[2vette2camaro]

We all know each one of us could start a thread on "how do I make more money" or "How do I lower my bills". The same answers apply no matter WHO you are and no matter WHAT your circumstances are. YOU have to spend less than you make. Everyone is looking for the MAGIC answer kind of like the magic weight loss secret. I have both. The magic weight loss secret is "eat less and exercise more" and the magic financial secret is "spend less, make more". There are just NO other ways around it.

The first things people comment on are the huge cell phone, internet and rent and/or house payment bills they have. Dave Ramsey would say "cut them out or lower them".

Everyone must have goals. But people have to understand when they are looking for ways to make more money, the answers are to "SPEND LESS MONEY", such as quit eating out, don't spend extra gas when you can stay home, don't drive a huge SUV that only gets 10mpg, don't go into debt for a new car, that is ALWAYS a losing proposition, don't live in a house that you cannot afford or that is TOO big.

We live in less than a 1000 square foot house ($365.00 a month) drive old paid-for vehicles with liability insurance only, have basic cable, ($19.00 month), have prepaid cell phones ($7.50 month and $33.00 a month), hardly ever eat out, don't take vacations, only have one dog (all we can afford), don't have kids (that's a HUGE money saver) and we live on less than $25,000.00 a year. THAT is what we make BEFORE taxes and BEFORE all of the bills (cable, water, phone, cell phones, electric, house payment, insurances, food, gas, etc etc)

Most people cannot believe people can live on that low of a income. Like I've said in previous posts- we get no help from families (we have disowned them, matter of fact), we get no food stamps, HUD or any other sort of help and we have worked for everything we have.

A person or family HAS to make priorities and goals and stick to them. Would I LOVE to have a $125,000-$200,000.00 house instead of this ole house I live in???? YOU BET!!!! But we cannot afford it and we in all honesty, don't need it.

There will always be little ways to make a little money (survey sites, etc) but to have drastic changes in your monthly budget, you must either work for more money or spend less money.

[foodie]

Well said. You are right on some many fronts. People from an early age need to learn as much as possible on how to be self-sufficient.

No matter what your income and/or educational level you need to know how to balance your checkbook.

Thanks again.

Foodie (Katie)

[2vette2camaro]

People keep asking for ways to reduce their bills but then when the advise is given, "OH, I can't do THAT".

For us people who live on next to nothing, it does get a little old. Life is about choices, whether to have that big flat screen TV, pay a huge cable and cell phone bill or live a comfortable lifestyle WITHIN your means.

[shelleyf]

Yes I agree we have to make choices. I live a simple lifestyle and we have a family of 5. We only have approx. 19,000 a year to live on and no food stamps. We can't get it because we make 50.00 too much a month but that is ok my God provides. Is it hard, yes but we are making it thanks to Him.

[2vette2camaro]

GOD will provide- but not without us doing SOME of the work

[bettyboop5]

People need to learn the difference between needs and wants.

Do you really NEED that iPhone? I doubt it.
Do you really NEED cable television? I doubt it.

[serenity72]

I totally agree. I have to say here where I live that is really low cost for rent though. I am impressed.