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Post by shescrafty on Apr 6, 2016 20:21:19 GMT
We have been very careful financially lately since we are still paying off all of our daughter's medical bills. Over Easter we went to the beach which is two hours away from our house. We stayed at a friends condo and really liked it. We started looking at places to buy and realize that they were much cheaper than we had thought previously. We decided that that was going to be our long-term goal – to buy a condo at the beach. I am hopefully going to be working again next school year (I had to quit when Phoebe got sick) and we have to make sure that all the medical bills are paid. But, we are hoping that next year at this time we can move forward with that goal. we decided that one of the easiest things to do was to stop eating out. It gets so expensive for all of us to go eat out and we have been doing well for two weeks. But previously we would eat out at least 2 to 3 times a week. I know it is making my husband nuts because he hates to eat the same things over and over, and just likes to be waited on every now and then. I have a chalkboard in the kitchen and my new saying is, "it is nice to buy things, but even better to buy a place at the beach." I am that will help us stay on track, LOL. We also have to get our bathroom shower and tub area redone. The wall is starting to bubble and we don't want the water damage to get worse. Not exactly a fun thing to spend money on, but very necessary. But the beach is really our long-term goal. do you have anything fun that you are saving your money for? We are saving for retirement and college of course, but the condo at the beach is the only thing in a long time that we can really sets our sights on that is really just for our mental health.
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 6, 2016 20:25:18 GMT
We also have to get our bathroom shower and tub area redone. The wall is starting to bubble and we don't want the water damage to get worse. Not exactly a fun thing to spend money on, but very necessary. But the beach is really our long-term goal. do you have anything fun that you are saving your money for? We are saving for retirement and college of course, but the condo at the beach is the only thing in a long time that we can really sets our sights on that is really just for our mental health. If the beach condo is the ultimate goal, opt for a manufactured surround. I know tile does look better, but that's one way to save towards what you really want. I don't have anything fun that we are saving for. Good luck with the condo.
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Post by Zee on Apr 6, 2016 20:32:30 GMT
I'm not saving for anything in particular, though I'm thinking about going back to school. We do eat at home a lot and I shop almost exclusively at Aldi. I save so much money vs eating out or shopping anywhere else.
Dinners can get monotonous, so occasionally I get a new cookbook or go on a Pinterest spree and try some new things. Maybe try a whole different type of cuisine and do some experimenting? Try a few Thai, Greek, or Mediterranean dishes. True, you may have to invest in some more exotic ingredients, but it can be fun!
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 6, 2016 20:33:25 GMT
College is our big goal right now. I'd like both kids to graduate debt free and save their college funds for grad school. DS is just finishing his first year--so far, so good. The tricky part will be when both kids are in school and overlap for 2 years. Not eating out is a big one for me. I can cook at home for a fraction of what it costs to eat out. In 2 weeks, I'm crazy busy with work and will work 18 hour days for 6 days. I did a huge cook and freeze session during spring break so that we can still eat fairly well for that week.
That's smart to put something up in the kitchen to remind you of your goal. We have a budget to eat out twice a month, but sometimes that is as cheap as Subway. Other times it's a sit down restaurant. I'm sorry that all of your money is in home repairs and medical bills right now. Think beachy thoughts!
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,428
Jun 26, 2014 2:34:35 GMT
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Post by luvnlifelady on Apr 6, 2016 20:36:02 GMT
We are finally really getting our finances in order. Until now, we/I have taken an ignorance is bliss attitude but the chickens are coming home to roost as my mom would say. I'm hoping once we have it all laid out in black/white that we can make a plan to save up for things to look forward to. One thing I'd like to do is take DD to Nashville for her 21st in 2 years. I've never been and would love to go. DH is on board. DS can stlll go, just not drink, as he will only be 17 if we go for her actual bday.
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Post by Yubon Peatlejuice on Apr 6, 2016 20:36:40 GMT
I'm constantly saving so I can take DS to all 50 states and 30 countries by the time he graduates high school. We have it all planned out.
