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  1. #1
    Registered User sumdumsurfer's Avatar
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    Default New from California

    Hi Everyone!

    I have recently started to track where my money goes... and it has been a horrifying experience.

    For the last year and a half, I thought I had "cut the fat" out of my spending. I sold the SUV and bought a used 4-cylinder pickup (and a cheapo small motorcycle to commute on the nice days), I stopped buying mochas and coffees from the coffee shops, and I even started bringing my lunch to work.

    After all that, it still looks like I spent $500 more than I earn (in a regular paycheck) each month! I have been working overtime (an extra $800 a month) the last year - which kept me from noticing. I did wonder why I haven't paid off as much debt as I thought I could - thus I created a detailed budget.

    I finished the budget yesterday, and I was in shock. Had to take the pup on a long hike to think.

    So now I'm researching online, and looking for like-minded people and ideas... I mean, I must be missing something in my budget - or maybe it is just a lack of awareness? I take advantage of automatic bill-pays to make my life more convenient, but maybe the lack of "touching" the debt works against me.

    I've read the stickies - and I notice a lot of people here "own" their debt. Actually, it looks like they wear their debt like a badge - always looking at it and chipping away. I like that. Maybe this would help me. Maybe publishing my debt would make me more accountable to it - or maybe just a little more disciplined.

    Thanks! I'm going to go look around some more.

    Cheers,
    sumdumsurfer

  2. #2
    Registered User Its_Donna's Avatar
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    from Florida!
    Donna F.

    We're DEBT FREE

    Pay It Foward

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    Nov. Grocery Challenge - $70/$425

  3. #3
    Registered User SandNOceanGirl's Avatar
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    Welcome to the Village!
    ~Debra~
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  4. #4
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    Welcome to the Village!

  5. #5
    Super Moderator Darlene's Avatar
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    Good for you taking that good hard look at your spending habits. Cheering you on as you start saving & close that slow leaking wallet of yours.
    Welcome to Frugal Village!
    ~*Darlene*~
    Live Well~LaughOften~Love Much

    "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
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  6. #6
    Registered User emily_hope's Avatar
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    Welcome to the neighborhood!

  7. #7
    Founder Sara Noel's Avatar
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    to frugal village.
    If you'd like to help support Frugal Living by Sara Noel, my syndicated column, e-mail, write, or call the managing editor at your local newspaper and ask them to publish it in print or online. It's internationally syndicated through Universal Uclick. Thank you for supporting Frugal Village.

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  8. #8
    Registered User lwlynch's Avatar
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    welcome to the frugal village

  9. #9
    Registered User nodmicks's Avatar
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    Welcome to the village!
    ~July 19 saving goal for event $104/$1000

  10. #10
    Registered User C@rol's Avatar
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    to Frugal Village!
    " May we never let the things we can’t have or don’t have or shouldn’t have spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness, let us not forget it. One of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have."
    -Richard L. Evans

    ~Check out C@rols Blog on FV

  11. #11
    Registered User kittykatstrong's Avatar
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    Welcome to the FV!
    Katy

  12. #12
    Registered User mom2matty's Avatar
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    Hi and Welcome!!

  13. #13
    Registered User StaceyS's Avatar
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    That overtime really gets you doesn't it? Welcome!
    Stacey

    Credit Card Debt $8,635/$15,550

  14. #14
    Registered User KJayEsq's Avatar
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    Hi - I'm from California too.

    And you're right...posting your debt and then getting to update it every time you make a payment or get a statement (especially if you are really attacking it and making major progress) is an excellent motivator. That's why mine is posted.

    Read The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and he'll set you on the right path.

  15. #15
    Registered User Marie78's Avatar
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    Hi and

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