773982008-12-04T10:57:00.000-07:002008-12-04T10:57:00.000-07:00We try to eat out less for lunch and dinner, defin...We try to eat out less for lunch and dinner, definitely put purchases on credit cards and pay them off, and go out less on the weekends. Staying in with friends is just as much fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-87996687162803020822008-12-04T10:55:00.000-07:002008-12-04T10:55:00.000-07:00Hey Jess, We pretty much do all the things you are...Hey Jess, We pretty much do all the things you are doing. We were trying to save up for a down payment as well and our goal is to keep adding to that. Here are other basic ideas that you probably already know about:<BR/>- Make coffee or tea at home<BR/>- Meet friends out for happy hour or brunch instead of dinner<BR/>- Go to the library for DVDs and books instead of renting or buyingMollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09737883086499020291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-60256976527712001522008-12-04T10:48:00.000-07:002008-12-04T10:48:00.000-07:00Yes I'm feeling it because I'm actually laid off. ...Yes I'm feeling it because I'm actually laid off. I have been since sept. luckily i have severance till march, but i'm already feeling stressed about it. <BR/><BR/>It's always good to be money conscious no matter what your situation. sounds like you guys are on the right track.Tonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01618173853004051479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-43276762623093885002008-12-04T10:36:00.000-07:002008-12-04T10:36:00.000-07:00I'll agree- so far I haven't really felt any effec...I'll agree- so far I haven't really felt any effects from the recession, so my spending habits haven't changed and really- might've only gotten worse. However I agree with all those ways to save. After I buy my new couch on Sunday ($400) I am restricting myself on spending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-38079440748273974432008-12-04T10:32:00.000-07:002008-12-04T10:32:00.000-07:00You continue to amaze me, my dear. Like you, Sweet...You continue to amaze me, my dear. Like you, Sweets and I have not yet felt the crunch of the market. He is a nurse at one of the nation's top children's hospitals. There has been a nursing shortage for years. I think he's pretty secure. I work for a small company. The downside is the amount of projects we have is directly related to the financial health of our clients, so we have been hit like a lot of small firms. The upside is I have been here for almost 9 years, I have a very tight relationship with my bosses and I trust they will let me know if I need to spruce up my resume (just the other week, they told me not to).<BR/><BR/>Having said that, like you, Sweets and I are watching our finances. We are a few months into a new condo and getting used to shared expenses/responsibilities. We also see belt-tightening around us due to lost jobs or fear of the future. While we are still buying what we need, we're trying not to be excessive. I think we're just trying to be smart about our money and make sure we don't dip into our savings unnecessarily. Tough times out there.Nilsa @ SoMi Speakshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08474642034399063234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-1455664148575591492008-12-04T10:15:00.000-07:002008-12-04T10:15:00.000-07:00Yeah, I'm not really doing anything different. If ...Yeah, I'm not really doing anything different. If I pretend it's not happening it'll go away, right? No? Damn.<BR/><BR/>In all seriousness, I <I>am</I> trying to cut back my spending (as always!), and I'm lucky enough to have zero debt, but isn't the circulation of cash helpful in a time like this? I've never taken an economics class in my life, but if I stop eating out don't my favorite restaurants lose income? And then wouldn't their suppliers and local farms lose income? And then wouldn't the farms not be paying for water and tractors and things? And then wouldn't the tractor manufacturers have to lay off assembly line workers? And then wouldn't there be more people on unemployment? And probably more people needing food stamps? And don't my tax dollars pay for food stamps?...BShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00443151591518184608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-28662996877811220532008-12-04T10:14:00.000-07:002008-12-04T10:14:00.000-07:00We do the credit card thing too. They've paid us T...We do the credit card thing too. They've paid us TONS in cash back and we've never paid any interest or late fees because we pay, in full, on time, every month. <BR/><BR/>We rarely eat out, mostly because of the munchkins, and D ALWAYS takes his lunch. Those things alone make a huge difference. Also, add a couple of screaming or fighting kids to your grocery cart and you can get only the necessities at the grocery store because you just want to get out! lold e v a nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02514260896810474173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-7195862418620073162008-12-04T09:45:00.000-07:002008-12-04T09:45:00.000-07:00I love all of your ideas. I just wish I could get...I love all of your ideas. I just wish I could get Will to understand the "save now in case we need it tomorrow" thing. Will is a "I have it, so I'm going to spend it. Tomorrow will work itself out" which it usually does because *I* am resourceful. <BR/><BR/>You're so lucky (and sensible! Wow!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-86302099433978727772008-12-04T09:09:00.000-07:002008-12-04T09:09:00.000-07:00I happened to get an increase in salary at a time ...I happened to get an increase in salary at a time when everyone else was losing their jobs. It strikes me as odd though I am very grateful for it. So I keep socking away money and trying not to be too spendy. I work two jobs for a reason (to save money!).Sizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00182860438430294750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-12397122524002261102008-12-04T08:26:00.000-07:002008-12-04T08:26:00.000-07:00lunches make SUCH a difference. even out in the VA...lunches make SUCH a difference. even out in the VA metro boonies, lunch is easily $9 a pop. i've also cut out starbucks except on "special occasions" (eg... not every morning on the way to work).<BR/><BR/>i feel exactly the same way about cash! if i have it, i spend it on impulse buys (candy @ 7-11; drinks in the vending machine; cabs because i'm lazy). if i have to pay w/my debit card, i have to be sure i want it.Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15287792370490363047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-80444432258156756102008-12-04T08:09:00.000-07:002008-12-04T08:09:00.000-07:00Oops, that's "we didn't feel pinched until this ye...Oops, that's <BR/><BR/>"we didn't feel pinched until this year (7 year in)..."el-e-ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11197637829851361357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-3711177218001641712008-12-04T08:08:00.000-07:002008-12-04T08:08:00.000-07:00We were much like you guys when first married, and...We were much like you guys when first married, and had what seems now like a LOT of surplus. We didn't feel 7 years in) with 2 kids in daycare. Ouch. FWIW.<BR/><BR/>I reconciled the bank statement yesterday and noticed significantly fewer dining purchases. Go us!! Like, maybe 4 for the whole month of November. We've been taking lunch and using the food we have, just like you said. I finished paying bills feeling GREAT, instead of feeling DISMAL. <BR/><BR/>It works, it really does.el-e-ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11197637829851361357noreply@blogger.com