How can you afford all these trips?

[Josh Linn]

For me it's near impossible to save money because I have expensive tastes. I'm really OCD about what clothes I wear, and if it doesn't say "Hollister", "Nike", "American Eagle", etc on the shirt or have the company symbol, I won't wear it, so wearing all these brands makes it difficult. Add that to the fact that I'm a 20 year old kid with a part time job and that makes shelling out thousands of dollars to do anything not feasible.

[cal1br3tto]

^Sometimes if you re-evaluate your priorities deeply/often enough, you can eventually convince yourself to downgrade.

 

On the clothing topic...

I've realized that just because cheaper in price=cheaper materials does not mean something is going to fall apart in 2 weeks or that the people around me are going to judge me for it. Also, people always point out that you replace more expensive items less frequently, but on the other hand, once you finally need to replace a cheap item, you're probably ready to do so financially since it's cheap. So you may technically be "losing" money, but it may not matter to you.

Also, there are so many different variations in taste and fashion sense in the world--I've realized I don't have to meet the highest standards, or even the average. I may look strange in some settings, but I've chosen not to care most of the time.

[Josh Linn]

^Sometimes if you re-evaluate your priorities deeply/often enough, you can eventually convince yourself to downgrade.

 

On the clothing topic...

I've realized that just because cheaper in price=cheaper materials does not mean something is going to fall apart in 2 weeks or that the people around me are going to judge me for it. Also, people always point out that you replace more expensive items less frequently, but on the other hand, once you finally need to replace a cheap item, you're probably ready to do so financially since it's cheap. So you may technically be "losing" money, but it may not matter to you.

Also, there are so many different variations in taste and fashion sense in the world--I've realized I don't have to meet the highest standards, or even the average. I may look strange in some settings, but I've chosen not to care most of the time.

 

Meh...I'd rather play it safe instead of risk the possibility of being judged.

[SharkTums]

^Don't you think there are equally as many people judging you for wearing stupid overpriced clothing!!??!?

[Josh Linn]

^Don't you think there are equally as many people judging you for wearing stupid overpriced clothing!!??!?

 

Ehhh...I wouldn't call it stupid at all. Overpiced? Maybe, but their clothes are really high quality.

[OldJJman]

Meh...I'd rather play it safe instead of risk the possibility of being judged.

 

If you feel like your going to be judged by the clothing you wear, you might consider getting some new acquaintances.

 

There's really nothing worse than shallow people.

 

 

Been there. Done that.

 

 

JJ

[cal1br3tto]

I just remembered, I actually transitioned from wearing only logo-ed clothing to wearing no logo-ed clothing. Nerdily enough, I came up with some in-depth philosophical reasons at the time, but my main conclusion was basically this: I'd rather be judged for other things anyway, so why dress as if I'm worried about how I'll be judged? I know your appearance can affect many parts of your life, including success and popularity, but I still more or less think the "right" people will find me regardless of how I look (as long as I don't totally freak people out).

I'm still slightly attached to American Apparel as far as brand names go, but I'm a lot closer to getting over it than I ever was in the past!

[ebl]

My daughter works at Abercrombie, and she has quite a few stories about the people who shop there...

 

Eric

[Josh Linn]

My daughter works at Abercrombie, and she has quite a few stories about the people who shop there...

 

Eric

 

Now that place I have a hard time spending money at despite liking their stuff...I bought a thick winter jacket in there for $100, mind you it was 50% off. I've never felt so dirty about buying something, but at least the jacket's warm.

[cobra_roll06]

Ehhh...I wouldn't call it stupid at all. Overpiced? Maybe, but their clothes are really high quality.

 

For the most part, the qualtiy is the same as other affordable shirts. It's the label on the shirt that makes it expensive.

[SharkTums]

^Exactly!

 

They're all made by children in some chinese sweat shop, but slapping that logo on makes all the difference!

[cal1br3tto]

^Incidentally, that's why I used to buy a lot of American Apparel (and a bit of Alternative Apparel and No Sweat Apparel).

 

I've sold out, though...I've decided to be self-centered and buy new clothing that is CHEAP!!! (Forever 21, Target, Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls).

