Comments on: 9 Tips to Live a Small, Debt-Free Life

By: Heather

Heather — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:25:33 +0000

One of the biggest struggles when trying to live within your means is probably desire. The urge to consume is driven by a need/desire. Following this line of thought, companies spend significant money figuring out how to make you desire their stuff over yours. With this in mind, on top of what the author suggested (staying away from shopping/malls) I did one other simple thing. I stopped ALL catalogs from coming to my house. Not only did it save me time and trash but I didn’t have the specter of what I didn’t have and “needed” shoved in my face all the time. My desire decreased significantly when I did this.

By: dkzody

dkzody — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:44:59 +0000

Because I want to downsize upon retiring, I have cut back my purchases, and when I do purchase a new item, an older item is purged. House and cars are all paid for, part of the retirement plan.

By: betsy mccullen

betsy mccullen — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:57:36 +0000

great advice about vehicles winnie! unfortunately just when i almost had ALL my bills totally paid off, my car (paid off 8 months ago) puked in such a bad, expensive way that i ended up buying a brand new one to avoid someone else’s problems again!! so, now i have a car payment i didn’t want BUT, i bought a honda and they hold their value. they are the best investment in a car that money can buy. it should give me many years and miles of hassle-free transportation since i don’t drive it much anymore, but DO need a reliable car. btw tammy, i bought the honda fit that i wanted and i absolutely love it!! i guess if i have to have a car payment, it’s nice to love the car i am paying for

By: Winnie

Winnie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:33:06 +0000

Of your whole list, number three is the most important. We don’t buy anything on credit. Well, I’m lieing – we had a mortgage on the house when we first bought it and we have had vehicle loans, too. With the mortgage, we realised without it we would be paying rent anyway, so paying for the house was no different. We did not buy a house that maxed out our mortgage capabilities (the bank said they would lend us X; we borrowed 2/3 X) With the vehicles, we always made sure we owed less than what the vehicle is worth, so we could, in a pinch, sell it and pay off the loan.

By: 9 Tips to Live a Small, Debt-Free Life

9 Tips to Live a Small, Debt-Free Life — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:41:20 +0000

[...] by Tammy on August 24, 2009 The 11th issue of the Small Living Journal (SLJ) is out and it focuses on small spaces and finances. Read my contribution to the journal, 9 Tips to Live a Small, Debt-Free Life. [...]