Golf is an expensive hobby. Of course, expensive is a relative term. You can easily spend a *lot* of money on golf, but you can just as easily enjoy the game with a frugal approach. I gave up on golf almost entirely when I started working on getting out of debt. However, I really missed the game and I finally came to the conclusion that cutting out something I enjoy to save money isn’t a wise thing to do (assuming it wasn’t financially impossible for me to keep playing, which it wasn’t).

I’m happy to say I’ve started playing golf again over the past month or two, but I’m doing so with a budget and I’m making an effort to stretch my golf dollars farther and to find good value. I no longer need to avoid golf. Though I may have to avoid the expensive courses, I can definitely play an adequate number of rounds and practice my game each month.

If you’re interested in the details, I’m starting with a budget of $50 per month. This is enough for about two to three (inexpensive) rounds of golf per month and some practice time.

Practice your short game more than the long game.
According to Dr. Bob Rotella, “If you’re not spending 70 percent of your practice time on shots from 120 yards in, you’re not trying to become the best golfer you can be.” [Golf is Not a Game of Perfect, pg 88]. Not only will practicing the short game save you money, but it’s better for your game. If I’m going to practice three days in a week, I’ll buy range balls one day and work on my long game, but I’ll only work on my short game the other two days. The trick to this is finding a course with good short game facilities. I’m fortunate to have two courses about twenty minutes from my home that have separate chipping and putting greens and one even has a separate pitching area for shots in the 70 – 100 yard range. I take advantage of these short game areas as much as I can. This is much easier if you have a ‘shag bag‘ and a collection of old (but still decent) balls. I don’t find my long game to be lacking at all and I’m definitely saving more and more shots around the greens.

Use old balls found on the course for practice balls.
During any normal round you’re going to come across lost balls. If I’m certain no one around has played the ball and it’s not badly damaged I’ll pick up as many as I can. I don’t use these balls to play, but I save them for the shag bag and use them on the practice greens. This is a great way to keep your supply of practice balls replenished (they will get lost and damaged over time) without spending any extra money.

Buy a ball retriever.
I used to think ball retrievers were a bit silly, but with many balls costing $3 – $4 each, it can quickly pay for itself. The best part is, a ball lost in the water may have only been hit once so you’ll often find balls that are essentially brand new. I also find that the golfers playing the most expensive balls are the least likely to bother to retrieve them from a lake. The better the course you play, the higher quality you’ll tend to find.

Check for tee times on GolfNow.com, but give the course a call too.
Golf Now is sort of like an Expedia or Travelocity for golf. It acts as the middleman in helping golf courses sell open tee times and you benefit by getting a reduced rate. I find rates are almost always cheaper on Golf Now, but not 100% of the time. To be really sure you’re getting the best deal, you might want to give the course a call before you book on Golf Now, just to be sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

Play during off-peak hours.
For me, playing in Tucson, AZ, off-season is about May – September and the cheapest tee times are to be had in the afternoon. Of course, that means playing in 100 – 110 degree heat, but as they like to say, ‘it’s a dry heat’. As long as I stay hydrated and wear sunscreen, I really don’t have much problem playing in the heat here at all. I’ve suffered much more playing golf in the summer in San Antonio, TX (think 90 degrees with 90% humidity). If you’re willing to be less comfortable and play more golf when other people aren’t playing, you can save a lot of money. I played a course a couple of weeks ago that can cost as much as $170 per round during peak season for only $35. The course is still as beautiful and challenging as ever, I just had to suffer through the heat to enjoy it.

In summary, don’t make the mistake that I made and give up on golf (or whatever your favorite hobby may be) because of the cost, if it’s something you truly enjoy. It’s possible to find a middle ground and approach your hobby in a wise and frugal manner. Value can be found, you just have to work a little harder to find it. In the end, I’m much happier to be out playing golf again and my budget will be just fine.

By Eden, Tue 28 Jul 2009, Comments Categories: Frugality, Golf, Life

I’ve been tossing around the idea for a while now and I finally cut the cord on cable TV.

