Can we try and save and help each other?

[onewhocares]

Ok people, you are going to think that all I do is to think up new threads....well sort of. Business here is SO incredibly slow ( I work for a real estate and construction company) that I do spend lots of time chatting on line, be it on this site or friends on Yahoo.

Many of us are in the same boat....trying to save money on common everyday things. So I thought that I would start a thread where perhaps we could all share our money, time, energy saving tips.


1. I tried to save money by canceling my home phone. But it was bundled with my cable and internet and even if I cancelled two out of the three I would only save thirty dollars...then I would have to get the mother in law a cell phone and that would cost more.

2. Hubby has to wear a certain uniform....dress blue shirts....making HIM wash and iron them instead of dry cleaning.

3. If you have a second refrigerator, shut it down. I did. Not worth it just to keep soda and beer cold. Also cleaned out and turned off the stand up freezer we had in the garage.

4. Turned down the water heater to 108 degrees. Granted I know that the dishwashers may not work as well, but I am pre rinsing the dishes.

5. Given up on sprinkler system....mother nature will take over.

6. Instead of opening the whole house, going to spend time in only a limited area and shall close the rest off.

7. Checking the tire pressure on the tires of our cars.

8. Increasing the deductibles on the auto and home owners insurance policies.

9. Dyeing your own hair and not a salon....BIG money.

10. Planning your errands...into one big loop.

11. Not shopping at wholesale clubs...buy more than you need and food going to waste.


Not everyone may find these useful...but it is what I am doing to try and save money.

[Vikkster230]

Making your food instead of buying/dining out.

Walking/biking as much as possible too conserve gas.

Cutting down one coffee/latte a day and drink water. (cuts down on caffeine and sugar too.)

These area couple of things we've been trying (not the coffee tho, I did switch from reg soda to water and it's helped me lose over 40lbs). :cool:

[jem_is_bi]

I do not have an expensive lifestyle. So, what can I do?
I know!!! I could be homeless and eating in church sponsored soup kitchens.
Now, that would really cut costs and I would be close to work.
Darn, I am not sure I could maintain the proper attire for the mandatory dress code.

[MelodicDreamer]

I'm pretty sure my only hope would be robbing a bank, but I sold my rifle ugh. Joking, of course, although I did sell my gun which I regret. Oh well. I totaled my car so I'm not buying gas for now. I'm looking for something super cheap to get around in...as cheap as possible.

I actually know a guy from here who gets the local restaurants to save their veggie oil for him in their fryers. He runs his old station wagon on the stuff. Smells like french fries always, I hear, but hey...how smart is that?

[Papelucho]

I save money by not eating out, or divulging in little expenditures. That stuff really adds up. These days I go three or four days without spending a penny.

[HighEnergy]

Cool thread, Belle. It's a good idea.

I noted your loop idea for errands. I saw somewhere that UPS plans their trips to be only right turns if possible and it's saving huge amounts on their fuel bill. Seems you don't idle as much waiting to turn left, and it's safer.

I make my own "butter" like the land o lakes butter and oil spread. Melt your own real butter in the microwave and use a mixer to blend in an equal or slightly less than equal part of oil and pour into a tupperware container and refrigerate it. It's healthier than all butter, and I think it's better than eating that fake margarine.

I also had solatubes installed in my home, creating lots of natural light so I don't have lamps on until very late in the day.

[Bluebiyou]

Determine the combination of resonate frequencies (5-11GHZ) of the covalent bond of hydrogen and oxygen to cause separation (plus static dc voltage, of course) of the water molecule. Thus:
1. Causing extreme cooling (great for those of us in the hot climates) upon separation. Cool our houses with the expansion.
2. Generating great expansive energy upon ignition.

Note to skeptics, this is not 'free energy' (second law of thermodynamic physics observed and obeyed) just fully utilizing the huge potential Carnot cycle... and ambient energy.

[darkeyes]

Money 2 me means 2 things... shoppin an goin out.. hav neva been 1 for food shoppin.. jus an evil necessity an ther is always the cognac an plonk 2 b got... an until recently had 2 skimp an scrape along like every 1 else.. spesh afta give up work las year 2 go bak 2 uni.. but me dad heped an still helps out wiv a lil allowance wich goes on till me finishes completely next June wen wiv luk me will b bak inta the rat race but this time, wiv the qualifications behind me doin wot me wonts 2 do not wot me hasta 2 survive..

