Ring in the Savings - January 2014 Frugal Chatter thread

[MrsSunshine]

I've learned the hard way this year to set your goals light and easy. more achievable that way.
I would normally have a whole list of goals.. not this year.. just dealing with our families extras will be MORE than I can deal with anyway.
The financial goals i'm sure dh will manage. he's quite good at it.
I may look at taking up a little hobby to make a bi of extra money if my hands can take it.

Anna.. there is nothing better than saying goodbye to debt.. we did that last year. then for other reasons beyond our control we ended up with a little again. .manageable but still.
I'm sure you'll love it in here with us. we yell, we cry, we shout with happiness it all happens in here.

[LuvToUseCoupons]

Sounds like most of us want to pay down our credit line this year. That is my one main goal this year.

So true! That seem to be the plan for most of us.

[Frugalbigmama]

Lazy day today! Cleaned the kitchen and that's about it. Son and I are finishing dip in the fridge with chips lol

[Frugalbigmama]

Yippee! Received the 950 bonus Airmiles for spending $300 on my Amex in November. Didn't have to call about them either they just added them. Yeah, so $100 to spend at Metro! Will do so when they have an awesome meat sale and other stuff to get the best bang for my buck!

[SassyAshley]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Trying to get back into the swing of things since I go back to work on Monday. One of the girl's from the office did the math and we ended up with 17 days off this year, it was nice to have a break but going back is so hard.

I got 3 loads of laundry done yesterday, still have 2 more loads to do, plus I need to do out bedding but I had to stop as I am out of places to hang stuff to dry. I will go down the basement shortly to see what is dry and see how much room I have to do a few more loads.

I also boxed up my Old navy return to go back, I ordered a TON of clothes on their Black Friday Sale to try out some styles I normally do not buy from them. I found a few keeps but a number of items did go back so that had been boxed up and taken to the post office, now I just have to wait for the refund to go through.

I agree with keeping goals small and manageable and working from there. My goal this year is to re find me I think for me it is a good goal because I can add to it as I go. Right now my goal is to get organized and I would like to try to track my spending and savings better. I know I am lucky to have a large emergency fund but at the same time I think my savings could be better so I want to track everything and see if maybe there is an area where I spending too much and can cut back. Once this is one track I will add in something else, I am thinking better eating and working out but we will see how things go.

[Frugalbigmama]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Trying to get back into the swing of things since I go back to work on Monday. One of the girl's from the office did the math and we ended up with 17 days off this year, it was nice to have a break but going back is so hard.

I got 3 loads of laundry done yesterday, still have 2 more loads to do, plus I need to do out bedding but I had to stop as I am out of places to hang stuff to dry. I will go down the basement shortly to see what is dry and see how much room I have to do a few more loads.

I also boxed up my Old navy return to go back, I ordered a TON of clothes on their Black Friday Sale to try out some styles I normally do not buy from them. I found a few keeps but a number of items did go back so that had been boxed up and taken to the post office, now I just have to wait for the refund to go through.

I agree with keeping goals small and manageable and working from there. My goal this year is to re find me I think for me it is a good goal because I can add to it as I go. Right now my goal is to get organized and I would like to try to track my spending and savings better. I know I am lucky to have a large emergency fund but at the same time I think my savings could be better so I want to track everything and see if maybe there is an area where I spending too much and can cut back. Once this is one track I will add in something else, I am thinking better eating and working out but we will see how things go.

How long can you return? I Ordered then too from ON and thought I was out of luck. Bought pants just to up the total for free shipping not even right size or liking them. Stupid me!

[avoncallingu]

Hi folks! just dropping in - I've set a goal of "claiming back" all the money owed to me. Right now I'm trying to find proof of the date I left Canada in Nov. so that I can claim the cost of the dr. bill on the ship. This all led to filing a bunch of receipts. "Nasty-little-jobs" just domino into each other - but it's a good day to tackle it - snowy!
I've finally convinced dh NOT to tackle snow shovelling! (I'm worried about his health.) So we have gone through a seniors help association which has matched us up with a "Community Living" service and 2 young challenged fellows are going to come over to remove our snow. Win-win all around! (except for the cost - but your health is "priceless" as they say!)

[coupon girl]

-yes health is priceless -I have high blood pressure and I shovel in bits -cant do a lot -then I am huffing and puffing

[MrsSunshine]

I love you Avon. for just how you put that!!!

[Insane]

Just had my 2nd sale of the year. My old skates! Asked $5 but she gave me $6- didn't notice till after she left but really sorry I'm not a store, come with exact change lol. So $16.00 so far yeah! Putting it in an envelope and will save it up.

We keep all the money from selling things in a jar. Then use it towards something. First it was a new dinning room table (check) and then a new rocker/recliner (check) and now new couch/love seat. Course its been supplemented with gift cards from family for christmas/birthdays. But its amazing when you collect it all to see how much money you actually have.

[Insane]

Sorry about your theft Granger. We have left the garage door open many times. I'm always worried someone will steal our chariot stroller. But since usually the car is in the drive way or in the garage it would make it a lot harder.

Hubby went in to CT to see if the part was in for the car and it is! But they said they probably won't get to it until Monday! That's over 2 weeks without our car! So frustrating. He said there are others in line ahead of us. Which means we need to rent a car for Monday to get everyone to work/school. Fortunately I am still off on Monday so I can deal with CT and picking up the car. We went to CT and our car has been sitting out on the lot the whole time (so much for them taking it in). I know cause it was covered in snow. And given that we've had -40 weather (before wind), so no big surprise-the car won't start. The battery isn't frozen as the lights still come on. But they'll need to plug the car in to get it going again. They told hubby "no problem, we'll just boost the car". hmm.... if the battery is fine and its the oil that is gelled because you've left it out unplugged, why exactly would you boost my perfectly good battery?? Not amused. I just want my car back. I want this behind me! Okay, deep breath...rant over....

I know I want to get an emergency fund going. I'm not sure of how much or how I'm going to do it. I need to give my financial goals some thought.

[Frugalbigmama]

We keep all the money from selling things in a jar. Then use it towards something. First it was a new dinning room table (check) and then a new rocker/recliner (check) and now new couch/love seat. Course its been supplemented with gift cards from family for christmas/birthdays. But its amazing when you collect it all to see how much money you actually have.

I have so many jars of money for stuff lol. Think I will save this for a bit for new bras and undies for mama. Needing some nice new sexy stuff now that I have lost some weight

[jasperandchar]

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm so glad we have this thread - more encouragement to make the frugal choice! Sorry about your losses, Granger!
Dh and I have made a pact - REAL consideration of "non-essentials" before we buy.

Happy New Year to you!!! I love your pact it's a great idea

[MrsSunshine]

Holy crap, I just spent the last hour emailing companies in an effort to see how I do coupon wise. I took a 'walk' through my cupboards and emailed as many as I could. Will see what happens.

[jasperandchar]

I have a confession. On the first day of the new year, I`ve already blown it. Ordered a Sh!t load of books from book outlet. Their 25% off sale ended today and I was able to finish a couple sets that I had started. I still have about 60 books on my wishlist but I know I won`t be getting all of them.

As they say "c'est la vie" what can you do, reading is a great pass time so enjoy the books, you saved $ so it's a win win