2008 Debt Diet
 

HEAR YE!! HEAR YE!!

The 2008 Debt Diet is back in force!

All this thread is about - is to share $$ saving ideas ... how to look for bargains and enjoy life!

my debt has been mounting due to the denials from long-term disability .. so I have to appeal ... and survive on nothing from some sort of income! but, I'm doing good - I found $1 on the ground today .. a little wet and icy .. but COLD CASH!!

we need to encourage others that we, too, can become debt free ... we CAN DO IT!!

:winner_first_h4h: EVERYONE'S A WINNER!!!

Now this is a diet that I so desperately need. :Dunno: I am a bit OOC in teh cash dept.

Ok Ok I am ready to learn...:Clever: :Writting:

By the way did anyone find a dollar? I seemed to drop one?

Seriously though I need to get debt free. Just the other week I bought a book on how to cut credit card debt. I have not started it though.

Welcome, Shelley ...

this thread has been a real relief for many! so many exciting ideas ... and encouragement!!

we can do it!! I'm not letting the $$ worry me anymore .. if the government can be in debt ... we can be too - AND have a way to get ahead!! ;)

Thank You!!!
 

Thank you, Vonn, for bringing this thread back to life!! I need it so badly and got SO many good ideas from the first one. :)

I've done pretty good this month. Have spent nothing except the essentials and even cut down on those!! I'm so proud of myself! :p

Oooh! Great thread. I can't wait to see what becomes of it. I need to go on a DD in a major way!

Vonn, thank you so much for putting this thread here! :) Because of all the wonderful ideas and support from others I received these past few weeks, my DH and I have found that by sticking to our budget we can manage to do a few much needed house repairs without going into any further debt!! :D

Quick someone pull me back from the ledge :eek: ....I am internet shopping wile reading here and wanting to buy, but trying to be good. Just one little book from Amazon...please

that depends...are you buying me something? :wink:

hmmm, Shelley .. that's a tough one .. because ... if you are 'on the diet' you don't really need the book .. HEY - how about seeing if you can check it out from your library first???

Do you need a new book to read? Or are you just wanted to buy? If you need a book, do they have used books? If you just want to buy, STOP! :eek: Ask yourself - do I really need it????

This is my problem...impulse buyer. I get on amazon and wham a dvd here or a book here and then it all adds up. Then its off to Lucy.com for a pair of comfy yoga pants since nothing fits.

Like eating I buy to make me feel better. Sigh. I need to get better at this.

Ok, I am going to not buy anything tonight. (except maybe for my fave yappy monkey - I got choccy :p)

Gonna check the bookcase downstairs see if there is something I have not read yet.

And going to repeat to myself I dont need to buy anything right now.

Thanks for the intevention from temptation.

:Rich:WAY TO GO, SHELLEY!!:You-Rock:


I knew you could do it .. already some great advice!!:I-Agree:

Shelley - we ALL have been there ... and understand your pain ... but you came here to voice your fears ... one day at a time!! way to go!!

Since my avaergae commute to any where is at least 45 minute one way (this can double during rush hour or accidents which shut down bridges), I am always tempted to stop and get a drink and a snack before I leave just incase i get hungry/thirsty; so what I have started doing--and ironically, i didnt intend for this to be away to save money, is to pack little snacks and freeze several differnt drinks so that I always have something convient and ready to eat/drink.....

One of my Occupation Therapists suggestions I do this so food would be easily accessabile, all the time, as I am trying to gain weight. It has turned out to be a good money saving tool too !

Something I have started doing to prevent impulse buying is just "sitting" on the desire to buy something for a least 24 hours. If I still feel I need it (or want it) after waiting I'll assess the need again and make a decision. I find this SO helpful especially when I'm watching QVC or looking around in Target. I ask myself - "are they going to stop making this particular product within 24 hours?" "What will happen if I don't purchase it right now?" Probably save myself some money!! It helps me - and makes me think twice about everything I buy. :)

I'm debt free and a big saver, but here's one of my big money savers that really makes a difference each month.

When you shop for groceries, plan out menus for a month (even if you repeat the same two weeks twice). Then shop for what you need - all the staples, once that month. Once/week to the grocery store for just milk and a few fresh fruits and veggies, but all your primary shopping once/month.

Planning your menus and stopping that cycle of "what are we going to have for dinner" every night stops you from eating out as much, getting takeout, or stopping at the grocery store for just a few things - where you will always buy impulse items or easy, more expensive stuff.

I spend around $175-200 once/month and then probably another 50-100 throughout the rest of the month on dairy and fresh veggies/fruits.

Good advice Greta. I do the same thing. Add in coupons and you've saved yourself a bunch of cash.

I also take advantage of sales (like chicken breast for .99 a pound). I stock up and plan meals around what I have stocked up on.

Also, shopping in the evening has its perks, too. The deli and bakery put items on drastic markdown late in the day so as not to have to toss them out.

Hey ... we are on quite a roll .. didn't take us long to get back into posting our diet!!

