Trying to go on a money diet

[Jules]

Irishdude, have you reviewed your credit card statements. That should catch monthly fees and if you go back a year, you’ll find the annual charges.

The one I have to watch the closest is the phone/internet/tv plan. There was a $5 movie rental in the middle of the night. We’ve never ever rented a movie through the tv plan.

 

[Irishdude]

Irishdude, have you reviewed your credit card statements. That should catch monthly fees and if you go back a year, you’ll find the annual charges.

The one I have to watch the closest is the phone/internet/tv plan. There was a $5 movie rental in the middle of the night. We’ve never ever rented a movie through the tv plan.

I've gone over the card statements closely. That's where I found Hulu and the language site. There are other possibilities but it may take some negotiation with the other person who uses the card.

 

[Irishdude]

Today's update -- dropped a subscription to Sirius FM that's a holdover from when I bought a new car last year.

It's only $48 per year but was scheduled to go up to $20 per month in March.

 

[Trade]

America is a tough town if you don't have money.

 

[Aunt Bea]

America is a tough town if you don't have money.

 

[StarSong]

Today's update -- dropped a subscription to Sirius FM that's a holdover from when I bought a new car last year.

It's only $48 per year but was scheduled to go up to $20 per month in March.

You can call and negotiate with them. I pay $6.06/month for Sirius.

 

[Irishdude]

You can call and negotiate with them. I pay $6.06/month for Sirius.

I've been listening for a year and have decided it's not worth $4 a month.

 

[Irishdude]

The tally so far is $105 per month or $1260 per year. I'll pick up another $23 per month later in the year when my iPhone is paid for. Also, in March, we're moving across the street where the HOA fees and taxes will be lower by about $300 per month.

More to come, I hope.

 

[Aunt Bea]

The tally so far is $105 per month or $1260 per year. I'll pick up another $23 per month later in the year when my iPhone is paid for. Also, in March, we're moving across the street where the HOA fees and taxes will be lower by about $300 per month.

More to come, I hope.

Try to find a place to systematically stash those savings or they will mysteriously disappear into the day to day expenses.

 

[StarSong]

I've been listening for a year and have decided it's not worth $4 a month.

I love it. Terrestrial radio is one commercial after another, weather and traffic every ten minutes, etc. No thanks.

 

[Irishdude]

I love it. Terrestrial radio is one commercial after another, weather and traffic every ten minutes, etc. No thanks.

Every station I try on Sirius seems to be playing "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl" by Looking Glass.

We have an NPR station that plays classical music, I'll stick to that.

 

[Irishdude]

Try to find a place to systematically stash those savings or they will mysteriously disappear into the day to day expenses.

I think I'm going to establish an account called "Travel" and try to put whatever we save into that. That's the only thing that would get my wife's support.

 

[Irishdude]

About six years ago we started putting everything possible on our credit card to accrue points and use them for travel. We pay off the balance in full every month.

That's about the time our spending started going up...and up...and up. I'm wondering if we just stuck to cash for a month if we would see a drop in spending. Using the card for everything just makes it too darn easy.

 

[StarSong]

About six years ago we started putting everything possible on our credit card to accrue points and use them for travel. We pay off the balance in full every month.

That's about the time our spending started going up...and up...and up. I'm wondering if we just stuck to cash for a month if we would see a drop in spending. Using the card for everything just makes it too darn easy.

Interesting point, and one I tend to believe is true for DH & me, as well.
If I had to part with cash would I spend as much in Costco or on Amazon? Probably not...

Would making that change for a month really be telling though? I'd have to go six months to really get a sense of whether our purchasing patterns were changing.

 

[Irishdude]

Interesting point, and one I tend to believe is true for DH & me, as well.
If I had to part with cash would I spend as much in Costco or on Amazon? Probably not...

Would making that change for a month really be telling though? I'd have to go six months to really get a sense of whether our purchasing patterns were changing.

That's valid. Just doing it for a month might not show a pattern. Of course you can't really spend cash on Amazon, unless you Venmo or something.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I agree that it’s easy to overspend with plastic for people that grew up with cash.

One thing that helps me with internet purchases is a cooling off period of 24-72 hours for nonessential purchases.

Sometimes after a day or two cooler heads prevail or less expensive options appear.

 

[Knight]

I've been trying to think of how we can go on a money diet. This isn't supposed to be funny it's actually true.
The only way we save money is when my wife doesn't go grocery shopping with me. I shop with a list she shops with her eyes. She puts stuff in the cart that sometimes never get used.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

We're into 2026 and I'm taking action. Every day I'm trying to find something we're spending money on and eliminate or reduce it.

Yesterday I called Verizon, our phone/internet/cable provider. I asked them what they could do to bring our monthly bill down. They said they could reduce the bill by $35 per month without changing anything. That's $420 a year. I took the offer.

Will keep you posted on further adventures in cost savings.

That's wonderful! Congrats on the savings. I think that's significant because sometimes companies offer $5 or something.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

I do a financial fast from time to time.

It’s mainly to clean out the freezer, fridge, and pantry but I also challenge myself on routine purchases to see if they really provide sufficient bang for the bucks.

This years challenge is to live, as much as possible, within my monthly social security.

Not trying to be miserly as much as mindful.

I too live within my means on SSecurity. One thing I want to do is to buy less dedicated household cleaners and start using cross cleaners for the entire apartment. The areas under my kitchen sink and bathroom sink are usually stuffed with cleaners. That many of a variety are not really needed and are a waste of $$.

I do this on a regular basis... I ring all my providers and ask for the bill to be reduced .. and 9 times out of 10 ..it is reduced.....My mantra is ''you don't get if you don't ask''

You won't know until you try. What can you lose but your dignity if they laugh and ridicule.

I like to re-stock on things that we use when I see them on sale. I watch the best buy dates when I buy so those dates are extended out (even though they are good past them) so we have plenty of time to eat or use them. It does save money if you cook from scratch & I've been cutting most of our original size recipes in half for the things that either don't freeze well for leftovers or something we just like every once in a while.

Right now, I'm seeing some sales on things from stores that are trying to reduce their stock for inventory this time of year.

Yes, cooking from scratch saves a ton. I often prepare a meal and portion it out and freeze for the week. I don't mind eating the same thing each day. It tastes delicious microwaved back to life. I also eat a lot of homemade soups with large chunks of veggies and chicken in them. Can eat off a pot for a week with crackers.

Today's diet item: Cancelled Hulu at $18.95 a month. I think we signed up to watch a specific show then never cancelled. It's supposed to merge with Disney Channel later this year and it offers little of interest anyway.

That saves $227.40 a year!

Splendid! Congrats!!!

We changed from Bell Mobility to Roger’s and save about $140 a month and oddly enough our Roger’s service is much better.

That's a huge savings!

The tally so far is $105 per month or $1260 per year. I'll pick up another $23 per month later in the year when my iPhone is paid for. Also, in March, we're moving across the street where the HOA fees and taxes will be lower by about $300 per month.

More to come, I hope.

This is the most outstanding savings I've read so far in this post! AND to only have to move across the street!