Trying to go on a money diet

I

Irishdude

Member
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.
 

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.
 
Irishdude said:
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.
Click to expand...
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''
 
The crazy stuff you find. On the Verizon Wireless bill, I'm charged $30 per month for my wife's and my daughter's Apple watch connections.

I might be able to talk my daughter into dropping it, but my wife talks into the stupid thing like she's Dick Tracy, so no hope there.

Verizon Wireless credited us $20 for last week's outage and say they'll lower the bill by $15 per month because I have internet service with them.
 
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.
 
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!
 
Irishdude said:
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.
Click to expand...
We changed from Bell Mobility to Roger’s and save about $140 a month and oddly enough our Roger’s service is much better.
 
Imogene said:
It would help if the tax freeze for 65 and over would pass in my county:

”A proposal for a senior property tax freeze (for residents 65 and older) was introduced by Councilman—————— to City/County officials in late 2025.”
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Was just discussing this. We pay nearly 3k property taxes for our modest early 60‘s ranch home. Wisconsin only offers elderly a loan to pay property taxes. I am going to contact my state representatives on this - time to stop taxing elderly out of their homes!
 
Today's update: Found what I thought was a "rare book." Went online to find out more. Wound up on a site called askantiqueexperts.com. Got scammed -- they asked for a $5 "refundable charge" which showed up on my credit card bill as a $65 monthly subscription. Tried to call and got a larger site called Just Answer. Finally tracked down a billing specialist there and got the charge reversed. Found out Just Answer is being sued by the FTC for fraudulent billing practices.

On the positive side, identified a subscription to a foreign language learning site neither of us is using anymore. Saved $21 per month or $252 per year.
 
Irishdude said:
Today's update: Found what I thought was a "rare book." Went online to find out more. Wound up on a site called askantiqueexperts.com. Got scammed -- they asked for a $5 "refundable charge" which showed up on my credit card bill as a $65 monthly subscription. Tried to call and got a larger site called Just Answer. Finally tracked down a billing specialist there and got the charge reversed. Found out Just Answer is being sued by the FTC for fraudulent billing practices.

On the positive side, identified a subscription to a foreign language learning site neither of us is using anymore. Saved $21 per month or $252 per year.
Click to expand...
Book finder.com is a good place to get a feel for what book dealers are asking for specific books or for finding obscure out of print books to purchase.

The ‘value’ or asking price is not the same as finding someone with cash in hand that is willing to make a purchase but it’s helpful in determining if your book is worth a dollar or perhaps a bit more.

https://www.bookfinder.com/?gad_sou...MIpquMloSdkgMVAltHAR0Lai9_EAAYASAAEgJBW_D_BwE
 
Aunt Bea said:
Book finder.com is a good place to get a feel for what book dealers are asking for specific books or for finding obscure out of print books to purchase.

The ‘value’ or asking price is not the same as finding someone with cash in hand that is willing to make a purchase but it’s helpful in determining if your book is worth a dollar or perhaps a bit more.

https://www.bookfinder.com/?gad_sou...MIpquMloSdkgMVAltHAR0Lai9_EAAYASAAEgJBW_D_BwE
Click to expand...
Thank you Aunt Bea, that is useful information.
 
Irishdude said:
The crazy stuff you find. On the Verizon Wireless bill, I'm charged $30 per month for my wife's and my daughter's Apple watch connections.

I might be able to talk my daughter into dropping it, but my wife talks into the stupid thing like she's Dick Tracy, so no hope there.

Verizon Wireless credited us $20 for last week's outage and say they'll lower the bill by $15 per month because I have internet service with them.
Click to expand...
I can talk on my watch without having a plan for it. There’s no way I’m willing to pay for it. Your phone just has to be within a certain number of feet for your watch to connect with it.
 
Irishdude said:
I'm charged $30 per month for my wife's and my daughter's Apple watch connections.
Click to expand...

Teacher Terry said:
I can talk on my watch without having a plan for it. There’s no way I’m willing to pay for it. Your phone just has to be within a certain number of feet for your watch to connect with it.
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I’m like Terry and there’s no charge to pair my Apple Watch to the phone.
I only use it to answer if I’m a distance from the phone. Yesterday I was in the basement, answered it there and then came upstairs to talk.
 

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