Kate lost er dad not so long ago an we now liv in 'is house wich has no mortgage an so we jus hav bills 2 pay like every 1 else.. council tax is a rip off an leccy an gas bills a bit grim but we not wasteful of eitha.. the car is used sparingly an we neva use it for short journeys unless we hav no choice.. an as often as poss we try an avoid usin it when ther jus 1 a us.. we don run Shiv 2 school or pik er up like sum paranoid peeps...she has legs an school only a 20 min walk away... also far as poss we try an drive pretty sensibly cos we like 2 get as much mileage as we can outa the petrol wich is hardly cheap.. Kate betta than me at this cos me dus tend 2 zoom down the motorways.. it jus so easy 2 suddenly find yasel not din 70 ne more but touchin 90.. we hav lotsa veg an fruit in the garden an that saves a bomb.. wot we don grow me mum an dad dus an vice versa.. an summa me m8s hav an allotment an so we get cheap veggies from them..all organic an all..

We not poor so titenin the belts not a huge priority.. Kate has gud job an decent money an she also has the money 'er dad left 'er wivout wich we wud havta breathe in a lot more.. Naggy aint mean but she is canny wiv money.. we hav 2 kids 2 clothe an feed an that aint cheap, ( 3 she sez ifya include me) but we tryin 2 make em (Shiv at least..Lou 2 young) realise wot me has neva reely taken on board.. the value a money an always keep sum bak for a rainy day... even the wealthiest can end up broke... we still hav our wild weekends but we set the budget for em an Kate is a bugga for not goin ova.. an its painful the thotta not havin our shoppin expeditions so we lukky enuff 2 b able 2 afford that still..since its 'er money reely me hasta respect that an try not 2 b 2 parasitical, an do try.. but she is luffly an so me mite not get everythin me wud like but do get enuff 2 keep me happy... apart from the allowance me dad gives me (wich ends next June) an the loan an stuff me gets for the next year, thats me present contribution.. but next year wiv luk will start 2 earn gain an feel less guilty bout it all bein 'ers..

So we lukky compared 2 most peeps... we don havta suffer the squeeze in quite the same manner.. but that don mean we shudn respect wot money is an wot it dus.. left2 me own devices no matta how much me had wud neva b enuff..deep down me glad me got sum 1 in me life who aint daft wiv it... even if she is daft for havin sum 1 in ers who is...

[FalconAngel]

1. Buying only the food we need for the week, getting special meat/fish only when it is on sale.

2. Bundling all of our errands into as few trips and loops as possible.

3. Take motorcycle, instead of the car, whenever possible. I'll take 40 - 60 mpg (no matter how I drive) over 20 - 25 mpg (depending on how I drive) any day of the week.
That's 60 dollars in (4 dollar a gallon) gas for us to go the 360 miles (round trip plus running around) to Disney World for the weekend, versus more than 100 dollars in fuel for the same trip.

4. Only buy what you need to get, for things other than groceries.

5. Cell phone on one price per month with no per minute charges (like Metro PCS does). You know how much you are paying and it is the same every month, no matter how much you talk.

6. No cable/satellite TV. We don't need 10 channels of sports, 22 channels of news, 3 weather channels, the women's network, men's network, cooking channel, home and garden network, the Hungarian comedy network, Japanese game shows, etc, etc, ad nauseum. Broadcast TV costs nothing.

7. Cut back on mini-vacations and all other unnecessary travel. Fewer 360 mile round trips to Disney World.

8. Only run the A/C when it starts to get over 80 in the house.

[hudson9]

I revived the Coffee Club at the office -- Instead of $1.50 (or more) per cup from the store, $.25 per cup into the kitty. So we buy the coffee, clean the maker, brew the coffee, and save $6 to $12 /week... $300 to $600 /year...!

(Next on the list is going back to bag lunches!)

[Gina7777]

Credit cards either cut in half or left in the drawer back home - only used occasionally for booking tickets or holidays. (Warning ... venturing into London's West End with any sort of card in your wallet is totally FATAL!!! There are such beautiful clothes there at the moment!)

