savings (almost) doubled in two years

[needmyfi]

My first post ever was two years and two weeks ago.  I logged in and checked because I knew somewhere in those first posts I would find how much I had in savings and investments back then.  I had "80?" Today, 2 years later my dh and I have $158,675 .  Especially badass since our combined income is only 62,000 a year plus or minus (income from rental property fluctuates).

Here's how
First and foremost-started to track all spending
Cut satellite tv-went to streaming and splurge on Netflix
Dropped Verizon got on single Virgin mobile for 7 a mo.
Dropped trash pick up-I drive 1/2 mile from the landfill anyway
Reduced gas bill  by 600 a year
ALDI opened in nearest big town-yeah!
Picked up hours at work-now working 30 instead of 20-so I have insurance thru them-saves almost 300/mo
And of course 80 k in 2012 is worth alot more in 2014-mostly in s and p 500 index funds.
 
Wish I had more interesting ways to save-spent less and made more.  I know everyone here already knows the methods but it worked. Honestly did n't seem hard at all,  not as hard as worrying if you will be able to retire .

Oh-also lost 18 pounds-my bmi is now around 24.6 so I am technically no longer overweight.  How to lose a few more.

[frugalecon]

Needmyfi, reading your post is a high point of my day. I am glad that you shared your accomplishment, and the positive attitude that your post exudes.

[Grateful Stache]

Congrats on all the good things!

[Dyk]

Thank you for posting, that is awesome to hear!  Keep it up!

[pachnik]

Congratulations and thanks for posting.  I agree the techniques we learn here aren't hard.

Best regards,

Pachnik

[marty998]

Wish I had more interesting ways to save-spent less and made more.  I know everyone here already knows the methods but it worked. Honestly did n't seem hard at all,  not as hard as worrying if you will be able to retire .

Thats exactly right. The whole spend less than you earn thing is not hard and really at the end of the day not that interesting. But it works and we're all happier for it :)

[needmyfi]

Thanks to all for the responses and encouragement.

Didn't save a million last year or retire at twenty, the thing that feels the most badass is how relatively small efforts really produced returns.  It takes me about an extra twenty min. a month to drop off my trash-I'm paying myself $75/hour.