Top 10 Ways to save a dollar

[Frankie]

I need every advice to save a dollar or two or ten here and there.

After years of misery, tomorrow I am giving my 2 weeks notice at work, not that they deserve it, but for me I have to do it that way.

Short version, we have a part time girl who for some reason runs and controls our office. Is allowed to be late, yells at owners, takes a lunch she gets paid for, ( I don't) and on and on. We have 3 owners, 1 who makes fun of, critisizes everyone, puts down all,,,,,,on a daily basis. One of those who has to blow out everybody elses candle to make hers burn a little bit brighter. Just over 2 weeks ago we had 3 agents quite in one day due to this owner. I was called in by another owner and I was honest and verified all the reason these 3 gave when they quit. Well I have been paying for it every since, and I do not see it ending. Since I have been back to work the witchy owner has been on my case, all day everyday. Her choice, but mine not to stay. Yesterday while driving to work I had to pull off the side of the road as I felt like a truck had just hit my chest, no job in the world is worth how I have felt both mentally and physically. Just making the decision, I have to go, did wonders for me.

So, in case I do not find anything right away, what is your top 10 ways to save a dime???? I sure hope your #1 saves a ton! Maybe others here will benefit as well even if they don't need it, but would make sense to do anyway.

I am talking about both house and horse savings.

Whooooooo hoooooooo I'll be out of a job soon!!!!!

 

[Cathy_H]

You may not like this but my first would be to sell a horse or two..

It is agonizing & hurts the heart but Lee & I sold several that we were VERY fond of. We knew we could only afford so much in vet bills & the more horses we had, the greater the possibility of higher vet bills... We reduced our herd from 23 to seven............. For saving money on groceries, try to buy items when they are on sale only, even if you don't need it right then. If you have two grocery stores close to each other, watch the sales ads & buy the sale items they are featuring that week.. Sell items on ebay - my daughter has made lots of money that way..... Good luck to you............................. Oh & shop your consignment stores & Goodwill. I have found items that still had the price tags on them. Great place to find show clothes & barn shoes & boots. Yesterday I found a new muck bucket there.

 

[Steph_D]

You can also check the host sites on Angel Food Ministries and see if there's one near you. I buy Angel Food a lot and roughly a week's worth of food is only $25, plus they have specials every month.

 

[Miniv]

Carolyn,

To be honest.......I thought you had left that job from he*ll a long time ago!

Cathy has some excellent advice. However, selling a horse doesn't happen overnight. With E-Bay you can sell an item and have money in your PayPal acct in about a week or two -- depending on how long you run your auction. My trick with groceries is how I buy my meat. I only buy what's on sale and I try to buy either the bulk packages or large pieces, such as a roast, a turkey, a chicken. You get more meals at the sale price that way. And if it's a really outrageous sale, I buy extra to freeze.

MA

 

[Frankie]

I have been trying to leave this job for a long time, but always came up with a reason/excuse to stay. But I am not doing anyone justice by staying here, myself and my family, and it took the hard way for me to learn.

I am wanting to get down in horses, by 2, but not sure what 2, so have put it off. Have been thinking of it more lately and I now kind of have an idea. Maybe I'll let someone else decide for me. Me not working will not kill us, just make it not so easy. So nothing is really a HAVE to. I have worked at our local school off and on for over 20 years, so I can always fall back on that if need be, so leaving isn't really bothering me. Just trying to be prepared a little bit.

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas, I am sure all your ideas will be very helpful!

 

[justanothercowgirl]

:aktion033: :aktion033: You SO needed to do that!!! Your health, both mental and physical will thank you for that decision!!! I just hate to waste money so we are careful with it so I have more money for showing or travelling or doing the things we enjoy. We are careful about turning lights out and turning the heat down when we aren't home or at night. We check the grocery flyers and shop the sales and we don't waste leftovers. These are all little things but they all really add up. I have a ton of fun in the summer buying stuff at yard sales and reselling them on Ebay, and certainly anything you aren't using you can sell on Ebay too. It really becomes a fun challenge to see how you can save your pennies to be used on things that you truly love!!

