We've all got them and i'm sure a few are different depending on the way we live. I'm curious though as to what some of yours might be.

A few of mine.

Never shop when hungry
If someone i'm eating with orders souffle after the main course, get up and leave (It takes FOREVER)
Keep a "pay it forward" train going. You were going to spend the money anyway.
Try something new every month, regardless of outcome.

No caffeine after midnight.

I really don't have others except never shopping when hungry. That also goes along with my rule of keeping my purse filled with snacks when I'm out with my kids. Once they start asking for junk, I hand them a granola bar.

I don't lock my car. I don't keep valuables in it. And I figure, if someone wants something, take it but don't break my window. Buying a new window is expensive hell.

Live below your means.

Oct 2, 2017 4:42:24 GMT NATH45 said:

Live below your means.

Have a coworker that this needs to apply to. A few months ago he told me he was upset because he called off (!) and requested it be done as annual leave, but they put it in as leave without pay. So his upcoming check was gonna be less than normal. His complaint was he was $5 short for a bill he needed to pay. He didn't ask for money, he was simply saying it wouldn't be a problem if they used annual as he requested. Thinking about it... no dude, you're so fucked. We get paid every other Friday. We had not been paid yet, so even if they paid him "correctly" he would be going 2 and 1/2 weeks until he got paid again. Clearly you're not budgeting right dude. Then again most Americans (dunno about the rest of the world) supposedly have less than 1k in saving and next to nothing in retirement, so he's has plenty of peers.

Sept 28, 2017 0:46:39 GMT Call said:

Keep a "pay it forward" train going. You were going to spend the money anyway.

I try to avoid paid parking at all costs but had no choice today. Went and found someone as I was leaving to give my ticket too - felt truly righteous. 😇

Oct 2, 2017 11:40:47 GMT @ness said:

Oct 2, 2017 4:42:24 GMT NATH45 said:

Live below your means.

Have a coworker that this needs to apply to. A few months ago he told me he was upset because he called off (!) and requested it be done as annual leave, but they put it in as leave without pay. So his upcoming check was gonna be less than normal. His complaint was he was $5 short for a bill he needed to pay. He didn't ask for money, he was simply saying it wouldn't be a problem if they used annual as he requested. Thinking about it... no dude, you're so fucked. We get paid every other Friday. We had not been paid yet, so even if they paid him "correctly" he would be going 2 and 1/2 weeks until he got paid again. Clearly you're not budgeting right dude. Then again most Americans (dunno about the rest of the world) supposedly have less than 1k in saving and next to nothing in retirement, so he's has plenty of peers.

Living below my means, I'm not necessarily cheap. I won't bore you with my deep and meaningful thoughts on finance, but I saved a lot of cash, bought property when I was young, saved a lot more cash, bought and sold property and continued to save. And in turn it's allowed me and my wife to do things like buy new cars with cash and travel. We don't necessarily worry about bills or expenses. We have cash and decent equity in our home. 

Then there's guys I know, on similar money or more with huge home loans, car loans, personal loans - still making decent money, and live month to month. Money is all about behaviour. 

Nothing is ever easy....or free...

Short cuts are hard. If it was easy, it would just be called 'the way.' - Roadtrip.

Never loan anyone money. If it's a small amount (~1k) I am not opposed to helping someone out but it's given as a gift. Repayment is a bonus and I'd never bring it up.

Credit card is only to be used for business expenses. I have a side business and up until last month I did not have a credit card. Because I have to place my orders using a credit card, I only use it for stuff relating to that business.

Don't dip you pen in the company ink. I have never and will never date someone where I work. Never a good idea.

I'm gaudy as fuck. I never was into saving. Every time I did save a big amount, I would go on vacation. Or buy my wife a car. Buy myself new clothes. I'm a big spender.

It's crazy, too. When I first started working a decade ago, I was awesome at saving. I, sometimes, would wait until I had 2-3 (got paid weekly) checks on me to put them in the bank. Then as I got older, there were things I needed on a daily basis. Cigarettes, coffee, water, food, etc. I went from being a saving machine to a spending machine. Now I'm at the age where I can't save shit because I got bills and everything I do save, I end up spending on something coming up. It's always someone's birthday, someone's wedding or a fucking holiday.

Oct 2, 2017 11:40:47 GMT @ness said:

Oct 2, 2017 4:42:24 GMT NATH45 said:

Live below your means.

Have a coworker that this needs to apply to. A few months ago he told me he was upset because he called off (!) and requested it be done as annual leave, but they put it in as leave without pay. So his upcoming check was gonna be less than normal. His complaint was he was $5 short for a bill he needed to pay. He didn't ask for money, he was simply saying it wouldn't be a problem if they used annual as he requested. Thinking about it... no dude, you're so fucked. We get paid every other Friday. We had not been paid yet, so even if they paid him "correctly" he would be going 2 and 1/2 weeks until he got paid again. Clearly you're not budgeting right dude. Then again most Americans (dunno about the rest of the world) supposedly have less than 1k in saving and next to nothing in retirement, so he's has plenty of peers.

It's pretty shocking how bad we americans are with the green.  Right now I have over $15,000 in the bank and believe me, a teachers salary isn't anything to brag about.  I'm just good with a budget.  I don't take fancy vacations, buy expensive cars, boats, or live in a house I can't afford. I don't eat out very often.  Also I stay out of any major debt.  I think as of right now I only owe $700 on credit cards which is nothing.  I think most people just lose track of the little things.  They eat out every night, buy a starbucks coffee every morning, and buy some snacks in between.  Just on eating allowance alone I know people I work with who plop down 30 bucks a day just on breakfast and lunch.  Sure I eat out every now and then but people who do it daily...I just scratch my head at. Then just other little things like cigs and tobacco...yeah there was a wise investment.  Spend almost 10 bucks on a pack of smokes (at least in california they are) that make you smell like shit and cause health problems, yeah way to think that through.  Ugh, smokers.