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Old 03-20-2008 | 11:41 AM
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FlyerJosh
Chief Jeppesen Updater
 
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Executive Transport Driver
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Shop once a week for groceries and limit our meals out to no more than twice a week for dinner.

Whenever possible, "schedule" errands around town for one day a week. This way if I have to drive across town for something, I'm not making multiple trips back and forth on different days.

Lock up the credit cards in the safe at home and only use them when absolutely necessary.

Utilize online banking to "prepay" bills when payday arrives. The money remains in my account until the due date, but is "withdrawn" from the available balance (and my checkbook).

Opened an online savings account (HSBC Direct). I automatically have a percentage of my paycheck direct deposited to this account (which pays better interest than accounts and CDs at my regular bank). Out of sight and out of mind, but still liquid assets in an emergency. Our goal is to build/keep this account to about 3 months of our living expenses.

Use tax refunds/stimulus packages to pay off debt! (Whatever you might have). It really is amazing how much you can save when you no longer have credit card and car payments to make each month. Take that money instead and save it or accumulate to for other debt payments.

Always pay a bit more than your minimum payment on debt, at least on your highest interest loan. Pay the min on lower interest loans, and take the excess and put it all into your most expensive account.

I don't carry cash, but use a debit card instead. This way it's easier for me to track my expenses (rather than whipping out a $20 for something like a latte and then wondering later, hey- where'd my cash go?!?)

Limit myself to 1 "frivolous" purchase each paycheck (video game, music, dvd, etc).
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