All those catalogues with tempting items ... just BE STRONG and quickly rip off the plastic sleeve, put that in your drawer for when you need a plastic bag for food etc., and shove the catalogue in the paper recycling box quick! before you see all those clothes and gadgets you simply MUST have!

[onewhocares]

Hi folks....just me again. Tonight I went grocery shopping. Most times I am the type who goes to B J's Wholesale, Sam's Club or Costo and buys two weeks worth of stuff and things that I might need. Well today I was determined to SHOP. To watch what I was buying, to look at prices. Well I discovered as I walked up and down the aisles that many of the "high end items" were reduced. Example....Olive oil- extra virgin and light were on sale from 16.99 to 8.99. This store had Manager Special coupons on alot of things....crumbled blue cheese...2.00 off 2.68. Whole salami's for two dollars, as were olive, roasted peppers and many other items. Also bought fish which was on sale. Coupons for meats that had coupons too...which I threw in the freezer. I spent 110.00 and saved 38.87.

I also shut off the extra refridgerator and seperate freezer I had going in the garage that was for extra food and beer and soda.

My search for a night job is not going well...but I will carry on.


Belle

[texasman6172003]

Hi folks....just me again. Tonight I went grocery shopping. Most times I am the type who goes to B J's Wholesale, Sam's Club or Costo and buys two weeks worth of stuff and things that I might need. Well today I was determined to SHOP. To watch what I was buying, to look at prices. Well I discovered as I walked up and down the aisles that many of the "high end items" were reduced. Example....Olive oil- extra virgin and light were on sale from 16.99 to 8.99. This store had Manager Special coupons on alot of things....crumbled blue cheese...2.00 off 2.68. Whole salami's for two dollars, as were olive, roasted peppers and many other items. Also bought fish which was on sale. Coupons for meats that had coupons too...which I threw in the freezer. I spent 110.00 and saved 38.87.

I also shut off the extra refridgerator and seperate freezer I had going in the garage that was for extra food and beer and soda.

My search for a night job is not going well...but I will carry on.


Belle

Belle,Bless your heart. Wow after going thru what you went thru,now your going to try and work nights!!! :eek:.. Good luck with your search!!!!

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

*Rubbing hands together gleefully* Ok Ya'll, Now your talking to the Queen of Cheap. I am and have always been, frugal to a fault. Growing up poor on a reservation will do that to a person, for they then understand the value of a dollar. Growing up poor taught me to learn how to cook cheaply but tastefully, for a large family, and this learning held over for when I got married. I love to cook anyway, so that's a plus.
I love to cook things and put them in the freezer for later on, and now that I am single, I dont have to cook so much. But, I still cook things for like a two days worth and save a great deal on meals that way.

I buy things in bulk such as huge bottles of Dawn diswashing liquid, then put them in smaller bottles, leaving the larger one under the sink for refills.
I dont take my little car to a car wash... If I want it washed and prettied up I go out and use the hose and an old rag with a squirt of Dawn and some Awesome..lol. Plus,I live in Washington state fer Gods sakes. Its going to get washed on almost a daily basis up here anyway!
Check out Liquidator stores; those are Great! You can get items that are "Left over's" from boxed shipments that have been broken open (The shipping box, not the product box) and they are sometimes sold in 3-fer's, and in 3 for a dollar, or three for 2 bucks, ect. I Love these places. See, I'm not a box cook, but I like hambergur helper once in a great while. I buy up pasta's and dry goodies and keep them on hand for if I need them.

Also frequent the Dollar Tree stores and Dollar Stores. You can get some fantastic items for rock bottom prices. I get cleaning supplies there and stash them in the pantry or under the sink. :} Check out Janitorial supply stores for bulk tolit parper, and some Staples and Home Depot has good name brand TP in big bulk lots. I got a 100 count bag for like $12.95 the last time I got it that way..
To be continued :}
Cat

[jamieknyc]

Eliminate alcohol and tobacco, and recreational driving

[frikidiki]

Here are some of my suggestions. I hope they help someone out.

