Pinching Those Pennies
By megamatt
@megamatt (14292)
United States
September 12, 2015 10:58am CST
A friend of mine once joked the only sure fire way to save money is not to spend it. Which is true, to be honest. You've got to be creative with your budgeting. Some people look at me strange when I tell them I don't go anywhere unless it's for essential purposes, well rarely at least.
It does also make those special outings more special if they're less often and save money. Every now and then you can treat yourself to something. But, I've found myself pinching pennies more often. Granted there are expenses we can't avoid, but if you can try and save something, half of the people is won.
The old saying, it's not what you make, it's what you save, is key.
13 people like this
19 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
12 Sep 15
You might not be talking about me, but I did write an article with that title about not spending money! People need to save, no matter if it's just a dollar or two a week. It will add up in later years.
3 people like this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
12 Sep 15
Every little bit helps, even if it isn't obvious for a while. Putting money away which no longer exists outside of necessity(which is something people fail to prioritize) can be crucial. If only some people thought of the future, they wouldn't be frustrated later.
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
12 Sep 15
@megamatt I planned for the future and I'm glad because now for me is the future.
@oindy54 (3445)
• India
12 Sep 15
I wasn't the type who would think about savings until I got married and then headed for separation. I realized how hard my parents had tried to fulfill my wishes and make sure that I was happy all the time. Now that I am back with them, I no longer indulge in random splurging and I am trying to save as much as possible so that I can look after them well once they retire, so that they can live a comfortable life. Also, my job is not a high-paying one, so I have come to terms with the harsh realities of life and understood how much our parents do for us. Now it's time that I make some efforts to ensure that the future is secure for our family.
2 people like this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
12 Sep 15
It does really take the hard dose of reality to slap a person in the face and remind them where their spending habits bring them. When you don't have certain responsibilities, it's hard to really gain perspective. Most people do learn the hard way, I believe.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49463)
• Mojave, California
12 Sep 15
That is true. I love living a minimalists lifestyle. Do wish I could make enough to afford what it costs to live in this country. I have ideas of how I could do it better, but society seems to say I have to do it their way and that is what makes it so hard.
2 people like this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
12 Sep 15
The standards of society can be a roadblock. Given how the goal posts keep getting shifted with what many people assume to be a successful life, it can be touch. Of course, if you consider success to be what you want to achieve on a personal level, then everything works out for the best.
1 person likes this
@skysnap (20153)
•
13 Sep 15
I have made one change. I am listing down on excel spreadsheet the things that wasted my money. I made that list for two months in a row. Other than food, all the unnecessary purchases were listed. This helped me with next months budget. I am not buying every new cellphone that comes or gadget that comes in the market. same with other things in life. This helps in saving but though working hard have taken toll on my health where money goes these days.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
13 Sep 15
Seeing the expenses in writing is often times a cold dose of reality. It does help show you where the money is disappearing to. You might not realize how much you spend, unless you see it in front of your face. Where did the money go? Oh, right there, of course.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Sep 15
lol, that statement always irritates me. Not that I am irritated with you or anything just that, we all know this. but there are things you have to live with, like certain utility bills like water and power (no, did not mention TV here, not necc, although I would prob state that today net is, because you need that for so many things, including possibly work or looking for work). I always wonder, things more like how do you reassess the things you think are necessary to determine if they really are, and if they are, how can you spend less on them.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
13 Sep 15
Oh for sure there are things you can't really live with. Some people can live without far less than others, and good for them. It depends on what you want out of life. In this day and age, there's a fair bit one could consider necessary, and....well the cost does rise, doesn't it?
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Sep 15
@megamatt and trying to decide what is really necc and what isnt can be hard. for example I know TV is not necc so we dont pay for that (wouldnt have it if I didnt get it as a job perk), net I think would be for us. Lawn service? I want that, but that went the way of the penny pinching.
@GardenGerty (160677)
• United States
6 Nov 15
I stay home as much as possible since I do not work. I do earn a few pennies daily while doing so.
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
13 Sep 15
That's what I live by as well when it comes to my finances, 'It isn't what I earn but what I save and keep that is important'. Sad to say, I'm almost at the point of living from paycheck to paycheck.
On a different note, glad to see you here again @megamatt . Looking forward to talking about wrestling with you again man!
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
14 Sep 15
@megamatt Yup! A saying as old as time itself... you hit the nail on the head! Busy bee as always but myLot deserves some of my on-line time.
i learned it from my momma 
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
12 Sep 15
When you don't have a lot you need to be more observant. I manage now but had tough times. I remember hearing this guy explain to his friend about how to use a cloths pin. He said just stick it on the end. I don't like to eaves drop but was wondering what that was about? It turns out he was a tea drinker and only could get a limited amount of milk. So to keep them fresh once the milk bag was cut open on the end...
1 person likes this
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
13 Sep 15
@megamatt I can relate to appreciation first hand because I have had both. We tend as humans to take for granted and then complain. But I've had goals that are not very easy to achieve and you do then treasure them. Thinking of online rewards now. lol But seriously if you have to work for anything in life it certainly is valuable to us providing of course it is something worth working for. Had both of that too.
@DanieGirl80587 (2713)
• United States
12 Sep 15
I try so hard to save and I used to be quite good at it, but sometimes with my job its not always reliable and the cost of living where I live is just crazy....But we do try to budget as best we can. Sure sometimes we splurge a bit, but only if we know we can afford to, but not very often.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
12 Sep 15
The cost of living can be a barrier for a lot of people. And it goes up and people's wages, well they don't. Sometimes the temptation dances, but reminding ourselves of the consequences helps. And every little bit saving helps, even if it isn't as much as we'd want it.
1 person likes this
@VickiJW (260)
• Canada
13 Sep 15
I keep receipts for everything I do, and write down my expenses every day. I combine this with only working with cash. That way I can actually SEE my money as it goes. I only go to the bank once each month to withdraw it.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Oct 15
Actually the best way to spend money is to spend on investments that will produce income.
If you can invest in a real estate investment trust that provides 10% dividend yearly, and that dividend is paid quarterly, you can get 2.5% of your capital back in the form of dividend.
If you save up $2000 to get buy the REIT, you will get back $50 every quarter, and that is the money you can spend for little luxury in life.
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
13 Sep 15
How you save it where you save it and why you save it don't spend it is so true not saying we have anything to show for it good way to save up.
