I just found the website and was immediately convinced that mustache is the way to go. I can't use all the advice here because I live elsewhere, but plenty of good advice for me too here. I have a good income for my country average and I've been just wasting it all until now (embarrassed to say I started ANY KIND of saving just less than two years ago and my loans are plentiful...). My biggest problem is unplanned spending, which I'm now trying to make more planned...to buy only what I need would be the way to go, obviously. My plan at the moment is the following:
Loans: I want to get rid of them ASAP, starting from the one with highest interest. I will NOT take any more loan or use credit !!
Insurance: I want to check if I could get them cheaper from another company...also, I'm going to change my car insurance for a less covering one, just the basics, since the car is oldish (2007) and should be cheaper to repair it without the insurance most of the time.
Car: Mine is small and fully paid. No plans to change it at the moment. I plan to use it only during some weekend trips and vacations, not in the everyday life if not absolutely needed. Also, I'll try to drive optimum speed to save gas, which is ridiculously expensive here. Will be using my bike, which I've tried to do already before starting my frugality.
Electricity and internet: I'm going to try to use only the lights I need and stop using the drier ( I don't use it much anyway, people dry clothes on lines here mostly). My electricity use is not very big for this size of apartment according to the company providing it. My internet deal is the cheapest I could find, so no saving there and I don't pay for TV at all.
Clothes & beauty: I plan not to buy anything for a long time, since I've got plenty of clothes and make-up already. When buying more, I'll try to buy very little and good quality, which will last me a long time. Going to the hairdresser about once in three months is something I'm not willing to give up just yet.
Housing: I live in a small apartment and I'm trying to figure out what I should do with my loans...the interest is really low and any changes will mean higher interest, so I might just leave it be for now, since loan 1/2 will be paid in a year and I can use that money for investing.
Food and drinks&groceries: I drink mostly water already, so no saving there. On alcohol I'll try to stick to cheaper drinks at home (I don't drink that much anyway) and try to avoid drinking in a restaurant/bar. Food is the difficulty...I want to buy good quality food and I'm not willing to give that up, but it costs much more. Bulk staff here tends to be of lower quality here, so that doesn't seem like an option for me, except for the papers maybe. I'm thinking that adding even more veggies to the food might help to lower my costs, maybe even veggie food few times a week. I don't eat out much and I avoid ready-made food in the store and instead cook myself nearly always and also I take leftovers for lunch to work. Planning the menu doesn't seem that important since I usually don't have to throw food away due to spoiling, I use the freezer if needed instead. I buy lots of food that's not necessary at all (like treats and snacks, candy etc.), so I'm going to try and get rid of that bad habit (would be good for the health too). Any ideas on how to eat cheaper using good quality products.
Travelling: With my car, I'll try to use economic speed to save gas. With holidays, I'll choose cheaper accommodation, use less alcohol (or swithc to beer :D ) and eat in cheaper places. Those should all be very easy to do.
Gifts: I need some good ideas on budget gifts...I tend to use too much money on these.
Fun&hobbies: My hobbies are mostly free at the moment, except for baking, which needs a little groceries. I'll try to go only to places (movies, theaters, gyms, bowling etc.) that accept the free coupons my employer provides me. This will keep my hobbies and cultural plans free.
These are the things I could think of at the moment, your thoughts and opinions about my plan are welcome...
