Comments on: How to Save More and be Stress Free from Worry on Less Money http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/ No Diets, No Cardio, No Excuses Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mike OD http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5908 Mike OD Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:33:42 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5908 Tom - Didn't mean to imply to cut up all the credit cards (as having one for even just "emergency" purposes is a good idea.....had to pay off a hospital bill couple years back after getting a hockey stick in the eye....got expensive). Anyways, if you can always pay it off...then of course you are being responsible. I do like to pay cash for big purchases or nights out, as it makes me realize and think about if I really need it...or is there another model that will do the job....or do I need to buy the whole bar a round of shots?....well ok maybe not the last one too often, but you know what I mean. The main goal of course is appreciating things we have and purchase, and not just spending for the sake of it. Tom – Didn’t mean to imply to cut up all the credit cards (as having one for even just “emergency” purposes is a good idea…..had to pay off a hospital bill couple years back after getting a hockey stick in the eye….got expensive). Anyways, if you can always pay it off…then of course you are being responsible. I do like to pay cash for big purchases or nights out, as it makes me realize and think about if I really need it…or is there another model that will do the job….or do I need to buy the whole bar a round of shots?….well ok maybe not the last one too often, but you know what I mean. The main goal of course is appreciating things we have and purchase, and not just spending for the sake of it.

]]> By: skustes http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5907 skustes Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:19:20 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5907 Hey Tom, I agree with you. I use an AmEx Blue for monthly purchases, then pay it off. It generates $300-400/year, perhaps an average of 2% discount. Credit isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just something that needs to be watched and treated with respect. Overuse of credit is what has our economy in such bad shape. Cheers Scott Hey Tom, I agree with you. I use an AmEx Blue for monthly purchases, then pay it off. It generates $300-400/year, perhaps an average of 2% discount. Credit isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just something that needs to be watched and treated with respect. Overuse of credit is what has our economy in such bad shape.

Cheers
Scott

]]> By: Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5859 Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:18:16 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5859 Good article Mike. However, I don't think credit cards are always bad if you have the right mindset. In fact as long as you are disciplined I think they can help you save a little money. I'm generally good with my money and live within my means. I never need the credit as I have the money in my bank BUT I still buy all my necessities (groceries, fuel etc) on the credit card. Why? Two reasons. First, as long as the credit card is paid off in full each month (and it always is via an automatic direct debit) I am getting a months free interest on all my outgoings. It's not a massive amount but I may as well keep the money in my bank for 30 days longer each month and earn a little interest. Secondly, it's a cashback card so everytime I use it I get cashback points. Again these are not worth massive amounts of money but if I am going to spend this money on a monthly basis anyway I may aswell earn a little cashback. Good article Mike. However, I don’t think credit cards are always bad if you have the right mindset. In fact as long as you are disciplined I think they can help you save a little money. I’m generally good with my money and live within my means. I never need the credit as I have the money in my bank BUT I still buy all my necessities (groceries, fuel etc) on the credit card. Why? Two reasons.

First, as long as the credit card is paid off in full each month (and it always is via an automatic direct debit) I am getting a months free interest on all my outgoings. It’s not a massive amount but I may as well keep the money in my bank for 30 days longer each month and earn a little interest.

Secondly, it’s a cashback card so everytime I use it I get cashback points. Again these are not worth massive amounts of money but if I am going to spend this money on a monthly basis anyway I may aswell earn a little cashback.

]]> By: margi http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5903 margi Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:26:47 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5903 Thanks, new_me! that is a great recipe and really affordable. will have to try. Thanks, new_me! that is a great recipe and really affordable. will have to try.

]]> By: Anna http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5901 Anna Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:52:05 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5901 Don't dye your hair. What an expensive maintenance regimen, especially if done at a salon. I suppose coloring an home could be a more frugal option, but I consider my gray hairs as "free highlights". Another expensive salon routine is fake nails and nail tips. Fake nails need frequent maintenance to stay looking good. It adds up. Don’t dye your hair. What an expensive maintenance regimen, especially if done at a salon. I suppose coloring an home could be a more frugal option, but I consider my gray hairs as “free highlights”.

Another expensive salon routine is fake nails and nail tips. Fake nails need frequent maintenance to stay looking good. It adds up.

]]> By: skustes http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5900 skustes Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:21:47 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5900 new_me, thanks for the laundry soap recipe. That's quite simple to make. Also, for anyone looking for something to do with their old stuff that they no longer use, check out the <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Freecycle Network</a>. You can give stuff away that's more trouble than it's worth to sell. You can also find other people's used stuff. I've not used it to find things, but have given a few things away using it. Reuse is an easy and important way to save money. Cheers Scott new_me, thanks for the laundry soap recipe. That’s quite simple to make.

Also, for anyone looking for something to do with their old stuff that they no longer use, check out the Freecycle Network. You can give stuff away that’s more trouble than it’s worth to sell. You can also find other people’s used stuff. I’ve not used it to find things, but have given a few things away using it.

Reuse is an easy and important way to save money.

Cheers
Scott

]]> By: new_me http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5892 new_me Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:24:21 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5892 My laundry soap recipe: 1/2 cup Borax 1/2 cup Washing Soda 1 finely grated bar of Ivory soap Mix together by tumbling in a container with a lid. Use 3 tablespoons per load. Sometimes I use plain white vinegar in the rinse, but it isn't necessary. This recipe is cheap, simple, effective, and safe for the environment and not harsh on your skin. You can add a drop of essential oil in each load if you want a fragrance, but I just like that neutral smell. I have a front loader machine and this works great in it. I think my last calculation of cost was <5 cents per load. If you watch for sales on Ivory you can get it really cheap. Wal Mart has always had the best prices on the other ingredients. Good luck and enjoy!! My laundry soap recipe:

1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1 finely grated bar of Ivory soap

Mix together by tumbling in a container with a lid.
Use 3 tablespoons per load.

Sometimes I use plain white vinegar in the rinse, but it isn’t necessary.

This recipe is cheap, simple, effective, and safe for the environment and not harsh on your skin. You can add a drop of essential oil in each load if you want a fragrance, but I just like that neutral smell.

I have a front loader machine and this works great in it. I think my last calculation of cost was <5 cents per load. If you watch for sales on Ivory you can get it really cheap. Wal Mart has always had the best prices on the other ingredients.

Good luck and enjoy!!

]]> By: primalcanadiangirl http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5878 primalcanadiangirl Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:34:52 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5878 new_me, how did you make your own laundry soap? That's something I've wanted to experiment with. new_me,
how did you make your own laundry soap? That’s something I’ve wanted to experiment with.

]]> By: new_me http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5874 new_me Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:44:12 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5874 Over the past year I have become an expert (in my eyes) in the "eat less" and in the "use simple cleaning methods" points. I am amazed at how little volume I need to eat when I eat truly high quality nourishing food. I have eliminated sugar and processed junk from my grocery bill and the savings are huge! I feel better and I am able to enjoy life so much more now that I am free from the burden of garbage food bogging down my system. I love intermittent fasting!! What a great concept. I fast 17 hours daily, which isn't that difficult. I don't eat after supper until noon-ish the next day. It's an effective, simple tool to health, wealth, and enjoyment...who doesn't want that!?! I also clean my house simply. I make my own laundry soap for a small fraction of the cost of typical laundry detergents. (Let me know if you want to know how.) I don't stress over "normal dirt". I teach my family how to properly take care of stuff so to minimize messes and they know how to clean up after themselves. I like things tidy and clean, but I don't bleach the whole kitchen or disinfect every inch of the bathroom daily. Once a week I get the kids together and we clean the house in about 2 hours. We use simple, natural, homemade cleaners. I don't worry about anybody being poisoned because I don't buy poisons. Again, this is so freeing. The cost is less, the stress is less, and the joy in life is greater. I'm also learning the lesson of "enjoy what you have, or get rid of it". This is proving a little tough, but I'm getting there. After moving to a new home, I realized that we own way too much stuff and that life would be better without a lot of it. I'm very frugal and it is hard to get rid of good stuff. If only I knew who needed my stuff, I wouldn't mind giving it to them at all. I think we'll have a garage sale/give-away this spring. Take good care. Over the past year I have become an expert (in my eyes) in the “eat less” and in the “use simple cleaning methods” points.

I am amazed at how little volume I need to eat when I eat truly high quality nourishing food. I have eliminated sugar and processed junk from my grocery bill and the savings are huge! I feel better and I am able to enjoy life so much more now that I am free from the burden of garbage food bogging down my system. I love intermittent fasting!! What a great concept. I fast 17 hours daily, which isn’t that difficult. I don’t eat after supper until noon-ish the next day. It’s an effective, simple tool to health, wealth, and enjoyment…who doesn’t want that!?!

I also clean my house simply. I make my own laundry soap for a small fraction of the cost of typical laundry detergents. (Let me know if you want to know how.) I don’t stress over “normal dirt”. I teach my family how to properly take care of stuff so to minimize messes and they know how to clean up after themselves. I like things tidy and clean, but I don’t bleach the whole kitchen or disinfect every inch of the bathroom daily. Once a week I get the kids together and we clean the house in about 2 hours. We use simple, natural, homemade cleaners. I don’t worry about anybody being poisoned because I don’t buy poisons. Again, this is so freeing. The cost is less, the stress is less, and the joy in life is greater.

I’m also learning the lesson of “enjoy what you have, or get rid of it”. This is proving a little tough, but I’m getting there. After moving to a new home, I realized that we own way too much stuff and that life would be better without a lot of it. I’m very frugal and it is hard to get rid of good stuff. If only I knew who needed my stuff, I wouldn’t mind giving it to them at all. I think we’ll have a garage sale/give-away this spring.

Take good care.

]]> By: Mike OD http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/02/19/save-free-worry-money/comment-page-1/#comment-5830 Mike OD Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:31:07 +0000 http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/?p=3306#comment-5830 Wazzup - I take my things I don't need or use (and not going to sell on Craigslist) to the Goodwill......or you could do the garage sale and just have people take stuff for a dollar. I agree....no one needs an expensive HR monitor to know how to run.....or an expensive bike....but if you enjoy riding that much and want one, it's your choice to enjoy.....although I would look for a used bike before buying new to still save money. Wazzup – I take my things I don’t need or use (and not going to sell on Craigslist) to the Goodwill……or you could do the garage sale and just have people take stuff for a dollar. I agree….no one needs an expensive HR monitor to know how to run…..or an expensive bike….but if you enjoy riding that much and want one, it’s your choice to enjoy…..although I would look for a used bike before buying new to still save money.

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