Comments on: When It Comes to Saving, “Instead of…” Is a Poor Excuse http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/ Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:06:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: cooliojones http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-294388 cooliojones Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:28:53 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-294388 I completely agree. I think people who use these excuses are just lazy, and it's that laziness that has so many Americans in debt. If you want to change your situation, get off your rear and do something about it! I completely agree. I think people who use these excuses are just lazy, and it’s that laziness that has so many Americans in debt. If you want to change your situation, get off your rear and do something about it!

]]> By: Monroe on a budget http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291887 Monroe on a budget Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:26:41 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291887 You can clip coupons while watching TV. You can also "hire out" the chore to the kids in the family (penny per useful coupon?)! You can clip coupons while watching TV.
You can also “hire out” the chore to the kids in the family (penny per useful coupon?)!

]]> By: Kelli Myers http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291718 Kelli Myers Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:35:09 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291718 Saving is a very important part of life. Saving does not always mean that we cannot spend but that even should be well planned. We should plan our expenditure in such a way so that we have enough fund for an emergency which can strike anytime without notice. Saving is a very important part of life. Saving does not always mean that we cannot spend but that even should be well planned. We should plan our expenditure in such a way so that we have enough fund for an emergency which can strike anytime without notice.

]]> By: nobrainerdeals http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291573 nobrainerdeals Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:15:10 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291573 I find the best way to start saving is by asking yourself do I really need this or is this something I really want. Most of the time I realize that it is something that I dont really need and if it is something I really dont need why spend the cash now. Spend it when I really need it or when a super good deal comes along. I find the best way to start saving is by asking yourself do I really need this or is this something I really want. Most of the time I realize that it is something that I dont really need and if it is something I really dont need why spend the cash now. Spend it when I really need it or when a super good deal comes along.

]]> By: Todd http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291506 Todd Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:34:30 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291506 Interesting take on rationalizations. Here's one my family does, "Instead of going to movies, we just rent them, it's so much cheaper". BUT, when we don't get them watched on the first night (new releases), and we hold them over another night or two @ $3/each/night, how much did we really save ! Thanks for the insightful post. Interesting take on rationalizations. Here’s one my family does, “Instead of going to movies, we just rent them, it’s so much cheaper”. BUT, when we don’t get them watched on the first night (new releases), and we hold them over another night or two @ $3/each/night, how much did we really save !

Thanks for the insightful post.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291399 Lisa Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:28:20 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291399 There are so many strategies to use. And, sometimes its finding the right combination for your household. For me it is combining coupons/sales/rebates, with generic for things like canned beans and then stocking up when the generic goes on sale. It also about right usage, meaning the right portion of food or only using what the dishwasher need to clean the dishes not just filling the little detergent holder to the top(about 1T does mine). Its also about values, if I can afford it I will let the next door neighbor boy cut the grass and learn about responsibility and conducting a business. It cost $15 but I didn't use my gas or wear and tear on my tractor (he set the price not me). It was a good deal for both of us. He was esctatic to earn $10hr at 13yr old (assuming gas/wear&tear expenses). I believe its about living within your means in balance with your values. There are so many strategies to use. And, sometimes its finding the right combination for your household. For me it is combining coupons/sales/rebates, with generic for things like canned beans and then stocking up when the generic goes on sale. It also about right usage, meaning the right portion of food or only using what the dishwasher need to clean the dishes not just filling the little detergent holder to the top(about 1T does mine). Its also about values, if I can afford it I will let the next door neighbor boy cut the grass and learn about responsibility and conducting a business. It cost $15 but I didn’t use my gas or wear and tear on my tractor (he set the price not me). It was a good deal for both of us. He was esctatic to earn $10hr at 13yr old (assuming gas/wear&tear expenses). I believe its about living within your means in balance with your values.

]]> By: A Marino http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291292 A Marino Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:11:48 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291292 I have done a little bit of everything I've read here. I've found extra ways to add money to our income. I've poured over the grocery sales papers, the CVS and Walgreens sales, and anything else that has a sale that I need. I also clip coupons and have learned not to throw the unused coupons away because many times they can be used down the line on a future sale. I buy generic items but I have also saved as much or more buying brand name items on sale that has a coupon. A few weeks ago I went into CVS and purchased almost $40 in items and came out only paying a few dollars. (Mostly because of tax). I also save money when I buy taxable items on sale as well. I try to do as many errands as I can in one trip to save on gas. I have done a little bit of everything I’ve read here. I’ve found extra ways to add money to our income. I’ve poured over the grocery sales papers, the CVS and Walgreens sales, and anything else that has a sale that I need. I also clip coupons and have learned not to throw the unused coupons away because many times they can be used down the line on a future sale. I buy generic items but I have also saved as much or more buying brand name items on sale that has a coupon. A few weeks ago I went into CVS and purchased almost $40 in items and came out only paying a few dollars. (Mostly because of tax).

