FRUGALITY Tips

[ChuckyTheGoat]

*I sometimes like to list Frugality tips:
a) Keeps me honest.
b) If anyone can ever pick up on these and benefit, GREAT.

Start w/ a premise that it's NOT how much you have. It's about getting Value for $$.

Tip #1 = If you have Multiple credit cards, check on the Annual Fee.
...I have one Credit Card that has mostly been inactive.
...I've been using two others...and I've been tightening my budget.
...Annual Fee just came due. I called them and said I wanted to cancel. Told em that my budget was tight and that I didn't want to pay the Annual fee.
...They retorted by scrubbing out my Annual Fee. Told me that I could use the card for next 12 months w/o an Annual Fee.

$$ saved = $99.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Tip #2 = FOREVER Stamps
...The US sells these stamps. Allows you to mail a letter (ad infinitum into the future).
...Postage stamp rates rise perpetually. I think annual inflation on stamps easily averages 5%+.
...Chance to buy a deflationary asset where you get good utility.
...Factor in inflation. Move a few years out, you can easily be paying < 50-cents on dollar (compared to current).
...I've found some good Ebay deals on these. Also a book of FOREVER stamps makes for a nice gift.

$$ saved = $21.
(Crediting myself $21 saved per Annum easily. Using these for Business/Personal).

Aggregate $$ saved = $120.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Tip #3 = Buying JUNK SILVER
...I've been stacking for a while. Taking a loose DCA approach.
...I try to buy bargains. Have had some success w/ this.
...I like 90% Ag, but so does everyone else. Feel like the real bargains have been: War Nickels, 40% and 80% Canadian.
...Ebay buyers often value off "comp" sales. IE, most recent sale. For Silver, it's really about Melt Value.
...Local coin-shows can also offer great deals, as you get the product w/o the associated fees.

$$ saved = $80.
(Easily saved $80 on last purchase of WASH Qtrs).

Aggregate $$ saved = $200.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Chucky, good thread...a penny saved is a penny earned. I have always lived pretty frugal trying to find value and making smart decisions. I should probably try calling my credit card company and requesting that my annual fee gets waived or I'll cancel and see what they say.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Chucky, good thread...a penny saved is a penny earned. I have always lived pretty frugal trying to find value and making smart decisions. I should probably try calling my credit card company and requesting that my annual fee gets waived or I'll cancel and see what they say.

Thx, Jake. This one surprised me a little:
a) I was ready to let it go.
b) Most guys have other options on credit.
c) They may view it as a multi-year decision. Waive one year fee, keep him for 10+ years.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Chucky, what you did is nothing more than the retention game. I have done it many times throughout my life and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Two great sources of power in any negotiation are options and information. If you have other options and the info to back it up, you go into it more confident instead of feeling and hoping you should get x, y and z. I'm ready to let this card go as well, it gives me American airline miles and I rarely fly anymore. A card that gives me some sort of cashback suits my needs better nowadays so my request won't be a bluff.