Ways to save money... Thought it would be neat

[Miniequine]

I live in No Virginia. I work in the land development industry,

so, needless to say,, things are very slow and SCAREY!

I decided to review all my monthly bills,, and made some small changes.

1. Called Direct TV, They knocked off 10 bucks a month

2.called my car/house insurance co, so far, the quotes I've gotten back,,, same (even better)

coverage,, 39% less money!

2a. Called my cell phone company, changed my plan, cut my bill in half.

3. reviewed my mortgage account. discovered they were pocketing an extra 27 bucks a month

for "just in case" my escrow goes over. AND my escrow account was so WAY far over what

I really needed,,, they cut me a check and lowered my paymet 27 bucks!

4. I only turn on my hot water heater when want to take a shower... only takes a few minutes

to heat up,,, and stays warm for about two days if left off.

(that alone has drastically cut my elec bill!)

5. I unplug everything that is not being used.

6. I make sure the blinds are open on the sunny side of the house during the day (winter) Really warms things up.

7. I don't drive my Big F250 much anymore.

8. I have started using coupons at the grocery store (ekk!)

9. no more soda pop (that's good for ya!)

10. I keep my thermostat low and really low while I'm not home.

11. this is a BIGGIE... I've learned to ask/ haggle for a better price. (it's kinda fun!)

12 I have discovered that feed stores will give you a better price if you ask.

and Dog food is REALLY expensive and Petsmart/Petco!!!

Tractor suppy has much better prices

So far, I've trimmed over a 100 bucks off my monthly bills

My last elec bill (I heat with gas) was $62. OMG! down from and average $180.00

I am not done yet,, What are you all doing that works??

 

[Marty]

HI Sandy! The best way I save money is not to spend it. I have a budget for everything, well almost.

I don't dare shop without a shopping list. I don't add things I see to it just because they are there. I just buy what we need, whatever is on the list. Coupons don't work for me because it gets me buying things I don't usually use or brands I don't care for. I do buy generic things only if I have done my research on it first and I have to make sure they didn't skip on ingredients first, that sort of thing. Just for instance: I buy Cremora coffee creamer and Hus buys the off brand thinking he is saveing forty cents.. I find that using the cheap stuff, I need to use twice or three times as much of it. So generic has its place but not in everything.

I am very terrified of fires in this old house so I do keep most things unplugged that are not in use.

I don't make unscheduled trips to town. I wait till I have a few errands to run, and do them all in one day. I can get most of my work done from home and then I turn it in on that scheduled day as not to waste gas and be running around all through the week.

I don't buy stuff for the family throughout the year unless we need something, like socks and underwear. That's what Christmas and birthdays are for so no frills here. I spend nothing on myself and I look like it too. Scary!

I did cut my PEPSI habit down in half and lost 25 whopping pounds the first month. I drink ice water instead at night now or I have a cup of hot tea in the winter at night.

My pet peeve is wasting food so now i don't cook my brains out on the weekends anymore when I never know who will show up around here and who wont'. So instead, for the winter, on Saturdays I'll have something good made up in the crock pots that will last Saturday and Sunday instead of doing 2 or 3 separate meals a day. I shove it in the fridge and plug it all back in on Sunday morning.

I don't run the TV, the radio, or have lights on that I'm not using. I keep the bedroom and bathroom doors closed during the day as not to waste heat or air conditioning. I turn that off during the day when its just me here, and instead I use a little space heater for my work area and wear a sweat shirt. I moved the cocketeil here by my desk so he doesn't get cold either.

I'd love to hear what everyone elses ideas are.

 

[Miniequine]

Good points Marty

I too closed off my spare rooms, I think that sould help,

and I where more clothes in the winter.

oh, I've also found my vets are open to helping to minimize costs,

like dropping off meds for me to give instead of them..etc.

Where do you all find your best prices for groceries?

