Community Garage Sale Earnings

Three years ago we packed our bags and moved from New Jersey to Florida. Two months ago we moved to a new home I Florida.  In all that time we’ve accumulated stuff.  Stuff we didn’t use anymore. Stuff we didn’t appreciate anymore.  Stuff we thought was too good for Good Will.

Our development(s) don’t allow for individual yard sales.  We were unaware of the community garage sale the first year, were not around last year, but we were able to do it this year.  I was skeptical since it only ran from 8:00 am to noon.  Up in NJ, it was until 4:00.  Turns out I didn’t need to worry.  In the first hour, we got rid of so much, that I raised the prices.  I like to price low just to get rid of stuff.  And we did get rid of stuff.  A lot of stuff.  We cleared $200!  That’s better than what we’ve had done in New Jersey. I think our best in NJ was around $60.

And since I’m so frugal, my half of that money will probably last me three months or more!

Survey Savvy - Intelligence Adds Up

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

My wife tells me I do too many surveys online.  And she is correct. They do get repetitive and it seems that they are all linked to one another somehow.  But one survey site I like is Survey Savvy.  Why?  Because they pay more than others.  On average they pay about $2.00 a survey.

But the problem is that you may not be what they are looking for.  I have been declined more than I’ve been accepted.  It almost made me decide not to continue.  But now that I have more time on my hands, I choose their surveys over others.  And they are not short.  They could take 25 minutes or more.

Survey Savvy has been around since 1999, so they are not some fly-by-night company.  They also do NOT use PayPal or direct deposit.  So you have to request a check to be mailed to you (no minimum) and it could take 4-12 weeks to receive your check.  I’ve made some spending cash from them and will continue to respond to their survey requests.

If you want to learn more, click on my referral link here.  How knows, I may make a small fee when you complete a survey.

Why Do I Spend Money?

And to get back into writing this blog, I started thinking about ways to save money, the question I ask myself and you should ask yourself is why do I spend money?  Take a moment to think about that.  Then take out some paper and a pen and write down the reasons you spend money.

Of course, there is the obvious and legitimate reasons we spend money (the basics – food, clothing and shelter).  But then there is everything else.  We buy things out of boredom, because we are depressed or just trying to impress others.  I used to buy CDs when I was sad.  If I had that money now.  I certainly don’t have the CDs any more.  Trying to impress others is a waste of time and money.

Somehow we associate buying new things with being happy.  My experience is that rush of happiness does not last long.  We buy things to numb our emotions (and I’m not talking about drugs and alcohol).  Money doesn’t buy happiness.  That is one thing to remember.

So with your paper and pen, write down all the reasons you spend money.  Cross of the legitimate ones and look at the ones that are not legitimate.  Think about why you purchase these items and are they really needed.  Think of what you could do with that money if you didn’t spend it on these “illegitimate” things, like paying off debt or saving/investing.  Think of things that you could do other than shopping to deal with your emotions.

I’ve stopped buying so much stuff and have saved and invested more since I’ve started questioning everything I purchase.  I also like to keep my wallet empty.

Good luck!

October's Passive Income Recap

October was not a good month for me and my passive income. Not only is dividend income low, so is everything else.  October is usually not a good month in dividend cycle.  But my motivation to make other income was low.  I did get more in gifts.  And now that my Christmas shipping is completed, I can save that for next year.  I hope November will improve, but half way through the month I don’t think so.

My net worth decreased less than 15 from September but is still 6.5% higher than this time last year.  Would like to keep it 105 better. I have to work on that.

But what really bothers me is that our expense are increased instead of decreasing.  I know we bought a new home in September and had some adjustments in October, but I am hoping that it will go back down as we approach the coming months.  The more expenses increase the longer it will take to get to FIRE.  Keeping my fingers crossed and my wallet closed!

I Have Writer's Block Big Time!

You ever have that feeling when you don’t want to do anything?  That’s the way I have been feeling lately. Mostly with my writing.  I haven’t been inspired to write any blog posts or ever get back to that book I was writing.  Why is that?  IS this block mental or something more?

In the course of my lifetime, I have written many unproduced screenplays, unpublished books, stories, and even two blogs.  I was much more motivated when I was younger.  As I get older (I am not going to say mature), I seem to have lost that mojo.

There are ideas running through my head and thoughts written on scraps of paper that go nowhere.  You would think that I could something with that.

Not only have I lost the mojo, I lost the structure.  I keep telling myself that I need to schedule time to write, whether it is readable or not.  I just need to do and not procrastinate!

So do I start reading books on dealing with writer’s block and delay the writing or do I just write, even if it is garbage.  Love to get some feedback.

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

On Being Stuck: Tapping Into the Creative Power of Writer's Block

On Writer's Block: A New Approach To Creativity

When being frugal – plan ahead!

Other than keeping little money in my wallet when I go out shopping (and yes, keep those credit cards out of there too), the greatest tool to being frugal is planning ahead.

When planning ahead, you save money by not spending money needlessly.  Example, if you are going out, you can make your own coffee and/or lunch so that you don’t have to buy while out.  The same goes with refillable water bottles.  Bring your own, and don’t need to buy.

Planning ahead could meaning cooking your meals for the week ahead of time.  Save not only money but time.  I used to do that when we used to commute and it was late when we got home at night.  With meals ready to reheat meant we didn’t need to go out to eat or order a pizza.

Planning ahead for the future is great for being frugal.  Whether it is clothing, trips, appliances, etc.  We plan ahead for all big items and for trips.  My wife is good at finding deal, coupons and such others.

Little did my wife know that I was planning ahead and saved money to make the move from New Jersey the month we started living there.  It was never to be our forever home (only to be closer to my daughter).  So when the time came some fourteen years later when she had enough of the snow and I couldn’t or wouldn’t shovel it anymore, I showed her the bank account.  This made the decision and the move to Florida very easy.

When we have goals and save for them, you find that it is not hard to be frugal.  You see the big picture.

