HelpMeFriend's Personal Finance Blog

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - It took Vicki Armstrong almost 19 years to save $550, which isn't much of an accomplishment - except that she did it one penny at a time.

Armstrong was planning to take her 55,000 pennies to the bank this week. She said saving them helped her reinforce frugal spending habits.

"It helped me be a little bit more conservative in my lifestyle," said Armstrong, who is planning to retire at the end of the year from Christus Schumpert Highland Hospital, where she works as a maternity technician.

Armstrong has been storing pennies in vases, bowls and the occasional shoebox. In 1993, The (Shreveport, La.) Times reported she had squirreled away 14,000 pennies. Armstrong resisted the temptation to cash them in and kept saving.

Her co-workers and friends have chipped in over the years. "They all hand over pennies generously," she said.

Her husband, Melvin, said he never interfered with her healthy obsession, even when their bicycle rides were interrupted by tiny treasure hunts.

"She would see a penny in the road and just stop," he said. "I would to have to do circles just to let her catch up."

I paid my $102.54 water bill on time, saving a usual late fee of $2.43. Way to go me. I also called the cable co. to find out why I was being charged for two months of internet, and the guy gave me two $10.00 credits for the next year. That's $20.00 per month that I would have had to pay. He also told me that I was being charged twice since my November bill was half and December bill was never billed at all. How much did I save and not notice it? Just goes to show that you don't complain when you save, but you really pitch a b*&%h when you have to pay more.

I can't pay you. I have no money. You call and I ignore. You send a bill, and I toss it. I don't want to stiff you, but I have no money. Even when I do give you my last little drop of blood, you just add a late payment fee, finance charge, and other crazy fee, and I owe $40.00 more than when I did pay you. Cut me some slack. Back off a bit and I will give you money with my Tax check. You are killing me with stress and I give up. By the way, I know it's still you when you call Withheld!!!
Signed,

Help Me Friend

Since it has been so cold for the last three days here, I have saved tons in gas money, lunch money, and other things that would have "stolen" my time. I believe that time is money, and my time is worth cash. I don't think that I will put every penny away in this challenge, but I will notice what I spend everyday on just stuff.
I have two children, ages almost 6 and almost 5. I will have to put money towards their birthday parties, but gifts are not a problem, as well as parties at their school.
I look forward to letting everyone know how well I do on the saving.

I have always filled out budget forms with my own figures for income, rent payments, and credit card debt. HOW DO I MAKE THE WAY I SPEND MY MONEY THE SAME AS WHAT I WRITE DOWN? I put that I only spend $30.00 on tobacco and alcohol, but how do I keep from going over? I only buy cigarettes at the cheapest place, usually CVS, and don't go to bars to drink. I usually hit the liquor store on the way home on Friday. But if I limit myself, I feel that these "fun" things makes them less fun.
HELP

I joined this group for help with my spending, saving, and debt problem. There are several knowledgeable people on this site, and I look forward to their hints, tips, and advise.