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How do I live within my means (more details inside...)?

Asked by serenityNOW (3641points) November 26th, 2011

Hi all. So, I have serious mounting credit card bills which are sucking the life-blood out of my paychecks. I had to move back home, but in a way that’s a plus: my food expenses have mostly gone way down, although I usually get some coffee in the morning and pizza or something cheap (like Subway) for lunch at work. Utilities are paid for and such. However, I’m a spending addict. (I do think one can get addicted to shopping, but that’s another topic, or is it?) So, how do you all live within your means? Is it as simple as don’t buy anything? Do I need to stop going out with friends (which is rarely, as it is.)? Do you have any specific ways to entertain yourselves without spending cash? (I’m into, usually, music, movies and books. Of course, there’s the library, but I like owning things.) Sometimes I’m so overwhelmed by the bills, that it’s hard to fall asleep! Finally, all I can find is part-time work right now; or should I say, I work full-time hours, but at a part-time job. Raises, sadly, are out of the question.

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