Saving for cat food too. Lots of cat food.
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Post by twinks on Apr 6, 2016 20:37:15 GMT
A place at the beach sounds wonderful! What a great goal for your family. I find the ocean rejuvenates me. The constant flow of the water does something to my soul. My DD attended school in Cape Cod, MA. We go back every 2 years just to renew ourselves.
Just a suggestion - you need to still be kind to you and your family right now. If you find enjoyment eating out maybe you could cut back a little, not cut out.
Good luck! Hugs to you.
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Post by marysue63 on Apr 6, 2016 20:39:53 GMT
I've been saving my loose change for a trip to Hawaii. Between that and hotel points we will be able to go next spring!
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Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486
Location: Big Sky Country
Jun 25, 2014 20:32:35 GMT
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Post by Montannie on Apr 6, 2016 20:40:44 GMT
Consider looking in on AKathy's dinner thread. Lots of great ideas!
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Post by shescrafty on Apr 6, 2016 20:43:24 GMT
refugeepea the same carpenter that did our kitchen a few years ago is working on a quote for the bathroom and we asked him to give us quotes for both options. I know a surround will be cheaper, but we are thinking of selling in 6 years and moving overseas for my husband's work. By then DS will be 21 and we would be more comfortable moving. So when we do the fix we are juggling money and resale. Watching so many fixer upper shows has my head spinning, lol. We have been shopping at ALDI first and then our regular store for what we can't get at ALDI. Our grocery bill has really dropped since shopping there more consistently. We have been using Pinterest for food ideas and we all choose different meals, my DH just likes to be waited on sometimes (which I totally get). I told him that maybe twice a month we could also order takeout since we both love sushi. Even ordering the rolls and bringing them here to eat saves us at least $20 since we don't pay for drinks and top here. No cat food for us-just one small dog who eats about a cup a day.
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Post by disneypal on Apr 6, 2016 20:44:08 GMT
I'm primarily saving for retirement. I plan on retiring 10 years ahead of schedule and I'm on track so far.
The only other big ticket item I have planned (not a fun thing but a needed thing) is a new roof.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 1, 2024 9:38:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2016 20:49:04 GMT
Not saving but paying off debt. My goal is to be debt free sometime in 2017, then move out of state. I just want a clean slate without any debt hanging over my head, and I don't want to use house sale profit to pay debt either. I want to take my share of the house money and just put away for emergencies or towards retirement. Once that is done then I will save to start traveling more.
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Post by chaosisapony on Apr 6, 2016 20:53:28 GMT
I'm saving for a down payment on a new house. Of it doesn't work out and I decided to stay I will buy a horse trailer with the money.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Apr 6, 2016 20:55:14 GMT
We have cut back on eating out as well, not only to save money but also calories. I find it more difficult to lose weight when we eat out frequently. Right now I am building up my travel fund for a big trip next March to celebrate my 60th. The plan is to go to Cape Town and hopefully add in Botswana and Namibia. In addition to cutting back on eating out, I am going through the house and doing a big purge. Anything that is worth anything is being listed on eBay and the money from sales added to the travel fund.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,956
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Apr 6, 2016 20:55:41 GMT
We are saving for new windows. House built in 1950, windows are not the greatest. And they are the ones you have to change out the storm for the screen. When we move in last September, it already had the storms on and we didn't want to change them out for just a couple of months. And the large living room window and the dining room window are non-functioning anyway. Which really sucks! And of course, after we moved in it got really warm and all we had to open up was the 2 doors! That really was bad.
We have a couple of quotes and now it's time to make a decision! YIKES!
