What brings you here?

[DivaJen]

I was just wondering what brought people here, in terms of financial goals and motivations.

DH and I are not in debt, and we do have savings. So for me, my motivation is not to get out of debt. Rather, I think it is two-fold: to stay motivated to adopt a more frugal lifestyle, and to learn to be more financially savvy so that the money we do have works harder for us. Dh and I want to retire early'ish (in our 50's), we want to pay for DD's college education, and we want to pay off our home within the next 18 years. Coming here helps me stay focused on both short-term and long-term saving goals.

[PennyPincher]

I am in the same position, DivaJen! I am fortunate (no medical bills, etc.) and have worked hard to remain out of debt, but the motivation is important. When I spend time on this site, I am more likely to skip the Starbucks or think about my purchases. It keeps me focused on my financial goals while being a reminder of what I've accomplished so far.

Most of my frugality comes from witnessing my mom and her saving ways when I was younger. I also spent several years as a math teacher, and didn't have a high salary. Plus, I had to plan for the 2 months I didn't receive a paycheck...

However, debt is a norm for at least 60% of my friends ~ even some of those that make insane amounts of money! It's all about living within (or ideally, below) one's means. I am amazed + inspired by what so many on this site have shared, and it's what keeps me coming back all the time.

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by PennyPincher

I also spent several years as a math teacher, and didn't have a high salary. Plus, I had to plan for the 2 months I didn't receive a paycheck...

Me too!

[Armywife]

DH and I have freed ourselves from credit card debts but we have a few "good bills" left. Student Loans & the mortgage. Ughh and there's also the lease eyesore in my driveway.

I feel it is essential to find new ways to save.. not to simply give back the money we work so hard to earn during the 8 hour days. I'm tired of eking through the years with a little bit of money I "happened to save" only to throw it away during a few hardcore shopping bouts. The things I've learned here I am also passing along to my children in hopes that they will start a frugal way of living at an earlier age

Barb

[Momof3grls]

I came here to find new ways to save I have been a saver my whole life ever since I was a little kid I loved to make & save money. My husband on the other hand is a very hard worker but thinks we can spend spend spend. So I came here to get new ideas for me & my kids to save money. I am a sahm only doing odd jobs for money at the moment so I am trying to make what me & the kids get stretch as far as possible. We have a little debt but working hard to pay that off & get my house paid off this year. So Here I am

[jacquelynrose]

I came here because I some Savings Goals that really need to be accomplished and this website really motivates you to do it. My goal is to save for a Car and Apartment and eventually have something in Savings and get into Real Estate Investing. I think also the Frugal Lifestyle is fun and organized.

Jacquelyn

[Tree0164]

Jen Great question! I am in similar place as you. No outstanding debt (have paid it off only recently) but want to live the frugal lifestyle so we don't have more debt in the future hanging over our heads. I love the motivation from these boards and just sharing advice and ideas.

[PrincessPerky]

I have debt due to a combination of medical bills and slow adaptation, I came here first to find out where exactly I was in my finacial life, it used to be sort of a don't ask don't tell position .

Anyway I got the budget balenced, mostly, and am on my way to paying off the cc somtime this century, hopefully after that I can look into something to prepare for future medical troubles, and doubly hopeful that I can learn to adapt to less money in/more money out sooner.

[PRICEPLUS]

Well, I found this site whilst looking at other money saving sites. This site is a treasure trove of ideas for savings. This site makes savings fun. So I guess I'll be here for quite a long time.

I'm here looking for ways to save money. I have no credit card debt, but I'm a sophomore in college, and already owe about $5000 in student loans. Luckily, one qualified for subsidized interest, where the Gov't pays the interest until I graduate. The other one didn't, and has a 2.77% interest rate I believe. I also will be required to pay off my parents' loans when I graduate, which currently total $16,000. They are paying the interest, but since I chose a school my dad didn't want me to go to (even though the tuition is cheaper here, he wanted me to go to a school close to home b/c he's a huge college bball fan and wanted me to get him into games...). He also doesn't like the fact that I'm going to school to be a teacher. Anyways, the point is, any money from them comes reluctantly, and they don't have much to give, which is why they have to get loans as well. I do feel bad for them because they are on the verge of declaring bancruptcy. I have directed my mom to these and other sites to help, but the debt is due to my dad's failing business. Anyways, I plan to teach calculus in Manhatten when I graduate. Possibly even go for my Ph.D. and teach at a college. Unless I do the latter, I won't have much money to pay for all this debt I'm accumulating. I've applied for grants, but didn't ever qualify for any. I wouldn't have my parents get loans, but the loan I get on my own isn't enough to pay for tuition, so I use it to help me with rent and bills when I'm not working. (My job is seasonal... I work at an amusement park that operates from the end of April to October 31st). I don't work as much during the school year because I find it difficult to focus on school. I've started a savings acct. with ING already with a little money I had left over after my tuition was payed. I've got over $1000 right now, so I was thinking this summer after I start working, I'd pay off a chunk of my loan that's accruing interest. Well, this turned out longer than I intended, sorry!

[Armywife]

Welcome and Congratulations for starting to think about your finances early in life! Many folks put off worrying about the future (bigg mistake). I am also on the student loan boat (I owe about 13K myself) but I'm paying interest plus a little extra until I'm done. There are lots of good tips for college budgeters.. especially in the freebies section

Post often and good luck!
Barb

Hey, thanks for the tip. I'll check out that forum today

[PRICEPLUS]

Lisasayzhi,

Check out tutoring. You'd be surprised what you can make per hour tutoring math. Just a thought as a friend of mine is doing it out here in the burbs. It might also enhance your teaching skills to boot.

Actually, the education program here requires me to tutor at schools around here for class credit. That takes up a lot of time that I would have outside of class. Right now I'm tutoring five kids, four 4th grade boys, and one 5th grade girl at a local elementary school. If they didn't require me to do it for no pay for class credit, I definitely would do it for extra income. Thanks anyways.