So plan ahead, establish goals and see where you can save every day, every month, and every year.

Ibotta the free app that pays you cash for everyday purchases

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

I usually don’t go for shopping apps, but I have to tell you that Ibotta is working for me.  Not only can you save money on groceries (just scan your receipt), you can also save shopping online.  And alcohol and liquor is included too.  Sure helps when you are having parties.  It is not just brand names, there are many “any item” choices and even an “any receipt” option.  I’ve been using it for food shopping and love to get money back.  You can cash out when you reach $20.

They also and promos and contests to help you save more money.  And I love saving money!  If you sign up through my link, you get $10 to begin with.  There are stipulations though.  I also like that when friends (those who sign up through your link), they can save even more money be reaching certain goals.  Ibotta makes shopping and saving fun, so why not check it out and sign up today!

September Passive Income Recap

September wasn’t a bad month but it was a good month.  Although my passive income stay around the same, the majority of that was from dividend income.  Make note to self to purchase stocks that with dividends in different months than I already have.  I like the $600 range each month but would prefer to increase slowly over time.  Not happening yet.

Also, September was the month we moved into a new home (moving expenses) and sold our old home (broke even).  It wasn’t a great month for extra cash, that’s for sure.  My newt work decreased 3% from the previous month (damn stock market roller coaster) but still up 11.70% from the previous year.

Book Review: The Wealthy Barber - Everyone's' Commonsense Guide to Becoming Financially Independent

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Some say that The Wealthy Barber is outdated.  I read the revised third edition which was published over twenty years ago.  Times have changed but the words in this book is still relevant for the everyone that wants to become financially independent.  If you look at it as your first book to read as you make your path to reach that goal.  Although, I have been doing much of what is written, it was still helpful.  I would recommended this book to those starting out on their own and don’t know what to do with the finances.  He covers not only saving, but life insurance, with a bit or taxes and real estate.  Not in depth though, but more as a starting point.  Easy and fun read that I would recommend to everyone who wants to a push in the right direction for their personal finances.

The No Spend Challenge

I recently came across 10 Tips For A Successful No Spend Challenge and although I may have mentioned in other posts some of these tips, I want to share again because I think this is a great way to budget one’s money.

If you are wondering what no-spend challenge is, it is a challenge to stop impulse buying and use what you are already have.  You can do it for a month, a week or just a weekend.  I try at least one week out of the month.   But remember, paying bills are not included. You must pay your bills (that’s not really impulse spending).

1) The first tip is the pantry challenge.  I wrote a whole post on this.  You can visit that post here.  Mainly, you are using up what you have in your pantry to prepare meals.  Waste not, want not.

2) The second tip is to plan your meals.  If you plan your meals in advance and purchase only what you need, you can cut your grocery bill in half.  When I plan my meals, I plan for more than two people and freeze the rest to enjoy it another day.

3) Free activities.  Great advice.  There are always something going on in the neighborhood that doesn’t cost money.  Last weekend, my wife and I went to a Rocktoberfest, which was free. We brought out lawn chairs, a cooler and listened to three local bands without spending a dime.

4) Stock up.  If there is a sale for something we need and use on a regular basis, I will stock up (especially toilet paper) and save money that way.

5) Unsubscribe from emails, especially ones from stores.  They’re nothing but advertising and they want you to spend money.  No emails, less temptations.

6) Be accountable to someone.  If this works with weight-loss programs, why can’t it work for money saving programs?  Let people know you are trying to save money and are keeping within a budget.  It helps.

7) Use up everything.  Not just food, but everything!  Don’t buy something at the store if it is a good deal when you already have it at home.  Kind of goes against #4 Stock up, but I get where she is coming from.  I don’t need two dozen pens, the same amount of markers or jars of salad dressing, etc.

8) Plan Family Fun At Home.  And we do.  Although there are no children at our home, my wife and I love to play card games and board games.  It’s fun and doesn’t cost more than the purchase of the game.  Of course, we’ve gone through three decks of Phase 10 since we play so often.  Okay, my wife did splurge on a Skee-Ball game, but she plays often and sometimes to relieve work stress.  Does that mean I can use it as a tax write-off?

9) Leave Money At Home.  That’s easy for me because I never have money.  But then again, I mainly use credit cards.  Not that this tempts me to buy things when I am out.  I also don’t carry all my cards when I go out.

10) The last on her list is to use up gift cards.  If and when I do get gift cards, I sue them. If I get Visa gift cards, I redeem them for Amazon gift cards and keep the balance in my Amazon account.  It also works if you have pennies left on a Visa gift card.  I use my Amazon credit to buy gifts all year long.

So, try a no spend challenge.  I did and it is a challenge but it is fun and we saved money or better yet didn’t spend money when we didn’t need to.

Moving Is A Bitch

Moving to a new home is a bitch.  We’ve moved twice in the past three years.  First from New Jersey to Florida.  This past week just five miles north of where we were.  Being frugal, I didn’t hire a moving company to make the long trek to Florida.  Why?  We thought we could do it ourselves.  We did, but not all at once.  First trip we drove my car down, packed with as much as we could stuff into a Mazda 6.  Then flew back home.  The second trip, a month later we took my wife’s car loaded up, spent the weekend and headed back home.  Next came the rental truck which had everything but our bed and essentials.  The following month was the finally trip with a little trailer attached to my wife’s SUV.  Our poor cat didn’t know what to think.

Anyway, we had gotten rid of half of our stuff by selling it, giving it away or throwing it away.  When we left our home in New Jersey we left behind a dining room table, two dressers, a kitchen table with bench, a microwave oven, a grill and picnic table.  In another six months we would sell the house and the new owner would get most of that since our friend watching the home would get rid of whatever.  She was good like that.

After moving to Florida, we realized we didn’t need more of the stuff we brought down.  Slowly started getting rid of that stuff. We bought this house furnished and got rid of the furniture we weren’t going to use.  The Salvation Army loved us.  Now moving again recently, we downsized some more.  Our new home is larger, but if we don’t use it, why keep it.

