Debt Free

                                                 Hello Family, How Are You Today?

                       The Feeling of Being Debt Free

 It's GREAT! But at the same time, life goes on. It contributes to one's happiness, but it is not happiness itself.

Being debt free means your stress level goes down. It means you have more options and flexibility in life. The option to save. The option to live a slightly better everyday lifestyle, or maybe some of both.

Being debt free can set off a "virtuous cycle" whereby you take the money you were putting toward debt payments and apply it to savings/investments. As your savings and investments grow over time, your margin of safety grows. So when life's misfortunes come (job loss, car repairs, etc.), they are at least a little bit easier to take. When you're not desperate, you feel more at ease to negotiate that better salary for yourself and/or don't have to snap at the first job offered. You have the cash available to plan and stock up on things when they're on sale, which grows your margin of safety some more, etc.

I guess I really haven't ever been tempted to slip back into old habits. I basically have permanently raised my standards for what's financially acceptable. That means my 'red alert' button goes off long before most other people's. I try not to wait until there's a crisis to solve a problem. When you're saving a healthy portion of your income (i.e. more than 15%) as a normal thing, then that just becomes your standard for "normal"....and when you dip below your usual savings rate, you view it as a "problem" where most other people wouldn't until they were thousands in debt on their credit cards. Much easier to solve your problems when your savings rate has dipped to 10% than when you are running up credit card debt at double digit interest rates.

I think having long term goals also helps. People who like planning usually do better financially than those who don't. I keep track of my net worth and I like projecting the numbers out toward retirement. When you value flexibility and freedom more than the things money can buy (such as freedom to walk away from a job you hate without worrying where the rent will come from next month), it's easier to stay focused on long term goals. Also, when you realize that after the most basic necessities are covered, having more "stuff" doesn't add all that much to your happiness, it becomes easier to save, so buying things you don't really need just isn't that much of a temptation. Try being debt free you might like it . If not you can always go back to being in debt again.

                                               Have A Great Cheap Cheetah Day & Save That $$

What Do You Say

                                                     Hello Family How are You Today?

 Some people say being a frugal/cheapskate is about the money. Some say 's it's about the adventures when it comes to  finding ways to save. Some say it's in them and they don't know how else to be. Regardless of why you are a frugal/cheapskate you just are. An I am glad you are your like me. But what happens when your  financial goals are met, you home is paid off, you have no debt , your health is good and you have a nice piece of cash in the bank.. What happens then.? Do you stop and think what is the reason for me saving all this money after my basic needs and goals have been met.

Money to me is freedom. I used to hate getting up early in the morning walking to the bus stop when it was dark. Passing  skunks and raccoon's in the street heading  home after a night out  looking for food. I use to hate having to bring in a doctors note when I was sick to my employers or calling in sick when I just did not feel like working. I felt my life was not my own it was my employers and they could do  anything they wanted with me between 8-4 Monday -Friday and  they did to. I worked my butt off saved as much money as I could and after reaching my saving goal and  with help from  family . I told my employer  " I am out of here" and that was 5 years ago and I don't regret a minute of that decision. Yes I am scared of my future with the money I saved and invested. Hoping that it will last me until I don't need it anymore.  I am scared about my medical insurance  when and if I no longer have it . But while I worry I still enjoy the life and freedom god has given me.

I want you to see that saving money is the price your paying for your freedom. Think about all the things that you want to do but can't because you have to work. Now think about doing all those things because you have your freedom. Makes a big difference.   Is spending money or stuff you don't need or really want  more important then having your freedom. For me it wasn't

                                              Have A Great Cheap Cheetah Day & Save that $$

Thank You

 Hello Family. I just want to say Thank You  for being a part  Of the Cheap Cheetah Money Show

 As always Save that Money!

To Much $$

                                                Hello Family How Are You Today?

I was reading this article yesterday about Jeff Bazos the worlds riches man. I first thought if that was me I would not want the world to know how rich I was. That could lead to people wanting to do scary things to me or my family. Also one could not spend in their life time 150 billion dollars. What would you spend it on or do with it? After you have purchased all you wants and needs? Also my last thought would be does one person really need all that money we are talking 150 billion dollars. To me that's way past scary money it's frightful money. The article I was reading also stated in order for Jeff to be broke when he passed  away he would have to spend  about 5 million dollars a day. Who the heck could spend that kinda money in a day . If he needs a place to put some of his money.  I would love a condo in Vegas if he would like to donate to the cause.