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Post by shescrafty on Apr 6, 2016 21:00:46 GMT
We are saving for new windows. House built in 1950, windows are not the greatest. And they are the ones you have to change out the storm for the screen. When we move in last September, it already had the storms on and we didn't want to change them out for just a couple of months. And the large living room window and the dining room window are non-functioning anyway. Which really sucks! And of course, after we moved in it got really warm and all we had to open up was the 2 doors! That really was bad. We have a couple of quotes and now it's time to make a decision! YIKES! Windows can be so expensive! When we bought our house most of the windows have been redone, but not the big bay window in the living room. It would literally get ice on the inside. It was the original 1961 glass and single paint. The temperature in the living room was always 5 to 10° colder in the winter or hotter in the summer than the rest of the house. It cost us a lot to get the big window redone, but it was so worth it. You could immediately feel the difference in the living room without all the air coming in from outside. But considering the price of that one big window, we are very lucky that the other ones had been redone.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,956
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Apr 6, 2016 21:02:59 GMT
We are saving for new windows. House built in 1950, windows are not the greatest. And they are the ones you have to change out the storm for the screen. When we move in last September, it already had the storms on and we didn't want to change them out for just a couple of months. And the large living room window and the dining room window are non-functioning anyway. Which really sucks! And of course, after we moved in it got really warm and all we had to open up was the 2 doors! That really was bad. We have a couple of quotes and now it's time to make a decision! YIKES! Windows can be so expensive! When we bought our house most of the windows have been redone, but not the big bay window in the living room. It would literally get ice on the inside. It was the original 1961 glass and single paint. The temperature in the living room was always 5 to 10° colder in the winter or hotter in the summer than the rest of the house. It cost us a lot to get the big window redone, but it was so worth it. You could immediately feel the difference in the living room without all the air coming in from outside. But considering the price of that one big window, we are very lucky that the other ones had been redone. Yes, we learned that getting the large living room window done is going to cost us the same amount as doing all the rest of the 13 windows we have!
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Post by shescrafty on Apr 6, 2016 21:09:32 GMT
Windows can be so expensive! When we bought our house most of the windows have been redone, but not the big bay window in the living room. It would literally get ice on the inside. It was the original 1961 glass and single paint. The temperature in the living room was always 5 to 10° colder in the winter or hotter in the summer than the rest of the house. It cost us a lot to get the big window redone, but it was so worth it. You could immediately feel the difference in the living room without all the air coming in from outside. But considering the price of that one big window, we are very lucky that the other ones had been redone. Yes, we learned that getting the large living room window done is going to cost us the same amount as doing all the rest of the 13 windows we have! I believe it! We had our window redone maybe 10 years ago and I think it was about 6,000. They enlarged the base of the bay window a little bit and you can now really sit in it if you want. If my dog didn't always get up there to watch the world go by I would probably put some pillows in there. I love the window but that sucker wasn't cheap!
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Post by elaine on Apr 6, 2016 21:10:53 GMT
First off, (((Hugs))) to you shescrafty. I agree with the previous posters who say balance saving money with nurturing yourself and your family right now. It has been a hard year and all of you need some comforting right now. I love the idea of focusing on a positive future goal, but maybe slowing it down a little right now so that you can still be pampered a little. Second, in addition to the What's For Dinner thread, come visit our Pressure Cooker/Ninja 4-1 threads - lots of great recipes and ideas. Since I bought my second pressure cooker, we now only eat out about once per week, a1nd I love that I can do things like I did today and made a pot of fresh cream of asparagus soup in 30 minutes for lunch today, and I have about 6 more servings leftover for future lunches. Finally, and most importantly, if you would ever have time for lunch in Northern VA, I'd love to take you to a Sushi On (used to be Todai) at the Fair Oaks Mall for lunch. Please pm me if that sounds at all appealing and I'll treat you to lunch out! I'll be driving again after my surgery on April 20, so any time after the 23rd works for me.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,956
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Apr 6, 2016 21:12:15 GMT
Yes, we learned that getting the large living room window done is going to cost us the same amount as doing all the rest of the 13 windows we have! I believe it! We had our window redone maybe 10 years ago and I think it was about 6,000. They enlarged the base of the bay window a little bit and you can now really sit in it if you want. If my dog didn't always get up there to watch the world go by I would probably put some pillows in there. I love the window but that sucker wasn't cheap! Yep! It's about 10,000 for ours. That window may be a thinker for a bit. But the others need to be done!