Since we were moving 5 miles away and had eight days to clear out our old home, we moved most of the stuff ourselves, but rented a moving company to haul the big stuff.  It took them only two hours to load and unload.  It wasn’t expensive at all.

I’m waiting for community garage sales to finally rid the stuff that we actually make a few bucks on.  Makes me think who much money we could have saved if we hadn’t bought those things to begin with.  We had to have a desire for them at one time, but now more.  Now, we think twice, even three times before purchasing stuff.  We don’t plan on moving again and I don’t want my daughter have to deal with my ‘stuff’ when I die.

How about you?  Has anyone else moved and got rid of stuff and downsized tremendously?  Or do you keep it and store it?  Would you move yourself to save a few bucks or hire a moving company?  Needless to say I hate bubble wrapping everything!

Book Review: Your Money Or You Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

I found this book to be quite informative, especially for those who are beginning to handle their own finances.  I have been tracking my finances for some time and recently watching those expenses so that I can reach financial independence sooner.  Still, those book was helpful in rethinking some things and reinforcing others.  Yes, it is not the perfect book on financial independence but it is a very good book in assisting one in rethinking how they handle money.

I am a frugal person by nature, but have changed my perspective and approaches to reach my goals sooner.  Not everything may work for everyone.  Each has to find their own path and figure what works for them, but this book is a good start and should be a recommended read.

Ebates - Getting Money Back for Shopping Online

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Ebates is a website that gives cash back to those who shop online.  And who doesn’t shop online these days.  They have partnered with many retail companies to give the online shopper the best deals.  Don’t I sound like an advertisement?  I was actually hesitant to join Ebates, but my wife is a member and sent me the link.  I signed up, she got her bonus and now I make sure when I do shop online I click the Ebates button to get my rebate.

I shop mostly for office supplies, but every little penny back in my pocket helps.  And when we aren’t getting discounts or free travel, I will book our travel through Ebates (they do partner with some good travel sites) and after the travel is completed I get money back.  Like I mentioned, I am not a big shopper, but since joining Ebates, I gotten back over $75.00

A warning though, it may take some time for your travel rebates to show up in your account.  Shopping rebates come rather quickly.  Also note, they only pay out quarterly, so it is not like you get a check every week or month.  My money goes to PayPal.

So if aren’t signed up already, click the link, I’d appreciate it and if you sign up and spend $25, you get a $10 from Ebates.  What a deal.  Okay, I sounded like an advertisement again!  Happy shopping, folks.

August Passive Income Recap

The month of August was not as good as July, but I did receive my first income form the blog.  Although, I have to admit that most of that income was sitting around from another blog I had some 4-5 years ago.  But it finally reached the threshold to payout last month with my new blog.  This makes me happy.

We are also moving into a new house and I have been spending my time packing up and cleaning and moving money around.  Hopefully, when the dust settles, I can get back to the blog.

Good news is that my net worth increased 2.21% from July and 17.37% from the previous year.  All is good.

What is Your Good Life?

What is the American Dream today?  It used to be the house with the white picket fence.  Now people just want a good life.  But what does a good life mean to you?  Some say, it is being debt free or independently wealthy.  Others may say it is living off the land or traveling or helping others.

Think about it. If you were like me, you wanted it all; the new car, the house with the big yard, a great paying job and all that money could buy.  Now for me it is all about making memories.  My personal good life is not about all that materialistic stuff.  Yes, I need a roof over my head, food to eat and clothes to wear, but I don’t need the best or the most expensive.

The worst is that in this day and age, we are bombarded with consumerism.  Ads on TV, ads on the internet, pushing more and more items that they say you need, that you want.  But does it make you happy?  Maybe for a moment, but that gratification will soon dissipate.  True happiness is not purchased in stores.

We are about to move into a new home and boy, do we have things that we don’t use, nor do they hold any memories for us.  We will have cut about half of these possessions from our lives as we make the trip to the new home.

But memories of spending time with family and friends, taking trips, exploring new places, they will stay with me forever.  That’s my conception of a good life.  What is yours?

What's In Your Pantry?

If you are frugal like me, then you probably can’t pass up a good deal.  Use that coupon before it expires (especially on a sale item) and get those BOGOs (Buy One Get One Free) off those items you regularly consume.  But I never buy something I don’t regularly use just because it is on sale.

With that said, you may have an overabundance of items in your cabinet that you aren’t aware of.  With me, it was coffee.  I had bags and bags of it.  My mother had over a dozen jars of salad dressing and some were expired!

My suggestion today is to skip food shopping this week and eat what you already have at home.  You know how much you can save that way.  It was about $50 a month for us.

Take an inventory of what you have and see what you can create with what you have.  And please toss anything that is expired.  Throw away old food sitting in the refrigerator and make sure you don’t buy it again.  If you don’t eat it, don’t buy it.

I clean out or freezer, cabinets and refrigerator once a month by using and eating what we already have at home.  I can get really creative in the kitchen.  We have very little food waste.

Remember eat all that you have and save that extra money you are not spending!

Impulse Buying - Stop It Now!

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Impulse buying could be a very bad thing for the frugal minded.  It is the desire to have something immediately, then most likely regretting the purchase later.  In other words, one did not think it through when they made such purchase.  You buy because you may be afraid of missing out or you are addicted to shopping and the rush makes you feel good.

I have done that in the past; bought a piece of real estate in Arizona on eBay.  Bought a bunch of old lunch boxes to start a collection because I saw some in a museum.  This list goes on.  I wanted a Ronald McDonald stature sitting on a bench or the Sinclair Dinosaur that you see at the gas stations.  But I have stopped myself.

Why? Because the thrill of the purchase fades quickly and you are in possession of something that you may not want later and will regret it.

But if you want to save money and not waste it, then do what I have done.

Write what you want down, don’t buy it.  Look at your list in three days.  Do you still want it?  Look again in thirty days.  Do you really need it?  Think about what you could do with this money otherwise.  That usually helps me.

