Just thinking out loud...if anyone wants to chime in with BTDT experience I'd welcome it!
I started taking a harder look at our spending a few months ago, and as a result have realized the following savings:
Cut the cord on Directv: We were spending almost $90 a month. I did the math on paying the early term fee versus staying with them for 9 more months to fulfill the contract. Paying the early term fee paid for items in less than 2 months of not having a satellite bill. We now have Netflix for $8, bought a Roku box, and got an antenna to watch local channels. Savings = app $82 a month.
Got rid of Verizon: We were paying between $120 and $140 a month for 4 "dumb" phones. After researching the options long and hard, I found Ting mobile (non-contract company using Sprint towers, run by the folks at Tucows). With them, for 4 phones (including me getting a used smart phone that is helpful for work), our monthly bill will be between $50 and $60. Savings = app $60 a month.
Our other monthly expenses are pretty well fixed. Mortgage, power, water, and phone/internet (need for work). Power, I'm always looking to push the numbers down, but I don't see any dramatic fixes like with the satellite and cell savings.
In tracking my spending for months, one of our biggest other money drains is eating out. We don't eat dinner out often at all (like maybe every 6 months), but stopping for fast food for lunch, or me grabbing lunch while I'm on the road for work adds up. DH and I are moving to each having a cash allowance for eating out, and that seems to help.
Trips to the grocery store and Walmart........definitely a big, bad area to fix. I lose all (well, *most*) self control in both these places. Even with a list, I still do very poorly and spend way too much. However, it's better that I go than sending DH (I'll spend $80-100 a trip, he'll spend close to double that).
Tracking the spending has helped me the most.
Okay, I'm finished thinking out loud....thanks!
I started taking a harder look at our spending a few months ago, and as a result have realized the following savings:
Cut the cord on Directv: We were spending almost $90 a month. I did the math on paying the early term fee versus staying with them for 9 more months to fulfill the contract. Paying the early term fee paid for items in less than 2 months of not having a satellite bill. We now have Netflix for $8, bought a Roku box, and got an antenna to watch local channels. Savings = app $82 a month.
Got rid of Verizon: We were paying between $120 and $140 a month for 4 "dumb" phones. After researching the options long and hard, I found Ting mobile (non-contract company using Sprint towers, run by the folks at Tucows). With them, for 4 phones (including me getting a used smart phone that is helpful for work), our monthly bill will be between $50 and $60. Savings = app $60 a month.
Our other monthly expenses are pretty well fixed. Mortgage, power, water, and phone/internet (need for work). Power, I'm always looking to push the numbers down, but I don't see any dramatic fixes like with the satellite and cell savings.
In tracking my spending for months, one of our biggest other money drains is eating out. We don't eat dinner out often at all (like maybe every 6 months), but stopping for fast food for lunch, or me grabbing lunch while I'm on the road for work adds up. DH and I are moving to each having a cash allowance for eating out, and that seems to help.
Trips to the grocery store and Walmart........definitely a big, bad area to fix. I lose all (well, *most*) self control in both these places. Even with a list, I still do very poorly and spend way too much. However, it's better that I go than sending DH (I'll spend $80-100 a trip, he'll spend close to double that).
Tracking the spending has helped me the most.
Okay, I'm finished thinking out loud....thanks!