:

Pammy

 

[jayne]

Hi Carolyn,

I don't know you personally, but I have been following your job situation from the first time you mentioned it. I am an old HR manager, and to say the least, your situation is a interesting case study in how employers should not treat employees. I, too, thought that you should have left these guys a long time ago. Your needing to pull over to the side of the road on the way in just broke my heart. That is NO WAY to live.

I am the queen of frugal. I would like to recommend two books that you can probably find in your local library. One is called Simple Living, by Janet Luhrs. This book talks about what is really important in life and how to reorder your life to live simply and peacefully. There are a couple of chapters that I skipped that deal with spiritual issues, but for the most part, this book has helped me really change my thinking.

The other book I'd like to recommend is called The Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dycysyn (pronounced 'decision'). It is a huge collection of short articles and letters from people on how they save money. I love this book! While a few of the ideas are a little TOO extreme for me (dumpster diving), for the most part it is FULL of ideas on how to save money.

One thing you can do with your time is make sure you and your family is eating healthier. Good food takes time to make, from the shopping to the preparation, but it is so much more healthier and far less expensive than prepared items. I buy rice and pasta in bulk, bringing down the per meal price to just pennies. My local grocery store marks their meat down a day or two BEFORE the sell-by date, so I always cruise for those deals (like a treasure hunt) and keep my freezer stocked. Having to buy things the day you want to make something ensures you spend more money than you might have to if you planned ahead.

Use your time to grow a garden. We saved a TON of money by eating off our garden and freezing veggies that we're still using now. We also got a few hens and love the eggs from them, although I don't think we save any money there...but you know the eggs come from happy (rather than caged) hens and the eggs sure do taste better.

I would just like to encourage you to really treasure this time off rather than worry. You need to be refreshed and find some peace. Sounds like it's only a short two weeks away!!

Jayne

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Caro, this is the right Path for you. As I read your intro "my" chest got tight! So quit...to heck with em! There's other jobs out there and you are a very smart woman. Now what I do is "stay home alot". If you're home you don't spend that silly money. Selling a few may be an option, but it does take time. Look at life from outside and then look from there for answers. I'm very proud of you for doing this! Go thru the horse stuff and house stuff and see if anything can be sold. Folks are always looking for stuff. I have only the 2 ponies left but I have halters up the wazoo, several heated buckets, blankets and sheets, tons of big horse things too. Some day I'll sit down and photo them and list them for sale. That's just quick money but may help in a pinch!

 

[willowoodstables]

Been there done that Carolyn! Now at a job I love, but during the squeaky hard times I did the following..

Cancel all but NECESSARY features on phone (ie call display, call answer..get an old fashioned one)

Cancel all Cable..go to rabbit ears

Downgrade ISP connection to dial up..and basic use

Do a major cleaning in the barn and sell anything not tied down (it CAN be replaced)

The usual shopping for specials, clipping coupons, etc helps

Save electricity by not using anything during prime time (ie do washing after midnight and hang dry)

What I did was stand in each room and looked at conviences (holy cow there was lots) and downgraded or shut stuff off...saved a ton of money.

GOod Luck, no job is better than traumatic stress jobs...just ask me !

Kim

 

[Bluerocket]

Good luck!!!

Some things I try to do now -- not in order of importance but as I think of them.

1) Adjust the thermostat in your house -- we keep ours set on 60 (yes 60) in the WINTER and 75 in the Summer. We also turn off any lights in any room where we are not at the time (no people in the room, the room is dark). We UNPLUG any chargers etc.. that are not actively charging things (cell phones etc.)

2) Do you have a cell phone? can you go for a lower rate plan? or can you (without penalty) go to a prepaid/buy it as you need it service? If you have to keep the cell phone -- can you live without a HOUSE PHONE?

