Money troubles...the first thing to go?

I usually like to by a lot of expensive groceries when I have extra money, so unfortunately that's usually what has to go. It's hard to live without my fresh parmesan cheese and fresh salmon from the fish store, but I can do it. I don't spend much on clothing, entertainment, or things like that, so cutting those things out don't bother me.

cable, internet, turning off electric no one is using, washing clothes in cold water, except for my whites, using only the stove, washer or dryer one at a time, magazines from the store (you know, the ones you get because you're standing in line bored and pick one up, intending to finish reading and you never do) candy and unnecessary food that we can go without, movies, renting movies, we have plenty here and can borrow and trade them (but then again there are some movies I could watch a million times and never get bored!) Just the things that are important...I can listen to the news and weather on the radio, I can go online at someone else's house, magazines and candy and pop tarts aren't necessary for us to survive....I just start paying more attention to what I have in the cart at the grocery store....

I don't go out much as it is, but one of the first things I would cut would be eating out. We do eat out quite a bit and to help cut back on expenses, I would cut back on eating out as that adds up fast. I mean, just eating out four times a month means spending almost $100 if your tab adds up to $20 or more. The next thing I'd end up cutting out would be buying little things for myself. Occasionally, and not all the time I might add, I do end up buying video games for myself. I try to avoid buying games new if I can help it. I buy used and I trade out video games to get video games in return to help save money. However, I do buy games and I would definitely cut out those expenses as those add up fast as well. In general I'd cut out driving around so much because that really starts to eat up your gas money as you'd have to buy gas and it's expensive. I'd cut out any unnecessary travel to help save extra money.

I stop stocking up and just buy what we need for a week at a time. I like to have about a month's reserves on hand but when things get tight I just live for the day.

hiya, in order of necessity - so probably clothes and books first, food and electricity last.

cut out on your make up that will save you a fortune.

hello PeacefulWmn9, need to tighten our belt in order to survive. so insteda of eating outside, we're cooking something special during sundays. instead of watching movie, we are just renting. these are some that we need to cut our budget.

I live pretty close & always have. i have never had alot of money to b;ow in. When i had to quit work i cancled some things on my phone i didn't have to have, quit taking the newspaper, didn't renew some magazine subscriptions & things like that. Where there is a will there is a way.

Hey, Well if I wouldn't really have much money and finances I would try and assess what I am doing wrong, and where all my money would be going. Then I once I would find the causes, I would try and cut back on the use of it. Make sure you have a good day, Happy Lotting!!

Hi there, Unless you are too rich too ever to face financial hardship this financial problems occurring at a particular turn of our lives is universal phenomenon. Many are there who become victim of such situation only because of their lackadaisical attitude with money. When they are with abundance think not of the morrow and spend bucks lavishly to discover themselves in the bog when moving gets tough. What you do is rational and that is the way one should adopt. If at all I am in identical condition I start prioritizing. Spend only when this is dire necessarily or else stop there and go on until I gain my fiscal restoration.

Hi Karen, it's hard to imagine living with debts hanging over our heads. I dont mind getting rid of the television or hi-fi sets or whatever, because these are the items taking up space and eating up the electricity. I think I will divide all my possessions into "assets" and "liabilities". Those that can generate income, such as laptop and Internet access, belong to assets. And those that just plain useless will come under liabilities.

Hi there friend, Before we had money trouble, we have to make budget to run our life. I have been taught that have to be smart to spend the money. Sometimes we have to reject firmly if we spend the money out of the plan or budget. So i believe if we always spend the money smartly, we dont have to be money troubles. I hope it doesnt make you so hard to think about. Just enjoy the life and be happy friend :)

Hello my friend Being unemployed really shows you how cut back let me tell ya its hard but sometimes you have to do what needs to be done, I don't know how I made it thus far, all I can say is I am blessed, I have accomplished alot being unemployed and it only shows me how great I am, you would be surprised what I have been able to do with no money, when I work I help everyone but myself, not working shows me you can still help,not all about the financial help you can give to others I really needed this lesson and I have no regrets, hopefully I will be back to work and this time I am going to do for me

Hi PeacfulWmn9. I can not really respond to your discussion with a firm answer since I have no job yet, and I have no family to raise yet. What I would do is visualize that in that certain scenario what I would cut cost to effectively get back to track with the financial problem. I would first crash out the leisure time in my list. Instead of going out to mall to have a lunch and dinner, I would prefer to eat at home and read book or watch television. I would prefer to bring a packed lunch or dinner at work to lessen expenses, and then I would cut off electric bills like using the computer only an hour a day or at least none a day, and then the water bills too. I would also try to find another job if there is one to compensate my financial burden. I know that money is very important to us in order to live. Without financial account you can not do any thing in this world. Wouldn't you agree?

hi peaceful you pretty much cut back on what I would also'cut b ack on and when I was working I brown bagged mylunch instead of going to a restaurant . this saved a lot of money and shutting off electric things when you are notusing them saves more on your light bill too.also I start reading the prices on food and shop the sales for my favorite foods. yes they hAve helped in the past.

yes i had been doing that for a long time and i need to cut on more things so that i can save more money to some gadgets i wanted to buy for my personal use. like i wanted new cellphone but the only for me to have money to buy that is to save my money and not to spend it in not so important things. saving up is pretty slow but i hope i can have the motivation to keep cutting on things that are not important.

The first thing that we cut back on is the amount we spend on entertainment and recreation. As a rule though, bills get paid before anything else in my household, then things that are needed before anything that we just want. If we don't have the extra, so be it, we just go without.

Dear Karen, First and foremost, the first one to GO will be :~ 1) Clothes and accessories. No more buying costume jewelleries. No more fancy shoes or clothes! 2) Just like you, no more paid movies. We normally will try to watch free screening, premier movies which are absolutely FREE! 3) Instead of eat in expensive restaurant once a week, it became once a month affair. 4) Cut down on unnecessary calls and reduce phone bills and electricity bills. 5) Cut down on social outings which can avoid...LOL Cheers and do keep in touch!

In this time of financial crisis, I cut out going out or shopping, eating at a restaurant, check out the leaks in our water connection, usage of electricity, washing and ironing of clothes once a week instead of twice. Cook the food once a day instead of twice.

Hi peacefulwmn, when I am down in finances, the first thing I cut down is on is entertainment, followed by social expenditure (wedding gifts, etc.). Thereafter, if I have to squeeze still further, it would be clothes. I limit myself to about 6 to 8 dresses per annum. If I have to cut down still further, it would be maid, and still further, quality of cosmetics, and still further, shift to a cheaper accommodation. Still further, look for another employment. Beyond that hands up.