tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post2186985993498543150..comments2024-03-13T04:34:25.047-07:00Comments on Living Rich On The Cheap: Saving To Get What You WantCheapchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-3690117594906087792017-08-21T06:39:34.354-07:002017-08-21T06:39:34.354-07:00You are managing fantastically! It is much harder...You are managing fantastically! It is much harder on one income but still doable eventually, it just takes longer.Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-23322800536217376772017-08-19T10:34:25.811-07:002017-08-19T10:34:25.811-07:00Up until 10 years ago, I was unable to save and no...Up until 10 years ago, I was unable to save and not because I was spend-thrift, rather I was a single mom raising two teenagers (without any support),and my income barely covered the necessities (mortgage, groceries, basic utilities, car insurance, fuel and maintenance, bus passes for my kids, clothing, etc.) <br />But eventually my education paid off, my children grew up (though I still help them out from time to time), and I found there was money at the end of a pay period. I'm still not mortgage free but like you, I pay off my credit cards throughout the month. I use credit cards to earn points for travel mostly but can use them for gifts, plus my one credit card pays cash back which I use to cover the annual fee. <br />Slowly but surely I'm building up my RRSP and savings investments. Those amounts, the equity in my home and my work pension should ensure I have a reasonable lifestyle in my retirement. That's the goal!Maebemehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09706540456819503068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-41394173704889653052017-08-18T10:53:51.746-07:002017-08-18T10:53:51.746-07:00Wow, good for you! That is fantastic. Sometimes ...Wow, good for you! That is fantastic. Sometimes if two people are not like-minded when it comes to money it is much easier by yourself. Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-91465253041384123242017-08-16T13:34:16.242-07:002017-08-16T13:34:16.242-07:00I have an appointment next Saturday with my bank t...I have an appointment next Saturday with my bank to pay off my 3rd 10% payment off my mortgage, which means I will pay off a 17 year mortgage in 8 years (I had to take a mortgage out at age 53 to buy my ex out of the house). We had darn good incomes but even they couldn't keep up with my ex' spending. Now I have 50% of the income but money in the bank. I tend to be a "cash" person and a "take your breakfast, lunch and coffee to work" person (I found these to be my biggest savings). They say save on the unimportant stuff but not what makes life worth living. I follow that maxim in that I still travel but life has been so much easier since I have total control of my own salary. AnnaTreadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-85153130829955773512017-08-15T07:17:51.960-07:002017-08-15T07:17:51.960-07:00No, not weird, smart, self sufficient and a thinke...No, not weird, smart, self sufficient and a thinker! You are exactly why people should continue saving in retirement - for all the fun things!Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-8160306725120064892017-08-13T16:15:35.132-07:002017-08-13T16:15:35.132-07:00Absolutely I am a saver :) I love saving more than...Absolutely I am a saver :) I love saving more than I love spending. My trick is to overestimate my bills - then when they are deducted from my chequing account there's always a little leftover to go to savings. Of my overall income over 30% goes directly to savings and I live on the rest. I can usually save a bit extra each month from my misc money and grocery money. It's like a game - I challenge myself to see how far I can stretch my spending money. Am I weird??Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803104035204416080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-80818280695169121142017-08-13T10:05:01.303-07:002017-08-13T10:05:01.303-07:00I think renting later in life is freeing, I can se...I think renting later in life is freeing, I can see doing that too. Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-58169273363980675702017-08-13T10:04:31.183-07:002017-08-13T10:04:31.183-07:00I don't have airmiles dream but find you need ...I don't have airmiles dream but find you need so many miles the program is not what it once was, we don't have many of the stores that you can cash in on the dream here in our town either.Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-859645512897732852017-08-12T18:07:14.108-07:002017-08-12T18:07:14.108-07:00Dear Cheapchick,
Thanks for sharing.
