It would also make a nice boat anchor, Von!

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

this was great info, Tootsie ...

I just got home from unloading a CARLOAD of donations to the thrift shop ... and I'm seeing results .. but I'm pooped! LOL

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!