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What Happened When I Stopped Spending Money for a Whole Year
New York Post ^ | January 10, 2017

Posted on 01/10/2017 4:01:14 PM PST by nickcarraway

A woman has saved tens of thousands of dollars after she vowed to buy nothing for a whole year.

It may sound extreme, but caught up in a consumerist society, Michelle McGagh thought it would change her relationship with money forever.

The personal financial journalist became a minimalist, and stopped cluttering her house with possessions and making unnecessary purchases. Now she is about $27,000 better off for it.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Hobbies; Local News
KEYWORDS: analretentive; bleh
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1 posted on 01/10/2017 4:01:14 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Been doing that for 8 years. Not to that extreme but the $ savings are substantial. And surprise, I don’t miss not spending on yet more clutter and excess clothing.


2 posted on 01/10/2017 4:03:47 PM PST by Qwackertoo (Worst 8 years ever, First Affirmative Action President, I hope those who did this to us SUFFER MOST!)
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To: nickcarraway

Well, if a “regular person” (instead of a NY liberal writer) tried that, they would
(1) starve to death in the darkness, cold, and thirst of multiple medical emergencies and trauma’s
or
(2) use up nearby charitable funds and efforts that should have gone to the truly needy.


3 posted on 01/10/2017 4:05:44 PM PST by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but socialists' ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: nickcarraway

I tried this but lost interest after the utilities were shut off and getting evicted. It lost its charm somehow.


4 posted on 01/10/2017 4:05:46 PM PST by BipolarBob (I thought money was burning a hole in my pocket but it was just my Samsung Galaxy 7.)
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To: nickcarraway

No food, no clothes, no toilet paper?


5 posted on 01/10/2017 4:06:07 PM PST by SoCal Pubbie
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To: nickcarraway
Quite an interesting experiment. Talk about discipline! I don't think know for a fact I couldn't do it. BTW -- what are "flat whites"? British-isms always trip me up.
6 posted on 01/10/2017 4:06:35 PM PST by workerbee (America finally has an American president again.)
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To: nickcarraway

I hope she stockpiled plenty of deodorant and toilet paper before she stopped spending.


7 posted on 01/10/2017 4:07:20 PM PST by Opinionated Blowhard ("When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.")
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To: Robert A. Cook, PE; BipolarBob; SoCal Pubbie
Read it:

McGagh would pay for necessities — her mortgage, bills, insurance and charity donations. That all equated to about $2,200 a month. She’d then spend money on toiletries, cleaning products and groceries.

8 posted on 01/10/2017 4:08:37 PM PST by workerbee (America finally has an American president again.)
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To: workerbee

I know lots of people living that way. It is called the 0bama economy. You work two or three part time jobs and you only have enough money pay for absolute necessities.


9 posted on 01/10/2017 4:11:59 PM PST by forgotten man
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To: workerbee
Read it:

Clearly, most here aren't bothering.

Personally, I think there's nothing wrong with frugality and I'm surprised to see her efforts mocked on this forum.

10 posted on 01/10/2017 4:12:59 PM PST by Drew68
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To: nickcarraway

I spend next to nothing on non essentials. My bride on the other hand.......


11 posted on 01/10/2017 4:13:18 PM PST by Fzob (Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives.)
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To: workerbee

So, basically, she did’t stop spending $$. Just stopped spending $$ on luxuries. Yawn.


12 posted on 01/10/2017 4:16:17 PM PST by rbg81 (Truth is stranger than fiction)
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To: workerbee
BTW -- what are "flat whites"? British-isms always trip me up.

Some sort of coffee beverage with cream. It sounds racist.

13 posted on 01/10/2017 4:16:56 PM PST by Spirochete (GOP: Give Obama Power)
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To: workerbee

I think a “flat white” is similar to a small latte.


14 posted on 01/10/2017 4:17:37 PM PST by ConjunctionJunction
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To: Fzob

Me too

I spend big bank on NINE DEPENDENTS

Not much on myself

Been there done all that

Another Rollo

Another Porsche

I’ve got college and commercial mortgages and six figure property taxes

I’m happy to be able to take care of everybody more than needing “my” swag or toys


15 posted on 01/10/2017 4:17:42 PM PST by wardaddy (trump is a great tourniquet but that's all folks.......)
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To: workerbee

I DID read it. Just putting my own special spin on things. I’m allowed.


16 posted on 01/10/2017 4:18:51 PM PST by BipolarBob (I thought money was burning a hole in my pocket but it was just my Samsung Galaxy 7.)
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To: workerbee
McGagh would pay for necessities — her mortgage, bills, insurance and charity donations. That all equated to about $2,200 a month.

She's not in prison so i guess she paid taxes too. That was probably her biggest expense for the year.

17 posted on 01/10/2017 4:18:54 PM PST by pepsi_junkie (ui)
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To: workerbee
Click for Flat White
18 posted on 01/10/2017 4:19:35 PM PST by deport
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To: nickcarraway

“You can’t take it with you”.

My philosophy.


19 posted on 01/10/2017 4:20:10 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: wardaddy

Rollo, like the candy?


20 posted on 01/10/2017 4:22:04 PM PST by nickcarraway
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