POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: next2u on June 02, 2011, 09:47:43 am
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does anyone have any good budgeting strategies?
does anyone else loathe checking their bank account?
best,
d
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plan your meals so that you can buy some items in bulk to save money
use coupons and look for special double-coupon days
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does anyone have any good budgeting strategies?
does anyone else loathe checking their bank account?
best,
d
Well, I am no Suze Orman, but I think the first thing to do to get control of your budget is to see where your money is actually going. That means tracking all your expenses (and I do mean *all*) for a period of time. A month is ideal, but you can extrapolate a month's work of expenses even from just a week's worth of data. You'll be surprised what you spend your money on. While it is easy to calculate the obvious monthly expenses like rent / mortgage, utilities, cable, mobile phone, the other expenses like dining out, groceries, drinks, clothing, entertainment, transportation can be more elusive. That's why writing down *every* expense and purchase for a week or two can be so enlightening.
After that, it's a matter of making choices so that you spend only what you take in each month. Once you see where your money is going, you've put yourself in a position to make those choices.
Regards,
Henry
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Well, I am no Suze Orman, but I think the first thing to do to get control of your budget is to see where your money is actually going. That means tracking all your expenses (and I do mean *all*) for a period of time.
Always a good thing to do if one is anxious about money.
Yes to the OP, its nerve wracking. But I do try to remember its a matter of the glass being half full or half empty and count my blessings that there is some water in there.
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too many whores on my budget checklist already....lol...with me being the biggest one.
i will do that. i have some software on my computer , i think it's called quicken that i can use too.
excel or a beginning would be great place to start since that software is gathering dust.
i need to budget, clip coupons and shop better. im also a stress shopper. i but pointless cheap shit when im moody and too much coffee and other crap. better diet, better planning, make a budget.
best,
d ~~~ who loves that big ol dyke suze !
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Down periods off depression work for me , penny pinching here and there does not .Giving up weed helped a lot and not renewing my pass port has been I like to think one off my better long term financial decisions. Oh and refusing to give in to blackmailers what ever the evidence.
mhtv
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I have an Excel spreadsheet that shows all of my income projeced to come in over the next three months, then in columns on the side I have all of my bills listed and the pay period when they are getting paid - I can then see how much I am over/under in regards to budget and plan accordingly. The set up looks like this:
Income Expenses 6/10 6/24 7/8 7/22
6/10 500.00 Cable 80.00 0 $80 0
6/24 500.00 Cell Phone 0 60.00 $0 60.00
7/8 500.00 Rent 0 700.00 0 700.00
Total $1,500 80.00 760.00 80.00 760.00
The above is just an example ---- of course, there are a lot more bills and the amounts differ, etc. But this is the general layout I use....
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I have to stay on top of it as unpleasant as it may be.
If your goal is to actually accumulate savings you have to be very aggressive and follow a tight budget. Nope, its not fun. If your goal is to set a general budget and cut out excess spending, then its a bit easier to follow.
Always follow sales, use coupons, dont splurge but do give yourself a reward from time to time. Being frugal is less painful when you actually start to see the benefits (increased savings or making the paycheck last longer).
An austerity program must have some flexibility or it will never work.
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i will do that. i have some software on my computer , i think it's called quicken that i can use too.
Everytime I've done this accounting for a month or two Ive found it more convenient to just jot it all in a little paper notebook I could carry in my pocket. I still don't have a touch screen phone and I can't stand typing even the shortest text message.
Funny you mention this because I'm going to do it this month!
And I'm returning the swiss strawberries to the supermarket tomorrow, not sweet! 4 bucks to save right there.
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One can return strawberries to the market? That's like returning underwear when you've opened the packaging.
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I have always returned shitty food to supermarkets in every country. Supermarkets don't care. A dollar here, a franc there. Strawberries cost too much here, at least they should be good since this is the proper season.
I return off wine and off champagne too. Never had a problem.
I've never done it at greengrocers or farmers markets but then you usually don't have to.
