My rent is going up.

[gault]

Starting next month. A hundred bucks more.

Along with health care premiums rising on my plan and raised parking and union fees, I can't afford it.

Uggggggh. Just went through finances with my mom to see what I can cut. No more coffees or any eating out, no movies. Thank god I got clothes for christmas. Will start clipping coupons.

I already live pretty meager, don't drive long distances, don't go out with friends. I'm looking for weekend part-time jobs again. Anything else I'm missing?

All other extra bills that can be cut have been cut.

[macmars45]

That sucks so bad, I'm sorry!

Would it be cheaper to bus to work than pay for gas?

[Deleted]

We buy a lot of generics instead of name brand products. I also make all my own cleaning supplies with baking soda and vinegar - that helps save a lot of money.

[gault]

doglove, I just started doing that, yay

srgw, my commute is about 7 minutes, so my gas use is minimal. I also live way back in a residential area and the bus stop isn't within walking distance. Boo.

I'll start buying generic toilet paper. I already do that with tampons and paper towels, etc. Buying protein in bulk will also help, I think. And freeze a bunch of it for later.

I know that focusing on the little things that add up - coffee (I love coffee shops) and dining out, etc, will really help a lot. It sucks because those are my only luxuries. Oh well.

Some good news - I got a call for another job interview today. Number 6

[bleubook]

And your salary is about to drop by 2%. Due to the payroll tax increase.

[gault]

Jan 2, 2013 22:24:25 GMT -5 bleubook said:

And your salary is about to drop by 2%. Due to the payroll tax increase.

Yep. Good times all around. FML

I could get another place with lower rent, but would need to go back to living with roommates. Plus I won't be here for long (hopefully) and could move across the country within a few weeks once I get a job offer. Doesn't always make for a good time to move twice in a few months.

[Deleted]

gault - get yourself a diva cup and stop buying tampons. I paid $25 and it has lasted me about 2 years. It's about time for me to pick up another one.

[partiallysunny]

That sucks. I think you (and PP) got everything covered.

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2013 22:51:43 GMT -5 doglove said:

gault - get yourself a diva cup and stop buying tampons. I paid $25 and it has lasted me about 2 years. It's about time for me to pick up another one.

I was thinking this too. With a one time payment of $300 for my Mirena, I don't have to buy tampons, pads or BC for 5 years.

Buying protein in bulk and freezing it is an excellent idea. Keep an eye out for the specials grocery stores will run. I know the one by me will often have huge packs of chicken breasts for relatively little. Go home and individually wrap and freeze them, then use as needed.

[dixienormous]

Honestly, it seems expensive at the time, but a Costco or BJs membership and buying in bulk ends up saving us a lot of money.

[Muddled]

Who owns your building? Is it a corporation or a person? If it's a person, try negotiating. Hell, try it anyhow. It can't hurt.

How are your utility bills?

You've already cut cable, haven't you? How about your phone plan? What's that like?

Have you compared prices at different stores? The cereal Brad eats is almost a whole dollar cheaper at Target than it is at the grocery store.

Any word on those interviews?

[gault]

Muddled:

I live in a studio behind a garage in a private home. The owner doesn't live on the property, but the couple in the house acts as the "landlord" - I give rent to them. The owner raised rent, so the couple notified me in writing yesterday.

Utilities are included.

My phone plan is the cheapest around here that I could find. It's unlimited talk and text - I used to have unlimited text and 500 minutes of talk a month, but since bf and I are now long-distance, plus family talking, I started going way over my minutes. It's cheaper long-term to stay with what I have.
My contract does end in April, so when that's up I'll start shopping around for anything less expensive. No smart phone/data plan.

I buy only veggies/protein/condiments right now. My groceries are around 60 bucks a week, sometimes less.

I got a call for another interview yesterday. One no so far, and an interview via skype next week Waiting to hear on the rest.