How do you Save Money?

Paisley · Aug 16, 2006

Many of us at the Fedora Lounge spend a lot of money on clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. But how do you save? Please share your suggestions. I'll start:

Use coupons and shop for specials
I have a programmable thermostat
My yard is full of plants that are suited to their environment
I work out at home instead of joining a gym
I do my own facials and pedicures
I ride the bus to work
I use dial-up Internet instead of high-speed
I don't have cable TV or a satellite dish
I check out books and movies from the library
I am not looking to trade up my house or car
I make my lunches instead of going out

Please share your tips, too!

Dixon Cannon · Aug 16, 2006

Save??... save??...

By staying off eBay for a day! lol

-dixon cannon

Actually I have a sure fire money saving stategy that is designed for any working American. You'll have to PM me though for details.
It's not a big secret; It's the answer to a big secret! -dc

mysterygal · Aug 16, 2006

I am really horrible at saving money :eusa_doh: but one thing I do is save my change until my change jar gets full. It's really amazing how much it adds up...as long as you don't dig out the quarters

LizzieMaine · Aug 16, 2006

1. Walk or ride my bike wherever possible.

2. Keep thermostat at 60 degrees in winter and put on another sweater if I get cold.

3. No AC in summer. Go swim in the lake if it's too hot.

4. Low-wattage energy-saver lightbulbs in all sockets. Turn 'em off when I'm not in the room.

5. No clothes dryer -- hang the washing in the backyard.

6. No dishwasher. That's what sinks are for.

7. Avoid paying retail -- shop thrift stores, etc. wherever possible. Never buy something you might be able to find somewhere for free.

8. Buy cheap, simple foods that can be cooked ahead and stored. If I must eat out, go to mom-and-pop lunchrooms and diners where the entrees are cheap and hearty.

9. Get into the movies for free (because I work there!)

10. Communicate by email and AIM rather than long distance phone calls.

11. No cell phone or other subscription-fee-type gadgets

12. Always get generics for prescription drugs.

13. No going to the doctor for every little minor complaint. Office calls cost $$$.

14. Strictly-drugstore in my beauty regimens. No $35 face cream is ever going to make me 22 again.

15. Use it up, wear it out, make it do -- or do without.

scotrace · Aug 16, 2006

What is this odd and frightening concept you call "saving money?"

In all seriousness, I do many/most of the things listed here, but still can't save a cent, it seems.

Quigley Brown · Aug 16, 2006

I don't own or need a car. I only live a couple of blocks from my job (if need be I'm given a company car to use). I figure that's about a three to four thousand dollar annual expense everyone else has. Also....I live within walking distance of four thrift stores!

VintageJess · Aug 16, 2006

Some great suggestions so far. Lizzie, I really enjoyed yours in particular.

I guess the main thing is that we try to live as simply as possible. Try not to get caught up in keeping up with the Joneses.

We buy used, practical cars. I buy a lot of my son's clothes on e-bay or swap with other moms. I shop at the military commissary and bake and cook mostly at home. We avoid expensive processed foods and rarely eat out. Buy used books and DVDs on Amazon or e-bay.

We try to avoid the mall or big department or discount stores. And when I go, before I put anything in the cart, I ask myself, "Do we really NEED this? Do I totally love it and have to have it?" You would be surprised how much stuff I end up putting back.

We go to free lectures and tours. We live in an area rich with history and the National Park Service always has some type of free tour or living history going on.

Don't get me wrong, we have our hobbies and extras that we certainly spend money on. (The occasional fancy meal out, traveling, hubby's reenacting gear.) But we find that by saving in other areas, we have more to spend on the things that really mean the most to us.

We mainly just try to focus on the things that really matter in life--family, friends and making memories. In the end, the rest is just "stuff" really, and you can't take it with you!!

Rosie · Aug 16, 2006

Very well said Jess and Lizzie. Saving is becoming a priority of mine now as I'm getting older, when I was younger and began making my own money it was spend, spend, spend.

I don't go to movies to see films that I know will be terrible (which are most films these days)
I cook and bake at home mostly.
Since I'm not a HUGE fan of current fashions, I buy or make my clothes and shop using coupons (which I wouldn't have been caught dead with a few years ago) and during big sales or of course I go to thrift and vintage stores
I usually bring my lunch to work or buy the 2 dollar teacher discounted lunch from the cafeteria (yes, I PURPOSEFULLY eat cafeteria food lol )
I don't use a cell phone any longer, it was an expense I really didn't need
I cut down of my cable, because I don't watch a lot of television
I rarely buy books new, I use eBay or go to a used bookstore where I can get books for under a dollar
Before I buy anything "big" I search, search search for decent prices, coupons

I don't have a car and stopped my very diva-ish habit of only using car service for transportation (I was spending 250+ a month in taxis alone

)

Daisy Buchanan · Aug 16, 2006

mysterygal said:
I am really horrible at saving money :eusa_doh: but one thing I do is save my change until my change jar gets full. It's really amazing how much it adds up...as long as you don't dig out the quarters

That's my saving plan too!!! Except Hem and I will go to the grocery about once every six months with all the change, load up with as many things possible, and end up having a party with our savings. Guess it's not really working out for us.

