The How to Save Painlessly for the Reunion Thread

[Words]

So, yes, 2011 is still a ways off. But, being a HUGE believer in planning ahead I was thinking that now might be a good time to start thinking about nifty little ways in which we could all start saving for the first, eagerly anticipated (already - incredible huh?:)), party of all parties butchfemmeplanet reunion. After all, what many of us lack in money we more than compensate for in enthusiasm and ideas, right?

I'll start. I had a gown, worn to a certain formal event last year, that I just knew I would never wear again. A gorgeous gown, an awesome gown, but a gown that was just sitting in a wardrobe. So, a couple of weeks ago I stuck it on eBay. I was hoping to get some of the original cost back. I actually got almost half, somewhere in the region of around $80. For a dress that I never wore and would most probably never wear again, the proceeds from which will help pay for something invaluable. Connection. Re-connection. Community.

So, let's put those ideas out there, the hope being that by doing so, and by sharing our saving success stories, we'll make the seemingly impossible painlessly possible for everyone.

[Arwen]

I'm a huge fan of change jars. You'd be surprised how much you can sock away by just putting in that change into one jar and not dipping in!

[Words]

Teenager in the house Arwen.

I can see it now.

''Mum, I need (i.e....''want'') some money.''

''Sorry, don't have any.''

''What about the money in the jar.''

''No, sorry, W/we're saving it.''

''But I'll pay you back.''

''No you won't.''

''I will!''

''No you won't.''

''Oh (whiney, whiney) Mum!!!''

''I'm sorry, but the answer is still no.''

*Insert sound of door slamming and son leaving house, threatening to never return.*

Um thanks, but no thanks.

That said...brilliant idea if

1. You don't have teenagers.

2. You have financially independent teenagers.

3. You have teenagers who aren't financially independent but who know when 'No' means 'No' and accept it. ;)

[cara]

i have a change jar, too. actually, it's a piggy bank. anyway, if i have any coins or $1 bills, they automatically go in there when i get home for the day.

[Arwen]

*Insert sound of door slamming and son leaving house, threatening to never return.*

3. You have teenagers who aren't financially independent but who know when 'No' means 'No' and accept it. ;)

Sadly, I am my OWN teenager and have had the discussion with myself. Three guesses who wins!

i have a change jar, too. actually, it's a piggy bank. anyway, if i have any coins or $1 bills, they automatically go in there when i get home for the day.

I can't do it with the dollars. LOL I stick those in my car so I can give to the homeless when I can.

[cara]

Well..every once in awhile when i'm incredibly strapped for cash, my piggy bank might get a little less...papery...

[Arwen]

Well..every once in awhile when i'm incredibly strapped for cash, my piggy bank might get a little less...papery...

I so understand that!

[Words]

I have to admit, I think having the cash so readily available would be incredibly tempting even for me.

Which is why I think I'm going to open a new savings account and try really hard to put any money I've saved for the reunion in there. That way, the change jar idea might work...stick all my coins in the jar at the end of the day but then empty it once a fortnight (for example) and put the contents in the bank. Okay, so it won't be a huge amount, but as my grandmother was so fond of saying, ''Look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.''

Good ol' Grandma.

[Words]

I saved £2 today (about $3?) by using what was left from the grocery money to buy two 1 kilo tins of fancy chocolates from O/our local Co-Op to put aside for Christmas (one for U/us, one to give as a gift). The tins are usually £8 each but were recently reduced to 2 for £10. This week, however, they're 2 for £8 so I figured, hey, I have to get them anyway at some point, so why not get them now? (Plus, there's also the added advantage that that's another item off my Christmas shopping list. Yay!)

So, that's another $2 or so in the kitty...And yes, it's in a jar. LOL... (But only until I get it to the bank. Seems I really can't trust myself at all;))

[Just_G]

I have a big empty water bottle that I empty my pocket change and a dollar into every day. Sometimes I don't have a dollar on me, so at the end of the week I will throw a five in there. I put my quarters in a sealed tight piggy bank that I cannot open...therefore I am not tempted.
This is usually what my spending money ends up being. I will watch airfares and such throughout the year, taking care of one expense at a time when I have an extra paycheck in the month, i.e. the hotel, plane ticket, event ticket, etc.

I am even more excited about putting the money away now! If I took one of my happy hour nights off, and didn't go out, I could throw that $20 in the bottle too! Hmmm, might have to do this a couple times a month....I might be on to something here!;)

[Novelafemme]

I am going to start doing this, too. It's so sad but sometimes by the end of the pay period I am down to my last $2 and the change jars end up getting raided. :o

Has a local for 2010 been discussed??

