by Shirley B.
Member since:
September 16, 2010

Saving Up to Go Home

December 30, 2010 10:09 AM UTC
views: 0 | 12 people recommend this | comments: 31

In about five years, we will be returning to Toronto and I want to be able to go home without a mortgage. That means we will have to sell this house and have enough to buy something at home... and the Toronto area is not even close to being inexpensive. So, here are some of the ways that I'm trying to change my ways so that we will be able to be debt free and have enough money to be able to buy what I want and live close to my kids. Here's my list.

1. Eat out less.....

2. Don't buy more shoes that I really need.

3. Buy for Christmas every month

4. No more furniture

5. Buy makeup when you need it, not when you simply want it.

6. If you bring something into the house, something has to go out. (Yes, we have to pay the cost ourselves to go home!

7. Read what is actually on my bookshelves... yes, I tend to buy first and maybe read later...

Well, I'm ready to change my ways! Funny how your priorities change as you get older.

Comments: 31

Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Dec 30, 2010, 10:46am UTC
If you put yourself on a saving budget and stick to it, you can save a ton of money in 5 years. My son lives in Toronto and is looking for work and another place to live because of the expense.

My daughter recently split with her partner and wanted to keep the house( near Kingston). She did her homework and reviewed her finances for the last few years and says she frittered away over 5 thousand dollars a year. She kept the house and put herself on a budget.

Good luck on your plan. It's easy if you want it bad enough. I live in the Niagara Region and you couldn't pay me to live near Toronto :-)
Shirley B. Dec 30, 2010, 10:56am UTC
It's just because all of my family live there. If that wasn't the case, I would be picking somewhere warm!! But, it is home :) And I'm definitely going to do my best to make it work financially. Now the HST (I think that's what they call it) doesn't help!
sounds like a good plan....
good luck....
my wife complains that I am too frugal....
but...
I can really make a dollar stretch though....
Patricia J. Dec 30, 2010, 12:04pm UTC
It sounds like an excellent plan. Good luck sticking to it. You should plan on saving what you would normally spend and that would keep you from losing sight of that extra money!
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 11:24am UTC
You would not believe how frivolous I have been in the past. This should be a piece of cake lol!!
Larry H. Dec 30, 2010, 12:23pm UTC
collect pop cans when you see them when you are out for a walk. Good luck.
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 11:21am UTC
thanks Larry... so many ways and I have five years to do it!
Steph-in-NE ..... Dec 30, 2010, 12:33pm UTC
Good luck, we save over $600 or more this past yr by couponing, budgeting and not getting wants and only needs.
I hope to save more this coming yr,, we went from 6 to 2 in a family so I am thinking it will help out alot,,
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 11:22am UTC
Yeah... it's the needs vs the wants and I have started to work with coupons... just having a hard time locating them!
☃ Shannon K. Wendt Dec 30, 2010, 12:33pm UTC
I have no money to save :(
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 8:28am UTC
when that happens... go for a walk and look for pennies from heaven :)
Katie R. Dec 30, 2010, 12:35pm UTC
Sounds good ... I wish you luck. Hopefully you can save enough.
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 8:28am UTC
I'm determined!!
Diane Huizenga Dec 30, 2010, 1:02pm UTC
sounds like a good plan
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 8:28am UTC
and I plan to make it work!!
Sandy Moore Dec 30, 2010, 2:02pm UTC
Great ideas. I need to make a list like this.
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 8:28am UTC
we shall see where I am at this time next year!! :)
Sandy Moore Dec 31, 2010, 4:19pm UTC
I am sure you can do it or at least big a big dent in your list.
Bernard C. Dec 30, 2010, 2:13pm UTC
Those are resolutions - best of luck with them - hard to imagine where anyone or anything will be in that given period of time, think its a good planner all the same..best of luck with it.
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 8:29am UTC
you have no idea how stubborn I can be. When I decide on something... nothing can hold me back! lol
Lisa C. Dec 30, 2010, 5:29pm UTC
Those are some great plans! hope you get it all done even sooner. But jus keep reminding yourself what you get in the end!
The furniture one would be hard for me. I tend to pick up a couple pieces every month. omg. if i had to move..........i dont even want to think about it.
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting to the
* Comments Club *
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 8:30am UTC
knowing that I will have to pack everything up to take back will make me think twice lol!
Amber C. Dec 30, 2010, 10:14pm UTC
I think that is a great start. What do you like to read? I could maybe send you a few books if I have something that is interesting to you.
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 8:31am UTC
that is so nice of you Amber... but I have so many books that I haven't even opened... I will start there and if I get through them all, I will know who to turn to ;) thanks again!!
Tessa D. Dec 30, 2010, 10:35pm UTC
purr
Shirley B. Dec 31, 2010, 8:31am UTC
:)
Moriah Neil Jan 10, 2011, 3:15am UTC
Very nice. In my case, I have to save up since I took out a payday loan before the holidays. Now I'm determined to buy the 'needed' things instead of the 'wanted' ones. :)
Shirley B. Jan 10, 2011, 11:26am UTC
Yes, I am definitely looking differently at what I buy these days. Can't believe how much it can save you when you don't pick up little things that you simply... want
Dominique C. May 25, 2011, 5:17pm UTC
It sounds like a definitely good plan. These are definitely some good ideas and good ways to start saving. I do think that if you stick to it, then you will be able to save up a lot in five years. Good luck!

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