What have you already done to save money in this economy?

I am a coupon clipper. I get the Sunday paper and clip the coupons and use Link to find the best grocery deals. I can usually save around $30 a week on a $100 grocery bill.

I didn't take a gulf vacation this year. Am driving the roads a lot less.
Have quit shaving and getting haircuts, but still brush my teeth.

quote:

Originally posted by unclegus:
Have quit shaving and getting haircuts, but still brush my teeth.

LOL! Hilarious. If everybody would join together and quit wearing deodorant, we'd never know.

1. I too clip coupons. I also take the competitors ads to WalMart so that I can get the ads honored at the lower prices. It really helps. All in all it saves me about 20 bucks each trip. I have also started shopping every two weeks for groceries rather than every week. I buy enough to have food for the entire two weeks. This way I am burning gas to the store only once. It also cuts down on the amount of junk food we buy.

2.We hardly eat out. If we do it is a place that has a special.

3.Share with your friends and neighbors. If you grow something and have extra, share. Most will return the favor with something you don't have. This works with clothes too. With my family members we trade adult and kids clothes. My sister and I even trade purses and shoes.
Alternate. I love Wisk laundry detergent and expensive fabric softeners. So I use the expensive stuff on my blankets and sheets, and wash my towels and work clothes in the less expensive brands.

4. We have cut off our home phone and went with using our wireless phones all the time. We also sold our gas guzzler and went down to one car payment as we opted for an older car we paid cash for.

5. I have been working at least 6 hours at a time part time. The trick is to try and get the same amount of hours with few trips there. Like the 4 day work week.

6. Look for the fee sample web sites. I also enter a lot of contests. While I haven't won a free car or anything, I have one free dinners and bottles of full size products. Every little bit helps.

7. A family night out doesn't have to cost much. We try to go to all the local parades. Our favorite place is Spring Park. We also like McFarland and River Heritage Park.

I could go on with this one for days and days. I had to start working part time after having my babies. Now we have four kids. To make ends meet with everything being so expensive is a major accomplishment for me and my husband.

I choose one day to do all my errands - banking, dry cleaning, shopping - and make a big circle. Other errands are combined with necessary trips to save on gas.

I also use coupons, match ads at W/M.

I've always slept on a pile of women and money but recently to cut back I've switched to pesos and have incorporated a few Russian women in. Sometimes their mustaches tickle but It's just a reminder of the sacrifice I've made for the household.

Oh I also took up smoking and gave it up.

quote:

Originally posted by Phoenix Rising:
I've always slept on a pile of women and money but recently to cut back I've switched to pesos and have incorporated a few Russian women in. Sometimes their mustaches tickle but It's just a reminder of the sacrifice I've made for the household.

Oh I also took up smoking and gave it up.

Too funny, those mustaches could be a problem though!

Hubby and I have started sharing showers.


...wait a minute...we've always done that!

Oh well, I switched from Dom to Tickled Pink.

I stopped going out to lunch. Stay in my office and munch on peanut butter & crackers or v8 & cheese nips. Save gas & money!

Started shopping at ALDI once a week instead of going to Foodland everyday. Still buy meats at Butcher shop on avalon & meatspecials @ foodland. Aldi for everything else.

Go to penny pinchers behind little ceasars in Muscle Shoals for some bargins.

No vacation this year.

Now to save up just to pay the power bill for this winter. They tell us 10% is approx $10.00 extra, however that's with a $100.00 powerbill. Who in the world has a utility bill that cheap anymore! & In Sheffield the water is about to double, because their pipes are to old.

I've quit wearing underwear, thereby saving soap, and water needed to wash such. I've quit feeding my wife anything but soup which she makes with my leftover steak scraps. I've started drinking Seagrams 7 instead of VO.
Just a few things.

Well, I have been doing all of the above for years before the crunch. By doing that, I now have a pretty nice bank account to help me out.
One of my rules was..don't buy anything that won't save you money...for example, if you have to buy a car, get one that will get better gas mileage than your previous one..
I can't think of any new ways to save that I haven't already used. But, I never go to Wal-Mart anymore. (I used to spend at least $40 every trip there) I have cut back on buying clothes..fight the urge for a new outfit.

Monet just reminded me of a great book I read about 2 years ago "Rich Dad; Poor Dad"
Great book about accumulating wealth.

As far as going to WalMart, a friend of mine once told me to never go to WalMart with more than $12 in cash. You can get everything you need but nothing else for $12. Inflation may have pushed that up a bit, but it is a pretty good philosophy.(although I don't very often actually do that)

I go to Wal-mart ONLY if I can't find what I absolutely need somewhere else. Now, I make a list and go in the store straight for what I came for and leave..no browsing. Browsing is what causes us to make unnecessary purchases.
I am thinking about writing a book called, "Living Well without Marrying Money," it would be a book for singles on how to survive and save money on one income.

Everything we do, we have always done. I've never purchased air for my tires, never bought water in a bottle and never paid for an oil change. We raise our own cattle and have a huge garden. I've never purchased an extended warranty. We eat at home. I buy my cigs from Indians up in New York state. I get my hair cut short and grow it long. We bought our house 25 years ago on a 12 year mortgage. Our credit rating is in the eight hundreds, but I don't expect to take another loan, period. I've never been sued and never hired a lawyer. We get our dogs used.
I've learned electric wiring, plumbing, roofing and even though I hate it, concrete flatwork. We built our own garage. I don't pay to tan. My wifes sister does her hair for her. I buy Cds used at half.com
There are few things I buy new and top of the line; guns, jewelry and shoes come to mind.
So, we layed the foundation long ago, and found that we can live on 1/3 of our modest income. I've worked overtime for thirty years, but invested every penny. So it didn't bother me that my friends and co-workers bought car after car, had marriage after marriage, and HAD to have the latest whatever. Next month I'll retire at 55. Sort of. I will work here and there to buy extras.
I'm not trying to say nyah, nyah, we have it made. With lucky good health and taking care of business, I live without fear of the future. And folks, that is indeed priceless.

Wow! Great ideas everyone! I esp. like the idea of not shaving or wearing deodorant. LOL I thought of a couple more myself. I sold some stuff on ebay, had a yardsale and contributed to some consignment sales in the area.
Also, I have been using my drying towel twice before washing it. If only I could get the rest of my family on board with that one. (their own towel,of course) Does anyone else use their drying towel more than once?
I am also replacing burned out bulbs with the compact flourescent even though I hate them.
We have also replaced eating expensive box cereal with cooked oatmeal.
We have always set our air to 78 or 79 in the daytime and 73 at night. It is very comfortable and we are gone most of the day anyway.

One other thing. I used to buy a large container of hamburger meat and then half of it would ruin in the fridge. Now when I am cooking the first meal with it, I go ahead and fry up the rest of it to freeze until I make spagetti, sloppy joes, or chili. It is also faster to defrost it than cooking it every time and there is absolutely no waste.

Savin, I live by myself now (kids grown and moved out) so I use my bath towel most of the week without washing it. If you are clean when you dry, why wash it?? I hang it up immediately to dry. I like the idea too of not shaving, saving razors. LOL Just wear pants!!(but some things us women just shouldn't skimp on ) I have changed out all my light bulbs with the new energy-efficient curly bulbs. I only wash 2 loads of clothes a week..sometimes less. My utility bill is usually $100 or less in the summer. I also try to make extra money on the side..selling paintings, books, and cards.

I've just started camping more. You have to pay $20 a day to camp, but hey, the electricty, water and sewer are included in that and, with the way Sheffield is going, $20 a day is going to be cheaper than living in Sheffield and paying the utilites.

