Georgia Trail Riders Forum

MEMBERS DISCUSSION AREA => General Discussion => Topic started by: BigJerm on October 21, 2008, 12:00:46 PM

Title: Saving Money
Post by: BigJerm on October 21, 2008, 12:00:46 PM
SO in these tough times what are you doing to save money? For me the 1 credit card bill seems to hang over my head and it makes it hard to pull the trigger on Jeep mods without paying it off. I have been saving when and where I can to put more money towards it. So far this is what I got:

Water:
-Wash clothes when full load, wash dishes when full load
-Take shorter, cooler (saves gas from water heater too) showers

A/C
-Stays around 80 during the day with the blinds closed. I change to shorts/t-shirt when I get home so I don't get hot and turn it to 78ish
-At night it goes to 75 but the past few nights I just rock the windows

Power:
-Lights, TV off when not in use
-Unplug chargers during the day and turn off anything like the printer that does not need to be on

I do other things like bring my lunch to work everyday, ride my bike when I can, buy store brands instead of Kellogs or others.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Krawler00 on October 21, 2008, 12:43:40 PM
You should talk to my wife... Here is her blog for $ saving and coupons. We get a TON of groceries for almost nothing!

http://savinggreene.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Ben H. on October 21, 2008, 12:57:10 PM
I'm a college student without a job, I don't think I can get any cheaper.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: urdaddyjeep on October 21, 2008, 07:38:01 PM
army housing.. how cheap do you think that is...
right now dont have to worry about elec(army pays for it(thanks tax payers..)
Water(army pays again thanks tax payer)
trash(army pays for it)
gas to work almost nothing... when i feel like it i walk..if i have time if not the jeep and also if i ran for PT or not
food... oh please... that is the killer..
wife huh where do i begin...
kid..no saving there

chew.. cant do the cheap stuff tried that

oh wait,... i do pay for all those things... over a 1000 a month... hmmmm i think i am getting  {nln} here
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: DOUG on October 21, 2008, 07:51:25 PM
You should talk to my wife... Here is her blog for $ saving and coupons. We get a TON of groceries for almost nothing!

http://savinggreene.blogspot.com/

Thanks for that man! I sent the link to the wife.  We need all the help we can get these days!  {toast}
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: ADAM on October 21, 2008, 08:41:11 PM
FOr everybody that shops at PUBLIX. We have a "penny item" every sunday and monday. This comming week is going to be our regular loaf of bread. Shh. dont tell anybody. ;)
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: urdaddyjeep on October 21, 2008, 08:45:02 PM
going to post it up on google under Publix is  8==D
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: BigJerm on October 23, 2008, 09:12:30 AM
Good blog there Ben. Does she know where to find a lot of Kroger or Publix coupons by chance?

Well, got the water bill the other day, about $10 cheaper than normal so not bad! Cant wait to see my power bill which has stayed around $90 a month for awhile. My dad also gave me one of his Costco membership cards so I can buy gas at their cheaper price but I need to get one to go in the store with.

Also, got this thing from AT&T in the mail about getting home internet for $19.95 a month (not promotional rate) and you don't need home phone with it. Not bad considering Comcast is killing me for like $40 a month for internet and that's a promotional rate that will go up in December or January. Not to mention with Home Depot I get 22% off AT&T so ill add the internet to my cell phone plan and internet will really only cost me around $15 so saving another $25 plus whatever I would save after the promotional period ends with Comcast.

My next step is Sunday we are going shopping at Kroger with the plus card to see if it's cheaper than Publix. Both stores are equal distance away so might as well right!
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: ADAM on October 24, 2008, 02:22:42 PM

My next step is Sunday we are going shopping at Kroger with the plus card to see if it's cheaper than Publix. Both stores are equal distance away so might as well right!


NO!!!!
IF YOU EVER WANNA SEE ME ON THE TRAILS. I wont be able to pay for the jeep and end up homeless. :-[
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Krawler00 on October 24, 2008, 08:33:39 PM
Jerm, my wife has a system I could never understand! She knows how to do it but you almost need a class on the stuff she does! :D
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: BigJerm on October 26, 2008, 09:51:56 PM
Ok so we shopped at Kroger tonight and saved about $20 over Publix. This included buying 10 cans of soup for $10 (not normal items but Megan wanted it) and booklet of stamps (around $8). Since I am so anal we are going to keep the list and reciept and go buy the exact same things, minus the stamps and soup, from Publix and see if we did indeed save cash.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Jimmy on October 26, 2008, 09:55:15 PM
Ok so we shopped at Kroger tonight and saved about $20 over Publix. This included buying 10 cans of soup for $10 (not normal items but Megan wanted it) and booklet of stamps (around $8). Since I am so anal we are going to keep the list and reciept and go buy the exact same things, minus the stamps and soup, from Publix and see if we did indeed save cash.