I also save money when I buy taxable items on sale as well. I try to do as many errands as I can in one trip to save on gas.

]]> By: Joe @ SimpleDebtFreeFinance http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291241 Joe @ SimpleDebtFreeFinance Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:19:46 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291241 I LOVE coupons! My wife is a super coupon clipper and routinely saves us $30-50 a week on groceries. To be fair regarding the issue of time, she is a stay at home mom and views part of her job as saving as much as she can and making our money go as far as possible. I think that even if she did have a job outside the home, we would still buy on sale whenever possible... it's part of our frugal nature. As for myself, I haven't bought a CD at full price with my own money in over 3 years. No, I don't steal the music off the Internet - I use gift cards. And even then I wait until I get a coupon or see a sale to make my gift card go further. I LOVE coupons!

My wife is a super coupon clipper and routinely saves us $30-50 a week on groceries. To be fair regarding the issue of time, she is a stay at home mom and views part of her job as saving as much as she can and making our money go as far as possible. I think that even if she did have a job outside the home, we would still buy on sale whenever possible… it’s part of our frugal nature.

As for myself, I haven’t bought a CD at full price with my own money in over 3 years. No, I don’t steal the music off the Internet - I use gift cards. And even then I wait until I get a coupon or see a sale to make my gift card go further.

]]> By: Meg from FruWiki http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291207 Meg from FruWiki Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:54:56 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291207 I'm definitely a generics shopper, so thanks for the generics mention there! My experience has been the same: unless you're really playing coupon games and getting lots of free stuff, generics are still cheaper. Plus they're a lot less hassle and I buy only what I want/need, when I need it and not based on coupon dates. However, on the rare occasions that I see a coupon for something I do use, you better believe that I snatch it up and use it. As for earning vs. saving, for a lot of people I don't think the choice is necessarily about their skills. I know a lot of people who choose to live on less to pursue a career that provides them with other benefits. I know a lot of great teachers who could be making a lot more in other careers, but stay anyway, knowing that their pay is capped no matter how hard they work at their particular job. As for me, I'm focusing hard on both since I'm really at the very start of my career at the awkward place where the pay is slim but where I have lots of potential if I play my cards right. Plus, with me focusing on ways to save, it frees up my husband to focus on earning more which, as cliché as it may sound, certainly helps. I’m definitely a generics shopper, so thanks for the generics mention there! My experience has been the same: unless you’re really playing coupon games and getting lots of free stuff, generics are still cheaper. Plus they’re a lot less hassle and I buy only what I want/need, when I need it and not based on coupon dates. However, on the rare occasions that I see a coupon for something I do use, you better believe that I snatch it up and use it.

As for earning vs. saving, for a lot of people I don’t think the choice is necessarily about their skills. I know a lot of people who choose to live on less to pursue a career that provides them with other benefits. I know a lot of great teachers who could be making a lot more in other careers, but stay anyway, knowing that their pay is capped no matter how hard they work at their particular job.

As for me, I’m focusing hard on both since I’m really at the very start of my career at the awkward place where the pay is slim but where I have lots of potential if I play my cards right. Plus, with me focusing on ways to save, it frees up my husband to focus on earning more which, as cliché as it may sound, certainly helps.

]]> By: Jay Gatsby http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291175 Jay Gatsby Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:42:29 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2008/04/24/when-it-comes-to-saving-instead-of%e2%80%a6-is-a-poor-excuse/#comment-291175 There's an old expression -- "Hire someone else if they're cheaper than you are." This means that you should hire a mowing service at $10/hr than mow your own lawn at your rate of $75/hr." Naturally, you don't earn your hourly rate when you're not in the office, but you also have to put a value on your personal time. The last thing I want to be doing is spending my valuable personal time on mundane tasks. This isn't to say that I won't use the occasional coupon, but my family's needs are relatively simple. As such, we buy mostly the same things week after week, and those things don't come with coupons. We do look for things on sale (e.g., meats, poultry, etc...) and stock up on them when they are. My personal opinion is that coupons are more marketing than savings. Yes you save money, but you would be better off buying the lower-priced store brand when you factor in the higher price of the branded item and the time required to find and clip the coupon. There’s an old expression — “Hire someone else if they’re cheaper than you are.” This means that you should hire a mowing service at $10/hr than mow your own lawn at your rate of $75/hr.” Naturally, you don’t earn your hourly rate when you’re not in the office, but you also have to put a value on your personal time. The last thing I want to be doing is spending my valuable personal time on mundane tasks.

This isn’t to say that I won’t use the occasional coupon, but my family’s needs are relatively simple. As such, we buy mostly the same things week after week, and those things don’t come with coupons. We do look for things on sale (e.g., meats, poultry, etc…) and stock up on them when they are.

My personal opinion is that coupons are more marketing than savings. Yes you save money, but you would be better off buying the lower-priced store brand when you factor in the higher price of the branded item and the time required to find and clip the coupon.

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