[little man]

i've had two or three bank accounts for a few years now. one way i've found to save up some money is that when i get paid, whatever my balance is in my primary account is, that amount is transferred to another account that is earmarked for whatever i'm saving to get/do.

the change jar works nicely, too. i used to get any dollar amount that was not a multiple of 5 in dollar coins, which went to the jar. i managed to save over $1000 in three months that way. i didn't get to buy the new camera i saved for, but had money to rebuild my engine when it blew.

[Words]

O/our problem is that both of U/us are self-employed (W/we do eBay and have an antiques/collectables unit) so the money W/we have coming in varies from week to week and from season to season. And then there's the temptation, when W/we do have a little extra, to buy more stock. That's why, for me, it's extremely important that I put any money I save away - be it in a jar, or a bank account - as soon as I save it....out of sight, out of mind, right?

Anyway, I'm really glad that folks are coming in here to share their ideas. Keep 'em coming!

[Words]

Has a local for 2010 been discussed??

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the Admin is aiming for 2011, not 2010.

Truth be told, I don't think it really matters when the reunion takes place. What matters is that we know it will.

Yep.

Words

[Jett]

I have to admit, I think having the cash so readily available would be incredibly tempting even for me.

Which is why I think I'm going to open a new savings account and try really hard to put any money I've saved for the reunion in there. That way, the change jar idea might work...stick all my coins in the jar at the end of the day but then empty it once a fortnight (for example) and put the contents in the bank. Okay, so it won't be a huge amount, but as my grandmother was so fond of saying, ''Look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.''

Good ol' Grandma.

See you have to get one of those big banks that you have to smash to get the money out... then it wouldn't be quite as tempting. ;)

Other general suggestions for peeps is a yard sale, get rid of all the extra clutter and make a few bucks...

*sez Metro who is an unwilling participant (hostage) at a yard sale for the next two days*

Gah.....
Metro

[TIMBERWOLF]

I guess this being a new site and as such im not sure where this reunion is going to be at , who runs this place and is this like a type of Bash?
I feel very ignorant in all of these question with just coming on today.
I love seeing everyone from other sites here and hope this is going to be a nice site to be on. Im really drama free and don't normally go into a thread if there is a lot of drama going on.
Sorry if I have too many questions,
TIMBER

[Selenay]

I guess this being a new site and as such im not sure where this reunion is going to be at , who runs this place and is this like a type of Bash?
I feel very ignorant in all of these question with just coming on today.
I love seeing everyone from other sites here and hope this is going to be a nice site to be on. Im really drama free and don't normally go into a thread if there is a lot of drama going on.
Sorry if I have too many questions,
TIMBER




The site owner has just posted a thread on who she is, you can read that >here (http://www.butchfemmeplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118)<

[Random]

I have to admit, I think having the cash so readily available would be incredibly tempting even for me.

Which is why I think I'm going to open a new savings account and try really hard to put any money I've saved for the reunion in there. That way, the change jar idea might work...stick all my coins in the jar at the end of the day but then empty it once a fortnight (for example) and put the contents in the bank. Okay, so it won't be a huge amount, but as my grandmother was so fond of saying, ''Look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.''

Good ol' Grandma.

My mother did this with all my father's pocket change.. She saved it for one year...(when the jar got full, she rolled the change and put into a box)

At the end of the year, she cashed the change in and had around 2700 dollars..

It can be done if you think of it as a game.. and never take anything out... That's the part that I suck at... The never take anything out part..

[Gemme]

I have a bank account that transfers change automatically to a savings account. When I manage to NOT raid the savings account....and, unfortunately, it HAS happened...it's a good way to set money aside. The transfer is done automatically so you don't 'see' the money, which also helps.

Yard sales in good weather, CL, Ebay, local free papers, consignment shops, and word of mouth can help you exchange merchandise (or services) for moolah.

It's my goal to be able to put 10% from every check away into savings (in addition to the change that adds up constantly) but I'm nowhere near that now.

[atomiczombie]

Being still wet behind the ears, I have clearly missed something. What is this reunion of which you all speak???

[Arwen]

Being still wet behind the ears, I have clearly missed something. What is this reunion of which you all speak???

The one that happens in 2011. ;) We're planning ahead.

[atomiczombie]

The one that happens in 2011. ;) We're planning ahead.

So, is there a thread where this reunion and its planning is being discussed?:cool:

[SassyLeo]

I have a bank account that transfers change automatically to a savings account. When I manage to NOT raid the savings account....and, unfortunately, it HAS happened...it's a good way to set money aside. The transfer is done automatically so you don't 'see' the money, which also helps.

