Returns...can save you money

I am cheap, I am sure you have realized this by now!  Last week I went to the city an hour away from my house for a morning of shopping.  I wanted to hit up Value Village and Costco with a little visit to Walmart thrown in.

Have you seen the prices at Value Village lately? Holy Hannah they are high!  I was shocked at the prices of items now.  I was very selective there, and only spent $10 in items. I cashed in some of my loyalty points for 30% off. A trick that I do when shopping there with friends is taking turns redeeming the points discount. I rang my friend's items through first, then got a subtotal and added mine to the bill.

I don't know about you, but no matter how budget savvy I am, Costco breaks me down. I always walk through and think "if i don't buy it now, it won't be here" and pick up things that aren't on my list. My last visit was no exception. So, last Saturday I returned those impulse buys and got a refund of $103. I didn't need any of it.
Yet, I still bought things again I didn't need. For example, I picked up a lego friends set for my daughter. This will be returned on my next trip to Costco, she certainly doesn't need it. I came home and walked in the playroom and was reminded that enough lego is enough. It will be returned and $21 will be back in my pocket.

I then went to Marshalls to look at shoes. I found 2 lamps for my night side table that suit my decor perfectly. I bought them. When I got to the check out I was asked if I had a Marshalls or Winners loyalty card.  I asked if it was possible to purchase them on that day, and then return in my town at Winners and repurchase with my Winner's gift card that was home. The cashier said absolutely.  The following day I ran to Sobeys quickly, purchased a $50 gift card and added that to the balance I already had. Being that I run on gift cards, the money was already spent. I went to Winners and got a return of $68 and paid with my Winners Gift Card. Did I mention I love my lamps and had been looking for a pair?

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, or worth the effort to return items. But to us, it is worth $192 to make some returns. 

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Pay Cash for Your Car

Pay cash for your car.
Simple.
I know what you are thinking, no way can I pay cash for my SUV or luxury car. Then you can't afford it.
You have to start somewhere. We leased our first cars. When we took out the 48 month lease payment in 2006 and 2008 we asked how much the buyout would be at the end.
We saved that additional amount each month for 48 months to be able to purchase the cars. Our 2008 is still going strong.  Start this plan if you are in a lease. It isn't too late.  Then use that car as a trade in or sell privately towards getting the car you want to have.
I have since had two new to us cars, each used, each paid for in cash.  Last year I traded in my car, and paid the difference on my credit card and paid off the balance the same day. I did this to earn many Air Miles.
My car doesn't turn any heads. It's a Toyota Corolla with almost 100,000km on it. But it is safe. It is reliable. It is great on gas. IT IS PAID FOR. 

According to the Globe and Mail, the average Canadian spends $570 in a loan, and $490 in lease payments. These prices are for periods between 48 months and 84 months!  That's a lot of money!!
Once your cars are paid for you can continue to save money for your dream car. Move up in car every other year and eventually you will get the car you want to drive. Or, be content with your paid for car and put the money towards your mortgage and other debt.
Photo Credit Dave Ramsey Website

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Contentment

This quote came up on my Facebook today.  I read it a few times, as it is applicable to many parts of my life. Since this is a blog about money and being Debt Free I will focus on this aspect.
It is easy to get caught up in the wanting more and better of material things.  The Jones' are broke trying to have the best of the best.  And guess what? They probably aren't very happy.
We focus on 4 C's to get out of debt, and the hardest one is CONTENTMENT, yet I think it is one of the most important.
I drive a Toyota Corolla.  It is a 2013, almost 100,000 km and it's paid off. It was second hand, but great for me. I dream of a new 7 seater SUV and have test drove a few. Then I think why am I doing this? I have 2 kids, and when they have a friend over, a 3rd fits in just fine. My car fits my family and it is safe. I am content.

I  love Michael Kors brand. I love good quality shoes, and I have been buying this brand of shoes for ten years and I absolutely love the quality. They feel amazing. Would I love to buy all my clothes there, and my purses? Absolutely. I find many of this brand second hand, great for me! But I feel content and grateful that I have the products I have. I buy the splurge items time to time for me, because I love the item. I am content.

From time to time do I suffer from the bite of the green eye monster? Absolutely. Then I take a step back and talk to my husband about how I am feeling. Life quickly gets put back in check. 

I am content with what I have. Would I want a nicer vacation, car and clothing? Absolutely. But I have found CONTENTMENT. And I drive through parts of my town, and realize how blessed I really am. My family has clothes that are clean and fit us. We don't need to walk to get groceries, and we have a roof over our head and feel safe.
I AM BLESSED. I AM CONTENT. Someone else is dreaming of what we have right now.

Cancel Cable

We don't have cable.  Four years ago we cancelled our cable and home phone.  This has saved us almost $75 a month.  We went on Amazon and bought android boxes to stream TV shows and movies.
This has been great and I have found that it has cut down on our mindless watching of TV. We do binge watch shows, and having them all on the box makes it easier.
Sports was an area of concern for my husband.  After talking to other people that use the android box he has found places to watch his hockey and baseball games.
I also find that since we don't go to the movies often, we are ok watching older movies.
Our cell phones have fantastic plans.  We only use our cell phones, and do not have a home or land line.  The phones have great long distance plans to talk to our family.
I know this sounds extreme to quit your cable and phone line.  I took some convincing.  Four years, at $75 a month is $3600 !!! Read that again...$3600.  It's worth it!

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