https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 23:05:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1882156 Tue, 30 Sep 2014 07:18:05 +0000 cmomma17 1882156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My challenge currently is DH being on vacation for the next 6 days in a row! He likes to go nuts at the grocery store, eat out to celebrate, or just being home from work leads to boredom and then he thinks of all kinds of things we "need!" I think I need to distract him with a honey do list .... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1882026 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:44:01 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1882026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: the beginning is hard but it will be so worth it in the end! We went through the class before we got married and had to plug away at my debt and student loans, but now we have so much more freedom! Dh's parents discovered dave ramsey in the 90s and have taught us a lot. We feel like we got such a huge financial head start! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1882020 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:35:53 +0000 regberadaisy 1882020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: @IRunForFun: LOL we use it too. ;) </p> <p>@cmomma17: I wish we could shop at Aldis. But the ones in our city suck. The quality isn't so great and the items listed for sale in the ads are always out of stock. DH went a few times and it wasn't worth the headache of going to another store. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1882019 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:35:31 +0000 IRunForFun 1882019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: DH was really not convinced about spending money to save money either, but, after the first month, when I showed him we could transfer x amount of money to savings and not worry about having enough in checking/bills for the next month, he was sold. He's really into it now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1882018 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:33:41 +0000 IRunForFun 1882018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: Yay someone else who uses projectfreetv! We only stream Netflix (and I share an acct with family so it's even less expensive) and use projectfreetv. No cable, hulu+, no Amazon Prime, and we never feel like we're lacking in things to watch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881963 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:25:39 +0000 yellowbird 1881963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just started financial peace university yesterday and we're on a pretty indefinite spending freeze until we pay off all of our consumer debt. I am so motivated to do this and change our lives.</p> <p>We've paid off a good chunk of debt this year but this class will really whip us into shape. I love the motto of the class "Live like no one else so that you can live like no one else."</p> <p>It's going to be hard to say no to basically everything for a couple of years but after that it will be so freeing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881946 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 19:04:10 +0000 mrskc 1881946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hear ya! Something about having a baby has made me want to SPEND SPEND SPEND! I think it's that I'm spending too much time at home browsing online while nursing, etc. ugh. We are staying within budget but I could definitely par down on the extra spending. </p> <p>Like others, YNAB is a great tool for me. It keeps me in check. We cut our cable down $50 per month by switching to AT&amp;T U-verse. Meal planning helps a lot. We found a better rate for our car insurance. We eat out a lot less and that saves us money. I've been putting away a little extra money every month in anticipation of Christmas spending. </p> <p>@.twist.: oh wow! That's great savings using Fresh20. Never thought of it as a way to save money on groceries. I'm intrigued now. How do you like it? Are the meals easy to prepare? We spend about $700 a month on groceries and that seems like so much! I blame my hubby and the insane amount of fruit he eats per week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881927 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 18:35:20 +0000 regberadaisy 1881927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: I gotta agree that cell phone and cable are our biggest bulls. Sigh. Need to relook at that cell phone bill! Cable is kinds crazy now while my mom is here but I'll pare it back down after she's gone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881906 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 18:02:54 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1881906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: ive been thinking about this today...i think i am completely the opposite! I would never faithfully log all of my transactions in the app, so there is no way i would be able to keep up without seeing the envelope get more and more empty :) so interesting to see how different people work so differently! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881901 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:56:25 +0000 Espion 1881901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: I would say that you can use YNAB very closely with the Dave Ramsey philosophy/method. I think @Mrs. Lion: 's suggestion is a great one if you want to do the same general thing lo-fi without spending a dime. There is just no way I could faithfully do the envelope system, but I treat the YNAB budget as a "virtual" envelope system. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881784 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:42:20 +0000 lawbee11 1881784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: I jumped on the YNAB bangwagon when it was on sale a month ago and it has been so awesome. One of my favorite features is that there is an app so you have access to your budget at all times (and so would your DH). If I wasn't able to check in on certain categories while out and about it definitely wouldn't be as effective. It does kinda suck that you have to pay for it, but it's a one-time fee and I think totally worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881775 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:38:09 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1881775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: haha, I can't say the same! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881761 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:29:20 +0000 HLK208 1881761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: thanks! I'll look them up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881739 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:18:57 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1881739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: I know I am in the hellobee minority, but I really don't think you have to pay for a service to help you budget. It is basic math. We use an excel spreadsheet which works perfectly fine! I really like dave ramseys budget forms and used them to get started. They are free on his website. I know ynab is probably helpful for some people, but I totally don't think it is necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881721 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:09:18 +0000 HLK208 1881721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: good idea! </p> <p>I think that's the only way I could convince DH. He was like, "so you want to PAY money to NOT spend money?