Yard sales in good weather, CL, Ebay, local free papers, consignment shops, and word of mouth can help you exchange merchandise (or services) for moolah.

It's my goal to be able to put 10% from every check away into savings (in addition to the change that adds up constantly) but I'm nowhere near that now.

me too. i automatically have money transferred from my regular account to my credit union account. i have used it here and there...but never emptied it which is great for me :)

[Diva]

Back when I did a lot of club singing, I had a giant martini glass for tips (I can hear some of You saying, "Of COURSE, you did, Diva!").

That's my "change jar"....and I got $67 outa that thing for my last trip! ;) I drank it dry! Of course, I came home with $75 more than I took, so that was good!


~Diva

[Lady Jewel]

Ok, I admit the fact that my eyesight stinks, but where the heck is the info on the reunion?? I swear Ive looked.

Jewel

[Waldo]

If you haven't already considered doing this for your general financial health, I would really suggest setting up a savings account and asking your employer to split your pay between the accounts. This way you never "see" the money in your regular account and don't have to think about it.

Even if it's $20 a check, it'll start to add up.

My recommendation is to increase it every time you get comfortable with the level in your regular account. And take it even further - if you get a raise have the difference go into savings as well.

I started at $50/check and now nearly 50% of my take home pay goes into savings in each check and that's on top of the funds that already go into my retirement fund.

[TeaPartyTart]

Great suggestions everyone. My savings have been pretty consistent when I can always see how I'm doing (I love metric charts!).

I have 3 bank accounts that I use for different things that are all linked together. My cash spending is limited to cabs, dog walker, etc. I spend <$300 cash each month. I find that if I use my debit card for all of my purchases (including a $2 Starbucks coffe), I pay more attention to my money. By paying with a debit card I don't 'throw' extra change into a tip jar (i.e. $.85 cents tip for a $2.15 drip coffee). As far as credit cards, I use one for business expenses. I make a conscious effort to pay cash for everything because it forces me to make choices of wants vs needs.

At the end of each month I tag each expenditure in my various accounts (mortgage, auto, entertainment, clothing, grocery, pet care, etc.) and the totals update a chart to track my spending, savings and investments. I have it matched up with my savings goals to help suggest options for smarter spending habits.

You can also do this with a few service on www.Mint.com.

Keep the suggestions coming!

[Words]

It's really great to see all the suggestions here.

Please keep them coming.

Words

[Novelafemme]

Back when I did a lot of club singing, I had a giant martini glass for tips (I can hear some of You saying, "Of COURSE, you did, Diva!").

That's my "change jar"....and I got $67 outa that thing for my last trip! ;) I drank it dry! Of course, I came home with $75 more than I took, so that was good!


~Diva





If I put a tip jar on my front porch ~ will they come? ;)

[Bit]

where the heck is the info on the reunion?? I swear Ive looked.
I think this is it, hon. I haven't found any other threads either.

[Tommi]

If I put a tip jar on my front porch ~ will they come? ;)

THIS>>MADE ME LAUGH out loud..visualizing the tip jar and you peeking out to see;)

I have a tall clear glass vase that sits on my kitchen counter NEEDING to be:D filled so, the 3 naked ladies show up better. I had over $50.oo in quarters to go to Vegas, and $90.oo in other change that we happily, painlessly dropped in the machines from the 4 Queens to Bally's

[sharkchomp]

As mentioned by someone else I have a bank account that automatically takes a set amount from my checking account and puts it in my savings account every two weeks. Another way to save money - especially if you use a debit card - is in my check book register I round up. So if I spend $4.05, I round up to $5.00 This adds up very fast and makes a nice cushion so I don't worry about bouncing a check.

~~~shark~~~~~~~~

[Tommi]

Check Book Register..OY... that is the little lined boklet in the box when the new checks arrive :confused:

[Mindy]

I must be tired. I saw the thread title and I thought it said "How to SERVE painlessly" and I kind of thought, well were's the fun in that? :eek:

[sharkchomp]

Check Book Register..OY... that is the little lined boklet in the box when the new checks arrive :confused:

Yeah Tommi, you write your expendatures and deposits in it to keep track of your account. If you were to round up on a debit from say... $4.05 to $5.00 then you'd have .95 cents that wasn't really withdrawn. Kindly like throwing your extra change in the bottle but it's still in your checking account. Well, just a thought.

~~~shark~~~~~~~

[Lady Jewel]

Ive been doing this with my bank account. In less than a years time, I have painlessly saved up over $400.00.

