DemocraSay

There are several ways we have gone about saving money. One of course is recycling, which is really more for the earth than saving. Another was we try to go to Costco or Sam's and buy the cheaper bigger bulk items, which is usually their own brand names, not something like Kraft or Tresseme. If we do go shopping at the grocery store we compare and get what is the cheapest. Sometimes, but not most the quality isn't as good, but really with the money you can save it's worth choking down a bit of food.
We put all our extra change in a jar, and once it's full go and cash it in, normally deposting it in the bank account. We buy cheaper cleaners it's really amazing how much you can save when you go with the store you are shopping in brand name items.
I'm sure there are more, oh yeah we try to conserve gas and not go as many places as we use to and instead enjoy more family time at home. Which is a plus on tht part too, we've been playing a lot of monopoly and yahtzee lately!

I talked to several ladies in the laundry room about my suggestion but none of them accepted it. My suggestion is that in order to save on clothing and laundry we all become nudists. Now is the right time of the year (unless you live in Alaska) to implement this very simple idea. Don't you agree?

I recently went on a budget, and have found a few extra ways to save money...

1) I have instituted a large kitchen size can at work for aluminum cans and water bottles. While I had planned to just use it for my own items, I have found that co-workers are thrilled to be part of a recycle plan, and I've ended up with an extra $35 a week on just the plastic alone (haven't turned in the bottles yet).

2) I also set up a "penny jar" for myself, and when people have seen it, they've started dumping their pennies (and other change) in it too. I have a penny jar at home and everyone there loves dumping their extra pocket change in there at night. I love that too!

3) I went through everything in my house and garage; threw things into boxes marked 'Garage sale' and was amazed at how much junk and books I'd collected over the years. Had a garage sale and got $400 from all that "other men's treasures"!

4) I looked through my bank statements and stopped all of those 'monthly automatic deductions' for services I have never really used

5) I called my Credit card companies and asked for lower interest rates. OMIGOSH! They were all willing to lower my rates since I paid my cards on time and had good credit; one company lowered my rate from 19.99% to 4%!!!!! I also got rid of any extra "insurance" on the cards that I've never used.

If you want to find some crazy and fun tips for saving money, try this place:

http://www.tightwad.com/

Have fun with it!

1) Farmer's Markets - The best way to get fresh, cheap produce. Only buy food as you need it, see if you can find a time each day to take 5 minutes and pick up food for the day. This ensures freshness, inability to overeat (if you're watching your figure), and reduces the likelihood of spoiled food.

2) Find Places You Can Walk To - This is harder if you don't live in or around a city or large town, but can still be done. Think of types of places you go on a weekly basis - the supermarket, the gym, a certain restaurant, etc. Pull up your favorite search engine and see how far it really is from your house, office, dorm, etc. Odds are if it's a mile or less, it'll only take you 15 minutes tops to walk there. This is a great way to save gas and stay in shape.

3) Outlets/Planned Shopping Trips - Ask around in order to find the best outlet mall in your area and only shop for clothes between 2 and 4 times a year unless it's an absolute emergency. Buying everything that you need at once will reduce the risk of shopping trips where you're only going to get one thing and walk out of the mall with arms full of bags - ladies you know what I'm talking about!

4) Lunch Specials - A big thing people always recommend to save money is to eat at restaurants less. I totally agree - especially if you're eating out because you're trying to avoid cooking. For the foodies out there, though, eating out isn't really something to do for convenience - it's a hobby and a passion. What I recommend here is googling the restaurant's menu before you go - most places have their menus online now. See if they have a lunch or early afternoon special. It's usually the same great food at half the price.

5) Compare Prices - I know it's really easy to see something, know you want and need it, and buy it right away, but odds are you can get it or something similar cheaper somewhere else. Take the extra half hour and comb the mall to see if you can find it at a lower price. You get the extra exercise and great deals! If you're not at a mall, write down somewhere what you wanted to buy and the price. You're less likely to buy impulsively that way also.

6) Grow Your Own Produce - This is great especially if you have your own yard. This is an investment that will keep giving back year after year. It's a cheap investment that will ensure you fresh produce, and it's a great excuse to go out and get some fresh air during the nicer months of the year.

7) Chinatown - Ask around and find where the locals go. Skip the trendy showy places clearly designed to attract Americans. Odds are you can get a giant, delicious, much more authentic lunch or dinner for under $5.00.

8) LemonTide.com - Odds are, you can't live off the free samples you can get at this website - but you can test out products you were thinking of buying and save yourself the extra few bucks of buying a giant bottle or box of something you're not going to end up liking.

9) Don't Carry Cash - When possible, try not to carry cash around; it'll just fly out of your pockets!

Hope my tips helped and happy shopping!