I had a package deal that included digital cable TV, a DVR, high-speed Internet and digital telephone. Of course they sell you on the package deal and they give you a pretty nice discount for bundling everything together. Years ago when we first started with the bundle the monthly cost was about $110. Prices have risen, not to mention we added the DVR service, and lately our bill had grown to about $140 per month. I finally grew weary of paying so much, especially considering the lack of quality content offered by cable TV. I would be happy to pay for about 3 of the cable channels and that would be all I need. ESPN, The NFL Network, and The Food Network are the only stations I miss. I would happily pay a fee to have those 3 channels, but of course that isn’t an option. I felt it was better to stop paying for all of the crap I didn’t want to watch and give free TV a try.

Not that I was ready to give up TV completely however. Especially this time of year with the NFL going strong. With digital TV broadcasts becoming more popular and mroe and more content available online, I’ve found that I miss cable a lot less than I thought I would.

Here’s what I’m doing to replace the cable:

My first step was to buy a cheap rabbit ears antenna and see what kind of reception I could get. I’m about 20 – 30 miles from most stations in my area so I have a bit of a challenge right at the start. I did some searches on Amazon and decided to buy the Terk Technology TV-1 Passive Indoor TV Antenna first. I was pleasantly surprised by this antenna, considering its low price. I immediately picked up NBC, CBS, and ABC. However, I couldn’t get much reception from FOX and that really hurts when it comes to the NFL on Sundays.

My next step was to try a Digital TV converter box and see if I could do any better. I had already requested DTV coupons a while ago so I was ready to make a purchase. Next I went to the Consumer Reports DTV converter box guide to find the top rated convert box. I decided to buy the Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box and I’m really happy I did. This is one of the more expensive boxes available, about $40 even after the coupon, but I think it was well worth it. I’m now getting NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, and several more stations and the picture is crisp and clear.

Some of the great features of the Tivax STB-T8 are component cables output, a program guide that shows you the next 4 hours of programming on a given station, a signal strength meter, and a nice-looking small hardware profile. It does not have S-Video out, but that is the only feature this unit is lacking. From what I could find, it looks like you have to spend a lot more for S-Video so I’m okay with skipping it.

I’m really shocked at how much higher the picture quality is now. However, I think I can do better than the cheap rabbit ears I’m using, so I also ordered a more powerful indoor antenna. Finding an antenna is a big project in itself. I highly recommend starting at HDTV Antenna Labs to start your research. You’ll find reviews of antennas, features you need to look for, and a link to a map that will pinpoint your address and signal strength in your area. This step is critical as it will help you determine how powerful an antenna you need to buy and this site will even color-code signal strengths and match them to specific antennas.

I decided to rule out outdoor antennas- I just didn’t want to be bothered with the installation and I’m not crazy about putting a huge antenna on my roof. I’m somewhat limiting myself by only looking at indoor antennas, but based on my experience with the cheap rabbit ears, I think a quality indoor antenna will be sufficient for me. After much research, I decided to go with the Winegard SS-3000 Amplified Indoor U/V Antenna. This antenna is about $60 and based on the reviews I could find it should greatly improve my reception. It hasn’t arrived yet, but I will be sure to write about it after I have it set up. I found this antenna to be a good compromise between price and features. Take a look if you can’t get by with simple rabbit ears.

I’m only a couple of weeks into my cable TV free life, but so far I would say it’s a success. I’ve had to spend a little money getting set up to receive free TV, but these costs will quickly be recouped after just a few months of smaller cable bills. Overall, I’ve cut a nice chunk from my fixed expenses and I had to give up very little in return. If you have been considering quitting cable I encourage you to give it a try. I think the digital TV transition has made the switch easier than ever, not to mention the large amount of content available on the Internet. I’ll write more about what I’m watching online soon.

By Eden, Thu 6 Nov 2008, Comments Categories: Finance, Frugality

I just saved $24 on my car insurance! Okay, that really isn’t very exciting, but I always wanted to write about saving money on my car insurance. 

We actually didn’t change insurance companies or change our current coverage. Instead, we got smart about managing our money and stopped paying a stupid tax.

