Why Money Matters

Rubbing Pennies started as a personal challenge to save $10,000 in one calendar year. As a young couple, we (Ian and Jen) know how important it is to live within your means, avoid acquiring a lot of debt and have a healthy financial cushion to fall on in case of emergency. On April 10, 2010, we set out on the journey of marriage with two steady incomes, a newly purchased home, one vehicle payment, and a very modest savings account. In an effort to beef up our piggy bank, we launched Rubbing Pennies in January 2012. This is our story of how we love the life we live, and how we can afford it.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Unnecessary Services

   With the advancing technology in cell phones, we can get internet and phone service almost anywhere. In addition to our iPhones, Ian and I both have access to the internet all day long at work. And now, I have a Motorola tablet for work that has 4G on it. I can check my email, download movies and music, check my bank account, Facebook, and even write Word documents. So what do we need a home computer with internet for? We don't.
   Beginning today, for the first time since living on my own at 18, I do not have home internet service. We also came to the decision back in February, that we don't need our home phone line. I understand the "importance" of a land line if you ever need to call 911 from your home....but I still think it's a silly, unnecessary cost. So with the combined cancellation of our phone and internet service - drum roll please - we are saving approximately $90 a month! This is over $1,000 a year. 
   However, since there are only 8 months left in our calendar year savings plan, we will save $720 towards our goal of $10K. From now on, each month when the Dish Network bill comes due, I will pay it and then take the $90 that used to pay the internet/phone portion of the bill and put it right into savings. Good-bye Century Link!
   How much money are you wasting on unnecessary services? Don't forget about cell phone minutes!! A lot of wireless service companies offer unlimited mobile to mobile minutes. If you're still paying for a package with more minutes than you need, you're wasting that money! If you text more than you talk, switch to a plan with unlimited text and fewer minutes to save on your bill. Ask about family plans that offer a second line for only $10. You could combine your family's phone lines into one account and save money that way too.