A few things I’ve done recently to save money, and a few fails.
One: Very proud of this one – hubby and I registered his business as an LLC, a move that will save us several thousand bucks in taxes each year. We used LegalZoom, and the process was easier than we imagined.
Our accountant had recommended this move for years, and we had not taken action on it. Why?
As much as it embarrasses me to admit, probably due to a dislike of logistics and details. I recently read a post called How Money Actually Does Grow On Trees. In it, the writer asserts that sometimes, what separates us from getting things right with our finances is our dislike of paperwork. Sometimes this is due to difficulties in executive functioning, sometimes it’s laziness/procrastination.
(Years ago when I was still doing the podcast, I interviewed the author of a book on kids who struggle with executive functioning. If you recognize the “late, lost and scattered” pattern in a loved one, read it – it has great advice.)
Two: Yesterday I cancelled my overpriced cell service and switched to Ting. (Thanks for the recommendation Frugal Girl!) After I’ve been using it for a time, I’ll write a review.
Three: Recently I’ve decided that always driving to destinations that are less than a mile away is decidedly candypants. So I got on my rustbucket cruiser and pedaled to WalMart for my green beans. Also accomplished bonding with 15-year-old son, so bonus.
Cycling is not only a way for ME to save money on gas, it makes the price of gas lower for everyone. This week on the news I heard that crude oil prices are actually up, but gas prices fell a bit because of … low demand.
You’re welcome.
Now for the frugal fails.
Last year at Josiah’s NICU reunion, we won free tickets to the Center for Puppetry Arts. I stuck those tickets on a shelf in my kitchen, where I proceeded to see them EVERY SINGLE DAY (because they were next to the cookbooks and my pencil sharpener). Many times I thought, “… we need to use those tickets”. Finally, I got them down and they had expired months earlier.
FAIL!
The lesson? Procrastination sucks and can cost you money.
Another example: I had to pay $9.50 to send a fax to our health insurance company. I had a couple of days to get the necessary info together and could have chosen to upload the info online or send it in the mail, but I procrastinated.
What frugal wins and fails did you have recently? (One win would have been picking up a copy of The Temporary Tightwad for .99!)
I got another review yesterday:
“I’m frugal because I know the emotional quicksand of debt. But being frugal isn’t quite enough to get me where I need to be.
I know making a mental and financial change, is necessary yet I’ve been struggling to cross the line between being frugal and being a tightwad (even short-term).
Carries’ stories, motivations, perspectives and tips in her book “The Temporary Tightwad” is helping me see and overcome the emotional barriers I have towards being a tightwad.
Read Carries’ book even if you don’t want to be a tightwad. Living on far less than you earn, without feeling deprived, is possible. Doing it can open your life up to amazing adventures. ” – LaShae at Livescription.com
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