Finding the Money
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (92589)
United States
December 7, 2023 2:37pm CST
When I have to pay more for something, it just bothers me. Especially considering when it is something I try extremely hard not to do. But it does happen from time to time.
Like paying 30 cents more for a loaf of bread than you normally do. You can't just accept that you paid the extra 30 cents. You have to find a way to get it back.
Well, at least that's how it is for me. And I realize I can be insane. It is what it is. Don't hate me for it. It's just how my mind works.
I thought, well, I could take a little trip to Aldi and see if a couple of people abandon their carts. Woohoo! I'd be up 20 cents once I collected my two quarters. Problem solved. 
Normally when it comes to any spending, I will do whatever I can to try to find a way to "pay" for it that's not directly out of pocket.
I can buy more shares of a dividend paying stock and up my annual dividend earnings. I can look for a lucrative covered call options contract I can sell on some underlying shares. I can write a new article for HubPages or Blogspot—or even for myLot, although the earnings potential here is much smaller. I can try to promote some streams of some of my original music.
The key for me is simply making sure any spent money gets returned in some way or another. It's a system that mostly works for me.
Keep the principal and spend the proceeds. I have found it just makes money.
Normally when it comes to any spending, I will do whatever I can to try to find a way to "pay" for it that's not directly out of pocket.
I can buy more shares of a dividend paying stock and up my annual dividend earnings. I can look for a lucrative covered call options contract I can sell on some underlying shares. I can write a new article for HubPages or Blogspot—or even for myLot, although the earnings potential here is much smaller. I can try to promote some streams of some of my original music.
The key for me is simply making sure any spent money gets returned in some way or another. It's a system that mostly works for me.
Keep the principal and spend the proceeds. I have found it just makes money.9 people like this
9 responses
@cherriefic (10399)
• Philippines
9 Dec 23
That's a pretty good mindset! I'm also trying to avoid paying more for something I usually buy. It's challenging though since the prices keep on getting higher around here.
1 person likes this
@cherriefic (10399)
• Philippines
9 Dec 23
@porwest A lot of things nowadays cost a fortune. We have to be smarter with our purchases.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92589)
• United States
9 Dec 23
I have been forced to change a few threshold prices here and there. But even that is quite calculated, and there are some items I simply will not buy UNTIL the price comes down to a more reasonable point. There was a two or three month period I refused to buy eggs, for example.
@LindaOHio (181671)
• United States
8 Dec 23
All you have to do is buy something generic. We buy tons of Equate and Great Value items at Walmart. Have a good day and weekend.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181671)
• United States
9 Dec 23
@porwest I buy Equate dental floss which is more expensive than the brand name because the brand name keeps shredding; but for the most part, the Walmart brands that WE buy are quite a bit less. I always check between generic and brand name. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92589)
• United States
24 Oct
@LindaOHio Weird that the generic brand is more expensive than the brand name. I find that to rarely be the case.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92589)
• United States
8 Dec 23
It WAS generic. lol. But I typically pay $1.49 per loaf at Ruler. It was $1.79 at Save-A-Lot. Although I did find some kielbasas for $2.29 each and so I saved on those at least.
Not all Great Value is the cheapest there is. Take boxed macaroni and cheese. It's about 25 cents a box more to buy Great Value than it is to buy Kroger brand at Ruler. Same goes for diced tomatoes. About 20 cents more per can of Great Value to Kroger.
For me the key is knowing your prices, so you know what's a good deal and what's not and then plan your shopping according to who has the best price and what you need to restock.
When something makes it onto my shopping list, I'm not out. I'm almost out, and so that way I can wait to plan what store I shop at that has the items I need to replace at the best prices possible, and I am rarely forced to buy something "just because I am there" at a higher price.
I realize I am anal retentive about it. But I save thousands of dollars a year doing it this way, and that's thousands of dollars I don't have to find a way to earn to make up the difference.
To me there is a TON of time value added to the equation for that reason.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35733)
•
8 Dec 23
You are putting to use that age old phrase "time is money" in a positive way. Using your time to make a "return on your investment" so to speak, lol. 
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80748)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Dec 23
All too complicated for me all I can say is that I was very glad to find Walmart brand Great Value products and they always save me some money,
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220245)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Dec 23
Aldi charges for cart use? (surprised emjoi)
"I thought, well, I could take a little trip to Aldi and see if a couple of people abandon their carts. Woohoo! I'd be up 20 cents once I collected my two quarters. Problem solved."
1 person likes this
@RRossi (275)
•
7 Dec 23
It sounds like you have a creative and proactive approach to managing your finances. Finding ways to offset expenses and even turn them into opportunities for additional income is a resourceful mindset.
Everyone has their unique approach to managing finances, and what works for one person may not work for another. The fact that you've developed a system that mostly works for you is a testament to your financial acumen. Keep leveraging your creativity and resourcefulness to navigate the financial landscape in a way that aligns with your goals and values.
1 person likes this