Stay away from shopping websites, especially the auction sites.  Reward yourself for not making an impulse buy.  An ice cream works for me!

Plan ahead, save in advance for things you need.  Write it all down, review it, then review it again.  Is it worth it? Is it needed?  Can you live without it?

I find I feel better not buying something I wanted just for that quick joy.  Saving money for my future is a much bigger joy.

Squeezing pennies out of a gift card

What would you do if you found a gas gift card sitting on top of the pump?  Would you assume it was used up and leave it? Or would you take it and check the balance?  Guess, what I did.  I took it and logged on the website and found out it has a balance of $1.61.

If you found that out, would you toss it or use it?  It is not even a gallon of gas and maybe not worth it.  Too me, it is.  I used it with a $5.00 gift card I had won to put gas in our car.  Every little bit helps this frugal man.

It reminds me of the times I used to travel into NYC and see tossed metro cards around.  I would pick them up and scan them.  Most didn’t have a balance, but sometimes there would one.  Did you know that that you can take metro cards with a balance to the subway station booth and the agent would combine them all into one card?  I did this a few times also.  It’s like picking up loose change from the ground.  I do that too.  Before we left NYC, it was harder to find those cards because I believe now they charge $1.00 for a new card.  What a scam!  I have been away from New York in almost three years but still have my metro card.  It is expired, yes, but if and when I visit again, I will get a new one without having to pay that one dollar fee.

July Passive Income Recap

July was better than June for my passive income. A total of 11.8% increase and not in dividends.  Slowly, but surely, I want to increase my passive income and hopefully my dividend income.  With a total of $654, it could someday take care of a rent/mortgage payment.

And another $30 in gift cards which is surely helping the Christmas budget.  Speaking of budgets, we have finally started tracking our monthly expenses.  Between July and August, we went on vacation so I am not confident of the numbers yet.  I will need a few more months to evaluate them.

Lastly, our net worth increased 1.85% from July and 16.43% from this time last year.  This makes me very, very happy!

Until next month.

Cutting Cable Out of Our Lives

Yesterday, we returned out cable box and cancelled our service.  No more cable in our household.  We didn’t have a special channels or packages, just basic cable for two televisions.  But all we watched were two channels (CBS and AMC).  So why keep it?  We already have Amazon Prime (the money we save on shipping and no we can watch free movies), Netflix and added Sling TV (family account so no charge for either) when we purchased a Roku.  Actually, two of them but one was free by using points the other cost $31 with tax.  That’s only a
one time charge.

What are we saving?  $88.88 a month.  That is a total of $1,066.56 a year that can now go into savings.  I never thought we’d do it.  We don’t need to be addicted to cable television and neither should you?  There are so many options and I am glad we did it.  Have you?

Charlie Finance Co

Have you heard about Charlie?  It is personal financial assistant, ready to look out for you 24/7. I constantly monitor your transactions, finding you ways to save money, cut expenses, and understand your spending. With me on your side, you can spend less time worrying about money and more time enjoying life.  But it is not an app.  It is a website.

I recently came across this or someone sent it to me and I started to research it.  Has anyone out there have had experience with it?

It is a bot that helps you keep track of your finances and makes suggestions for you.  One signs up with their phone number or through Facebook Messenger at hicharlie.co.  You have to link your bank account. How else could they monitor your expenses?  I’m a weary about that.

You don’t make money.  Charlie is free to use, but it helps you save money, I guess.

This is something for people that don’t know how to handle money.  People who are too lazy to learn to track their spending.  I am not one of those people.  I have been monitoring my expenses for as long as I can remember and don’t need a bot to assist me.

They do have good reviews though.

What are your thoughts?

Restaurant.com $25 Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY

I am giving away a $25 gift certificate to Restaurant.com (actually it is a code that you can use and redeem on restaurant.com)  There are a few ways to enter:

1) Follow this blog (somewhere on the right is an icon to allow followers) Please comment below that you have done so

2) Follow by e-mail (also on the right of this blog is that option) Please comment below that you have done so.

3) Follow me on Twitter and retweet the giveaway post.  All retweets will be considered an entry in this giveaway.

4) Share this post on social media and comment below that you have done so.

5) Like my Facebook page and comment below that you have done so.

Open to US residents only and ends on August 31, 2018 at midnight EST.

Thanks!

Sample Storm and Lucky Samples

This post does not contain any affiliated links.  It's all my rambling. 

I’ve been a member of Sample Storm for as long as I’ve been on the Internet and its sister site Lucky Samples when it was created.  It’s been years and all I’ve collected is points.  What can you do with those points?  Well, you can get rewards such as cash, gift cards, magazine subscriptions and restaurant.com certificates.  I’ve yet to see cash and gift cards become available and I am not interested in restaurant.com or magazines.  I believe they used to have different rewards, but it’s been so long, I can’t recall.

You can also request samples (and if you read some comments, many people don’t get them), coupons (you can get coupons from many sites).  There are also contests and games and trivia questions you can participate in to collect points.

I have become disillusioned with both sites and will discontinuing visiting them.  Now, what to do with all those points?

I would love to hear from others and their experiences with these sites.  So, if you have had good, bad or mediocre experience, please leave a comment.

Until next time.

Reaching Financial Independence

It is possible to reach financial independence, but there is no secret formula.  What you need to do (and you probably already know this) is to work hard, save your money and follow these steps.

First up is GET OUT OF DEBT!  Our society makes it easy for us to get into debt with credit cards and everybody wanting it now, but debt kills.  You pay more in interest than what you may have purchased.  And it compounds over time.  And being in debt stops you from saving money.

Other than your mortgage (you get a tax break), all other debt does nothing for you, so get rid of it as quickly as possible.  Cut up those cards, purchase only necessities.  Work with someone to reduce that debt and you will feel so much better when you no longer have to pay.

