Advice on living on a very limited budget

[youngnihilist]

Well-written propaganda. Shameless—but well written, anyway.

What you most conveniently forget is that during the most prosperous time in our nation—the 50s, 60s, and the early 70s—the income tax on the richest was 70-90%.

See if you can dig your way out of that one.

It was never 90%, though it was 70% at one time. That's irrelevant. It was wrong back then, it's wrong now. It seems you want some sort of communist welfare state. Fine, then why should any of us bother to work hard? If we become like western europe, I might as well live off the dole and hang out than try to pursue work (btw if that did happen, we wouldn't have the tax revenue to support all the programs for the poor we have)

 

[T-Rexx]

It was never 90%, though it was 70% at one time. That's irrelevant. It was wrong back then, it's wrong now.

The top income tax rate in 1944 and 1945 was 94% of income.

From 1951 to 1963, it was 91% of income.

From 1971 to 1981, it was 70% of income.

Today, it is 35%.

http://www.truthandpolitics.org/top-rates.php

It seems you want some sort of communist welfare state. Fine, then why should any of us bother to work hard? If we become like western europe, I might as well live off the dole and hang out than try to pursue work (btw if that did happen, we wouldn't have the tax revenue to support all the programs for the poor we have)

Actually, it is the wealthy who are "living on the dole" at the expense of the rest of us. Despite a graduated income tax, the very wealthy in America pay a far, far lower percentage of their income to taxes. And much of the income of the very wealthy tends to come from investments (i.e., they are not actually doing anything to expand the productivity of the economy or create exports or jobs). That's why "Reaganomics" (shifting wealth to the wealthy) has been so disastrous to the economy. It shifts money to that part of the economy where it is least likely to generate jobs or expand productivity.

 

[birddog7]

The top income tax rate in 1944 and 1945 was 94% of income.

From 1951 to 1963, it was 91% of income.

http://www.truthandpolitics.org/top-rates.php





Actually, it is the wealthy who are "living on the dole" at the expense of the rest of us. Despite a graduated income tax, the very wealthy in America pay a far, far lower percentage of their income to taxes. And much of the income of the very wealthy tends to come from investments (i.e., they are not actually doing anything to expand the productivity of the economy or create exports or jobs). That's why "Reaganomics" (shifting wealth to the wealthy) has been so disastrous to the economy. It puts money into that part of the economy where it is least likely to generate jobs or expand productivity.

Can anyone say Plutocracy?

 

[bankside]

A few points...

First of all, addiction to cigarettes (or other things) is not fundamentally an issue of "poor financial planning." So yeah, it should be stopped for health reasons and financial reasons, but addiction doesn't come out of thin air: people consume these drugs (nicotine, alcohol, pot, cocaine, meth, etc) often without realizing they're treating some kind of physical or emotional condition with them.

Everyone, including people hooked on these different things, should know what effects they have and what undiagnosed health conditions are usually responding to them, because different problems respond to different drugs, including "street drugs". One good source is Vancouver's own Dr. Gábor Máté, whose clinical experience has given him a lot of insight as to why people take the things they take. In his experience, it's usually a form of self-treatment. And in his experience, detox doesn't work without accompanying treatment for the underlying problems. He makes a hell of a lot of sense to me.

Just to be clear, he isn't pro-drugs or some kind of Timothy Leary advocate for experimentation: he's a doctor who recognizes that many of his patients have a lot more going on than they they didn't Just Say No™

Seriously, do you really think that a course in Excel and a home budget worksheet will make the difference between someone smoking or not? It isn't an indulgence, it's a coping strategy. A shitty, lousy, expensive, deadly one that needs to be replaced by a better strategy, but it is still a strategy.

Anyway I recommend checking out Dr. Maté's books at your library.

 

[bankside]

In other news, often a bakery will discount or give away leftovers at the end of the day, or throw in a free loaf of whatever if you are making a purchase. This might be a hard strategy to implement if your really only trying to spend a dollar or two on bread, because it is obviously more appealing for the bakery to shower free goodies on a regular customer, but the bottom line is, when I averaged out the expensive loaf I was buying with the free loaves they threw in, I got a lot of bread for less than a supermarket.

Being a friendly customer and showing up at the right time can also help with the budget.

In other other news,
do you pay for your own utilities? Electric? Water? Gas? If you pay for water and gas, it might be cheaper to get a gym membership (based on income, my city gives out free passes to community centre gyms and pools, which means free passtime, free health and fitness, and free showers) Use all the toilet paper you want.

Do you pay for gas heat? Turn down the thermostat 4 degrees and wear a coat inside, at least on the coldest days it makes a big difference. It's easier and cheaper for the furnace to heat the house to full temperature on mild days.

And cleaning products, hell yeah. It has been a while since I've been stuck on a limited budget, and I still use baking soda and vinegar. They work very well and they're not a toxic brew of chemicals.

 

[lunarus]

I couldn't take this advice seriously as soon as I read the advice for smokers. Really? Your budget is this severely tight and yet you do not even advise try quit smoking? Reminds me of an old ex-friend I had who constantly complained about how poor he was and smoked a couple packs a day. He was thin as a rail and could not afford to eat hardly anything. His smoking budget was more than his food budget. Insane.

I know quitting smoking is very difficult. But to not even consider it as an option in your situation is just ridiculous.

Though I agree 100% about having to quit, it is very hard and since I have smoked for so long and reach for a smoke before food, it makes it harder. I eat very little to save money. It may sound asinine to do such a thing, but these damn things are hard to stop. I know i need to and I will have to in the end no matter what. I just need to learn to deal with life's stresses in other ways even being dirt poor...

