Just a few money saving techniques I have used this week that have my costs way down this past month.
The cook top on my stove literally crumbled through last weekend. What I had though was cracking of the enamel on my 14 yr old stove top turned out to be rusting from underneath (booooooo). After some researching online and seeing they don't make the "prescribed" cook top any more, I found another one that the part number was off by one digit and looked like a match. I used my ebay proceeds (from sales of items I found for free at a "take anything you like" house remodel) to get the top and it was delivered in 2 days. It was a perfect match, and now I have a nearly new stove again for little money.
Last month I called a local hospital and asked for my money back (that I should need to do that.... grrrr.... anyway) and I now see it has shown up as a credit card credit. Not as good as a check, but darn close. I guess I paid the bill this way, so that's how I am getting it back. Still... nice to see some money show up.
The local newspaper did its usual increase on my rate after the "special" rate ended, so another call had to be made. At first they were going to give me the new rate after the 8 weeks I paid for expired (paid - as in they automatically took it outta my credit card). Errrmmm... I think not. Either change it now or I'm walking and getting my money back, and they did. So now I am paid until the end of September (about 40% of their normal rate)
All of this, and lots more... and with no mortgage, cool weather (low utils), using gift cards I bought months back, etc.... my expenses for last month were crazy low. Credit card bill was $130, gas & electric was ~$55, food was ~$100, and maybe $40 for yard sale finds. No other outgoing expenses for the month. It'll go up in May with a car insurance payment, but oh well... a month with total expenses under $350, yeah that'll work for me.
Saving money techniques work for me
May 11th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
May 12th, 2012 at 12:25 am 1336782336
May 12th, 2012 at 12:39 am 1336783193
I guess if I add in all the costs incurred, but not paid this past month, it would add an extra $550. So it would still be less than $1,000 for the month for absolutely everything.
May 12th, 2012 at 03:02 am 1336791737
May 12th, 2012 at 03:15 am 1336792553
May 12th, 2012 at 10:51 am 1336819861
To be really fair and accurate, I take bills that happen only at certain times of the year (like heating oil) or once a year (like homeowners insurance) and divide them by 12 months so I can include them as part of my monthly average expenses. Yes, some months I don't pay those expenses,but I figure it gives me a more realistic picture of what i typically spend if i include them in the calculation.
What about other annual expenses associated with the house, even sans mortgage? Like I like to do a furnce tune-up at least every other year, and same goes for a chimney cleaning.
May 13th, 2012 at 07:02 pm 1336935773
Jerry
May 14th, 2012 at 08:48 pm 1337028493
I insulated the water pipes about the water heater to cut down on the heat loss there. If I need any electrical work (happened twice) I am able to do it myself. Same for replacing the floor (will do that either this year or next). I can do simple wall board repair. And so on... When you can do your own repair work, life can still be pretty inexpensive.