Just think if you pay off that car loan, student loan, credit card, then maybe you can start paying more into your mortgage.  Before you know you will have no debt.  And believe me that feels very good.  I k now I can sleep better at night knowing that I don’t have the worry of where I am going to get money to make those payments.

Photo courtesy of Vecteezy

Next CUT THOSE EXPENSES!  I’m not talking about the necessities like food, shelter and clothing, but do you really need a brand new car, eat at a five-star restaurant or own a house too big for you? The answer is no.  In previous posts I’ve mentioned how we cut costs and save money.  That’s what needs to be done.

We are down to one car and it is 4 years old.  We’d have paid it off already, but my wife got an interest free loan, so we didn’t and use that money elsewhere.  You don’t have to starve yourself to ne financially independent, but you can save put really putting an effort in how you grocery shop.  There are savings out there.  There are many times when I’ve cut my grocery bill in half by using coupons (both paper and digital) and buying BOGOs (buy one get one free).  I also have a grocery list so I do not buy on the fly.

You may love to eat out at restaurants, and guess, what food is food.  You can find a decent restaurant that makes a decent steak (if that’s what you like) and no need to go to an expensive restaurant.  You may love taking a lot of vacations.  We do, and save in advance for every one of them.  If we don’t have the money, we don’t go on vacation.  We also find inexpensive ways to travel and enjoy ourselves.

My wife and I both work from home, but we used to commute.  Commuting expenses were a big chunk of our money.  Suggestion, if you cannot telecommute, try moving closer to your job.

Now that there are many options out there, you can cut cable, change to a cheaper phone plan, cut your own hair, cut your own lawn, and cancel magazine subscriptions and even subscription boxes (which seem to be the craze lately).  I’m sure you can find a way to eliminate a lot and save.  Then take that savings and put in the bank or invest it.

You’ve cut those unneeded expenses, so what’s next.  INCREASE YOUR INCOME.  How can you do that, you may ask?  You could always ask for a raise.  If you love your job, you could stay the course and, work hard, maybe get a promotion, and increase your salary.  You could look for another job with a better salary.  That’s up to you.

You can also take on a side gig?  Maybe, there is something you enjoy doing as a hobby that could make you some extra cash.  Maybe there’s a weekend or seasonal gig that you want to do.  Who knows?  Just look at yourself and see what matters to you.

SAVE YOUR PENNIES.  And your dollars too!  You’re making money and cutting expenses.  What’s next?  Save as much as you can.  Don’t go for that 10% of your income, but try for more.  The more you save and the earlier you save, the bigger the pot will be when you are older.

INVEST.  If you have saved a lot of money and have an emergency fund.  (We all know what that is, right?)  Then maybe you should invest.  I am not a financial advisor and am only talking about what I have done.  Start small, and invest wisely.  Don’t think you will make a killing in the stock market.  I have an account at discount brokerage and invest in income generating stocks (those with big dividends).  If you are younger, you may want to invest in growth stocks or funds.  That’s totally up to you.  My IRA is mainly in growth funds because I want it to be big when I retire.

That about wraps it up.  Get out of debt, cut unnecessary expenses, make more money, save and invest.  Easy said than done.  That’s is correct.  You must have the right mindset to work at it.  If you want it you can achieve it.  Track your expenses.  Know your net worth.  Plan ahead.  I wish I had the mindset when I was younger.  Who knows what I could have accomplished.  No crying over spilled milk.  I am doing it now, still enjoying life, living frugally and reaching for financial independence.

Saving on Shampoo

Since I mentioned ways of not wasting money in my last post, I just wanted to show how we also save some money.  In that post, it was mentioned that it was a waste of money to buy Salon products as Suave shampoo does the trick and cheaply at that.  I rarely buy shampoo or conditioner.  Why?  Because we travel a lot and hotels always have those little tubes of shampoos, conditioner and body cream and I always take them.  Well, not the body cream (don’t use much of that).  Also, the little bars of soap, since we bring our own soap.  And if it piles up in our home, then we would donate it.  So that saves us some pennies during the year.

Yes, I also take the coffee (not the tea since we rarely drink tea) and the hot beverage condiment packets.  The packets are great for when we go camping.  See nothing goes to waste in our household.

Keep on reading my blog on other tips or tricks on how I save.  That’s me, Mr. Frugal.

20 Ways To Stop Wasting Money - Reading Another's Blog and adding my thoughts

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I recently read a blog article from A Binge Worthy Life about way to stop wasting money.  There were 20 to be exact.  Although, I subscribe to many of the ideas that were mentioned, I thought I would go through the list and give my thoughts on those money wasting actions.

via GIPHY

First on their list was greeting cards.  Greeting cards are expensive and it is a shame that many people don’t even kept cards that they receive for any amount of time.  She suggest making your own.  That’s a great idea if you have kids.  Or buy the cheap ones from the Dollar store.  What we do it subscribe to an online card company and print our own.  It’s a year fee, and you make it up, especially if you print a lot of cards.  Not only that, you can customize and personalize the cards.  I believe people appreciate them more, but that’s my opinion.

#2 is cable.  Get rid of cable.  I think many of us have gotten addicted to cable television when it first came out and now we seem to be a slave to the cable company and pay up the wazoo.  With so many digital options today, cable has some composition.  My daughter has never had cable and gets by fine.  So what are we going to do?  We’re going to start slow and get a Roku for one television to see how it works.  That will get a receiver rental and if all works out then we say goodbye to cable for good and save about $1,200 a year!

Moving right along to #3 are magazines.  I stopped my subscriptions years ago and read what’s online or at the library.  Don’t need no stinking magazines.

From magazines to books:  I used to collect books and had many of them.  And then I would get rid of them.  Rarely would I reread a book.  Turns out used book stores (do they still exist) wouldn’t give much for them.  Then I discovered paperbackswap.com, but then shipping costs were too much.  Since downsizing, not only books but life in general, I get my books from the library.  I don’t buy books either hard copies or digital.  If the library doesn’t have it, I can still request from paperbackswap.  But there are so many free book sites out there, like goodreads, librarything and netgalley, where you can win copies, that I don’t need to buy books to read.  Then there are little libraries all over the place where you can exchange books.  My town has about eight of them all around the town.

