Comments on: 7 Ways To Reduce Monthly Costs Right NOW! http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/ Coupons, Frugal Living Tips, and Personal Finance Tips to Make Life A Little Easier Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:45:59 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Candi http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-1877 Candi Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:25:13 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/#comment-1877 We haven't tried lately, but in the past when we wanted to "negotiate" with our credit card company, we found it helpful to let them know we were considering applying for a different card with another company. We have (only because we've worked VERY hard at it) perfect credit. We've had yearly fees dropped, and interest rates lowered pretty much every time we ask (again, using the "we're looking at another credit card" ploy). Now that we're a couple of years away from paying off our mortgage, we're getting some amazing offers from credit card companies and mortgage companies. I guess they smell blood in the water already. But it won't be ours. The one good decision we consistently make is to not have multiple credit cards - we have a gas card, a visa, and one dept. store card. Our goal is to pay off the balances every month. The gas card and dept. store cards are always paid off - but sometimes when emergencies arise (plumbing disaster, etc.) the visa comes in handy. If we can't pay it off, we're not paying a huge interest rate.... We haven’t tried lately, but in the past when we wanted to “negotiate” with our credit card company, we found it helpful to let them know we were considering applying for a different card with another company. We have (only because we’ve worked VERY hard at it) perfect credit. We’ve had yearly fees dropped, and interest rates lowered pretty much every time we ask (again, using the “we’re looking at another credit card” ploy). Now that we’re a couple of years away from paying off our mortgage, we’re getting some amazing offers from credit card companies and mortgage companies. I guess they smell blood in the water already. But it won’t be ours. The one good decision we consistently make is to not have multiple credit cards – we have a gas card, a visa, and one dept. store card. Our goal is to pay off the balances every month. The gas card and dept. store cards are always paid off – but sometimes when emergencies arise (plumbing disaster, etc.) the visa comes in handy. If we can’t pay it off, we’re not paying a huge interest rate….

]]> By: amy http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-1717 amy Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:00:36 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/#comment-1717 I tried the credit card thing. They said No. And I even have good credit. I tried the credit card thing. They said No. And I even have good credit.

]]> By: hank http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-1692 hank Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:06:49 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/#comment-1692 I completely agree - and another one to add to the list is COUPONS! :) You can find a dozen online right now that would save on your trip to the grocery store! I completely agree – and another one to add to the list is COUPONS! :) You can find a dozen online right now that would save on your trip to the grocery store!

]]> By: Tish http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-311 Tish Tue, 02 Oct 2007 05:48:12 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/#comment-311 I think I'll try the credit card interest rate thing. I have an unbelievably high vet bill hanging over my head, and I'd love to get the interest rate reduced so I could make a bigger dent in the bill each month! For those who go to Blockbuster or some other local rental place, consider switching to Netflix. I pay $18.65 per month (including taxes) for Netflix, and I watch a LOT of movies. Rentals are about $5 each at Blockbuster! I think I’ll try the credit card interest rate thing. I have an unbelievably high vet bill hanging over my head, and I’d love to get the interest rate reduced so I could make a bigger dent in the bill each month!

For those who go to Blockbuster or some other local rental place, consider switching to Netflix. I pay $18.65 per month (including taxes) for Netflix, and I watch a LOT of movies. Rentals are about $5 each at Blockbuster!

]]> By: Kyle http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-78 Kyle Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:41:25 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/#comment-78 Great tips. Wow, gave up TV, good for you! I still need my college football fix not to mention the Discovery Channel, Dirty Jobs and Mythbusters in particular.... Great tips. Wow, gave up TV, good for you! I still need my college football fix not to mention the Discovery Channel, Dirty Jobs and Mythbusters in particular….

]]> By: Fabulously Broke http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Fabulously Broke Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:20:17 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/08/27/7-tips-reduce-costs/#comment-75 My favourites are: 1- Lower your Cable or Satellite subscription package. --------- I gave TV up completely, even before I started living out of a suitcase. I found I never even missed it...... I could watch the episodes on YouTube.com or at friends' houses. Now, in hotel rooms where I get free TV, it's not even appealing to me any more. 2- Vending Machines. ------- I don't have free cash on me at any time to tempt me to use them. But even if I did, I normally just drink water, and I bring cereal, fruit or yoghurt to snack on... cereal works the best :) 4- Coffee. -------- I used to drink a Chai latte every day ($5 each).. but now I just drink cold tap water, kept in my Starbucks mug to trick me into thinking it's a special drink rather than just plain ol' water. Bonus - keeps it cold. I haven't had a Starbucks in months..... Maybe in the winter time :) 5- Eat In. ------- Yup. I bring my lunch to work every day, and get some peace and quiet to read the paper. The client I'm at pays for my meals anyway, but I still bring a lunch - it's tiring to keep walking out for a lunch, spending an hour and a half at a restaurant then walking back. This way, I have more cash for breakfast/dinner.. YUM! My favourites are:

1- Lower your Cable or Satellite subscription package. ——— I gave TV up completely, even before I started living out of a suitcase. I found I never even missed it…… I could watch the episodes on YouTube.com or at friends’ houses. Now, in hotel rooms where I get free TV, it’s not even appealing to me any more.

2- Vending Machines. ——- I don’t have free cash on me at any time to tempt me to use them. But even if I did, I normally just drink water, and I bring cereal, fruit or yoghurt to snack on… cereal works the best :)

4- Coffee. ——– I used to drink a Chai latte every day ($5 each).. but now I just drink cold tap water, kept in my Starbucks mug to trick me into thinking it’s a special drink rather than just plain ol’ water. Bonus – keeps it cold. I haven’t had a Starbucks in months….. Maybe in the winter time :)

5- Eat In. ——- Yup. I bring my lunch to work every day, and get some peace and quiet to read the paper. The client I’m at pays for my meals anyway, but I still bring a lunch – it’s tiring to keep walking out for a lunch, spending an hour and a half at a restaurant then walking back. This way, I have more cash for breakfast/dinner.. YUM!

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