Warmly,
Jewel


Yeah Tommi, you write your expendatures and deposits in it to keep track of your account. If you were to round up on a debit from say... $4.05 to $5.00 then you'd have .95 cents that wasn't really withdrawn. Kindly like throwing your extra change in the bottle but it's still in your checking account. Well, just a thought.

~~~shark~~~~~~~

[atomiczombie]

I must be tired. I saw the thread title and I thought it said "How to SERVE painlessly" and I kind of thought, well were's the fun in that? :eek:

Shame on you Ms Mindy! Such a dirty mind from a naughty little girl. ;)

[Tommi]

Yeah Tommi, you write your expendatures and deposits in it to keep track of your account. If you were to round up on a debit from say... $4.05 to $5.00 then you'd have .95 cents that wasn't really withdrawn. Kindly like throwing your extra change in the bottle but it's still in your checking account. Well, just a thought.

~~~shark~~~~~~~

Ive been doing this with my bank account. In less than a years time, I have painlessly saved up over $400.00.

Warmly,
Jewel
I am one of those people that don't use a check register...or balance my account, and I usually just use theat good ole debit card.. My CPA loves me at tax time...:eek:

[Tommi]

I have to admit, I think having the cash so readily available would be incredibly tempting even for me.

Which is why I think I'm going to open a new savings account and try really hard to put any money I've saved for the reunion in there. That way, the change jar idea might work...stick all my coins in the jar at the end of the day but then empty it once a fortnight (for example) and put the contents in the bank. Okay, so it won't be a huge amount, but as my grandmother was so fond of saying, ''Look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.''

Good ol' Grandma.

My Grandma told me not to pee in the alley , or I'd get a sty in my eye, or was that pink eye..All I do know, is I don't pee in the alley.

I am going to start a separate savings account with automatic payroll deduction next pay period. In January we get a COLA and that will go in there too. :D

[Mindy]

Shame on you Ms Mindy! Such a dirty mind from a naughty little girl. ;)

Me? Naughty? Dirty mind? :eek: Whatever made You think that?

*scoots out before getting into trouble for derailing the thread*

[MsDemeanor]

Screw saving. I have credit cards and I know how to use them.

[Rockinonahigh]

Recently I inherated a fue large brass figurines,not shure where my uncle got them but I doubt anywhere from round hear.One is a bout 21/2 feet tall..its an standing naked woman holding a brass bowl,it has a sturdy base too.One of the others is a little curley headed kid holding on to his, teenie weeni peenie as my uncle use to call it.I have several normal peices shaped like animals.Uncle use to be in the army and went round the world several times..anyway I was thinking of a garage sale later next year or finding a buyer who deals in
brass.Truth is I have so much stuff I really dont know what to do with it all,some of it is really fancy chrystal and silver.I talked to a antique dealer and all I sold him was the funiture I couldnt stuff in my house.I didnt get what it was worth but I knew if it stayed in the garage it would ruin..so I sold it.Any of u know where or how to find new homes for this stuff...I will work on a % basis with someone?I'm a simple country boi..this clutter is driveing me nuts.
Rockin

[Hudson]

YouTube- Extremely funny commercial

[Rockinonahigh]

Knock,knock..anybody home??
Ok,now I got ur attention,we got something like 7 months to go till the big event..the 2011 reunion.If u have made plans to go ot even thinking about it
lets share some money saveing tips to help us along the way.
For myself I have two 1 galon plastic jars,one is for quarters the other for the rest of the change that I have.I have no idea how much is in them but one is near full the other half way.I have been sending things to a friends flea market booth to sell a bit comeing in from that..I thought I would do a garage sale but just dont have the time for it.I sell jewlery on a pt basics wich is profitable when the season is right.I poked around and found an auction house bit by bit im hauling stuff out of my garage,attic and store room to..u will be surprised what ppl will spend $$$ on.
Alright folks...lets hear it from you'all ..watcha got?Tell uncle Rockin the do's and dont of makeing a buck?:hangloose:

[Gemme]

Rockin', for you and others who are saving change in big ole jars, make sure your bank will accept it.

I'm doing the same thing and I asked my bank, which is one of the largest banking corporations in the US, what the procedure would be to bring it in and I was told that we could bring the container in, but they send it out to be counted and then the money is direct deposited into the account, but I was told that it takes about 5 business days to do this. So, for those whose banks have the same or similar policies, you're going to want to make sure to get that change in your account with plenty of time to spare before the Reunion.

They don't even like to take rolled change anymore, either.

Color me bummed. :blink:

[Rockinonahigh]

Thanks for the advise,I checked with my bank and they have a change counter at the main branch so they will be able to count it out when I need to cash it out.