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 Post subject: Cut costs and earn extra money for Hobbies
PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:12 pm 
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Here’s a random list of cost saving measures and methods for earning money that I have taken in the past 2 months to support my hobbies. Share your ideas so we all can learn.

1. We stopped eating out
2. I swapped our candescent light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs
3. Sold two investment properties
4. Sold one and may sell a few more guns
5. Sold my gooseneck trailer
6. Selling a few antiques
7. I took 27 graduate credit hours this past year to bring my pay scale up a few thousand. I should have my masters degree by the end of next summer.
8. We haven’t been using A/C so much and I’m not currently using the heater. (67 degrees in my house and dropping)
9. We take fewer trips into town (saving unnecessary fuel spending)
10. Moved to Western Kansas because the school district would pay for our Masters Degree which is saving us $4,000 per semester (a total savings of $24,000 for the both of us).
11. I buy everything I can on my Jeep Credit Card (earns me “cash back” points). I’ve earned enough points to pay for several Jeep payments.
12. I got rid of my monthly cell phone contract and bought a TracFone. My phone was free and it will only cost me $100 dollars per year for 800 Nation-Wide minutes. I only use my cell phone in emergencies, so this was a better alternative than paying $75 a month for two cell phones that I rarely used.
13. We only buy healthy food. (No alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medication, or junk food). Our food bill has been cut in half.
14. All my credit cards are at 0%
15. I’m selling random collectables and other junk on e-bay
16. I worked summer school for extra pay

I’m doing all this to support all my many hobbies and dreams in life. It’s truly amazing how much money you can save and earn just by doing the small things in life. Sometimes challenging and requires self-discipline, but there are ways to save your hard earned money. How about you?

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PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:54 pm 
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You bring up some great methods.

As for us, we have always conserved on utilities. We own our home (well the bank does) but you get the gist. We generally pay credit cards within 30 days, to prevent interest payments. We haven't had to sell anything (yet), and our student loans are paid in full.

And I'm like you, well sort-of, I only use my cell phone to call the wife when needed, and incase of an emergency. I hate phones, cell or landline, but we have a two-phone plan (Sprint / Nextel) and it works for us. Otherwise, I too would be using a plan much like your doing.

So what I do, is repair Harley's on the side in my garage. It's not a steady income by no means, and many times I do favors for friends only because I really enjoy working on Harley's. Mind you, I turn wrenches at a Harley dealership. My wife on the other hand is a MRI radiologist and makes a lot more money than I do. And yes, we're both okay with that. We both respect each other's career choices because there is nothing else either of us would be happier doing. Regardless, when it comes to my hobbies, I spend within my means ( not to be confused with our means ).

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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:56 pm 
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Here's a better route.....

Donate Plasma You get paid for it and can give often. Most places pay about $20-30 for first donation and $20-30 for other donations. You can donate about once a week. That is $80-120 / month!!!

You must qualify though. Check with your local plasma donation center.

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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:52 pm 
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Tokyojoe wrote:
Here's a better route.....

Donate Plasma You get paid for it and can give often. Most places pay about $20-30 for first donation and $20-30 for other donations. You can donate about once a week. That is $80-120 / month!!!

You must qualify though. Check with your local plasma donation center.


But won't that make my TV stop working?!? :lol: (had to do it!, Wish I had a plasma tv but i hate TV anyway so why bother)

I started my Amsoil business to help fund my hobby. I earn enough in commissions to pay for all the lubes and filters for our 5 vehicles and cover some trip money.

We use the rebate credit card trick to earn cash back every year. We use cash back cards for Everything and then pay the bill in full, never carrying a balance, and then once a year they send me a bunch of $$, last year was almost $1,000 back from American Express alone. Still haven't cashed in the Visa I use for business expenses.

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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:20 pm 
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Tokyojoe wrote:
Here's a better route.....

Donate Plasma You get paid for it and can give often. Most places pay about $20-30 for first donation and $20-30 for other donations. You can donate about once a week. That is $80-120 / month!!!

You must qualify though. Check with your local plasma donation center.


Hey, that's a good idea Tokyojoe..................... I'll have to look into it, between the wife and I, that would be some healthy cash flow.

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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:49 pm 
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Quote:
13. We only buy healthy food. (No alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medication, or junk food).
This one just doesn't work for me,gotta have the beer and Marlboro's.You know I'm cutting the heat off more this winter so the need for the fatty diet,gotta have some more insulation :lol: .


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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:53 pm 
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tjkj2002 wrote:
Quote:
13. We only buy healthy food. (No alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medication, or junk food).
This one just doesn't work for me,gotta have the beer and Marlboro's.You know I'm cutting the heat off more this winter so the need for the fatty diet,gotta have some more insulation :lol: .


:lol: :lol: Hey, when you lift my Jeep next month, I will buy you a six pack..............................what's your favorite beer?

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:54 pm 
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dieselenthusiast wrote:
tjkj2002 wrote:
Quote:
13. We only buy healthy food. (No alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medication, or junk food).
This one just doesn't work for me,gotta have the beer and Marlboro's.You know I'm cutting the heat off more this winter so the need for the fatty diet,gotta have some more insulation :lol: .


:lol: :lol: Hey, when you lift my Jeep next month, I will buy you a six pack..............................what's your favorite beer?


he likes pizza to :D

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:29 am 
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In the last year I've managed to just about cut out all fast food, I buy no groceries, I pay no utilities, I don't drive anywhere (so no gas), all entertainment activities are free, and I haven't touched a cell phone. My wife still does all of those things but doesn't spend as much as before. To increase income I play Russian Roulette and Hide and Seek professionally. Surprisingly, these games pay fairly well on the professional level but the season ends in about 2.5 months. However, I've managed to pay off many bills and just about all the credit cards. From now on, we are going to live within our means (not so good at that in the past). If we can't afford to pay cash, we won't buy it (other than major purchases like a house or a new car).

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