This link has been bookmarked by 3 people . It was first bookmarked on 05 Jul 2007, by crowmobe.
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07 Jan 08
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Automate your finances. For all my bills, I have them either automatically deducted (like my car payment and phone) or have a regular online check going out to them each month. The only things not paid online are the things I need cash for, like gas and groceries.
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The Envelope System. For everything that you can’t automate online, withdraw the cash each payday (instead of using ATMs and incurring fees) for those expenses and put them in separate envelopes. I have three: groceries, gas, and spending (everything from eating out to kids school stuff). When the money runs out in that envelope, you can’t spend anymore until next payday. It’s a simple way to keep track of how much you have left, instead of guesstimating and withdrawing too much or charging too much.
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Find free ways to have fun with your kids. While we are making sacrifices, and our kids have to make sacrifices too, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a great time with them. We plan a Family Day every Sunday, when we all do stuff together that we love doing, like reading, watching movies (we usually rent DVDs to save money), playing sports, going to a park, playing board games, going to the beach, visiting family, or doing a lot of other free or cheap stuff. Fun doesn’t have to cost a lot.
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Plan ahead. If you know someone’s birthday is coming up, plan for it, so you’re not scrambling to find money to buy a gift. Same thing with school expenses, like field trip money or school photos. Our kids are also involved in sports, so we have to plan for uniforms and cleats and more. Think ahead to what you’ll need, so you’re not broke when that expense comes up.
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05 Jul 07
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