How This Site Changed My LIfe

Fern · #1 (**permalink**) 08-19-2005, 12:07 PM

Let's see, since joining this site at summer's start, I have made the following material change based on feedback and support from others here:

1. closed out safe deposit box at bank (my papers are headed for the freezer)

2. Opened up an online bank account to take advantage of higher yields than my brick and mortar

3. increased 401k deduction

4. increased my monthly auto checking deduction into savings

5. Traded regularly on freecycle.org

Yeah, i probably would have done at least some of these things anyway, but daily visits to this site have certainly kep matters of money and frugality uppermost in my mind; these are the kinds of small changes that you often can put off, overlook or forget.

How about you?

terry1156 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2005, 03:47 PM

It is those small changes that add up over time that can add up to a nice bit of savings years down the road. I have too many ideas from this site that have adopted since I started visiting to list them all, but it is safe to say I have saved a few hundred dollars more a year at the very least because of this site.

Bluezy · #3 (**permalink**) 08-20-2005, 01:49 AM

From this site I've learned to look at my finances realistically. Along with a start towards CJ's Uni fund I now have my beloved EmigrantDirect savings, a free (no hidden charges) checking account, a decent cash stash for emergencies, and all my credit card debt paid in full (with only certain monthly expenses going on my card, to be paid in full at statement time).

ken1706 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-20-2005, 10:04 AM

Well, I just learned about that freezer-safe-deposit trick. I wasn't sure what was meant by that, but after some searching I found the safe deposit thread. Great idea! That's why I like this forum.

mom-from-missouri · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2005, 05:42 PM

hate to tell you folks, but having survived a house fire, THE FREEZER IS THE LAST THING TO BURN, BUT IT WILL BURN!!! I lost papers and old family photos that can never be replaced. The plastic inside the freezer melts, and drips down, produces a toxic black smoky smug that won't clean off stuff, and will eventually ignight. My freezer was in my utility room. The utility room or kitchen is apprently the worse place to keep your freezer--it is near the sewer and gas lines, which contain combustables, and has the highest concentration of heat. If the fire is put out asap, your are fine, If it is a hot fire, that the fire dept has trouble getting out, such as mine was, its toast (litterly). I now spend the $45 a year for a box. If I kept a higher amount in my checking, I could get my safety deposit box for free from the bank.

2moretrees · #6 (**permalink**) 08-21-2005, 06:50 AM

Lots of support when I was feeling discouraged and wanted to give up. it is a great place to stay focused and motivated.

I have also been learning a lot about investing. I don't have the money right now, but when I do, I already have some good information stored in my head from discussions I've read.

akaivyleaf · #7 (**permalink**) 08-21-2005, 01:46 PM

I must agree on the supportive and friendly tone of this list. I've not seen any online feuds here, and I've been here for about a year now. What a refreshing place to come and I've learned a lot. I have to agree, coming here daily fuels my frugality!

Bluezy · #8 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 01:38 AM

I, too, agree! I've witnessed bizarre behaviour on other sites along with mindless ramblings of pseudo financial intellectuals...it was exhausting!

This is a fab forum that challenges our financial thinking.

Gailete · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 11:01 AM

I have been finding new ideas since I started lurking here. I needed to see something more than rewash your plastic bags kind of info. With being self-employed we have to stretch our income because we never know when the next job will come along. I used to do all the coupon clipping, double couponing, shopping for all the best deals, etc. Now it is just the 2 of us, coupons are lousy, everytime there is a really good sale I get a flare up and can't walk much less shop at several stores. So for groceries, I've learned to get most of my shelf stable stuff in quantity at Walmart, meat at one store and and odds and ends as needed at the pricier store here in town.

I look forward into catching up reading all the good advice here and looking for new ideas that have never occured to me.