I think I'm going to return a spring mattress I bought a year ago, next week. Its got a guarantee and its not wearing as promised. Why not return it? Too many products are shoddy these days. Nobody's got money to burn.
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i like the excel sheet. i guess i should start there and work my way up.
the coupon thing doesnt sit right with me. i never buy half the stuff on the coupon list because they are all name brand and im more generic at the market. i like store brands, what can i say.
one bit of advice a friend gave me was using the shoppers (those pamphlet things) that come in the mail or are at the front of the grocery store. buying whats listed as a sale item and basing my shopping off that. i guess i could do that once a week or two, drive by, pick one up, and build my food agenda around 2 stores' specials.
and stop eating out every day :)
excel sheet - check.
coupons - no check
best,
d
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and stop eating out every day :)
well, there you go
Also, this (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=38233.msg477789#msg477789) ;)
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and stop eating out every day :)
Yup. Can you cook, son?
MtD
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Yup. Can you cook, son?
MtD
Cap'N Crunch tastes great when you're high.
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i hate doing dishes and equate every hour of dishwashing to lost pay. i do this when i cook as well. today i will make brown rice, red potatoes and chicken. they have fancy names but that will suffice. i do not cook but i can.
i hate cleaning up after cooking and trying to use all the produce. most of the perishables go bad so i have to be better about buying groceries and making time to cook and clean.
best,
d
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my gym dude has me on a diet. capn crunch -- the berries edition, is the bomb.
unfortunately its not on the list and i only get guilty pleasures off of healthy cereals (cereals arent even on the list but i still have my multigrain cheerios) and greek yogurt now!
best,
d
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I have sever account-a-phobia. I always get anxious when I pull up my bank account because the balance is always less than what I think it should be. Which always means I have spent alot of money on crap. Checking it on Monday morning is the WORST
-Will
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today i will make brown rice, red potatoes and chicken.
Funny I made kasha, sweet potatoes and chicken today. Its cold out suddenly so good to roast.
Just out of curiosity - any comment - Why this post, about your fear of personal finance, in relation to the other post - where you are getting your MBA. ?? U one of those people who can do it for others but not for himself? That's pretty human! Like the gourmet chef who eat cheerios at home!
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Which always means I have spent alot of money on crap.
You only have three boxes of possessions -- what are you spending all of the money on? Perishable items named Carlos and crack?
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You only have three boxes of possessions -- what are you spending all of the money on? Perishable items named Carlos and crack?
been there done that... lol. btw, tell carlos to call me when you are done with him W.
best,
d
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Funny I made kasha, sweet potatoes and chicken today. Its cold out suddenly so good to roast.
Just out of curiosity - any comment - Why this post, about your fear of personal finance, in relation to the other post - where you are getting your MBA. ?? U one of those people who can do it for others but not for himself? That's pretty human! Like the gourmet chef who eat cheerios at home!
i can barely do it for myself. the reason for both posts -- they are on my todo list. i have this week off from work and the only thing ive accomplished is an acute case of the munchies and 2 days of being hungover. and some shit i wont post cause miss p and a few others will have a fucking field day with it.
i also made a trip to the realtors and will start getting my financial shit in order.
so, finance and school were on the agenda. i have one more paper to file for school and 2 calls to make to the bank and my shit is squared away.
in all honesty, im kinda lost (in life) and just decided to move forward with a bunch of shit. i don't know if they are the best decisions but given where my minds been at the past few days it can't be the worst. thanks for the concern buddy.
best,
d
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You only have three boxes of possessions -- what are you spending all of the money on? Perishable items named Carlos and crack?
No, I gave up on Carlos and Crack is wack. So jsut stupid stuff like "Broke Straight Boy" subscriptions, RedBulls, Big Macs, and clothes I will never wear.
Also could you please update your files to 5 boxes of possessions + furniture. Thanks.
-Will
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So I am a bit confused. You are transferring credits already earned to a new school, and finishing via distance?
If you are renting, whats a realtor got to do with anything?
