I want to gear down now, work less, live on less. My dear departed Mom used to say "A penny saved is a penny earned ". That came from Poor Richard's Almanac she told me, Ben Franklin's collection of wisdom.
Many nurses are caught on the hamster wheel, working a lot and living high on the hog. They buy expensive cars, houses, boats, RVS on credit, go on pricy trips, and work like dogs to pay for it, one illness or accident away from financial distress.
You read on this site how many of us are burnt out. In real life I see that as well, and know more about my coworker's lives. I see a lot of expensive and wasteful habits out there.
This thread is for those interested in a simpler, less consumerist lifestyle. How can we enjoy life more, with more free time but less money? Spending less time at the nursing grindstone might relieve stress too!
We used to have hockey tickets for the Islanders, then we had kids and that got too expensive.
So, we got a Friday night baseball package. When the kids got older (read, my baby in a car seat) we got the Sunday package and had that until they tore down Shea Stadium. My kids were in to playing their own sports by then, but it was sad because we sat with the same people for 10 years.
We went to a few games at Citifield, but it got too expensive, so we cut it out completely. The Minor League team is cheap, but meh.
Now, of course, we don't spend the money on baseball and the Mets are kicking ass!
It costs almost $200 for a family of 4 to go to a game with decent seats, park and eat.
Most of us can't have it all, so people have to prioritize. For me, I want to travel, retire young and see movies/festivals/shows. That means...
Graduating undergrad debt free (took two jobs and 5.5 years, but I did it!)
No new or expensive cars. I know a nurse who works crazy amounts of overtime and has boasted about having a 70k car and blows money like it is water. I have a six year old car with over 105k miles on it. I plan on keeping it until it breaks down. I estimate that won't happen for another six to eight years.
Picking up cheap hobbies. I like going to the movies, crocheting, reading and writing personally.
Not having so many kids or pets. I am not an animal person, so the amount I see people spend on their pets is insane to me. Also, I hate to say this, but kids are expensive and having four, five, six...could break the bank on even the most frugal couple.
Packing your lunch. I see so many nurses and techs order out on a repeated basis. That adds up quickly. When someone asks me what I want for birthdays and Xmas, I say gift cards to my favorite eat out joints.
Alcohol and smoking. It amazes me when I hear people say they are having a hard time feeding themselves but go out always have money for packs and kegs. Makes no sense!
Getting a job with great benefits and health insurance. Easier said than done, I know. The private hospitals in my area typically pay more but after factoring in my state employer's amazing health insurance, pension plan and vacation, I come out ahead nurses at private hospitals with more years of experience.
Also, nurses don't need lots of shoes and a crazy big wardrobe if they spend three days a week in scrubs. I admit, I like my jewelry. But I have since significantly cut down on clothing expenses. I don't get mani or pedis. My mom relaxes my hair at home (saves LOTS of time and money) and I only go to the spa once or twice a year.
And choose your spouses carefully. Who you choose to marry and procreate with is probably the most important decision you will ever make in your life...make it a good one.
We used to have hockey tickets for the Islanders, then we had kids and that got too expensive.
So, we got a Friday night baseball package. When the kids got older (read, my baby in a car seat) we got the Sunday package and had that until they tore down Shea Stadium. My kids were in to playing their own sports by then, but it was sad because we sat with the same people for 10 years.
We went to a few games at Citifield, but it got too expensive, so we cut it out completely. The Minor League team is cheap, but meh.
Now, of course, we don't spend the money on baseball and the Mets are kicking ass!
It costs almost $200 for a family of 4 to go to a game with decent seats, park and eat.
I got to go to Shea Stadium once, I loved it!!!! It was my first time to New York City and I was in awe!!! My tickets were a little pricey for front row first base, but like I said to hear my son say what he did, it was worth it. My boyfriend took us to dinner first at Hard Rock Cafe. My son had never been to one before, and he thought it was the best thing ever. With my boyfriend and I living separate and still in that dating phase, he always pays for everything, even with my son. So, I'm kind of lucky there. If things continue to go well, we will talk about combining households after I graduate in May. We live an hour away from each other right now and I'm really not wanting to commute to school and clinical. Plus, this being my second time around the block, I'm in no hurry to move in together. I did that with my ex-husband and I wish we had waited longer. I'm just enjoying the relationship "as is" right now.
