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Still Frugal After All These Years

May 10th, 2023 at 08:11 am

Been a while since I have posted. I have no signifgant debt to speak of really. I am worried about my retirement funds being eaten up by inflation. I hate the taxes as well.

The car is 10 years old but it is a Subaru and seems to be running fine. Thank goodness the mortgage is paid in full. 

I try to keep credit card purchases down to a minimum. Everything gets paid off completely every month. Interest on loans and credit cards are the killers of wealth. 

If i can get to debt free then anyone can get there. Just set your goals and pursue them.

Ou of debt means out of danger!

Use it up....wear it out....Make do...do without...

If someone like me can get out from under  then so can you!

 

 

 

 

Retired…

January 30th, 2022 at 08:13 am

I am retired. Still pinching every penny I have. I also find I am decluttering my life and becoming more of a minimalist. 
No debt to speak of at this point. 
Less is more! 
I sure have come a long way!

The Wedding

February 12th, 2020 at 04:04 am

Sigh....I am paying for a wedding. I never knew it was this crazy expensive. I am now definitely a huge proponent of eloping or small weddings. It seems to me that money would be better spent for the down payment on a house or a new car.
All in all I am doing okay. Still frugal and I still make a game of “no spend” days.
The funny part is that you get so conditioned to saving and being frugal that the thought of spending makes you uncomfortable. I guess I’ll have to earn how to do that.

Retirement Funding

September 15th, 2014 at 08:54 pm

Retirement funding all in place. Investments are doing okay. Still looking for more ways to make money and to cut budget. Strange how collecting money becomes a past time.
Between what the DW and I have in SS and in retirement savings we should be okay. Dental funds and Emergency funds took a hit so I need to get them both up to 10000 again. Any and all card use is being paid at the end of the month. Cash is king for the most part.
6 no spend days so far. Whoopieeee!!!!!

Blog fast approaching 10 years

August 30th, 2014 at 06:35 am

I have not put much in my blog as the years went by. I just kept trying to cut expenses and live frugally. With luck and perseverance I am sort of in the clear. I still watch my bills and what comes in and out.

I am in pretty good shape for retirement. I am essentially out of debt and thus out of danger. I never want to go into debt again. I still keep socking money away. I put in till there s a little pain and strain on the budget but in the end I believe it will be worth it.

I shall soon be exploring my local library again. I pay taxes for it so I intend to get my moneys worth out of it.

Still out here plugging away!

Still out of debt.

September 17th, 2013 at 05:56 am

Still out of debt. I am still living frugally. My wife was worried about my insurance (Life) but it appears I have more than enough! Hmmm? Should I be worried about her inquiry? LOL!!!!Smile
In any case she has not run up any more debt that I am aware of. We are still putting as much away as possible but the taxes and the cost of food and energy keep rising.
We stopped clipping coupons as the savings were minimal here. We have modified our purchasing habits and have cut our food budget substantially. The Utility Bill is still a bone of contention between us. We have had some really serious arguments about this.
My DD is out of college and this promises to be an opportunity to save some more money as time goes by.
It is all about retirement savings at this point. We are in pretty good shape where this is concerned. I still try to put as much as humanly possible away.
The CC bill is paid in full every month and we have been collecting points for flights. This was helpful with DD going back and forth!
I need to lose a good deal of weight or all the money in the world shall do me no good!
So there it goes for now. I just keep plugging away financially. Ship is running smooth right now. I do need to increase the Emergency and Dental fund account balances as they have taken hits in the last year! SO on it goes!

On Course!

February 24th, 2013 at 11:38 am

I am not only on course but the expense of my daughter's college is almost done. Thank goodness! Now I am just putting as much away as I can for retirement!
My finances have really turned around since first I visited this site.
I don't make as many entries as I used to do. Still clipping coupons and living below our means.
If you are in debt you can get out and get back to financial sanity. It takes time and you must make tough decisions but you can do it. If I can do it anyone can!
Well, that is my two cents!

I HATE SNOW!!!!!!

January 28th, 2009 at 05:46 pm

It is snowing again and my shovel broke. I came home early to shovel and I am hating this weather. 25 dollars for a new shovel!

I can't wait for spring! I can't wait for the warm weather! Sigh!Sad

Helping a Friend

December 12th, 2007 at 04:13 am

A friend of mine who is in poor health has no money coming in due to certain terrible circumstances.Although we are not rich the wife and I felt we had to help.

We sent 2000 dollars whch is a chunk of change for us. The good Lord blessed us with the ability to help and so we did. I am not looking for a pat on the back or any recognition.

He is a nice man but totally clueless about money. He has lived on the edge for many years. Worked hard but could never get his finances in order.

I told my friend to forget about paying me back. I think sometimes it is good to help when you can. I suppose it means that some luxury things are not going to be there for us now. In the end what is important in life?

I think I have done the right thing. I believe I am obligated to help if I can do so. He is a very good friend and a decent man. My wife and I think the world of him.

MAybe I am looking for someone to say that I did the right thing. In the end I suppose that does not really matter.

I know in my heart I did the right thing and at the end of the day that is all that matters! Someday I might find myself in my friends position. There is a certain karma in the universe that repays in way or another. I guess I'll be content with that thought.

Just musing about this. Just musing.

Reflections on the day!

January 5th, 2007 at 07:38 am

Well I got a lot of work done today at home. I was able to sneak and get over to this sites forums today.