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Maybe you could use a second job. I don't discuss it on this forum, but to make ends meet I dress up like this and sell pictures on the internet. You'd be surprised how lucrative it can be.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/ZZ7C158228.jpg)
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Rent that spare room out!
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i hate doing dishes and equate every hour of dishwashing to lost pay. i do this when i cook as well. today i will make brown rice, red potatoes and chicken. they have fancy names but that will suffice. i do not cook but i can.
i hate cleaning up after cooking and trying to use all the produce. most of the perishables go bad so i have to be better about buying groceries and making time to cook and clean.
best,
d
I feel ya. The trick is to clean as you go. Have the sink filled with hot water and detergent and wash as you finish at each step. Chopped vegies? Once you've got the cunts in the pan or whatever, then wash your board, knife and sundry other things.
Rinse and repeat at each stage.
That way you don't end up with a whole pile of dishes, pots and pans at the end when you've got a belly full of good tucker and can't be fucked doing anything.
MtD
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Mint.com You'll be surprised where you're pissing away money without realizing it.
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I feel ya. The trick is to clean as you go. Have the sink filled with hot water and detergent and wash as you finish at each step. Chopped vegies? Once you've got the cunts in the pan or whatever, then wash your board, knife and sundry other things.
That's the same way I do it -
BTW, tonight's dinner was Bottom Roast which I prepared last night and cooked in the slow cooker (for 10 hours) while I was at work (came out so tender) - served with garlic mashed potatoes w/ beef gravy and honey-glazed carrots.
In sticking with the budget theme, I always try to budget my groceries, but still allow for at least steak, a good roast, or other "higher" priced food item at least once every week or two. The roast was about $14; potatoes another $3; carrots $ 2--- so, total price for the meal came about to around $19. That's why it is sometimes easier to eat out (less expensive) - but I will have leftovers for lunch (even though I'm not a big leftover lover)
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Save money and use a ledger/accounting notebook instead of fancy software :)
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I feel ya. The trick is to clean as you go. Have the sink filled with hot water and detergent and wash as you finish at each step. Chopped vegies? Once you've got the cunts in the pan or whatever, then wash your board, knife and sundry other things.
Rinse and repeat at each stage.
That way you don't end up with a whole pile of dishes, pots and pans at the end when you've got a belly full of good tucker and can't be fucked doing anything.
MtD
Good advice and the reason I never let my best bud cook at my house , he wrecks the kitchen and will stand there watching water boil when he could be cleaning along the way . This is one of my pet peeves if you couldn't tell .
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Take it from someone who worked in retail for 20 years. WATCH OUT FOR SALES, sometimes they are not the best. 3/$1.00 is the same as 33 cents each. Department stores are worse at this then grocery stores.
Shop at those grocery stores that have scratch and dent stuff. Watch out for the dents in the canned stuff, make sure they aren't to bad. Check the expiration dates also. Sometimes it's just that the season is done, halloween candy at thanksgiving.
Most grocery stores have a section in the meat part that has meat close to expiring for sale cheap. Just freeze it or use it right away. I used to buy pot roast that way, it was buy one get one.
Generic food is usually just as good as the name brand. Although generic pop tarts taste like cardboard.
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Now in most Australian supermarkets they use per unit pricing. So a block of cheese might be $x per kg but they also give the price per 100 gms which helps you compare which is the better deal.
Dunno if they do this in the States. It's a useful thing when shopping on a budget.
MtD
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Dunno if they do this in the States.
Yes, that's done here and has been for a couple of decades.
Naturally I only shop at specialty organic shops so this is irrelevant.
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Yes, that's done here and has been for a couple of decades.
Naturally I only shop at specialty organic shops so this is irrelevant.
Organic? Really?
Heh. :)
MtD
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Maybe you could use a second job. I don't discuss it on this forum, but to make ends meet I dress up like this and sell pictures on the internet. You'd be surprised how lucrative it can be.
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/ZZ7C158228.jpg)
That's hot.