We are really horrible. We are on a budget plan with the electric company, ut we still use the central air and heat. We eat out too much, but only treat ourselves to one expensive meal a week. We live above a pub, and it's often not only easier but cheaper to eat there. We spend 10 dollars for both of us for dinner. Sometimes that can be cheaper than going to the grocery and buying all the ingredients to make what we order.
I rarely drive. My car is 5 years old and only has 20 thousand miles on it. The last time I filled my gas tank was 6 weeks ago, and I still have half a tank.
I have a bit of a shopping problem, and I really like high end handbags, although I haven't bought one in about 6 months. I guess that's saving. I do sell some of my vintage clothes when I buy something new.
Since I don't work (I'm hoping to start soon, and I have a good excuse, I was sick) I'm living off of a savings, so I have a great financial planner to keep me in line. I'm hoping this thread will give me the motivation I need to be a little more frugal. However, I am planning on buying a new car once I start working. This is only because the Volvo dealership has expressed a great interest in buying my car due to the model and the low mileage. I would only do it if they give me what I want for it and give me a good deal on a new one. I am the perfect candidate for a lease, which is good becuase I like the idea of getting a new car every 3 years, but it is kind of like throwing money away, and since I own my car now, it's kind of silly to add a car payment to the monthly bills. UhOh, this thread is working already, I'm already thinking thriftily (if that's a word!).

J. M. Stovall · Aug 16, 2006

Our financial plan for the future is to hope that our daughter becomes a doctor

.

mysterygal · Aug 16, 2006

My change goes to extras that are pretty much seasonal things, things that I don't really need, but want. For example, the last time I cashed in my change was for a trip to the nursery to get a whole bunch of flowers and vegetable starters for all my gardens, next time I'll cash out will probably be for Christmas decorations [huh]
Daisy, only spending $10 for both of you for dinner is great and far cheaper than eating at home. But I guess it depends on what you cook also, I tend to like to cook gormet, so dinner especially is one of the most expensive meals to put together.

LizzieMaine · Aug 16, 2006

Change can really pile up. I have an old Spry shortening can sitting on the kitchen counter, and I dump loose change in it whenever I find it in coat pockets or in the bottom of my bag -- and when it gets full, I roll the coins and take them in to the bank. Last time I did this, I got nearly $180 out of the project, and that was just dimes, nickels and pennies. (And I found a couple of silver dimes in the lot, to boot!)

Hemingway Jones · Aug 16, 2006

As many of you know, I work for a bank, so much of my savings is pre-tax. However, one way of saving, a significant way, I might add, that I do, is that I round up my deductions in my checking account. I account for everything in their exact amounts, but when I deduct it from my trial balance I round it up to the nearest dollar or the nearest ten. You would be amazed at how much it builds up.

Also, you cannot beat ING.

"Doc" Devereux · Aug 16, 2006

Save money?

Umm...

I think I've heard the term, yes...

Ah! Do sales count? And how about cleverly staging things to be tax-deductable?

I'm a wastrel: money goes on champagne, fine dining and dressing well. Being a bachelor has its good points.

Maj.Nick Danger · Aug 16, 2006

You can't take it with you,

and you only live once, (at least I think so) so what's to save for? lol

Air Boss · Aug 17, 2006

Save???

We used to save then son number one started college and gasoline broke $3 a gallon. Both beauty and the beast (wife and I) have pre-tax retirement plans at work. We also use a lot of the ideas suggested above.

DancingSweetie · Aug 17, 2006

I'm a single parent, and it costs just about every penny I make to run my household. My daughters do not get name brand anything, they are so used to that they don't even ask anymore. We only get take out on Fridays, and it is usually pizza or something I can feed the 3 of us for less than $15. I take my lunch to work every day. Never shop at the mall. Keep my a/c on 78. Buy my groceries at Wal Mart and Trader Joes to get the best prices. Rarely buy meat unless it is on a really good sale. I have the lowest satellight package that gets TCM.

Lady Day · Aug 17, 2006

Well I equate my time Vs. Money. If its $2 more, but will get me through, over, or done faster without tons of effort, then the extra couple of bucks are worth it.

BUt I love to bargin shop, and I buy in bulk and forgo nambrands all the time. Generic and dollar stores are my best friends.

LD

Shaul-Ike Cohen · Aug 17, 2006

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.

PrettySquareGal · Aug 17, 2006

Starbucks, Smokes and Spirits

Avoid or reduce Starbucks, Smokes and Spirits, the three "S"s of Excess Spending!

I just made that up, but I can see a retro PSA in here. Maybe that's because it's 4:50 a.m. Anyway, drinking your coffee at home instead of take out can save you about a thousand a year; alcohol consumption, for some, thousands of dollars; smoking- I can't believe what a pack costs these days.

How do you Save Money?

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