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881680 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:52:23 +0000 DillonLion 1881680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Faithful YNAB user here. We are wanting to start setting aside a bit for the holidays starting now. We stopped using credit this year and want to have the cash for LOs bday party and the holiday parties and gifts coming up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881654 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:40:33 +0000 reverie 1881654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This was a pep talk I just had with myself this morning. Eating out at work and online shopping have got out of control for me since I started back in the office. My goal is an internet shopping freeze for all of October. I also have a goal to pack lunch at least 4 days a week. I think looking forward to a treat or whatever on Friday will help me be better Mon-Thurs. Sadly, doing these two things will save me a lot of money. I really have a problem lately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881653 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:40:28 +0000 cmomma17 1881653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: I might check it out, thanks! That's an awesome deal on strawberries! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881644 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:32:45 +0000 .twist. 1881644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: I tone it down in real life. But I fully admit to being hella crazy on HB about it. hahaha</p> <p>@loveisstrange: Hm. I'm not sure I'm a great person to ask about it. I hardly ever cooked anything before Fresh 20 so my efficiency (or lack thereof) probably isn't the norm. I get home at 5:20 and I can usually have dinner on the table by 5:40-45. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881636 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:26:03 +0000 loveisstrange 1881636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: Aldi is honestly way cheaper than anywhere else around us (we have Schnucks, Shop N Save, Dierbergs and I think Kroger somewhere). They carry most staples, often have really good deals on fresh produce (strawberries for .99, what?!), have a decent meat selection... they even carry wine. They're like Trader Joe's where a lot of their stuff is name brand, but the repackage it into their own boxes and sell it cheaper. Im a fan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881630 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:21:59 +0000 cmomma17 1881630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: tell me more about Aldi, we have one in our area (relatively new) but I've never been. It's a hike across town though, while my regular grocery store is 2 minutes away. Is it a huge savings? Would my savings by cancelled out by the longer drive? Also, I get points towards gasoline at my current store, so that makes me hesitate to switch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881628 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:20:40 +0000 loveisstrange 1881628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: Well, I know I need to eat healthier and DH is going to be getting dinner together 4 nights a week starting next week, so I need something simple for him. How quick/easy are the recipes, generally? And I think a lot of people don't realize how good a lot of "discount" grocers are now! Aldi carries GF, organic, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881627 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:20:33 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1881627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: lol I try to tone it down some, but can't help but get excited talking about it bc it's been such an amazing tool for us and I just want to share it with others! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881626 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:20:14 +0000 cmomma17 1881626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: I :heart: :heart: :heart: that movie! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881622 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:18:47 +0000 .twist. 1881622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: Did I mention I am also an enabler for Fresh20? LOL. Your point about cheaper grocery stores is good too! We switched over to Superstore and I have to bag my own groceries but it's worth it to save a few bucks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881621 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:15:37 +0000 loveisstrange 1881621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: Hmmm.... I didnt even think about Fresh 20 saving money. That might persuade me. lol. </p> <p>My money saving tips:<br /> 1. Cancel cable. We have Netflix streaming and we stream free online (ahem. projectfreetv)<br /> 2. We use a "discount" cell phone provider instead of an expensive plan. We pay $70/m for Virgin, 1200 minutes, unlimited text and data<br /> 3. We shop discount stores for groceries. We pretty much stick to Aldi, TJs and Costco unless somewhere else is having a great sale. Aldi is our primary now.<br /> 4. Buy used! We buy lots of stuff on craigslist and at places like Goodwill.<br /> 5. Pay off debt. I know thats the end goal here, but I think it's a huge part of why we live simply. We have no debt. We paid of $45k in student loans and still managed to stock away a good nest egg in savings. Debt payment should be a top priority.</p> <p>Seems pretty simple, but thats what we do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread/page/2#post-1881620 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:15:02 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1881620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: hahaha and what tasty kool-aid it is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread#post-1881618 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:12:45 +0000 .twist. 1881618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: haha kool-aid. I was just saying to @Mrs. High Heels: that I feel a little crazy being so pushy with this. I'm all like: </p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfcEHOrhJmQ" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfcEHOrhJmQ</a></p> <p>Every time someone "drinks our kool-aid". :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread#post-1881616 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:11:00 +0000 Espion 1881616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: I hear they have Black Friday sales from time to time! If you can hold out, I would download the free trial a month out from Black Friday and see if you like it first. I freely admit that I drank the Kool-Aid @Mrs. High Heels: and @.twist.: is selling, and I think it is a great program. We have already saved so much money even with the sticker shock of a couple huge expenses lately. I think it is a clever way to make you more aware of your spending habits while also effectively saving money for future and yearly expenses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fall-budgeting-thread#post-1881610 Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:07:37 +0000 cmomma17 1881610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the cheapest person EVER (like I only browse the FREE downloads sections on iTunes) and I paid for YNAB and it's definitely worth it. I'm not even using it to it's full/proper capacity and it's making a difference in our lives! </p>