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Veronica Combs's profile was updated 9 years ago
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Cara Reynolds – SUM180 Community Manager and Veronica Combs are now friends 9 years ago
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Veronica Combs started the topic How I shifted my strategy on monthly recurring bills in the forum Manage your debt 9 years, 1 month ago
Everyone has those expenses that are the same each month – a YMCA membership, a Netflix bill, the cable bill. Reviewing how you are paying these bills can give you some ideas about where you can save money.
When I was working through my SUM 180 interview, I made a list of all my recurring bills. I had set some up to pay on a credit card, some…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs started the topic Feeling comfortable in a judgement free zone in the forum My journey 9 years, 1 month ago
When I first heard about SUM 180, I was intrigued. The basic idea was great – get a financial check up and talk with an adviser. I certainly needed to tidy up my retirement accounts and tune up my daily spending habits. That part was a no-brainer.
What really got me to create an account and discuss my finances with a stranger was the fact that…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs's profile was updated 9 years, 1 month ago
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic Tiny House: How small would you downsize to live mortgage-free? in the forum Buy a house 9 years, 1 month ago
My kids are still in elementary school, but my husband and I are already thinking about how we are going to downsize. I think the biggest problem for most people is thinking about stuff. How do you get rid of enough of it to be happy and have all your stuff fit in a much smaller space?
For me, location is more important than size. I want to live…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic Calmer drivers save on gas in the forum Grow your savings 9 years, 1 month ago
I have to say this is one motivation I use to slow down on the freeway. I am always running late (another challenge I need to work on), so I am always rushing.
I remind myself that my blood pressure and my gas mileage will both be better off if I slow down and take deep breaths, instead of mashing on the gas and complaining about the other…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic How to take control of "miscellaneous" expenses in the forum Grow your savings 9 years, 1 month ago
This is actually my least favorite part of budgeting. I do tend to lump too many expenses into “misc” which makes the category meaningless.
When I try to be more specific, I end up with way too many categories.
Still looking for the right spot in the middle between the two extremes.
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Veronica Combs started the topic How to make your SUM 180 interview stress free in the forum My journey 9 years, 2 months ago
I am the paperwork person in my house. I let my husband take care of the taxes one year, and we paid way too much to a preparer because he wouldn’t do it himself.
Since then (we’ve been married 13 years), I have taken over all the bills and investments. That said, I am not the most organized person in the world. I keep the bills paid on time, but…[Read more] -
Veronica Combs replied to the topic Finding money in new and interesting ways in the forum My journey 9 years, 2 months ago
Verizon called me recently and actually offered me a good deal in changing my cell phone plan. I am always skeptical of offers from big companies like that, but the sales rep cut my monthly bill down by $30. Again, not much, but I’ll take it.
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic A tip for saving on furniture or major appliances in the forum Grow your savings 9 years, 2 months ago
Whenever someone asks about the small dent on my refrigerator door, I say, “Floor model discount! We got an excellent deal!”
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic How much money can you save if you quit smoking? in the forum Grow your savings 9 years, 2 months ago
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, many more health insurance plans are covering or helping to cover programs that help people quit.
You can read more here:Check with your insurance plan and see if you can get help to quit.
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic Extra life insurance? in the forum My journey 9 years, 2 months ago
I think it depends on your current situation. Do you have kids or a spouse? My husband and I got term life insurance when we had kids. If something happens to one of us, the kids’ education and other expenses will be covered. The policies expire when the kids are in their 20s – hopefully they will be paying their own way by then!
In my exp…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs changed their profile picture 9 years, 2 months ago
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic Audit your beauty expenses: 5 ways to spend less in the forum Grow your savings 9 years, 2 months ago
I have read that “wash your hair every other day” advice many times. I think that one is definitely falls in the “works for you, but not for me” category.
I have definitely cut back on highlights to save money and I only get pedicures for special occasions. I go without otherwise, because I don’t have the skill or the patience to DIY.
But…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic Save on your clothing bill by buying clothes that last: 5 tips in the forum Grow your savings 9 years, 2 months ago
I would add Boden to the high-quality list. They are a British company and a bit pricier than some other companies, but the clothing is well made and lasts through many washings.
They have a unique style too – I always get compliments on my Boden dresses and skirts.Karina Dresses is another good one. The dresses are well made, feature gorgeous p…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic Grow your own food, cut your grocery bill: 4 tips in the forum Grow your savings 9 years, 2 months ago
An herb garden is a good choice also. Some plants will come back every year. Cilantro reseeds itself each year, so if you get a start from a friend, there is no need to buy another plant next year.
We have a small collection of herbs, and the oregano comes back every year, and the sage does too.
We buy a basil plant or two every spring. It’s e…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs posted a new activity comment 9 years, 2 months ago
It’s so true. When I realized how much time I was spending fretting over bills, I was shocked at what a waste of energy that was. I made a decision NOT to feel that way. Then, when I was tempted to buy a new dress that I didn’t really need or put a weekend getaway on my credit card, I used that decision as motivation to make different fin…[Read more]
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Veronica Combs replied to the topic Finding cash in unexpected places in the forum Grow your savings 9 years, 2 months ago
I had heard about Tradesy but was a little skeptical. I do love my local consignment shop, but it does require an appointment and a trip to the store. Including an envelop is a genius move – very persuasive!
Thanks for the tip – your experience has convinced me to try it! -
Veronica Combs replied to the topic David Ramsey in the forum Manage your debt 9 years, 2 months ago
I think that credit card debt is such a big problem for so many people that anything that chips away at it is a good thing.
The envelope system wouldn’t work for me, and it would never work for my husband. He never has cash. We have joint accounts, so any system we use has to work for both of us.
I’ve found having a weekly spending target helps me…[Read more] - Load More