How did you change your spending habits in 2010?

1. 60

   Karina S.posted 14 years ago

   How did you change your spending habits in 2010?

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      mycheapposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I opened a checking account making 5% interest requiring 15 debt transactions a month. To get the debits, I buy a daily Sonic drink at happy hour which I love.   
      
      The drink is also half price, which I love.

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      goldenpathposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Paid off some debts already and increased my spending on food storage and emergency supplies.

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2. 0

   cnhay5posted 14 years ago

   Nothing changed, except I want to make more money

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3. 59

   double_frickposted 14 years ago

   2010 just started.
   but in 2009 i learned to spend much more wisely, and still get about the same satisfaction...maybe more.
   i don't buy new clothes, SOMETIMES i buy a pair of yoga pants at wal mart (the girls dept is CHEAP and easily wearable for petite girls, should i be embarrased?) so i learned to wear kids clothes, and shop more thrift stores.
   
   NO starbucks, but if i need a coffee out i get 7-11 coffee, its waaaayy cheaper and they have free extra shots and creamer, marshmallows, syrups, you name it. wowza!
   and coffee at home, of course.
   
   i guess i pretty much don't buy anything anymore. but what i do buy retains its novelty value, like a playstation 3...internet...coffee maker...paints...and so on...
   
   people need to lower their expectations and reevaluate their needs vs wants.
   in my experience personally having less and thus lower expectations makes for a more content albeit simple lifestyle.
   costa rica is the happiest place on earth and look how "little" they have from the average american's perspective....

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      Karina S.posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you. People should learn to spend less, and save more.

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      1. 79

         skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Not true, if all people in particular region starts to spend less or get into frugality, how come there will be progress ?

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         1. 60

            Karina S.posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Progress is not about spending money to buy another pair of shoes or overpriced cup of coffee

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               skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               That way it is right we are not supposed to do excessive spending, but if we stop creating needs for ourselves, definitely this will hurt the economy.

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                  Karina S.posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  We can create "smarter" needs, like energy efficient houses,cars, etc.

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                     skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Exactly. But 5 fingers are not all the same, i'm sure some people will disagree with you and me. They'll prefer spending randomly. Oh well, even we have some jobs to cater those people.

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                     1. 60

                        Karina S.posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        true,skyfire.

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4. 0

   cosetteposted 14 years ago

   i started spending less in 2009, although i have always been careful with my expenditures. i pay cash for everything i buy (or i don't get it) and pay off my credit card balance every month.

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5. 0

   A Texanposted 14 years ago

   I started spending with my left hand instead of my right.

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      Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      And I started to spend with both

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      1. 60

         Karina S.posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Lol,Misha

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6. 0

   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   started to watch what we buy back in 2009...going to use more coupons this year than last. and going to only buy what we need. have plenty of books so don't need anymore of those lol

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7. 0

   cosetteposted 14 years ago

   oOo, that reminds me - i wanted to buy a copy of "The Road".

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      Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      "the Road"? okay what is this one about?

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8. 58

   bigbankfrankposted 14 years ago

   trying not to waste money on food i won't eventually eat.

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9. 81

   Rafiniposted 14 years ago

   Well, let's see...I'm unemployed but got my taxes back fast so...
   
   I paid for my college classes (they weren't eligible for financial aid)
   I purchased the books & software for the classes starting next month
   I bought a laptop & accessories
   I got my son a new cell phone (don't know why he's having difficulty with them)
   Bought a digital camera - so I can upload pics to HubPages (eventually)
   Got caught up with a few bills
   
   and the remainder of my taxes?  Spend as frugally as possible!

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10. 60

    Karina S.posted 14 years ago

    I am sure all of it is very important for you.

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11. 0

    StormRyderposted 14 years ago

    I have actually been spending more the past 18-24 months, mainly because I am making a lot more money now. I don't spend extravagntly or buy things on a whim just because I have money. I consider myself very lucky to be in this position.

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12. 61

    Snowdiannaposted 14 years ago

    It is hard to change habits whatever habit it is. Since I do not have a horrible shopping habit, it is not necessory to change it, but I should make more money to make the balance of my budget.

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13. 60

    sunbriteposted 14 years ago

    In no way. I hope I get some money this year so that maybe I could start spending, that would be a change.

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14. 38

    cliftonal6posted 14 years ago

    Well i'm saving more and reinvesting in my marketing efforts.

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    1. 65

       Faybe Bayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I got laid off, Big change in spending.

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15. 0

    shazwellynposted 14 years ago

    Im spending more because of the tax breaks here in the UK.  But that is the whole idea of Government initiative.  I am trying to make the most of the breaks whilst it lasts... when the next Government comes in things will become tight and there will be a great social change.

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16. 0

    Jon Tremainposted 14 years ago

    We decided to go green and crack down hard. We sold one car and are learning how to get by on one vehicle. It's been hard, but we've made it work. We get up a lot earlier and I drive my wife to work, then go to work myself. We both pack a lunch, and I pick her up when the work day is over. We have to really work at coordinating car use, but it's going good. We used proceeds from one to pay off the other, and so now, instead of two car payments...we have none.

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    1. 49

       haikal_lomeloposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I now doing some research in youth spending habit. Can give me some feed back on why do youth spend so much on unnecessary stuff. Like branded cloth and many more?

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17. 76

    money-manposted 14 years ago

    I've been spending more this year than I have in the past few years... I blame it on working too much! Just got a new car and I'm about to be at the casino (45 minutes to go!)

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18. 60

    Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

    We cut back when by husband was unemployed for 4 months.  Now I'm back to the normal spending.  I've never been a big spender, so its not a big deal.

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