We usually shop at Kroger 'cause its closer, but their fresh meats/seafood sucks generally. We get that stuff from the Fresh Market. More expensive, but weeeellllll worth it.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: DOUG on October 27, 2008, 08:49:58 AM
Ok so we shopped at Kroger tonight and saved about $20 over Publix. This included buying 10 cans of soup for $10 (not normal items but Megan wanted it) and booklet of stamps (around $8). Since I am so anal we are going to keep the list and reciept and go buy the exact same things, minus the stamps and soup, from Publix and see if we did indeed save cash.

We usually shop at Kroger 'cause its closer, but their fresh meats/seafood sucks generally. We get that stuff from the Fresh Market. More expensive, but weeeellllll worth it.

We buy groceries at Wal-mart.  Linda did the comparison with Publix and Kroger, and it was huge.  She figures for our family of 4, and all the lake entertaining we do in the summer, it saves us 20%, or $2400 a year.  After shopping at Wal-Mart, she stops at the Publix on the way home to pick any specialties needed, fresh fruit Wally World didn't have, vegetables, or a specialty cheese, etc.  We are of the believe that manuagacturers coupons are good, but chasing store couopns is worthless unless you're already going that way.

Sorry Adam.  :P
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: BigJerm on October 27, 2008, 08:55:58 AM
We usually shop at Kroger 'cause its closer, but their fresh meats/seafood sucks generally. We get that stuff from the Fresh Market. More expensive, but weeeellllll worth it.

I did notice that lastnight but its not to big a deal for us. Our meat selection consist of ground turkey for taco's or hamburger helper, pork chops and chicken and the occasional stew meat for  beef tips.

Maybe we should look into a Wal-mart as well. Only thing that sucks is Publix and Kroger are less than 2 miles from the apartment Wal-mart is more like 6 miles or so but a pain in the ass to get there... not to mention I hate shopping at Wal-mart with a passion. It would take a decent amount of savings to go there for me.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: lt99ls1 on October 27, 2008, 10:21:51 AM
I own a 4x4 there is no saving of money.  :'(
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: ghostdancer308 on October 27, 2008, 10:35:56 AM
I just got to ask, but what do you do for a living? Have you looked into a career change and have you exhausted all your options? I still apply for 1 job a month because what I do is not forever and I have been very broke. S***, if it came down to it, join the military. Toy purchases can be put on the backburner till after you establish a steady flow of income. Its not getting any better(economy). Raman noodles are cheap. This is what I lived off of for 4 months. Times were bad. Don't wake up 10 months from now wishing you would have taken a chance. By the way, this is just a general question. Just throwing it out there. ;D
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: BigJerm on October 27, 2008, 11:03:47 AM
I am a license coordinator for Home Depot At-Home Services. Pay isnt bad and all but toss in bills, 2 jeep payments, apartment rent, food bill and that takes a nice chunk of change out of Megan's and my pocket. Then count in a little wild spending on the credit card when we first moved in and an $1100 trip to the emergency room for some stiches and here I am in today's situation. If it wasnt for the last 2 I would be doing just fine but I have the urge to get out from under both bills (only $249 left for the ER visit now and that will be payed off by end of week!). Then its on to the CC.

I have talked about looking for another job but just never have. No college degree yet and tough economy seems to be my main exscuse for it. I don't dislike my current job and they are paying for half of my education so it would be tough to leave, esp 3 years into it.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: ghostdancer308 on October 27, 2008, 11:30:04 AM
I don't even have benefits like I use to. I shell out 500 a month in that department. I just took 18k out of my savings, and paid the IRS last week. You have to stay hungry and always looking, never settle. I plan on applying to the DEA next year. I have been lazy towards school, but I am slowly getting back into it myself. I lack 38 credits for a BA, but I am LAZY when it comes to papers and I am horrible at upper level math.(trig, cal). I had to breakdown and see a financial advisor in 2005. It openned my eyes when it came to money. And sometimes this outside help shows you some kind of enlightenment.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Jimmy on October 27, 2008, 12:37:24 PM
Calc and trig are easy, just shell out $100 for this bad boy:

(http://www.ticalc.org/images/calcs/89-ti-big.gif)
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: urdaddyjeep on October 27, 2008, 12:39:37 PM
a hundie for that and 1k for someone to teach him to use it... there is that 10% rule that has to apply... and in that case G is pucked big time...