Well I sit here listening to Brenda Holloway singing "Every Little Bit Hurts".
I love old Love Songs! I guess that makes me a hopeless romantic. Now Bertha Tillman is singing "Oh My Angel"! They sure don't write songs the way they used to!

I have been good and spent no money today. Not hard since I was working at home today! A productive day is what I would call it!

I have discovered that adding apple juice, the darker juice, to oatmeal is better than adding milk! No sugar. Just cinnamon and a banana! Yummy!!!

20 minutes of aerobic dance today. I want to get to 1/2 hour every day and add walking to that. I also want to add Nordic walking but hey one thing at a time.

I hope to go cycling this Sunday morning.
I don't know maybe 10 or 12 miles!

Well I hope things pick up bit on the extra money side. I keep trying.
Gotta put those no spend days together. Yup! That is what I must do!

Now its Bettye Swann singing "Make Me Yours"! Gosh I love this music. I am waxing nostalgic!

For those whose hearts have been hurt things will get better. Life can be beautiful if you let it be!

God Bless everyone and may all things be golden for you!WinkSmile

End of Year and I am OPTIMISTIC!!!:D

December 31st, 2006 at 05:34 am

Well it is officially the last day of the year! I am feeling pumped as the new year is ready to get started!

I know this year can be a good one not only for me but for everyone else here!

I am pumped and prepped to save!

I am pumped and prepped to lose weight!

I am just psyched up as the new year starts!

It is now a time to get ready for the 2007 20 Dollar Challenge!

It is time to cut costs and keep as much of my money as possible!

Jeff and Nate are making this place into something very special!

You folks are making this place into something special!

Can we save money! YES WE CAN!

Can we get rid of debt? YES WE CAN

Can we accomplish our goals? YES WE CAN!

Let's go team!Smile

My list of 25!

November 16th, 2006 at 10:38 pm

Okay since everyone else is doing this I guess I can do so as well!

1) I am the size of of an Offensive tackle in the NFL.6'6" and 330 lbs.

2) I sing tenor and I actually have a very nice voice.

3) I missed being an Eagle Scout by one merit badge.

4) I have worked as a bartender and I was a darn good one. It was the most fun job I ever had.

5) The first great love of my life eloped and married someone else which broke mty heart at the time!

6) I am a notary public.

7) I am a certified firearms instructor.

8) Unbeknownst to all my guy friends I like making potpourri with different scented oils. It just would not go over well with the fellas.

9) I have seen enough death and suffering such that I don't ever want to see any anymore.

10) I like wearing baseball caps.

11) I volunteer with local sheriff's dept. as a reservist.

12) I always found that sitting around a camp fire, roastig marshmallows, singing corny songs, and drinking hot cocoa, is about the funnest thing on the planet to do!

13) My eyes well up when I watch sad movies like Brians Song or The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I am at heart a big mush!

14) I love gadgets and tools. They are my favorite gifts! I love to tinker.

15) I once gave serious thought to being a priest.

16) I am on the executive committee of a local political party.

17) I have been a Chicago Cubs Fan before it was fashiobnable. I have never stepped foot in the state of Illinois.

18) I love singing Doo-Wop music and I do it every chance I get.

19) I am one of nine children!

20) Walks on rainy days followed by hot coaoa, a warm blanket, and a good book in the recliner are like gold!

Dinner is ready so I'll post the next five as soon as I am done!Smile

Okay I am back form dinner and here are the next five.

21) I have been known to fall asleep at services and have my wife give me an elbow to wake me up!

22) I love putting lightsup for all the holidays and Christmas is the biggie!

23) I grew up poor so everything I have I am truly amazed that I have.

24) I have milked a cow and moved them to water with the aid of a dog. I have planted corn and picked apples. I have watched a calf being born. While sheep are cute they are amonst the dumbest of God's creatures!

25) I really love my wife and family. God is good and merciful and life can be beautiful if you look at in the proper perspective.

Well, that was 25 off the top of the head!WinkSmile

Just Musing

November 15th, 2006 at 10:39 pm

What is it all about anyhow? Save money, retire, and try to enjoy what is left. There is more to life than just money and success as the world sees it. Is my material success all encompassing of who I am or how successful as a person?

What is any of these things I own really worth? It will all break, fade, or passs away over time. Nothing of me or mine will remain!

What does,"is it worth it?", mean? Is there anything worth it? Whatever "it" is!
Just musing on a somber day. Just thinking a little too deeply perhaps. Perhasps where ignorance is bliss it truly is folly to be wise!

Going out for a ride on my bicycle!

October 11th, 2006 at 05:57 pm

It is a nice cloudy day here. I am taking some time and getting on my bicycle and going for a ride. It does not cost a thing and that is wonderful.

I am not going to think about bills, spending, or anything else that causes stress. I am taking time out for me in order to keep my sanity!

How I feel about debt!

May 2nd, 2006 at 04:53 am

How I feel about debt!

Where do you want to be?

April 25th, 2006 at 12:37 am

I want to be out of debt but what happens when I am? Did you ever want something so bad and when you got it you sort of had a let down afterwards?

When and where do you draw the line between saving and miserliness? When do you spend to enjoy if at all?

Am I missing life now because of this saving thing? Maybe I'm doing the right/wrong thing with my money?

Where do I want to go and where do I want to be with my finances and how do I get there? I guess these are questions we all ask ourselves. Just musing!