Check the local paper for free events every week. There are many here. We have gone to concerts, plays, movies, seminars, classes, lectures, discussion groups, book reviews, special tours, rallies, barbeques, festivals, shows, and much more.
Every few months our local hands on science center has a free day for families. This is a great place to go, especially to take the kids.
In the spring and fall one of our movie theaters has free children's movies for about 10 Saturday mornings in a row. They are good, clean movies and we enjoyed going with the kids.
Once a month our town has an art walk. Art museums are open that eveing and you walk from one to another and look around. A few have free snacks out to try while you browse.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
#23 Seasonal Items
After a holiday, things go on clearance. They start out at 50% off and will eventually be 75% to 90% off or more. It is a good way to get things for next year very inexpensively.
They sell other things inexpensively too like holiday foods, paper towels, candy, baggies, colored plastic wrap and much more. My spills don't care what design is on the paper towels and my food doesn't care what color plastic wrap it has over it. Chocolate is the same whether it has santas, hearts, shamrocks, bunnies, pumpkins or some other design on the wrapper.
They sell other things inexpensively too like holiday foods, paper towels, candy, baggies, colored plastic wrap and much more. My spills don't care what design is on the paper towels and my food doesn't care what color plastic wrap it has over it. Chocolate is the same whether it has santas, hearts, shamrocks, bunnies, pumpkins or some other design on the wrapper.
#22 Liquid Hand Soap
Instead of buying refills of liquid hand soap when the dispenser is out, I put some dish soap in the hand soap bottle and some water and shake it up. It works fine. So does body wash, which I have bought very inexpensively on sale and tried.
#21 Eyeglasses and Contacts
There is a tremedous difference in the cost of eyeglasses and contacts from one place to another. There was a $200 difference between mine and a friend's (mine much less expensive although bifocals so not the least expensive they had).
Everybody assumes that the big general merchandise discount stores have the best deals. For me that was not so by a long shot. There was over $100 difference. I do much better at places that deal in eyes only and not tires, food, etc.
In our town, on the other hand, if you have pink eye, eye infections, eye irritations, etc. the best place to get quick, inexpensive care is Wal Mart eye doctors. They specialize in eyes and charge less than a medical doctor, at least in our town. You can also get in as soon as you have a problem rather than waiting several days for an appointment (because the medical doctors here are so successful they have more patients than they can handle). Other eye doctors can be similar but call first and ask for prices. They can range from $20 to $160 here for a visit.
Everybody assumes that the big general merchandise discount stores have the best deals. For me that was not so by a long shot. There was over $100 difference. I do much better at places that deal in eyes only and not tires, food, etc.
In our town, on the other hand, if you have pink eye, eye infections, eye irritations, etc. the best place to get quick, inexpensive care is Wal Mart eye doctors. They specialize in eyes and charge less than a medical doctor, at least in our town. You can also get in as soon as you have a problem rather than waiting several days for an appointment (because the medical doctors here are so successful they have more patients than they can handle). Other eye doctors can be similar but call first and ask for prices. They can range from $20 to $160 here for a visit.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
#20 Water Saver Shower Heads
These do not cost much, last a long time and save water, especially with teens who like to stay in the shower a while.
#19 Haircuts
Several years ago I learned to cut the guys' hair. My youngest son wore his hair very short at that time and it just didn't seem like much of a bargain to take him so the barber could run a shaver over his head. We bought our own clippers and I started doing it and saved the $8. The other guys wanted me to do their hair too. I had watched when they got their hair cut so I tried what I saw the barber doing. (Anybody can go stand outside the window of a downtown barber shop and watch them cut hair to see how to do it)
After a while, I was not only cutting the hair of the guys in my house, but they were bringing their broke friends too. I guess I must do an okay job.
At $8 (it may be more now) a month, we saved $96 a year per guy.
After a while, I was not only cutting the hair of the guys in my house, but they were bringing their broke friends too. I guess I must do an okay job.
At $8 (it may be more now) a month, we saved $96 a year per guy.
#18 Bread
The most economical place to buy bread, buns and such is a bread outlet store. I buy several loaves at a time and put all but one in the freezer. I save anywhere from 60 cents to $1.75 a loaf (60 cents is generic versus the name brand bread store product-$1.75 is the identical product but from a grocery store instead).
Buns, pasties and other items are cheaper too. Sometimes they run specials. Having a freezer to put the things in makes buying extra worthwhile.
Buns, pasties and other items are cheaper too. Sometimes they run specials. Having a freezer to put the things in makes buying extra worthwhile.
#17 Traveling and Food
When we travel, I take along my own bottled water and beverages. It is much more economical than buying things at a quick shop. We also take along snacks for in the car.
If we are going on a long trip, sometimes we take a picnic lunch to eat on the way. It is much healthier than anything we can get in a fast food restaurant and is much more economical.
Packing a lunch is a hassle and takes extra time, and there is extra clean up, so we do not do it if it is just my husband and I or we are with a group any more. That, and it is difficult to find picnic tables. We often have to eat sitting in the car in a hot parking lot. But it is economical. If we are spending the night in a motel and are not with a group, we will buy something to eat in the room at a grocery store often.
