Comments on: My Lifestyle http://www.astoryofdebt.com/2009/12/my-lifestyle/ Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:40:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Elaine http://www.astoryofdebt.com/2009/12/my-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Elaine Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:16:30 +0000 http://www.astoryofdebt.com/?p=60#comment-83 Amazing, I match up pretty closely to you on all these points. Living at my own place, driving a car and owning a smartphone -- it feels like must-haves I can't live without! Good of you on cutting down on your shopping budget -- that's something I need a lot of improvement on. Hopefully cold turkey is the best way! Good luck to you this coming year. We can do it :) Amazing, I match up pretty closely to you on all these points. Living at my own place, driving a car and owning a smartphone — it feels like must-haves I can’t live without! Good of you on cutting down on your shopping budget — that’s something I need a lot of improvement on. Hopefully cold turkey is the best way!

Good luck to you this coming year. We can do it :)

]]> By: Patti http://www.astoryofdebt.com/2009/12/my-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-52 Patti Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:43:49 +0000 http://www.astoryofdebt.com/?p=60#comment-52 I am starting similar goal. Good Luck. Rather than include it in my goal and stress daily about it, I'm examining the overall debt monthly and made 'some numbers' public with my 43Things list. I admire you for recognizing this daily. I am starting similar goal. Good Luck. Rather than include it in my goal and stress daily about it, I’m examining the overall debt monthly and made ‘some numbers’ public with my 43Things list. I admire you for recognizing this daily.

]]> By: Airam http://www.astoryofdebt.com/2009/12/my-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Airam Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:16:17 +0000 http://www.astoryofdebt.com/?p=60#comment-50 Just out of curiosity, what is the breakdown of your monthly budget? That is if you feel comfortable disclosing the info. Just out of curiosity, what is the breakdown of your monthly budget? That is if you feel comfortable disclosing the info.

]]> By: Phil http://www.astoryofdebt.com/2009/12/my-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Phil Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:51:00 +0000 http://www.astoryofdebt.com/?p=60#comment-49 I've been trying to do a similar assessment of where my money is going. I've even resorted to creating spreadsheets of monthly bills, and I've also tracked which places I tend to spend the most money. Surprisingly, they've been amazingly helpful for me and I now I really think about everything I buy before I make that purchase. My Mint budget is nice, but going the extra step has been a huge asset. I like how you've done the pros and cons list here. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm pretty sure I started tracking my expenses with spreadsheets because I was trying to decide if it would be worth it for me to switch to an iPhone. Turns out I spend the same on the phone I hate each month as I would for an iPhone. I still haven't switched, as I'm in my contract and trying to keep my spending down. It started a great process for me though, so I know I'll make wiser decisions about it all in the future. I’ve been trying to do a similar assessment of where my money is going. I’ve even resorted to creating spreadsheets of monthly bills, and I’ve also tracked which places I tend to spend the most money. Surprisingly, they’ve been amazingly helpful for me and I now I really think about everything I buy before I make that purchase. My Mint budget is nice, but going the extra step has been a huge asset.

I like how you’ve done the pros and cons list here. Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m pretty sure I started tracking my expenses with spreadsheets because I was trying to decide if it would be worth it for me to switch to an iPhone. Turns out I spend the same on the phone I hate each month as I would for an iPhone. I still haven’t switched, as I’m in my contract and trying to keep my spending down. It started a great process for me though, so I know I’ll make wiser decisions about it all in the future.

]]> By: Stephany http://www.astoryofdebt.com/2009/12/my-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Stephany Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:47:34 +0000 http://www.astoryofdebt.com/?p=60#comment-48 I did something like this when my mom and I moved into our new apartment. We wanted to know what bills we had but we haven't really stuck to the budget. And we haven't sat down and mapped out where we were spending money. For you, I see cutting down on your grocery bill and miscellaneous items would help greatly. And I think you also need to budget in dinner out once a week and entertainment money. Everyone needs time to rewind! I did something like this when my mom and I moved into our new apartment. We wanted to know what bills we had but we haven’t really stuck to the budget. And we haven’t sat down and mapped out where we were spending money.

For you, I see cutting down on your grocery bill and miscellaneous items would help greatly. And I think you also need to budget in dinner out once a week and entertainment money. Everyone needs time to rewind!

]]> By: Erin http://www.astoryofdebt.com/2009/12/my-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Erin Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:53:19 +0000 http://www.astoryofdebt.com/?p=60#comment-46 Fast food really adds up! It's crazy when you look at the costs on a month by month basis and think of how many grocery items you could get for the cost of four fast food sandwiches. Fast food really adds up! It’s crazy when you look at the costs on a month by month basis and think of how many grocery items you could get for the cost of four fast food sandwiches.

]]> By: Jaime http://www.astoryofdebt.com/2009/12/my-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Jaime Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:27:35 +0000 http://www.astoryofdebt.com/?p=60#comment-45 1. I bought the iPhone last year and only had it for about 5 months before I sold it for a regular flip phone. I loved it (dearly) but could not afford the payment plan and the $180 I was spending for two iPhones every month. 2. I live with my older sister and I only pay $150 every two weeks, but I spend most afternoons with my nephew until she gets home from work. 3. I have clothes I don't wear/have never worn, and I tend to buy things just because I like them and not because I need them. :/ 4. When it comes to beauty care, I'm wicked low maintenance. I use eye make-up but I've got the same eyeshadow that I had last year. It takes me a while to use it. Other than that I use a hair straightener and sometimes mousse. I don't buy nail polish, but I do buy a lot of lotion (I hate dry skin). 5. Don't ever compromise on your health! :D 6. Now that I'm unemployed (I'm only about $5'000 in debt) I don't eat out every day. I eat what we have in the house. And I find I'm saving about $50 a week from that. I know what you mean about being mindful of your affairs being a liberating experience. I thrive on organization, plans, and lists. It makes me feel in control, it allows me to know where my boundaries are. It simply makes me feel <em>good</em>. 1. I bought the iPhone last year and only had it for about 5 months before I sold it for a regular flip phone. I loved it (dearly) but could not afford the payment plan and the $180 I was spending for two iPhones every month.

2. I live with my older sister and I only pay $150 every two weeks, but I spend most afternoons with my nephew until she gets home from work.

3. I have clothes I don’t wear/have never worn, and I tend to buy things just because I like them and not because I need them. :/

4. When it comes to beauty care, I’m wicked low maintenance. I use eye make-up but I’ve got the same eyeshadow that I had last year. It takes me a while to use it. Other than that I use a hair straightener and sometimes mousse. I don’t buy nail polish, but I do buy a lot of lotion (I hate dry skin).

5. Don’t ever compromise on your health! :D

6. Now that I’m unemployed (I’m only about $5’000 in debt) I don’t eat out every day. I eat what we have in the house. And I find I’m saving about $50 a week from that.

I know what you mean about being mindful of your affairs being a liberating experience. I thrive on organization, plans, and lists. It makes me feel in control, it allows me to know where my boundaries are. It simply makes me feel good.

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