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1. Is LJ going super slow, or is it me?
2. I have a Visa, and an American Express credit card, but I’ve never, ever allowed myself to (owe my soul to the devil) become a victim of these plastic traps.
The only times I use a credit card is for travel (plane fare, car rental, hotel expenses); internet business needs, and for causes such as sponsoring World Vision, and ASPC. When I use my card, I know I will be able to pay the entire amount by the due date. I can travel once a year, and because I save for the entire year so I can pay the entire balance by the due date.
When I bought my car, I paid cash from the money I had saved for it, and since I paid the entire amount, I buy only buy liability insurance. I have never bought a brand new car because I've never desired a brand new car which will depreciate as time goes by.
I always buy with cash, because I can see the dollar bills, nickels, dimes and pennies dwindling a way when I use them, unlike, checks or credit cards. I buy my clothes (underwear, electronic, and firearms excluded); nick knacks, dishes, and blankets (EVERYTHING) 2nd hand. I sometimes buy stuff like President Obama, etc., paraphernalia, but if I don't have the money, I do without. The only times I go out to eat is when I'm invited, and it's known the person who invited me will pay, heh heh. I do sometimes go crazy (I am human after all), just like the extremely expensive pistol I purchased a few months ago. When I realized I would have to may quite a few monthly payments for it, I returned it.
I have an $8,000.00 Thomasville bedroom set, with a California size bed that I bought 2nd hand for $700.00. I did buy an expensive new mattress, but it will will last me for the rest of my life. I a large collection of cookbooks (at least 400) that I paid a dollar for each, and fine Yugoslavia, and Austrian crystal stemware sets, etc., which cost me a few bucks at my favorite 2nd hand store.
I buy groceries in bulk from Sam's, and divide it three ways $$$ with my best friends. When shopping at a regular grocery store, I buy what's on sale, and make from scratch inexpensive meals that will last the whole week. When it comes to my animals, I don't scrimp at all when it comes to their food, the pet groomer, or the vet.
When it comes to holidays, I totally keep myself away from the mad mall rush by giving gifts I bake myself. When I make some kind of a party, or gathering, I tell everyone to bring a dish, and their drinks. When it comes to my grooming stuff, I buy them dirt cheap with zero tax at the swap. I use cheap petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, and have only gone to the beauty salon only once, and that was for the prom.
Conclusion: Credit cards are deadly. Buying 2nd hand whenever possible isn't shameful; not only does it save money, but also Mother Earth. If you don't have the cash to buy whatever, don't buy it. You're not gonna die if you don't. Donate to some worthwhile cause (animals, children). The Lord somehow sees this, and makes sure you'll never want.
In these hard times, have you discovered new frugality tips to share?

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Comments
Debit cards are.. convenient, but as the report (I think) points out, they're not "safe".
The whole system is rigged. And collapsing.
It has always amazed me to see people pulling out their credit card, even in restaurants, when they should have paid with cash. When you open your wallet to pay with cash, you instantly see that the cash eventually runs out, which with a credit card you don’t. A credit card signifies make believe cash that you DO NO have, and for this reason it’s so easy to spend beyond your means.
Sure, credit cards are sometimes necessary, but only for certain things, such as buying a plane ticket, renting a car, buying something you liked online, or for an emergency, and that’s it! I have never had to pay interest, because I only use my card when I know for a fact that I have the money to pay what I’ve charged in full. Cash is the best, and smartest way for buying what is needed. Never in my life have I used a debit card, nor will I ever. As for checks, I only use them to pay bills. I never carry a checkbook or a credit card in my purse. If I don’t have cash, then I don’t shop.
The whole system is rigged. And collapsing.
I agree.
I still have no idea what you look like, but I figured you would splurge on sexy sexy things.
I buy my clothes (underwear, electronic, and firearms excluded); nick knacks, dishes, and blankets (EVERYTHING) 2nd hand.
2nd hand firearms work fine though!
You aren't old fashion at all. What you are is a frugal thinker, just like so many others, including yours truly! :o)
I also have a basement (full of junk), but what I did was to hire someone to build in shelves in a closet, and use it kind of like a large pantry. Someday, I'll post a pic of it.
As for the student loans you mentioned, I'm sure you'll pay them off eventually.
At least one good thing has come out of this recession, and that is that most of us have learn a valuable lesson, and that is to save more, and spend less.
Really, no matter how high the quality of a mattress, they wear down and need to be replaced. I'm lucky, though, because we've got The Original Mattress Factory in the area. High quality, relatively low prices, and I'm going to sound like a shill if I keep talking about them.
Thanks for the gift :) You're the sweetest. Yes you are
*hugs*
My wife and I are good with ours, too.