Comments on: Knowing Yourself Saves Money

By: Myron J

Myron J — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:25:57 +0000

Jeffrey, I must say that I can completely relate to the grocery store stock up in bulk to save cash debacle. I am closing in on the big 4-0 and what I used to be able to eat ends up sticking to my abs like glue.

I no longer buy granola bars or pudding cups, both low fat, due to the same reason you encounter; if they are in my fridge or kitchen cabinet they WILL be consumed rapidly.

Once I finally figured this out, and cut out the bulk, my grocery bill dropped 20%. I also am a runner, so they effects are very noticable on me. “Oct 10′ wt. 166/ bf 16.6%. Apr 11′ wt. 146/ bf 10.7%”

Your motto of know thyself is great advice for anyone regardless of circumstance. Thank you for such a great post!

By: Ralph

Ralph — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:46:05 +0000

Like peter, I also feel compelled to comment, and I say, excellent post!

Knowing yourself is so cool, especially when you use that knowledge productively like you are doing. Zen-like thinking is popular for a reason. Self-mastery is an amazing thing, especially how it builds on itself.

By: Gail

Gail — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 23:14:47 +0000

So true. After years of fighting with my weight, i gave myself permission to have a certain chocolate snack, I buy it on sale with no apologies even when I stock pile it on sale and then I have my limited daily treat with no remorse. Now I don’t apologize for what I eat and it is no one else’s business but mine, but I found when I gave myself permission to have a limited amount of the snack the huge cravings that made me eat everything in the house has died (except days of extreme stress which I’m still working on). Jeffrey you are so right in that we have to not only know ourselves but we have to figure out what drives the impulses to spend, eat, gamble, drink too much, smoke, etc. So many people are trying to fill voids in their lives with the wrong things and it is a costly business.

By: susie

susie — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:25:33 +0000

very true. we also have discovered that if we bulk buy our snacks/munchies we will also consume them faster. so now we buy smaller amounts more frequently.

and to peter – just because they are snacks does not mean they are outright unhealthy. our snacks mentioned above consist of fruits and vegys.

By: Isabelle

Isabelle — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:33:37 +0000

Jeffrey, this is something you get or you don’t. I’m much the same way and I get it. I’m also financially savvy, no debt, savings and so on.

Peter clearly doesn’t get it – also seems to think you are unhealthy! Mind you, I thought you were a glam blonde as per the photo!

By: Nichole@40daysof

Nichole@40daysof — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:50:47 +0000

Jeffrey, I have the same problem with snacks. great solution.

Peter – What the hell? The guy knows it’s a problem, and has a solution and you jump all over him? THAT makes no sense to me.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 17:06:13 +0000

Try this option:

If you buy lunch at work, use that daily price and X’s by five. Use that total and go shopping. I bet you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner for that amount you were just using just for lunch.

Simple and effective

Matt

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 04:45:54 +0000

@Peter

It is no different than a person that knows they aren’t able to control themselves with a credit card and realise it – and stop using credit cards. I simply don’t buy snacks in large quantities and the problem is solved

By: peter

peter — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:50:10 +0000

Wow. I’ve been reading this blog for several years and have never really felt compelled to comment. But today I can’t resist.

This blog’s repeating theme is all about resisting temptation and keeping finances in check by self-control…and you can’t resist eating snacks just because they’re in front of you? Why are you so passionate about top-notch finances but you let your physical self be so influenced and controlled by outside factors? What’s all the saving going to be worth if your health is crap?

I know I’m on a soapbox here, but the contradiction is so direct and glaring.

I’m not even going to go into the economic advantages of being healthy.