[larrygator]

Ehhh...I wouldn't call it stupid at all. Overpiced? Maybe, but their clothes are really high quality.

 

For the most part, the qualtiy is the same as other affordable shirts. It's the label on the shirt that makes it expensive.

 

 

Hey now! Don't forget that the Advertising and Marketing efforts raise the price also. I want credit for something. In my job I might try to convince you all to go with brand names, but I won't do it my personal life.

[Hercules]

^ Ahhhhhh. America.

[Maverickz]

do anyone have a REALLY good suggeston how I can save money in a effective way so I can afford a TPR trip?

[cal1br3tto]

^I think it would help to know what your personal issues with saving money are. And of course, your age, expenses, and overall position in life make a difference in whether the advice fits.

 

Personally, here's what I do.

--I make a LOT of sacrifices. What was once important no longer is. I don't really "go shopping" anymore; I don't insist on buying souvenirs; I've only bought a few CDs and mp3s recently. I'm even very conservative about my theme park and carnival expenses! I've drawn pretty strict lines on what is and isn't worth attending.

--I take nearly every opportunity to earn money, and I'm not shy about it! I'm still pretty young and my parents are relatively generous, so this is working out well.

--I sell some possessions. Warning: many common items are only worth a few cents or dollars, even if you know they actually sell for much more. However, it can add up!

--To help support my efforts psychologically, I like to put nearly all my money into the bank, and I don't carry cash.

 

At work, always do your best, and take any and all additional hours offered! It's impossible to regret it.

[Maverickz]

^I think it would help to know what your personal issues with saving money are. And of course, your age, expenses, and overall position in life make a difference in whether the advice fits.

 

Personally, here's what I do.

--I make a LOT of sacrifices. What was once important no longer is. I don't really "go shopping" anymore; I don't insist on buying souvenirs; I've only bought a few CDs and mp3s recently. I'm even very conservative about my theme park and carnival expenses! I've drawn pretty strict lines on what is and isn't worth attending.

--I take nearly every opportunity to earn money, and I'm not shy about it! I'm still pretty young and my parents are relatively generous, so this is working out well.

--I sell some possessions. Warning: many common items are only worth a few cents or dollars, even if you know they actually sell for much more. However, it can add up!

--To help support my efforts psychologically, I like to put nearly all my money into the bank, and I don't carry cash.

 

At work, always do your best, and take any and all additional hours offered! It's impossible to regret it.

thanks for the good tips. I'm trying to take as many summer jobs as possible this summer. I get about 600 dollars for 3 weeks, and then I get 100 dollars a month from my parents, so maybe a TPR trip isn't that far away?

[Sir Clinksalot]

In my experience, the only "cheaper" clothing items that don't last as long as "Brand Name" clothing items are Shoes.

 

When you buy shoes at say Payless (which really isn't cheap anymore) the shoes don't last very long. So this is one exception where I will buy the Sketchers for walking and Nike for my running shoes.

 

But I have some shorts, shirts and jeans that I have bought off clearance racks at Kohls for as little as $5-$10 that have lasted me years.

 

Even my Nike Dry-Fit stuff that I run in was bought on clearance racks.

 

Of course, I need to do some clothes shopping soon because everything I have is too big for me (a nice problem to have for a change).

[Thuur]

It's funny (Maybe that's not the right word) tor ead this thread to see all those differenes between the USA and the situations I know in Holland. I am not sure what incomes are in the USA, my girlfriend and I make a good salary for our age (I am 23, she's 26). Last year we bought a house (Which is ridiculously expensive in Holland). We now pay €1300.00 euros a month on mortgage (We get 320 euros back form the government, some Dutch system which I will not try to explain). So nett. we pay about 1000 euros a month ($1270.00) on mortgage alone. I think our outgoings (Is that the word?) are near €2100.00 each month. That's without doing crazy stuff! (Like buying new close, installing the airconditioning we did this month, themepark trips)

 

How is that in the USA, looking at house/mortgage costs?

