How Do You Save/What Do You Sacrifice to See Your SO?

[books]

I work a lot, including side jobs. I have no TV, use public transportation to go everywhere (live in NYC so it's not too bad but I never take cabs for example), live in a small apt. with a roommate, very rarely go out and eat A LOT of cereal. I have no vacation policy where I work so the week I'm going to visit my SO next month I am missing a week's pay which is a lot, so I am really having to cut costs in other areas so I can still make my bills.

[FadedSunrise]

Sadly, I'm not financially independent, so it doesn't matter how frugal I am in the end the parents hold the big purse strings over the 1000+ plane ticket to see him. And they can cancel that right on WHATEVER grounds. So I did spend one month in January saving up feverishly and being frugal...when I was still hopeful. By now I'm just being spendthrift with what I earn, because I know it won't amount to a visit anyways, so why bother saving.

[LadyMarchHare]

I only get about $1100 a month from my disability (which runs out when I turn 22 next year) and I do pay a portion of the bills here even though I live with my mom. I also like buying things such a books, t-shirts, candy to try, whatever I really like. When I planned to visit my SO I had to really pinch pennies, I even set up a separate bank account to start shuffling money in to save especially when I got a job but when I ended up quitting the job a month later I took all the money back out and just went back to severe self control. Probably not a good thing to admit but I ended up taking all $2000 of my college funds to help pay for the trip. Turns out I needed it because when I came home I was just under $200 in the bank and the most expensive thing I ever did for those 6 days was take cabs. Worked out though since I no longer need a college fund.

Now that I'm planning to move to my SO I'm really pinching pennies, only buying stuff if I really need it, and looking to make money any way I can by selling art or stuff I make, which isn't going too stellar. It's actually pretty hard for me because I like the occasional "for no reason" small gift to myself but that stuff can add up and I need the money if I plan to move and cover any other expenses that come with it. Thank goodness my job made me sick of coffee, I used to drink a cup every week, and for $4 a cup it adds up.

[Sierra]

I have to say I'm feeling very encouraged about saving today. I've already managed to put aside $129 in two weeks which is enough for my half of the plane ticket. I'm planning on spending $50 on groceries this week (lots of deals on like 2 boxes for $5 and 10/$10 so I'll stock up a little bit since it'll help me in a couple weeks.

I feel really great about saving that much money already and I know that I'll continue to save, some things are worth saving for and this is one of them. I guess it's not too hard for me because I feel like I have no other choice. I have to find a way to make this work. He's worth it.

I called around cable companies today and will probably be switching my cable company but we'll see what they can do for me. Can't cut off the tv and internet because we talk mainly through the internet and watch tv shows together on our 'date nights'. I don't want to lose the little things we do together because I cherish them so much.

[London-FortCollins]

Can't cut off the tv and internet because we talk mainly through the internet and watch tv shows together on our 'date nights'. I don't want to lose the little things we do together because I cherish them so much.

As you should. When your apart its the things you do together that really make a difference. Is there a cheaper alternative though?

For example are the shows you watch available on line anywhere? CBS I know uploads some of their shows a couple of days after airing them and they're up for a few weeks. (Big Bang Theory for example) There are other less legal sites where you stream instead of download....not condoning them though

Or as previously mentioned Netflix does online streaming.

Can you lose your landline if you guys are able to talk over Skype/cell phone?

Are there any elements of your cell bill you can cut out (do you really need unlimited texts if you only send 50 a month for example)

Do you have the time or capacity to get a second part time job? Last time I was saving for my trip thats what I did. I got lucky though because it was working from home so I wasn't too exhausted - it was worth it though to know that was pure savings going towards my trip because bills were covered by my main job.

Ummm dont EVER shop when your hungry - I spend way too much money that way!

Cutting out "little treats" that become a daily habit but really add up like coffees, candy bars, trashy magazines etc.

Although saying that you shouldnt deny them completly because you'll become resentful. Instead really make them into treats. Instead of getting a to-go coffee every morning on the way to work take a good book into the coffee shop on a Saturday afternoon and steal and hour or so to yourself with a "proper coffee" - much better value for money than gulping in down during a crappy meeting!

[LostInLove]

I'm lucky enough to live within bicycle distance from my work. It's about 30-40 minutes each way depending on the wind. This summer it'll save me $400 in bus passes alone, not to mention gas and wear and tear on my car for days that the buses are stupid and don't show up/are so late that I have to drive/I run late and miss them.