We don'...Dear Cheapchick,<br /><br />Thanks for sharing. <br /><br />We don't travel by plane, train or require hotels so travel cards aren't our thing (note that we live in Mexico 4, soon to be 6 months a year but we stay at cash only motels or in our van as we drive the 5,000km!!!). In addition, we don't make the minimums for many credit cards (although we MIGHT be able to get the PC Financial 20 points card this year!). <br /><br />Do you not find the Airmiles "Dream" points useful? I was just in Rona today and received $10 off my purchase (we also have a Foodland near us). Food is always useful.<br /><br />Besos Sarah.Journeys of The Zoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06983303004148331623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-23833988667006815622017-08-12T15:48:05.416-07:002017-08-12T15:48:05.416-07:00Im a saver but I am also a renter by choice. Ill h...Im a saver but I am also a renter by choice. Ill have an article on a zero based Christmas soon. Traditionally, I just have had a "sinking fund" without specfic categories but I just changed that in the last couple of months.I think Im gonna "envelope system" savings from nowon although I don't do that spending wise. And yes, most of us need to save to get what we want.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195838412173806659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-909066306148413272017-08-12T12:03:32.150-07:002017-08-12T12:03:32.150-07:00We used our Aeroplan points and I had heard about ...We used our Aeroplan points and I had heard about the expensive taxes, etc. It all depends on which airline you book. Had I used mostly Air Canada and Lufthansa our cost return for 'free ' tickets would have been close to $3000.00 or a bit more. I got our outbound for $137.16 and the return for $485.64, a total of $622.80. The Aeroplan person on the phone commented on the great deal I had put together. I will admit that it took days and days of searching online and tricking the system. We do have to overnight in Toronto on the way home but $100.00 at an airport hotel is still a good deal.Contessa https://www.blogger.com/profile/01482663305121297253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-34157687836648118262017-08-12T09:42:20.933-07:002017-08-12T09:42:20.933-07:00Hi Sarah! Hubby as the RBC Avion (best card ever!...Hi Sarah! Hubby as the RBC Avion (best card ever!) which we use for most of our large expenses and all his business expenses. They are the absolute best, easiest way to book flights as you can book anything with zero blackouts. He's had it for about 15 years now and loves it. I have the BMO Airmiles mastercard but am thinking about getting rid of it as airmiles are requiring so many more miles to get places these days. If I do get rid of it I likely will replace it with the PC Plus Mastercard since we do most of our shopping at Loblaw stores for groceries. I do like the fact that we have a different credit card, Costco recently switched from taking Visa to taking Mastercard so we have our bases covered there.Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-53631011893712039102017-08-12T09:09:09.883-07:002017-08-12T09:09:09.883-07:00Everyone has made financial mistakes! We just are...Everyone has made financial mistakes! We just are at the age where we finally are ahead of all of that. Cars are different for each family, if work requires a new or leased car then that is completely different! The big thing is not getting upside down on the loan, so many people don't understand that part. We rarely eat out, and most of that money goes to the vacation fund - I totally get that. I would much rather eat at home and have lots of vacationsCheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-28982634143408529842017-08-12T09:07:05.268-07:002017-08-12T09:07:05.268-07:00Yes, it is, but you two live so frugally you will ...Yes, it is, but you two live so frugally you will never have to worry about it. You are completely flexible and not "too good" to live in any kind of accommodation. You also are quite willing to switch the country you live in to lower your costs so I have zero worries for you - masters at living below your means.Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-85538000512889943182017-08-12T09:05:49.968-07:002017-08-12T09:05:49.968-07:00I completely agree, something fabulous to know tha...I completely agree, something fabulous to know that where you lay your head is 100% yours and paid in full. Our real estate seems to be trending upward about 10% a year, although our taxes will creep up super glad we bought when we did, our money went so much further. Living below your means is so much more important when living on a pension, so sad your friend thinks that giving someone thousands of pounds to tell her how to do business will be the answer. Unfortunately it is more likely she will just end up further in debt.Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-32847954952691785122017-08-12T08:58:09.784-07:002017-08-12T08:58:09.784-07:00Yes, you are right, that is truly the magic answer...Yes, you are right, that is truly the magic answer!Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-6478886349726026042017-08-12T08:57:50.601-07:002017-08-12T08:57:50.601-07:00Good for you! Hubby does travel a lot but most of...Good for you! Hubby does travel a lot but most of our points are just for using the credit card. We have enough for 2 tickets to the Caribbean (maybe in 2019) or 1 and a bit to Europe, although with 4 of us going to Italy it might be cheaper to get a seat sale than use points (they still make you pay tax and surcharge)Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-60150984011434393772017-08-12T08:56:18.567-07:002017-08-12T08:56:18.567-07:00I honestly think you two are two of the most fruga...I honestly think you two are two of the most frugal people I have ever seen, yes, you don't own a home but you are nomads living on whatever you make wherever your heart takes you. Most people wouldn't know how to stay on budget that way.Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-10274441433161017182017-08-12T08:55:15.657-07:002017-08-12T08:55:15.657-07:00That dental bill was a whopper, understandable why...That dental bill was a whopper, understandable why you want to not take savings out for it. It is not like you charged up a vacation :) Groceries are expensive, seems like they just keep getting more so. It is good that both of you seem to have pretty secure employment now and that your hubby doesn't have to be on the road with shows, great that he found such a good store to sell his pieces.Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-6188492233314720702017-08-12T08:54:55.819-07:002017-08-12T08:54:55.819-07:00Dear Cheapchick,
What credit card(s) do you hold?...Dear Cheapchick,<br /><br />What credit card(s) do you hold? <br /><br />I have a Canadian Tire World Mastercard, PC Financial and TD Visa Cashback and none of them have annual fees.<br /><br />I'm keeping track this year of how much we earn on each card (charges vary to maximize percentages) and in January will see what card(s) we should hold and what we should put on it.<br /><br />I'd been adverse to holding a credit card that has an annual fee but now realize that I should give them a fair shot. <br /><br />Congratulations on all that you have achieved!<br /><br />Besos Sarah.<br />Journeys of The Zoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06983303004148331623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-43416209028150429062017-08-12T08:53:41.265-07:002017-08-12T08:53:41.265-07:00Ah, my friend Mitchell. HahahaAh, my friend Mitchell. HahahaCheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-54998063399502126212017-08-12T08:23:49.408-07:002017-08-12T08:23:49.408-07:00Best ever thrift tip: Live below your means! ;-&...Best ever thrift tip: Live below your means! ;-> <br /><br /> Virtual hugs,<br /><br /> Judie judilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13640947046484366376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-78066495940623032842017-08-12T08:09:30.107-07:002017-08-12T08:09:30.107-07:00We are pretty much like you in most ways. I don...We are pretty much like you in most ways. I don't have specific funds for specific purposes although I used to when things were tough. We live frugally and only live on so much year after year. It never varies and it always works out at year end. We has used credit cards to collect points for years and always pay with credit but also always pay the card down with each statement. We have earned enough points to travel to Italy next May business class there and back. You are fortunate that your hubby travels so much that you are able to rack up points, a nice side benefit.Contessa https://www.blogger.com/profile/01482663305121297253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-43520192813400647452017-08-12T06:52:59.798-07:002017-08-12T06:52:59.798-07:00We are totally like you and very frugal and live w...We are totally like you and very frugal and live within our means and have always been like that, even when we owned a house. Now we have to be more cautious of what we spend because we only work the 5 months a year and need to save money for the 7 months that we aren't working but are travelling. We always make a game of things and see how much we can save on things as we travel along but still have a fun time.<br /><br />There are so many people out there that need to learn from your ways and then they would be able to afford the things they want/need. Keep on doing what you are doing, it is working great for you!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com" rel="nofollow">www.travelwithkevinandruth.com</a>Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2302691153455448442.post-19570549848495756502017-08-12T05:37:56.024-07:002017-08-12T05:37:56.024-07:00We were debt free for a while, but some dental bil...We were debt free for a while, but some dental bills put us back in cc debt again. We could take the money out of savings to pay it off, but we don't want to. Hopefully by the end of the year, we'll be square again. We have no mortgage or car loans, thank goodness, because otherwise we'd starve. It takes two of us working full time jobs to pay what little bills we have because wages are so low here. Groceries are expensive as are all kinds of insurances. Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15328674280714013955noreply@blogger.com