This money saving idea is not for the faint of heart, but if you really want to live as frugally as possible, check out the freegan lifestyle (http://www.freegan.info). It is a way to truly live on as little money as possible. But you don't have to adopt it fully for it to be helpful. For example, you can fulfill almost all your grocery needs just from the food that grocery stores throw away daily. Check with your local freegan group to see when and where to pick up stuff.

I also wholeheartedly endorse the use of freecycle.org and craigslist.org to give and receive free stuff. I got all my boxes for a cross country move from freecycle and gave them away on the other side the same way.

And lastly, use the free resources in your community that we all pay taxes for! The library, public recreation centers, public parks. These are great sources of free entertainment, education, exercise, space for special events, etc.

My main philosophy for spending less money is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

Since gas prices are so exorbitant we have to find ways to decrease the amount of gasoline used. Make sure you do all of your errands on one day. Write them down and devise a plan that will enable a one-day shopping/errand to be possible. Some places may be close together; if that is the case you can park the car and walk to some of the desired locations.

Many people live in metropolitan cities with good transit systems like NYC. Car fare is expensive and will be increasing again soon. A good way to save money AND get great exercise which saves on gym costs is to walk to as many places as possible when weather permits. You get to discover new things about the city and encounter interesting people. Biking is obviously another way to save on gas, car fare while at the same time getting great exercise.

Other ways to avoid gyms expenses would be to buy a jump rope which can be used outside on a soft surface or jump at home if you live in a space that conducive to that kind of workout. I bought P90X; it’s great; it can be done at home without making a bunch of noise and it’s effective. Beats any monthly gym costs.

For food…use lots of legumes and grains for meals. Dried beans are generally $1.25 for a bag which makes a full pot of beans. For a family of 4 that pot will last two nights. Pair the beans with vegetables and lean meats if necessary. Many people, like me, purchase bottled water. Water is so contaminated in this day and age that you have to. But a good way to save is to distill your own water by boiling it. This is somewhat time-consuming. However, you’re saving on water purchases and saving the environment by decreasing the amount of plastic used.

If you have children you can make their snacks instead of buying pre-packaged items. Buy raisins, nuts (if they aren’t allergic) and other yummy treats and make your own trail mix. Instead of buying popsicles, you can take their favorite juices (all-natural without a lot of sugar) and make ices with an ice tray and toothpicks. My Mom and I used to make those when I was little. Or you can make homemade lemonade and do the same. Instead of buying teas, lemonades and those things, make tea. Mint tea is great! You can either do it fresh with the mint leaves or use tea bags; either way it’s healthier and it lasts longer than the store-bought beverages.

Toiletries can also be very expensive. Lotions in particular are outrageous. Baby oil is a good alternative because it’s not filled with chemicals, it’s less expensive and it lasts longer. Johnson and Johnson makes a nice lavender scent.

Ahhh, I can go on and on. But those are some suggestions for now…

The only limitations in life are the ones you set for yourself!
www.staceyandtraceeconsulting.com

1. FreeCycle.org - before I go out and buy something, I see if anyone else already has it and is looking to get rid of it. I can put up things that are cluttering my house too.

2. Craiglist.org - another site I go to when I need to purchase things. You can usually find them for way cheaper on here or sell your own things and make some money.

3. Instead of buying new books [I love to read], I see if they have it in the library instead.

4. Bike, Run, or Walk Places - with gas close to $4.00/gallon, I've learned to try and not drive unless I have to and when I go out, I try to go as many places that are close together as possible. That way I'm not coming back and forth all throughout the week and spending even more money.

5. Use coupons! I know that it makes you feel 80 when you do, but you'd be surprised at how much money you save if you use a bunch of coupons at once.

6. During the summer months, open your windows and turn the fans on high. You save a lot on AC if you don't use it.

- Felicia

1) Garage sale- frees you of unused stuff which not only clutters the house but eats up space as well; sales can help augment your cash-on-hand.

2) Bake your own bread or cook your own meal instead of buying or dining in restaurants.

3) Conserve water. Instead of using the shower, fill up a large basin; and using a small pail, scoop water from the large basin then turn the small pail over your head to bathe. Can you do that? :)

4) Watch out for sales and discounts.

5) Try switching to powdered milk for cooking and baking, particularly in brownies, mashed potatoes, puddings, etc. The taste and nutritional value are still the same, yet it's more economical.

6) Try using cloth napkins instead of expensive tissues and napkins. Cloth napkin is earth friendly and frugal because you can wash and use them again.

7) Instead of going on a vacation somewhere faraway, you can spend a weekend at home. Prepare and enjoy a sumptuous homemade meal with your family like as if you are on a special outing.

8) But, if you do want to go out-of-town/country, consider a destination that is in its off-season because the prices are much lower.

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LIVE FAST, RETIRE YOUNG