Anyone know why I can't format the same way anymore? I tried to space down the text that usually goes under my name, and it looks correct on the draft, but when I post, it just pops up again! Help!!

Kelly, great blog! I appreciate you sharing information with us through your post. We all need a reminder.

Kelly great blog. It is amazing how much little things can add up and if we took those same dollars and stuck them in a pig bank at the end of the year Im sure most people would be shocked.

I wrote a blog on saving for a downpayment once and it is amazing how all those little things add up.  When hubby and I spent more on an espresso machine than a dishwasher costs many people were apalled, but we were spending $3000 on coffee that year - it all ads up.  Sodas are a big thing in my house.  When we do take out, we skip the sodas - better for health and the wallet.

Kelly,

My husband and I don't make unnecessary trips to town and we don't eat out as often.

I try to invest in Real estate by buying at least one property per year for future use. One lot is my son's college education that went from being worth 4 years to 1 year and another property for my duaghters college education, a couple other properties are my pension fund... also. This year I wil not be buying any Real Estate for investment purposes. Too much loss already. Though i have not lost any money on the investmetns made, yet ... I still feel the loss.

Hi~ we are looking at 8 years of tuition starting in September.  I'm making a pile of crap great stuff to put on eBay and along with that I'm out of the department stores.

You've mentioned many of the small things people cut back on. One industry I think which really feels this is the beauty industry-all those women who will begin using boxed hair color rather than a foil or stop the manicures. I know for me, it's going through my bank statement and ending all those piddly little accounts I have which auto-renew. In the past it seemed like more trouble than it was worth to take the time to call and cancel. Not any more, they are all going, going....almost GONE!

Oh-and another friend just cut out her movie channels on cable. It all adds up!

I recently cleaned out the garage and found some old fishing lures my great uncle had donated to me (the pack rat) and decided to get rid of them on EBAY.  20 lures, $2300.00 and a big smile on my face for not throwing them away.  We are downsizing cars and I am losing weight, which is a very good thing.

Thanks for the good post.

BECKY: You're welcome!

HEATHER: Totally. When I think of all the years I had my cleaning service...yikes!

COURTNEY: It definitely adds up...quickly too!

MARY: I've started planning my day for less trips out...and carpooling for my son's lacrosse practices.

PATRICK: Real estate is a long term investment...hang in there!

LISA: You and me both! I'll have one year with both of them in college!

COLLEEN: Um, I'm not going gray for anyone and that's one job best left to the pros! :)

Hi Kelly,

 Do you ever listen to Dave Ramsey on the radi, or better yet read his book "Total money Makeover"? I am going to see him live tommarrow in SLC UT. He is all about being debt free.

We cancelled Netflix and turned off cable movies and are trying to drive less. We're also going to wait until we are gasping for air to turn on the A/C this summer.

Kelly, TLW and I live a pretty simple life already so didn't have too many areas we could cut back on. I guess my biggest cut back is on groceries. I LOVE to buy groceries so cutting back was difficult. I have been able to shave a few business expenses though. Mainly cutting out some print ads that I don't really need any more. Oh I started turning my socks inside out so I could wear them twice as long. Does that count?

L. WAYNE: OMG, that's fantastic! I'd be looking all over the house for more stuff to sell!

MICHAEL: I haven't heard of him...I'll google him...thanks!

SHANNON: Gasping for air...too funny! But an excellent way to save $.

BRYANT: As long as it's not your underwear...

Kelly it is good to know I am not the only one.  It seems my friends are all living they way they always have; however, I have had to stop doing alot of driving around , something I love to do, among other things.   I'm starting to eye my grandmother's china but husband says, "dont' even think about it!".  But hey when the gas prices reach over $4.00 you gotta do what you gotta do.

Kelly...first of all I really enjoy your blogs..keep them coming. I find myself combining my driving ventures. I map out a little more closely if I am in a particular area to make sure I hit all the stops I can. From a business standpoint I have cut back significantly on print ads which I never felt brought me business anyway. Save money so I can eat and become PHAT :)...sorry ...I liked that blog.

Dave

Great, right up everyone alley of thinking these days

Kelly,

Thankfully we lowered our working budget over the last 6 months so now we are spending again. I've always mowed my lawn and saved lots of money by doing it myself...also the exersise aint bad either:)

Kelly: We finally wrote a family budget and are sticking to it. Eating out way less; consolidating driving, eliminated one car, home haircuts for me and the kids, basic tv, heating with wood, etc. We have trimmed it back about 20%, and we're still looking for $$ with our market off 40%+. Going on faith and fumes! TFTP!

-Pete

MICHELLE: You are definitely not alone. Truthfully, it's probably how we should always be living...not just because the economy is in the dumps.

DAVE: Thanks! You'll be PHAT in no time!

DORIS: A penny saved is a penny earned...

NEAL: In business, I am very thrifty, so long as it doesn't negatively affect my clients or my service. One huge benefit is the RE/MAX Design Center which allows me to create fantastic marketing materials. Of course, you already know that! And I have two sons who mow my lawn! :)

PETE: Wow, it sounds like you have really made a dent in the family budget. Good for you!

Kelly, I heard we drive the exact same car. Since I am not working with buyers as much, I am looking at down sizing mine to cut that ridiculous payment in half. Three in college so I hear ya !