Learn to eat smaller meals cooked at home--you'll be healthier, lose weight, and lower food bills. If you must eat out, try to eat grilled chicken sandwiches or salads--McD's Classic Grilled with a tea, no fries, costs $6 or less consistently. Quit the sugar habit. Stop doing drugs, including weed. Don't eat junk food, no matter what! Become an educated shopper and buy for the long term, even if it costs more now--you'll usually replace fewer things and/or less often. Reusable quality is always better, and ultimately cheaper, than disposable quantity. Stop watching television--books are better and can be recycled or bought used; alternately, you can play good RPG and strategy games, which are like interactive movies. Avoid impulsive things done out of boredom--cultivate yourself, your hobbies, and your surroundings instead. Make a budget and stick to it; round income amounts down to the next $10, $20, or whatever, budget with these amounts, and either spend the extra on your happiness by next paycheck or throw it into savings. Spend only what is in your pocket. Use credit cards for emergencies and necessary major purchases only; go cash only for the rest.

Learn to enjoy masturbation--get in touch with yourself instead of going out all the time and blowing money on other people who don't really care about you, anyway. Wait until you find a mutually satisfying relationship, get over being "in love," and really love the one you're with--divorce or separation is expensive. Learn to fix it yourself, if possible. Ditch the yard--rocks, hedges, trees, flowers, vegetables, and cactus are cheaper; or, fence it off and get a she-goat, then milk her to make soap, cheese, yogurt, etc. Live closer to the city, or in it, if you work and play there--the suburbs suck, anyway. Drive defensively, with traffic, instead of speeding and weaving through it--this saves on tires, brakes, brake lights, shocks, fuel, fluids, transmission, the nerves of yourself and others, tickets, and accidents, and still gets you there in a reasonable amount of time.

And remember, money is a tool and not a master, a means and not an end--you can save all the money you want, but it can't buy you happiness.

[Dagni]

I don't know. I have high standard living simply cause i'm that position to earn a lot of money. But that doesn't means that i live glamorous life.
That is funny and stupid in Finland.

I do earn a lot, but my house in my hometown is not big at all, about 150 kvm, and i don't drive Ferrari in Scandinavia, since in Scandinavian countries rich and middle class people live on same way. Specialy in Finland.
That's why i'm driving Alfa Romeo, not Maserati or Ferrari.

Also, i don't think that i need housekeeper or whatever, i can do it myself, of my wife do those things, i smoke some nice tobacco Prince 100's and in free time most of my money goes on vodka ;)

I think i had some nice luck to be in this position thanks to the fact that i'm from famous racing family but i'm saving my money for future since i will withdrawn from this job at the end of 2009 and dedicte myself to racing academy.

[dafydd]

buy fake flowers instead of real ones.
they last forever

d

[lonelygirlintx]

thanks 4 this thread, great idea. now can someone tell help me out with a $725 energy bill, it's crazy, we do NOT have the money for this! So we stay in the garage of my hubby's parents.. we have a small window unit AC, a tv, and maybe another fan if it gets too hot, then in their house, they have central AC, goes on & off, you know, 2 tvs, a computer, and kitchen items; microwaves, coffee maker, etc. So does anyone know how to deal with this, PLEASE let me know... ASAP!

[frikidiki]

thanks 4 this thread, great idea. now can someone tell help me out with a $725 energy bill, it's crazy, we do NOT have the money for this! So we stay in the garage of my hubby's parents.. we have a small window unit AC, a tv, and maybe another fan if it gets too hot, then in their house, they have central AC, goes on & off, you know, 2 tvs, a computer, and kitchen items; microwaves, coffee maker, etc. So does anyone know how to deal with this, PLEASE let me know... ASAP!


Am I correct in assuming this energy bill has resulted from your living in the garage? If not, then please clarify what you meant. If so, please proceed.

First off, ask the electric company if you can set up a payment plan. Very few say no to this, unless you've burned them too many times before.

On the side of this, consider moving to an apartment. Even Cucaracha Estates would be better that Dad's Garage. If you can't do this, then check out the following questions.

Is the space you're staying in insulated? Most garages aren't, obviously because their purpose is not as a living space. In addition, the garage door acts as a heat transfer while allowing cool air, which sits lower to the ground than warm air, to escape out the bottom.

