by Alta B.
Member since:
March 1, 2007

Save what I don't have?

December 17, 2008 11:51 PM EST
views: 80 | rating: 10/10 (16 votes) | comments: 31

With times being so tough right now, I am doing everything I can to save.  I clip and use coupons.  I turn off lights and fans and such.  I only drive when absolutely necessary.  I hang the clothes on the clothesline.  We rarely go out to eat.  We cut our own hair.  And the list goes on.  But here is my question...

How can I save what I don't have?  For example, This week we cut the boys hair, my hair and trim the dog...3 boys at $10 each...my hair cut $12 and the dogs trim $30.  The total that I saved this week is $72.  But I can't put that money away because I never had it.

I just think it's odd that I can't save it, if I don't have it.  But I did save it.  What is your idea on it?

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Comments: 31

Bridget ♥ Dec 17, 2008, 11:55pm EST
What we save on "this" we will spend on "that." --- it never fails!
Kat W. Dec 18, 2008, 12:00am EST
Did you really save $72 or did you just not have to come up with $72?

This economy really bites!
Alta B. Jul 20, 2009, 4:56pm EDT
I just didn't have to come up with the money.
Carrieanne L. Dec 18, 2008, 12:04am EST
What I do is pretend that I actually did spend that money... for instance, when you cut your boys' hair, place the $12/each right into your savings account. This way it's as if you did spend it, but instead, you just paid yourself :)
Judi S. Dec 18, 2008, 12:19am EST
Im much better at spending what I dont have than saving what I dont have haha
Jane C. Dec 18, 2008, 12:19am EST
Being frugal is admirable, especially when it includes reducing your carbon footprint. Of course, whether or not your being frugal means you saved money, depends upon whether or not you had the money to begin with. Further, if you did have it, did you actually save it, or did you spend it on something else?
Dena Straughn Dec 18, 2008, 12:31am EST
Sounds to me, more true, is that you are one of the smart ones who live within their means, saved from debt.
Carla B. Dec 18, 2008, 12:35am EST
I just look at it as an expense that I don't have to come up with the money for and go from there. If I actually have the money to do those things, it's great to be able to save it, but when I don't have the money, at least I don't have to put it on a credit card.
Sandra L. Dec 18, 2008, 12:37am EST
In an effort to comment on all my friends articles and pic's, tonight I am leaving a DB10.
Denise W. Dec 18, 2008, 12:49am EST
What it comes down to is if you did not do it all yourself it would not have gotten done since you did not have the money to do it
Stephannie H. Dec 18, 2008, 12:59am EST
the money always goes somewhere else
Barbara B. Dec 18, 2008, 1:42am EST
I always gave my children haircuts too and saved big $$.
I would put that money aside to save for bills that came
up, like oil change on the car or inspection on the car.
Heidianna "Coriander" T. Dec 18, 2008, 5:23am EST
I have wondered the same thing. You're not alone!
sheila ~the hapless housewife~ j. Dec 18, 2008, 6:44am EST
It sounds like Katherine got it right.
Marianne R. Dec 18, 2008, 8:25am EST
Carrianne has an interesting idea
Sarah (I want points) Dec 18, 2008, 2:21pm EST
You still saved it. If you can, try doing Carianne's suggestion.
Becca J. Dec 18, 2008, 3:46pm EST
I so know where you are coming from!!! I'm doing the coupon things too, and the not driving, library movies for the kids, thirft store shopping, ect.

I think of it as that's money I don't have to shell out to someone else & can go to the other bills I NEED to pay.

I have been cutting my boy's hair for years. But I'm trimming the girls now too. And I cut my bangs, the back will just have to get long again, lol. But really it's not that big a deal, because it's not like I spent that money every month just 2-3 times per year.

I don't have a long haired dog to clip.
Pat V. Dec 18, 2008, 3:58pm EST
Where would the money have come from if you had spent it on those things? Maybe that will give you a clue as to how much it helped your bottom line.

How to save what you saved is a big question.
Sassy ... the calm and cool Cat Dec 20, 2008, 8:38pm EST
I never thought of it that way
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Dec 20, 2008, 8:43pm EST
I know what you mean.
.* Sandi * Dec 20, 2008, 8:46pm EST
thats true
but i guess your saving "potential" money
Melanie B. Dec 29, 2008, 6:00pm EST
I have always given my children hair cuts. Unless they paid for it themselves. I hardly ever have mine done. I whack at my bangs. The back I keep in a braid. It is down to my butt now.. lol My husband I do his as well.
It is the lil things that help save money.
Chana M. Dec 29, 2008, 6:39pm EST
Alta, we don't have so much money I don't even like to think about it.
DJ B. Jan 13, 2009, 7:05pm EST
I hear ya. :o(
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Feb 4, 2009, 10:14pm EST
This is so true.
Austin Cushing Feb 5, 2009, 5:08pm EST
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Feb 9, 2009, 7:37pm EST
Thanks for posting on Getting to 3000 Together
D. K. Jul 20, 2009, 1:22pm EDT
you saved a lot of money. i do the same as you. i don't drive unless i have to. i haven't had a hair cut so my hair is getting longer. i'm hotter than anything right with the heat but i'm dealing with it.
D. K. Jul 20, 2009, 1:23pm EDT
i quit clipping coupons, the coupons are never what i want to buy =) you're doing just fine i think. it's funny how when you are saving money but you're really not cause you don't have it to save.
D. K. Jul 20, 2009, 1:23pm EDT
not going anywhere unless i have to, i've become a homebody cause of that
Sheryl O. Jul 20, 2009, 1:27pm EDT
Think about it this way instead of thinking in terms of 'saving':

You had a choice to either NOT have your kids', your and your dog's hair cut, or making everyone look good. You chose the latter...and it didn't cost you a dime.

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