3) Do you have Cable/Satellite/High Speed internet connection that you can live without? Do you have email or website that you PAY for that could be replaced by FREE ones?

4) Buy generic goods or store brands at the grocery store. (food and aspirin etc..) Buy generic drugs if you can for your prescriptions. Buy off brand soft drinks if you are a soft drink addict like me.

5) Are you the type person who buys bottled water? Get a BRITA water filter container and filter your own water - save the old bottles (wash really really well) and refill yourself.

6) Have a garden and grow your own veggies for the summer. Consider growing extra and selling the produce at local farmer's market -- see your local extension service and county services to see if they have them and what are the requirements (license? etc..) Maybe even grow cut flowers for farmers market.

7) Do you get plastic bags for your groceries? Use them for trash bags instead of buying kitchen or small trash can bags -- Feed sacks are also good for trash bags.

8) If you go to the movies (if you can) - go to the $1 theatre or matinees -- they are usually less expensive.

9) The cheapest cuts of meat in the grocery can be really good in soup, or grilled - or broiled. We use the really cheap cuts as "steaks" --

10) Horse Hay - buy as much as you can afford in the summer when it is being cut -- assuming you have room to store it. If you can buy a year's worth - its worth it - rather than paying higher prices in the winter.

11) Horse Feed - check out the cheaper brands - to see if they would work for your feeding program. SOMETIMES the cheaper feeds are just as good - sometimes they are not worth the money savings.

12) Go for trash pickup along non-high-traffic roads -- collect cans (and bottles) for refund/recycling - we have places here that pay for cans and certain metals.

13) Do you have stuff you can sell on ebay?

14) Check out your local Good Will stores (or other stores where donated items are sold for charity) for things too -- some of them have really nice nice stuff -- you just have to know what to look for -- to keep or sell on ebay or whatever. I know I have donated nice stuff - and know others that have as well.

15) Are you a good/decent photographer? Consider making your own greeting cards -- there are places that can do that for you -- (more expensive) - or print them on your own printer -- SAMS Club prints big photos cheaply -- might be an alternative there -- Sell at Farmers Markets as LOCAL ART -- framed photos or cards or whatever.

16) I am a book reading addict -- same for watching DVD etc.. -- Don't buy books/dvds etc.. go to your local library instead.

17) Are you in a horsey area? Any chance you could start a horse blanket cleaning and repair business? I don't sew - but many people do.

18) Are you good at painting Breyer horses? I mean really good? Find old fixer uppers and repaint -- and sell them on ebay - if good ones - they sell for lots of money --- or offer a service to paint a Breyer to look like a real horse (buyer provides photos). Maybe buyer provides their own Breyer too. Can do all sizes of these.

19) Are you artistic? Make a mini-horse (or other) coloring book -- sell on Lil Beginnings Last Chance Auction -- or at farmers market or wherever.

That is all I can think of at the moment. A lot of that might not apply to you -- just ideas.

JJay

 

[PaintedPromiseRanch]

Reduce, re-use, recycle! I love the second-hand stores.

: Buy in bulk, more money at once but saves in the long run. Also try Freecycle for anything you need... it's nationwide I believe, you just need to find the closest group to you. I just joined recently and already got a toaster oven, a dog coat and a pool ladder to use as a stile between our house and the neighbor :aktion033:

Good luck!!!!

 

[Buckskin gal]

