What things do you do differently since you joined this forum?

[jaksilee]

1. I know how much money is actualy in my checking account, Not what the bank says I have.
2. I have a savings account with money in it and a plan for saving to it.
3. I know what bills I have to pay and when and what paycheck in the month they have to come out of. (i'm not calling it a budget, makes me not want to do it)
4. I have 3 credit cards that I never would have had if I hadn't looked at where I was spending poorly.
5. I have not overdrafted my checking account in almost a year. (this used to happen at least 2-3 times a month see #1) I can even have money in there that in my head I know is for a bill that was taken out early and still not spend it.
6. I have started my EF.
7. I try to think more about what I'm buying, if I really need it & if I can get it cheaper.

[lillyb]

I've realized that I'm not really that weird, there are others like me. I now view the rest of the human race (not in the 'know') as weird.

[markio26]

I Am More Alert And Know A Good Deal When I See One... I Pay My Bills Off As Soon As I Can... My Bills Are On Autopay From My Checking Account Or Epay When I Pay Lil Ones...i Think Before I React... I Plan Every Move I Make Prior To Execution Of The Plan... I Only Buy What I Need... No Sale... No Buy... I Declutter My House More And My Closets.. I Keep My Autos Better Serviced And Only Use Them For Necessary Errands...

[Ima saver]

I am keeping a written account of how many kwh's I use each day.(electricity) I also check out my savings and money market account every day to see how much interest they have earned.

[Gruntina]

1. Stopped using credit cards
2. Pay all my bills in advance as soon as I receive my paychecks.
3. Instead of trying to save as much money while paying debts, I try to put away as much money to paying off debts.
3. Took a part time job to be a live in attendant with someone that has a disability for exchange in free rent for awhile.
4. Read this site everyday on my lunch hour. Its been a year and I am finally making myself more known... Thank you all for all your advice and words...

[shengmei]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

I've always been a frugal saver type, though compared to some of you, it would appear I still have a long way to go!

The biggest thing is motivation. You see, a major part of the reason why my ex and I divorced was because I finally got fed up with all the stuff she wanted and the non-stop piling of debts. I finally put my foot down and she got depressed, claiming that I don't love her anymore. Then she had an affair on me with a guy who didn't mind showering her with money. Things were obviously more complicated and murky than that in real life, but that's my take on it anyways.

Consequently, I was villified by her and her friends for being this ugly creature who loved money more than her. Coming to a community like this one it made me realize that if I was, I wasn't the only one! No, but seriously, I feel like that maybe there's nothing wrong with me after all. Instead, maybe I'm actually financially sensible for wanting to be debt free for the rest of my life!

Thanks, everyone!

Your ex sounds like my BIL's ex. When I finally took a stand and refused to give her money, she tried to kill me.

[Bookie]

On-line banking is probably the biggest change since I found the forum. I've really gotten addicted to the convenience of paying bills and handling my accounts via the computer. I'm down to about three paper checks a month.

[razzxxx]

I used to spend $200 a week on groceries, but im still learning and being here has given me some great tips so im very careful about my spending now

[Ima saver]

I use to spend about $75 a week on groceries. Now I only buy what I need on sale, so my goraceries are usually less than $40 a week. I am getting lots of freebies in the mail, but I do not send off for them unless I will use them.

[razzxxx]

40 dollars a week, wow i wish i could do so but im aiming more at 100 dollars, thats big for me

[Ima saver]

But we eat out a lot and there is just 2 of us plus 2 dogs. (well, they eat too)

[crazyBMB]

We (and I mean me) have changed a lot of things like how we do our grocery shopping (coupons, coupons, coupons!), turning off lights we not in use, changing the temp on the A/C. and quite a few other items. I have made my fam very aware of the cost of possible gains for us as a family. When my DH saw the savings on paper, he jumped on the ideas!

[Ima saver]

I keep the airconditioner off a lot more than I use to. I hang the laundry all over the place so it can air dry for several hours. I am really enjoying the challenge!

[Koppur]

*I have (and stick - mostly) to a monthly budget.
*I stopped using credit cards.
*I began tracking my spending habits so I know where my money goes.
*I no longer have to borrow money for bills.
*I no longer have to stagger my bills, but can now pay each one every month.
*I have cut my grocery shopping down.
*I have started an EF!
*I have my 1st blog!
*I have been looking for more ways to make/save moeny, AND putting them to use!
*I've found a lot of encouragement and support from the great friends I've met here!
*I've lost a helpless feeling when it comes to money.

[JBinKC]

Nothing really just perhaps a bit more eccentric.

[Saving in So Cal]

I have, in no particularly order:

1. Opened and funded a GMAC bank account
2. Made account changes to lower my regular, long distance, and cellular telephone bills.
3. Increased my church offering, retirement savings, and mortgage payment.
4. Made better use of coupons and grocery store sales.
5. Developed a master grocery list to focus my grocery savings efforts.
6. Started a compost pile.
7. Joined Freecycle.org.
8. Added thriftstores to my shopping routes.
9. Started depositing my dependent care account reimbursement checks in my savings account instead of my checking account.

[LuxLiving]

Started a blog.
Began couponing again - lost my box years back and never replaced it. Starting slowly and
may get back into rebating in the future.
Trolling this site throughout the day.
Made new online friends.
Unplugging appliances for those ghost savings.
Started the $20 Challenge
Refocusing on reducing my mortgage debt! SLASH & BURN - Gonna go GAZELLE on it!!

1. I started opening two mutual funds for Travel and a house/car, now I can look forward to making my dream come true a little bit faster.
2. I become more and more conscious of money... I'm trying to balance my spending and saving right now because I am trying to save every penny I have.
3. I'm looking at different ways to save money and get benefit with it.
4. I enjoy living a simple life with simple things... I'm not materialistic anymore, well I never was one but I don't have a lot of wants anymore. I feel a lot of confident with what I have.
5. I pay more attention on what the media is sending the message to us.
6. I start writting my expense down.
7. I like to make more money.
8. I'm thinking of opening an RRSP early next year.
9. Oh yeah, I start saving my change in a piggy bank =P