Save money and use a ledger/accounting notebook instead of fancy software :)
Then he'd have to actually learn accounting/bookkeeping which seems not one of his priorities, if he's currently having budgeting issues. Maybe quick fixes are a part of the MBA core curriculum :o
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does anyone have any good budgeting strategies?
I say stop doing it for free. Charge for it.
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...
BTW, tonight's dinner was Bottom Roast which I prepared last night and cooked in the slow cooker (for 10 hours) while I was at work (came out so tender) - served with garlic mashed potatoes w/ beef gravy and honey-glazed carrots.
...
I can't believe no one commented on Laudy's "bottom roast". Personally, I love bottoms that are tender and juicy.
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I can't believe no one commented on Laudy's "bottom roast". Personally, I love bottoms that are tender and juicy.
My BOTTOM roast was very tender, warm, and juicy ::)
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I spent the same amount of money as Phil-DEE but got 3 large locally raised, organic lamb sausages, a tub of squid ink fresh linguine, and garlic/pecan pesto -- enough to last me 3 meals in moderate sized portions. Cooking time was 10 minutes for entire meal.
Also, no coupons! :)
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I spent the same amount of money as Phil-DEE but got 3 large locally raised, organic lamb sausages, a tub of squid ink fresh linguine, and garlic/pecan pesto -- enough to last me 3 meals in moderate sized portions. Cooking time was 10 minutes for entire meal.
Also, no coupons! :)
I suppose I should make some innuendo about your sausages, since I did so with Phil-DEE's bottom roast. However, I shall refrain.
It almost seems a shame to take lamb and use it for sausage, but some parts of even a young animal are just too tough.
I wonder what happened to the squid that gave up its ink for your pasta? I like to marinate and grill it -- hot flame, very quickly.
And so we have yet another thread that turns into food.
In the interest of turning this back to budgeting, I use coupons mostly for things like paper and plastic goods, condiments, cleaners and detergents, etc.
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I spent the first half of my life obsessing over sex ... the second half is quickly becoming about good food ... after sex .
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Nobody is buying the artichokes it seems except me, at 1 buck each I got two huge ones last week and again this week. It just takes awhile to prepare but fun to snack on while watching video. These are huge, local and the heart is the size of a small hamburger.
( Rachel Maddow make a cocktail on her show last year - gin and tonic with a shot of artichoke liqueur floated on the top. )
There are many veges nobody really wants anymore and they are cheap. I go through a beet phase once or twice a year. Turnips, parsnips, many squashes. Cauliflower. Leeks. Brussell sprouts and cabbage. these get me through the winter - the old farmers are still growing them, thank god.
Dandelion greens. And now Artichokes. The Rhubarb didn't fall much in price when it was finally local season.
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I thought of this thread when I logged onto my bank site today. That little 'should I look?' feeling was there as the screen presented itself with my sad sad account balance.
Note to self: Stay home for the next month and eat from the garden.
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This deserves a hearty LOL:
I wonder what happened to the squid that gave up its ink for your pasta?
I have a helpful hint that has saved me hundreds of dollars... I have been using the same disposal blade on my Schick Titanium for over 6-7 months. How you ask? I dry off the blade completely after each use and put it away in a drawer. If you do this everytime your blade will not wear out as it's the water that ruins a blade. Dont just leave your blade in the shower, dry it and put it away. THis will work on any disposable razor, whether it be the cheap Bics or the expensive stuff. I have saved hudnreds of $$$ this way because it was costing me $20 each time I bought replacement blades and they only lasted about 3 weeks.
Now i just whistle as I pass the blades in the store.
Try it.!
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I spent the first half of my life obsessing over sex ... the second half is quickly becoming about good food ... after sex .
You must work up quite an appetite. ;)
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"D" just make up a monthly buget and stick to that, don't divate from it, unless you have too, that's what I do every month, if I cannot buy something I want, I can always buy what I need, and try and save whatever is left over, I've had 12 yrs. to perfect this, and I can tell you it really works too , not to mention I'm a cheap mo fo ;D
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I think this forum need a separate section for discussion on accounting and auditing. :-*
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I spent the first half of my life obsessing over sex ... the second half is quickly becoming about good food ... after sex .
thumbs up!
