Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Pinching the bottom line.


We use our credit card (1% cash back) for most purchases. The billing cycle ends in two days so I've been challenging myself not to shop until Friday so I can keep our total lower than a normal month. It seems like cheating since I will have to go shopping soon but for now it's a simple goal that I am trying to achieve. Because every little bit helps.
It also helps to curb that need to shop for entertainment problem that I have. My credit card bill is littered with Goodwill, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General because these are seen as small extravagances without much guilt. But, those little purchases add up. How many dollars could I save by simply waiting until I actually need something before making a trip to a discount store just for fun? So, this is my challenge for the next few days.
I only have about five dollars in my wallet right now. I can't do much damage.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jenny,

You may already know this, but Discovery Channel has three full episodes of Jon & Kate plus eight available on their website. I think these are from the new season and they will add one every week, after it has aired on TLC.

I was excited about this because we don't have cable or Dish either.

Holly C.

Jenny's Vegcafe said...

Thank you! I've missed them so much.

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way right now. Last month, our credit card total was too high. It actually shocked me a little bit! So, I'm trying to just not buy ANYTHING for a while.

Anonymous said...

I admire your resolve. And...not spending - for whatever reason is not spending.

We, too, were in the category of "Discover card junkies" - gotta get that "cash back fix".

We always paid off the credit card, but could never get ahead. We had been nickel- and dime-ing ourselves crazy over the past few years. DH has a HUGE college debt because his folks spent money like it was water so never saved for HIS college. SO....we COMPLETELY STOPPED using credit cards over a year ago...and have put ourselves on a budget - AND I track every dollar we spend. We feel like we got a raise....he made less than $38,000 and we paid off over $12,000 in debt. We have a long way to go, but it can be done.

Yes - credit cards are nice, but in a pinch, I have my debit card when that is needed.
And - CASH HURTS!!!!
Try to see the difference in emotion between going into the store with a $50 Bill for groceries vs. "Cha-chinging" it....The emotional freedom of cash and getting control is well worth the 1% cash back.

Google