 

[Leeana]

I was reading a magzine the other day, it said to carry BIG BILLS in your wallet as you are less likely to spend them, the ones and fives and tens though, you are more temped to spend them.

 

[barefoot]

I don't carry cash. Can be a pain at times. I use my debit card. If a few dollars are in my purse I am tempted to stop for that coffee. But I won't use my debit card for it. Plus if something is $6.78 then I spend $6.78 not breaking the $10 bill. I balance my check book well.

 

[Marty]

I also do not have a

debit card

ATM card

cell phone

 

[Cathy_H]

I put energy efficient light bulbs in all of the sockets that accomodated them. ESPECIALLY the main light in each room that is used the most while occupied.

I put a sensor light on the patio & set it to stay on for five minutes ( low wattage bulb).

I turn off the power to the computer speakers, radio, anything that glows especially if not used often.

I partially dry my clothes then put them on hangers to dry especially heavy items, jeans etc. (use liquid fabric softener though) - drape rugs on chair backs overnight to dry or put in the sun.

 

[Laura]

We fixed the fireplace blower that the lightening blew out last spring, so we can use it to supplement our furnace...a big expense, but that will save money in the long run was to take our tax return and book for installation of all new windows in the house...they start installation next Thursday~whoohoo, we installed a digital thermostat for our HVAC system, switched my washed to cold wash, instead of warm, Steve is brown bagging it for lunch at work, instead of eating out every day, my weight loss goals have cut WAY down on eating out, especially fast food! Hmm, can't think of more right now, but the carrying only large bills or none thing is VERY true. I hate breaking a $100.00 bill~LOL

 

[paintnthings]

My washing machine died this past summer, and instead of replacing it I started using an old wringer washer we had here. It is electric, but does not run nearly as long to get clothes clean as my "modern" one did. Also wash in cold water, and make my own laundry detergent, and household cleaners.

Teresa

 

[Miniequine]

great ideas.

I have a goal,, to see how much I can reduce costs..

It has become a game.

I also hang out my clothes to dry. Some that need drying..

I will let them get almost dry then toss them in the dryer for 5 minutes.

Works great

~Sandy

 

[Basketmiss]

Teresa, how do you make your own laundry soap?? Whats in it?? I seem to do 2 loads of laundry everyday and am going thru the detergent!

I keep the lights off if we arent using them or even in the room!! Hubby and kids like to leave every light in the house on, I am finally breaking them of it!!

We hardly ever eat out... It is so expensive compared to me cooking at home... I love to eat out but right now I just think it is more important not too..

Keep the furnace turned down low, cause our heating bills are ridiculous!!

I have invested in new Heaters called Sun Heat. It is very economical-it heats up to 1000 sq feet for $500. But I just ordered another one for $387 which does another 1000 sq feet. (coupon) If I can I am gonna use these and NOT my furnace... They keep it warmer in here and dont cost as much so I know we had the upfront expensive but they will pay for themselves in a few months...

I dont do coupons in stores as I am just like Marty and buy things we dont use or waste money. I buy the off brand of things that dont matter to us-canned goods, crackers, chips, nuts, salsa, pasta, so I save on those items and I get the name brands of things that we just dont like the off brand of...

I save all the envelopes that bills come in that are blank on the back or whatever and use for scratch paper or grocery list. I might as well take advantage of them for free.

I do other things but cant think of them right now...

 

[paintnthings]

The recipe I use is :

1 cup Borax powder

1 cup washing soda (none of the stores around me carry washing soda so I use baking soda)

2 cups grated bar soap (Fels Naptha, Ivory, Zoat)

Just a note that I have found useful...freeze the bars of soap before you grate them as all these soaps are soft.

I use 2 tablespoons per load.

There are a lot of good tips and recipes for keeping costs down at this website http://tipnut.com/

 

[susanne]

Plan menus for the week and make your shopping list from that. This way you can plan for even those leftover portions and remainders.