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I thought of this thread when I logged onto my bank site today. That little 'should I look?' feeling was there as the screen presented itself with my sad sad account balance.
Note to self: Stay home for the next month and eat from the garden.
my staycation last week had me cooking and cleaning all week. my bank account is very sad and i need some better control. at least you have a garden!
best,
d
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This deserves a hearty LOL:
I have a helpful hint that has saved me hundreds of dollars... I have been using the same disposal blade on my Schick Titanium for over 6-7 months. How you ask? I dry off the blade completely after each use and put it away in a drawer. If you do this everytime your blade will not wear out as it's the water that ruins a blade. Dont just leave your blade in the shower, dry it and put it away. THis will work on any disposable razor, whether it be the cheap Bics or the expensive stuff. I have saved hudnreds of $$$ this way because it was costing me $20 each time I bought replacement blades and they only lasted about 3 weeks.
Now i just whistle as I pass the blades in the store.
Try it.!
since i shave my head daily i will have to look into this. I'd love to get roommates but you know i have issues. i just wish i wouldn't have caught the last two snooping through my shit. i had some really great roommates before that and want that experience again.
but the pot smoking and hiv thing have made me a bit paranoid (i feel like people will undermine me if they find out, go figure). i dunno, my fucking therapist just retired and i miss him soooo much.
anyhow, renting a room and budgeting seem to be the best ways to go.
best,
d
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oh shit, i totally forgot what i was going to post...
so i went to the realtor people and they pulled my credit report. i had on my best poker face and the results can back a little lower than expected. due to my reluctance to pull my head out of my ass and stare at my financials on a regular basis two items had fucked up my credit score.
1 - dept of education. i still have a few years left of deferment but i'd rather start paying now so in 30 years i can be free :-\. a simple 5 minute call took care of it, why the fuck did i wait so long. i was like 90 days late and shit and the credit score took a hit. they put me back on deferment long enough to get back in school (here's that fucking circle) and they went back and fixed my missed payments. my fico score will be updated in a month or two.
2. medical bills. it was seriously for $200 or so bucks. setup a payment plan and it will be removed in a month. another simple 5 minute call.
the last 13 years will be sparkly once again. 10 minutes. note to self, an ounce of financial prevention is worth a pound of being financially fucked.
i ignored all the phone calls and watched the bills pile up. fuck being apathetic....too bad i can't help it most of the time. it's on my list of things to do.
best,
d
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also, if anyone has any tips for boosting a credit score i'd greatly appreciate it.
best,
d
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also, if anyone has any tips for boosting a credit score i'd greatly appreciate it.
best,
d
yeah, pay-off your debts, if your carrying a balance from month to month your wasting your money, on interest, I only use Credit Cards so they do ding me on a usage-score, how's 845, that is what my was 2 months ago, my hubby's is 870 and we don't owe a swinging dick anything ;)
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so my friend talked some sense into me and made me reevaluate a major financial decision i was making. i will take part of his advice. also, today will be the day to implement the budget and the savings account!
i also know i put this out there - does anyone know of any ways to improve a fico score. i came across this article this morning and wanted to share. my fico was fucked because of a medical bill and student loans. both have been taken care of. now my ghetto ass will be hanging all unpaid bills on the front door (40 bucks for labs, 30 bucks for an old bill that i didn't think twice about). one im sure won't get reported but i will pay it. im thinking its more about ethics and reinforcing good habits at this point.
ive been really good about not using credit over the last 2 years (only use it for school stuff and car stuff) and the last year has been a great improvement with fucked up bank charges (overdrafts and whatnot). im paying more towards the credit too. i also am checking my bank account at least once every 2 weeks (the second week is just to confirm nothing is there, lol).
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5658150/five_simple_ways_to_reestablish_your_pg2.html?cat=3
Five Simple Ways to Re-Establish Your Credit
By Jimmy Collins
If you are like many Americans today you may have hit a few snags in the credit department. Perhaps you lost a job or some other unforeseen even took place and prevented you from paying your debts on time. Maybe you just got caught in the credit trap and got overextended. Whatever the case may be, there is a way to dig yourself out of the hole you are in and re-establish your credit.