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
Jun 26, 2014 18:26:03 GMT
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Apr 6, 2016 21:14:47 GMT
We've also cut down on dining out. Even for two, it can be expensive. When our house is paid off (just 4 more years) we'll need to begin with some major renovations. Both bathrooms pretty much need to be gutted. Some nights I'd like to run out and get dinner, but I also like to see our savings growing.
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Post by shescrafty on Apr 6, 2016 21:18:58 GMT
First off, (((Hugs))) to you shescrafty . I agree with the previous posters who say balance saving money with nurturing yourself and your family right now. It has been a hard year and all of you need some comforting right now. I love the idea of focusing on a positive future goal, but maybe slowing it down a little right now so that you can still be pampered a little. Second, in addition to the What's For Dinner thread, come visit our Pressure Cooker/Ninja 4-1 threads - lots of great recipes and ideas. Since I bought my second pressure cooker, we now only eat out about once per week, a1nd I love that I can do things like I did today and made a pot of fresh cream of asparagus soup in 30 minutes for lunch today, and I have about 6 more servings leftover for future lunches. Finally, and most importantly, if you would ever have time for lunch in Northern VA, I'd love to take you to a Sushi On (used to be Todai) at the Fair Oaks Mall for lunch. Please pm me if that sounds at all appealing and I'll treat you to lunch out! I'll be driving again after my surgery on April 20, so any time after the 23rd works for me. I think right after Phoebe passed away we ate out probably 4 times a week in addition to people bringing us food. We still have some gift cards left so we will use those when we are feeling like we just can't eat here anymore, lol. I have looked at the pressure cooker threads and been soooo tempted to buy one, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. If I can get my old job back then I might go ahead knowing that I will have a paycheck coming in again. A spiralizer is what I want for Mother's Day, although the 4 in 1 might be more useful! My son Camden is sailing on a rave team for 4 weeks this summer so I may be able to take you up on that sushi offer!
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Apr 6, 2016 21:19:12 GMT
I bow to you. I just CANNOT cut out eating out. I cook from scratch every other night of the week, but we order pizza in on Thursdays and go out to eat on Saturdays. There are just three of us, and I really do grocery shop and meal plan wisely. We aren't saving for anything fun, but my daughter is having surgery this summer which we estimate will cost us around $10,000 out of pocket and we've been putting money aside for that so it can be paid off in cash right when we're billed. I've decided I'd shop for clothing and random stuff less, but I just can't give up those nights a week where I'm not making food! My sanity is important too!
I do love your saying though - it's nice to buy things, but even better to buy a place at the beach. That will be so nice!
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Post by papersilly on Apr 6, 2016 21:20:32 GMT
right now we are eating out 6 out of 7 nights. we have ever eaten lunch at home either (unless it's leftovers) so we eat out for that too. I don't think we have ever used not eating out as a means to save money. we just save it in other ways.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,367
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 6, 2016 21:24:03 GMT
We've been doing a kitchen project for the past 5 days and don't have electricity in our kitchen. The eating out(for a family of 6) gets expensive! It kills me to pay $8 for pancakes that probably cost $2 to make for the entire family at home.
Tonight we can turn the power back on, yay!!!!
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Post by mom on Apr 6, 2016 21:24:52 GMT
We save for college(s) and retirement and we also actively save for travel. We are getting better at eating at home. For us, the key is to try a new meal once a week. Typically while I am waiting to go to bed I will check out Pinterest and run ideas by DH. OR sometimes I just pick what I like The biggest money saver we've done is pay off all of our cars and not have a high balance on credit cards. By not having any car payments we are all to sock money away at break neck speed.
