Comments on: Unique Budgeting Idea: The Giftcard Budget http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget Debt Kid - I'm Getting Out of Debt Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:37:09 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jenni http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-9112 Jenni Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:32:16 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-9112 I carry both cash and a debit card. Then I save my receipts, to remind me what I spent my money on...unhealthy stuff like gum...and if I get something that doesn't work like it is suppose to, I can return it. I didn't know you could reuse gift cards, so to speak, I thought after you used it up, you tossed it. Thanks for the information. Now I can do that with the few I have now. I have a wallet that has those places some put pictures, I put my cards, this way they stay in my wallet all the time. In college they use to let you punch a hole in the card that you used to get in the dorm, like the cards they use for hotels and motels now. Can you do that with cards? You can with your library card. Again, thanks for the info. And hang in there, you will make it. I carry both cash and a debit card. Then I save my receipts, to remind me what I spent my money on…unhealthy stuff like gum…and if I get something that doesn’t work like it is suppose to, I can return it. I didn’t know you could reuse gift cards, so to speak, I thought after you used it up, you tossed it. Thanks for the information. Now I can do that with the few I have now. I have a wallet that has those places some put pictures, I put my cards, this way they stay in my wallet all the time. In college they use to let you punch a hole in the card that you used to get in the dorm, like the cards they use for hotels and motels now. Can you do that with cards? You can with your library card.
Again, thanks for the info. And hang in there, you will make it.

]]> By: Samantha http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-7633 Samantha Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:11:33 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-7633 Concerning that hot chocolate at Starbucks: you might want to take a look at the nutrition statistics on their website. I quit going after I realized just how many liquid calories I was consuming there. A grande Hot Chocolate (16 oz) made with 2% milk with whipped cream on top has 370 calories, 140 of which are from fat (16 grams total fat, 9 grams of which are staurated) 49 grams carbs 40 grams sugar I don't know about you, but I want more to eat for 370 calories. A grande White Hot Chocolate (same size, same 2% milk and , same dollup of whipped cream) 490 calories, 170 of which are from fat (19 grams fat, 13 of which are saturated) 63 carbs 62 grams sugar And I *definately* want more for 490 calories. Something to think about... Concerning that hot chocolate at Starbucks: you might want to take a look at the nutrition statistics on their website. I quit going after I realized just how many liquid calories I was consuming there.

A grande Hot Chocolate (16 oz)
made with 2% milk with whipped cream on top has
370 calories, 140 of which are from fat
(16 grams total fat, 9 grams of which are staurated)
49 grams carbs
40 grams sugar

I don’t know about you, but I want more to eat for 370 calories.

A grande White Hot Chocolate
(same size, same 2% milk and , same dollup of whipped cream)
490 calories, 170 of which are from fat
(19 grams fat, 13 of which are saturated)
63 carbs
62 grams sugar

And I *definately* want more for 490 calories.

Something to think about…

]]> By: Jay http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-6951 Jay Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:07:34 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-6951 I carry around cash as well... so there'e at least two people! And again, you don't take the envelopes with you, nor do you take the entire amount of cash... just what you intend to spend. As far a loosing it... when is the last time you lost some cash or even a card? I can't recall the last time it happened to me. I carry around cash as well… so there’e at least two people!

And again, you don’t take the envelopes with you, nor do you take the entire amount of cash… just what you intend to spend.

As far a loosing it… when is the last time you lost some cash or even a card? I can’t recall the last time it happened to me.

]]> By: SavingDiva http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-6831 SavingDiva Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:44:21 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-6831 At the begining of the month, I put $200 in a checking account....it's my food budget...if I go over, I have nothing left to spend. At the begining of the month, I put $200 in a checking account….it’s my food budget…if I go over, I have nothing left to spend.

]]> By: Randall http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-6771 Randall Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:06:52 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-6771 Gift cards have too many negatives for me to count on them for everyday use; Loss, Stores not taking them (for some reason), amounts stuck on card (or having to spend 'a little more' to get all the amount). Just get a debit card, put the money in an account, and you've got the same effect. Plus, you might get a little interest, and can pull cash out for that ONE TIME that they don't take plastic or won't sell for under $10. Gift cards have too many negatives for me to count on them for everyday use; Loss, Stores not taking them (for some reason), amounts stuck on card (or having to spend ‘a little more’ to get all the amount).

Just get a debit card, put the money in an account, and you’ve got the same effect. Plus, you might get a little interest, and can pull cash out for that ONE TIME that they don’t take plastic or won’t sell for under $10.