Cook several meals on the weekend or when you have more time and freeze them in pre-measured servings. You'll tend to eat less (rather than thaw another portion) and avoid the temptation to go for the quick-and-easy (and more expensive) foods.

Form a buying group with friends and/or family and take advantage of good buys and big lot stores. This is especially good for canned goods, but also a way to make use of those huge jars of mayonnaise and such that no single family could ever use.

I refuse to pay for cable, as I would much rather read. I figure we watch enough tv as it is, so why pay when we would have to watch more to get our money's worth.

I completely agree with Marty about false values. It is NOT a good deal if you don't like it. I LOVE my fresh-ground yuppy coffee and would choose to go without rather than drink the canned stuff. Limit your splurges, but indulge yourself here and there -- it makes penny-pinching less painful.

But try those house labels -- the Safeway brand items, for example are often as good as the big names, or better. Often they are "overs" made by the big names but given the store label. Safeway (Select) natural peanut butter is as good as Adams, but costs waaaaaaay less.

Ask your doctor if a generic equivalents will do as well as the more expensive brand; if your doc prefers the name brand, ask why. Doctors do get kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies, so make certain you aren't subsidizing him or her.

Watch all of the little things -- car tire air pressure, furnace air filters, etc. They all add up. Keep an eye out for waste of all sorts. Often big savings can be had without sacrificing your favorite things.

 

[dannigirl]

We make as few trips as possible. I never do less than a full load of laundry and I am less picky about what gets washed together. I only use hot or warm water on things that really need it and that would be only once a month or less as a rule. We cover all windows with blinds and a large blanket in the winter to keep out drafts and have space heaters only and keep them on 66 in the rooms we are using and drop that down to 60 during the night. We also buy meat in bulk and freeze the extra. We also watch specials closely. We have all the ads on the internet and we go through them together and decide if it is something we need or can be bought ahead if it is a good deal. If we look on Monday and it is something I can go on ebay and get coupons for, I will do that and have them by the end of the week to use for double coupons and get as much as I can--things like ketchup, microwave popcorn, paper products ect.

 

[whitney]

Pop popcorn the old fashion way it's MUCH cheaper.

Here's another site http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf515101.tip.html

I also look at saving money as a big game.

Most important item a programable thermostat easy to install and it will save you ALOT of money.

What are the BEST online coupon sites?

 

[Bess Kelly]

Went to the "tipnut" site and had to laugh at the "soap from bacon drippings" thing, my grandma used to make her own soap with rendered pork fat.

Plus, she did laundry by hand with a wash board --- hot water via wood fire --- yep, remember those days! Hey, I have a washboard upstairs in my storage room

Hoping I won't need to use it again, but can.

Canning/freezing will be on my list of things to do this Spring/Summer from the garden.

I use almost all of the things others have mentioned -- need to be more diligent about the hot water being off & on! Actually have considered getting a controller added to do this automatically.

Another thing to watch for is damaged weatherstripping at doors/windows. My daughters cat has destroyed a section of this on one of my doors!! Just scratching to get in -- So I've replaced that. It seems like a small thing, but in a wind, there is a lot of cold are coming into a room! Also your recepticles....put your hand over/around those

I built my house and while hiring subs for the framing, electrical, etc., I did a LOT of my own work -- one was to install the insulation, so I know that those areas were well done. Often they don't get close to the wall box and rarely behind it. Lots of cold air......same around your windows. Some do not take the time to stuff into this inch wide strip in framing headers. Checking for these things can make a big difference for minimal cost. If the door threshold is damaged, even a towel at that area can make a difference, if you can't get a new threshold installed now.

Used to shut all the doors to the rooms upstairs and basically not heat them, can't do that now since

daughter & grdtr moved back in.

But we are all pretty careful and comfy but frugal.

Like Marty, hate to waste food! I often freeze up a couple "homemade" TV dinners....some nights we just all have something different. Works well. Being home now (as in I lost my job via downsizing and so became "retired") I can more easily do things like run my bread machine! I don't buy the expensive packaged ones, just mix own with receipes that came with machine.

