I went through every page of this thread and some interesting items here.
One might say it's never to late to start doing something right for your future but I was lucky that we started early doing at least most, probably not all, things right so that now we aren't really having to try and cut back when facing uncertain times. I'm not bragging. I give all credit to the Creator and Savior. We have always tithed. My wife has always been more frugal than me.
We bought properties on owner financing when interest rates were high and fixed them up. Sold some, kept others and invested money. The new cars we bought we kept essentially forever and got everything possible out of them but mostly bought used vehicles. We had various businesses and investments over the years and stayed out of debt for anything that wasn't carrying it's own way plus. We have always had credit cards but have never ran balances. Our FICO is always 835-845 over the past many years. We cash in a lot of rebates on CC's and free travel and hotel nights. Our vacations have always been somehow related to visiting friends or family or some other profitable endeavor not just a two week fun in the sun with a big bill at the end. We did finance new vehicles. We cut back spending to make the notes then after the payoff allocated that payment to the IRA, 401K, retirement account, etc. and never missed the money. Whatever we had might not have been much but we always took care of it. Although she was only employed outside for a short time my wife has always managed to save and invest and make money in different endeavors. She has been a Real Estate broker/investor for about 50 years. We have always been active in many ways in our community as volunteers and helpers.
Basically, live below your income level and save money, economize in the early years and make that a habit, learn the rule of 7/8's and how it can make you money or tear you up, invest carefully but consistently, and, above all, honor the Lord.
For a current cost saving practice I recently got a rebate from AMEX for a one-half the cost of a year membership to Walmart+. They allow a 5 cent discount at Walmart gas station and Sams Club stations and a discount at Murphy USA stations. You can pay at the pump with the app. It provides a detailed receipt and a record on the account of everything you buy. There are several other things I like about it but the gas discount will more than pay for it after the rebate from AMEX. If not for the AMEX rebate I probably would not have done it.
We are thankful for what we have been given to have and use while on this earth. We hope to have used what we were given for the best purpose.
