Posted on 12/31/2017 12:51:08 PM PST by PJ-Comix
Okay, it is the last day of the year. So what did you do in 2017 that saved you money? I am all ears and will be taking notes. In addition, I will lead off with my own moves to save money.
My biggest single money savings move of 2017 was getting Amazon Fire Stick for our 2 TVs. At the same time I cut out our cable TV. Net savings for the year over $600. This comes from saving $80 per month by cutting Comcast Cable TV. Actually I am really saving $55 per month because along with my Amazon Prime, I opted for $25 per month for Sling TV so net yearly savings of $600. One interesting thing is that I thought Comcast would go for a long sales pitch to keep me with their cable TV when they switched me to their account executive but I was pleasantly surprised when he gave me online TV streaming for no additional cost so I ONLY pay for Internet.
Okay, what else? Well, a lot of you know I am a heavy duty couponer so I figure I saved at least $2000 this past year via coupons. I come to that figure because I save at least $40 per week. Oh, and for those of you who don't think the time and effort are worth it, GOOD NEWS! You only need to use a couple of coupon sites to find all the deals you need. For me it is PublixSavings101.com because I shop a lot at Publix and the Mother Ship of all coupon web sites... KRAZY COUPON LADY. As to clipping coupons, things have changed. Most of the coupons I use now you can print right off the web or get electronically.
Another trick that I use when buying stuff online is to go thru the entire checkout process except for the payment. I just leave the item sitting in my shopping cart. Guess what? Almost always the company sends you an email within days offering a discount from what you would have paid.
In 2018 I will be looking for saving money on travel deals. I have heard the best time for booking cruises is within a couple of weeks when the cruise actually begins so they can fill unbooked cabins.
I was a state employee and not one of the inner circle elite making bigger bucks.
Debt was unavoidable it seemed no matter how light I lived.
Bought a 2016 Jeep Compass as the 2018s were rolling out. After two years of sitting on the lot, they were DESPERATE to sell it.
Got a $7,000 discount, the lowest price I ever paid for a new car. Initially financed at 0% and then paid off the loan in two months.
It gets up to 40 MPG and wifey loves it.
We paid off our house when the market really sucked between about 1999 and 2004. The APR on the mortgage was 8.5%, getting rid of the mortgage quickly was a good “ROI”.
We have always always fully funded our 401k’s, no matter how much the stock market sucked. We did the dollar cost averaging routine, have no regrets.
Between Social Security and pensions, we will have no problem paying monthly bills. Our nest egg is just icing on the cake. Thankfully, Mr. RooRoo and I are in good health, that’s a huge factor in financial security during retirement.
Why did you pay off a no-interest loan?
Wife’s credit card was stolen.
I DID NOT report it.
Whoever has it is spending less than she did.....
(old joke from a Tennis Pro, but I couldn’t resist)
We started our policies 20 years ago. Signing up while you’re young and healthy is the key to keeping premiums relatively low. When we started, our premiums were about $60 per month each.
I had a lower car insurance price.
Happy 2018!!
eliminate coffee all together for big savings and better for you
PJ-Comix wrote: “That sounds like exactly like what I am trying to do except my 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise is $2700 per couple, including drink package.”
Ditch the drink package. You’ll save money paying for your drinks as you go. The drink packages are like an extended warranty on your car. They’re priced at a level guaranteeing a profit to the cruise line. There big selling point is you’ll never have to worry about a big drink bill at the end of the cruise. Just like an extended warranty promises you’ll never have a big repair bill. Why should the cruise line make you an offer to save you money?
Shopped mostly by bicycle saving the IRS computed $0.50+ /mile. When using the car, did my best to do multiple things/destinations in the single trip. Small sacrifices that yield big dividends!
I took the money that we will save via the tax cut and bumped my pre-tax contribution to my 403b to 20%. I am now that much closer to early retirement!!!
MayflowerMadam wrote: “Cruise Critic is incredibly helpful. After we book a cruise, I check that cruise’s forum every couple of days where fellow passengers connect to share info. If one notices a drop in the price, we all know about it and can call our agents or the cruise line and adjust. And their threads on general tips for savings are excellent.”
Be sure and monitor your Roll Call. Lots of neat information on saving on your specific cruise.
Do you use a Travel Agent? I know several who will discount the cruise line price by around 10%. Also, if you have a Costco or Sams Visa card you can get 3% cash back on your travel purchases. I always pay them off quickly or the interest will eat up any savings.
I bought another boat.
Yes it is.
Beats the heck out of our teevee for sure.
What do you use the fire stick for? I got one but I don’t think it will do what I want. I want to display my fire tablet screen on my large screen TV. Is there anything that can do that?
When ever any one asks about ‘My Portfolio” Iam a hi school flunky living the dream I show them that and tell them to stay away from “Brokers”
3 funds MAX if that.
“I got a fully loaded cable 3-pack for $165 to go along with my new 75” Samsung QLED, audio monitor speakers and denon integrated receiver.”
Nice! other than the hardware cost you five grand.
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