When I was a stock broker I always had people ask me for fast and easy tips to get their credit re-established. What I would always explain is that while there are many ways in which you can re-establish your credit, there are no shortcuts. The process is one that takes time, but it can be done. Here are five simple ways to make sure your credit score will climb instead of drop:
1. Pay on Time: This is a no brainer, but really it is also a quick and easy tip to re-establish credit. Paying all of your credit cards and other debts on time will keep your credit score from dropping any further and over time will help to bring it up as well.
2. Don't Close Accounts: Unless you are being charged a fee to have credit card accounts open, don't close them after you have paid them off. This will actually hurt your credit score, not help it. The credit bureaus will look at a zero balance on a credit card much more favorably then an account that has been closed as an open account shows that credit is established and a closed account shows nothing.
3. Get a Savings Account: Getting a savings account shows some financial stability on your part and can be used as collateral on certain types of loans.
4. Pay Down Balances Evenly: While you do eventually want to pay down all of your balances to nothing, you should spread the money that you will use evenly over all of your debts. One low balance on debt and four high balances on other debts are not as favorable to creditors as seeing five balances that are right in the middle of what is owed and what the limit is.
5. Don't Apply for too Many Accounts: Every time you apply for a credit card or a loan of some type, your
credit is run. Applying for too many accounts over a short period of time can be disastrous to your credit. Instead of trying to establish new credit, work on what you already have and then go for new accounts when your credit score is higher.
Remember, that it took you some time to get into the financial mess that you may be in and so it makes sense that it will take you some time for you to get out. By applying these five simple tips to help you re-establish your credit, you can get your credit back on track and have your credit score begin to climb before you know it.
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Watch Suze Orman. You can get the entire show as a podcast, so its convenient, and FREE.
I find it inspirational, funny, and sometimes quite scary when it reminds me how irresponsible I am. But the inspirational part is there are plenty of people in the same boat, and Suze usually says its never hopeless, and also she often shows that sometimes you dont have a choice - there's only one acceptable action to take. :o
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so i got a call from my last creditor while i was at work. it was a rather unpleasant collection call and i think it is the last one! finally brought all my extremely outstanding shit current and now just to start chipping away at the debt. still have to send in the dept of ed the required forms to put the student loans in check.
suzy orman here i come! thanks for the recommendation!
best,
d
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Watch Suze Orman. You can get the entire show as a podcast, so its convenient, and FREE.
I find it inspirational, funny, and sometimes quite scary when it reminds me how irresponsible I am. But the inspirational part is there are plenty of people in the same boat, and Suze usually says its never hopeless, and also she often shows that sometimes you dont have a choice - there's only one acceptable action to take. :o
I didn't know she's got free podcasts. I've seen her shows on TV several times, but I credit reading her book, The Nine Steps to Financial Freedom, with helping me take a look at how I formed my attitudes toward money and make changes. That was in 1998, I think. I don't have 'financial freedom', but I made changes over time that have all added up and will continue.
Spend some, save some, live within your means, chuck the activities that cost money and health: cigs, blow, too much booze, unused gym memberships. Overall, contain unnecessary shopping. Go 'pretend' shopping. Look at the stuff, envision buying it, owning it, wearing or sitting on it and then, envision that money sitting in an account waiting to work for you in an even more fantastic way.
d: you did the right thing by getting on those naggy items that are affecting your credit score. Getting a free annual report helps you to monitor that those items/errors are addressed.
Do you have to have a roommate? Could you budget so that you don't need one OR move somewhere you can afford on your own? I ask because roommates are rarely a good match and the resulting stress can affect your health and the risk they pose can be costly in the wallet .
Here's an idea -- if you don't want to move, is there someone in the building who needs extra storage who would rent the roomie bedroom as a storage unit giving you added income, and limited human traffic.