This is really great!

Congrats! So refreshing to hear such a great story. I hope that I can follow in your footsteps with my finances and such. Thanks for sharing such a great experience with us, keep up the good work!

Monty,
Once again a heartfelt "thanks" to you for putting up this site and providing a place for those of us who had a few bad breaks, to come and feel a bit more human again.

Thank you very much for your work!

congrats bogey,
that's what we like to hear!

Hey footloose

Ciao is just Italian for "hello" and "goodbye"

my handle is "bogey"

thanks for the comments

I really do hope someone finds inspiration from my story

Not even that much discipline involved, just keep it steady and look for some easy ways to save money while still getting stuff that make you happy

the email list for supermarkets is a great way to learn about sales in advance

last week I picked up pork tenderloin for $3/lb - for those that are allowed pork, it's the best cut and rivals filet mignon
this week it's boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $4.49 / lb but if I can wait I some other store usually has them cheaper....

and getting that golf membership for after 2 pm was a great find
only costs me $1400 / year and that includes a power cart, 7 days per week and as many rounds as I want to play and the course plays 7000 yards from the back tees (meaning it can be a tough course)

bye for now,
bogey

Congratulations Ciao. These are the success stories that I enjoy reading. You've proven to us all that if you have a solid financial plan and with self-discipline, you will be successful, Your story will be an inspiration to those who admire what you have done. Keep on truckin'. Again, kudos to you and thanks for the story.

a few years ago I signed up for this site with financial issues, but through the information and support I found here, I think I'm back on track.

6 years ago I started out with a lowly cap1 m/c with a $750 limit and started re-building my financial life

today just found out my credit score is 762 and R1s across the board
got credit cards with total limits of over $50K and ZERO balance on all of them, each paid in full every month

changing my mortgage from the evil people at my current major bank and the new lender doesn't even need my financials to approve me, and I'm self employed

i'm investing some money too
even got a few bucks in the bank

still driving my 1996 BMW w/ 290+ km on it - many a time I wanted to get something newer, but thought as long as it runs, why get new?

I eat out a lot less, and a "burger and fries" on a friday is now a "treat"

I subscribe to emails from the major supermarkets and always stock up on meats on sale and keep my freezer full - cooking at home can save so much money

I look for sale items like oil for my car, tires, windshield wipers, etc.

thanks to all here and I hope that for those who are down right now, that you will one day get back on top

the only treat i allow myself each year is a golf membership and even that i got at a discount by getting a membership to play after 2 pm for about 50% off - i buy used golf balls and play brand name balls - still have my 10 year old irons and am about a 12 handicap

once again thank to Monty and all the members here for their support and just reading all the great info.

hopefully i can pay it forward if anyone wants to ask me any questions

Ciao !!