How to handle debt

[Gilhelmi]

I got my interest rate lowered from %7 too a %4.003 interest rate. I just love saying that. I like to brag about that

See I use a local credit union and my loans collateral is CDs (large, interest drawing, investments).

Too top it off I am choosing to pay double what min payments are so forget 5 years, it is more like 2.5 years. I believe in getting out of debt as fast as possible is the most important part of managing your money properly.

Also, paying cash for EVERYTHING is important to. No interest is charged, you know exactly how much money you have, you can use cash to help stay within your budget easier. Cash is far better then plastic. I have one Credit card that I use only for emergency's, and a Debit card that I use only for fuel.

So what are some good ways that you use to save money?

EDIT: free webcomics and free games are also a good way to save money

 

[Gaiseric]

Don't buy stuff


Seriously,

-I pay for things in cash.
-I don't have a credit card so I don't have any payments(I wouldn't mind having one however my employment isn't reliable enough to warrant one.)
-I take part of my check and put it in a savings account for unexpected expenses.
-I budget everything.
-I plan all of my purchases in advance, check prices, and try to take advantage of sales and coupons.
-Also being a good driver helps my insurance rates and I don't get tickets.
-Turning things off when not in use.
-Eat lots of potatoes as they are cheap and versatile.

 

[Gxas]

I just recently got my first credit card in order to start building a credit score. Luckily, it can only be used at the clothing store I got it from, and I never shop for clothes. So, free high score for me!

I use cash as much as possible and if I have less than $30 in my checking account, I don't use my debit card at all. Budgeting isn't really that hard.

 

[Gilhelmi]

Don't buy stuff


Seriously,

-I pay for things in cash.
-I don't have a credit card so I don't have any payments(I wouldn't mind having one however my employment isn't reliable enough to warrant one.)
-I take part of my check and put it in a savings account for unexpected expenses.
-I budget everything.
-I plan all of my purchases in advance, check prices, and try to take advantage of sales and coupons.
-Also being a good driver helps my insurance rates and I don't get tickets.
-Turning things off when not in use.
-Eat lots of potatoes as they are cheap and versatile.

The coupon one is good. There is a show on TLC call Extreme Couponing. Literally hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars worth of food for a couple dollars. Most of the people on that show are stay-to-home parents who make the coupons a full-time job.

Potatoes are good. But I like rice better. Sadly, with the flooding in Arkansas and Alabama Rice prices are going up.

 

[Gaiseric]

Don't buy stuff


Seriously,

-I pay for things in cash.
-I don't have a credit card so I don't have any payments(I wouldn't mind having one however my employment isn't reliable enough to warrant one.)
-I take part of my check and put it in a savings account for unexpected expenses.
-I budget everything.
-I plan all of my purchases in advance, check prices, and try to take advantage of sales and coupons.
-Also being a good driver helps my insurance rates and I don't get tickets.
-Turning things off when not in use.
-Eat lots of potatoes as they are cheap and versatile.

The coupon one is good. There is a show on TLC call Extreme Couponing. Literally hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars worth of food for a couple dollars. Most of the people on that show are stay-to-home parents who make the coupons a full-time job.

Potatoes are good. But I like rice better. Sadly, with the flooding in Arkansas and Alabama Rice prices are going up.

mmmmmmmm....rice
I like me some rice with black beans.

edit: unfortunately I suck at making it and usually get boil in bag stuff which is more expensive. I need to get a rice cooker....

 

[Verlander]

Don't borrow, don't buy what you can't afford, and work out exactly what you want, and cut out all of the "might wants" out of your life. Also, work hard, earn loads, open savings accounts for a rainy day

 

[devotedsniper]

For the past 2 years i've gotten used to sitting in my £1400 overdraft somewhere, i hate being a university student i'm always having to worry about money (even when i'm living with my parents during the summer break), it sucks, i wish i never went to uni sometimes, on a brighter note i don't do too bad for someone who doesn't have a job (i can't find one round here, theres nothing but industrial, which without the training i can't do, or nursing jobs, again not qualified) when you compare one of my housemates who has a job (earning £4-600 a month) and yet she still manages to max out her overdraft and go over it (only difference between us is she has a car, i had to give mine up but i still paid insurance, fuel, tax and repairs on hers since i drove it too).

It's all about the planning on what you can and can't spend, i'll make excel sheets for hours with lots of calculations in trying to figure out how much i have each month and such although this rarely goes to plan (e.g. recently i had to spend £150, on a new power supply, just to compare my rents £250, that was a rough month i tell ya). I also have a student credit card i use for emergencys (although it's currently maxed so i'm paying it back monthly till september).

oh well next year should be better (travelling back and forth next year), and next month i get my damage deposit back which will pay for part of my car.

 

[Gilhelmi]

Don't buy stuff


Seriously,

-I pay for things in cash.
-I don't have a credit card so I don't have any payments(I wouldn't mind having one however my employment isn't reliable enough to warrant one.)
-I take part of my check and put it in a savings account for unexpected expenses.
-I budget everything.
-I plan all of my purchases in advance, check prices, and try to take advantage of sales and coupons.
-Also being a good driver helps my insurance rates and I don't get tickets.
-Turning things off when not in use.
-Eat lots of potatoes as they are cheap and versatile.

The coupon one is good. There is a show on TLC call Extreme Couponing. Literally hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars worth of food for a couple dollars. Most of the people on that show are stay-to-home parents who make the coupons a full-time job.

Potatoes are good. But I like rice better. Sadly, with the flooding in Arkansas and Alabama Rice prices are going up.

mmmmmmmm....rice
I like me some rice with black beans.

edit: unfortunately I suck at making it and usually get boil in bag stuff which is more expensive. I need to get a rice cooker....

Rice cookers are overrated. All you need to do is watch the stove like a hawk.

 

[Sneaky-Pie]

Don't spend outside your means.