The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on February 13, 2011, 01:47:59 PM
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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x404578
Oh my.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Sat Feb-12-11 05:01 PM
THE ANTI-OSTEOPATHIC PRIMITIVE
Original message
We saved $3000 a year in a morning.
Looking for ways to cut our expenses, my wife and I did a little experiment. The result will save us $3000 a year, and we will scarcely notice it.
We pulled all of our bills, including all of our credit card bills for the last month. First, we killed a second telephone line that my wife has for business. It almost never rings, so that saved $60 per month. We canceled HBO, which we rarely watch. $15 per month. Next, we went through our credit card bills, looking for recurring payments. All of the rest of the savings came from there. Stuff we signed up for once upon a time, but had simply forgotten about. $10 here and $10 there. Stuff we couldn't even remember that we've been paying every month since who knows when. when we got done, we had eliminated $250 per month of useless stuff. Amazing.
I wonder how many other people have little charges that they've forgotten were on their cards? It's worth a look.
Hint: There's a customer service toll-free number on the bills for every charge. We spent a couple of hours on the phone and killed them all. Sometimes we just forget things. Like the monthly fee to maintain a dial-up connection that hasn't been used for two years, and the "reservation rewards" thing one of us signed up for to save $100 on some trip, sometime. Amazing.
Stupid, too. But, we forget.
During the campfire, lots of primitives offer other money-saving hints, and the campfire's well worth getting out the boat and rowing over to see in its original on Skins's island.
But that's not what piqued my interest.
I was looking for a Buick to pull up.
A Buick didn't pull up, but we got this:
Cleita (1000+ posts) Sat Feb-12-11 06:41 PM
Response to Original message
15. You seem to be pretty well off if you don't need to scrutinize every charge on your credit card. I have HBO because it's the only entertainment I get and it saves a lot of money going to the movies. I'm happy that you have $3,000 you can save but many of us who are skimping by on Social Security and maybe a small pension or part time job don't have that kind of discretionary income. I could save half of my expenses though if I didn't have to buy insurance. It really takes a big chunk out of my income for no return except maybe for health care.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Sat Feb-12-11 08:08 PM
THE ANTI-OSTEOPATHIC PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #15
28. You know, not really, we're not. I'm on Social Security, which I started at 62. I earn just enough to stay below the maximum I can earn without them decreasing my payment. This year, I turn 66, so that limit is gone. I'm ramping up my writing business. My wife is also a writer. Her income dropped a good deal over the past two years. So, no, we aren't well off at all. That's why we were looking for pennies to pinch. Not everything is as it seems, you see.
My wife's health insurance is $900/month, and she is uninsurable. That's my social security check. Have a really nice day.
And then this, later:
TBF (1000+ posts) Sun Feb-13-11 07:37 AM
Response to Original message
36. Never a bad thing to do, but you do realize you're making all those cuts so you can prop up the lifestyles of billionaires?
Codeine (1000+ posts) Sun Feb-13-11 11:09 AM
Response to Reply #36
38. He's making all those cuts so as not to waste his own cash.
Nothing to do with millionaires.
TBF (1000+ posts) Sun Feb-13-11 02:24 PM
Response to Reply #38
41. Nope, you're wrong. The premise is "oh we can all live simpler" - well of course we all have to live simpler when we have so much less money coming in. And have less money coming in because Mr. Obama is cutting social security, heating for the poor, and every other thing he can think of in order to better serve the billionaires, who will not be asked to sacrifice ANYTHING.
We are supposed to be happy with that, happy little paupers clipping our coupons, and living frugally - while THEY enjoy their mansions, their yachts, their tax breaks, their health care, and their happy little lives.
**** that.
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Like the monthly fee to maintain a dial-up connection that hasn't been used for two years,
Gimme a break! This guy says he's livin' off SS, yet hasn't noticed a connection to dial up he doesn't use for how long??????????
This one won't even bounce off the wall!
Even the DUmmies know DUmmies are gullible DUmbasses!