We get discounts at motels from our auto club. We also tend to stay in moderately priced motels rather than the high end type.
When we really needed to cut costs traveling with several children, we camped along the way at campgrounds in a pop up tent camper or a tent. It is a lot of work but economical. The kids have fun playing outside and eating out in the open air. Most campgrounds have bathrooms with showers and swimming pools.
If we are going on a long trip, sometimes we take a picnic lunch to eat on the way. It is much healthier than anything we can get in a fast food restaurant and is much more economical.
Packing a lunch is a hassle and takes extra time, and there is extra clean up, so we do not do it if it is just my husband and I or we are with a group any more. That, and it is difficult to find picnic tables. We often have to eat sitting in the car in a hot parking lot. But it is economical. If we are spending the night in a motel and are not with a group, we will buy something to eat in the room at a grocery store often.
We get discounts at motels from our auto club. We also tend to stay in moderately priced motels rather than the high end type.
When we really needed to cut costs traveling with several children, we camped along the way at campgrounds in a pop up tent camper or a tent. It is a lot of work but economical. The kids have fun playing outside and eating out in the open air. Most campgrounds have bathrooms with showers and swimming pools.
#16 Car Tires
When money is tight, there is an alternative to expensive car tires. Many tire places will sell used tires in good shape for a lot less. They charge a flat rate, which includes everything. We have had these most of the time and have had very good luck with them.
Watch out for places, like box stores, that claim to have low prices but add extra charges for stems, balancing and who knows what else. Their prices look low until you add in all the "extras" that are very necessary and find out that bargain wasn't much of a bargain.
Go for a place that included everything in the price up front if getting new tires for the best deal.
Watch out for places, like box stores, that claim to have low prices but add extra charges for stems, balancing and who knows what else. Their prices look low until you add in all the "extras" that are very necessary and find out that bargain wasn't much of a bargain.
Go for a place that included everything in the price up front if getting new tires for the best deal.
#15 Sack Lunches
The price of food for lunch while working is going up. A modestly priced meal can cost $5 or $6 or more. To brown bag a lunch to work costs less than $2, depending on what is included. Things like sandwiches, leftovers, wraps, salads, fresh fruit and all kinds of things are possible.
Normally what we bring from home is healthier than the junk we might buy.
Normally what we bring from home is healthier than the junk we might buy.
#14 Office and School Supplies
The best time of year to stock up on office and school supplies is about a month before the kids go back to school around here. Stores practically give away ink pens, pencils, notebooks, paper, copy paper, crayons, markers and all sorts of things. These items might sell anywhere from 10 cents, to 25 cents to a dollar, depending on what they are. It saves a lot of money to buy these things then for year round use.
#13 Restaurant Meals
Many of the entrees in a restaurant are big. Rather than eat until I am overstuffed, I prefer to take home what I do not eat and have a second meal from it. It is healthy to eat about half and take home about half.
#12 Restaurant Beverages
In a restaurant I order water with my meals. It tastes good and it saves anywhere from $1 to $3 per meal.
#11 Restaurant Coupons
Newspapers, home mailers, coupon books and internet coupons will offer restaurant discounts. They offer cents off, buy 1 get one free, free appetizers, free beverages and more with purchase.
My favorites are buy one get one free to eat for half price.
My favorites are buy one get one free to eat for half price.
#10 Comparison Shop
On everything, compare prices and quality at different places. Whether it is a job that needs to be done, such as landscaping, roofing or home repair or a new furnace, hot water heater, appliances and such, get estimates. Also look at quality. Prices and quality will vary greatly. So will guarantees. By comparison shopping, a person can save hundreds of dollars.
I comparison shop on everything, including food, clothing, school supplies and more.
I comparison shop on everything, including food, clothing, school supplies and more.
#9 Appliances
There are many stores that sell good used appliances. On a tight budget, this would be a good option when an appliance, such as a washer, dryer or refrigerator breaks down and money is short. I have never done this but a friend of mine has and it has worked out well. I just use things until they fall apart and then repair them. By the time we are done using something, it has no life left.
#8 Electricity
Turn off all the lights, appliances, LED lights and anything else when not in use.
Use the new energy efficient bulbs in lights that are left on a lot. They aren't bright enough to read by for older eyes and they contain dangerous mercury but they will save a bit of money. Mine are in the porch lights.
Use lower wattage bulbs in areas that do not need bright light.
Wait to run the dishwasher until it is full and use the energy efficient settings. (It is not necessary to fill the dish soap dispenser full. Follow the directions on the box of dishwashing soap)
Run full loads of laundry in the washer rather than a bunch of small loads.
Use cold water for most things.
Hang items out to dry on a clothesline, especially items like jeans that take a lot of energy to dry.
(For lightly soiled clothing, it is not necessary to use as much soap)
A foreign exchange student living with us asked why we washed our clothes every time we wore them. He had a good point. It is not necessary to wash things that are not dirty. Some things can be worn more than once before they need washing.
Towels usually can be used more than once before washing. Depending on the individual, they may be used for several days.
Use the new energy efficient bulbs in lights that are left on a lot. They aren't bright enough to read by for older eyes and they contain dangerous mercury but they will save a bit of money. Mine are in the porch lights.
Use lower wattage bulbs in areas that do not need bright light.
Wait to run the dishwasher until it is full and use the energy efficient settings. (It is not necessary to fill the dish soap dispenser full. Follow the directions on the box of dishwashing soap)
Run full loads of laundry in the washer rather than a bunch of small loads.
Use cold water for most things.
Hang items out to dry on a clothesline, especially items like jeans that take a lot of energy to dry.
(For lightly soiled clothing, it is not necessary to use as much soap)
A foreign exchange student living with us asked why we washed our clothes every time we wore them. He had a good point. It is not necessary to wash things that are not dirty. Some things can be worn more than once before they need washing.
Towels usually can be used more than once before washing. Depending on the individual, they may be used for several days.
#7 Soda Pop and Snacks
The pop machine at work costs 75 cents to $1 for soda. Rather than buy one daily, we take one from home at a fraction of the cost. A can from home averages 25 cents.
That saves 50 cents a day, 5 days a week or $2.50 times 50 weeks a year is $125. If we drink 2 a day, that is $250 a year.
Generics bring even more savings.
The same holds true for snacks from vending machines. It is much less expensive to bring your own each day.
That saves 50 cents a day, 5 days a week or $2.50 times 50 weeks a year is $125. If we drink 2 a day, that is $250 a year.
Generics bring even more savings.
The same holds true for snacks from vending machines. It is much less expensive to bring your own each day.
#6 Freebies
If a business is giving away ink pens, tablets, toys, candy or anthing else to promote their business, I take it. Much of it we use ourselves but some of it is given away to others. Why buy little things when someone will give it to you (and a thousand other people)?
I have a candy dish near the door and guests and neighborhood kids help themselves. Much of the candy is what I have been given at various places.
The local bus was giving away free ride tokens as part of a promotion. I was given a few and later gave them to a young man who lost his job and needed to take the bus to find a new one.
I have a candy dish near the door and guests and neighborhood kids help themselves. Much of the candy is what I have been given at various places.
The local bus was giving away free ride tokens as part of a promotion. I was given a few and later gave them to a young man who lost his job and needed to take the bus to find a new one.
#5 Cars
We save our pennies and buy old cars that we can afford to pay cash to buy. Old cars cost less on insurance and taxes, both up front and every year. Paying cash means there is no interest.
When there is a teen in the house, insurance is high. Really old cars allow us to cover liability only. Fender benders happen among teens too.
Cars are not status symbols, they are transportation. As long as they run well, are somewhat comfortable, the heat and the a/c work and the radio works, I'm fine.
When there is a teen in the house, insurance is high. Really old cars allow us to cover liability only. Fender benders happen among teens too.
Cars are not status symbols, they are transportation. As long as they run well, are somewhat comfortable, the heat and the a/c work and the radio works, I'm fine.
#4 Change
Every so often I come across pennies or other change on the ground. I pick it up and throw it in a jar. One year I picked up $109 in small change. That requires a lot of walking but good health is a frugal habit also.
#3 Paper Napkins
This one gets me made fun of by my more wasteful friends but that's okay.
When we are in a restaurant and have unused paper napkins, I take them home with me. The restaurant is just going to throw them away. I use them for spills in the car and at home as well as for dinner napkins.
It probably only saves pennies but every penny adds up.
When we are in a restaurant and have unused paper napkins, I take them home with me. The restaurant is just going to throw them away. I use them for spills in the car and at home as well as for dinner napkins.
It probably only saves pennies but every penny adds up.
#2 Credit Cards
Credit cards are for emergencies, not for everyday use. They charge high rates of interest which is money out of my pocket for which I get no value. If our credit cards have a balance, we pay it off in full every month.
#1 Interest
Interest is money in somebody else's pocket for which I get nothing extra of value. It is like pouring money down a hole. With the exception of our home, we do not pay interest. We save our money and buy what we want or go without until we can.
Frugal Living
So many times in life money has been tight. There are plenty of shortcuts for getting more with less. Having both Scottish and New England roots, I enjoy the challenge of getting the most for my money.
Right now gas and utility prices are up a lot. Food prices are going up more quickly than usual as a result, as are the prices of everything else. Things like corn and wheat prices keep rising. The housing market is having problems and the dollar is shrinking proportionately to other world currencies.
While all this may or may not last, it is good to have a bit of extra cash in my pocket.
I have been accused of being overly conservative and doing things that could not possibly matter. A lot of tiny things add up to bigger amounts.
Right now gas and utility prices are up a lot. Food prices are going up more quickly than usual as a result, as are the prices of everything else. Things like corn and wheat prices keep rising. The housing market is having problems and the dollar is shrinking proportionately to other world currencies.
While all this may or may not last, it is good to have a bit of extra cash in my pocket.
I have been accused of being overly conservative and doing things that could not possibly matter. A lot of tiny things add up to bigger amounts.
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