Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 12:00     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
two tips: pet sitting in your home or the owners

Aldi for groceries saves me a ton

Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 10:54     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Anonymous wrote:PP here about babysitting. Thought of something I do regularly when money's tight: gather, collect, search for all of the change you have in your house and car. Look everywhere if you don't routinely save your change. Drop it all into a lidded jar. When you have a decent amount, go to Coinstar at Giant and turn all that change in for a Giant gift card.

I do this about three times year and I've been thrilled and relieved to come away with at least $100 of "found money" and groceries for a week. My end of year haul will be a Giant gift card that I'll donate to our local food pantry in gratitude for having enough money throughout the year.


I love the idea of turning loose change into a jar and converting it to a gift card. We are on a very tight budget so I had to cut charitable donations (nothing huge-25 or 50 here and there) but this is doable. Thank you for posting this.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 10:51     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
I did focus groups years ago when I was between jobs, signed up at 3 local companies and made $125-$300 for each focus group I was chosen for. The norm was about 150 for a 2 hour discussion. (The $300 one - I had to go to two focus groups, and reps came to my house once).

They usually overbook to ensure enough people. So, you may not even have to do the focus group discussion and they still pay you for it.

You can only do this once or twice for each company but it's a good way to get a bit of extra cash.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 10:45     Subject: Re:Broke. Need tips.
Call Comcast and ask for a lower rate for internet only. If the first rep says no, call until you get a rep that will give you a lower rate. Say this:

"Hi, I'm a single mother looking for a better rate for internet than I currently have. I'm hoping you have something for about $29/month [they ALWAYS do]." Can you help me?"

Do this until you get a rep that can help you. It's a little tough, but if you do, you could save a few hundred a year!
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 09:44     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Anonymous wrote:Single parent. Got mortgage, car payment, credit card debt. Used to have an 800 credit score but due to some recent circumstances I'm now facing financial difficulty. Have basic cable, eat mostly at home, drive old car. What are your best tips for me? Thx.


Cut the cable. Replace with internet only. I pay Comcast $50/month for basic internet and then I pay Netflix like $7.99 for unlimited streaming. Eat EXCLUSIVELY at home. Don't buy new clothing for yourself and only buy new clothing for your child if s/he outgrows something or there is a seasonal change that necessitates it.

I am also a single mom with many of the expenses you name. You have to just stop spending money you don't have. Figure out what your mandatory expenses are. Pay those. If there is money left over, you can use that money for things that are not mandatory. When I am strapped for cash, I don't eat lunch.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 09:34     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Shop h&m and old navy for yourself. No more Macy's etc


Thrift store is better, Americans buy way too many clothes anyway.


Which one? (Not OP)


Where are you?


I'm not OP but I'm in Tyson's so I can go md/dc/va


Go to Falls Church/Merrifield there is a Unique Thrift Shop in the little shopping center next to the new Target. Same center as Golds Gym and Five Guys.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 09:25     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why do you have basic cable? Get rid of it


Yes do Internet only and buy an HD antenna box and HD Roku box at best buy.


Basic cable is just he networks and with Comcast is "free" if you have Internet.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 09:21     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Here's a list of consignment and thrift shops in Fairfax County:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/thrift.htm
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 09:16     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:23:53 there are several thrift-stores/consignment shops just down 123 towards Falls Church. The first one is on the right just after the costume store, then the del taco. Plug in "consignment stores tysons" into yelp. Or better yet, "thrift stores". Also check for nearest Salvation Army store. Falls Church is an older city so has more of the old established thrift stores affiliated with charities, Goodwill, Salvation Army


Rte 7 towards Falls Church, not Rt123.


thanks
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 09:16     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Anonymous wrote:try netflix instead of cable for dc


This is a channel on the Roku HD box. The competitor channel is Amazon, which is free for Amazon prime members, and IMO it has more of a selection, but either will work for you.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 09:12     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Anonymous wrote:23:53 there are several thrift-stores/consignment shops just down 123 towards Falls Church. The first one is on the right just after the costume store, then the del taco. Plug in "consignment stores tysons" into yelp. Or better yet, "thrift stores". Also check for nearest Salvation Army store. Falls Church is an older city so has more of the old established thrift stores affiliated with charities, Goodwill, Salvation Army


Rte 7 towards Falls Church, not Rt123.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 08:18     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
What is your interest rate on your car payment? You may be able to refi it for a lower rate at a credit union - DH and I do this at SECU.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 08:12     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
clothes-sorry.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 08:08     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
Cut the cable, lower cellphone, transfer credit cards to 0 % cards before your score drops, pick up extra work- waitressing, dogwalking/sitting (you can take kids with you), rent out a room if you live in a house,stop buying close-probably have more than you need.
Surprised you even have a car payment on an old car.
Anonymous
Post 08/27/2013 07:47     Subject: Broke. Need tips.
try netflix instead of cable for dc