Comments on: Spending Filters – How I Save Money On Just About Everything

By: My First Week as an Empty Nester

My First Week as an Empty Nester — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:07:41 +0000

[...] Matt Jabs gets the Pilgrim Pick of the Pack for his article on spending filters. [...]

By: Debt Plan – Facing Bankruptcy & Foreclosure

Debt Plan – Facing Bankruptcy & Foreclosure — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:12:52 +0000

[...] you can: cable, magazines, cell plans etc. Small bills add up. Assess the difference between wants and needs and get down to the basics of food, transportation for employment, and shelter. The excess will [...]

By: Vacation Planning - Save Money and Have Fun

Vacation Planning - Save Money and Have Fun — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:29:37 +0000

[...] with more dollars!” – Robert EspeHere at DFA we are always looking for new ways to cut back spending and save money. I know that lots of readers will probably go on vacation this year, and because [...]

By: Cyber Monday - Save Money on Needs | Debt Free Adventure!

Cyber Monday - Save Money on Needs | Debt Free Adventure! — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:40:24 +0000

[...] Run your purchases through sensible spending filters. [...]

By: Why We Avoid Black Friday Like the Black Death | fivecentnickel.com

Why We Avoid Black Friday Like the Black Death | fivecentnickel.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:04:16 +0000

[...] now tempted by fewer things, we still have to work to consciously pass our decisions through our filters of frugality. And even after doing so, we sometimes want to buy things that we don’t [...]

By: How I Find Value Where Others Do Not | Steadfast Finances

How I Find Value Where Others Do Not | Steadfast Finances — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:38:26 +0000

[...] people think value is simply getting 10 percent off of retail price. Some may have a mix of spending filters where they run XYZ item through a mix of personal choices based upon X, Y, and Z variables. The [...]

By: Friday Finance Round Up – September 4, 2009 | Redeeming Riches

Friday Finance Round Up – September 4, 2009 | Redeeming Riches — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:02:49 +0000

[...] Use Spending Filters to Save on Just About Everything – Debt Free Adventure [...]

By: » Clean and Maintain Your Windows Computer for Free

» Clean and Maintain Your Windows Computer for Free — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:12:27 +0000

[...] you may well know I carefully filter all of my spending decisions, so my preference for free software should come as no surprise. While there are certain programs [...]

By: Pay Off Credit Card Debt - More Reasons Why You Should | Debt Free Adventure!

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:17:33 +0000

[...] Curb Spending – Spending less than you earn is a cornerstone of gaining monetary wealth – we are proudly standing upon that cornerstone. [...]

By: Kantoorpand kantoorruimte

Kantoorpand kantoorruimte — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:54:06 +0000

Shopping around to save a few cents is not always worth the time involved.
So getting good value at a reasonable price for what you are looking for is usually my general approach. I also like to purchase good quality products that last longer.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:52:14 +0000

getting an additional job can be a solid option, but may times the cost spent on resources and taxes, etc can outweigh the benefits and they only end up making 60% or less of what they earn. If we can get people to cut costs, they earn 100% of every dollar saved.

By: Friday Finance Findings for September 4th – $2,500 Lending Club Contest Edition | MORTGAGES

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:43:49 +0000

[...] Spending Filters – How I Save Money On Just About Everything – How would you like to save money on everything you buy? You can, and Matt has an interesting tactic by using spending filters. Learn more about these filters and how you can create your own to rack up daily savings. [...]

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:56:23 +0000

It’s amazing isn’t it. I thought I had a really good handle on my spending habits too, but the starting the spending ledger opened my eyes and has helped make me that much more disciplined!

The simple and relatively unpopular practice of keeping a regular spending ledger is a powerful idea that makes a world of difference.

By: wb

wb — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:13:59 +0000

I’ve generally practiced these except for “asking for a discount” and “keeping a ledger.” I have been blessed with a good income thanks to “be productive instead of spending” and didn’t think I needed to closely track my spending.

Then I created a Mint.com account that tracks all of my checking, credit card, savings, loans and investments. Suddenly those dollars I didn’t miss were there in black and white and green each day. I couldn’t ignore the fact I had several subscriptions I never used, was incurring needless bank fees, etc. I immediately cut about $100 a month worth of mindless expenses.

Mint.com is so automated that it eliminated any hassle I felt with checking all of my accounts. I moved my savings to accounts with better interest. I check Mint.com each day and spotted credit card fraud within hours rather than weeks.

I’d say I’ve saved/earned thousands of dollars in the past year due to just “keeping a ledger.”

By: FrugalNYC

FrugalNYC — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:45:53 +0000

I think I have some built-in spending filters!
Good article and very well put.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:46:50 +0000

Ahhh yes… a spouse plays such a crucial and integral role in securing financial stability in our lives. Having a spouse “on board” can make or break even the best financial plans!

Thanks for stopping by Adam.

By: Adam@RabbitFunds

Adam@RabbitFunds — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:53:20 +0000

Love the post! I have found that a spouse is often the best spending filter. Because of the emotion involved in making a purchase, I often need her (or vice versa) to ask those important questions since I’m blinded. Usually if I can walk away from something that I really want for a few hours, I can think rationally and ask those questions. Yet another reason to avoid making purchases in the moment but rather stick to planned purchases.

By: Spending Filters and Delaying Gratification | Financial Highway

Spending Filters and Delaying Gratification | Financial Highway — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:02:45 +0000

[...] this topic.In a recent article Matt Jabs from Debt Free Adventure discussed an interesting concept, Spending Filters. A filter is a device that removes unwanted items as they pass through it; a spending filter is [...]

By: Carnival of Personal Finance #221 : Carnival of Personal Finance

Carnival of Personal Finance #221 : Carnival of Personal Finance — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:53:25 +0000

[...] Jabs from Debt Free Adventure: Spending Filters – How I Save Money On Just About Everything Tom @ Canadian Finance Blog: Where To Find Other Sources Of [...]

By: Carnival of Personal Finance 221- Labour Day Edition | Financial Highway

Carnival of Personal Finance 221- Labour Day Edition | Financial Highway — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:04:33 +0000

[...] Jabs from Debt Free Adventure presents Spending Filters – How I Save Money On Just About Everything, and says, ” A spending filter is a concept or idea that can be employed in various ways to [...]