I have been a wee bit cranky lately. Little things have been getting under my skin - like how OTHER people spend their money. What the hell? I shouldn't care about other people's finances. But for some strange reason, watching people spend money really pisses me off. Especially people who spend frivolously. Those people are the WORST. All of this tension is probably stemming from the fact that I only have $150 dollars in my bank account. And that $150 needs to last until the 15th. Ugh.
So, we are thisclose to having our credit card debt paid off. We are so close I can taste it. But paying off our credit cards does not equal more spending money. We plan on taking this cash, and paying it toward a loan we have on our house. And when the loan is repaid, we are going to start paying all of that extra cash toward our mortgage. Basically, we plan on never having money ever again.
On one level, this plan makes me giddy with excitement. We could actually be completely debt free by the time our kids head off to college! WOW! That is awesome. But on the other hand, I am already sick of living paycheck to paycheck. I want to have a little extra spending money. And maybe a new outfit or two.
I know that we will have more in the long run by living frugally now, so I am trying to make the most of our current situation. Here are a list of thing we currently do to save money...
1. We never eat out. Okay, maybe we eat out occasionally - but never more than twice a month.
2. We no longer buy paper towels (they are wasteful and expensive).
3. We have set our central air to 79 degrees (in the past, we set it at 72 degrees).
4. I pack a lunch for my husband everyday.
5. I buy gently used toys for my kids off of Craig's list (stay tuned for pictures of Porgie's AMAZING used birthday gift).
6. I clip coupons.
7. I used Swagbucks and Opinion Outpost to earn a little extra spending cash.
8. I have been baking my own bread/pizza dough/desserts. There is so much stuff you can make at home for a fraction of the cost.
I am sure there is more, but that is all I can think of right now. Our hard work is paying off, because by the end of July, we will have paid off a huge debt in just 7 months. I am proud of us and our thriftiness! And apparently, I expect you to be thrifty now too. Don't let me catch you spending money on goofy shit. I'll give you the evil eye, while calling you names under my breath.
7 comments:
Way to go...that is something to be totally proud of! I know what you mean about the new outfit...I spend all my extra money on Will!
Sweetie, you have 147.00 more than I do right now. Stupid car insurance/registration.
Thankfully, Joe's raise goes through next payday, so we'll have a few extra bucks every other week. I'm sure he'll find a way to blow it though. We already have to finish paying for the seasonal campground fee, and he goes and talks me into joining the swim club for the summer! Another 500+ bucks.
it's always so amazing to watch people with money (or with lots of credit card debt)....when we were on our trip (which was paid for) i was in awe of the money people were throwing away! we will have to save for years to go back and even then won't be able to "live it up" like some people we saw.
i am always torn on this subject - we are too paying down debt (one car loan, one student loan down) but still have a long way to go. some weeks it feels easy and rewarding and other days i just want to give up and live like the rest of the world who doesn't seem so responsible.
proud of you friend.
I wish I had the willpower to MAKE myself do what you're doing. I just don't. I pay a little every month, but I spend money on fun stuff. I just enjoy shopping and having a good time with new toys too much.
Guess I'll be getting the stink eye and called nasty names. :) lol.
I hate spending money..hate it!! My husband, on the other hand thinks of shit to buy constantly. I have to rein him in. Luckily I am a saver, because our a/c stopped working yesterday (repair was $129 but still!) and my car won't start today (Hopefully it just needs a new battery!)
Cha-ching!
Oh, I want to hear about people spending money unwisely! That's always fun.
I hope you can indulge yourself from time to time, at least!
I hope this won't sound obnoxious, but I'm really proud of you. It is hard, hard, hard to avoid those little daily expenditures and save and pay off debt. I know that feeling when you are catching up, it feels great, but also like you will never have spending money ever again. You will!
Post a Comment