One year ago

**Russ** · 08-06-2010, 09:44 AM

Just a curiosity question...

I was wondering, are you better off now than you were a year ago? Have your frugal ways made a difference in that time frame?

A simple poll.

**Russ** · 08-06-2010, 09:49 AM

Personally, we are in better shape. No new debt incuured and paying down other, big time. We are much more careful with our money.

**Libby** · 08-06-2010, 09:53 AM

Um...I'd say better shape now though I did lose my job last year & going through my dad having a stroke.

Having learned frugal ways helped me stop excessive spending and taught me how to prep ahead financially so when I was laid off, I was prepared. Cleared debt before job loss and had a tiny nest egg to go on.

Yep - definitely doing better now vs a year ago

**Russ** · 08-06-2010, 09:58 AM

FYI-- the poll is set to private, so nobody will see how you vote.

**monkeywrangler71** · 08-06-2010, 10:02 AM

At this moment we are better, but in a couple weeks we will be worse. Our new mortgage is going to be about 50k more than our old one.

**nuisance26** · 08-06-2010, 10:08 AM

~My frugal ways haven't really changed from last year to this year. In fact, I think I've felt more relaxed about spending this year. Dh also didn't get a raise for the first time ever for this year. Yet I'd say we're doing better. Still no debt but the house, a 6 month EF, and a considerable amount of savings for a new house or a starter fund for putting an addition on this house. We've saved 20% of our gross income this year between the retirement fund and liquid savings accounts.
Being very frugal is the only way we can get ahead while living on one manufacturing income in NJ. Frugal ways always make a difference over time!~

**druthb00** · 08-06-2010, 10:11 AM

If I had to choose one of the 3, I'd say we've stayed the same. I'm not sure if that's 100% accurate, though. We saved money for several years to move down to FL this past January. When we did it we had no jobs lined up, took a full month off, and then BF landed a job a month afterwords. So between the moving expenses, living for 2 months off of our savings, new clothes for interviews, etc. we did go through several thousand dollars. BUT, he is earning significantly more at his new job than he did back home and he's gotten 2 raises since starting there 5 months ago. So we may have been throwing more money towards savings before we moved, but that was to prepare for the move. So....idk lol. I guess since I'm technically unemployed still, you could argue we are worse off. But, we're happier here, farther from his family (his choice,) and he's actually got a job in his field.

**ms.mel.who** · 08-06-2010, 10:18 AM

We are better off. We paid off our cars the year before, but this last year, we paid off the student loans, and have three fat months in emergency savings.
No debt except for the house debt.
We upped our 401K to 7%.

The best thing that happened this year was we realized we do not like how much house debt we have and we want to work hard on reducing that!

We did all this with a 5% paycut!!

**savvy_sniper** · 08-06-2010, 10:32 AM

We are pretty much in the same position. We have less debt, but we had some major unexpected medical expenses that would have set us back drastically IF we hadn't been so frugal.

**Russ** · 08-06-2010, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by ms.mel.who

We are better off. We paid off our cars the year before, but this last year, we paid off the student loans, and have three fat months in emergency savings.
No debt except for the house debt.
We upped our 401K to 7%.

The best thing that happened this year was we realized we do not like how much house debt we have and we want to work hard on reducing that!

We did all this with a 5% paycut!!

Dang Ms.mel! You are awesome!

**Mom2-3** · 08-06-2010, 11:01 AM

We are in better shape this year. We paid off our last credit card and our car. 401K is at 18%. No debt except the house (which is HUGE!) We are almost done with our 3 month EF.

We have had quite a few things come up this last year, we were able to cash flow and no new debt was taken. That right there is a success in my book

**Ceashels** · 08-06-2010, 12:09 PM

We're doing close to the same. Still paying down the mortgages, still a cash system of everything. Greebo is becoming more focused on paying down the mortgage so we're doing the same if not better.

**many houseapes** · 08-06-2010, 12:10 PM

At this point, we are more prepared w/ EF's...but they are quickly depleting & I am hoping that they will last until we get our next tax return. Next year, with all of the new taxes/stupid laws that will be inacted, we will probably be hurting

...right now we are doing okay...at least we haven't had to go into extra debt (just the house)

**Darlene** · 08-06-2010, 12:50 PM

We are pretty steady with the ups and downs the income is fixed and our expenses stay pretty much the same. I'm still hoping to get a job where I want and then we can have more of a savings cushion.

**piney** · 08-06-2010, 01:24 PM

I am doing better have small ef fund.Have had a lot of extra bills because of health problems the last two months but so far have not had put anything on cc card in long time and i am paying extra each month on it.And i am more frugal then i was last year watch what i spend.