Wish me luck.

 

[bankside]

Actually even cheaper than getting end-of-the-day specials on bread is probably making your own:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Ah9ES2yTU[/ame]

 

[jaysizzles]

Using a sheet or 2 less toilet paper each use is a silly way to try and save money imo..saving what, a few dollars per year?

When I had to conserve I gave up luxury items. One thing was cable tv...saving approximately $40 per month. I use antenna tv, which is free. I still can watch some shows online that were on the cable channels. I also buy products in bulk when I can and store brands, which are generally cheaper and often times made/packaged in same place as name brand products.

Another cost savings measure I practice is making my own laundry detergent. Recipe here! Literally just a few pennies per load, works great and doesn't damage clothes. Laundry detergent can be expensive...even the generic/store brands.

The Simple Dollar website has a lot of other practical cost saving tips...no matter what your income level is.

 

[skips]

AshyPhoenix, try drinking tap water rather than Starbucks. Instead of energy drinks, try drinking Sanka. Always glad to provide helpful advice.

 

[youngnihilist]

The top income tax rate in 1944 and 1945 was 94% of income.

From 1951 to 1963, it was 91% of income.

From 1971 to 1981, it was 70% of income.

Today, it is 35%.

http://www.truthandpolitics.org/top-rates.php





Actually, it is the wealthy who are "living on the dole" at the expense of the rest of us. Despite a graduated income tax, the very wealthy in America pay a far, far lower percentage of their income to taxes. And much of the income of the very wealthy tends to come from investments (i.e., they are not actually doing anything to expand the productivity of the economy or create exports or jobs). That's why "Reaganomics" (shifting wealth to the wealthy) has been so disastrous to the economy. It shifts money to that part of the economy where it is least likely to generate jobs or expand productivity.

Not a reputable source (left wing propaganda) so its irrelevant. Hell, I could go register a domain now and spin a bunch of facts on it, and cite it on the forum. That's what that pinhead who made that site did. But yes, the tax rate was 70% at one time. It was far too high, but at least we could justify some of it with the cold war.

How is giving money (that was hard earned) back to the rich devastating to the economy? It creates jobs and spending. I didnt realize giving more money to the government helps the economy. Oh, it doesnt.

 

[roadtripboy]

^T-Rexx figures have been widely quoted by various different news outlets, including FOX News.

 

[MindBlast]

Making more money doesn't always help either if you're not good at budgeting.

Personally, I'm spending WAYYYYY too much money on food for one person. I have a little problem where I'm addicted to good meats. I'm having a hard time and actually went into the red in November. Here's my rounded November budget as an example that making more doesn't equal more savings if you can't control your spending.

Net income after tax:.......+$3278
Mortgage+Property Tax...-$1682
Internet+Phone:..............-$157 (includes cell service)
Water+Electricity:............-$59
Heating:..........................-$124
Fuel:................................-$247
Gym:................................-$60
Savings:..........................-$150
Food:...............................-$1284 <----WTF
--------------------------------------------------
NET: -$485

Now, I don't eat out at all, and this is what happened. Some of the tips in this thread have helped me get into the green this month, even buying gifts.

 

[NineOfClubs]

I live practically across the street from a very high end deli where I would probably never pay full price for their offerings.

But at 6:30 PM, most of the hot dishes, some of their salads, all the sandwiches and all the breads are 50% off. This place has become the only place I go to for italian breads, baguettes, etc..

 

[NineOfClubs]

^ At least we're back to talking about how JUB guys who aren't so well off can find a way to economize and live better.

Many of us have been there before, maybe still are, and can help.

That's so much better that all the CE&P left wing/right wing bullshit others have drug into this tread.

 

[JUB]

Eat lots of top ramen that's what I did.

 

[NineOfClubs]

^ For me it was black beans and brown rice.

 

[metta]

Eat lots of top ramen that's what I did.

That stuff if fried...really not healthy...it is better to eat lentils, beans, wheat pasta, etc.

 

[GhostMost]

^ For me it was black beans and brown rice.

JUST THINKING THIS
Africans eat beans and rice like crazy, both combined make a perfect protein meaning you can live off the stuff and not have to eat meat.

 

[Beachguyj]

- Try and find the cheapest, most nutritious food you can. Salads are always good (if you include tomatoes, cucumbers, chopped-up hard-boiled eggs, etc.), just not as filling; study the nutritional facts on the items you find and try to have as balanced a diet you can while living on a very minimal budget.

Over the summer I got into a salad kick and lost 30 pounds. I was even able to keep it off when I went back to eating normally.

I added canned chick peas and corn to my salad. It's cheap, but I did it more for the taste and it adds protein from the beans. My salad consisted of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, corn, chick peas, carrots (shredded) chopped pepperoni, bacon bits, croutons and dressing.

I think I will buy salad stuff this week. The pepperoni was sliced and I would take about 7 to 10 pieces and chop it up into small pieces. I would make huge dinner salads that probably only cost about $1 to $1.50 per serving.

If you want to treat yourself to fast food, stick to the dollar menus. Skip the fries, get a double cheeseburger and some kind of chicken sandwich or nuggets for $2 total. Bring your own soda or take it home to eat or eat it in the car.

 

[NineOfClubs]

This reminded me of...

A time when I would wait til 9:00pm when the local grocery would reduce the 'Hot' food 50%

I would load up

I think at 8:00 my local grocer's deli section put the fried chicken and all the other hot food at 50% off. I bought some there (a very rare event) and discovered it by accident. I'm sure you could get enough chicken for $4.00 to make three or more meals, chop the breasts up for chicken salad, even.