]]> By: Enough Wealth http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-6769 Enough Wealth Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:50:21 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-6769 I just use a credit card for all my expenses, which I pay off in full each month. If doesn't cost me any interest, earns some rewards points, and provides a monthly record of all my spending which I use to reconcile what I've recorded into Quicken during the month.Using envelopes or gift cards to control total spending by category seems pretty useless as you can still overspend each week and then just "run out" before the end of the month. All you really need is a rough mental plan of what you intend to spend, and stick to it. For example, when grocery shopping, use a list of what you plan to buy and don't buy anything that's not on your list. After a while you don't even need the list, as you've trained yourself to not buy any "extras". I just use a credit card for all my expenses, which I pay off in full each month. If doesn’t cost me any interest, earns some rewards points, and provides a monthly record of all my spending which I use to reconcile what I’ve recorded into Quicken during the month.Using envelopes or gift cards to control total spending by category seems pretty useless as you can still overspend each week and then just “run out” before the end of the month. All you really need is a rough mental plan of what you intend to spend, and stick to it. For example, when grocery shopping, use a list of what you plan to buy and don’t buy anything that’s not on your list. After a while you don’t even need the list, as you’ve trained yourself to not buy any “extras”.

]]> By: akula http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-6675 akula Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:30:58 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-6675 you should look into buying the gift cards online at exchange sites. you will instantly get a 10% discount. you should look into buying the gift cards online at exchange sites. you will instantly get a 10% discount.

]]> By: smitty http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-6651 smitty Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:56:37 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-6651 the rookie mistake you're making is that "controlling cash" isn't the same as "controlling yourself." i.e. i'd try this process: 1: sit down at the table and write down a list of everything you want to eat for the next two weeks; 2: using that list, figure out the price difference between your wants and your needs; 3: over time, try to figure out a way to reduce the wanted but not needed items; I used this method and lost nearly 80 lbs and, because I eat a lot less, I now eat organic foods without spending more! my "biggest recommedation" would be to only buy 6" subs at safeway and drink water. that was how I started my diet; i.e. I cut out the soda, chips and cookies; so, not only did I lose weight, I saved a lot of money too. my opinion: you're life will be much better without "empty calorie" foods like soda! the rookie mistake you’re making is that “controlling cash” isn’t the same as “controlling yourself.”

i.e. i’d try this process:

1: sit down at the table and write down a list of everything you want to eat for the next two weeks;

2: using that list, figure out the price difference between your wants and your needs;

3: over time, try to figure out a way to reduce the wanted but not needed items;

I used this method and lost nearly 80 lbs and, because I eat a lot less, I now eat organic foods without spending more!

my “biggest recommedation” would be to only buy 6″ subs at safeway and drink water. that was how I started my diet; i.e. I cut out the soda, chips and cookies; so, not only did I lose weight, I saved a lot of money too.

my opinion: you’re life will be much better without “empty calorie” foods like soda!

]]> By: Karyn http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-6650 Karyn Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:37:39 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-6650 I think it's a great idea. If you plan on sticking with it for any length of time, and you want to do some good for others too, there is a program called Scrip (http://www.glscrip.com) -that website is just one example. Basically you can choose a school or non-profit program that is trying to raise money and when you buy a gift card (for the same price, not more expensive) a % of what you pay gets donated from the company the gift card is for, to the school or nonprofit. Example: Kroger has a reusable gift card that contributes about 3%. Some companies give more, for example American Airlines gives like 11%. I know that's one more thing to worry about, but hey, it's a feel good activitity, and it doesn't cost you anything. I think it’s a great idea. If you plan on sticking with it for any length of time, and you want to do some good for others too, there is a program called Scrip (http://www.glscrip.com) -that website is just one example. Basically you can choose a school or non-profit program that is trying to raise money and when you buy a gift card (for the same price, not more expensive) a % of what you pay gets donated from the company the gift card is for, to the school or nonprofit. Example: Kroger has a reusable gift card that contributes about 3%. Some companies give more, for example American Airlines gives like 11%. I know that’s one more thing to worry about, but hey, it’s a feel good activitity, and it doesn’t cost you anything.

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget/comment-page-1#comment-6645 Jonathan Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:54:33 +0000 http://www.debtkid.com/unique-budgeting-idea-the-giftcard-budget#comment-6645 Why did you remove the ability to read entire posts through a RSS reader? It is highly annoying to be able to catch up on all other sites in one place but to have to click through to Debt Kid. Was there some thought behind this? Why did you remove the ability to read entire posts through a RSS reader? It is highly annoying to be able to catch up on all other sites in one place but to have to click through to Debt Kid. Was there some thought behind this?

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