 

We drive two cars, because we both need to travel to work. We recently bought a new car for my girlfriend, which is something that we save money for (Not especially for this, but we save money in general) I was surprises that many of my friends that still live with their parents don't save money. They just spend it all on themepark trips etc. Although I never said no to a trip if I had the money, I also did save money for the time I would buy a house. It helped us a lot with finding a house, buying furnature, etc.. I think a big difference between the USA and Holland is that in Holland it is 'frowned upon' when you can't pay cash for a car. So if people do it (it does happen of course), they usually don't tell.

 

By the way: cars are also ridiculously expensive in Holland. You can easily add 50% to the USA prices if not more. And of course there's gas, in which we are one of the most expensive countries in the world. Take 30% of the USA price and then triple that. That's what we pay per gallon. Luckily we drive a lot of diesel cars here, which is chearper then petrol cars (Over 50% of European cars have diesel engines) if your mileage is over 15000 a year.

 

When reading this I think: why the hell do people live here?

 

Tips from my side (The same as everyone elses I think ):

- Don't buy expensive clothes

- Don't eat out 'all the time' (Every weekend)

- Just buy what you need, my colleagues call me typical Dutch . They're all gadget freak

- Don't smoke

- Don't drink

[saiyanhajime]

I always get the impression from my friends who complain about not having the money to do ... whatever it is they wanna do, that they simply don't want to do it enough. Because I see them spending money where I wouldn't all the time.

 

I still live with my parents and I was lucky enough that my parents put money aside for me... But... I don't touch that.

 

Most people's student loan goes on alcohol, food and other beverages. I see people complaining they have no money in one breath and in the next picking up soda and a sandwich from the overpriced uni shop every day, whilst I sit there with my sandwich made at home and a bottle of tap water. My student loan goes on transport.

 

In my experience, the only "cheaper" clothing items that don't last as long as "Brand Name" clothing items are Shoes.

I agree. I've had plenty of brand name items wear out faster than something that cost me next to nothing!

 

There's a shop in the UK called Primark. I buy all my jeans there, because jeans look the same anywhere you get them. They fade fairly quickly, but they are like $12... Are Wal Mart jeans even that cheap???

 

Speaking of which, I have a Wal Mart t-shirt that, whilst I'd not dare wear in the US, several people at home have been like "wow, that's a nice shirt, where did you get it??"

 

I'm a big fan of Target. Especially for shorts.

 

I won't pay a lot for shoes, either. $30-40. I only buy brand shoes, mostly because I don't like many shoes, but I wait till they are old stock and on clearance.

[chadster]

I invested wisely in the stock market I have visited parks for years prior to joining TPR and even recording credits, and haven't yet been on one of their trips, however, my job allows for me to have an abundance of comp time which must be used from time to time, so, usually in the spring and fall, my co workers forget what I look like. and while I am earning (yeah right, busting A$$) comp time I'm not spending money becuase, well, i have no life during that annual time of the year where I can't do anything. Plus, when "on call" we have negotiated comp time, I can't remember the last time I got called during that privillaged time, so its a win win for me.

[jazzimm]

This thread intrigues me, as I used to be really bad with spending! Recently, I've turned things around and got back on the saving bandwagon, and my boyfriend and I are now planning on doing a 2011 TPR trip, if we can. I figure I might as well post my story in case I can help someone, and in case someone has some good advice for me.

 

First off, I am a full time student in my second year of college/university here in Canada. While school doesn't cost as much here as it does in the US, I don't think we have as much as far as scholarships go. It seems we have more independent, smaller scholarships, and it is very difficult to find (let alone be awarded) a full scholarship. Last year I only managed to get about $1000 CAD in scholarships total. It was ridiculous. Anyways, I have monthly student loan payments for this reason. I also have my monthly cell phone bill, which is ridiculously high in Canada. Telephone companies here are thieves. Aside from that, though, I have little to complain about, as I still live with my parents and any money I spend outside of my bills is my own splurging, and I've recently realized that and made some changes. So here's how I'm budgeting.

