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1 year ago ::
May 11, 2011 - 9:27AM
#56
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Hi Pam34: I also did time as a geologian! I don't have a gym membership. My social and contamination phobias preclude sweaty company! But I do have the full range of cable services. I do my own gardening. The mobile phone is costly. Half of that is fixed charges. The biggest variable component is Web browsing. But my need for reassurance, I reckon caused my heavy demand for financial services! I'm thoroughly insured and warrantied! Yes, I have halved my expenditure on food necessities, by buying those at a discount store! I need to buy (have neglected) footwear and clothes! How do you do that cheaply? I have an unfortunate perfectionism tendency. I do pay a bit extra for renewable electricity. Yes, for car insurance, I want to read a thick policy, so as to economise on that next year. I don't consume manicure or dog grooming services. But my psychologist sent me back to my masseur to unwind!  My previous doctor wanted me to leave my car garaged, and cycle instead! But since I moved 10 km further out of town, I found myself cycling less.  I need motivation to go out exercising as the weather gets wintry!  I am medically precluded from (any significant) employment, unfortunately.
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1 year ago ::
Dec 21, 2010 - 11:47AM
#55
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What can be ditched? gym memberships cable TV ANY 'monthly fee' services you can do without - landscaping? newspaper delivery? rethink cell phone use and plans if possible (I do think you need to keep a cell phone, so that you stay in easy reach for emergencies, or if job-hunting, or if you have kids) what can be rethought and restructured: grocery shopping clothes purchases talk to utility companies about going on an 'equal payment plan': the monthly bills are set at a constant amount, thus helping with budgeting review insurance needs - you do need insurance (usually), but may be able to find a less expensive policy for life insurance, homeowners insurance, automobile insurance Consider your normal schedule for 'personal care' like haircuts for instance - can they be stretched so you go longer between visits? (applies for a lot of stuff, if you use them -manicures, dog grooming, massages - some of those can be eliminated, others can last longer between visits) more drastic measures sell a car (or two) and make do with one car get a part time job
Blessed are You, HaShem, Who blesses the years.
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1 year ago ::
Nov 30, 2010 - 7:27PM
#54
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I have moved into a wonderful new house. And I have discovered that I had depended on a lot of services. These expenses and their bills, have been eating into my bank float! So I need to consider ways to exist without spending money. What did you ditch when you had to?
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2 years ago ::
Oct 21, 2010 - 10:43AM
#53
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I expect to be in mortgage stress next month. Food preparation is something that I need classes in!
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2 years ago ::
Apr 22, 2010 - 4:37PM
#52
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The way the Economy is we need to be good stewarts over what we have. Don't go out spending what you don't have. And learn to use what you have and make it work and last. I've never been one to be wasteful because I know that there are some people in the world that would love what I wasted so I learned never to waste anything.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint...Isaiah 40:31
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2 years ago ::
Apr 22, 2010 - 7:06AM
#51
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The current economic crisis necessitates more than just penny pinching; it requires more drastic measures. For example, learn to say "No" particularly to children. Most product advertisment is geared towards children who don't have money. Children under 14 don't need cell phones, nor do they need every computer game or game system that comes out. When it comes to clothing, the designer labels aren't worth the price so what's the point? Is having instant access really worth the extra cost of the cell phone bill? I think not. Why would I want to check e-mail on the go? If there's something "critical" then call me otherwise it can wait. GPS on the phone or in the car; why? There are things called maps and if you go online you can get travel directions. Go out to the movies at those high prices? Nope. It's called wait for a dvd release and then check it out for free at the library or for cheap through other sources. The movie studio and the actors still makes money so their greed is still satisfied. There are drastic ways to cut expenses but not sacrifice true quality of life since material things and frivolous thing don't really add quality to life but do add quantity while reducing money.
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2 years ago ::
Apr 20, 2010 - 7:48PM
#50
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How do I live cheap? I have my wife get out and work & have her turn her paycheck over to me. Then we shop for foods about to expire, meats we freeze.
A DELA VEGA PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH SQUIRREL PRODUCTIONS, INC.
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2 years ago ::
Apr 18, 2010 - 8:02PM
#49
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Check with your local electric company and see if you can subscribe to time of use billing. Ours installed a new meter and we are billed for electricity at different rates (scheduled time) during the day. By watching when we use our high energy items and being concious of electricity consumption in general we have cut our electric bill by 60+%.
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2 years ago ::
Apr 16, 2010 - 12:02PM
#48
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I've been pinching pennies for most of my life - I learned it from my parents. Here is the simplest hint: IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT, DON'T BUY IT! I'll be back with more later.
Advise to save and lose weight is stop buying junk food. If I must indulge {its healthy once in a while} I'l buy a cake or brownie mix, they are inexpensive, you can control the amount of sugars, salts, fats that go into the mix. You'll also be surprised how easy it is to suppress a sweet tooth when you're tired and don't want to bother. By doing this I ended up saving $5-15 a week. I only buy the mixes on sale for a $1. I only buy toppings on sale like icing, whip cream... I also don't buy a lo at once. Maybe 1 of each flavor I like which is 3-4. I will ignore a sale if I don't need or need more f that item.
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2 years ago ::
Apr 16, 2010 - 6:35AM
#47
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Another couple of things. If you eat meat, check your area for distribution plants for poultry and other meat. You may have to google this, check with chamber of commerce or ask around because they tend to be best-kept secrets in even the smallest communities. Only one person I know knew about the one I use. You can often buy meat at 30, 33 or even 40% less than supermarket prices. Also check for packing houses for fruits and vegetables. I used to live near a peach packing house and we used to get bushels of peaches and nectarines for a really low price. Also used tires if you need tires. If you are really broke and need your car to get to work, sometimes used tires are worth it. Generally they won't last as long as new ones but if you are really desperate there is a big difference between $25 and $65. I used to get a flat tire a month due to my awful dirt road. Whether the tire was new or not, I would lose one a month. I just got tired of paying for new tires so I went to used for 7 years. Did fine with them. They were not any better or worse in holding up to my dirt road. Also, get a good HDTV antenna and you can do without cable. I can afford cable now but don't need it. I get 15 channels that are crystal clear with my antenna I bought online. Check ebay for them. I get all the major networks, PBS, CW, plus a movie channel that is surprisingly good. Also, remember most public libraries have computers and wireless internet. If you have a laptop you can use the library's wireless. Our patrons can get reception outside in the parking lot and occasionally do even when we are closed. Libraries also have computer classes, job fairs, resume writing clinics and other programs. You need an inexpensive hobby? Try genealogy. It is a lot more addicting than you can imagine and your library makes it inexpensive.
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