In the past, a semi-annual car insurance premium was a surprise event that we never had the money to pay for. Yeah, it wasn’t really a surprise, we were just so bad with our money that we couldn’t save enough to prepare for expenses like this. To solve that problem we switched to a monthly payment plan, but that cost us an extra $2 per month.

Now that we actually have the ability to look 6 months into the future (amazing isn’t it) we have changed to a  semi annual payment plan (saving $2 per month) and I set up an automatic transfer to a savings account with ING, which will be used to make the premium payment when it is due. Not only are we saving the $2 each month, but we will now be earning interest on our money. We are actually getting paid to plan ahead and pay our insurance now!

I know this isn’t a novel concept for most people, but for people who were completely out of control with money and unable to plan ahead, we are entering new territory. I’m sure there is someone else out there who can benefit from our mistakes.

Think about your insurance or any other irregular payments for the year and start setting aside the cash now. You won’t regret it!

By Eden, Tue 5 Feb 2008, Comments Categories: Finance, Frugality

Live below your means is basically the mantra of the personal finance improvement world. This could be step number one in my Get Out of Debt series and it could even be the only step. The reason it’s not is that most of us don’t really understand what it means and it is much easier said than done. Lets be honest, living below your means isn’t the American way anymore. That is sad and I fear this behavior can’t last much longer (we have to get smart some day). When I got a job and went out on my own I thought I was supposed to finance a new car, sign up for credit cards, and buy what I wanted as long as I could make the payments. That’s how I thought I could afford something- if the payments fit in my budget, not how much the thing I was buying actually cost.

When I started my financial turnaround, I knew the phrase ‘live below your means’, but I really had no idea how to do it. I probably still don’t fully understand it, but I am at least putting it into practice now. It is an amazing change and I can’t believe I didn’t live like this before. You really have to embrace it and know that it is the only way you will get out of debt and build wealth. It’s common sense and it seems so obvious, but for some reason people just don’t get it. I didn’t get it and most people I know don’t get it (or they understand it but refuse to live that way).

I admit that it is difficult to do in our consumerism culture, but you must recognize the culture we live in and take steps to break free. People may think you are a bit strange when you don’t come home with a shiny new car every couple of years (unless you are paying cash for those cars) or when you don’t buy the trendy new thing that everyone wants (flat screen TVs these days), but you will likely learn to embrace being the ’strange’ one in your circle of friends. It is certainly easier to do when you know you will be free from debt some day and financially prepared for anything life has to throw at you.

Living below your means can be accomplished through frugality or by earning more income (assuming you stop your spending at some level below it). Doing both is obviously the most powerful way to accomplish your goals and make the most progress with your finances. You have to choose the way you get there based on your personal values and what is most important to you. My advice is to work hard while you can and live frugally at the same time so that when you get a bit older you don’t have to work so hard and you already have a frugal lifestyle in place. Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can always out-earn your spending. You can only work so many hours during the day yet there is really no limit to the amount of money you can spend. You need to understand the trade off of your time for the dollars you earn and how much of your time it costs you to buy the things you want. Find a balance that works for you, but don’t let our consumerist culture tell you what that balance should be.

9 Steps to Get Out of Debt

• # 1 Stop Borrowing Money
• # 2 (a) Why You Should Make a Budget
• # 2 (b) How to Make a Budget
• # 3 Turn Your Junk Into Cash
• # 4 Create an Emergency Fund
• # 5 Live Below Your Means
• # 6 Track Your Spending and Update Your Budget
• # 7 Visual Reminders to Track Your Debt
• # 8 Make Yourself Accountable
• # 9 Be Patient and Don’t Give Up

By Eden, Fri 23 Nov 2007, Comments Categories: Frugality, Get Out of Debt Series

If you have been living beyond your means for a while and spending frivolously with credit cards, you probably have a lot of ‘junk’ in your house that you don’t need and never should have bought in the first place. It’s time to get some of that money back! This isn’t easy, and it can take a really long time (I’m still working on finding stuff I bought frivolously and getting it sold), but it is well worth the effort. I have made roughly $800 since starting on this step and I still have more junk to get rid of.

There are several ways to sell your stuff and I will offer a few ideas here.