And here, I can turn the air down to 45 and hang meat in the camper. The wife hates it but I pay $20 whether its 78 or 45 degrees in here, so why not

Michael

I have taken to cooking a big batch o' somethingorother (dirty rice, jambalaya, pasta, etc) and taking it in a large container to keep in the fridge at work. I eat a portion of it every day for the entire work week. I realize this won't work for finicky types, but for 5-8 bucks, I have an entire week's worth of lunches! If variety is your thing, this will obviously not work for you.

Also, week after next, I will be moving to a four-day work week. This will be significant because I live in Florence and work in Madison. That's 120 miles a week I'll be saving in both gas and wear on my vehicle.

I am a big fan of the "energy drinks" that sell for $2-$2.50 (or more) per 16 oz. can... and I discovered that Wal*Mart sells energy drink mix packet thingies (like the Crystal Light individual drink mix packets) in a box of 10 for $1.97. So for the price of one 16 oz can I get ten 16 oz servings. I make them using filtered water from my fridge (home and work both have filtered water available), and re-use a 20 oz Gatorade bottle (the wide mouth allows for easy loading of ice). At 160mg of caffeine per bottle, that's quite a kick for the price.

Store brand items! A box of Zesta (or any name brand) crackers is $2.50 or more. Wal*Mart's store brand is $1 and I defy you to tell me the difference. Wal*Mart's crunchy peanut butter tastes exactly like Skippy Super Chunk (my favorite brand), and you can get a large jar for just a little bit more than the price of a small jar of the name-brand stuff. Now that Prilosec's finally been taken off the "no-generic-version-allowed" list, I save a TON of money by getting the store-brand equivalent @ Walgreen's or Wal*Mart.

Ditch the fancy-label clothes, and swallow your pride. Fives sells blue jeans for FIVE DOLLARS. I have bought several pair of jeans there, and have yet to figure out what the "imperfections" are. When I needed to buy khakis and dress shirts for work, I went to the thrift store in Petersville (whose name escapes me at the moment) and came outta there with nice-looking clothes that I can wear to work... several pair of pants, several button-down dress shirts, and a few ties that I can mix and match in all kinds of combinations, and it cost me less than the price of one dress shirt and tie at your typical mall store.

Be aware of prices. I fill up in Rogersville (which is convenient since it's on the way to & from work). Day before yesterday, I paid $3.55/gallon, even thought most of the other gas stations around were hovering at or over $4/gallon. Pay attention to the prices on the stations you pass every day! That one gas station you don't ordinarily look at may save you 50 cents a gallon. The station right across the street from the station I stopped at was selling gas for $4.09, and as I pumped my gas at $3.55, I wondered why in the world the station across the street had anyone filling up! But it did... people were paying 54 cents a gallon more than I was, a couple of hundred feet away. I just don't get it.

Got a bad habit? Most of them are costly. Whether it be smoking, drinking, junk food, or what-have-you, you can improve your quality of life and fatten your wallet. That candy bar you snack on every afternoon at work? Skip it, and you've got $250 a year to spend on something a lot more rewarding. Do I even need to mention that $3.50 or more you pay for every pack of smokes you buy? A pack-a-day smoker would have an extra 1300+ bucks a year to devote to other, more important things, and would (literally) breathe easier.

Just a few ideas off the top of my head. It's flat up there, so I can store lots of stuff. Haha!

Purchased a hybrid car.

I just refuse to skimp on anything. My motto is work harder, make more money, enjoy the finer things while you can. My great grandparents lived in a tiny little house they built, drove the same car for thirty years and died with the wealth of the Beverly Hillbillies sitting in the bank. That's ridiculous. Life is too short not to enjoy it.

Work hard---Play harder!

That's the attitude...spend all you can...leave nothing for your children!
Reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw once...
"We are spending our childrens' inheritance"

Most older people, like your grandparents, grew up during the depression and know what it's like to suddenly lose everything, or to have to do without. Those folks saved all they could for fear of not having something to fall back on if it happened again. They also knew how to be happy without spending a lot of money.
There should be a happy medium...spend on things you enjoy, but also save for the future. No one knows what will happen with the economy the way it is now.

quote:

Originally posted by Phoenix Rising:
I've always slept on a pile of women and money but recently to cut back I've switched to pesos and have incorporated a few Russian women in. Sometimes their mustaches tickle but It's just a reminder of the sacrifice I've made for the household.

