8 Answers

• Reputation: 3727 Q&A: 43 0 79 1419 152 4 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 4 RM

  6 0 Groceries: Farmers markets, bulk bins, Costco for shelf stable things we use large amounts of (plus toilet paper and vitamins). Grocery Outlet is kind of awesome sometimes. Don't buy pre made or processed foods. Our lazy night dinner is a pizza from Trader Joes and a salad. $5. Clothes: Thrift stores, eBay, consignment, and clothes swaps with friends. If I buy new I NEVER pay full price. Whenever I buy clothes online I look up coupons first. Utilities and misc bills: Use a small space heater in the winter instead of cranking the heat up in the entire apartment, keep in mind that hot water adds to your electric bill, don't drive when you can bus or walk (I own a car and drive it only when leaving town), having roommates and not living RIGHT in the middle of desirable areas saves a ton of money on rent. Cable and ridiculous cell phone service aren't needed. Going out: Use the hell out of Groupon, Living Social, Strangermart, Restaurant.com, and anywhere else that offers special deals. Take a serious look at how much you spend on drinks and going out- I was broke nonstop until I decided that being a drunk wasn't quite the lifestyle I wanted. I used Google Documents to make a basic layout of my required expenses every month. Rent, utilities, car insurance, cell phone, etc. I know that I will always have to pay these, and I know how much comes from each pay check during the month. That allows me to know how much money I have to spend on other variable expenses and it helps tremendously. I'm not any good at actually saving money (aside from 401k that's automatic), but I also have student loans, car payments, and a credit card that I try to make large payments on every month. Once they're paid down that money goes into savings. Since I'm already accounting for it monthly I'm not worried about blowing it once those payments are done with. RM answered in Finance/Insure/Legal about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend:

• Reputation: 1284 Q&A: 29 0 4 738 114 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 0

  5 0 The easiest plan I have found to follow is the 60/40 savings plan. It's predicated on the idea that your monthly expenses should add up to about 60% of your income. You then put 10% into long-term savings (401K, IRAs, etc.), 10% into an emergency cash savings, and 10% into short-term savings for things like vacations, car purchases, etc. The remaining 10% can be spent on anything you want. I find this a much easier way to save and budget than trying to do categories. Here is an article on it: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/ASimplerWayToSaveThe60Solution.aspx Dan Williams answered in Finance/Insure/Legal about 1 year ago | Report 2 comments by TVDinner Redux and Dan Williams… 0 0 Hey, that's really cool. Think I might start doing this. Thanks! TVDinner Redux commented about 1 year ago | Report 0 0 You are welcome! It's the best budgeting system I have found. Dan Williams commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend:

• Reputation: 371 Q&A: 5 0 6 171 20 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 0 Karla Pacheco

  3 0 The simplest and best way I've found for REALLY keeping track and controlling your spending is a plain white envelope. Determine your entertainment and grocery budget after you've paid rent and utilities for the month, then put that money IN CASH in the envelope. Debit and credit cards give you a false sense of how much you can spend, making it really easy to go over budget. You'll be a lot more conscious of what you're spending the most on (drinks with friends? Fancy imported olives? Lunch out every day?). The key is that once that cash allowance is gone for the month (or split it into weekly allotments) IT IS GONE. Do not re-fill the envelope! You'll learn really quickly to prioritize and think twice before buying something too expensive or going out all the time. Assessing your cable and phone bill is also good. Even though a "Triple Play" deal is say, $99 to start, and internet alone would be say, $60, considering you can watch most TV shows on the internet and likewise get a free internet phone service, you still save $30 a month. My husband and I save on our cell phone bill by sharing a family plan with my mom and brother. The more people on the plan, the cheaper it is for everyone, and you don't have to be related to use one. Karla Pacheco answered in Finance/Insure/Legal about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend:

• Reputation: 1505 Q&A: 11 0 28 775 60 2 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 3

  3 0 I could go on and on, but here are the top ways I've found: http://open.salon.com/blog/cedar_burnett/2010/06/10/the_seven_reasons_your_ss_is_broke Cedarthvader answered in Finance/Insure/Legal about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend:

• Reputation: 1610 Q&A: 27 0 12 879 49 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 0

  1 0 I sock it away where I can forget that it's there but it's earning money for me. I put away as much as I can, as I will find a way to spend it if I can see it. Since you're not treating your savings account like a savings account, it may help you to manipulate yourself into being unable to get at that money. You could talk to your bank about places you can automatically move money but can't get to it for a certain time. Also, budget. If I'm writing down how much I spend on going out (for example) that encourages me to reduce the amount. I also can't reduce it unless I know how much I'm spending. CleverScreenName answered in Finance/Insure/Legal about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend:

• Reputation: 3722 Q&A: 109 0 27 1715 713 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 0

  0 0 Write down your expenditures in a journal. Everything. cash, coin, check, visa, bar tab: Everything!! It can be your own personal-inflicted money guilt trip, and a nice way to review where it all goes. (Suddenly your addictions to, say, JambaJuice and good IPA become apparent...) Also: for long term savings, a nifty way to recharge your tax refund and have it feel 'extra' is have your employer take out extra from each check for taxes (there's a little spot for this on the form just below where you declare your Withholding/dependants). While savvy financial folks will point out that this money isn't earning anything for you, I'd argue, in your case, it's more important that it's untouchable. When you get your refund, DO NOT BLOW IT - put it directly into your savings (preferrrably a money market or mutual fund even). Do not pass go. Rev.Enant answered in Finance/Insure/Legal about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend:

• Reputation: 877 Q&A: 24 0 7 505 248 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 0

  0 0 Get a cash back credit card without any hoops or bullshit. Schwab offers 2% on all purchases deposited monthly into your account with no fees/catches (have to have good credit). I got one and moved my entire life except the few things that must be paid by check over to it and the cash back alone covers the internet bill! Better cash back offers exist, but they usually only pay out yearly (based on the research I did). Credit rewards in general is an ugly market full of gotchas and fees and bullshit, but good deals exist. And then, obviously, pay it off every statement and don't fall behind! protosaurus answered in Finance/Insure/Legal about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend:

• Reputation: 894 Q&A: 12 0 33 862 868 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 0

  1 1 Curb the impulse to buy. If you want that capacino, but remember that you'll carry a water bottle instead... you can save each time you skip that coffee. Try buying smaller individual cans or bottles of pepsi and recapping it after a few sips. You can get through the whole day that way. If you must eat lunch out, skip the beverage and ask for ice water. Do you REALLY need cable TV? How many texts must you REALLY send from your cell phone? Each one ads up. These are just a few of the ideas. Also, save the samples of shampoo and soap that you get in the hotel. They are free and can amount to quite a bit and save you from buying alot. Also, avoid the supersize trap at McDs and other places. Do you REALLY want that jumbo size drink? Why not request a water instead, save the cash and eat less of their processed foods? Just some thoughts... "Cagey" answered in Finance/Insure/Legal about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend: