MONEY

[rubywillow]

It never fails to amaze me how much money AL, and tobacco, cost me over the years. I don't even want to THINK of the things I could have done, bought, paid off, etc., with what I drank and smoked away. Now, I'm trying really hard to find ways to save money and help others do the same. I hope some of you find this interesting and helpful, and if so add to it and help each other get through these tough economic times!

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Rubes

[rubywillow]

MONEY

Exactly. If we REALLY think about our money and our expenses, purchases, we CAN live so much more simply.

[rubywillow]

MONEY

That is so good to hear G, that you are putting your money to such productive use. The trees especially will be a legacy so much more fitting than AL.

[rubywillow]

MONEY

Never CLOSE a credit card. Keep it open, just don't use it, keep a zero balance. Maxed out cards do a lot of harm to your credit, but conversely keeping open, unused cards HELP your credit rating.

[greeneyes]

MONEY

I think that is true rubes.

I just got a credit report thing yesterday and a positive factor was the average dollar amount of available credit that I had with my open accounts. It meant that lenders trusted me to have that available.

A down factor was that I owed X amount on my 2 cards I use. However that was a snapshot in time. I pay my cards balances in full each month.

[rubywillow]

MONEY

REDUCE STRESS WITH BLISS BREATHING:
1. Sit comfortably. Simply notice your breath moving in and out.
2. Breathe deeply through your nose. Imagine air filling your belly and chest; then exhale through your nose. "Focuse on the sound and feeling of each breath," says stress expert Kellye Davis. Repeat for 30 seconds.
3. Inhale and hold the breath for two seconds. Then, lips parted slightly, exhale slowly. Return to deep breathing.
4. Repeat the pattern twice more.
5. Open your eyes and breathe naturally. You will feel centered and tranquil.

[Accountable for Me]

MONEY

Rubes, I know what you are saying about the amount of money spent on ciggies and alcohol. It just horrifies me about how many thousands I have spent over the last 6 years. UGH! Absolutely horrifying!

I am thankful it didn't take me to financial ruin. I have to be very vigilant that it could happen if I continue on the drinking/smoking roller coaster.

There are way to many benefits of being AF/NF to even count!

[rubywillow]

MONEY

Good for you, AFM!! Think of all the ways to spend that money in the future that will make you REALLY happy!!!!!!

[Lemonhead]

MONEY

Here is my favorite (but tiny) money saver. I bought a bottle of foaming hand soap three years ago. When it's empty, I fill 1/4 full from my enormous re-fill bottle and top off with water and I'm back in business. The bottle doesn't break !

I'm also loving Simple Green - I re-fill a spray bottle from the concentrate I bought two years ago. It's great on grease and everything else.

The money I'm saving being AF might go to a personal trainer or lasering (?) broken capillaries around my nose. But I'll need alot more AF days.

[colbe]

MONEY

I just added up what I spend on beer. $105.00 a week. No wonder I'm broke!

[Bluzgtar]

MONEY

I sort of use a different approach. My last adult beverage was May 5, '09. Somewhere around the 10th I noticed that I wasen't hitting the ATM but once a week. So I put a pencil to it and figured that at $25 /day for beer and smokes as my average, that's $9,125/year. I'm still smoking, one thing at a time....Please.

Before bed I say a little prayed, God, I made it through another day without a beer ... thanks for your help. And I stuff a $20 in a envelope....don't laugh, It's a damn site better than flushing it down the toilet. Of course now the envelope owes me $491.75 for the supplements, Topamax, CD's and books I bought, but I know where it is and I certainly would rather have the envelope owe me than me owe the envelope. It sort of replaced the feeling of saying "damn, I had a great day, lets go to the bar and celebrate". Or, worse, "damn, this day was messed up, lets go to the bar and feel self pity". It's a win .. win plan for me. Now, my goal is to see how fat I can make that envelope.

Another good trick for money management is to write everyting down you spend. I mean down to the penny. If you buy a pack of gum that is $.50 plus tax write down $.54 cents. Do it for 90 days and you'll be stunned at where the money goes and how fast the pennys turn into dollars. Benjamin Franklin said " If you take care of your pennies, your dollars will take care of themselves" and you can take that to the bank. I wish I had the money to help all of you in financial crisis. But, taking the expense of Alcohol out of the budget will help you a ton.

Wish you all the best on your journey's.

Blu

[Bluzgtar]

MONEY

PS. remember that $491.75 I invested in this Journey I'll break even on this coming Saturday. 25 days AF.