I drink only on special occasions or when there is an ongoing special and have invested in Tassimo to save on drinking out and with two college students that's a lot of savings
My latte factors are soda, chocolate, and baked goods. I used to smoke but quit almost 16 years ago, so I think junk food and sweets replaced cigarettes for me. I'm currently trying to stop buying these things for savings as well as health. It's hard, but I'm working on it!
It's crazy how the little things add up; when you actually see the figures it's mind-blowing. I have to go to the store every week for foodstuff, and I don't buy anything excessive or unnecessary really.
I'm sure everyone can write a book on this topic! For me internet shopping is the real problem- it's just too easy to click. But also what really gets me to go to the websites are e-mails. I get e-mails EVERY DAY. Maybe i should just unsubscribe.
My latte factor is eating out, as some others have mentioned as well. We have been intentionally skipping the pizza delivery and other spur of the moment restaurant purchases in order to save and have money for other things. This has also helped tend my love of cooking and our ability to eat the produce from our CSA share more completely and not compost as much of it.
I very rarely go out for coffee drinks. First, I think Starbucks coffee is horrible, and it's way overpriced. I make my own at home. We don't go out to eat much, and don't have much extra money for anything...
I don't have a latte factor per se since I can't have caffeine but I do like to splurge on more expensive juices one in a while Where I save is instead of buy a bottle of juice everytime I want one I buy a larger bottle and use a refillable bottle that I can take with me while I'm on the go.
Magazines. I try to compromise by subscribing (when I find a good deal) to my favorites (figure this is better than buying even a few full-price), as well as checking out older issues from the library.
My latte factor is eating lunch out during the work week. We're paying off our debts, so I've cut back to eating out 1-2 lunches per week. I'm saving about $25 per week!
My "latte factor" was books; I love reading and feel great pride in seeing the books I love on my bookshelves. Now, I get books or ebooks from the library and only when I absolutely love a novel and know I'll read it again do I buy it - used of course.
Mine is definitely eating out with friends. I don't do it often, but I would rather sacrifice that little bit of extra savings for time with people. It's a small price to pay...
I've started "splurging" on a $10 pound of coffee and make it fresh at home or work for a month or so. It's nice that $10 will go so far, instead of buying maybe 4 lattes with the same $10. That's not even a full week of drinks!
Ours was pizza, delivered - at least $15 plus at least a $3 tip, at least twice a month - $36 a month, about $432 per year. We buy grocery store frozen pizza at about $6 apiece, $12 per month, $144 per year. Savings of $288 per year! And probably a lot less grease!
My latte factor was cable/satellite tv. A year and a half ago, we were paying around $100/month for Dish Network. Now we use Apple TV, iTunes and Netflix, and probably save around $80/month, and find that we don't miss much, especially since we can find most of our news online, and watch television programs through various methods (Netflix, DVDs, stream through network website/apps).
My "latte factor" is iTunes. Before this year I didn't think twice about buying songs, apps, books, etc. In January my husband and I started a strict budget to pay off our debt, so now with my very small allowance I purchase an iTunes card and think twice before I use it. With this small change we will save about $100 a month!!!
Our latte factor is definitely eating out. It seems like we're alway racing off to some sport or kid's activity right after I get off work and there's no time to fix something at home so it's easiest just to grab some drive-thru. I've been trying to save a little by fixing a sandwich for me at home but my kids aren't big on cold sandwiches but at least we're saving on one meal.
I used to do a Starbucks a day. We got a Keurig and now I go about once a month. Even with the cost of Kcups bought on sale and with a coupon, Im still up about $150 a month.
Thanks for the feedback, Lauralynn. There's a lot that people can do on their own to get out of debt, but I agree that if they are really in trouble a credit counseling office can be a good option. If going that route, I'd make sure the local office is affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, as you mentioned, and also get all fee information up front and in writing.
I take a green apple, dried cranberries, and blue cheese to work everyday for my snack. It gives me something filling, sweet, and crunchy to eat, and lasts hours, since it doesn't go bad. Since I do that, I don't use the vending machine for chips or candy. Plus, and apple a day keeps the doctor away.
breakfast sandwiches on the way to work... I'm not sure why idling in the drive-thru line and dropping $7 for a sandwich, hash browns and a coffee feels faster than the same amount of time spent putting it together in the kitchen! I'm a pretty accomplished frugalista, but drive-thru brekkie is my most stubborn remaining vice!
I take my lunch to work almost every day and also drink hot tea or water from our cooler at work.