Since I chose to be a stay at home mom when my kids were growing up..thought they were more important than the extra money, I learned to be conservative and it really has paid off, for this age. The first was to never use credit cards....if I couldn't afford to pay for it at the time, I felt I could do without it. Shop wisely. Check grocery ads and plan meals around what is on sale. Don't buy junk food. Many things can be bought at garage sales that are close to new. Eat out less. I don't need expensive clothing or jewelry...much prefer having the minis so I make what I enjoy my priorities. A good used vehicle is so much less expensive to have than a new one. Less cost of insurance, taxes are less etc. Always figure out what is most important to you and then let the rest go. Life really can be fun with less because one doesn't have so much to take care of! Even though I was not bringing a steady income in, we stayed out of debt and can now say that what we have we "own" Everything we have has been paid for with hard work. I always had a vegtable garden and canned enough veggies to last all winter. Sometimes we grew our own beef or pork. I learned how to do so many things for ourselves rather than hire it done...such as painting and remodeling houses. It really is surprising how much a person can cut back on spending if we ned to. Oh yes, turn off lights and keep temperature down...and don't make trips to the store for every little item you need for gas is awfully high now. I enjoy having money in the bank rahter than owning a whole lot of expensive things. Our minis are a luxury, but I feel I deserve to have them because I need them for my mental well being in these golden years.

: Mary

I need every advice to save a dollar or two or ten here and there.

After years of misery, tomorrow I am giving my 2 weeks notice at work, not that they deserve it, but for me I have to do it that way.

Short version, we have a part time girl who for some reason runs and controls our office. Is allowed to be late, yells at owners, takes a lunch she gets paid for, ( I don't) and on and on. We have 3 owners, 1 who makes fun of, critisizes everyone, puts down all,,,,,,on a daily basis. One of those who has to blow out everybody elses candle to make hers burn a little bit brighter. Just over 2 weeks ago we had 3 agents quite in one day due to this owner. I was called in by another owner and I was honest and verified all the reason these 3 gave when they quit. Well I have been paying for it every since, and I do not see it ending. Since I have been back to work the witchy owner has been on my case, all day everyday. Her choice, but mine not to stay. Yesterday while driving to work I had to pull off the side of the road as I felt like a truck had just hit my chest, no job in the world is worth how I have felt both mentally and physically. Just making the decision, I have to go, did wonders for me.

So, in case I do not find anything right away, what is your top 10 ways to save a dime???? I sure hope your #1 saves a ton! Maybe others here will benefit as well even if they don't need it, but would make sense to do anyway.

I am talking about both house and horse savings.

Whooooooo hoooooooo I'll be out of a job soon!!!!!

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

This is a very good informative topic.

I am too in need of this kind of advice. My husband was recently laid off work. He has found a new job that he LOVES, but pays about $1000.00 less per month. I have been stressing on how we are going to be able to cut back that much every month.

Keep your ideas coming. You are helping more people than you know.

 

[Kynedi's Mom]

I don't know you personally however, I made lots of cash selling my daughter's clothing when she was small( before they are old enough to stain everything or have favorite items of clothing) anyway, I then found a resale shop & bought some name brand items that were in good/great condition & made even more cash selling on Ebay ! Also look at your tack, something that you might not have used in a while or that is old might be a great piece for someone decorating a barn or starting a new horse family on a budget ! Good Luck !

 

[minih]

One thing that seems to get me in trouble is going shopping without a list. I try to write down at home everyting I am out of that needs buying, and make a menu for the next week. I write down what items are needed for the meals and take my list and stick to it!! The roaming around Wal-Mart with no list just looking will get you in big trouble. I save even more money by sending my husband or daughter with a list, because they are better at sticking to it than I am. Alot of money is wasted just because we "think" we can't live without something.

 

[Marty]

Queen of Budget at your service.....VAROOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!

Carolyn, You would not believe the budget that I live on. It's very strict and there are no frills.

We do not eat out, do not have cell phones, (except Jerry does), no high speed internet, no movie channels, we have the cheap plan, we do not go to movies and I most definately have no clothes, which is why I look like he ll in a handbasket. I also do not have any makeup except one cheap $3. thing of blush. My old truck is a clunker but it's paid for and I limit my trips to town to one day a week to save gas and shop. In short, we do not live above our means.

I have done things to get money in a pinch such as have a yard sale. There's always crap around here that needs to go especially old VCR movies. We have millions of those.

HOWEVER, I would never begrudge my family from good food or things that are needed, especially clothes or things for Dan, when I am sitting here with a barn load of horses. I would sell a horse(s) if that meant helping the family income.