Comments on: March 2007 – Here’s How Much We Made and Here’s Where It Went http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/ Our Journey to a Debt-Free Life Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:35:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: A Commenter Saved Us $54.84! : Blogging Away Debt http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-38588 A Commenter Saved Us $54.84! : Blogging Away Debt Sat, 05 May 2007 16:48:16 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-38588 [...] I posted March’s Income and Expense Report I received the following comment from Cheryl in regards to the office chair we bought for my [...] [...] I posted March’s Income and Expense Report I received the following comment from Cheryl in regards to the office chair we bought for my [...]

]]> By: Chris http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-37432 Chris Thu, 26 Apr 2007 20:19:38 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-37432 You may also consider donating the non-running car to a charitable organization. They'll come and pick it up from your house and you can get a tax deduction up to $500. You may also consider donating the non-running car to a charitable organization. They’ll come and pick it up from your house and you can get a tax deduction up to $500.

]]> By: Tricia http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36583 Tricia Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:54:21 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36583 Cheryl - you know, I didn't even think of returning the chair. I threw away the box shortly after we got it. Maybe I'll give them a call because I still have the receipt. Thanks for the idea! Karen - our water bill is actually for two months, but it doesn't cover trash. We have to pay for that separately. The telephone (I forgot to mention this in my notes) will actually be going up a little. Work reimburses some, but not all because we will use the long distance for personal. April's bill is pretty high (over $100) because of the switchover in plans. You bring up a good point about the groceries going up. I've been trying to get our spending down, but it is so hard. It will be interesting to see how it changes now that we will be buying healthier foods. I would love to have your electric and gas bill! My home is inexpensive but it is also very old. It has blown in insulation and it fares fairly well in the winter for a home of it's age. But we could really use new windows and doors. Thanks for giving some of your spending, it was interesting to see the figures for Texas :) Chris - if we got in an accident and didn't have coverage, we'd be going to the bank for a loan for a new (used) car. I'll have to get back with you on how much we'd save. I wrote it down, I just have to find what I did with it. Thank you for all of the tips! James - we technically have two cars. One is running and the other is not. The non-working vehicle is in our garage and we do not have any coverage on it so no expenses show up for it. As soon as I get a chance it is being sold to the highest bidder or a junkyard. It's taking up valuable real estate in our garage. Cheryl – you know, I didn’t even think of returning the chair. I threw away the box shortly after we got it. Maybe I’ll give them a call because I still have the receipt. Thanks for the idea!

Karen – our water bill is actually for two months, but it doesn’t cover trash. We have to pay for that separately. The telephone (I forgot to mention this in my notes) will actually be going up a little. Work reimburses some, but not all because we will use the long distance for personal. April’s bill is pretty high (over $100) because of the switchover in plans.

You bring up a good point about the groceries going up. I’ve been trying to get our spending down, but it is so hard. It will be interesting to see how it changes now that we will be buying healthier foods.

I would love to have your electric and gas bill! My home is inexpensive but it is also very old. It has blown in insulation and it fares fairly well in the winter for a home of it’s age. But we could really use new windows and doors.

Thanks for giving some of your spending, it was interesting to see the figures for Texas :)

Chris – if we got in an accident and didn’t have coverage, we’d be going to the bank for a loan for a new (used) car. I’ll have to get back with you on how much we’d save. I wrote it down, I just have to find what I did with it. Thank you for all of the tips!

James – we technically have two cars. One is running and the other is not. The non-working vehicle is in our garage and we do not have any coverage on it so no expenses show up for it. As soon as I get a chance it is being sold to the highest bidder or a junkyard. It’s taking up valuable real estate in our garage.

]]> By: James http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36581 James Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:32:05 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36581 Hi, Thanks for putting your monthly budget up. Its wonderful that you're keeping track of everything. I was looking over it and I just had one comment. Do you think it might be possible to sell one of your cars? It looks like automobile expenses are at least 10% of your budget. Trimming auto expenses might help you reach your debt reduction goal more quickly. Also, congrats on loosing weight and quitting smoking, your quality of life will be a whole lot better! Best, James Hi,

Thanks for putting your monthly budget up. Its wonderful that you’re keeping track of everything.

I was looking over it and I just had one comment. Do you think it might be possible to sell one of your cars? It looks like automobile expenses are at least 10% of your budget. Trimming auto expenses might help you reach your debt reduction goal more quickly.

Also, congrats on loosing weight and quitting smoking, your quality of life will be a whole lot better!

