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Moonshoe
Blue Mantis


Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
Loc: Iceland
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Do you follow a budget?
#19062838 - 10/31/13 11:16 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I never have. I have always been fast and loose with my money. But now that needs to change. My wife has drawn up a strict budget so we can save for a huge backpacking trip around central and south america. Its very hard to adjust. I need to learn not to use my credit card, not to spend money I dont have, and always to save 300 dollars from each paycheck, plus what I need for groceries and bills.
My only essential purchase is basically kratom at this point. I can probably do without beer and weed for the most part, but I spend lots of money on those too.
As of today I am getting my finances on track. Paying down my card, putting away some money.
We follow this guy Gordon Ramsey, some kind of christian fundamentalists but good with money.
Basically the first thing you do is put 1000 dollars in an UNTOUCHABLE emergency savings account.
The second thing you do is pay off ALL your debts.
The third thing you do is put away your credit cards in an emergency bag and make your purchases only with money you actually have, that is not in your savings.
The fourth thing you do is put away a few hundred a paycheck, depending on how much you make.
Rinse, repeat, until wealthy.
How do you guys manage your money?
I realized if I just quit alcohol and weed alltogether I could save thousands a year. If I could just make that one change my whole financial situation would be different after 12 months.
But as you all know, that can be easier said than done.
Technically I can still buy weed and beer with my allowance of spending money but its the most obvious thing to cut out of my spending and save a ton all in one blow.
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Everything I post is fiction.
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pwnasaurus
Stranger



Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 12,317
Loc: Canada
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19062877 - 10/31/13 11:23 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Moonshoe said: Basically the first thing you do is put 1000 dollars in an UNTOUCHABLE emergency savings account.
The second thing you do is pay off ALL your debts.
The third thing you do is put away your credit cards in an emergency bag and make your purchases only with money you actually have, that is not in your savings.
The fourth thing you do is put away a few hundred a paycheck, depending on how much you make.
So the method is essentially use common sense? Except you don't need to put away your credit card you just have to have self-control. I use my credit card like a debit card. Spending money you don't have is really stupid, I don't understand people who do that.
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Patlal
You ask too many questions



Registered: 10/09/10
Posts: 44,812
Loc: Ottawa
Last seen: 4 hours, 1 minute
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19062882 - 10/31/13 11:24 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I don't need a budget because I am genetically wired to be financially responsible.
I have 1000 a month to spend on groceries, fun and random stuff.
I ALWAYS break a bill. Change is not currency for me, it all goes in a jar (Americans shouldn't consider dollar bills as money either, in the jar they go).
When I run out of bills I run out of money, that's how I work.
It has always worked for me, I've never gone over the 1000 mark and I always have a few bills to add to the change at the end of the month. Every month I put the remaining bills and change in the bank, and I start over with a new 1000$
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Edited by Patlal (10/31/13 11:31 AM)
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JesusGoneRogue


Registered: 10/24/10
Posts: 9,495
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19062887 - 10/31/13 11:25 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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i do what i want nigguh. chatted up the cutie at Kwikshop and meow i'm puffin on Parliaments tonight.
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Moonshoe
Blue Mantis


Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
Loc: Iceland
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: pwnasaurus]
#19062892 - 10/31/13 11:25 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
pwnasaurus said:
Quote:
Moonshoe said: Basically the first thing you do is put 1000 dollars in an UNTOUCHABLE emergency savings account.
The second thing you do is pay off ALL your debts.
The third thing you do is put away your credit cards in an emergency bag and make your purchases only with money you actually have, that is not in your savings.
The fourth thing you do is put away a few hundred a paycheck, depending on how much you make.
So the method is essentially use common sense? Except you don't need to put away your credit card you just have to have self-control. I use my credit card like a debit card. Spending money you don't have is really stupid, I don't understand people who do that.
Well, I always used to spend a few hundred dollars on my card that I knew I would be able to pay off next paycheck. It actually was not bad because I built good credit by putting money on my card and paying it off regularly.
But now instead of using my credit card at all, I just use money from my checking account.
Thats the idea anyways. I never had any trouble because I only ever asked for a credit limit of 500 dollars, so even when I maxed out my card it was easy to pay off.
People get in trouble when they have too high of a limit on their card.
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Everything I post is fiction.
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pwnasaurus
Stranger



Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 12,317
Loc: Canada
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19062908 - 10/31/13 11:29 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Moonshoe said: Well, I always used to spend a few hundred dollars on my card that I knew I would be able to pay off next paycheck. It actually was not bad because I built good credit by putting money on my card and paying it off regularly.
But now instead of using my credit card at all, I just use money from my checking account.
Thats the idea anyways. I never had any trouble because I only ever asked for a credit limit of 500 dollars, so even when I maxed out my card it was easy to pay off.
People get in trouble when they have too high of a limit on their card.
That's dumb. Why would you spend money you don't have?
I have $18 500 limit on my credit cards and a $10 000 line of credit and I have never once been in trouble. You just have to not be a moron and not spend money you don't have. How is it that hard a concept?
People get into trouble when they're morons.
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Patlal
You ask too many questions



Registered: 10/09/10
Posts: 44,812
Loc: Ottawa
Last seen: 4 hours, 1 minute
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19062915 - 10/31/13 11:32 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Moonshoe said:
Quote:
pwnasaurus said:
Quote:
Moonshoe said: Basically the first thing you do is put 1000 dollars in an UNTOUCHABLE emergency savings account.
The second thing you do is pay off ALL your debts.
The third thing you do is put away your credit cards in an emergency bag and make your purchases only with money you actually have, that is not in your savings.
The fourth thing you do is put away a few hundred a paycheck, depending on how much you make.
So the method is essentially use common sense? Except you don't need to put away your credit card you just have to have self-control. I use my credit card like a debit card. Spending money you don't have is really stupid, I don't understand people who do that.
Well, I always used to spend a few hundred dollars on my card that I knew I would be able to pay off next paycheck. It actually was not bad because I built good credit by putting money on my card and paying it off regularly.
But now instead of using my credit card at all, I just use money from my checking account.
Thats the idea anyways. I never had any trouble because I only ever asked for a credit limit of 500 dollars, so even when I maxed out my card it was easy to pay off.
People get in trouble when they have too high of a limit on their card.
So basically yuou spent money you would get 2 weeks later?
Bad idea...
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Moonshoe
Blue Mantis


Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
Loc: Iceland
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: pwnasaurus]
#19062942 - 10/31/13 11:40 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Fortunately I have never had any debt trouble - no student debt , no mortgage , no loans .
The average Canadian student debt is 30 000. In America I think it's more . That's not even counting mortgages etc.
I owe 200 at the moment total so not too bad, and my savings are growing . By next paycheque ill be totally debt free.
But yeah it's dumb to spend money you don't have , which is why I'm going to stop doing that .
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Everything I post is fiction.
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JesusGoneRogue


Registered: 10/24/10
Posts: 9,495
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19062957 - 10/31/13 11:46 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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i can't wait ta go to College. it's gonna be a blast.
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tyrannicalrex
Strange R



Registered: 04/24/03
Posts: 38,331
Loc: subtropics
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19062962 - 10/31/13 11:47 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I have under 5 grand in total CC debt. Got about 30 grand in cards I do not use. I budget everything to my salary which fluctuates because I am still bartending/waiting tables at this time. Make about 500 or so a week. Bills are about 1300. Saving some, but some is better than none. So YES I have a budget. have a 750 credit rating too. When I want to get a house, condo, or car I should have no problem. When my nursing career kicks in I will be more happy.
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Patlal
You ask too many questions



Registered: 10/09/10
Posts: 44,812
Loc: Ottawa
Last seen: 4 hours, 1 minute
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19062963 - 10/31/13 11:47 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Moonshoe said: Fortunately I have never had any debt trouble - no student debt , no mortgage , no loans .
The average Canadian student debt is 30 000. In America I think it's more . That's not even counting mortgages etc.
I owe 200 at the moment total so not too bad, and my savings are growing . By next paycheque ill be totally debt free.
But yeah it's dumb to spend money you don't have , which is why I'm going to stop doing that .
You owe 200$!!!!
I smell bankructcy
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Moonshoe
Blue Mantis


Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
Loc: Iceland
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Patlal]
#19062990 - 10/31/13 11:54 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Patlal said:
Quote:
Moonshoe said: Fortunately I have never had any debt trouble - no student debt , no mortgage , no loans .
The average Canadian student debt is 30 000. In America I think it's more . That's not even counting mortgages etc.
I owe 200 at the moment total so not too bad, and my savings are growing . By next paycheque ill be totally debt free.
But yeah it's dumb to spend money you don't have , which is why I'm going to stop doing that .
You owe 200$!!!!
I smell bankructcy
You spell bankruptcy
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Everything I post is fiction.
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lifeiswhatyoumake
Sake Psychic sig


Registered: 09/30/11
Posts: 16,857
Last seen: 3 hours, 45 minutes
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19063002 - 10/31/13 11:57 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Moonshoe said: The average Canadian student debt is 30 000. In America I think it's more . That's not even counting mortgages etc.
Why you no use a comma for "30,000"????
-------------------- Check out my new psytrance track "Sake Psychic": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xyEPGfiDrA ;
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Uzziel
O_o


Registered: 12/30/10
Posts: 11,689
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19063010 - 10/31/13 11:58 AM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Why do you follow a guy for a budget?
You make X amount
You want to save Y amount
X- Y = what you can spend
I don't follow a budget, but I always set aside money to save
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pwnasaurus
Stranger



Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 12,317
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
lifeiswhatyoumake said:
Quote:
Moonshoe said: The average Canadian student debt is 30 000. In America I think it's more . That's not even counting mortgages etc.
Why you no use a comma for "30,000"????

Because that is wrong unless you are French.
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Moonshoe
Blue Mantis


Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
Loc: Iceland
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Quote:
lifeiswhatyoumake said:
Quote:
Moonshoe said: The average Canadian student debt is 30 000. In America I think it's more . That's not even counting mortgages etc.
Why you no use a comma for "30,000"????

I only have so many commas . I cant just squander them recklessly.
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Everything I post is fiction.
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deadwk
00101011


Registered: 06/17/09
Posts: 8,890
Loc: Canada, eh?
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19063048 - 10/31/13 12:09 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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$1000/month
I'm fortunate in that I don't have to pay rent or anything, but I seem to have no money by the time sunday rolls around. Probably due to buying cigarettes, and food at my school cafeteria almost everyday, and other shit.
Feel like I should start saving up money though, had some serious potential earlier in the week to grab 5-6 bitcoins, and make $30-$40 off each one, but unfortunately, I don't save money, so I could do that
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memes
Blessed



Registered: 01/11/05
Posts: 27,785
Loc: In a Tree
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: deadwk]
#19063051 - 10/31/13 12:10 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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i'd recommend following a budget, or at least maintaining a statement of cash flow (inflows, outflows, balance).
it helps you realize how much you spend
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Moonshoe
Blue Mantis


Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
Loc: Iceland
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: deadwk]
#19063056 - 10/31/13 12:11 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
thedeadwalkk said: $1000/month
I'm fortunate in that I don't have to pay rent or anything, but I seem to have no money by the time sunday rolls around. Probably due to buying cigarettes, and food at my school cafeteria almost everyday, and other shit.
Feel like I should start saving up money though, had some serious potential earlier in the week to grab 5-6 bitcoins, and make $30-$40 off each one, but unfortunately, I don't save money, so I could do that 
Cigarettes are a killer man, so expensive and worst possible value for money.
Even at my peak I only smoke 4-5 joints a day max, but smokers can easily finish a pack a day.
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Everything I post is fiction.
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,373
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Re: Do you follow a budget? [Re: Moonshoe]
#19063079 - 10/31/13 12:15 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I rarely, if ever, use cash for ANYTHING. That way, I have an extremely accurate and detailed record of every single thing I spent my money on. I do the same for utility bills. Everything I spend is tracked. Everything.
Retirement and other investments are automatically taken out of my check each month.
Other than keeping track, I live way below my means, so I don't really need a budget. If you're super strict with your money, the only other thing I'd mention is a "rewards" credit card. I've made almost 2k in the last year in cash back rewards.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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