 

1. For the past year or so, I've worked two jobs to keep up with my bills. My first tip is, as others have said, avoid credit cards! The main reason for my second job was just to pay off my Visa which, thank Jesus, is now finally paid off. I no longer carry the card with me, and luckily, I can't remember the number, so now I will only use it to pay for things like plane tickets when I have to, and only if I have the cash to pay it off immediately.

 

2. I'm actually considering leaving my second job (at Bath & Body Works in the mall) now because I realized that my main problem is what I like to call "binge shopping". I've never been a big label shopper or anything, but I'm one of those people who will buy a little something here or there after my shift at work while waiting for my ride or the bus. So my second rule for myself is no binge shopping! Only buy what you need, when you need it! (And as a side note, I've never seen any reason to pay more for brand clothing. It's all the same, and nobody really notices or cares.)

 

3. Eating out is a big money-waster! I developed a bad habit of eating out just because I was out, whether it be with friends or at work or what not. This petty spending actually adds up. All of those $7 meals or $2 coffee runs are unnecessary and costly in the long run.

 

4. Being healthy does not mean you have to spend extra. I no longer buy organics or anything like that, but I still cook healthy meals and I feel great. I also used to take expensive dance classes for fun and to stay fit, but I've realized that for the $10 student rate per year, I can just go to the gym at my college, enjoy the really great facilities and classes like yoga, step, spin, and rock climbing for a fraction of the cost. Nothing like being healthy and saving money doing it!

 

5. I'm learning to save smart! With every paycheck, I put 1/4 of it towards my line of credit so that I'm not panicking once a month about paying the bill, and that way I'm putting more towards it every month so that it's getting paid off a little bit faster. I also budget for my cell phone bill in each paycheck, and then whatever is left over, I immediately move into another account so that I don't touch it. We have really good tax-free savings accounts here to help your savings grow faster, so that helps too! Also, I'm trying a new thing where I'm trying to budget for anything extra for the month (groceries for lunch at work, etc.), and then I take that amount out in cash so that I won't spend more, since I know there is more on my debit card. I find that actually having a certain amount of money in hand helps me better curb my spending, rather than just running down my debit card because I can.

 

6. I have no interest in driving. If you ask me, a car is nothing but an expense from the second you get one, regardless of whether it's new, used, or inherited. My sister inherited my aunt's car when she moved, and it's nothing but expenses in gas, repairs, and oil and tire changes. I haven't even so much as gone to get my license yet. Maybe when I'm finished school. Until then, I'd much rather pay $20/month, take the bus, and just have to leave a little earlier in the morning.

 

7. Like I said, I'm doing this saving thing with my boyfriend, and we've both decided to stop other unnecessary spending, like DVDs, concerts, going to the movies, etc. We're both pretty active, outdoorsy people, so we like to do other (free) things instead. For example, we sometimes take this really nice 30 minute walk (hike) from a trail near my house to the lake nearby and just go swimming and picnic for the day, then walk home. There are other, inexpensive ways to enjoy your time

 

Sorry if this was like an essay. I always have a lot to say haha. Anyways, any feedback is handy, and I hope I'm able to inspire some new ideas for others!

[John Peck]

I'm pretty tight when it comes to spending money, but my mortgage is killing me. When i was in my apartment, I wanted to get a house, and now that I have the house, I miss the ease of the apartment.

[SharkTums]

^There have been a lot of articles lately about how the 'American Dream' of home ownership has ruined a lot of American Dreams! The new reality is that you don't have to own a home, and it's not a bad thing to rent!

 

I've been trying to tell our friends this for a while! I even tried telling them, when they were all buying overpriced homes and condos. Now we're in a much better spot that a lot of people because we chose to rent.

[ParkTrips]

I think it varies by market. Some, like SoCal/DC/SanFran/NYC, its almost certainly better to rent, but the house next to me is a rental, and the payment is only about $100 less than mine - but mine was fully remodeled in '09 (vs 1950s), and I get to deduct interest and taxes and stuff, which was ~$2k for me last year... ::shrug::

 

The real 'American Dream' problem is the people who shouldn't be able to get a $10k car loan, yet they take out a $250k mortgage

 

Kind of a weird thread to rant about your mortgage in, though