Next is Starbucks or other coffee houses.  Since I make my coffee at home and drink at home, we never go to a coffee house and if so, a coupon or gift card is how we save money there.  And only when we travel.  Speaking of traveling, when staying at a hotel they always supply free coffee anyway!

She mentions that bottled water is a waste.  Yeah, it is a waste of plastic.  One can buy bottled water so cheaply now, but the waste comes with the plastic.  We don’t drink bottled water at home, since we filter our water.  But I recycle the bottles of water at home to fill up once with filter water before recycling the bottles.  Bottled water comes in handy when traveling long distances.  Short distances we have our own larger reusable water bottles.

Manicures and Pedicures:  Since I don’t get either, no money spent there and now my wife cut back to only a few times a year.

#8 is Paper plates.  Who uses paper plates?  I understand they are great for picnics and barbeques, and are a time saver, but they are a waste of money.  I have no problem washing dishes and I don’t own a dishwasher!

#9 Individual bottles of soap.  I don’t buy liquid soap, so I am already saving money. Ha-ha!

#10 – Dryer Sheets. So she says they are a waste of money and also can cause harm to your skin because of chemicals.  I am not sure about the harm to skin but I am agreeing that they are a waste of money.  I see no different with my fabrics whether I sue dryer sheets or not.  So I think, I will stop buying them altogether.

#11 – Fabric Softener.  I don’t buy that either as I get the laundry detergent that already has it in it.  Saves money and space and garbage.

Staying with the laundry theme here, #12 is Laundry Detergent.  I am NOT going to make my own but I buy in the largest size when I have a coupon and when it is on sale.  Just check the price per ounce when buying and you can see the savings in buying bigger.

#13 is Salon Hair Care Products.  Don’t buy them.  If I buy shampoo and conditioner it is always Suave products.  But I get a lot of little bottles from hotels when we travel so I am saving big time there!

#14 – Name Brand Products.  There are some name brand products that are much better than the generic brand.  She doesn’t buy generic cereal or generic butter or cream cheese.  To me, there’s no difference, raisin bran is raisin bran. All you are paying for is the advertising.  Canned foods are similar.  The two things that I always buy Name brand is Q-Tips (nobody does it better) and if I feel like indulging, Oreo cookies (but that is rare, we bake our own cookies).

#15 – Name Brand Medication.  We don’t buy much medication, but when we do it is generic.  We don’t use it a lot so why waste the money.

#16 Dining in Restaurants.  Yes, that is a big dip into one’s budget and we’ve cut back a lot.  Eating healthy is expensive and we don’t do fast food restaurants.  We go out on special occasions, when there is a coupon/deal or when we are traveling.  I love to cook, so our grocery bill is bigger than our restaurant bill.

Almost done going through the list. We’re up to #17 – Shredded cheese.  Yes, it is convenient, but check out the cost per ounce and you’ll see you’re almost paying double then block cheese.  And I buy block cheese when there is a BOGO sale so it is even cheaper.  I can shred my own no problem.

#18 – Frozen TV Dinners.  The only ones we used to purchase were Weight Watchers and Lean Cuisine because they were cheap and we were trying to lose weight.  But now I just cook healthy and freeze extra proportions for the time when I don’t have the time to make a fresh meal.  And that’s not too often.

#19 – Pre-cut Fruits and vegetables.  Again, it is all about the convenience and you are paying up the wazoo for someone else to do your work for you.  I don’t buy precut produce.

Last but not least is Alcohol.  Now, that’s a tough one.  One would save a lot of money is one stopped drinking alcohol.  Me, I can get beer on BOGO sales and with Ibotta, I can get cash back which saves on buying liquor.

What are you ways to stop wasting money?  You can check A Binge Worthy Life to see the original post as she also has added tips.  Enjoy!

June Passive Income Recap

June is over and my passive income is better than the previous month.  Mostly because of dividend income.  I believe dividend income is the easiest income to obtain, as long as you have money to invest.  I’ve been putting a little away at a time for investing.

Other income was small and not much happening online.  Still collecting gift cards though.   I have added a spreadsheet which includes the first four months of the year.  Just for me to see how the whole year pans out.

 Overall, my net worth increased 1.69% of the previous month and 15.14% the previous twelve months.

July will be the first month that we will diligently track out expenses, because now my wife is interested in retiring early.  She has started to save her pennies and put more into her 401K.  More on this as time progresses.

The Achievement App - Get Paid to Be Healthy

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Get paid to be healthy! Join Achievement, connect apps, start earning. Use this link and we both get 250 points!

Achievement is a free service used by over 1.5 million members. You'll be able to see all your health apps in one place and earn points for activities you already do!

I started using it last week and already accumulated 1800 points just by walking, drinking my water, running and recording my sleep, heart rare and more!.  I am 18% towards reaching my first payout.

Toluna Influencers

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So many survey sites out there and they have to spread the wealth, I guess.  Another one that I have been a part of for so long and am thinking of in subscribing is Toluna Influencers.  In the past, they had more than just surveys.  You could apply to get samples, use your points to win gifties (games and sports items) and virtual prizes.  They are no longer doing that.

My biggest gripe is that your points expire.  I didn’t go on for a while and poof, my points were gone.  It’s like they want you to continuously take surveys to accumulate points.  And all they have to offer are gift cards and sweepstakes.  You have to get 30,000 minimum to get a gift card.  Since, I am not always eligible for certain surveys, it is a waste of my time to keep on trying just to a gift card.  I really liked using my points to possible win a game (I never did).

Between 2013 and 2014 I received $265 in cash and in 2016 I did get a $10 gift card.  But I lost a lot of points in 2015 since I wasn’t completing surveys and that put a damper on things.

Is anyone else a member and what do you think?  Me, I am saying good bye and moving on.

