Bean counting and the 'latte factor'

[sweeps]

Various saving tips...
LINK

[jmjj215]

The author has a lot of great tips and does a good job of highlighting the heavy hitters of savings points in personal finance.

[Tree0164]

I think it a good article and I learned something new about the tax incentives for getting new windows for my house.

The little things add up though... how many people run to the atm each day and take out money here and there. Before you know the little extra cost several hundred dollars and they have no idea what they spent it on.

[niki_the_tiger]

Great article.

[jodi]

Some good points to the article, but I have to disagree with the premise that the little things don't matter. I think being watchful of the smaller expenses goes a long way toward the frugal mindset...i.e. getting away from the "entitlement" mindset that many people seem to have and that a few dollars here and there don't matter. Do we really need a $4 cup of coffee everyday? Designer clothes? The latest gadget? I guess it's all a matter of perspective...when I calculate how many minutes I had to work to get that cup of coffee, I will decide not to buy it 95% of the time.

[Luv2shop]

You only live once, so we need to treat ourselves

[Ima saver]

I have to agree, we do tend to buy too much "stuff". I would never pay $4 for a cup of coffee. No matter where I eat, I always order water with every meal.

[CRFSaver]

I guess the one thing I never skimp on is food. I dont concern myself with the cost of it. Of course I just order good ole rotgut coffee which is less then 2 bucks.

[Fern]

Originally Posted by jodi_m

Some good points to the article, but I have to disagree with the premise that the little things don't matter. I think being watchful of the smaller expenses goes a long way toward the frugal mindset...i.e. getting away from the "entitlement" mindset that many people seem to have and that a few dollars here and there don't matter. Do we really need a $4 cup of coffee everyday? Designer clothes? The latest gadget? I guess it's all a matter of perspective...when I calculate how many minutes I had to work to get that cup of coffee, I will decide not to buy it 95% of the time.

I think the thought behind that reference is that, assuming you have only so much time to devote to saving $ in various ways, it's better to focus on the big ticket items from which you can reap the greatest savings, and not obssess over little things that offer lower savings.

[rob62521]

Good article and much food for thought!

[TBH]

The author says
"Aren't you grown up enough to figure out how much you can and should spend on your morning cuppa?"

Well, no, that's the problem. Most people aren't making good decisions about their spending. That's why there's such a big consumer debt load in this country.

Her overall point is well taken: look for bigger ways to save money rather than nickel and diming the little stuff. I should take some of her advice (raise my insurance deductables, etc). But a lot of the stuff she mentions isn't really news.