L2L - what about keeping a small cooler in your trunk with ice ... and I get these 'fruit'bars at the dollar store ... SunBelt has some GREAT ones! and quaker oat bars has 'smores' and choc chip & peanut butter in a variety pack for $2.50 or so .. there are 8 in a pack .. about 32c a bar!! and it's good for you!!

Kelly - can I pick on you :Poke:(just a little ... ??;)) (I wanted to use this cute little smiley!)

QVC?? that's trouble!! :eek: you know that too ... and it can glue you to the TV .. I know!

but - you are handling it great ... and you may probably forget it the next day anyways!!

we're almost thru January ... and it sounds like everyone is making a good attempt (and already there!) getting debt free!! way to go!!:D

:icon_idea:Someone suggested the library to Shelley. This has been a lifesaver for me. My 10 year old son has suddenly become a voracious reader. This is wonderful, but expensive. When he read the new Harry Potter (784 pages) in a mere 2 days, I knew I was in trouble. I decided that I couldn't afford to feed his book addiction.

Off to the library we went. I discovered that we could go the nearest branch of our county library system and that even if they didn't have what he wanted, they could transfer it in. They even have an online system where I can search (shop) for books and request them. Then, we just go and pick them up. It's nearly as much fun as shopping but I don't have to pay! I also don't have old books gathering dust.

Our library also loans DVDs and audio books.

I forgot to get my annual vaccuum belt today while I was out shoping.

But when I was a house keeper, one thing they pounded in my head was keep the machines maintenance up, and keep the machines. Even a small appliance like that gets expensive to replace.

This sweeper's been here 16 yrs or more. A new belt and filter every spring and it's still like new.

Better $6 a year than a couple hundred on a new sweeper.

you're right, BGB ... maintenance and care keeps things together ... I still have my smith-corona electric cartridge typewriter from high school ... I think I can donate to the museum now ... but, I still type tax stuff on it! (had it for over 30 years!!)

be proud of me today - I went into a BigLots (my weakness) ... and wanted to get these plain serving trays to paint on them and then give as gifts ... but I didn't get them - I have to clean out the boxes of glassware I have now first, right? right!

It would also make a nice boat anchor, Von!:D

Hey all ... the month of January is almost over ...

we are still dieting .. and working on our debts!! (well, some of us are!!) ... remember now - it's tax season .. if you have some tax questions ...or want to post what's going to happen with your return ...

I'm just excited that without having any income (still dont) for over 4 months, I was able to become more resourceful and make and sell things to survive ... and I'm enjoying myself - with the stress being LOW .. I don't have as many flare-ups .. and feel good! this was a really good week for me!

thanks again!!

I find myself spending needlessly when I go out. Women in particular like to shop and if I don't go out I get on the internet (where I do most of my shopping anyway).

I'm not in a debt situation but I do want to save more.

So....I went to a site where you can cancel all the catalogs you get. I found myself drowning in catalogs and spending a lot of time going through them. Now I'm starting to see a reduction of them in my mailbox.

Also, for those of you who get tempted on Amazon.....buy used. I have actually purchased a book for my DH for one penny. Of course there was shipping and handling, but even then the book was $4.00.

Also go to garage sales as books and magazines are often only a dime or a quarter. If you can't get to them and have a friend who does get out; make a list and ask them to look for them for you.

At Christmas I bought my son a really fancy Coffee Maker which was factory reconditioned. It would be much more than the $60.00 it cost and the shipping was free.

It can be fun to challenge yourself to spend smart.

I also love the dollar store and get many good buys there especially on detergents.

Tootsie

Speaking of the thrift shop, we go to the thrift shops and my DH has frequently found brand new pants with the tags still on them!! Nothing like getting $60 pants for $5!!

We made it through January and stuck to our budget. The only extra money was spent on our DD's birthday parties. I hope everyone had as good as a January as we did.

We did our taxes and are getting nice refunds from State and Federal! Yeah!!! I'll file them in the next week so we will get our checks back fast.

hey hey Kar!! about the refunds .. .do it electronically : direct deposit ... it'll go faster ..

about my gift shop: I did buy some goodies .. I found this purple clutch purse (looks like alligator) ... for $3 - I couldn't pass it by! today - I was going out with a friend and got the purse out to take with ... AND it still had it's silica gel packet inside .... never used .. uh, LIZ CLAIBORNE!

I'm so happy .. made a HUGE dent in my bills this week too ... tax season is starting for me ... and already have 4-5 returns here, about 4 in the mail coming, and picking up 4-5 tomorrow! exciting, huh?? AND getting the money first!!

now to budget ... AND thinking about moving in March (lease ends the end of March) .... so, continuing to downsize .. I wish I could stay here - but just can't afford the expenses of living so far out from town ...unless I can build my lighthouse this year .. THEN I'll stay!!

Von, the program I used wants $50 to e-file my taxes. I always use direct deposit. I will just mail them RRR, cert mail as usual to avoid that hefty fee to e-file!! Or is there a free way to e-file??