Why I Don't Invest in Real Estate

I’ve been reading a lot of blogs regarding FIRE (Financially Independent Retire Early) and I’ve noticed that many of them have included real estate in their equations.  Many have rental units that generate passive income.  It almost seems like a good way to make more money while not working for it.

Photo credit: Mike Yakaites

So why don’t I invest in real estate and rental properties?  With rental properties, I wouldn’t make a good landlord.  Since the law seems to be on the tenant’s side, I would be afraid to rent to a bad tenant.  And I don’t want to be that person that has to listen to every little complaint and fix every little problem.  I hate doing work inside my own home, but I do it.  I hate even paying more for a professional or handyman to do simple tasks.

There is a blog post that I read recently that sums up real estate expenses, and it is not for the lighthearted (me).  This blogger owns properties and had some unexpected expenses recently and lists them in his post.  Real estate expenses most be planned and prepared for.  It is not all easy money, that’s for sure.  Check it out here.

Now getting back to owning real estate that is not rental property.  I have owned three houses during my lifetime and it all didn’t end up to so well.  Our first home we purchased in the high market and although didn’t some minor work on it while we lived there (14 years), it sold for far less than we paid for it but at least it covered the remaining mortgage.  I had a second house that was once a summer cottage that has had so many problems (can you say money pit?) that I fear is not going to turn out well when and if it sells.  Finally, since we moved to another state, we have a modular home (or some say mobile home, but isn’t).  It was inexpensive, so no mortgage therefore no tax credit.  We thought this would be our forever home but are making plans to move again and are hoping once again to break even on this one.

Although, I have given up on owning real estate, I have been thinking of real estate crowdfunding.  Have anyone else checked into that and/or have investing in such?  This blogger is interested in knowing your thoughts.

Meet the Frugalwoods - Book Review

I learned about this book from another blogger and it seemed to be something I would enjoy.  I started reading the Frugalwood’s blog and even more wanted to read the book.  Although the blog shows a lot of money saving tips, the book does not.  The book is more of her journey of privileged college graduate to her financial independence to living on a homestead in Vermont.  Although when the book was written, I think they have only lived there one year.  What will the next decade take them?

I thought it was well written, although not helpful.  I have always been cheap, I mean frugal, but unless one works at six-figure job and makes a killing in real estate, you won’t reach financial independence in a short period of time.

Don’t get me wrong, financial independence is possible and every one should strive for it.  But be realistic in your journey which may or may not be the same as the Frugalwoods.

Disclosure:  I may receive a referral fee if you purchase the book using the below.  Please review mu disclosure policy here.

MySurvey

My Survey (mysurvey.com) was the first survey site I signed up with some twenty plus years ago.  Since I Was new, I was excited to participate in surveys to make some cash.  You can now get PayPal, gift cards or donate to charity.  Over the years, more sites popped up and with better changes of obtain gift cards or money.

With the many survey sites out there, I have noticed that they sometimes go to the same place to proceed with the surveys.  My problem is that they tell me that I have already taken the survey.  Which could be so, but with mysurvey I have become ineligible for particular surveys and receive no points.

Also, you will note that there are no referral link sin the post, because they do not work.  I have requested email links which go unanswered and it doesn’t post to Twitter.  I don’t post on Facebook so I don’t know about that one.

There seem to be over 37,000 likes to mysurvey, but I am not one of them.  And I will cancel my membership with them shortly.  I want to know if anyone else have used them and what do you think?

Passive Income for the month of May 2018

A little tardy, but it’s my first time keeping track of my passive income.  Since it is so small, I have not included a chart like some folks do.

Survey income $10
Ebates $5
Dividend Income $129
Int
erest Income $1
eBay (after expenses) $59
Amazon (after expenses) $2
Scrap metal $14

Total for the month of May $220

As you can see, must of my passive income comes from dividends and I am planning to put this extra funds back into investing.

I also received $45 in Amazon gift cards, which will be used to pay for Christmas presents.

Not too bad for my first month.  Also my net worth increased by $1.29% from the previous month and $15.65% from the previous 12 months.

Maybe next month, I will make a colorful chart.

PINCHme is Giving Away 500,000 Boxes Today!

500,000 PinchMe sample boxes will be given away today, June 12 at 12:00 Noon EST. This is one of the largest Sample Tuesdays. Most members will get one. Click HERE to sign  up or to make sure your account is up to date. Samples that will be shipped: Garnier Whole Blends Gentle Shampoo & Conditioner Oat Delicacy, Garnier New Fructis 1 Minute Hair Masks, Dark & Lovely Damage Slayer - Pre-Treatment, Shampoo, Conditioner, Skittles® Sweet Heat Candies, NEW Heinz® Real Mayonnaise, Nexcare™ Waterproof Bandages, Starbucks® PLUS Coffee K-Cup® Pods available at Kroger and Walmart, Power Beets On The Go, Vagisil Jasmine Wash and Wipe, Sun Protector Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Traveling and How We Cut Costs to Enjoy More

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One thing on my bucket list is to travel the country.  Why wait until I am retired to explore this vast country of ours?  I want it now! (My impersonation of Veruca Salt).  How do we get to travel and reduce our costs of staying in hotels and flying?  Travel Rewards programs are the answer.   It doesn’t come easy and you have to do some travel to collect points to redeem for a free night’s stay or a free flight.

Two of the Hotel Rewards programs that I belong to are Hilton Honors and Wyndham Rewards.  I’ve been a member of Hilton Honors for over 17 years and there are many hotels with different point amounts to get a free night stay.  Wyndham is different, it is 15,000 points for a free night at any of their hotels.  So why not stay at a 5 star hotel instead of a lower grade brand.

It seem hard to get accumulate points to get a free room, but if you travel a lot, you can collect points.  And both have branded credit cards that also help in collecting points.  We only have the Hilton Honors credit card.  My wife works for Wyndham, so she can also collect extra points for going above and beyond.  Hence, the reason she likes to always stay in a Wyndham branded hotel.  We’ve gotten about five free night’s stays so far this year.

