Comments on: Twelve Ways a Money Buddy Can Really Help

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:41:41 +0000

Trent, I have a couple friends that I talk to pretty much daily that like me love the challenge of getting their grocery bill as low as it can get. I can not overestimate how conversing with them helps to keep me motivated to save money. There is power in numbers(no pun intended) especially when women are involved!

By: sm4k

sm4k — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:50:39 +0000

While obviously you want your spouse to be involved with your finances (if for no other reason, so they can handle them if you bite the big one), if you’re married I’d heavily encourage you to find another couple to do some of the ‘buddying’ with.

Sharing large purchases or memberships with your spouse doesn’t really save you anything, assuming your finances are joint. Plus, as awesome as I’m sure all of our spouses are, “eating out” at home loses its glitz after a while if it’s just the two of you.

If your married, include your spouse in everything of course, but having another couple to do this stuff with makes it so much easier.

By: Diana @ frontyardfoodie

Diana @ frontyardfoodie — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:22:07 +0000

I hope spouses count! It’s nice because we both contribute to the budget. So for example, we want to pay off old credit card debt and together we’re cutting out the daily trip to the coffee shop and eating out until it’s done.

By: Steffie

Steffie — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:59:38 +0000

My money buddy was a woman at work that I knew both at work and outside of work. After 25 years I knew that I could trust her and her judgement. She understood all that ‘stock market’ junk as well as having a good 401k. I got a headache whenever I thought about the future, money for college ? for retirement ? etc. Unfortunately she died two weeks ago. A note aside here, please if you do not feel well and are scared to go to the doctor, please let someone go with you. Do not tell people who are concerned about you to ‘Go to h**l’ when they ask to help. Letting things go until there is no possibility of cure is not fair to you or the people who love you who are left behind. Many things can be fixed at an early stage.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:09 +0000

My spouse doesn’t really care, but my mom does, and she lives with us. Handy both ways!

By: Michele

Michele — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:44:24 +0000

Trent- isn’t your spouse your ‘money buddy’? Mine is…I’d feel wierd if someone else were involved in helping me to work on such an intimate part of my married life such as finances.

By: steven@hundredgoals.com

steven@hundredgoals.com — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:23:29 +0000

I’d also toss in the idea that a “money buddy” can come from an online community with a shared interest in money, frugality or whatever else. Finding blogs with people who share your desire to build financial stability can also be a motivating force to get you on your own path.

I think sites like this one, and those of your readers, are a good beginning. It is important to find one that fits your ambitions and goals. That way you are more likely to stick with it.

Doing this can help you find support when you might not be able to find any in your “real” life.