• Mention it to friends and family – you don’t want to nickel and dime your loved ones so this may or may not work for you, but there is a good chance that people you know will want to buy some of the stuff you have. This can save you time and shipping expenses.
• Yard sale – I’ve never tried this, but obviously yard sales go on all of the time. Your success here will probably vary by the community you live in and how much time you feel like investing in the process. Check out this comprehensive list to see if you can handle it.
• Craigslist – Again, I have not done this myself, but I know many people who have and it is obviously a very popular resource. Check out this link to learn more
• Ebay – Probably the most popular way to buy and sell used stuff these days. You can search for tips on selling with Ebay and you will certainly find a lot of information. One thing I have noticed though, no one really seems to agree on the ‘best’ way to be an Ebay seller. I recommend picking a process and trying it, but be ready to change your methods and learn as you go.

I don’t want to turn this into a how-to article on selling your stuff since those articles are plentiful on the Internet. Instead, I want to focus on how to go about finding the stuff to sell and why you should consider certain things.

The easiest way to start is by looking for the stuff you have hidden away in closets, the garage, or storage. There is a good chance if something is hidden away already you won’t miss it if you sell it. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used something for 6-12 months you can safely get rid of it. Of course you will need to make these decisions based on your needs. I find it very helpful to look at the item I am considering getting rid of and think if I would rather have it or rather have the cash in my emergency account or the extra money paid on my debt. Emergency funds and debt payments will trump most things, but you also need to consider how much cash the item you have is going to bring in- I’m not generally going to bother with something that is only worth a few dollars so that item becomes a candidate for charity or the garbage.

A wonderful benefit of this process is not just the cash you can raise by getting rid of junk, but you will also be simplifying your life. The junk we have accumulated has to be moved, cleaned, or stored- that takes time and energy. This brings us back to living simply and de-cluttering, topics brilliantly covered in Your Money or Your Life. You should really read that book if you haven’t already. I have reached a point that I am annoyed by seeing clutter or junk that I don’t need in my house and I am constantly moving things to boxes for donations, sales, or garbage.

One major downside to selling your junk is the time it takes to get it done. I spent several hours listing things on Ebay for a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff, followed by the hassle to package the items and bring them to the post office. Personally, I find those tasks highly annoying but I made the time to do it because I wanted the cash and I also consider it partly as paying for my mistakes of the past and using it as a reminder not to make frivolous purchases in the future. If you are really busy and don’t want to invest the time, you might try finding someone to do this for you- teenagers in your family might be a good option since they likely know Ebay well and will be happy with a small commission. There are also businesses that take your stuff and list it on Ebay for you. You’ll have to decide how much of the cash you are willing to sacrifice for your time.

It’s up to you to decide how ‘vicious’ you want to be with getting rid of your junk, but so far I don’t miss anything I have sold and I keep adding things to my box of stuff to sell. Spend time thinking about your wants versus needs and decide where your priorities fall.

Some people are very serious about selling on Ebay and there are a number of ways to run an Ebay business to earn an extra income. We aren’t taking it to that level for purposes of getting rid of some junk, but it’s something to think about if you have the time and desire to find another source of income. This can be a test run of sorts to see if maybe that is a viable option for you some day.

This step is great to do early in your Get Out of Debt phase because it can give you a nice head start on saving your starter emergency fund, catching up on late bills, or getting a quick start on making extra debt payments. I strongly encourage you to take the time and try to be a bit brutal on your first pass through the house to find stuff to sell.

Good luck and come back for the next step in the Get Out of Debt series- Creating an Emergency Fund.

9 Steps to Get Out of Debt

• # 1 Stop Borrowing Money
• # 2 (a) Why You Should Make a Budget
• # 2 (b) How to Make a Budget
• # 3 Turn Your Junk Into Cash
• # 4 Create an Emergency Fund
• # 5 Live Below Your Means
• # 6 Track Your Spending and Update Your Budget
• # 7 Visual Reminders to Track Your Debt
• # 8 Make Yourself Accountable
• # 9 Be Patient and Don’t Give Up

By Eden, Wed 21 Nov 2007, Comments Categories: Frugality, Get Out of Debt Series