So what is the one thing you've done to improve your finances the most...
 

...over the last 6 months or a year?

I am working on dumping all short term debt. That alone will be worth some good extra coin when it's all gone.

Just curious, if you've started a business or refinanced something, whatever, I'd love to hear about it.

Bought Ford at $3.24.

divorce..

I got a job finally..... Does that count?

Quit drinking, well the Doc told me too, but still means more $$$ in my pocket..

6 months to a year... continuing to not spend beyond my means? Some home improvements I did myself, maybe.

paid off the mortgage. debt free and saving/investing like it's going out of style.

My wife went back to work. We are still living like we have only one income, though. Except for some medical expenses that we will incur and maybe some small home improvement projects, we don't plan to spend like crazy. Maybe splurge a little on meals out.

I can tell you, though. It is difficult to force myself to NOT make a purchase.

Refinanced house, saves $400/month.
Did not buy a new SUV when old one is paid off, saves $300/month.
Sell a porsche part before buying a new one...keeps things under control.
Sold power boat and got a kayak...uses a lot less gas ans marina fess, $2000/yr savings.
etc...

I decided to do a rebuild...

Oh no, wait, that won't be improving my bank balance, will it??

Sent the mortgage co. a check for 10K in an attempt to pay down the house. got about 24K left till it's paid off.
Sold a race car
Found a super nice Miata owner that lets me co-drive his car in trade for driving lessons and wrenching work.

Paid down debt.
Changed 401K /IRA mix to 45% bonds and cash.
Selling my house - downsizing

Paid off the house.

I avoid searching for a 2004 GT3. If someone drives up in a super clean white or Gulf Blue 2004 GT3 for sale I will be back in debt, especially if they always wanted a 1985 Grand Prix White Carrera for a trade in. :)

Refinanced the house. Resisted the temptation to buy another car. Stopped eating out for lunch every day.

Paid off student loans.
Pay off credit cards every month.

Putting my house up for sale (has made me stop planning home improvements...for a little while).
Banked some cash for next home purchase.

Hands down, [I]WRITE[I] out a budget every month, a different one every month, things change from month to month. If you write it down and actually stick to it I will surley bet you'll feel like you got a raise.

- Since I broke my foot (1 month ago), I've not been going out at all.

- For the last year or so, whatever check we get back from the health insurance company, I put in savings. (Ex: dental work - I pay the dentist, and the insurance company sends me a check, which I deposit in savings) - this really adds up quickly.

- I did not change my 401k when the market tanked -- now it is back to where it was before 2008. Long term investing tends to even itself out in the long run, so there was no need to panic.

- I cut down on track events. :(

- I always pay my credit card bills in full.

-Z-man.

Kept driving the old paid off cars. Aggressively paying off my student loans. Refinanced our house to a lower rate. Working 70 hours per week.:(

More of the 401k in bonds then ever. Spending less by eating at home, re-organized driving by combining errands, thermostat set at 64.

Finished building my house, paid for out of pocket, and living in it now. Now I save $400 to $600 per month in diesel fuel by not having to commute back & forth during construction. Paid off all our bills & pay credit accounts off each month. The only thing I plan in the future is a new car for the wife, and she's easy to please.