Also, is the A/C unit sufficient for the size of the garage? This is a common problem in living spaces, especially when a new room is added onto the load of a central A/C system, or when people buy a window unit based on cost and not its rating.

Will the folks let you rent a spare bedroom? If so, make it worth their while, even if you're paying rent, by helping out with chores and renovations.

Good luck!

[Bluebiyou]

1. Paint your roof white. Bright gleaming white. Doubly important if you live in the south. Sunshine delivers up to 1400 watts per square meter. Reflect that heat, increase your albedo.

2. Next insulate your living space. If accessing the attic rafters or outer walls for fiberglass insulation is impractical:
2a. (from the inside) wipe down your outer walls with Lysol (the super strong old fashioned concentrate stuff from the 1950s in the brown bottle); this will prevent mold and bacterial growth. Make sure not to breath this stuff (it's wicked), but make sure to leave a lot of Lysol residue on surface.
2.b Go to your hardware store and buy double (aluminum) backed foam (styrene family?) 1/2 inch thick insulation board and 1/2 inch dry wall (sheet rock, gypsum board).
2.c Wipe the back layer of new dry wall (the side that will go against wall/insulation board) with lysol (to prevent mold and mildew).
2.d Mount the dry wall, sandwiching the insulation board between the old wall and new dry wall. Make all necessary accomodations for electrical sockets, doors, windows, etc.
2.e Do the same with your ceiling (this is more difficult).

Using the plastic (styrene family?) core insulation is abiding safety fire codes if covered by 1/2 inch dry wall.

3. Use same type of insulation board, cut to size and fit in windows for unused rooms/windows/really hot or cold days/times you aren't there. Of course fire codes say you'd have to use fiberglass core insulation board... but if for me... by the time a fire melts through the aluminum foil cover then to melt the plastic and start issuing toxic smoke... I think it's... right at too late to escape anyway, but of course I'm thinking American, one level ranch house. You'd have to decide your fire risk... I wouldn't use anything but the fiberglass (for window insert/cover) if there was more than one floor to the house. The fiberglass insulation board is harder to get, but is available through air conditioning/heating supply places.

Just remember, the principle behind the lysol is to prevent mold/mildew growth on the two surfaces that will be touching the insulation board. I have lived along Gulf Coast of usa for many years; hot and humid most of year. Mold is dangerous (especially black mold, green mold is still dangerous). Mold grows on freshly painted walls here. I stored books, clothing, and papers in ordinary cardboard boxes for nearly ten years in my garage with no mold. First, I sprayed the inside surfaces with just a mist of Lysol, then let the cardboard boxes dry (a few minutes) in the sun. I then sprayed the outside of a cheap towel with a mist of Lysol and threw it over the contents of the box just before I closed the box lid. Lysol works well (perfect in my experience) but is SO harsh... DON'T breath the fumes/mist from that stuff!

Finally, the disclaimer:
The author of all the above rubbish is a totally smashed (drunk) and irresponsible person and certainly can't be held responsible in any way if anyone is so foolish as to follow his advise.
Anyone nearly so insane as to consider the above saving suggestions, should first be horse whipped, then they should consult at least a few professional (and therefore liable) experts before remotely acting upon the above ridiculous suggestions. :)

[AFTER9]

Just in this thread I noted the names:
Disney World Sams
Costco Lysol
Dawn Dollar Tree
Maserti Metro PCS
McDs Alfa Romero

All of them want their hands in your pockets

[Bluebiyou]

Just in this thread I noted the names:
Disney World Sams
Costco Lysol
Dawn Dollar Tree
Maserti Metro PCS
McDs Alfa Romero

All of them want their hands in your pockets

are you mad or are you gay?

Lysol gave me $2,000,000 for the endorsement!

[angelrose1955]

Well, shameless and I are trying to save money for our honeymoon next July...

After raising 7 kids, I think I know something about being frugal *that's right...frugal, not cheap...nothing is cheap anymore*

1. I learned how to stretch meals. Now I cook enough for two meals and freeze the second for later....Helps when you are in a crunch for time too

2. We have switched most of our lightbulbs to the energy efficient florescent ones. They give off just as much light at just pennies a day

3. Canned Food outlets are wonderful places to save money....and most of the food is good stuff...

4. I inherited a Dodge Neon from my mom, so shameless now drives that at 30 mpg instead of his T-bird at 8 mph....BIG savings there

5. We drink a lot of soda...between shameless and my son...oh, my...we now buy the store brand of soda instead of name brand...most of the time ya can't tell much of a difference.

