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Forum » Do you live within your means? Tips to save money?
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Thread: Do you live within your means? Tips to save money?

post 10000106028 03-30-2026, 03:52 PM
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Do you live within your means? Tips to save money?

Do you?

Gas, and...everything... is expensive. What do you do to save money?

Real stuff, not hoarding, eating ramen noodles, and stealing free saltine crackers...

 
A few things I do

1. (as some know) I enjoy hunting and fishing, "free" meat is a huge bonus. Fuk $30.00 a pound for steak
2. Negotiated a company vehicle and phone through my job
3. Live close to where I work, so no commute anyway
4. Home gym with quality basic stuff I bought for pennies on the dollar secondhand. (no gyms near me anyway)
5. Wife uses apps like 2good2go and flashfood to buy bulk stuff for pennies on the dollar (literally) from grocery stores, and freezes, cans, or otherwise preserves it. Produce boxes, eggs, overstock items...it would shock you what they almost give away
6. Bought property and built house myself, paid everything off fast. Low property tax.
7. Avoid monthly payments...NEVER finance anything except if 0% financing.
8. Live in a small town, away from water bills, high property tax, etc
9. Went off grid for my house. No power bills. (workshop has power)
10. I think there is something to be said for being an opportunist in general. Take opportunities as they come. Fortune favors the bold.
11. Buy stuff that is quality, and does the exact job you need it to. Never impulse buy.
12. Know how to fix basic stuff


Gives me extra money to invest, save money and enjoy the activities I like. I like snowmobiles, ATVs and boats, but I make smart choices in what I buy. I get stuff that will last forever. I am incredibly content with what I have and have no need to upgrade anything. I CAN afford more fancy stuff, but I choose to live well below what I could afford.



What do you do to live within your means?
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post 10000106036 03-30-2026, 03:57 PM
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No and its a problem srs. I make close to 200k a year (no brag) and with my house, car, mothers health care, bills and other expenses im saving maybe 1-2000 a month. Everything is so expensive these days.
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post 10000106039 03-30-2026, 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted By SiIverBack⏩
No and its a problem srs. I make close to 200k a year (no brag) and with my house, car, mothers health care, bills and other expenses im saving maybe 1-2000 a month. Everything is so expensive these days.
Its brutal man.

My theory is that ounces make pounds, so chipping away at things can help. 200k a year and you wonder where it all went. Everything sneaks up on you.

Then add something unexpected like health bills, and wham.

I dont make what you do, but I figure a penny saved is a penny earned. Not paying for a vehicle is big cash in my pocket.
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post 10000106040 03-30-2026, 03:59 PM
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You can always borrow $200 from Bluehawk, he's good for it
post 10000106041 03-30-2026, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted By ScrillaIsBake⏩
You can always borrow $200 from Bluehawk, he's good for it
Unaware, but will blindly borrow
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post 10000106042 03-30-2026, 04:01 PM
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post 10000106043 03-30-2026, 04:03 PM
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I use Slickdeals.net and take advantage of credit card points/rewards to fund my vacations.
Fk the Good Poster Crew (Lockdev, Pink, Kimm, Wasps, Expatriot, Mulloway, Luc1fer, Smallpeter, gwg, Super Hercules, Bonobo, maori-rap, Based Bagel, ezmac31 and many more). You know who you are.
post 10000106044 03-30-2026, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted By ymer⏩
-Don't be an insecure phgg that tries to impress other people with posessions.
Fkin nailed it

I try and dress as well as I can in the settings I need to dress well in.

Aside from that, I could not care less what someone thinks. People are too self centered to think about other people anyway, so who cares. When they pay your bills, they can have a say in your life.
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post 10000106047 03-30-2026, 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted By taskmob⏩
I used Slickdeals.net and take advantage of credit card points/rewards to fund my vacations.
Why do I feel like you were paid to say that...

Our flight back from skiing this year was delayed, and we applied to air canada for reimbursement. They gave us over $900. Just about paid for the flights. Take advantage of those opportunities.
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post 10000106048 03-30-2026, 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted By Hutrapper⏩
Its brutal man.

My theory is that ounces make pounds, so chipping away at things can help. 200k a year and you wonder where it all went. Everything sneaks up on you.

Then add something unexpected like health bills, and wham.

I dont make what you do, but I figure a penny saved is a penny earned. Not paying for a vehicle is big cash in my pocket.
I'm under 30 and my career has room for growth so I know i'll make more money down the line with a higher salary, another property etc. I bought a 2026 M2 which isn't financially smart, but my spending habits are horrible too I won't lie. I spend a lot on ordering food, I know that would be a big way to save money. Subscriptions, memberships, all pile up. Do you contribute to 401k? By switching from standard to itemized deduction on my taxes I actually got a couple thousand back where standard was only going to give me 20 bucks back. Do you have a secondary income source? Any passive income at all? After spending 8 hours at work I try to spend my remaining hours before bed working towards something that generates or will generate income in the future. I have no idea how guys with a wife and kids as the sole breadwinner in the house survive.
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post 10000106055 03-30-2026, 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted By SiIverBack⏩
I'm under 30 and my career has room for growth so I know i'll make more money down the line with a higher salary, another property etc. I bought a 2026 M2 which isn't financially smart, but my spending habits are horrible too I won't lie. I spend a lot on ordering food, I know that would be a big way to save money. Subscriptions, memberships, all pile up. Do you contribute to 401k? By switching from standard to itemized deduction on my taxes I actually got a couple thousand back where standard was only going to give me 20 bucks back. Do you have a secondary income source? Any passive income at all? After spending 8 hours at work I try to spend my remaining hours before bed working towards something that generates or will generate income in the future. I have no idea how guys with a wife and kids as the sole breadwinner in the house survive.
My wife works. I couldnt do it as a sole breadwinner.