Oh I also took up smoking and gave it up.

..............That's just too funny PR..

I'm considering pimping out my husband. On second thought,,,,,,,,probably wouldn't make much. J/K

Justasking, if you are starting an 'escort service', I need a date for an upcoming event....LOL (just kidding)

.

I'm chea, er, frugal. So, we haven't made as many changes as some folks I guess.

I do limit a mail run for the office to once a week & grocery run for home to once a week or even every two weeks if I'm really on the ball.

I make a generalized list, but only buy what is on sale or a good buy, creating my menu from that rather than creating a menu/detailed list before going to the store.

We've gotten more creative for Entertainment options. My husband just downloaded the TV series "Heroes" onto his IPOD to watch on our TV. We are enjoying watching the first season commercial-free when we both are free to enjoy it together. We missed this program's debut & since it has gotten rave reviews, it makes for frugal entertainment. If Heroes isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty to choose from online.

I'm with Ed on buying for the label. You can easily be stylish without the label. I find clothes with the name brand plastered across them a little on the tacky side anyway, but that's just me.

Again, agree with Ed on the store brand items. Many Walmart brands are just as good. For example, my son likes Carnation (Chocolate) Instant Breakfast. Walmart's brand is just as good as Carnation's.

I'm not doing much that I haven't always done.

High efficiency heat pumps.
All lights that run duty cycle are compact fluorescents.
I ride my 50MPG motorcycle everywhere I go , weather permitting.
When I got my last car (1997) I choose a car with a rating of 30MPG, not a gas guzzling SUV. I try to drive it a minimum (so far 52,000 miles).
Left to me, I would seldom eat out, but the wife only wants to eat out, so we waste a lot there.
If I want to buy some expensive toy, I work at a part time job to pay for it, no long term debt .
I try to do all the repairs needed around the house, I do my own electrical, and plumming. If one of my A/C needs freon, I do it myself, car or house.
Although I hate doing mechanic work on the car, I will do it if necessary, except I found out it dosn't really cost much more to have WalMart change my oil, so I let them do that.
I cut my own grass, and do my own lawn work (such as it is)
However, if I need a roof, I call our roofer.

quote:

Originally posted by flashbridge:
Everything we do, we have always done. I've never purchased air for my tires, never bought water in a bottle and never paid for an oil change. We raise our own cattle and have a huge garden. I've never purchased an extended warranty. We eat at home. I buy my cigs from Indians up in New York state. I get my hair cut short and grow it long. We bought our house 25 years ago on a 12 year mortgage. Our credit rating is in the eight hundreds, but I don't expect to take another loan, period. I've never been sued and never hired a lawyer. We get our dogs used.
I've learned electric wiring, plumbing, roofing and even though I hate it, concrete flatwork. We built our own garage. I don't pay to tan. My wifes sister does her hair for her. I buy Cds used at half.com
There are few things I buy new and top of the line; guns, jewelry and shoes come to mind.
So, we layed the foundation long ago, and found that we can live on 1/3 of our modest income. I've worked overtime for thirty years, but invested every penny. So it didn't bother me that my friends and co-workers bought car after car, had marriage after marriage, and HAD to have the latest whatever. Next month I'll retire at 55. Sort of. I will work here and there to buy extras.
I'm not trying to say nyah, nyah, we have it made. With lucky good health and taking care of business, I live without fear of the future. And folks, that is indeed priceless.

Retiring at 55. That is awesome! Makes me think of Dave Ramsey's saying "live like no one else so you can live like no one else".

Lots of great ideas on this thread. I've gotten some great ideas. Thanks everyone.

