How to Save Money
>> Thursday, March 18, 2010
as a NORMAL Person
Do you just laugh when you watch those news segments about how to save money? And it's all, "This designer knock-off shirt is only $55 instead of $143!" And the news person is all, "OH WOW! WHAT A GREAT DEAL!"
Confession: I have NEVER spent $55 on a shirt. Ever.
And I have zero intention of ever doing so, unless it was required by law or something.
What about when you read an article about ways to save money and it's all "Diversify your dividends in to mutual funds rather than IRAs..."
And you're all, "Wuhhh? Who's IRA?"
Or is that just me?
Anyone?
Okay, well, I'm just a normal gal, with a normal life and not a lot money to diversify and certainly no budget for $55 shirts.
And in this economy, I think everyone could do with some money saving tips.
The following list is not just ways to save money, it's also a preview of some of the things you can expect to see in upcoming installments of The Diet Coke Diet. We're all about foreshadowing around here. :) So stay tuned.
Without further ADO:
*Drive slower.
*Organize and de-clutter to cut down on buying stuff you already own.
*Use hand-me-downs for small children and babies.
*Keep your thermostat 80 in the summer and 68 in
*Eat at home.
*Cook one meatless dinner a week.
*Embrace left-overs.
*Make things from scratch.
*Learn to bake and cook.
*Eat less.
*Buy generic and buy in-season.
*Consolidate shopping trips, make lists, shop sales!
*Do your own kids’ haircuts.
*Buy Used. CRAIGSLIST.COM is your FRIEND!
*Learn to mend clothing.
*Use cash and save your change.
*Learn basic car repair.
*Be creative, and reuse things you already have.
Have you got any great ideas to add to the list?
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6 comments:
Don't read women's magazines or any magazine that has kids' 'school outfits' that cost $165 for each outfit (I am not making this up: Family Circle magazine had a 'back to school' fashion section for kids and the average cost PER outfit was over $100 dollars.
Re-read the "Tightwad Gazette" at least once every year (okay, skim) to find ideas that fit here and now but didn't when you first read it.
Keep your car tuned up to get better gas mileage.
Don't ever buy a new car. Let someone else drive off the lot and instantly lose money.
More to come.
MA
keep your tires appropriately pressured to save on gas. Don't accelerate quickly at the stop lights, coast as much as possible on the downhill. Refuel at night in the summer (fuel evaporates in the heat).
Check into grocerysmarts.com if it's available in your area. They do alot of the price book keeping that the Tightwad Gazette advocates so you don't have to keep it all in your head/book. Sometimes buying in bulk is NOT cheaper (except in a less packaging/earth friendly way). Looking at the cost per unit helps a lot.
Figure into your bargain hunting the opportunity cost of getting that deal across town --gas and time, because neither are cheap.
Understanding real cost of everything is important (good shoes are more expensive in the short run, but WAY cheaper than foot surgery and actually cheaper than buying multiple cheap pair that must be replaced quickly) . Buy the highest quality you can with the money you have of everything, because it really is cheaper in the long run.
Learn sales cycles of stores you love so that you can get the things you love at the price you can live with.
Coupons, coupons, coupons; deals, sales, etc. I'm learning to stock up when something's on sale and buying it at it's lowest price instead of buying it when I run out. Anyway, I love your description of saving money the way a "normal" person would.
p.s. linked to the blog through Erin's.
Hey I'm visiting you from SITS, I tried to leave a comment on your cloth diaper post, but it doesn't look like there was an option to do so. Anyway, I LOOOOOVe your blog, seriously, it is so much fun, and I learned so much from that cloth diaper post. I'm really tempted to give it a try,
I'm following you now too :)
Hi Crystal! We're happy to have you. :) I fixed the cloth diaper post, so now you should be able to post a comment, should you want to.:) THANKS!
I'm going to follow you because I am an unemployed single mom, and I could use all the tips I can get! Lol!
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