Best,

James

]]> By: Chris http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36567 Chris Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:30:41 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36567 I would recommend keeping your full coverage, unless you'll be saving a LOT of money. If you cut your full insurance, what would it save you per year? Sock that away each month for a 'car replacement' fund. How long would it take that fund to reach the full value of the car you own? But you still have small savings, and if you did perchance get into an accident and weren't covered, how would you pay for another one? For my computer chair I once used a plastic folding chair (with metal frame) from Walmart with a couple old pillows duct-taped to it. It lasted over 2 years and only cost $3! Tips for eating healthy: Buy things on sale in bulk and freeze, including in-season fruit and vegetables (check the web to learn how to freeze all kinds of veggies - they will typically last 3-5 months). Make sure you cut out other expensive foods like prepackaged meals and high-priced meats. Anything processed gets the chop. Increase your portions of cheap foodstuffs like pastas and rice (real not prepackaged!). Avoid the soda/snack aisle, juice can be had for cheaper in the frozen concentrate form. Invest in a faucet filter and dedicate yourself to a glass of water over dinner. Tofu is a great source of protein and is not too pricey. Buy cheese in blocks instead of sliced or shredded. Calculate price-per-weight on everything you buy and compare the products, buy all your non-foods (including spices) at Walmart. I would recommend keeping your full coverage, unless you’ll be saving a LOT of money. If you cut your full insurance, what would it save you per year? Sock that away each month for a ‘car replacement’ fund. How long would it take that fund to reach the full value of the car you own?

But you still have small savings, and if you did perchance get into an accident and weren’t covered, how would you pay for another one?

For my computer chair I once used a plastic folding chair (with metal frame) from Walmart with a couple old pillows duct-taped to it. It lasted over 2 years and only cost $3!

Tips for eating healthy: Buy things on sale in bulk and freeze, including in-season fruit and vegetables (check the web to learn how to freeze all kinds of veggies – they will typically last 3-5 months). Make sure you cut out other expensive foods like prepackaged meals and high-priced meats. Anything processed gets the chop. Increase your portions of cheap foodstuffs like pastas and rice (real not prepackaged!). Avoid the soda/snack aisle, juice can be had for cheaper in the frozen concentrate form. Invest in a faucet filter and dedicate yourself to a glass of water over dinner. Tofu is a great source of protein and is not too pricey. Buy cheese in blocks instead of sliced or shredded. Calculate price-per-weight on everything you buy and compare the products, buy all your non-foods (including spices) at Walmart.

]]> By: Karen http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36565 Karen Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:46:31 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36565 Tricia, good job! It is interesting to see how much things vary in different parts of the country. I'm in the Houston area, and my water bill (minimum) is $30/month (which includes trash); I don't have a home phone (just use cell) because the minimum for that is $30+/month; and cable - wow! I pay about $50 monthly for extended basic which includes a $10 credit for the first year! And yes, I spend alot on groceries to eat healthy. I'd say it is nearly double! I do have a huge mortgage but with all the energy savings I get (double paned windows, hi eff A/C, ceiling fans in all rooms, and very well insulated), I save a bundle on utilities. My recent gas bill was $19 and electric $53. I'd rather buy myself a nice home rather than give my money to utility companies! Tricia, good job! It is interesting to see how much things vary in different parts of the country. I’m in the Houston area, and my water bill (minimum) is $30/month (which includes trash); I don’t have a home phone (just use cell) because the minimum for that is $30+/month; and cable – wow! I pay about $50 monthly for extended basic which includes a $10 credit for the first year! And yes, I spend alot on groceries to eat healthy. I’d say it is nearly double! I do have a huge mortgage but with all the energy savings I get (double paned windows, hi eff A/C, ceiling fans in all rooms, and very well insulated), I save a bundle on utilities. My recent gas bill was $19 and electric $53. I’d rather buy myself a nice home rather than give my money to utility companies!

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36564 Cheryl Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:35:02 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36564 Hello - Long time reader, first time commenter! Just curious, have you tried returning to Wal Mart their crappy chairs that do not seem to withstand a person actually sitting on them? Can't hurt to try, you may get your $$ back. You won't get what you don't ask for. Hello – Long time reader, first time commenter! Just curious, have you tried returning to Wal Mart their crappy chairs that do not seem to withstand a person actually sitting on them? Can’t hurt to try, you may get your $$ back. You won’t get what you don’t ask for.