Flashbridge,check your PM please.

quote:

Originally posted by savinforarainyday:
One other thing. I used to buy a large container of hamburger meat and then half of it would ruin in the fridge. Now when I am cooking the first meal with it, I go ahead and fry up the rest of it to freeze until I make spagetti, sloppy joes, or chili. It is also faster to defrost it than cooking it every time and there is absolutely no waste.

I started doing that too...cooking all of the meat at once and freezing it. I also do that with bacon..fry the whole pack and freeze the rest. Then you only have to pop the pieces you need in the microwave..without having to heat a frying pan each time

quote:

Originally posted by Monet-Lisa:

quote:

Originally posted by savinforarainyday:
One other thing. I used to buy a large container of hamburger meat and then half of it would ruin in the fridge. Now when I am cooking the first meal with it, I go ahead and fry up the rest of it to freeze until I make spagetti, sloppy joes, or chili. It is also faster to defrost it than cooking it every time and there is absolutely no waste.

I started doing that too...cooking all of the meat at once and freezing it. I also do that with bacon..fry the whole pack and freeze the rest. Then you only have to pop the pieces you need in the microwave..without having to heat a frying pan each time

Good idea about cooking all the bacon, and brings up something else I do. Microwave everything. (except fried eggs) Microwave uses lots less electricity than the stove.

Except for the small touch-on lamp at the head of my bed, i use nothing but the compact florescent bulbs.
My summer thermostat setting has been 80/81 daytime... We have ceiling fans, plus a small floor fan that we use in the living room while watching TV/on the computer, etc. Night time setting is 78, less bed clothing (and people clothing)= more comfort.
I'm not sure what adjustments i'll have to make this winter....i'm dreading it.
My clotheslines gets a lot of use. When the weather is bad, there is a folding rack in my "wreck" room and the chin up bar in the wreck room doorway is used for hanging wet clothes.
On my errand day i no longer grab a fast food lunch. I pack a lunch at home, stick it in a lunchbox and take it with me. I then enjoy it at a loal park or just sitting in a parking lot while people watching.
I've cut out my used book buying at the Florence Library used book store and gone back to checking out books, and DVDs. The exception being when i find a bag sale at the book store. You get a paper bag with 10 books for $1.00. you never know what the books are until you buy the bag, but i've never been disappointed. After reading the books i donate them back to the store.
If you like magazines find one or two others with the same interest and split the cost of a subscription. I remember my grandmother doing that with two neighbors and one newspaper subscription.

i went from working 3d a week to 7d a week.

quote:

Originally posted by excelman:

quote:

Originally posted by Monet-Lisa:

quote:

Originally posted by savinforarainyday:
One other thing. I used to buy a large container of hamburger meat and then half of it would ruin in the fridge. Now when I am cooking the first meal with it, I go ahead and fry up the rest of it to freeze until I make spagetti, sloppy joes, or chili. It is also faster to defrost it than cooking it every time and there is absolutely no waste.

I started doing that too...cooking all of the meat at once and freezing it. I also do that with bacon..fry the whole pack and freeze the rest. Then you only have to pop the pieces you need in the microwave..without having to heat a frying pan each time

Good idea about cooking all the bacon, and brings up something else I do. Microwave everything. (except fried eggs) Microwave uses lots less electricity than the stove.

And for those things you just can't make in the microwave (cookies!) use the toaster oven

Good idea TSC. Now,,,what in the world did I do with mine ???

quote:

Originally posted by James Holden:
i went from working 3d a week to 7d a week.

Now that's what I'm talking about. It's easy to save money when you don't have time to spend it

Michael

I've been rolling up all my loose change and putting it in the bank for savings.

You know that adds up fast. Every day when hubby comes home from work he empties his pocket change in to a gallon jug. Every 3 or 4 months it is rolled up with one of those little automatic machines that separates the coins. Then they are easy to roll up and take to the bank. He usually has 2 to 300.00. The most at one time was 375.00. It really is a good way to save. He's had this habit for a long time and it always goes into savings.