Saturday, January 31, 2009

Cutting The [Economic] Fat To Survive

Saturday, January 31, 2009


This shitty economy bullshit is for the birds. Whether it's a high electric bill or higher food costs, everyone is being affected by this mess. Because I don't foresee myself having the opportunity to gravel before Congress and receive a piece of not-so-humble pie, I had to take matters in my own hands.

Below are some financial changes I've made to keep myself afloat.
  • No more upscale bottled water. Although Voss and Fiji are both very crisp and refreshing, I consider them to be luxury goods now and purchase them sparingly.

  • I take the Metro much more often. I never really took the train before gas spiked this past summer and I never stopped when the price decreased this fall/winter.

  • I rarely eat/order out now. I used to eat/order out at least 10-15 times per month. Now, its more like 3-4.

  • I've developed a new financial motto: "Just because I can doesn't mean that I should."

  • Happy hours have been all but eliminated from my life. If I do decide to go to a bar, I always ask for those specials first and eat lightly throughout the day to make such the 1 or 2 drinks I decide to order pack a punch.

  • I don't by clothes like I used to. I picked up a couple pieces and a couple pair of shoes last week because I needed those things. And most everything I bought was from end of season sales. I do allow myself treats, but they have to be really practical as well or at the very least fulfill some need. In other words...goodbye, Ralph Lauren and J. Crew. Hello, Filene's Basement.

  • I don't randomly drive from Baltimore to DC or anywhere else for that matter just to party or chill.

  • I joined a cheaper gym. When I switched jobs, I never joined a new gym. For a second I was considering joining this nice ass gym across the street from my office, but it costs $100/month. Mine costs $35.

  • No more $70 nights at Pazo. I haven't been there since September.

  • I always take my lunch to work now and I always make in bulk. I've been working on the same spinach salad since Monday.

  • When I travel now, a 2.5/3 star room is just fine and an economy class plane ticket will do.
Those are some of many other changes I have made to to cutback.

What are some of the extras you've cut from your own financial diet?

9 comments:

dickspot said...

I've stopped lavishing Champagne and Caviar on my tricks. I've discovered most of them are content with a Ritz cracker, Cheese-Wiz and soda.

Also, when I meet Brad and Angelina for cocktails in New Orleans, I let THEM pick up the tab. Seriously, they are purchasing babies from every third-world locale they can think of - they can pay for my martinis, mmmmmmKAY !!!!!

houstonmacbro said...

Interesting. I cut out the gym too but it was because I wasn't going and it was a waste. Plus I bought a bike and much prefer it to the sweat and attitude of the gym bunnies anyhow. I also have stopped eating out as much

BPS 4.0 : Soul Exposure said...

1) I have a water bottle that I fill everyday with the filtered water at work eliminating my purchase of bottled water.

2) I eat lunch at the hospitals I visit and I can get a meal with drink for less than 4 bones.

3) I make heavy use of my gym because I can get my socializing on and a workout in for 29 bucks a month. Not to mention it's on my way home so no extra gas is spent to do so.

4) I spend a lot of time on the Internet which keeps me entertained.

5) I've lived and will always live in non-retail price land. So nothing has changed there. Actually alot of things haven't changed. I'm still cheap just found a way to be cheaper.

deonte' k said...

O yes I feel u man.... I would have 2 write a book to tell u some of the extras I've cut from my financial diet. lol.

Mr. Jones said...

Dickspot - I used to party with Robert Downey Jr in the French Quarter, then he started skipping out on the bill, so I said fuck it. FWIW, he's putting his money to better use by helping storm victims down there, but still...where's the southern hospitality.
Houston - See, the gym bunnies movtivate me to go. There's nothing quite like seeing someone with spectacular cakes and legs and thighs and arms and back and chest and neck....oh wait....what was I saying?

BPS - OK!!! @ #4. Why spend $10 on drinks and potentially have a shitty time when my living room and a bottle of wine can be just as fun? And you betta be into wholesale. I see u. LOL.

Deonte - **signs the check for ur first book deal advance**

Spill it.

Darius T. Williams said...

Love this! Just because you can doesn't mean you should...I've always lived by that principle! Good deal.

Um, I've been spending like crazy lately tring to produce the show. So...hmmm - I need to find a way to save money.

bLaQ~n~MiLD said...

I've started having sex for money. LoL j/k...I think. ;-)

~Damnit!

Mr. Jones said...

Darius - Good luck with that. How's that going anyway?

Blaq - Oh, so THAT'S the cause of your personal recession. Makes sense now. :-P

That Dude Right There said...

I ain't cut back on a damn thing!!! And I don't plan on it. Reason is that i never spent extravagantly because I just have never had it like that.

Now when I drop these 2 roommates in a few months it's going to be a different story.

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