@mlzg wrote:

I have done some similar things. I'm always worried about running out of food and toiletries. I will say "But there might be a blizzard; I need to stock up!" It's never necessary, but I do it. I sent a friend home with a large grocery bag full of food when she visited a few weeks ago. Looked in my cabinet and fridge after she left, and I still had too much food. I also prefer to have money coming in from different sources. When I was in college, it was working at the mall and babysitting/tutoring + camp in the summer. After graduating, it was teaching in a school M-F and providing home therapy to kids on the weekends. Now I have the same exact job title, but I work for three different companies. One does a paper check once a month, another does direct deposit once a month, and the last does direct deposit 2x a month. Getting paid 4x a month makes me feel more secure, however it feels strange not to have a *different* part-time job (my MSing is mainly reimbursements). I use an online bank that gives good interest rates and I always have the current interest rates memorized and will calculate how much I can make depending on which route I choose. I won't take classes at a private college. I was able to pay for my masters in cash (I took out over 3k from the bank and walked through Manhattan to school and paid for the full-time semester- I didn't understand how to do a bank check or what on earth to do LOL) and that was all from my camp salary, tips, babysitting, etc. The public universities in NYC are very affordable. I know that I've got more $$ saved for retirement & just regular savings than most of my friends close to my age. Some of my coworkers who are older than I am will tell me things like they had to break into their IRA and get penalized to cover bills. Or, "What's an IRA?" (we don't get 401k at our job). I am stunned at how casual people are about their finances.

***I agree. Money coming at all times of the month is great. I don't actually "work" now, other than to MS, babysit and tutor. And I occasionally pick up a PT/temp job. It bothers me more and more as time goes on. I also don't have a lot of money in IRA's or savings accounts, though like you, I know interest rates and best places to put my money very well. We do have four (almost five....as of January) rental properties, and I just have no spare money at the moment. But every time someone else pays rent, I think of it as money in the bank....just not as liquid***

I agree with you about the "that's $10 more than I had yesterday" mentality. I make very good money since starting my current job, but I still love adding $5 or $10 to my savings account from a phone shop. I was thinking about opening a savings account and just putting in phone shop fees and reimbursements in there to see how high I can get.

***I've thought the same. I decided to leave my paypal account alone as long as I can to see how much I can save in there***

I just checked the main survey website I use. I have earned almost $350 "lifetime", but I've been using the site for years with varying degrees of participation. I will get Bath & Body Works gift cards and buy holiday presents there (love their scented wall plug-in things), a Visa card to use at any online retailer, Amazon, Fandango, etc.

***Is this something like swagbucks? I'm going to have to start doing that more***

Renting out rooms and buying properties in your early 20's...incredible!

***Necessary. Just wish I could have held onto them because they would be nearly paid off and worth 3x what I paid for them ***

Your post made me think that I should pause grocery shopping and just use up what's in my cabinets for a bit. I did a "no spend February" and kept it going through March and saved a good amount. Maybe I will do a no grocery shopping (except for fruits/veggies) half a month or so

***LOL. My post made me think the same thing. Went to my pantry and thought that it is time to eat up what all is in there. Also toothpaste and deodorant and soap. I think I have enough bars of soap to last my family of six for 10 years lol ***

.