I have zero tips for areas in which to save money (although like others, I manufacture my own targets, which I guess represents some modest savings).
I'm trying really, really hard to not feel any sort of guilt after five pages of this thread (which reminds me I'm not very frugal). But no apologies: I've worked my entire life (since about age 15) at full-time jobs for my family to be at the point we're at now: not having to deny ourselves out of necessity. We are blessed to be able to meet our needs, and still buy luxury items, without having to scrimp and save. I guess compared to some here, I'm a profligate spender. About the only thing I've really done to save money lately is not buying any firearms for the past month.
We still put away savings, try to never use credit, research major purchases, spend almost exclusively using cash, but we also indulge in what some of you would probably term luxuries. I still enjoy expensive cigars, fine bourbon, satellite television (and radio), a new truck every few years, quality boots, firearms and have spent the last ten years buying ammunition like it was going out of production (which it pretty much did). The wife has her own areas, which include constant upgrades to her kitchen and chef's equipment and accessories.
At this point in life, we are looking to keep finding and funding charitable causes (starting in our own families) -- if there's ever been a time to give, it's now. We've all witnessed family members, friends, church members, co-workers and their families lose income and/or jobs, deplete their savings, have their circumstances so drastically reduced over the past year and a half due to the pandemic. Certainly helps us remember we are truly blessed.
) one's own money as one sees fit.
