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

[Ima saver]

Several things have changed for me. What do you do differently since you joined this forum?

[no_more_oilily]

I have stopped buying clothes for my daughter and I never in a million years thought I would sell her very sort after large not needed collection of clothing.
I have sold a heap more yesterday and today.

[boefixepa]

I have gotten much more motivated and set some really hard, but attainable goals.
1. Get the second paid off in 3 years - if invest property does not sell or one year if it does.
2. Spend $50.00 a month on food.
I have been looking for ways to cut everything possible from my budget and moving it toward goal # 1. I have read some of the books suggested on the site and have been additionally motivated and recieved some great ideas. Most importantly my attitude is sifting. It's changing to see what I am doing as the wiser choice. I use to sulk and hide what I was doing, feeling ashamed a little I guess, for not wanting to eat out, buy the expensive clothes or cooking from scratch. Now I do it with my head held high, knowing I am making wise choices for the furture. I know that I am taking the road less traveled in today's society, but I know this road leads to peace of mind, financial security, and a retirement I can live with.

I have my friends here to support and uplift me!! It's great!

[PrincessPerky]

Everything!

I came here awile ago, Since then, I spend less each month, with an extra kid, and I actually ahve an EF!

I eat better, but cheaper, clean more but smarter, party more (but again cheaper), budget in the black (well excepting the house and car..)and have soooo much less stress about money, I even balance the checkbook more often..with no fear of finding a new overdrawn charge!

[Thrifty Ray]

I spend alot more time on the internet reading all the posts.

I have a $20 challenge fund that is now up to $400

I have lots of gift cards that I never would have had otherwise

Ive earned $130 in bonuses for opening accounts or referring family to open accounts.

Ive joined a coupon train.

I am getting my shipping costs reimbursed from insiders club.

I have almost 1300 'my points' points and still going strong.

I have wished on the God of Wealth coin...

I have made some wonderful new 'friends'.

and much more...but thats good for now!

[Ima saver]

I have really learned to use coupons and my advantage card to save money on groceries. I have learned to stock up when something I use a lot is on sale. I don't have to spend $8 a week on diet sprite because I really stocked up when it was on sale 4/$10. (I was paying $4 a 12 pack) My grocery shopping a week is only about $30 now. I make a grocery list (always have) but if something on my list is not on sale ( like miracle whip) I keep it on my list until it goes on sale. The open jar I have now will last quite a while until I find it on sale.

[miclason]

well...the greatest changes are 1. I HAVE a budget! (God knows I don't stick to it faithfully, but, at least I'm AWARE...and, I really try to be closer to the budgeted amounts with every passing month!) - as a result, I no longer have to sit down and whine about there not being enough $$$ -- I can stand up and kick myself for blowing it on the wrong stuff! :P

...also, the $20 challenge has helped me get up and SEEK new ways to make more money..that is a very big change...before I came to this site, I wasn't as motivated...

I've still got a loooooooooong way to go, but, I'd say my attitude towards money and spending has improved in about 60%

[Ima saver]

I love the $20 challenge too. Instead of keeping that $$ I saved using coupons in my wallet, I physically take out the money and put it where my challenge money goes. Then I deposit it about once a month!!

[getforfree]

I used coupons and rebates and was looking for good deals before I joined this site. I also cooked from scruch.

Now in addition to that I get much more free sampless and stuff than before.
Now, whatever I am doing, I always think how much does it cost me to do it (like eat, use something) or how much I save by doing it.
I didn't stockpile as much before. Now I know that turkeys are cheap for thanksgiving, flawer and sugar before christmass, and most fruits--in august. I stock up. I make sure I empty my freezer and get it ready for turkeys, so they would last my untill february, and when I buy baking supplies I buy enough to last me whole year. Well, it almost impossible to stock up on fruits, but when they are cheap, we eat tons of them and less of everything else. Because I know I won't be buying that much fruit later on unless I find some good deals.
I never even heard of EF untill I joined this website. Now I have one.

[boomeyers]

I agree with Ray, I spend a lot more time on the computer!
I also have an accountiblity to you guys. To tell the truth about my spending and be up front about it - good or bad.

[lrjohnson]

Well, I wouldn't have attempted to living on (CA) Minimum Wage without these forums. That means I'm cutting my spending by 32%, and living on less than half my net income. That means I've cut spending on dining out and entertainment by large margins (though in other areas I was doing fair).

I'm reveling in frugality-it's protection against gluttony and ingratitude. Instead of just spending less, I'm enjoying spending less and being freed by spending less.

I now have frugal buddies, so I feel less like an oddball.

I'm blogging for the first time ever.

I'm excercising more and watching less TV.

I'm rooting for pals all round the world.

I'm enjoying treats more, by making them actual treats.

[Ima saver]

Not only am I watching my grocery shopping more closely, but I am starting to work on cutting down on my electric bills. I certainly think about it, before I buy something. Do I really need this, is this a need or a want?? I sent back my last two orders from QVC because I really did not need the clothes I ordered. I like having frugal friends, wish you all lived closer!!

[Ima saver]

I am starting to wait to buy things when they come on sale. I need to buy hair coloring for myself, but I am waiting. In todays paper, was a coupon for $2 off, my brand, yeah!!

[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!

The other thing is research and getting tips on saving and investment ideas. Wanting to save and invest is great and all, but I obviously needed to know how, and I appreciate how this forum has helped me out in this capacity as well.

Thanks, everyone!

[Ima saver]

There is definately nothing wrong with you! If all my spouse wanted to do was spend, spend, spend, he and I would have parted company a long time ago. A woman wants to feel secure and you can't feel that way with debts and credit cards hanging over your head. This forum is great support for everyone wanted to live a debt free, happy life!!

[sakigt]

Originally Posted by boomeyers

I agree with Ray, I spend a lot more time on the computer!
I also have an accountiblity to you guys. To tell the truth about my spending and be up front about it - good or bad.

I agree about the accountability!

Lets see...
I use coupons a lot more...even joined my first coupon train! (my b/f was like...a coupon what? lol)

I eat in a lot more and actually enjoy it. I used to eat out all the time and justify it by saying a trip to the store is not much cheaper. Oh but it is if you use coupons and shop the sales!

I also am building up my Emergency Fund. I used to dump any extra money into paying down my credit cards but realized I had credit cards in the first place b/c of emergencies! Well duh, Lauren! lol

[Ima saver]

i washed two rugs today (doggie accident, not her fault) Normally I would have put them in the dryer but now they are out on the back porch, drying over some chairs.

[PauletteGoddard]

1. I switched long-distance telecommunications providers.
2. I am investigating and applying at different preschools that better serve my family.
3. I buy and eat less meat.
4. I use the clothes line inside the house to dry clothes.
5. I use a tub for rinsing dishes rather than let the water run.
6. I unplug appliances (without clocks that need resetting) when not in use.

[LISA178]

Clip coupons and cut back on the food bill.

Think twice before purchasing anything.

Shut lights off when ever possible.

Raise the temp on the A/C

Lowered the thermostat on the heat.

I use less hot water.

When I use the oven make more than one meal at a time.

Don't keep refrigerator door open.

Stock pile of toothpaste ,deodorant
,razors,dishsoap.

Spend more time on the internet(LOL)

[zakity]

I feel like less of a freak. Most of the people I know are spendthrifts and they think I am totally cheap because I won't spend my money like they do.