                                                         Have a Great Cheap Cheetah Day & Save that $$

Half

                                                   Hello Family How Are You Today?

What do you cut in half to save?

 Laundry Detergent- Fill 1/2 the amount suggested.

Dishwasher  Detergent - fill 1/2 as suggested
 
Napkins - usually 1/2 will do

Ice cream, use a cup or  mug rather than dish or bowl

Serving (portion size), decide how much you want, then take 1/2, don't go for a refill

Pastries, cut in half; leftovers for tomorrow.

Vacations - look at your master plan, then evaluate w/ a reality check (especially if driving). If you are gonna be hurrying just to make tracks, consider 1/2 a trip and enjoy yourself.

 Cut juice/Gatorade with water (it's usually too sweet, anyway).Toothpaste.Soap.
 

When I used to buy facial   face cleaning cloths (like  Olay or the generic), I cut those in half

Admission tickets into special events and coupons for restaurants - I try to use 2 for 1 deals as much as possible. One person pays full price, the other person is free.

Hotel rooms. Sometimes you can get 2 nights for the price of one. 

 I cut in half my aluminum foil. You don't need all that foil to wrap something.

I also personally cut in half my dinners when I go out to dinners I save the rest for lunch the next day.

I cut in half my bars of soap really how much soap do you need to wash up with? 

  Did I miss anything else you cut in half to save.

Have a great Cheap Cheetah Day & Save that $$

Grateful!!

Hello Family So How Are You Today?

Well today I am not talking about saving money I am talking about being grateful. I was watching a documentary on the Philippines and how they live.  The people who live there are dirt poor and they struggle everyday with the things that we take for granted like running water and food. I was watching this story about these kids who were fathered by foreigners  because their mothers were selling  a good time to these  foreigners  just to put food on the table. I watched men from different parts of the country stop by father a child and get gone. The whole thing was so sad. It go me to thinking that the things that I fuss about when it comes to money  is small compared to how some people are living around the world. 

So yes  I am very grateful to have been born in a country that allows me my basic needs and some luxuries if I want them. Thank you god for your blessings.

Have a great Cheap Cheetah Day & Save that Money! 

How to Travel Switzerland SUPER CHEAP! Budget Travel Tips

                       

                                                  Hello Family How are you today?

I wanted to share this guys videos with you because he travels on next to nothing to some cool places. He has been traveling since he was 18 and I think he's 44 now. That's a lot of traveling to many countries with little to no money. He tells you how you can travel cheap in certain countries. I love his videos and I am jealous.

                                                      Have A Great Cheap Cheetah Day & Save that $$

Happy 4th

                            
                                       Hello Family, Wishing everyone a Safe & Happy July 4th 
                                                  

                                          Have A great Cheap Cheetah Day & Save that $$$

Overseas Living

Hello  Family Happy July 1th

I was watching  a few videos yesterday  that talked about moving Overseas because the cost of living is cheaper. One guy moved to Twain and one moved to the  Philippines. In their video they both gave you a glance of what it would cost to live there. Like in  some Asian countries you can get a nice looking apt for about $250 dollars a month. The food ins some of these  Asian countries is pretty darn cheap . For example a good steak dinner would cost you about $9. but you can eat for less then $2 a day in some countries. The  Philippines is about the same cheap living and eating but.... The health care I am not so sure about. Yes the dentist and doctors might be cheaper but what kind of doctors and medical staff are you getting for that kind of money.

There are  some draw back to living in a foreign  country like the dollar rate and the language. The living conditions. Let's not forget the different insects that they have over there that we don't over here . I hate bugs!!!

My questions to you is with a nice social security check or a pension . Knowing that the U.S is expensive to live. Would you ever consider  moving to a cheaper place like a foreign country so that your money could go further?

Let me express that I have seen the good side of living in a foreign country but I feel the bad side of living there would outweigh the good ones.  What do you think?

Have A Great Cheap Cheetah Day & Save That Money!!!