Hey Kar ..

that goofy efiling charge is a pain in the posterier!! ...

there is a program that I use ... www.esmarttax.com .. and they offer free efiling (for the federal) ... as long as you have just the basics (which sounds like you do) ... and then, venture over to your STATE website and go to the efiling - some states offer FREE efiling (for the easy-simple returns) ...

if you have problems .. I'd be glad to help out with your return (totally up to you) .. I've been doing this for over 30 years (started when I was 15! .. before I drove a car!)

***my update***
finally getting breathing room financially - getting rid of stuff ... and fighting the system for disability ...

now NOT to spend it all TOO fast ... budgets are my downfall ... this is where I need help! thanks!!

If you have a branch of Consumer Credit Counseling nearby, they do offer help to people - I think classes of some type with budgeting. Dang, that isn't phrasing correctly, but hopefully you get my drift.

Von, thank you for tax the information!

My problem is not budgeting, it's sticking to it. My DH doesn't help when he tries to rationalize by saying "it's just a one time purchase". Last time he said that I told him I didn't want to hear it! Went shopping today, only spent money on my DD and new clothes she needs. Had lots of fun spending gift cards from the holidays!! I had no desire to even browse for myself - thanks to this thread I can keep myself in check. If I feel the urge to buy something, I just think about all of you trying to do the debt diet like me. So thank you everyone!

thank you, dear! would you believe that I'm a numbers person - but not a budget one! LOL :eek: ...

Kar - spending the gift cards was fun .. I only got grocery store and gas cards ... but heck - I didn't have to pay for neither for over a month!! helps to stay home for me too! LOL

***** UPDATE ******
okay .. dig out or dust off that library card .. .here's a book that you'll all enjoy reading ... it's partially about 'debt' .. but it's about clutter ... DECLUTTERING --->>> LOSE 200 lbs THIS WEEKEND ... just finished it last night (picked it up yesterday too) ... mostly paged thru it ... and WOW! talk about saving $$, time, and life! I wouldn't be a 'good counselor' if I didn't help you out, right?? ;)

I have fallen off the "debt diet" wagon this past week. I had company for four days due to a death in my family and I sort of took the easy way out on most things - we ate out a couple of times and I bought groceries that I normally wouldn't. Not to mention the gasoline I used being a taxi to so many people.

But it couldn't be avoided - so I am ready to get back on the diet and save some money.

I have to get my taxes done on Friday so ya'll pray for a big refund for me. I need it.

I also need new living room furniture and I'm trying to find a good deal on that. I will probably sell my old furniture but don't expect to get a lot for it. It's almost 10 years old and the cats have left their claw marks on it!

I certainly wouldn't count your circumstances as "falling off the debt diet wagon". That was a situation out of your control. Aren't you just glad that you had been on the debt diet before so that the sting of the extra expenses wasn't as bad??

On the new living room furniture, I don't know how you will feel about this idea, but it is what I have done to extend the life of mine, how about slipcovers? There are many beautiful ones for couches, loveseats and even wingback chairs. I bought mine at Target and I know you love that store.;)

Kelly - hollym is absolutely right ... this was a circumstance that you were unprepared for - but you have recognized the difference unexpected things can do alot faster than many! you're doing fine ...

the slipcover is an awesome idea - and hollym is right - there are so many colors and designs to choose from ... and then when you get bored of that color, pass it on and reward yourself with another set ..

**UPDATE**

it's amazing what we can do with our 'time' ... and make it profitable! I now have the opportunity to 'get into' the area art show this summer! I have some work to do ... I do calligraphy - I use paint brushes and ink for the 'shadowing' ...

I just have to believe in myself on an all-around basis!!

hoping everyone is working on their diet!!

we are now into Lent (40 days before passover) I think that's how it goes ... this is another time to 'cleanse' our thinking, spending, and saving!

I just read a book called 100 ways to simplify your life and I kept thinking of this thread. It really goes hand in hand with everything we've been talking about. I'm going to be working on the bookshelves over the next week. I'm getting rid of at least half of the books (we have four packed 6' bookshelves). DH just about croaked and insisted that he needs to keep all his old MBA books just in case he needs them for his next job. I just smiled :) Anyone need a financial accounting/ managerial accounting/ strategic management book?:D:p

Do you have a Half Price Books store down there?:D:eek: You could sell those and make a few bucks.

I've been doing very well. When I go shopping I go with a list in hand. If it is not on the list, it does not go into the cart. Even my DH is doing well with this.

But my DD has kind of thrown us for a loop. She is on a dairy free diet for a while and her foods are way expensive!! Guess we'll need to cut back somewhere else for a bit.

We can do this, I know we can! And having all of your support helps so much.

Been trying to get organized here.

Yesterday I went through all of the books in the house and the ones we will keep and the ones that are going to Goodwill.

Tomorrow we are tackling the closets and then making a big trip to the good will and put those receipts away for 2008 taxes.

Speaking of taxes, I got out all of the paperwork and am putting everythig together for the accountant. Gonna get em done before April 15th this year. :D

Got a little depressed when I balanced my checkbook...post holiday spending blues but I devised a budget and am sticking to it as best I can.

I love this thread thanks Vonn! Sure hope those pipes are fixed. :hug: