Comments for gailvazoxlade.com http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:07:21 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on Mortgage Renewals by Mervin Defilippis http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/224/comment-page-1#comment-28360 Mervin Defilippis Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:07:21 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=224#comment-28360 I must pay my mortgage towards the end in the month but yet don't believe that I will make it, is it possible to help? I must pay my mortgage towards the end in the month but yet don’t believe that I will make it, is it possible to help?

]]> Comment on The Glass Half Full by how fast weight loss http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1273/comment-page-1#comment-28352 how fast weight loss Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:46:35 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1273#comment-28352 Bill, you are absolutely correct, it shows that you're an authority on the subject. I admire someone that takes the pride you have and with your projecton of information. oSo when i actually do sit down to read material, I appreciate well written and organized blogs like this one. I have it bookmarked and will be back. Thanks. Bill, you are absolutely correct, it shows that you’re an authority on the subject. I admire someone that takes the pride you have and with your projecton of information. oSo when i actually do sit down to read material, I appreciate well written and organized blogs like this one. I have it bookmarked and will be back. Thanks.

]]> Comment on Quit Your Unsustainable Life by Sharon http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1537/comment-page-1#comment-28343 Sharon Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:53:47 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1537#comment-28343 I forget who was mentioning the second-hand books. When I was single, I read a lot, I would buy a lot of books both second hand and new. A few times a year, I would trade in most of those books at the second-hand shop for credit, and that helped a lot. I've always had a cell phone, since I moved around a lot when I was younger, and often it wasn't reasonable to get a land line. Now that there are cheap voip plans, and my cell phone bill recently ballooned, it's starting to look a lot better to switch to pay as you go. As for movie tickets, my boyfriend and I have been cashing in our Airmiles for free passes with popcorn and drinks, and there is also the option to cash in for free movie rentals at blockbuster. That really helps when our entertainment budget is tight. I forget who was mentioning the second-hand books. When I was single, I read a lot, I would buy a lot of books both second hand and new. A few times a year, I would trade in most of those books at the second-hand shop for credit, and that helped a lot.

I’ve always had a cell phone, since I moved around a lot when I was younger, and often it wasn’t reasonable to get a land line. Now that there are cheap voip plans, and my cell phone bill recently ballooned, it’s starting to look a lot better to switch to pay as you go.

As for movie tickets, my boyfriend and I have been cashing in our Airmiles for free passes with popcorn and drinks, and there is also the option to cash in for free movie rentals at blockbuster. That really helps when our entertainment budget is tight.

]]> Comment on Quit Your Unsustainable Life by Amanda L. Grossman http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1537/comment-page-1#comment-28320 Amanda L. Grossman Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:45:11 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1537#comment-28320 Hello Gail! First of all, I just want to say that I love your show! I am in the U.S., and watch it every Saturday night (or DVR it to watch later). Anyway, I am completely frugal at heart, and love reading about others who have found ways to save money. Here are a few we have found to cut out luxuries from our budget...while still enjoying them: I love Bikram Yoga, and periodically a place in downtown Houston offers classes for free at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings I purchase all books from half.com I use frequent flyer miles and mycokerewards.com to get magazine subscriptions that I Love (such as O Oprah, Martha Stewart, and Real Simple) I never pay full price for anything I unplug all electronics when not in use I turned down the temperature on my hot water heater Check out my blog--every Friday I do a Frugal Confessions Friday where I post about someway that I have saved money, and others share their stories as well! Hello Gail!

First of all, I just want to say that I love your show! I am in the U.S., and watch it every Saturday night (or DVR it to watch later).

Anyway, I am completely frugal at heart, and love reading about others who have found ways to save money.

Here are a few we have found to cut out luxuries from our budget…while still enjoying them:

I love Bikram Yoga, and periodically a place in downtown Houston offers classes for free at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings

I purchase all books from half.com

I use frequent flyer miles and mycokerewards.com to get magazine subscriptions that I Love (such as O Oprah, Martha Stewart, and Real Simple)

I never pay full price for anything

I unplug all electronics when not in use

I turned down the temperature on my hot water heater

Check out my blog–every Friday I do a Frugal Confessions Friday where I post about someway that I have saved money, and others share their stories as well!

]]> Comment on Save 10% by Stephanie H. http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1524/comment-page-1#comment-28305 Stephanie H. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:40:00 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-28305 I contribute 12% off the top of my paycheck and my employer matches another 4% to my 401K. If our office has a good year then we also get profit sharing. I decided to load up on my retirement up front know down the road I can drop it to allow contributions to a 429 (or similar education savings) when I have children. I also have been adding a few extra bucks to my mortgage every month and I put money into my Emergency Fund account every month. I am right around 4 month right now. Since I have my retirement taken off the top of my check I don't even miss it. In fact due to the resulting tax advantages when my salary went down 10% my take home only went down about 5%. I contribute 12% off the top of my paycheck and my employer matches another 4% to my 401K. If our office has a good year then we also get profit sharing. I decided to load up on my retirement up front know down the road I can drop it to allow contributions to a 429 (or similar education savings) when I have children. I also have been adding a few extra bucks to my mortgage every month and I put money into my Emergency Fund account every month. I am right around 4 month right now. Since I have my retirement taken off the top of my check I don’t even miss it. In fact due to the resulting tax advantages when my salary went down 10% my take home only went down about 5%.

]]> Comment on Thinking Out Loud by Streamyx Zon http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/417/comment-page-1#comment-28295 Streamyx Zon Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:27:39 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=417#comment-28295 Wonderful posting!!! Keep it up. Wonderful posting!!! Keep it up.

]]> Comment on Set Some Goals for 2010 by Cas http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1343/comment-page-1#comment-28293 Cas Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:10:59 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1343#comment-28293 2009 Goals: 1. To put $5000 in RRSP's. -- $4500 put in 2. Big vacation -- Went out east @ cost of $3000, but paid cash 3. Establish $10 000 in EF -- done 4. Put $5000 more into RESP's -- pushed to this year :( 5. Complete bathroom reno -- $4000 paid in cash! No balance owing! We had 2 unexpected purchases -- 1 was a new vehicle, and the 2nd was our 'dream vacation home'. 'Summer home' was purchased in cash. Truck was not :( 2010 Goals 1. $5000 in RRSP's -- done 2. $5000 in RESP's -- will be when tax refund is in next week 3. Keep $10 000 in EF -- so far... property taxes and other seasonal bills coming up...it'll be close, but should reestablish quickly. 4. Keep cc balances @ 0 -- got to remind DH about this! 5. Take on small home reno project -- new flooring in kitchen, or baseboards and ceiling in basement, whichever sounds most affordable and manageable. 6. Look at finances more closely to see where we can save more... 7. One summer weekend getaway @ budget $750 but pay in cash 8. Reorganize our finances -- some of our banking practices just doesn't make sense anymore... 9. Save an additional $5000 to establish a TFSA next year. 10. Have no regrets! I had no regrets for 2009. Some may question my purchase of our 'summer home' but it was the best purchase we ever made -- it's a trailer in a campground, not brand new, paid in cash, and, because we live in a rural area, this gives us, and our kids, a sense of community that we otherwise wouldn't have, plus the added value of exercise with biking and swimming and other sports. Plus, our hydro is included in our seasonal fee, and we have air conditioning there (vs. at home). And, as an school employee, summers can be long :) If we had known a deal like this was going to come up, though, we likely would have postponed our trip down east for another year, but we enjoyed both, and don't owe on either. 2009 Goals:
1. To put $5000 in RRSP’s. — $4500 put in
2. Big vacation — Went out east @ cost of $3000, but paid cash
3. Establish $10 000 in EF — done
4. Put $5000 more into RESP’s — pushed to this year :(
5. Complete bathroom reno — $4000 paid in cash! No balance owing!
We had 2 unexpected purchases — 1 was a new vehicle, and the 2nd was our ‘dream vacation home’. ‘Summer home’ was purchased in cash. Truck was not :(

2010 Goals
1. $5000 in RRSP’s — done
2. $5000 in RESP’s — will be when tax refund is in next week
3. Keep $10 000 in EF — so far… property taxes and other seasonal bills coming up…it’ll be close, but should reestablish quickly.
4. Keep cc balances @ 0 — got to remind DH about this!
5. Take on small home reno project — new flooring in kitchen, or baseboards and ceiling in basement, whichever sounds most affordable and manageable.
6. Look at finances more closely to see where we can save more…
7. One summer weekend getaway @ budget $750 but pay in cash
8. Reorganize our finances — some of our banking practices just doesn’t make sense anymore…
9. Save an additional $5000 to establish a TFSA next year.
10. Have no regrets!

I had no regrets for 2009. Some may question my purchase of our ’summer home’ but it was the best purchase we ever made — it’s a trailer in a campground, not brand new, paid in cash, and, because we live in a rural area, this gives us, and our kids, a sense of community that we otherwise wouldn’t have, plus the added value of exercise with biking and swimming and other sports. Plus, our hydro is included in our seasonal fee, and we have air conditioning there (vs. at home). And, as an school employee, summers can be long :) If we had known a deal like this was going to come up, though, we likely would have postponed our trip down east for another year, but we enjoyed both, and don’t owe on either.

]]> Comment on Quit Your Unsustainable Life by Cait http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1537/comment-page-1#comment-28279 Cait Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:49:39 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1537#comment-28279 I joined the cell phone plan of a family member; I pay $10/month for the cost of the additional line on their plan, and I get essentially unlimited calling. I don't bother with a land line. I found a local play house that primarily uses volunteers for staff. I go to two or three shows or movies per month in exchange for ticket taking, seating patrons, and a few minutes of cleaning up afterward. I found two local beauty schools where a hair cut is less than $10 and manicures or pedicures are about $5. My family does a lot of gift certificates for holidays and birthdays. I usually receive spa or clothing or iTunes certificates. I borrow movies and books from the library instead of buying them. Most of my furniture came from parents and grandparents down-sizing their houses. I bought three pieces of furniture out of everything in an entire apartment. My clothes, which need to be very professional in my line of work, come from sales and thrift stores and hand-me-downs, and of course, gift certificates. I learned how to do basic tailoring for myself. I started planning meals, and I shop once per week. I can plan to have leftovers on days when I know I won't be in the mood or have time to cook. The money I save on food goes towards loans and savings. My last big area of savings was to carefully examine my loans and refinance some of them. My actual payments are unchanged, but I was able to reduce the interest and the loans will be paid off several years sooner. I joined the cell phone plan of a family member; I pay $10/month for the cost of the additional line on their plan, and I get essentially unlimited calling. I don’t bother with a land line.

I found a local play house that primarily uses volunteers for staff. I go to two or three shows or movies per month in exchange for ticket taking, seating patrons, and a few minutes of cleaning up afterward.

I found two local beauty schools where a hair cut is less than $10 and manicures or pedicures are about $5.

My family does a lot of gift certificates for holidays and birthdays. I usually receive spa or clothing or iTunes certificates.

I borrow movies and books from the library instead of buying them.

Most of my furniture came from parents and grandparents down-sizing their houses. I bought three pieces of furniture out of everything in an entire apartment.

My clothes, which need to be very professional in my line of work, come from sales and thrift stores and hand-me-downs, and of course, gift certificates. I learned how to do basic tailoring for myself.

I started planning meals, and I shop once per week. I can plan to have leftovers on days when I know I won’t be in the mood or have time to cook. The money I save on food goes towards loans and savings.

My last big area of savings was to carefully examine my loans and refinance some of them. My actual payments are unchanged, but I was able to reduce the interest and the loans will be paid off several years sooner.

]]> Comment on This & That: Crap Happens Edition by Susan http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1218/comment-page-1#comment-28277 Susan Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:14:27 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1218#comment-28277 Love that calculator link Marie posted! Thanks! Love that calculator link Marie posted! Thanks!

]]> Comment on Fun & Money by Susan http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/910/comment-page-1#comment-28275 Susan Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:27:27 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=910#comment-28275 The funny thing is that my daughter had a short attention span and would quickly forget about the birthday and Christmas money she got and with all the other tangible gifts she received, I always automatically banked most of her checks. You should see how excited she is now though to see her savings account statement of $600 that all those little checks have added up to over her 13 years. Her face is much happier now than I think it would have been for all the small expenditures which she would have long forgotten by now. The funny thing is that my daughter had a short attention span and would quickly forget about the birthday and Christmas money she got and with all the other tangible gifts she received, I always automatically banked most of her checks. You should see how excited she is now though to see her savings account statement of $600 that all those little checks have added up to over her 13 years. Her face is much happier now than I think it would have been for all the small expenditures which she would have long forgotten by now.

]]> Comment on Quit Your Unsustainable Life by Nic http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1537/comment-page-1#comment-28271 Nic Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:45:15 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1537#comment-28271 I was quite amused by this blog today. Just this morning, my husband mentioned about upgrading the TV in our bedroom to a bigger flatscreen. We have a 13 inch colour TV that is about 12 years old. My response, "Why? This one works perfectly well! We have a 27 inch TV in the living room so go watch that one if you want a bigger screen." I was quite amused by this blog today.
Just this morning, my husband mentioned about upgrading the TV in our bedroom to a bigger flatscreen. We have a 13 inch colour TV that is about 12 years old. My response, “Why? This one works perfectly well! We have a 27 inch TV in the living room so go watch that one if you want a bigger screen.”

]]> Comment on Quit Your Unsustainable Life by Jenn http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1537/comment-page-1#comment-28270 Jenn Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:39:48 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1537#comment-28270 We gave up our Costco membership last year. Yes there are a few things that were either much cheaper there, or you simply couldn't find elsewhere. The problem was, we'd go in for $20 worth of that stuff and come out with $200 worth of other stuff. Once or twice a year I go with a friend who has a membership but for the most part we've just dropped it from our lives. Good suggestion about the gift cards though. That would allow us to go and get just the couple of things we want and nothing else. We normally have no trouble sticking to a list, but that place is deadly. We gave up our Costco membership last year. Yes there are a few things that were either much cheaper there, or you simply couldn’t find elsewhere. The problem was, we’d go in for $20 worth of that stuff and come out with $200 worth of other stuff. Once or twice a year I go with a friend who has a membership but for the most part we’ve just dropped it from our lives.

Good suggestion about the gift cards though. That would allow us to go and get just the couple of things we want and nothing else. We normally have no trouble sticking to a list, but that place is deadly.

]]> Comment on Quit Your Unsustainable Life by Bets http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1537/comment-page-1#comment-28269 Bets Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:25:24 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1537#comment-28269 A timely post Gail. I love reading all the responses with great tips and sucess stories! For us, saving money has become a bit competitive! We have a group of friends who share tips - we all have started to cut coupons and read the grocery flyers carefully then stock up on good deals. We have $20 dinner nights where we have to get creative and make dinner for four adults which will also include leftovers for lunch the next day. It's a fun social event and good challenge! We had a contract phone with Bell for years - thousands of dollars wasted!!!! We now have pay-as-you-go cells which is really all we need! If we travel to the US, we stop at a 7-11 and pick up a phone with 20 minutes for $9.99 for emergencies! We also buy the VOX America cards for $10 at Canada Post - 250 minutes of calling to or from the US! We eat well, play hard and enjoy life - but we sure don't waste money anymore! Thanks again Gail! A timely post Gail. I love reading all the responses with great tips and sucess stories!
For us, saving money has become a bit competitive! We have a group of friends who share tips – we all have started to cut coupons and read the grocery flyers carefully then stock up on good deals. We have $20 dinner nights where we have to get creative and make dinner for four adults which will also include leftovers for lunch the next day. It’s a fun social event and good challenge!
We had a contract phone with Bell for years – thousands of dollars wasted!!!! We now have pay-as-you-go cells which is really all we need!
If we travel to the US, we stop at a 7-11 and pick up a phone with 20 minutes for $9.99 for emergencies! We also buy the VOX America cards for $10 at Canada Post – 250 minutes of calling to or from the US!
We eat well, play hard and enjoy life – but we sure don’t waste money anymore!
Thanks again Gail!

]]> Comment on Quit Your Unsustainable Life by Fiona http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1537/comment-page-1#comment-28267 Fiona Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:57:54 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1537#comment-28267 I am so glad to have read all of your blogs here today. I started with Gail's Budget Tools back in August of 2009. I must admit, a little tough to start, but surely broke bad spending habits in no time at all!! Everyone's tips and advice have surely put thoughts into my head to think of new ideas like staycations!! I have lived on money jars since August and find them extremely helpful! I will be out of consumer debt by Christmas of 2010. Watching Gail's shows have really helped see how we do abuse credit, let alone the interest we pay! I also quit smoking 3 months ago for a number of reasons, however, the main one first was that I had to realize that I could no longer afford it (sad, eh? should have been for health reasons). It is amazing how much more I can put towards debt now! It wasn't a easy task and still struggle from time to time, but surely it is a win win situation of a richer life and healthier one too!! I am so greatful to have watched her shows and learn from every participant in them. It takes a lot of courage to publicly admit you need help, but I believe Gail's shows has helped a lot more people than she may realize. To all those who have just started - please stick to it and don't get discouraged. Unexpected expenses may come up, change in job may adjust your income, but try to adapt to thechanges and you will see that it is an important part of success! I am so glad to have read all of your blogs here today. I started with Gail’s Budget Tools back in August of 2009. I must admit, a little tough to start, but surely broke bad spending habits in no time at all!! Everyone’s tips and advice have surely put thoughts into my head to think of new ideas like staycations!!
I have lived on money jars since August and find them extremely helpful! I will be out of consumer debt by Christmas of 2010. Watching Gail’s shows have really helped see how we do abuse credit, let alone the interest we pay!
I also quit smoking 3 months ago for a number of reasons, however, the main one first was that I had to realize that I could no longer afford it (sad, eh? should have been for health reasons). It is amazing how much more I can put towards debt now! It wasn’t a easy task and still struggle from time to time, but surely it is a win win situation of a richer life and healthier one too!!
I am so greatful to have watched her shows and learn from every participant in them. It takes a lot of courage to publicly admit you need help, but I believe Gail’s shows has helped a lot more people than she may realize.
To all those who have just started – please stick to it and don’t get discouraged. Unexpected expenses may come up, change in job may adjust your income, but try to adapt to thechanges and you will see that it is an important part of success!

]]> Comment on Quit Your Unsustainable Life by I Hart Saving http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/1537/comment-page-1#comment-28257 I Hart Saving Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:29:48 +0000 http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=1537#comment-28257 I forgot to mention a way around not having a Costco membership for friends/family that don't have a membership. A lot of times you can go in and purchase a gift card. The person using the gift card doesn't need to have a membership to use the GC. Plus, since it is a specified amount, they can try to stick to that amount or save some for the next time! :) I forgot to mention a way around not having a Costco membership for friends/family that don’t have a membership. A lot of times you can go in and purchase a gift card. The person using the gift card doesn’t need to have a membership to use the GC. Plus, since it is a specified amount, they can try to stick to that amount or save some for the next time! :)

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