Ways in which you save money every day..

[JohnnyGrey]

I hate getting into debt. I don't have a credit card now and I never plan to own one. The closest thing I'll ever have to a credit card is my debit card, and I even minimize the usage of that because lots of companies will use the info collected from your card to send you junk mail...learned that one when I bought something for my ex from victoria's secret once and then started getting offers for free bras in the mail...I never gave them any info to my knowledge other then using my debit card.

Credit cards are a great asset when used properly and dangerous in the hands of an idiot, kind of like a handgun. When everyone else is paying $3.55 for gas, I'm paying $3.34, courtesy of CitiBank. Just last week they cut me a rebate check for $50. Also, I can easily order whatever I wish online without having to mess with Paypal or mailing money orders or checks. If an erroneous charge appears on my credit card, I can have it removed. If you buy something on your debit card and get ripped off, that money is lost in space. I don't mind a decent bra catalog here and there. Depending on the season, they make for either toilet reading material or free kindling. If they want to waste their marketing resources sending full color catalogs to addresses inhabited by one Mr., they can be my guest.

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by NoCO2

I hate getting into debt. I don't have a credit card now and I never plan to own one.

That's fine, if you have another way of establishing credit. If so, more power to you.

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by igo

I use www.mint.com you just put in you account info and it automatically catergorized and charted.

Whoa, that looks very cool! Too bad it only works with American banks .

[LostCause]

How do most of you organize your finances?

I'd like to start keeping track of every penny I earn, simply because the growing change bowl screams of waste. The biggest roadblock is how tedious and daunting that task seems. How can I gain control without turning absolutely anal?

What this thread reminds me of is how poorly K-12 school prepares students for adult life. I learned more about personal finances from my fourth grade teacher, who personally created a mockup classroom economy, than the rest of my educational career. I was taught about the Teapot Dome Scandal, Dactylic Hexameter, and the supposed pure evil of drugs and sex, but not how to intelligently manage my finances...

Any words from the wise?

- LostCause

[JohnnyGrey]

Download and install GNUCash, it's free. I first discovered it in my Linux distro, but it's available for Windows too. It lets you keep track of every penny and you can view, chart, and organize the data in every which way. I can tell you how much I've spent on my car since I bought it, down to the penny. I can also see a breakdown of expenses month to month and I can see where excesses lie.

[LostCause]

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

- LostCause

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by LostCause

and the supposed pure evil of drugs and sex, but not how to intelligently manage my finances...

Any words from the wise?

- LostCause

Drugs cost money.

[thebrad]

Originally Posted by LostCause

Living frugally is worthwhile, until it starts becoming a chore. While marriage is arguably a bad thing, I don't think relationships are. Finding love (guy, girl, whatever) is one of life's great opportunities. To keep costs down, go dutch, date women cheaper than you, and realize marriage not a prerequisite for a life-long relationship.

Remember, you only live once. Don't piss it away being cheap. Live smart. Live well.

The best article I've ever seen on the subject.

- LostCause

Such an awesome article.
I already knew quite a bit of the material, but it was still a nice read.

[tasdrouille]

The article was very interesting, but seriously, the not having kids part is pretty stupid. There is more to life than being able to afford anything. The environmental argument he makes may be true, but following this line of thought, we should all commit suicide right now to be consequent.

[thebrad]

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

The article was very interesting, but seriously, the not having kids part is pretty stupid. There is more to life than being able to afford anything. The environmental argument he makes may be true, but following this line of thought, we should all commit suicide right now to be consequent.

Haha, I'm willing.
"If I thought I'd make a difference I'd kill myself today" - Greg Graffin