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Author Topic: Made Major Changes  (Read 9007 times)

gary

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Made Major Changes
« on: December 17, 2013, 07:20:28 AM »
I'm glad I read the information from all of you and Mr. Money Mustache.  I started my cost cutting and I'm on a mission to pay off debt.   Within the last 2 months I did the following:

$10k - Sold extra car (collectible).

Per month savings:
(-60) - Savings from Insurance by selling extra car
(-65) - Savings from Debt Interest by selling extra car
(-131) - Eliminated Storage payment, now storing stuff in garage where extra car used to be.
(-120) - Eliminated Cable TV
(-150) - Gas Savings: Sold current daily car and bought Prius (cost the same price as car sold) 50mpg vs previous 22 mpg ( I drive about 22k miles per year)
(-100) - Mobile Phone savings: Switched 2 phones from AT&T to Metro PCS
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Total Savings: $626 / mo. Amazing ($7512/yr). 

I'm paying down $50k plus in debt with almost everything extra I have left every month.  My only vice is that I really enjoy eating out w/ my girlfriend.  Not huge amounts, but it's our entertainment. I must find a way to reduce this.

I am using Mint.com.  This really helps in figuring out where your money goes. 

Thanks for all of your stories. They've motivated me to do the same.  Mr. Money Mustache site is great! 

I appreciate all input.

Take care,
Gary




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TrulyStashin

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2013, 07:38:18 AM »
Congrats!  It feels great, doesn't it?

In order to change your thinking about eating out = entertainment, make eating in your new entertainment.  For Friday or Saturday night, start planning ahead.  Go to allrecipes.com or some other site (I love that one).  Pick something that sounds delicious.  Plan a playlist.  Buy a bottle of wine (or two).    You'll quickly find that this is FAR preferable to a restaurant.
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gary

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2013, 07:53:27 AM »
TrulyStashin,
Thank you!  That sounds fantastic.  Planning ahead will make Eating In an event.  I will work on changing the way I think about eating out.  I was able to change it for most other items (no cable, lower cost mobile phones, economical car, etc.). I can do it for my eating out habit.

It's amazing how hard it is to change things sometimes. It's like jumping into a cold pool, but once you're in a little while, it's nice and warm!

Thanks again,
Gary
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arebelspy

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2013, 09:12:58 AM »
Welcome Gary, and well done!

I think you'll be amazed at the impact on your life after just a little bit, and how much freer and happier you'll feel.
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gary

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2013, 09:22:16 AM »
Thx arebelspy!!
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MariaSouth

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2013, 01:04:29 PM »
Congrats Gary!
I applaude your mission and am impressed by the quick changes made so far. Clearly, you have understood the MMM philosophy and were not scared of taking the right steps. I am sure you will work out the eating out issue. The ideas given by TrulyStashin are awsome and do work.

Cheers!
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gary

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2013, 01:35:59 PM »
THx MariaSouth!  I appreciate the encouragement.
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TrulyStashin

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2013, 01:45:00 PM »
Benefits of eating in (aside from obvious $$ saved):

Eat exactly what you want in whatever setting you want (sofa; picnic outside; candlelight inside, etc)
Learn a new skill
A chance to play while cooking together
No waiter hovering and wishing you'd leave so he can flip the table or interrupting your conversation with poorly timed service
No other diners, greater privacy
Drink as much wine (or whatever) as you want, no need to drive
Seamless integration of dinner with the rest of your evening (ahem....) 

What's not to love!!!
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Exflyboy

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2013, 03:29:27 PM »
And eating in is close to the couch.. Who needs cable TV (cough)..:)

Frank
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TrulyStashin

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2013, 05:25:54 PM »
I'm home cooking dinner for the fam tonight and thought of you as I make this super easy but delicious recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/clam-sauce-with-linguine/detail.aspx  Use fresh parsley and mushrooms.  Buy canned clams (stock up when on sale).  I usually add cornstarch right before serving to thicken it a little (heaping tablespoon of cornstarch in a cup; add water to the cornstarch and stir to dissolve; then add dissolved mixture to the sauce while still in it's pot on the stove)

And for homemade bread so good and easy, you'll slap you're mama, go here:  http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/2010/02/09/back-to-basics-tips-and-techniques-to-create-a-great-loaf-in-5-minutes-a-day

Add a simple green salad and a bottle of wine and bow chica wow wow, you're in business!

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gary

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2013, 06:52:22 PM »
Truly,
Thanks so much!  That sounds great.  I love the recipe.  I also appreciate your advice.  I will make it a point to plan for it this weekend.  We would go to a restaurant and love the Sangria they served.  We'll try to make it at home.  I believe I saw a great recipe by Emeryl.

I also want to give Thai food a try. We love Red Curry.  This may take a few tries :).

Thanks a great deal. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

Regards, Gary
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FIreDrill

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2013, 07:39:43 PM »
That's some great expense cutting!  Keep chipping away, every little bit helps :)
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Rural

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #12 on: December 18, 2013, 05:42:59 AM »
Quote from: gary on December 17, 2013, 06:52:22 PM
Truly,
Thanks so much!  That sounds great.  I love the recipe.  I also appreciate your advice.  I will make it a point to plan for it this weekend.  We would go to a restaurant and love the Sangria they served.  We'll try to make it at home.  I believe I saw a great recipe by Emeryl.

I also want to give Thai food a try. We love Red Curry.  This may take a few tries :).

Thanks a great deal. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

Regards, Gary

For the red curry, find yourself an Asian grocery. It's sold in small cans, and it's good, and cheap. Add a little coconut milk and you're in business.
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gary

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2013, 11:13:35 AM »
Thanks Rural !  Yes, an Asian market is the key.   When I was younger, I tried to make red curry.  I bought the regular curry from the local supermarket. Guess what I used for coconut milk?  Coco Lopez ( a Pina colada mix).. Jaja ..   What I created was horrible.. I never tried it again.
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dude

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2013, 09:56:59 AM »
Thai curry is ridiculously simple to make, whether red, green, or panang.  These days, you can buy the cans of paste at just about any good grocery store (and definitely at Whole Foods).  Just add whatever veggies and/or meat you like, and it's fantastic.  For added flavor and richness, add a few squirts of fish sauce, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar.

For eating out, subscribe to Groupon/Gilt City/Amazon Local, etc., and take advantage of the restaurant deals offered there.  You can often get 50% discounts for many restaurants in your area (e.g., $15 Groupon for $30 worth of food).
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ColtCeverz

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2013, 12:39:56 PM »
congrats Gary!!
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Retired thks to MMM

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #16 on: December 23, 2013, 09:53:31 PM »
Great Changes! 

On the dining out front... another huge benefit to not dining out is eating food that's better for you!  I found that eating in with a well thought out plan can be great quality using better ingredients, much less fat and sugar than you would be getting even at the best restaurants.

Other Benefits:

The beer and wine is typically far better at home (and a 1/4 the cost!).

Awesome Leftovers!

Zero Transportation Costs (and the fore mentioned lack of Designated Driver Requirement).


Keep up the great work!
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gary

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #17 on: December 27, 2013, 05:25:09 PM »
Thanks Dude, Colt, and Retired.
I appreciate your input.. Thanks for the restaurant and thai info.

Best regards, Gary
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marz1982

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #18 on: December 28, 2013, 10:51:05 PM »
Those are some awesome savings, Gary!  Well done!! :)
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gary

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Re: Made Major Changes
« Reply #19 on: January 03, 2014, 01:02:46 PM »
Thx Marz!
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