Hi all, I'm relatively new to the forums here. I've spent the past little bit catching up on some of the epic threads. You guys make me feel like the biggest spendthrift ever, when I thought I was relatively frugal. Examples?
BEFORE: I'm smart because I refuse to lease a car, even though it's the "the" way to do it. I got a sweet 1.9% financing deal for one car, and paid cash for the next two. Co-workers all lease new cars every 3 years (Acuras, Caddys, Lexii...)
AFTER: Holy shit, I have 2 cars! Relatively new, at that (2005, 2010).
BEFORE: I do all my own housework/laundry/dry cleaning/yardwork/whatever handywoman work I can do with the help of teh googles and teh youtoobs. Co-workers/friends spend hundreds a month to let someone else do this stuff.
AFTER: I spend how much on cleaning supplies and electricity?!?!?! Shit, I should make my own cleaning stuff, handwash my dishes (there's only 1.5 people in the house) and air dry my laundry.
BEFORE: Dayam, I just hit $250K in my retirement accounts. I may be able to retire at 60 instead of 65!
AFTER: Dayam, I only have $250K saved, I'll never retire by 40, waaaaaaaaaah!!!
BEFORE: I spend roughly $400 a year on new clothes for DS and I, get ridiculed for having a "Monday" shirt and a "Tuesday" shirt because I really only have 7 or so of them.
AFTER: I bet I could get that down below $50 if I shop at the thrift store...
BEFORE: I cut the cord and no longer pay an outrageous amount for cable TV. Really, they should be paying ME to sit there and watch all their crappy ads, instead of me paying for the privilege of being bombarded with that shit. Netflix all the way, baby!
AFTER: I have a TV (hangs head in shame).
BEFORE: I think I'm badass because I have a $1K deductible on my car and home insurance, instead of the $250 or $500 that most folks I know have, and know I'll have no problem covering it if anything comes up.
AFTER: They offer $5K deductibles?!?!?!?!
What are yours?