Amanda Stamm, sales rep, drinks in live music, drinks in beer, likes watching dogs and cats wrestle, making beast with two backs

How do you save money?

"It's harder these days, but I pay my bills and rent, then set aside an amount I think I can afford on pay periods. I shoot for $200 each paycheck. Not going out every night saves me money as well. I'm not a huge lush and don't drink that much, and when I do I drink slow. I'm pretty good at just buying necessities. I go out shopping with a list. On the other hand, I am an impulse buyer. All the crap at the cash registers? It's for people like me."

What do you splurge on?

"Sometimes I get it in my head that I really need something. For example, I really want to go swimming soon. I don't have a pool, but I'm dying to go out and buy inflatable pool toys. Like I said, I'm an impulse buyer. I spend most of my money on food. I like eating out, and I like the good stuff. I'm somebody that believes in spending more for quality, even if it means buying less. It's hard sometimes-I'll see the $2 gallon of milk and the $4 gallon of milk. I want to save, but the $4 gallon is morally right and tastes better. The one luxury I won't skimp on is air conditioning. I figure that I pay that much money to have a roof over my head, I might as well be comfortable under it."