]]> By: Tricia http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36542 Tricia Wed, 25 Apr 2007 01:01:12 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36542 Well, where I live is often referred to as God's Country ;) Real estate is very reasonable where I live. My home only cost $35,000. Well, where I live is often referred to as God’s Country ;)

Real estate is very reasonable where I live. My home only cost $35,000.

]]> By: Never Again Debt http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36541 Never Again Debt Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:59:10 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36541 Your mortgage is only $323 a month? Are you in heaven? Your mortgage is only $323 a month? Are you in heaven?

]]> By: Tricia http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36537 Tricia Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:33:28 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36537 fellowes - yes, our fuel costs are low. I work out of my home and my husband does too with his temporary job. He does have some summer jobs/projects that will require him to drive more. As for the grocery spending, the last part of March I did go on a fresh fruit kick. The problem is that fresh fruit can be very expensive out of season. May will be the big test to see how our grocery spending goes. c - I use Quicken to keep track of everything. For the reports that I put on here, I export the report to Excel and then add formatting to it so it looks nice. Thank you for the complement :) fellowes – yes, our fuel costs are low. I work out of my home and my husband does too with his temporary job. He does have some summer jobs/projects that will require him to drive more.

As for the grocery spending, the last part of March I did go on a fresh fruit kick. The problem is that fresh fruit can be very expensive out of season. May will be the big test to see how our grocery spending goes.

c – I use Quicken to keep track of everything. For the reports that I put on here, I export the report to Excel and then add formatting to it so it looks nice.

Thank you for the complement :)

]]> By: c http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36535 c Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:53:26 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36535 Just curious what method you use to keep track of this all--Quicken or just a basic spreadsheet? I have a budget which I adhere to somewhat well, but I don't track down to the dollar, and I'd really like to. BTW I love your blog--read it pretty much every day. Just curious what method you use to keep track of this all–Quicken or just a basic spreadsheet? I have a budget which I adhere to somewhat well, but I don’t track down to the dollar, and I’d really like to.

BTW I love your blog–read it pretty much every day.

]]> By: Daisy http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36531 Daisy Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:05:46 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36531 It's probably good to keep collision on your car if you rely on it. If you don't have the money to replace it, saving that money won't matter if it's gone. Plus, if you're hit by someone who has insurance with a bear of a company (American Family is the worst if you have to fight with them, IMO), you can make your insurance company do that if you have collision, but not if you drop to liability only. We keep liability only on our 10 year-old Civic, mainly because it isn't worth anything to anyone but us. But we have a backup in our truck should anything happen to it. The minivan is still collateral, so it's on comprehensive. My father pays cash for his vehicles, and used to keep only liability on them. Then his car was torched by people who had tried to steal it and failed. That experience had him keeping comprehensive for a while longer than he had before. It’s probably good to keep collision on your car if you rely on it. If you don’t have the money to replace it, saving that money won’t matter if it’s gone. Plus, if you’re hit by someone who has insurance with a bear of a company (American Family is the worst if you have to fight with them, IMO), you can make your insurance company do that if you have collision, but not if you drop to liability only. We keep liability only on our 10 year-old Civic, mainly because it isn’t worth anything to anyone but us. But we have a backup in our truck should anything happen to it. The minivan is still collateral, so it’s on comprehensive.

My father pays cash for his vehicles, and used to keep only liability on them. Then his car was torched by people who had tried to steal it and failed. That experience had him keeping comprehensive for a while longer than he had before.

]]> By: fellowes http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/comment-page-1/#comment-36528 fellowes Tue, 24 Apr 2007 22:20:04 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2007/04/march-2007-heres-how-much-we-made-and-heres-where-it-went/#comment-36528 Congrats on another great month. Your 'Automobile-Fuel' category makes me jealous. I'm probably burning through that much gas in a week of commuting. Once I am done with my regimented early morning workouts, I will be taking the bus to work at $0.00 per gallon. Just curious about your grocery bill. Are you buying mostly healthy foods these days? Since changing my lifestyle to a healthier one, my grocery bills have gone up quite a bit. I am finding that it is much more expensive to eat healthier. Just curious what your experience has been. Congrats on another great month. Your ‘Automobile-Fuel’ category makes me jealous. I’m probably burning through that much gas in a week of commuting. Once I am done with my regimented early morning workouts, I will be taking the bus to work at $0.00 per gallon.

Just curious about your grocery bill. Are you buying mostly healthy foods these days? Since changing my lifestyle to a healthier one, my grocery bills have gone up quite a bit. I am finding that it is much more expensive to eat healthier. Just curious what your experience has been.

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