Where else have you changed?

[kealina]

we've always been good at daily saving with vague long-term goals but since i've come here i've been paying more attention to long-term goals and savings and all the details...

[Great to be Debt Free]

I've only joined recently, but I am much more aware of what I was wasting. Money, energy, water, landfill space, etc. Now time is the one area I need to manage better. Currently I am so drawn to this site that I spend more time here than I should -- no offense, but with DH working out of town I am really isolating myself too much. So, in an effort to do better, and a way to further reduce costs I will definitely go to the gym tomorrow and then I'll shower there and use their hot water! We pay a lot for our membership, but it is really necessary for both of us and we are in a good financial place (no debt except house, etc., etc). And we go alot (usually 4-5 x per week, and me sometimes 2x a day). Just last week I got off track.

[Bookie]

It's still a financial change, but this place has absolutely ruined impulse spending for me.

The innocent joy of casually picking up a gadget because it looks useful gets hauled up short as the impulse police start their interrogation:

• What will this do that you cannot do without it?
• How have you managed to accomplish the same task in the past?
• What do you currently have that would serve as an alternative?
• How often do you really expect to use said gadget?

"All right already. I'll put it back." Thrift is such a killjoy.

[LuxLiving]

Bookie - those were so well articulated!!

Broken Arrow - you are among the friendlies now!! I love the little cabins you highlighted the other day!

[Ima saver]

It is amazing how long you can go without spending money, other than paying bills and buying groceries.

[Great to be Debt Free]

That's certainly true, at the same time, not spending on frivolous things means money can be available to help someone else out. My friend was in a car accident today -- everyone's okay but her car is totalled. Not her fault, the other driver ran a light. But I have a "gift and occasion" budget and so I was able to send her flowers. Just to let her know I'm glad she's okay and everything will work out. It's a small gesture, but one she'll get today, when she needs it. She has no sig other, and she loves fresh flowers but won't splurge on them for herself. I may be miles away, but she knows I'm here for her...

[Ima saver]

That is very sweet of you.!! That is worth splurging on.

[rob62521]

Hey, Broken Arrow, there are both men and women who are frugal -- you just met the wrong one, apparently. Glad you feel supported -- it can be a lonely ole' world out there!

[Broken Arrow]

Thank rob. I realize that now, but not before, when my perspective of women was largely shaped by one woman.

I've also become twice as determined towards financial goals since being here.

[Ima saver]

I even got my husband use to warmer temp. in the house. i use to keep the a/c set at about 70-72! Now I keep it on 77 for me in the daytime and turn it down to 76 for him at night. Last night it was running,(a/c) and dh says to me, it is too cool in here. It ws 76 in here so I turned it off. My elec. bill show that I used 100's of kilowatts less this year as compared to last year.

[rob62521]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

Thank rob. I realize that now, but not before, when my perspective of women was largely shaped by one woman.

I've also become twice as determined towards financial goals since being here.

Isn't it sad that we often are hurt by someone whom we thought we could trust! Sorry that one woman did you wrong!

[Ima saver]

Well, I don't have a clothes line, but I have clothes hanging all over the garage, dripping dry! That way i only have to run the dryer for a few minutes.

[shengmei]

I am much braver in dealing with people. I ask for samples all the time, everywhere, and I am not upset when someone says no.

[melissalt]

Someone else mentioned this earlier in the thread as well, but I have become much more deliberate in everything I do. Whether it is food, clothing, or the use of resources, I try to really think about whether I need or want something before I spend money on it. Before coming here, I thought leaving a couple lights on here or there wouldn't really matter much in my overall electric bill. With my new focus on deliberate use of resources, my bill has gone from $140/50 mo to $92 this month just by turning off lights when I leave the room, and turning off my fan when I go to work. I honestly had no idea such small things could make such a huge difference.

[Ima saver]

Wow, Melissa, that is a big difference. I take what I have left over from my electrical budget each month and add it to my challenge money!

[melissalt]

That's a great idea, however, I'm not quite that disciplined yet! I'm working on it though.