6. Switch to generic brands of medications such as Tylenol, Immodium, etc. Most of them work just as good if not better than the national brands now a days

7. Plan the weeks meals ahead of time...that way you will know what you have on hand and what you need so that you aren't buying out the whole store thinking you don't have something when you do

8. NEVER go grocery shopping without a list...and buy ONLY what is on the list.. Impulse buying is where the stores make their highest profits....

9. And NEVER go grocery shopping when you are hungry...this tends to add to the impulse buying because food looks so good when you are hungry....hehehe

10. Wash dishes by hand....it is a lot cheaper than the dishwasher...and with all the dish soap that has lotion in it now...you kinda get a treat by making your hands softer...killing two birds with one stone.

I have more that I will share later,but don't want to hog the board
AngelRose

[darkeyes]

Wy botha savin..cant take it wivya an all the banks r goin bust..enjoy it wile ya can..tee hee:tong:

[onewhocares]

Well Frances, I have to try and save so I do not loose my house. I was lucky enough to be able to refinance in March, saved nearly a grand on the mortgage which had jumped to a high rate.

Just yesterday I had to buy a new washing machine. I went to get an LG front load high energy saving one. Uses only 25 % of the standard top load and less detergent. The one I wanted was not in stock till the end of October. They did have a floor model of the top of the line. Home Depot ( Unlike Blue I get NO endorsement from HD) was trying to unload it because it was gray colored. It was marked down 25 % off for clearence, the had a four day sale and gave 10% off till October 1st. When I got it out to the truck, I noticed a scratch. I asked for and received an additional 10% off. In addition, our local electric company is going to credit our electric account $ 75.00 for purchasing energy saving product. I ended up getting the top of the line product for less than what I would have paid for the one I origionally intended to buy. This model comes with a steam cycle which will take out the wrinkles in my husbands shirts and I can save $ 73.50 a month on those too. And the machine came with all sorts of coupons for savings on laundry detergent which just happens to be on sale this week at the local store which gives double coupons.

That is my latest money saving idea.

Belle

[darkeyes]

Wos bein flippant an jus havin a lil laff Belle.. me knos how serious things r for lotsa peeps.. cant go outa the house an not c the signs a recession an misery gettin more obvious every day...

We r lucky belle.. so far (touch wood) the chaos wich they call the economy hasnt yet touched us cos we have sufficient resources that it jus dusnt.. Kate has triff salary, me has me student loan an grant as well as the allowance me dad gives me 2 help me through me education, we hav no mortgage, an Kate has a fair bit left 2 by her late father,but don haff notice price a energy shootin through the roof an unavoidable outgoins risin much 2 quickly for our likin... High Council Tax (property tax) an gets higher every year always seeminly much moren the rate of inflation, costa food has bein gettin ridiculous.. Nursery costs (ouch)...an has ne 1 noticed the reduction in the size a packets a certain food items...its arguable wetha that saves the consumer money.. an most important, kids r not cheap 2 keep..an we won skrimp on ours.. don mean we will spoil em, but won c them short a wot they need...

We do an always hav been concious of our energy use... not altogether cos of its costs, but mainly for environmental factors and energy conservation.. but no Belle.. we r lucky... much luckier than most... an so far..tho we notice our pound goes far less far than a year or so ago... it has so far had no effect on our lifestyle..

Should we make more effort 2 save money?? Only wer it is sensible 2 do so...energy bein the main area...gas leccy an petrol.. but in otha areas?? We don need 2.. we can, luckily afford not 2.. an if we did, simply 2 show solidarity wiv those less well off than ourselves, jus wot gud wud it do? Cos we skrimp an save, tho we don need to..dus that help those less well of than ouselves??? Considerin my political belief's can c wy sum may think this stance compromises em.. cos we don need 2 we don..tho do kno peeps much betta off than we r that r much more tite arsed than we r an r drawin in ther belts...

Funny ole world Belle innit??