[OT][Wife] My wife is going to kill me...

[Datt]

This thread has great advice all in it.

To start, I second the Quicken thing. Or if you are just too cheap like me you can use this file that I created in Excel. Make sure you put everything in there that you do. I guarantee that after a week of that you will stop spending. My wife and I did this and noticed that in a period of 3 days we spent over $200 on just going out to eat and to the movies.

Second, set a budget. The easiest way I have found to stick to the budget is to get out cash every paycheck. Get out everything at once. Then you will look at that and say "This is what I have to live on for the next 2 weeks." When you know you only have so much to spend and that after that is gone, you don't eat, you will start to save.

Third, set a goal. Set something that you want to save for. That way instead of just saving for something that might happen, you now have a purpose. I am currently saving for a big screen TV and am almost half way there. Believe me it is tempting to take the money and go to Fry's and get me a PDA, but I know that if I do that I won't get my big screen. It is great motivitation for myself.

 

[Voadam]

and then tonight I found a great deal on the Kingdoms of Kalamar Campaign Setting. I mean litterally I saved 19 bucks off the original price. So I had to buy it right?

No you didn't.

You can turn off the 1 click buying option, I would recommend doing so.

What you want to do is wait until you get over $25 in your order then get free shipping. Give yourself a gaming budget per month or whatever and stick to it. If it is not enough to get something big you want then wait however long you need to without buying it so that it fits within your three month budget or whatever.

Patience, Kalamar has been out for a long time and it will still be there when you can reasonably afford it.

 

[Voadam]

Anyone know of any good links on saving money? We're only 23 and have been married a year but we blow money all the time. Seriously it is not unlikely for me to spend 90 bucks on drinks at a bar every weekend.

I know the obvious, "Don't go to the bar!" or "Save your money" suggestions but I need some real tips and information.

She isn't really going to be mad I was just kind of feeling guilty because she isn't good with money either but she tries and since I know I can get away with this sort of stuff, I do.

Actually, if we did end up setting up a budget. I'd be down with 2 12 packs of beer a week, + food, + gas. I really have no other expenses.

Figure out your income after taxes.

Figure out your fixed expenses (utilities, housing, loans, cable, internet, your drinking, etc.) Figure out averages for regular expenses (clothes, gas, groceries, eating out, etc.)

Figure out how much you have left over, then prioritize things like going out to movies, going out to bars, books, going out to eat, ordering take out, going out to events (concerts, vacations, etc.)

For saving money, on drinking, set a budget before you go out.

Learn how to cook and eat in.

 

[Zogg]

Dude, why don't you spend some time playing/reading/watching all that crap you just bought.

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

deleted and wrote to PirateCat instead.

Djeta

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

At the bar:

Switch out your drinks. For every alcoholic beverage, have a Diet Coke, Ice Tea, Water, or whatever. Ginger Ale looks a lot like a mixed beverage so if you're worried about looking cool, it'll do.

This will slow down your intoxication rate so you'll be less tempted to indulge and you'll have better control over your wallet. Also, Water/Diet Coke/Ginger Ale/whatever costs about US$2 - $3 at most places and in some bars they're free. That'll knock off a good $20 off of a $90 bar tab.

Good luck and keep a tight fist on that wallet.

 

[Wraithdrit]

Something you may also want to look into is Dave Ramsey. He's a radio personality that does a show on personal finances. He gets a bit preachy at times, and claims everything from a 'christian' perspective, but if that sort of thing doesn't bother you, or you can overlook it, he has some VERY sound advice.

I should know. Before I started following his common sense rules I was always behind on bills. I did things like go buy a new bike when I had bills due. I would always just push bills back, then get behind and end up in emergency mode.

By using a budget and planning, my wife and I planned our wedding and bahama/disneyworld honeymoon, and paid for it all in cash (NO DEBT!) I'm currently working my way out of debt and am down to just our cars, house, and student loans. No credit card debts, no medical debts, no collection agencies, etc.

You can check his site out at http://www.daveramsey.com

 

[Zogg]

deleted and wrote to PirateCat instead.
Djeta

Forgive my narcissism, but is this your not-so-subtle way of saying you disliked my post and tattled on me?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

A hint for saving money:

Pay yourself first. When the paycheck comes in, the first thing you do is write out the check/transfer to your savings. The pay the bills (assuming you've been realistic about savings and have money left to pay the bills), then budget out what's left for nonessentials.

I make it easy on myself -- all my investment expenses -- to include my savings, mortgage payment, mutual fund investments, and insurance -- are paid by allotment from my paycheck BEFORE it gets deposited. All I get is enough to pay the bills and play with. The savings/investment plan happens automatically that way.

It's caused a few arguments with the wife (who would rather spend the money, or "have it around to decide what to do with" -- which means spend it), but I enjoy pointing out when the occasional emergency comes up (like dropping $2k to replace the air conditioning unit on our house), we've already got the money set aside to pay for it.

Lots of good advice in this thread -- but you have to be willing to use it!

 

[Piratecat]

Forgive my narcissism, but is this your not-so-subtle way of saying you disliked my post and tattled on me?

Actually, Zogg, reporting posts is what you SHOULD do when you find one that you consider rude, insulting, inappropriate or offensive; that's what the "report a post" link (bottom left) is for. I happen to agree that yours is in poor taste. Unless you think that you'd be sitting in Morrus' living room and telling his Grandmother that she should "take some time to sex up her poor neglected husband" - and good god, I hope not - then I don't want to see it on the boards, either. Please edit your post, so that you don't have a moderator edit it for you. In addition, please stay within the boundaries of good taste, huh? A little restraint and politeness goes a long way around here.

If this is somehow a problem, you should feel free to email me.