I will never forget seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time even though it was from a distance. Absolutely beautiful!!
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
Spouse cooks all meals at home.
I hunt and provide protein that we don't have to go to market for.
We garden for our produce, freezing and canning as much as possible.
Spouse makes our laundry detergent "blends" from basic products.
We dry clothes outside during summer and on drying racks in house near wood stove in winter.
We heat primarily with wood, which I cut and prep to properly "season".
I ride my bicycle whenever feasible, especially for social or nonwork related travel in the immediate area.
We don't pay for cable tv.
I utilize the cheapest phone service available to me.
We do not use credit cards.
We do not buy new vehicles anymore. I do much of the routine repair work (brakes, roters, shocks, etc) myself.
I feel that it is important to note that planning well and saving your money can set you up for a healthy retirement. It is no guarantee, however. More than one well planned individual has had all of their savings and hard work go up in smoke with loss of job, serious illness or injury, or similar. The older you are when that happens the less likely that you will fully recover from the financial losses.
Splurging once in a while is fun and well deserved. However, there's a difference between treating yourself and living beyond your means.
I'm going to Thailand next year and I can't wait! This will be an expensive trip and one that I have planned for. I got a deal on the flight and I'm saving the rest. In between now and then, that's it for treats, and no vacations for 2 years after.
I'm ok with that. I'm also making extra mortgage payments.
I was considering investing in a cheaper heating system. I currently have an electric furnace, not the most economical even with our relatively less expensive Pacific NW electricity.
What do you think? Heat pump vs geothermal heat pump, vs propane?
Pac NW person here too. I love my heat pump. It was a great investment. I had propane in a previous house when fuel was higher, and I've gotta tell ya, it became extremely expensive....to the tune of around $400/month one winter. One January it was over $600. If you can swing a geothermal heat pump, I say go for it! Im not someone who keeps the heat super high - I prefer my house cool (64-66f) but still, propane can be an issue with a colder than usual winter and higher than usual fuel prices.
I'm enjoying this thread tremendously. I'm always trying to be more frugal since I tend to me an impulse spender. Luckily, I haven't wracked up any credit card debt, but there is still money I should be saving that I end up spending....
Specializes in Pharmaceutical Research, Operating Room.
Some have already said it, and I'll say it again.....Dave Ramsey, Dave Ramsey, Dave Ramsey. My husband and I are in the middle of our debt snowball, and have already paid off over $27,000 in one year. I have just changed jobs, and we're expecting my higher earnings will now allow us to pay the remainder off even faster. We rarely eat out (I love to cook), we don't use credit cards at all, we have no cable TV (still the internet though!), we will drive our cars until the wheels fall off, we don't buy new clothes (except with gift cards from birthdays, etc.), or TVs/cell phones/whatever the trend of the week is. We live a simple life enjoying time with our friends and relatives at our respective houses, grilling and sitting by a bonfire (now that it's getting cooler..ahhhh!!). We do splurge on ourselves occasionally - our one year wedding anniversary is in a few weeks and we're budgeting to go out to a nice dinner then, but those expenditures are few and far between. Budgeting is KEY! Our goals are to retire early, travel, and enjoy being with each other later on in our "golden years". That won't happen with a mountain of debt and nothing to show for it but a big TV.
We absolutely use credit cards. We pretty much charge EVERYTHING to them. But we pay them off in full every month and get lots of advantage miles. We have either flown for free or have been able to upgrade to business class or first class most of the time as a result of charging to our credit card. The key is to pay off the entire balance every month so that you don't pay interest and don't accumulate debt.
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
We used to have hockey tickets for the Islanders, then we had kids and that got too expensive.
So, we got a Friday night baseball package. When the kids got older (read, my baby in a car seat) we got the Sunday package and had that until they tore down Shea Stadium. My kids were in to playing their own sports by then, but it was sad because we sat with the same people for 10 years.
We went to a few games at Citifield, but it got too expensive, so we cut it out completely. The Minor League team is cheap, but meh.
Now, of course, we don't spend the money on baseball and the Mets are kicking ass!
It costs almost $200 for a family of 4 to go to a game with decent seats, park and eat.