Cutbacks

Real Simple has a great article this month (I always love their money features – so straightforward and easy to put into practice) about cutbacks that have saved people the most money but have changed their lives the least, which got me thinking about how I prioritize expenses and what I’ve whittled down over the years.

Here’s what I came up with off the top of my head:

Things I’ve cutback and don’t miss:

• I haven’t paid for cable since 2002 thanks to a mix of online streaming and apartment provided basic channels.
• I started using my cell phone as my primary line around 2000 and cut the landline a few months after.
• I do go in spurts, but I’ve largely stopped coloring my hair. Talk to me again when the grays really start coming in.
• Tanning is bad for your skin and your checkbook. I’ve been embracing my pale legs since 2005.
• Since moving to Texas, I’ve replaced the using the furnace with using an electric blanket. My wiener dog also approves.
• Now that I’m only commuting 15-20 minutes to work, I canceled XM radio. It was a luxury that I enjoyed, but just wasn’t necessary anymore.

Things I tried to cutback but couldn’t live without:

• When I was fresh out of grad school I went without home internet for two years. TWO YEARS! Granted it was more of a necessity than a choice, but as soon as I was making enough money I had it reinstalled and I can’t imagine living without it again.
• Manicures and pedicures are so relaxing and they do a much better job than I could.
• Fresh bread and organic veggies. If I’m able, I always opt for both.

Things I could probably cutback but haven’t made the plunge:

• I love going to the movies alone on a Sunday afternoon, and I usually go once or twice a month at $20 a pop (our theater has table service).
• I have plenty of tea-towels and dishtowels, yet I still have a bad habit of using paper towels to cleanup. (Though I do use dishtowels to wipe my hands.)
• If I wasn’t such a chicken (I live alone) I’d turn off the AC and open the windows at night (it’s October and still 85+ degrees in Austin during the day).

Have you made any cutbacks that have made a big difference in checkbook but not so much in your daily life? If you were going to start making cutbacks, what would be the first thing to go?

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