Frugal Tips
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Anonymous
| Don't spend money when you are feeling bored, lonely, friendless, tired.... |
Anonymous
|
For me, working from home has been the biggest money saver. I dont have to pay for transportation costs, work clothes, lunches, etc.
Other things for us have been: -Not buying the latest electronic/gadgets. We don't have an ipad and I don't even have a personal cell phone under my name. I just use the one that my company gave me for work. -Not buying breakfast cereals. Not a big fan of them anyway, but my husband was addicted. We use to buy at least 3 boxes of those per grocery trip. Now we do oatmeal- it comes a long way and it's healthier. -Just cooking more in general. Not buying too many boxed things like mac-n-cheese, or frozen meals. I've found that cooking things homemade is actually cheaper than buying convenience foods. -Buying fruits and veggies at the Asian food store. -We drive old cars. Haven't had a car payment in 7 years and plan to drive our cars till they basically die. -Giving up the cleaning lady. -Giving up on Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc. -Not going to the salon to get manis/pedis. I've also found an Asian salon that will cut my hair and do my brows, etc. for less than half the price of what I used to pay in a fancy salon. They do just as good of a job but without the New Age relaxation music in the background. |
Anonymous
| Just one family car. (We're city dwellers, might not work in the suburbs.) We walk, bike or take metro as much as possible, and use a cab or zipcar a couple of times a month. Adds up to MUCH less than a second car payment, insurance and gas. |
Anonymous
|
small house = small utilities
Insulate walls and pt in new windows = lower utilities when heat is on- lower your temperature when AC is on - raise the temperature- buy a automatic thermometer to do it for you. Do not go out more than once every two weeks. brownbag lunches buy what is on sale for groceries -plan your meals based on the flyers buy the cheap meats and use a crockpot wash only full loads wash towels once a week- not after one or two uses - same for sheets wear clothes twice before washing do not use dry cleaners eat oatmeal for breakfast make your coffee at home- no starbucks go to the library to get movies and books drop the gym membership and walk outside when it is time to buy a car, get the one with the lowest maintenance cost including gas mileage. pay off any rolling credit (like credit cards) behave as if you just received a 20% cut to your salary mow your own lawn clean your own house better yet- get your DC to do it have pasta one night beans and rice the next veggie stew the night after that eggs and ham for dinner have meat for dinner 2-3 times a week instead of 7. No sodas, dessert on Sunday only no chips and snacks packed in individual packets walk/bike instead of driving plan your errands and do them the same day plan a circle route entertain by potluck don't get any new pets drink water from the tap make your own pizza on Friday nights make do do without get creative go to thrift stores first (but not for shoes- buy high quality shoes that will last - used shoes will ruin feet) by high quality that will last- cheaper in the long run |
Anonymous
| We are planning to make our dining corner into bedroom for our kid.Can't afford a 2-bedroom yet in NW DC. |
Anonymous
|
We just buy less stuff. Seriously. I wear clothes until they are old. When I do shop for clothes, I invest in things that will last long in both quality and style.
We only buy electronics when the old one dies. We might be the last people in America to not own a flat screen tv. I try to not spend money on things that don't last. For example, a vacation only lasts as long as you are away. But I enjoy my new bathroom every day. |
Anonymous
the memories of vacations last forever. I prefer to spend my money on experiences not "stuff" |
Anonymous
at what point do u retire a certain piece of clothing? |
Anonymous
Not that pp, but I am similar. If I don't feel comfortable wearing it outside my house because it looks terrible, it gets retired. Either I wear it in the house only, or I cut it up and use it for cleaning rags. |
Anonymous
I have a question to vinegar-instead-of-conditioner users, if I may. Doesn't vinegar make your hair smell, even after you rinse it off? I'd hate to walk around smelling like that. |
Anonymous
No, I haven't noticed that it does (and DH definitely would have let me know!). But I also use a leave in conditioner after I wash my hair that has a very pleasant smell so maybe I am masking it? I also use a baking soda rinse before the vinegar. |
Anonymous
| Make more money |
Anonymous
Yes, you are so right. Children don't care about the size of their home, that their bathroom has pink tile but they will always remember family time and vacations. My best childhood memories are our vacations, not our one story ranch home in the midwest. My DH has begged me to move, yet my feet are firmly planted in our small home, because I like to make memories for my child, at home and on vacation. Fuck stuff - it could all be gone tomorrow. |
Anonymous
| Folks, the key to life is small nut. Either you get this or you don't. |
Anonymous
...NEVER! Mwahaha. Bike isntead of Metro I have to second only shopping with a grocery list, and doing an inventory of what you've got while you make it. Don't wind up with three bottles of dish soap if you're not almost out of it. When you pack a lunch, make sure you pack ENOUGH lunch. Trips to the vending machine or the snack cart add up if you're still hungry, and lots of folks under-pack (and under-eat) thinking it'll do nice things for their waistlines. |