How many days can I go without spending money???

[leda]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this! And after the holiday's too! Early December, we got a letter in the mail stating that someone had messed up my hubby's taxes and that we owed a fair bit. We were only given two weeks to pay. Right before my son's bday, Christmas, and my bday!
I hope things get better for you!!! If I had any FPC's to offer, I would, but I don't at this time. I will keep you in mind though. If coupons would help, please pm me. I know you are trying to not spend money, but if you are in need of any extra coupons for when you do need to buy, please pm me and I will send you out an envie!

[Shwa Girl]

I know you are trying to not spend money, but if you are in need of any extra coupons for when you do need to buy, please pm me and I will send you out an envie!

Very kind of you.

[LifeisBeautiful]

Best of luck to you and your family.

A prudent rule for life insurance is that insurance should not make you better OR worse off if something happens to any member of your family.
Most people actually have too much insurance.
Go to an independent broker as others on here suggested, but keep in mind that you can roughly gauge how much coverage you need by estimating the money each member brings in (minus "savings" if they die e.g. an extra car, insurance, smaller house, etc) and multiplying it by the number of years of expected employment til retirement, also keeping in mind that a stay-at-home parent, even if not earning income, if he/she dies, caregiving for kids, housekeeping, etc. maybe required.
A good independent broker should know how to calculate this for you. And remind you that your insurance needs will change over time.

[babyluck]

Congrats on the savings! We called Bell and they decreased our cable bill by $28 each month...after March it'll just be Netflix and internet streaming - no cable, so another savings on the way. Re the cell phones, that's area we have to do better in but i'm in a contract and hubby too..but we are both with Rogers. Will give a call and see if bundling is an option for us despite current contracts. Thanks for the the nudge to check in to this.

I don't know if Rogers will let you do that, at least they didn't let us. Or I should say they did, but they started a new 3 year contract since the day my husband called to bundle it, we've been with rogers since march 2008, and we still have until dec 31 of 2013 to fullfil the term without being charged extra, that's almost another 2 yrs. I HATE rogers. Anyways, be careful when you change your plan. and good luck!

[babyluck]

I hope things work out for you. I just started this month to track down my spendings, I was surprised how much extra money we're spending. There are a lot of good tips on this thread.

[leda]

Very kind of you.

Thank you! I know what it's like to be caught in a tough spot, and I hate seeing people go through financial trouble or stress. I could always find some coupons to spare!

[kristeven]

I hope things work out for you. I just started this month to track down my spendings, I was surprised how much extra money we're spending. There are a lot of good tips on this thread.

Tracking spending is REALLY eye opening. I've tracked every cent I've spent (groceries, restaurant, gas, gifts) since January 2, 2012. I'm shocked by how much I let slip through my fingers in less than one month, but also very happy by how I've made great use of sales, coupons and points. Tracking my spending is showing me where I can make easy cuts to my spending.
Hope that things get better for you soon.

[angelamary]

I don't know if Rogers will let you do that, at least they didn't let us. Or I should say they did, but they started a new 3 year contract since the day my husband called to bundle it, we've been with rogers since march 2008, and we still have until dec 31 of 2013 to fullfil the term without being charged extra, that's almost another 2 yrs. I HATE rogers. Anyways, be careful when you change your plan. and good luck!

It is true that if you bundle you may be entering a new contract. Make sure you know the details and what the expectations are. We got suckered into a Direct Energy contract that we figured out we got taken for more money than I want to admit, we were trying to ride it out, but I checked into the prorated early cancellation fee. We opted for the fee, made the money back in a month rather than spending that much more monthly for another year. We paid for our mistake dearly, but doing the research can definitely tell you everything. Get all the details before you say yes, and we have heated our home for way less this winter than the last 4 winters. Same goes for cell phones. Know what you are getting into and how to get out. Good luck to all with saving!

[minouchefreedom]

I stopped watching TV years ago...would rather watch a movie...or be online checking for the latest coupon!!..at one time we had the PVR box because my ex boyfriend had to watch his 4 months of football.....and that rolled into many more added months of an off the wall cable bill......till I said thats it..enough!! We had so many extra channels..etc....bill was close to $200 a month...more than a 1/4 of my income now......ak!! Cable box went back, and I cancelled most of it...now want to get rid of the rest......its a time waster as far as I am concerned, and a huge drain finantially!!
Our Shaw bill dropped to just over $100...still way too much.....he is moving this weekend, taking the phone number with him, then I am cancelling the land line, that reduces it by $35 a month....getting a pay as you go cell phone for my mother when she is alone in the house with my grand daughter, for her safety!
Now I need to convince my 23 year old daughter who lives in the basement suite with her 4 year old daughter, that we need to cancel cable as well, just keeping internet......and just use her Netflix account to enjoy a movie if we feel the need to stare at the square box....lol!!

[frugalmom]

Well this is Day 4 but it seems like day 40!LOL I not only spent nothing OOP but I took several things back to WM and came home with a 20.00 giftcard 2 nights ago.I did not take any money to the store when I went. I'll update you all in a day or 2. What a "HUGE EYE OPENER" this experience has been. Keep your ideas coming. Thanks











I did not take any $ with me to the store which is about 8 blocks away. I'll update with the changes we have made to our budget in a day or 2. We still have to sit down with our Insurance Broker. What a "HUGE EYE OPENER" this has all been.

[Tweetybird999]

Well this is Day 4 but it seems like day 40!LOL I not only spent nothing OOP but I took several things back to WM and came home with a 20.00 giftcard 2 nights ago.I did not take any money to the store when I went. I'll update you all in a day or 2. What a "HUGE EYE OPENER" this experience has been. Keep your ideas coming. Than

I did not take any $ with me to the store which is about 8 blocks away. I'll update with the changes we have made to our budget in a day or 2. We still have to sit down with our Insurance Broker. What a "HUGE EYE OPENER" this has all been.

did you walk to the store?

[frugalmom]

did you walk to the store?

No I will confess I drove. Good call though. Wasn't going to tell you about any changes yet but we just took one car off the road yesterday so we are down to one vehicle. Needless to say I will be doing alot more walking!!!

[lighthousejen]

It's ok walking is really good for you anyways

[Carlyfalls]

I personally think Life Insurance is really important. I'm a single mother of 1 and I have over 500,000 in insurance. Not to mention another 40000 through work. If you think you are overpaying, perhaps find yourself a new financial planner, and have them show you the options. There are lots of insurance policies that are actually investments as opposed to just a monthly fee. You end up making money in the long run.

Find a good financial planner, they won't cost you a dime, and it will be super helpful in making sure you aren't overpaying.

[itchy54]

akkkkk, before you choose life insurance as an "investment" please google it and get all the information!! I tend to stay away from things that make other people rich with my money....