How do you Save Money?

[Fleur De Guerre]

I am in hardcore saving mode due to having to support my comic-book artist boyfriend at the moment. We try to make sure we always have enough, good, food to eat so we keep our weekly organic vegetable delivery on and buy simple accompaniments and things to go in salads. When times are good we do treat ourselves to the occasional take-away or posh convenience food, but to be honest probably eat better when we are poor. I always take lunch to work with me.

I bunk the train to and from work every day. So far this month I have saved £150!! But I wouldn't recommend it to the faint of heart. I spend the journey in a state of nervousness!

 

[PrettySquareGal]

One other thing- many propane, gas and oil companies give adjusted rates based upon volume, but won't advertise that or automatically apply it.

 

[Braxton36]

Do what with money?

 

[Caledonia]

I just heard about a new book out by somebody Levine who didn't buy anything except life's essentials for a year. She and hubby cleared their credit card debts and actually enjoyed themselves. So, obviously without buying her book, and seeing as I have more makeup, bags, and shoes than I could wear out in a lifetime, a wardrobe full of clothes that would keep me going for 5 years, a cupboard full of dried beans that I hardly use, a shed full of wood that would make fine furniture, books not read, dvd's not watched, a garden I can grow food in, skill enough with a sewing needle, hammer and nails, and a desperate need to save for the future.... I'll let you know 18 August 2007!

 

[ortega76]

I save money the easy way. My wife does the finances, I keep a set amount of money for my sherry and giggles. Any purchase above $100 requires both of our approval. We also do coupons and the like.

 

[mikepara]

Have to agree..

with post number 2..Dixon has it right. Stay off Ebay. Also my pocket has taken a tumble since discovering the Lounge.. never seen so many lovely items. I don't need any of them but strive to get some. Nuts, do I need another Coat? Suit? Hat? Tie? etc

Its hard to save over here. Petrol is £1.00 a litre . Do the maths!
[£1.00 GBP = $1.89361 USD, 1 gallon = 3.78 litres]

Eldest at Uni [Money pit]
Youngest at Bank of Ma & Pa, Ma's taxis, Ma's Grill!
"Can my ten friends pop over and eat you out of house and home with the TV, DVD, lights, X Box, Computer, Stereo on all night pleeeze?" Groan...

 

[Rosie]

I run after the 'bus instead of going on it, so I save the value of the ticket. When I'm really hard up for money, I run after a cab.

lol That's rich.

I bought a book some time ago for under a buck, but haven't read it yet (is that considered saving or wasting money ) called 'Living Well on a Shoestring' maybe I'll post some tips from there until either I forget to do it any longer or you guys become bored to death.

 

[Paisley]

I know of someone who makes over $1 million per year and finds it hard to live on it. $40,000 for his massage therapist, money for nannies (his wife doesn't work outside the home), etc. It seems to be true what they say: your expenses grow to meet your income unless you object.

One thing I object to (as far as my own spending goes) is entertainment. I won't pay very much money for a dance, concert or play. Yet I have just as good a time at the cheap ones as I do the more expensive ones.

Another thing I object to is high-priced housewares. For example, I just looked at kitchen faucets, since mine keeps leaking and I can't fix it. The vintage-looking ones were around $500. Five hundred smackers for a few pounds of brass, chrome, a cartridge and a sprayer. (I found a nice but plainer Moen in the same store for $113. I'm going to install it myself.)

Mattresses: same story. Lots of money for coils, foam and ticking. I bought my last mattress set from a contractor who furnished new homes to show them, and then sold the furniture. I got an $800 mattress set, brand new, for about $150. I found the guy in the classified ads.

But my big expense this year has been vet bills for my dog, who has cancer. He's had surgery, lots of vet visits, and he now eats expensive dog food and takes supplements. I'm not willing to save at his expense, but now I have the dreaded credit card debt. Anytime I am tempted to ignore my debt, I will refer to this thread and be set straight by the thrifty loungers who have taken the time to post here.

 

[VintageJess]

To Help Save on Gas

http://www.gasbuddy.com/

Gives you a breakdown of gas prices in your area, so you can shop around before you go. Nothing worse than filling up and then driving by a station where it's about five cents per gallon cheaper! Hey, when it's this expensive, every little bit helps.

Jessica

 

[Cobden]

The only two things that spring to mind are my young persons railcard (30% off train fares - but still £27 quid for me to see my girlfriend :rage and a slight tendency to forget to have lunch or breakfast. Oh, and walking. I walk everywhere (including one memorable time ten miles through the Sussex countryside in the middle of the night- encompassing a trip through a field of rape and along a working electified railway line)

 

[Air Boss]

Two More

Almost forgot - I use the PX and commisary for food, booze and gasoline. The savings add up. I also use coupons and rebates whenever possible.

 

[Paisley]

More Tips for Saving Money

1. To save on groceries, go to www.thegrocerygame.com. For a nominal fee, they'll tell you what is on sale at the store and whether there is a coupon for it.
2. Make canned fruit for Christmas gifts. I've done this for a few years and everyone loves getting the spiced apple rings I make.
3. If you itemize your tax deductions, give to a charity that provides a state deduction as well.
4. Contribute to your 401(k). It's a huge tax savings.
5. Keep food from spoiling by keeping bacteria off of it. Try to keep your fingers off of it, keep it covered, and put it away immediately.
6. Do some repairs yourself instead of calling a repairman for every little thing.
7. Shop mostly on the perimeter of the grocery store. That's where they keep most of the simpler, healthier, cheaper food.
8. Hang around with thrifty people.

This weekend, I am also going to try to make my own tea, since I have a lot of herbs in my garden. I've also decided to eat less meat and more legumes.

 

[raiderrescuer]

Pay Bills, Save Money ???

I don't suppose we could use the Lucille Ball method...

Throw all your bills in the air and pay only the ones that land Face-Up. Unless of course the majority of them are Face-Up then pay the Face-Down ones !!!lol

 

[Girl Friday]

My electricity bill for last month was $420!?! and I keep the thermostat at 80 degrees!?!

We put misters on our balcony, and make drinks at home, that saves us a little bit of money!

 

[dollfaced]

My grandpa always came home on payday and handed his pay check to my grandmother who saved it all up . They would go for ice cream and window shop that was what they did for fun. They told me if i saved one thin dime from every single dollar i would be amazed at how much i could save they were right!

 

[Solid Citizen]

Major Ebay Cutback

For 2006 I've cutback big time on Ebay which means NO vintage!!

SC

 

[Phil]

Dollar store. Plain and simple. Everyhting you need for only a dollar.