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Post by elaine on Apr 6, 2016 21:25:24 GMT
First off, (((Hugs))) to you shescrafty . I agree with the previous posters who say balance saving money with nurturing yourself and your family right now. It has been a hard year and all of you need some comforting right now. I love the idea of focusing on a positive future goal, but maybe slowing it down a little right now so that you can still be pampered a little. Second, in addition to the What's For Dinner thread, come visit our Pressure Cooker/Ninja 4-1 threads - lots of great recipes and ideas. Since I bought my second pressure cooker, we now only eat out about once per week, a1nd I love that I can do things like I did today and made a pot of fresh cream of asparagus soup in 30 minutes for lunch today, and I have about 6 more servings leftover for future lunches. Finally, and most importantly, if you would ever have time for lunch in Northern VA, I'd love to take you to a Sushi On (used to be Todai) at the Fair Oaks Mall for lunch. Please pm me if that sounds at all appealing and I'll treat you to lunch out! I'll be driving again after my surgery on April 20, so any time after the 23rd works for me. I think right after Phoebe passed away we ate out probably 4 times a week in addition to people bringing us food. We still have some gift cards left so we will use those when we are feeling like we just can't eat here anymore, lol. I have looked at the pressure cooker threads and been soooo tempted to buy one, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. If I can get my old job back then I might go ahead knowing that I will have a paycheck coming in again. A spiralizer is what I want for Mother's Day, although the 4 in 1 might be more useful! My my sin Camden is sailing on a rave team for 4 weeks this summer so I may be able to take you up on that sushi offer! Oh, please please do contact me if your son's sailing allows you a lunch out with me. I so want to meet you and treat you to my favorite sushi place. Even if you don't have a pressure cooker, many of the recipes on our threads can easily be made in a crockpot. I love my spiralizer, so won't try to talk you out of that either. I'll be crossing my fingers for you for getting your old job back. I completely understand, as even though my old job keeps asking me to come back, between my eye issues and my younger son's issues with his Autism and ID, I just can't work right now. There just isn't enough energy in my body, or hours in a day, to do both. When my son's behavioral issues, or my eyes, are better, I'll be back to work too.
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Post by mom on Apr 6, 2016 21:26:21 GMT
We save for college(s) and retirement and we also actively save for travel. We are getting better at eating at home. For us, the key is to try a new meal once a week. Typically while I am waiting to go to bed I will check out Pinterest and run ideas by DH. OR sometimes I just pick what I like The biggest money saver we've done is pay off all of our cars and not have a high balance on credit cards. By not having any car payments we are all to sock money away at break neck speed.
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Post by shescrafty on Apr 6, 2016 21:57:34 GMT
We save for college(s) and retirement and we also actively save for travel. We are getting better at eating at home. For us, the key is to try a new meal once a week. Typically while I am waiting to go to bed I will check out Pinterest and run ideas by DH. OR sometimes I just pick what I like The biggest money saver we've done is pay off all of our cars and not have a high balance on credit cards. By not having any car payments we are all to sock money away at break neck speed. One car is paid off and our Jeep is almost there. We have luckily never had a balance on our credit cards and just pay it all off each month so that has helped us quite a bit I look forward to. OT having any payments at all.again. We bought my car when my husband's was paid off, and a year and a half later someone rear ended him and his car was totaled. We ended up with a on year old Jeep that we love, but that came with a car payment so for a while we had 2 car payments which stunk! I had been substitute teaching for 3 years and took classes and got my certification last spring. I had just started full-time teaching at my school (where both kids went) and Phoebe got sick almost right away. I worked like 2 weeks and then from September 7th on we were in the hospital. My principal was great, and I am working this week to see if I can get my old position back. It will be hard being in "Phoebe's school," but also better because everybody already knows my situation and I truly love the staff.
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Post by maryland on Apr 6, 2016 22:23:38 GMT
We go to OC, MD every summer and we would love to buy a place there. But we live in Pgh., so for us, it's probably better to rent for a month or 2 instead of buying. We used to stay for a month, but now with a college student we stay 2 weeks. We sacrifice all year so we can afford to go. We don't eat out much (and if we do, it's cheaper places). We do other things too to cut back. But you are right, it's worth it!
I hope you can get a plan to get your condo!
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