Thank goodness for unemployment insurance and social security cks

AND having my winter hay in the barn!!!!!!!!!!!!! 43 hungry mouths out there thank me DAILY

Pretty scary out there -- the news is FULL of the latest big companies who are downsizing and/or closing up.

I think everyone will be tight and tighter.

 

[Cathy_H]

had to laugh at the "soap from bacon drippings" thing, my grandma used to make her own soap with rendered pork fat.

. I remember that childhood scene. Kill a hog and boil the skin & fat in the outdoor black kettle with a big fire beneath it - save some of the fat to cook with and the rest was made into lye soap. The pieces of cooked skin were put in the wood stove oven to bake more fat out of to make into crunchy chittlings - or cracklins as we hillbillies use to call them. Mix up some hand ground corn meal, stir in some cracklins and you've got yurself some yummy eatin - a real treat for country folk. If you'r lucky to have a cow & have some buttermilk ( chillin in the bucket hanging in the well) then you were in heaven.

Also I made some homemade laundry detergent last year but was not happy with it. Now I use coupons and buy ahead when detergent is on sale.

 

[Bess Kelly]

had to laugh at the "soap from bacon drippings" thing, my grandma used to make her own soap with rendered pork fat.

. I remember that childhood scene. Kill a hog and boil the skin & fat in the outdoor black kettle with a big fire beneath it - save some of the fat to cook with and the rest was made into lye soap. The pieces of cooked skin were put in the wood stove oven to bake more fat out of to make into crunchy chittlings - or cracklins as we hillbillies use to call them. Mix up some hand ground corn meal, stir in some cracklins and you've got yurself some yummy eatin - a real treat for country folk. If you'r lucky to have a cow & have some buttermilk ( chillin in the bucket hanging in the well) then you were in heaven.

YES!! We ate that.

I still like to take the skin from a baked ham and render it further to make cracklins......not good for the diet, only the soul.

My grandad hunted for food and I used to help with skinning and all that. Squirrel, rabbit, deer -- hey, I'm pretty versatile.

OH -- huge cost is paper towels. WOW. I use washable towels in my kitchen. Those paper towels are expensive. Do keep a roll or two -- but, rarely use. So, two rolls a yr is "affordable".

 

[dgrminis]

The recipe I use is :1 cup Borax powder

1 cup washing soda (none of the stores around me carry washing soda so I use baking soda)

2 cups grated bar soap (Fels Naptha, Ivory, Zoat)

Just a note that I have found useful...freeze the bars of soap before you grate them as all these soaps are soft.

I use 2 tablespoons per load.

There are a lot of good tips and recipes for keeping costs down at this website http://tipnut.com/

A friend at work just e-mailed this to me the other day -- his wife stays home with the two kids (with the 3rd on the way) and they are always looking for ways to cut costs... She has been using the homemade soap for a month now and LOVES It... And my friends cloths always look and smell clean

 

[dgrminis]

I am not NEAR as good at saving as some of you -- but I am getting some good ideas...

I try and buy household stuff that we use alot when it is on sale -- like dishsoap, or detergent, shampoo, toothpaste..

We heat with propane and last winter it cost us a small fortune and we knew it would be worse this year so we bought a wood burning stove... Had the upfront cost of course but we have already reduced our electric bill and propane use noticably and we have only been running the wood burning stove for 2 weeks now...

We use our empty feed bags for throwing things away -- instead of using a new trash bag (do this in our garage mainly and not the house). Or if I need to shred paper I go and get one to shred the paper into instead of wasting a bag...

Not a new thing for us but we have one of our own cows butchered for meat so we dont have to buy that at the store. My inlaws have chickens so we get our eggs from them - and occasionally they will buy a pig to fatten up for butcher and then we have pork as well.

Hmm... That is really all I can think of right now...