Other than that, I've got a bit more money to spend now but in the summer I had a really strict budget. I had $50 a week spending money, and that had to include my haircuts, any clothes I bought, going out, whatever. So I just chose week by week was was more important for me.

[lademoiselle]

I simply don't spend money on anything I don't deem totally necessary. I've been accustomed to living on next to nothing for as long as I can remember though so budgeting has never been something I've found difficult. I save most of my student grant and work as a babysitter when I'm lucky enough to come across parents who need one; I'm hoping to find more stable employment which pays higher wages in the near future though.

[digitalfever]

I haven't done anything like this. =\ In fact I haven't had to give up much...

[rixue]

I am very lucky since I am currently living with my parents while attending college. This makes it so I don't really have bills to pay every month, just for gas for my car. Before I started my LDR I was pretty good at saving my money and not really spending it on things I didn't need. I originally wasn't going to get a part time job due to it taking time away from my studies, but I don't want to dip into my savings account for flight tickets (for the next 2 years). I managed to pick up my old seasonal part time job that will give me money to go see my SO and spend on him on occasion.

[floridaellen]

My parents pay for my primary bills (because they want to, not because they have to). I have a grocery budget every week but tend to stay under it because I don't eat that much. I save money by not going out too often. I got rid of cable and now just use Netflix.

Thankfully I normally see my SO during school breaks. My parents pay for my flight to come home as long as the tickets are reasonably priced.

[kittyo9]

I grew up iwith an extremely frugle mother, and as a result I think I developed great saving habits. I am fortunate in that I have numerous scholarships and my family is able to afford what they do not cover, so my only expenses are things I personally need, like textbooks and food. However, I also do not work since I have to put in so many hours at uni, so I live off of my savings for the most part.

I do, however, continue to practice good saving habits:

- No cable! I share a Netflix account with my family and watch things online when I want to see them.
- ALWAYS shop around. When I need to buy something, it is almost always online. Ebay and Amazon are awesome resources, but it is entirely worth it to do a google shopping search for a particular item and to look for alternatives. There have been a few occasions when Amazon was not the cheapest.
- In addition to the above, I'd like to add that you most often do not pay sales tax on the items you purchase online, and tons of sites offer free shipping. That's no gas money.
- When grocery shopping, always check the UNIT PRICE. It is a much more accurate price comparison than trying to judge by prices alone. Compare by how much you are paying per ounce/pound/kilo/quart/applicable unit here.
- Try to only buy things on sale, but also make sure you compare the sale unit price to other normal unit prices. Sometimes other brands are still cheaper.
- Prioritize. Is that something you NEED? Being in college and moving around every 6 months taught me that I don't actually need as many clothes or as many things as I thought I did. Pack lighter.
- Set money aside. When I was younger, every time I got money from my birthday or some holiday, my parents had me put at least half into the bank. Now that I'm older, I still do this, and it applies to paychecks as well. Pay the bills you need to pay, thenut away a portion of the remaining money that you are comfortable with. For some people it isn't much, but it's the equivalent of saving pennies in a jar. It just adds up.
- If you are old enough to have a credit card, spend wisely. Pay off your bill every month if you can. Interest rates should be a word reserved for when you are on the receiving end, such as in a savings account-- not for your bill! Look for credit cards that have no yearly fees and offer some rewards. It's kind of like free money.
- Change your beverage choices. Carry a water bottle instead of buying soda. Drink alcohol less frequently and
- find alternative activities for the weekend. I live with a bunch of international students and they all go out every weekend, which always comes with spending a ton of money. I have actually heard the words, "How did I spend $200?!" from my roommate-- and it's that kind of irresponsible spending that gets you in trouble. Chances are you would much rather spend the weekend playing games with your SO.
- Learn to troubleshoot and fix some common issues. The internet is an incredible resource and you would be surised how many home and computer (and sometimes even car) repairs are easy to do.
- Suck it up and use a blanket. I have a friend who keeps her house at 70 degrees or warmer in the winter here in new england. That is completely unnecessary and if her monthly rate didn't include heating, she'd be screwed. Ideally you can keep your house/apartment at about 55 and still be fine. Throw a blanket on and get cozy.

That's all I can think of for now... I know some of these don't apply to everyone, but I hope some of it helps.