I have an RRSP (like a 401k?) that the business matches to a certain percentage. But the bank the company uses charges 2.5% to manage it. I have a financial manager that only charges 1%, so once a year I move everything over to that RRSP for no penalty. A family member is a high roller, so as a favor I use the same finance guy who charges 1% because of that relationship

Again, small things, but I am avoiding paying 1.5%.

Taxes are huge. We have a good tax person who really gets us the max back.

Secondary income, I did have a side gig for cash. Still can, but with work getting tougher I have cut that back. It didnt make sense for what I made.
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post 10000106058 03-30-2026, 04:13 PM
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Raid hotel breakfasts

Only use speedway bathrooms
post 10000106060 03-30-2026, 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted By butatwhatcost⏩
Raid hotel breakfasts

Only use speedway bathrooms
mirin username to thread content
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post 10000106061 03-30-2026, 04:15 PM
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Using the library is great if you love to read like I do

Learn to cook. I look for meals I’m interested in, then find a recipe with the fewest ingredients. When my family goes out to dinner we all realize it’s a treat.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I’m not upgrading phones, TVs, appliances, cars, until I have to. Even if I will eventually I’ll defer as long as possible
post 10000106068 03-30-2026, 04:18 PM
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F**k YES!
post 10000106072 03-30-2026, 04:19 PM
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You wrote a big list but really, it comes down to having a wife that's cool with being frugal.
Balding is death. If you have no hair, you have no life.
post 10000106074 03-30-2026, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted By Headwinds⏩
Using the library is great if you love to read like I do

Learn to cook. I look for meals I’m interested in, then find a recipe with the fewest ingredients. When my family goes out to dinner we all realize it’s a treat.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I’m not upgrading phones, TVs, appliances, cars, until I have to. Even if I will eventually I’ll defer as long as possible
Das it
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post 10000106076 03-30-2026, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted By Newgirl23⏩
Live in a hut
And rap
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post 10000106080 03-30-2026, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted By Hutrapper⏩
My wife works. I couldnt do it as a sole breadwinner.

I have an RRSP (like a 401k?) that the business matches to a certain percentage. But the bank the company uses charges 2.5% to manage it. I have a financial manager that only charges 1%, so once a year I move everything over to that RRSP for no penalty. A family member is a high roller, so as a favor I use the same finance guy who charges 1% because of that relationship

Again, small things, but I am avoiding paying 1.5%.

Taxes are huge. We have a good tax person who really gets us the max back.

Secondary income, I did have a side gig for cash. Still can, but with work getting tougher I have cut that back. It didnt make sense for what I made.
Network is so important, like you said having that family member that knows a finance guy is incredibly useful. Have you got any investments? Working in finance I'm not allowed to invest without jumping through a bunch of hoops but I know guys making a killing who don't have a high base salary. Can't imagine your situation bro and hope it gets better. Middle class is a trap and the upper class is shrinking more and more. Could you work with the family member?
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post 10000106081 03-30-2026, 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted By monster0ultra⏩
You wrote a big list but really, it comes down to having a wife that's cool with being frugal.
They say so much of your life is attributed to the person you end up with

This is true. If she has high rolling tastes, or is impulsive, thats a problem.

I think its about balance. Like, we do an all inclusive every year. We did Antigua before christmas, and spend a week skiing in the mountains every year. Antigua was like $3500 all in and was fun as hell. And skiing is cheap because wife's mom has a place right at the base of the mountian, beside the resort.
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post 10000106082 03-30-2026, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted By monster0ultra⏩
You wrote a big list but really, it comes down to having a wife that's cool with being frugal.
You do have to be on the same page. It helps to have a goal. For us, being frugal meant we could live on one income while the kids were young. It was a sacrifice but doable.
post 10000106112 03-30-2026, 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted By Headwinds⏩
You do have to be on the same page. It helps to have a goal. For us, being frugal meant we could live on one income while the kids were young. It was a sacrifice but doable.
Thats hard to do these days.

Your kids will be better off
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post 10000106131 03-30-2026, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted By monster0ultra⏩
You wrote a big list but really, it comes down to having a wife that's cool with being frugal.
This is especially true for normies like me who are not CEO 10K / ballers or WFH Finance Managers


Originally Posted By Hutrapper⏩
They say so much of your life is attributed to the person you end up with

This is true. If she has high rolling tastes, or is impulsive, thats a problem.
Das it mane!
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