I drink only on special occasions or when there is an ongoing special and have invested in Tassimo to save on drinking out and with two college students that's a lot of savings
My latte factors are soda, chocolate, and baked goods. I used to smoke but quit almost 16 years ago, so I think junk food and sweets replaced cigarettes for me. I'm currently trying to stop buying these things for savings as well as health. It's hard, but I'm working on it!
It's crazy how the little things add up; when you actually see the figures it's mind-blowing. I have to go to the store every week for foodstuff, and I don't buy anything excessive or unnecessary really.
Without a doubt, it's fast food. It's amazing how quickly those value menu dollars add up.
I'm sure everyone can write a book on this topic! For me internet shopping is the real problem- it's just too easy to click. But also what really gets me to go to the websites are e-mails. I get e-mails EVERY DAY. Maybe i should just unsubscribe.
My latte factor is garden goodies. That includes plants, planters, outdoor furniture & throws! They really do make such a difference for the yard!
My latte factor is eating out, as some others have mentioned as well. We have been intentionally skipping the pizza delivery and other spur of the moment restaurant purchases in order to save and have money for other things. This has also helped tend my love of cooking and our ability to eat the produce from our CSA share more completely and not compost as much of it.
I very rarely go out for coffee drinks. First, I think Starbucks coffee is horrible, and it's way overpriced. I make my own at home. We don't go out to eat much, and don't have much extra money for anything...
I don't have a latte factor per se since I can't have caffeine but I do like to splurge on more expensive juices one in a while Where I save is instead of buy a bottle of juice everytime I want one I buy a larger bottle and use a refillable bottle that I can take with me while I'm on the go.
Magazines. I try to compromise by subscribing (when I find a good deal) to my favorites (figure this is better than buying even a few full-price), as well as checking out older issues from the library.
My latte factor is eating lunch out during the work week. We're paying off our debts, so I've cut back to eating out 1-2 lunches per week. I'm saving about $25 per week!
My "latte factor" was books; I love reading and feel great pride in seeing the books I love on my bookshelves. Now, I get books or ebooks from the library and only when I absolutely love a novel and know I'll read it again do I buy it - used of course.
Mine is definitely eating out with friends. I don't do it often, but I would rather sacrifice that little bit of extra savings for time with people. It's a small price to pay...
I've started "splurging" on a $10 pound of coffee and make it fresh at home or work for a month or so. It's nice that $10 will go so far, instead of buying maybe 4 lattes with the same $10. That's not even a full week of drinks!
Ours was pizza, delivered - at least $15 plus at least a $3 tip, at least twice a month - $36 a month, about $432 per year. We buy grocery store frozen pizza at about $6 apiece, $12 per month, $144 per year. Savings of $288 per year! And probably a lot less grease!
My latte factor was cable/satellite tv. A year and a half ago, we were paying around $100/month for Dish Network. Now we use Apple TV, iTunes and Netflix, and probably save around $80/month, and find that we don't miss much, especially since we can find most of our news online, and watch television programs through various methods (Netflix, DVDs, stream through network website/apps).
My "latte factor" is iTunes. Before this year I didn't think twice about buying songs, apps, books, etc. In January my husband and I started a strict budget to pay off our debt, so now with my very small allowance I purchase an iTunes card and think twice before I use it. With this small change we will save about $100 a month!!!
I buy chia tea in bulk, its spending more than I should because I used 4lbs a month but it is better than other things I could be buying instead.
Our latte factor is definitely eating out. It seems like we're alway racing off to some sport or kid's activity right after I get off work and there's no time to fix something at home so it's easiest just to grab some drive-thru. I've been trying to save a little by fixing a sandwich for me at home but my kids aren't big on cold sandwiches but at least we're saving on one meal.
I used to do a Starbucks a day. We got a Keurig and now I go about once a month. Even with the cost of Kcups bought on sale and with a coupon, Im still up about $150 a month.
Thanks for the feedback, Lauralynn. There's a lot that people can do on their own to get out of debt, but I agree that if they are really in trouble a credit counseling office can be a good option. If going that route, I'd make sure the local office is affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, as you mentioned, and also get all fee information up front and in writing.
I take a green apple, dried cranberries, and blue cheese to work everyday for my snack. It gives me something filling, sweet, and crunchy to eat, and lasts hours, since it doesn't go bad. Since I do that, I don't use the vending machine for chips or candy. Plus, and apple a day keeps the doctor away.
breakfast sandwiches on the way to work... I'm not sure why idling in the drive-thru line and dropping $7 for a sandwich, hash browns and a coffee feels faster than the same amount of time spent putting it together in the kitchen! I'm a pretty accomplished frugalista, but drive-thru brekkie is my most stubborn remaining vice!
I never really got into coffee but I try to save instead of buying the little items.