DSG Fire Drill

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
DSG Fire Drill
7
Fri, 10-21-2005 - 10:37pm

Hello! We haven't had a fire drill in a long time, so here it is:

This fire drill will be different.

I'm not going to present you with a hypothetical question this time. I'd like you to try to take some action if you can for your financial self...

At this moment that you are reading this, or even a little later on, is there something you can do TODAY to save yourself a few dollars to make a snowflake payment or something you can do reduce your spending or move your debt reduction effort ahead one baby step?

--Get up and turn off lights/appliances around the house that you don't need?
--End a membership or subscription you aren't using?
--Return something you bought you don't need?
--Clip coupons?
--Start a penny bank? Or take the penny bank to the bank and use the chnage to pay a bill?
--Put off a purchase?
--Learn more about financial matters?
--Skip dessert? Skip the latte...or buy the small?

I am challenging the board members to find one thing, anything no matter how big or small that they can do to move ahread one baby step today with their debt reduction effort.

If you can, please share what you did..............but I hope we can all find something.

Best wishes,
Littlesbigs

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 10-21-2005 - 11:31pm

Hmmm....I'm not sure this counts!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Fri, 10-21-2005 - 11:52pm

Well, I immediately got up and turned off the hall light since I didn't need that on. I just have an awful habit of reaching my hand up and flipping that switch when I go up and down the hall....so silly really, it's not like it's a huge hallway or anything. LOL!

Longterm, I can find ways to enjoy Fall with my family without spending money! Looking at leaves, making hot chocolate at home, watching one of our many movies we already have at home rather than renting, etc. Just have fun being together. :-D

Pat :-D

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 10-22-2005 - 9:56am

Lights are already off, I'm turning off the computer monitor and heading outside to hang laundry. It was overcast and rainy yesterday so skipped it and actually used the dryer-I need to figure out an easy way to hang clothes in the basement this winter. I have 1 folding clothes rack and a hanging bar but that isn't quite enough space...

Taleyna

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2003
Sat, 10-22-2005 - 12:13pm

Littlesbig,

you got me. I immediatley stood up and turned off the light in my kitchen :-)

And then thought a bit and
- switched off all appliances usually running on 'stand-by' (had to pull a few plugs... it seems manufacturers want us to spend money of electricity even when we do not use the tv, stereo, whatever...)
- turned down the heating a notch (it is already reaching freezing temps at night...)
and finally
- decided today will be leftovers for dinner.

Have a nice weekend,
Jordis

ivy_jordis

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2003
Sat, 10-22-2005 - 7:47pm

i love your firedrills, they are really useful!

Actually the dh and I were supposed to see a movie tonight, but it wasn't cheap night and we've got hockey games on tonight, GO HABS GO :))
So I suggested we go home and watch the games on t.v. instead of spending over $20 just to watch a film that will be on DVD anyway in couple of months for $3.99!

- Also we are keeping the room temperature lower and wearing sweaters around the house to save on the hydro bill.

- I also started saving my $1 & $2 coins in a jar, it will be used for special treats while we are making the sacrifices needed to pay off debt.

Kassandra

Kassandra

"It is said that life has its peaks and valleys.  The challenge is to accept them equally and experience them

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2005
Sun, 10-23-2005 - 11:13am

I did a lot of this last week before you posted this! I signed up for budget billing for heat and gas payment. We bought a "blanket" for the hot water heater and the pipes, bought plastic to winterize the windows. I put "Batman Begins" on reserve at the library instead of buying it... (shhhh, I'm going to burn a copy of it). I've had a good economical week!

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Mon, 10-24-2005 - 3:43pm

Good question!! I am going to unplug all the stuff that uses energy but doesn't require being plugged in all the time, while we are gone for the next week! I threw away a renewal for a magazine subscription that I didn't read anyway. I will have to think about other things I can do. Oh, I didn't stop for a latte this morning even though I really wanted one! I think I will try limiting them to once a week again, I seemed to enjoy them more when I had them less frequently! And I can return a pair of shoes I just bought but don't really need. :)

~leanne

~leanne

deciding to be happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, but that you had decided to look beyond the imp