Kelly - I've been working the budget hard for about 6 months now.  My big cuts - dining out, groceries, clothing, and reducing my unnecessary driving.  I've cut back on my assistant's hours and watch all of my business expenses very carefully.  As a business owner (3 offices) my partners and I have been personally supporting the company as needed.  We'll get through it, but it's been a challenge.

Super post....I think most of us are nipping and tucking now-a-days. Eating out LESS is one big $$$ saver. And driving as little as possible is a MUST (hard in this biz)! I make a list of places I have to go, and do the errands all at once.  No more fake nails--Sally Hansen is my new best friend!

I think I am going to put together a Victory Garden kit for some of my clients and deliver it this fall. I just can't help but think how much money people saved simply by growing their own and putting things up. Of course, I should probably plant the things I started too. But don't you think some people would love a little how-to and seeds?

MISSY: I thought about that too, but my car will be paid off next year...so keeping it makes more sense for me. Three in college? Yikes!

LYNN: It will be worth it!

KAT: Cutting down on eating out is a hard one, but a huge saver as you mentioned. Sharing meals when you do eat out is economical and good for the waistline too!

SARAH: What a great idea! Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us!

Instead of going to a fancy restaurant downtown my husband and I found a quaint spot near our home.  The food is amazing but we have to bring our own wine.  I have an old Nissan Sentra that I drive around when I am doing grunt work like taking pictures of my listings MYSELF (now).  I save the nice car for impressions only.  The cleaning service was gone a long time ago.  We haven't felt the crunch but who knows???

Hi Kelly it makes sense to cut where you can make the least personal pain and gain the most dollars.  So you are going to have a "Fighting Illini"member running around the house.  Nice post.

Silly me!  I thought this would be a blog about plastic surgery!

I'm with Patricia- I was hoping about the plastic surgery also....  Oh well.

My friend, People will think I am nuts by I for one am embracing the tight times.  Higher gas prices have caused some arrogant Realtors in our area to trade their gas guzzling Hummers for hybrid or combarable vehicles.  More and more people I know are eating out less as you have noted and are actually having more homemade dinners together...what a novelty!  Families are actually having to budget, again what a novelty!  It seems to me many are now doing things they should have done a long, long time ago.  How can this be bad?

I have always been pretty frugal, so when I hit the gas pedal, and I hear that 8 cyclinder engine swallow, it makes me ill.  I am market for a more efficient car. 

Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company) and  Judy Greenberg- Coldwell Banker Long Grove/ Buffalo Grove Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage):

I am waiting to read your post on plastic surgery!  ;)  I am interested!

Kelly, Good Post!  :)

 ---I just saw George's comment above.  (Ironic!)  For the record I am not arrogant, or perfect.  I admit I bought the wrong car, however, I do like the seat warmer!  ;)

We're eating out less, too.  When it comes to groceries, I'm more aware of what's on sale and if there are coupons involved.  I don't drink fancy coffees but when Maxwell House goes on sale I buy lots of it! 

MELODY: I love it when you can bring your own wine! That always saves money!

GARY: Thanks! Some cuts are painful, some are easy...

PATRICIA & JUDY: It's financial LIPOSUCTION! :)

GEORGE: I agree, most of these cut backs are not just good for our wallet, but good for the environment, promote family togetherness, and are good for our health!

RK: I like my seat warmers too. A necessity in Northern Illinois! :)

NANCY: Good for you!

I mow, I clean, I skip the starbucks, I spring clean inside and out... so the next thing is to plan trips more carefully and try to cut the miles on the car.

Kelly~ We just don't eat out (except on rare occasions) and no more starbucks.  Shopping is a rarity and when I do, it is on the internet and I compare prices before I buy.  We cut our own lawn, we clean our own home, and we are growing our own garden of vegetables and going to grow our own blueberries and some other fruit. No more driving unless we do many errands at the same time. 

I just got an SUV...but I'm thinking about going back to a sedan.  It seems like gas is one of my biggest expenses!

I think we have always been about the basics. We don't eat out, 4 kids makes that almost impossible, we cut our own grass, clean my own house etc. but I want give up my SUV.  I've never been one to fret over money, hubby on the other hand is always watching it.

JOAN: I'm with you...I totally plan out my car trips nowadays.

VICKIE: I love blueberries! Good luck with your garden.

AMY: Gas is a huge expense, especially for REALTORS!

LAURA: The older I get, the less I want (or need).

KELLY - We've looked into trading in the minivan for a smaller car.  Gas is now at or above $4 per gallon, so smaller would be better in this case.  Other little things can make a big difference.  One way that people can get a grasp on what they are spending is to write down EVERY expense (including little things like a pack of gum) for 30 days.  Most people are surprised to see places where cutbacks can be made.

Kelly- I had no idea how much money I would save by bringing my own wine to a local 'hole in the wall'.  My food bill has gone from $50 to $20, and I cannot even start on the wine.  I am better at picking them than many restaurants I have been to!

Good for you, Kelly, and great advice - lots of folks I know are being more careful moneywise. I have cut corners, too, including doing more in the Internet for free and very little print or other expensive advertising. Personally we are not going out to eat very much and doing local fun things instead of taking long trips - execption is my recent trip to SFO (it was far cheaper to fly than drive wth thegas prices).

Jeff