As for airlines, the same thing.  You can receive miles for traveling and if you use their branded credit cards, it all adds up.  My wife has the United Airlines credit card so that is the airline we take when we travel by air.  Other than, when she has to travel for work (and the company pays), we haven’t paid for a flight in a few years.  But then again, I love to travel by car.  And no, I am not a member of any Rental Car rewards program or have their branded credit card.

I also collect miles with JetBlue and have been a rewards member for a long time, but lost my accumulated points for not flying with them in years.  But I am still hopeful, I will get enough points to fly free with JetBlue.  But how do I collect miles with JetBlue if I don’t fly?  They have a survey site where you can collect miles.  It is called JetOpinions.  I should also mention that United has a survey site and I acquire miles there too.  It is called Opinion Miles Club.  The difference between the two is that Jet Opinions will still award you 2 or 3 miles if you are not a match for survey.  Opinion Miles only awards miles if you are a match and complete a survey.

And if you like to travel by train, Amtrak has a Guest Rewards program also.  You can acquire points by travel or use their branded credit card.  I haven’t traveled by train since leaving NYC, so I cash cashed out my points for gift cards.

Other ways to save on hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel is to join AAA or AARP.  We are members of both and I used to enjoy getting a free donut at Dunkin’ Donuts with my AARP card but they discontinued that in February 2018.

Pennzoil and Bridgestone Spin To Win Promotion

Enter the Pennzoil and Bridgestone Spin To Win Promotion. They are GIVING AWAY $5 gift cards to Amazon, Shell, Starbucks, iTunes and more. Plus you have a chance to win $10,000. If you don’t have a code, simply click the ‘I Don’t Have A Code’ link to request one. Entry ends July 31, 2018. I won a $5 Shell gift card!  Click on the photo to go to the giveaway.

Click here for Official Rules

Pinchme Sample Site

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Pinchme.com is a site that I joined about five years.  They are a sample site where you put in your profile information and log on each month to access samples of products before you buy them.  I was able to get a box almost every month, and then nothing for about a year and half.  Gave up, tired again and got a few boxes last year.  Then again, nothing.  I read a lot of complaints on their Facebook page and noticed their site would crash at the appropriate time.  I would have canceled my account, but lately they’ve added surveys and if you accumulate enough points you automatically get a box separate from the monthly sample box.  I tried and accumulated enough points form answering surveys and am still waiting my box.  From the orders page, it look like I am getting a coupon for a free drink.  Not what I was expecting.  I guess with over 4 million members it is hard to please everyone.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, if you are or not a member.  Here is a link to their website.

Keeping My Entertainment Budget Down

We all need entertainment in our lives or else it would be so boring.  I recently read another blog regarding their entertainment budget.  I don’t have an entertainment budget because I try and spend little or no money to entertain myself.  But I do have a vacation budget, as we love to travel.  So back to the entertainment and keeping happy during the week.

MOVIES
Although watching a movie on the big screen is awesome, I do not go to theaters unless I received complimentary tickets.  Where can you get complimentary tickets to the movie theater?  Local radio stations, television stations, AARP and giveaways on social media are a few that I can think of.

Also, I don’t like theaters any more since people talk and/or use their cell phones which really takes away from a pleasant experience.  And we all know how expensive movie theater food is!

I watch my movies at home.  I don’t buy DVDs or Blu-ray discs.  Instead, I borrow them from our local library.  It’s a great way to see movies (sometimes recently released ones) for no cost whatsoever.  Then there is streaming sites.  I am lucky that my daughter added us onto her Netflix account.  Now I can watch their shows and movies on my television for free.  We do pay for an Amazon Prime account (but make that back in free shipping).  With Amazon Prime, you also get access to free movies.  Not always the greatest, but still cheaper than the theater.

If you do like to collect DVDS and/or Blu-ray, and don’t like to buy them.  There is a site called SwapaDVD.com where you can swap DVDs.  It may take a long time for some.  I’ve been waiting years for some popular titles, but have been lucky to get a few.  There is a small fee and you have to pay for postage to send out DVDs, but you get a credit for future swaps.  More on their site on their rules and regulations.

BOOKS
I am an avid reader, and again go to the library to get what I want to read.  I used to buy books and had a library, but I do not reread books and don’t have the space.  That’s a big savings in money.  But if you like to collect books, the sister site to the above is Paperbackswap.com.  Quicker to get books then DVDs, but some are not always in the best of shape.  If you don’t mind reading Advance Reader copies, you can sign up for giveaways at Librarything.com (monthly) and/or Goodreads.com (ongoing).  Many a good book I have received and then passed on to others.

RESTAURANTS
I love to cook and eat healthy, but my wife and I need a date night occasionally.  We used to try once a week, but that become costly.  We still visit our favorite restaurants.  How do we do that?  Restaurant Rewards.  There are many restaurants that reward you for frequenting them. You may get cash back towards your bill or free appetizer, meals or desserts.  Combine that with coupons and gift cards it won’t cost you much.  Recently, we went to a restaurant for date night and with two appetizers, two dinners, one dessert and four adult beverages, it can to $2.04 before tip.  Can’t beat that.  I don’t buy gift cards but get them from redeeming credit card points or better yet, ask for them for Christmas.

AT HOME ENTERTAINING
I’m not talking about watching television over and over again.  We are a game playing family and there is so much out there.  We have some of the classic board games: Othello, Monopoly, Stratego, Clue, backgammon and checkers and favorites from our childhood: Booby Trap, Scrabble, Jenga and Chinese Checkers,   In addition, we are big card game players.  Our favorite is Phase 10.  We also have Uno (and now Dos), Zigity and numerous decks of regular playing cards.  Sure, there is an initial cost to buying the games (cheaper if you get them form the thrift store, yard sales or flea market), but the fun is endless.


I’ll leave Vacations for another blog post.  So what do you do for entertaining yourself and how do you save money by doing so.  Would love to hear from you.