Not to jump on the wagon here but if I can make do on one income of less then 40k with 2 truck payments child support and a new baby... with alittle left over for toys why is it that others cant do the same with 2 incomes?
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Ben H. on October 27, 2008, 01:37:22 PM
Calc and trig are easy, just shell out $100 for this bad boy:

(http://www.ticalc.org/images/calcs/89-ti-big.gif)

I hate my 89. I have no idea how to do anything on it like matrices or other easy 83+ stuff. But I do like how you can scroll up to other equations.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: StevenH on October 27, 2008, 01:48:34 PM
Wait until you have kids, I have four sons and could probably field an XRRA entry for the money it takes to feed them  ;D

I told them this weekend that as soon as they are all 18 I'm buying a cabin in the mountains  :D
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: ghostdancer308 on October 27, 2008, 03:51:44 PM
Good call Mike-
 I got child support going out also! ;D Such is life!! Oh, I had the Texas Instruments calculator. It kept paper from falling off my desk. Thats was the extent of use I got out of it before I got a big "W" in that class!!
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: DOUG on October 27, 2008, 04:18:24 PM
Wait until you have kids, I have four sons and could probably field an XRRA entry for the money it takes to feed them  ;D

I told them this weekend that as soon as they are all 18 I'm buying a cabin in the mountains  :D
Holy crap, 4 boys?  Got stock in Wal-Mart?  The groceries alone would buy another trail ride.  How old are they?
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: StevenH on October 27, 2008, 05:01:17 PM
Wait until you have kids, I have four sons and could probably field an XRRA entry for the money it takes to feed them  ;D

I told them this weekend that as soon as they are all 18 I'm buying a cabin in the mountains  :D
Holy crap, 4 boys?  Got stock in Wal-Mart?  The groceries alone would buy another trail ride.  How old are they?
Yeah 4 boys. I know what you mean about another trail ride, thats what I always think when I see the young guys with the blingin' buggies "they dont have any kids!"  ;D

Just think of all the extra expenses also, more electricity, more water, more gas in your acrs because you have to go more places. More days missed from work for appointments.. doctor etc

I have a 10 month old and a 4, 11 and 12 year old. The little one hasn't been wheeling yet but the other 3 are fanatics  {toast}

Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: urdaddyjeep on October 28, 2008, 06:33:47 PM
got  kids one 13 and one 10months old....

this yr the wife may not get her Ruth Chris b-day dinner like she did last yr.. but then again she might... if she is good... LOL

What i do is i have my fun account and bill account and saving account ... after bills and saving alittle goes in the fun account...

when there is enough in the fun account then i buy stuff i dont need... bow, bumper, jack, cb, but nice to have items... req items to ride.. but i dont fault on my bills to do so...

Just something that has been rolling around in my head since this thread started..

Mike {toast}
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: ghostdancer308 on October 28, 2008, 07:02:59 PM
I usually buy all my stuff the day before I deploy. That way when the wife sees it on the CC, I am already downrange and getting paid!LOL!! My build is about over. I want a tow pig and trailer now. That will be next spring though, hopefully! ;)
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Krawler00 on October 28, 2008, 08:17:13 PM
That would be nice. Buy parts and cruise to miss the flaq! But I could not leave all those parts at home. I would have to put them on when I got them. Like Crack to Jimmy. :D
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Jimmy on October 29, 2008, 10:02:28 AM
That would be nice. Buy parts and cruise to miss the flaq! But I could not leave all those parts at home. I would have to put them on when I got them. Like Crack to Jimmy. :D

Theres something you nee to know about me Ben....
(http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hollisterlovexohx/tyrone_biggums.jpg)
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Krawler00 on October 29, 2008, 11:08:16 AM
Man, you need to lay off. You turn a weird shade. :D
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: ghostdancer308 on October 29, 2008, 01:55:06 PM
Ben-
 Got thse lights this morning while wife was still asleep! Not saving money on that one, just nagging factor diverted!!
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: urdaddyjeep on October 29, 2008, 02:18:11 PM
Glen is a funny guy... can face down any enemy but his wife... he runs... stop being scared.. i tell my wife... sometimes she hears me sometimes she doesnt.. i just hope she doesnt..
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Krawler00 on October 29, 2008, 04:35:13 PM
We all talk big but nothing can put the fear in you than a wife who knows what you are spending $ on! :D
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: BigJerm on October 30, 2008, 08:45:03 AM
So I didnt do anything to "save" on this one but I just got our online statement for insurance and it has gone down... I use to pay just south of $260 for the Liberty and Wrangler a month (keep in mind I am 22, meg is 21 so thats normal unlike you old folks) and the new statement is $221... Nice!

And the AT&T internet thing I was talking about earlier for $19.99 vs. our $31 we pay right now... yeah no savings there. I put on my glasses and read the fine print. It requires an activation fee of $29.99 and a 1 time start up fee of $75+ your first months bill. So it would cost me $124.98 on the first bill (not counting all those service fees and taxes). The way I figure it, if we pay $10 more now for Comcast at 12 months thats $120... not much of savings there.
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: ghostdancer308 on October 31, 2008, 06:21:56 AM
I just was informed my Health Ins. with Blue Cross is going to cast me 631$ a month. I don't want to hear it! From any of you! My house note is 638! WTF!!! Gotta shop around. Get a job with bennys!!
Title: Re: Saving Money
Post by: Krawler00 on October 31, 2008, 08:23:42 AM
Glen, my insurance was that high and it killed us. I dropped it and put my wife and kids on seperate plans. Much cheaper!