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Do You Know How Much You Spent Last Holiday Season?

SavvySugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:45:41 -0800

How quickly we forget! We claim that this holiday season won't be as costly as the last, but how can we be sure? If last year's holidays are a blur of parties, cookies, and mistletoe, dig up your credit card or bank statements from the end of last year to get an idea of how much you spent last year on new party clothes, gifts, and the cost of hosting gatherings.
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Do You Know How Much You Spent Last Holiday Season?

Yes, I have a good estimate of how much I spent last year.

I have a ballpark idea, but I'm not worried about my expenses this year.

No, I couldn't accurately estimate how much I spent last year.

Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below.

I'm Asking: What's the Priciest Gift You've Ever Purchased?

SavvySugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:30:17 -0800

If money were no object, we'd surely buy our loved ones the best of the best and whatever filled their hearts' desires. Alas, most of us can't afford to shower those we love with priciest presents and our thoughtful gifts are more than enough to bring joy to the holiday season. Sometimes, though, we find ourselves splurging on our family, friends, or significant others, and end up spending more than we intended. What's the most expensive gift you've ever purchased?

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How Money Are You: The Cost of Smoking

SavvySugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:30:59 -0800

If you're someone who prefers to have something to show for your hard work, buying cigarettes isn't exactly the best way to showcase your well-deserved paycheck. Smoking is expensive, taking a toll on your health and wallet, and Forbes researched just how much money residents across the US pour into their nicotine habit each year. Take the quiz to see how much you know about the cost of smoking.

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I'm Asking: How Much Does a Movie Cost at Your Theater?

SavvySugar — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:00:49 -0800

I was one of thousands who went to see Quantum of Solace on Friday night and sat in a packed theater with everyone else who had paid $10.75 to get their 007 fix. Yes, seeing Daniel Craig on the big screen was worth every penny, but I couldn't help but think back to a time when movie tickets weren't so expensive. How much do tickets cost for movies in your city?

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How Women Have Been Cutting Back, Compared to Men

SavvySugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Spending more wisely is the mantra of the moment, and while most everyone is doing it there are differences in the extent that men and women have been making cutbacks. Consumer Reports conducted a poll and published the results in its December issue, showing that over the last year women have been modifying their habits more drastically than men. A larger percentage of women took steps to be more economical than men in every category.

What they did	Total	Men	Women
Spent less on entertainment and eating out	56 percent	49 percent	62 percent
Reduced credit card spending	53	49	57
Planned to cut down on holiday spending	50	36	63
Put more money into savings	40	39	40

See the rest of the chart when you

Did You Spend Money on a Halloween Costume?

SavvySugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:00:27 -0700

Halloween doesn't have to be expensive, but as we get older it's harder to come up with a fabulous costume that doesn't involve spending money. There's always the option of recycling last year's attire to save, though dressing up isn't as fun when your outfit is expected. And, no, this Starbucks "looking for work" costume is not what I'm wearing. Did you shell out cash this year for your Halloween costume?
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Did You Spend Money on a Halloween Costume?

Yes, I bought my costume this year.

Yes, but only a few accessories for an outfit I already had.

No, I didn't spend money on a Halloween costume.

Something else. See my comments below.

In-the-Black Tip: Spend Smarter

SavvySugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:00:45 -0700

We're celebrating Halloween with In-the-Black Week, but this tip is something to also keep in mind when you are preparing to shop for the upcoming holidays.

In-the-Black tip: Shop with a purpose. Make a list of the things you're hoping to find, whether it's a new holiday party dress for you or gifts for the people you love. Next to each item or person's name, write how much you can afford to spend. You may be able to spend $200 on yourself normally, but when you have a long list of gifts to buy, you might have to spend less. Use a spreadsheet to track the purchases as you go including what you paid for each item, so you can clearly see how well you are sticking to your overall spending plan.

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Do You Expect Guests to Pay For Your Birthday Dinner?

SavvySugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:30:15 -0700

"Happy Birthday, You Bastard." That's the subtle title of a Slate article about the options one has when attending someone's birthday dinner celebration. It begins as humorous commentary on the way the 20-something birthday dinner at restaurants evolved because there's no room in tiny apartments to celebrate as a group, and ends with the author declaring that he no longer attends these kinds of gatherings. Here is one particular line that stood out to me: "Tradition holds that the birthday boy make a perfunctory swipe at the check before it's whisked from his grasp." Do you expect guests to pay for your dinner on your birthday?
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Do You Expect Guests to Pay For Your Birthday Dinner?

Yes, I expect guests to pay for my birthday dinner.

If someone else organizes it, I expect them to pay, but not if I sent the invite.

No, I expect to pay for my own dinner.

Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below.

Do You Know How Much You Spend on Food?

partysugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:45:38 -0700

Earlier this week the San Francisco Chronicle published an interesting article about food spending. In the story, author Rob Baedeker unscientifically asks grocery store goers if they know how much they spend on food each month. The majority have no food budget and have never totaled their grocery and eating out receipts. I'll admit, I had no clue how much I spent on food and was a little surprised when I checked in with my bank. Between groceries and restaurant bills, I spend a whopping $500 on food! How about you?Source

Do You Know How Much You Spend on Food?

Yes, I spend ______ on food each month.

No, I don't keep track of my food bills.

Other — fill me in below.

How Many Meals Did You Eat Out This Weekend?

SavvySugar — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:00:30 -0700

More often than not, eating out is more expensive than eating at home, but weekends make me weak for meals out. Including Friday night, how many times did you enjoy food that didn't come from your kitchen this weekend?
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