I love my debit card because it lets me pay "cash" without actually having any cash.

Yeah, when I say "cash" most of the time I mean "debit card instead of credit card."

Yeah, when I say "cash" most of the time I mean "debit card instead of credit card."

I try to limit my debit card to things I can only pay for online (like Sous Kitchen). It's just so much easier to keep my spending down when I use actual cash. I have $20 left in my wallet, so that's how much I have to spend for the rest of the month.

I do a lot of xmas shopping on line - plus December is the first tax bill. December is $$ month, but over the years I've gotten us to the point where we catch up by February.

I get paid biweekly, Matt the 15 and last day. The 1st -15th can be tight - due to the mortgage payment - but it is more like - eat at home not out - or wait a week to buy an expensive pair of shoes.

Good on you for finding real motivation, Susan. I think that is the key. We put things like tires on the CC, but things like a sofa, the bandsaw , etc. are cash. Because they can wait until we have cash. That helps with the savings

wow, Frank, that's awesome! I'm not sure if they even do reviews here. huh. I won't be here a year until mid-June so I guess I'll ask then.

I'd say Kathy's probably closer to how a lot of places are going with raises these days.

Yes, definitely. At my old company I don't think I got a raise over 4% in the last 4 or so years despite consistently getting very, very good reviews. (Although until 2 years ago we'd get 1/4ly bonuses sometimes.)

It's just so much easier to keep my spending down when I use actual cash.

Oh, definitely.

Thanks for the great ideas, Vortex and Ginger!

Oh, and here in nonprofitland, our general increase was 3% this year. I've literally never gotten a bump like that before -- every other raise I've ever gotten has been with at least a new title. Although I've gotten a new title with no money, too -- the last place I worked, I was there three years and my salary was the same on the day I left as it was the day I started. I did have a fancier title, though.

We are giving between 1-3% this year, with a couple of folks getting more, but only for markedly increased reposibility.

Oh, and here in nonprofitland, our general increase was 3% this year.

ours too.

Ours was 4%. I typically get a promotion and/or a nice (8-10%) raise each year, but times are tough and I've been focusing more on school than work for the last year, so it wasn't unexpected or unfair at all. I've been extremely fortunate salary-wise for the duration that I've been with current company, so I can't complain.