Getting real with life....could use advice about $$.
#271121 - 06/26/06 09:20 PM
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_Willow
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 2090
Loc: Canada.
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Today I felt like I needed to get real with this impending life, and take care of some needed business....4 days till his stuff is gone and it's OFFICIAL.
I got a fair bit accomplished-took in bottles (whopping $4.00 thank you.), found a website that's a free local E-bay to sell some extra stuff (furniture,clothes etc)I've amassed over the last while...called a credit company for advice...planning on cutting the cable to basic, thus saving $ every month. Talked to them but of course the cable is in my BELOVEDs name,lol...so I'll get him to call it in tomorrow.
Also trading in my SUV for a car-it results in about $30 a month higher payments but it'll be paid off sooner, and there will be cheaper insurance and WAY cheaper gas...so that'll save me over $100 a month...
I've had two credit cards transferred to lower rates, and am paying more toward my line of credit...
Sucks to have to do this all now, because I would have done it a year ago if I knew that jerk face was going to leave me reeling.I'd NEVER have leased an SUV either. I wasn't comfortable with it in the first place but he goaded me into it.
If anyone can think of another way for me to save money, that'd be awesome. I really feel I need this computer but if all else fails I guess I can give it and the payment up as well. I'm going to limit electricity and water used as well, which should help a bit. Just not 100% counting on Mr. Perfect to come through anymore.
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Keep on keepin' on...
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You covered a lot already. Here are a couple of other ideas:
-switching to a broadband phone company (something like Vonage). OR
-cancel your home phone altogether and just use a cell phone
-In the states, some utility companies let you go on a "level payment" plan so that you pay the same for electricity each month instead of having really high bills at one time of year and small ones at another.
-My local electric company has a deal where you let them install a switch on your a/c that allows them to turn it off for predetermined periods of time when power usage is high. In return, you save up to $200 over the summer on your bill. I don't know if you even use/need a/c, but you might look into it.
-coupons! I usually don't take the time to do all the work, but you can save a lot of dough by shopping sales and getting double coupon rewards.
That's all I can think of right now. I know some of the other regulars on here live on fairly tight incomes, so they'll probably be along with some good ideas for ya.
Good luck and big hugs!
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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and that we are already on a contract for our heat etc.
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Keep on keepin' on...
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Hey Shan, good job getting yourself together -- I'm impressed! I'm just going to try to think of the little things I do to pinch pennies ...
Shop for pharmacy stuff at www.drugstore.com and get on their email list for sales and cupons ... quit drinking bottled water if you do drink it, and get a Brita or a Pur pitcher or faucet filter ... get books and movies from the library instead of buying or renting from a store ... If you are close to paying certain things off (your computer, maybe?) see if you can accelerate the payments. You'll pay more each month but you'll save overall by paying less interest ... Run your dishwasher at night instead of during the day, so your a/c doesn't have to work so hard ... buy generic everything, they are usually identical to brand names ... buy meat / fish / etc in bulk, and then sort them into smaller baggies in your freezer.
Now that you've gotten rid of your home phone, you might want to increase your cell minutes, because going over your allotted minutes will be very expensive!
That's basically all I do to save. I live in the city so I don't have a car to worry about, and I know that's huge. Oh also if you need to get new stuff once the jerk is out or once you move, look into home depot -- they usually give either six months or one year with no payments or intrest for payments over 200, or something like that.
Good luck shannon, we're rooting for you!
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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About the cable, cable around here is about $50 US, but we have something even more even more basic than basic cable.
It's so basic, you have to ask for it.  It cost us a whopping $9.50 a month. We get the 5 regular networks, 2 PBS stations, and a few other things. Works for us.
You might also check to see if your community has a freecycle network if there's something you need.
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There are some great websites online for saving money and living Frugal.
www.budget101.com (even has a $10 grocery list to feed your family for a week on)
www.miserlymoms.com
www.oldfashionedliving.com
www.frugalhomemaker.com
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Only have a moment now but I'll get back with you later...
If you haven't already cancelled those higher rate credit cards, don't. I found out from our financial planner that you can leave them open forever, it doesn't hurt you...it actually helps with your credit...because even though you're not using it, it shows that your credit was good. So...keep 'em open because they look at history and you won't have history with the new cards.
If you already have...no worries...just know for next time! 
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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Shannon,
Good work in looking at things head on and dealing with them:
Some tips I use when I am being frugal:
-work only in cash, no debit or credit cards as they don't feel like real money
-like Panda said generic brands and bulk buying
-before you buy ANYTHING stop and ask yourself "Do I really need this?" I found I was spending so much on magazines/newspapers/drinks/treats when I would pop into the shop for bread.
- I also found that doing a spreadsheet (sounds very OTT/Monica I know) every payday with a column for what comes in and another column for what is going out, and an entry for every item you spend money on, really helps to focus you and realise how much you actually spend on frivolous things that you didn't need. I also analysed my spending at the end of every month to see what percentage was going on what, and got some surprises. It's only when you KNOW how much you earn and how much you spend that you can cut it. The first month I did it I realised that I spent €200 that month more than I had earned and that quickly brought me back to reality.
- I really recommended consolidating your debt, have only one repayment to make, take out a low cost loan instead of having the two credit cards. Live solely on cash.
Do you have voluntary money advice bureau's over there? We have them here and they are a great service to help people figure out how to use their money wisely and to reduce debt etc.
Good luck with the cutbacks and sensibleness 
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S.
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IF I have one thing to say its that your daughter should stay with you. Your EX is a is so Gross I think he is a bad influence on her
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Puppies Are Cute But I'm Cuter
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Shannon,
It is good to hear you sound so positive about your future and also that you are taking control of your life and your finances.
Everyone has given you good ideas. The budget plans are the way to go because you will know exactly what your bills are each month instead of being surprised.
We just got the vonage phone and we pay one price each month which includes all long distance calls in US, Canada and even some places in Europe and of course all local calls. You do need to watch out for your cell phone because they charge quite a bit if you go over your minutes.
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Janey
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