Kudos to Trixare4kids

October 7, 2008

This Consumerist.com reader was able to pay off $14,330 in 20 months.

She used tips from The Consumerist, but for all the readers in the personal blogosphere, these tips are not anything new.

The hard thing is to follow them

One thing I’d like to point out is that the place where we can really make an impact is in the recurring bills.

Cable TV, Landline Phones, Cell Phone Bills, Gym Memberships, etc.

This is what Trixare4kids gave up:

Here’s what I gave up:

Cable TV. Got a cheap netflix plan and a roku player instead. Savings: $17/month, $204 a year
Land line phone. Savings: $27/month, $324/year
Gardener. Savings: $40/month, $480/year
Got slower DSL. Savings: $10/month, $120/year
Manicures. Did my own. Savings: $50/month, $600/year
Public Radio Membership. Sorry KQED and KALW, but I have to come first right now. I’ll continue to support you later. Savings: $11/month, $132/year
Gym Membership. Savings: $30/month, $360/year
Lunches at work. Savings: $120 month, $1440/year
Starbucks. Savings: $60/month, $720/year

Total extra towards snowball: $365/month, $4,380/year.
Just like that.

Every little bit in your recurring bills help.

Kudos to her! We all know it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

Comparing my cuts to her:

- I don’t have a landline.  I have a VOIP and cell phones, which I’ve been seriously considering about switching to pre paid.

- Have basic Cable Modem (did not upgrade to the ultra super duper highest speed)

- Only go to Fantastic Sams/Super Cuts for a haircut.

- Cut Gym Membership.

- Lunches at work (I spend at most $30 a month instead of the previously $200)

- I don’t drink sodas when eating out (they’re a ripoff). I don’t do Starbucks.

One of the largest bills I have is groceries. I do shop at Whole Foods given their great selection of Gluten Free products. But they sure are expensve. Just last night, I went there and refused to pay $4.99/lb for snow peas. That’s more expensive than meat !!!!!!!!!

After my son was diagnosed with autism, I decided to switch to mostly organic products. Whole Foods has the best organic selection, but the other chain markets are starting to offer more and more organic products (like Trader Joe’s). So hopefully, I’ll be able to trim down my grocery bills in the near future.

Posted in Consumer, Finances