Making cutbacks: revisited

Remember a few posts back I mentioned that I had cutback on my landline plan? I thought the savings would be about $40. I got the bill the other day and I was surprised and pleased to see that instead of the usual $120, it was $48. A savings of $70!!!! So, now my living expenses look like this:

Tithing: $120
Savings: $200
Rent: $277
Food: $100
Electric: $60
Gas: $50 (I'm just paying a flat amount, its actually about $12 for the summer months)
Cell: $60 ( I found out I get a 17% discount through work)
Landline/Internet: $48

Total: $918

Plus $100 in debt payments.

Its definitely worth it to get discounts, and to call companies to see if you can get a better deal.

Making some cutbacks

So, I've been looking for ways to save money, I'm really starting to feel the panic set in of having enough and being able to pay for everything. So, I called the phone company to downsize my landline. I was paying for long distance that I wasn't using so I just wanted to go back to basic. Will be saving about $40 a month. I'm going really gung ho on savings. Putting $50 a week in a savings account, so $200 a month. I'm contemplating giving up having my nails done, I love it, but its really draining my cash flow. So, redone expenses budget

Tithing $120
Savings $200
Rent $277
Electric $70
Gas $50
Groceries $100
Phone/Internet $90
Cell $60
Fuel $100
Blow $50
Debt payments $200


I think that's it, but if anyone has any other ideas feel free to let me know

Savings

A savings account is just smart. Saving for a rainy day, because it is going to rain. Something is going to come up, and you are going to need extra money. Lately it seems that many people are not saving, not preparing for those days when the car is going to need repairs, or something else comes up that needs money. Many are using credit cards for those emergencies, which only puts them further into debt.

Right now, the bulk of my savings is in ING Direct, they have a pretty good interest rate, and offer easy transfers.

There are many online banks that offer good rates and are FDIC insured. AmTrust has the best interest rate so far, I am contemplating moving my savings to them. Although I have been with ING for a long time, so I may stay with them, unless their rates go down farther.