Posted on 12/31/2017 12:51:08 PM PST by PJ-Comix
Okay, it is the last day of the year. So what did you do in 2017 that saved you money? I am all ears and will be taking notes. In addition, I will lead off with my own moves to save money.
My biggest single money savings move of 2017 was getting Amazon Fire Stick for our 2 TVs. At the same time I cut out our cable TV. Net savings for the year over $600. This comes from saving $80 per month by cutting Comcast Cable TV. Actually I am really saving $55 per month because along with my Amazon Prime, I opted for $25 per month for Sling TV so net yearly savings of $600. One interesting thing is that I thought Comcast would go for a long sales pitch to keep me with their cable TV when they switched me to their account executive but I was pleasantly surprised when he gave me online TV streaming for no additional cost so I ONLY pay for Internet.
Okay, what else? Well, a lot of you know I am a heavy duty couponer so I figure I saved at least $2000 this past year via coupons. I come to that figure because I save at least $40 per week. Oh, and for those of you who don't think the time and effort are worth it, GOOD NEWS! You only need to use a couple of coupon sites to find all the deals you need. For me it is PublixSavings101.com because I shop a lot at Publix and the Mother Ship of all coupon web sites... KRAZY COUPON LADY. As to clipping coupons, things have changed. Most of the coupons I use now you can print right off the web or get electronically.
Another trick that I use when buying stuff online is to go thru the entire checkout process except for the payment. I just leave the item sitting in my shopping cart. Guess what? Almost always the company sends you an email within days offering a discount from what you would have paid.
In 2018 I will be looking for saving money on travel deals. I have heard the best time for booking cruises is within a couple of weeks when the cruise actually begins so they can fill unbooked cabins.
Here in Florida, FPL has a program where you get a discount on your electric bill if you join a program where you agree to be among the first homes to have electric shut down in case there is an overuse of electricity. That hasn't happened in about the 9 years of using the program but my monthly savings for being in that program is about $10 so over $100 in savings per year.
We dropped att in tx for mobile to get better service.
Works great here now in the Tampa area.
Skipped buying Christmas and Birthday gifts. Saved thousands.
Now I get to find out who actually cares if I’m alive.
Cut DirectTV. Savings of approx. $1440 for the year
The absolute two best tip for saving money is this:
- MAKE A BUDGET.
- Stick to it!
About 20 years ago, my wife and I attended a Dave Ramsey seminar where we learned about budgets and saving money.
Best thing we ever did.
We’ve gotten to the point where we no longer have to focus on “if we have enough”. We can now focus on living well and leaving some rather nice charitable donations we we pass on.
T-mobile is absolutely fine in central North Carolina. We switched to the >55 plan a couple of months ago also.
I got Google WiFi. I shut off her internet when we watch a movie.
bfl
“- MAKE A BUDGET.
- Stick to it!”
I made a budget for 2018 that includes a new corvette! How much will I save if I stick to it?
I saved on premiums for health insurance (none) and life insurance (none) and dental insurance (none).
I aim on getting coverage but in the mean time had to keep the family fed.
I saved on premiums for health insurance (none) and life insurance (none) and dental insurance (none).
I aim on getting coverage but in the mean time had to keep the family fed.
We got the Cuisinart grind and brew for Christmas! It is great!! A bit annoying to clean though. Seems like a bad design as it Let’s the steam get into the grinder so you have to wipe it constantly. Awesome Coffee though.
“How much will I save if I stick to it?”
—
You will save face,and that’s important.:-)
Happy motoring !
.
PJ-Comix wrote: “In 2018 I will be looking for saving money on travel deals. I have heard the best time for booking cruises is within a couple of weeks when the cruise actually begins so they can fill unbooked cabins.”
That works well sometimes especially if you live close to the port and can take leave when you like. Otherwise, the airfare will offset any big savings.
Where a lot of people miss out is they think once they’ve booked a cruise, the price is fixed. Up until final payment (usually 75 days before sailing), if the cruise line drops the price, you can call and get the new price. We booked a suite for this spring at $2699 PP (Seven day cruise). I’ve called twice to get lower prices and it’s now listed at $1699 PP. You need to check the price every week or so.
You are correct that often the cruise lines will drop the price right before sailing but only if it’s an unpopular cruise that hasn’t sold well.
Spend some time at CruiseCritic.com to learn more ways to save.
On cruises we send loads of photos back to the USA and use the internet all free while our companions look on.
Lots of times it is only 2g data but sometimes better.
With that logic I guess I have no choice!
“Where a lot of people miss out is they think once they’ve booked a cruise, the price is fixed. Up until final payment (usually 75 days before sailing), if the cruise line drops the price, you can call and get the new price. “
Sometimes you can get extras right up to the last day.
TexasGator wrote: “I made a budget for 2018 that includes a new corvette! How much will I save if I stick to it?”
You must be a congresscritter.
Get out of debt through budgeting. Then you can afford the corvette.
Learned to make my own pizza from scratch...nice thin crispy crust, lots of healthy toppings. Dirt cheap.
“Get out of debt through budgeting. Then you can afford the corvette.”
It was a joke ...
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