The Less Fine Things

Almost Enough · 10-15-2011, 03:54 PM

My wife and I buy a "stock" food and a new (or replacement) seasoning every time we grocery shop. It might add an extra $5 to a grocery bill...but when you run LOW on food at the end of your food cycle, you'll find you have more options that can go a long way. We eat well no matter how much money we have because I've learned to keep good seasonings around. We make "end of the pantry" or "end of the garden" stews and chilis all the time.

Also, learn to eat within portions. When you stop eating enough for two people you spend half as much for food. My wife and I started to cut back our portions, and it actually made it cheaper for us to eat out sometimes rather than in. We can go to Red Robin and split a burger and get bottomless fries and we have LEFTOVERS. $10 for a date night. Can't beat that. Well...I guess you could if you weren't in an extremely loud restaurant that always has way too many people in it.

TheProdigalModern · 10-27-2011, 06:25 PM

Don't buy cheap cars that you think will only last a couple of years. Because that's exactly what they'll do, no matter how much you carefully love them.

On the other hand, maybe get one when you're still living with your parents so you can learn everything you need to know about car maintenance and/or resurrection, but with a fail-safe option.

OneWithTheMud · 11-02-2011, 05:32 PM

Definitely turn the heat down. My heat is set at 65 right now, and when it's sunny, the temperature in the house will rise 10 degrees by the evening.

Shop clearance. I like going to Kohl's for their clearance when I have a 30% off coupon. It's almost free then.

Don't throw away food. I know, eating lasagna for four days in a row can get boring, but it's better than wasting it.

Be creative. A few times at Subway, I had them put half of the meat and cheese on the sandwich and give me the rest of my meat and cheese to go (they also gave me some sauce). With the day-old bread from Jimmy John's and some of the vegetables I had at home, I had three to four easy and delicious meals for less than $10 total. Another thing I do is to go to grocery stores that give out samples when I'm out shopping (Whole Foods every day, Sam's Club on the weekends, Meijer sometimes). If I go in hungry, by the time I've made it through the store, I'm full. There was only one time that the sample was so delicious that I had to buy it right then and there. Also, I get my car fixed by the friend of a friend. He charges about half as much as others do.

The library is great. There is a library down the road from my house with a great DVD selection. I'll never have to pay to watch a DVD again.

One time I heard that unplugging things that have lights or clocks can save a lot (DVD players, microwaves, etc). I tried it at one point, but it annoyed me too much.

Save on gas by driving smart.

Get rid of things you don't need. No smartphone. No cable. My only bills right now are rent, gas/electric, cell phone, internet, and car insurance.

TheProdigalModern · 11-02-2011, 08:14 PM

Buy kids stuff secondhand. Seriously, they're going to mess it up anyway, so if you can find something at Goodwill that looks new (and you'd be surprised how many times we've found clothes there with the tags still on), go for it.

There ain't no shame in the thrift store game.

**Thrash** · 11-02-2011, 08:20 PM

Sometimes libraries have book sales and you can get a massive amount of entertainment by buying used books.

Sent from my MB520 using CGR Forum

TheProdigalModern · 11-02-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrash

Sometimes libraries have book sales and you can get a massive amount of entertainment by buying used books.

Sent from my MB520 using CGR Forum

I have bought approximately 60 percent of my books used, closer to 90 if you count the children's' books, of which we have many. Used frees you up from the worries of new book ownership (Ok, maybe I am the only one who worries about keeping new books in pristine condition), it's greener and by golly it is much, much cheaper.

**Chrysostom** · 11-03-2011, 04:53 PM

Wooooo half-price books! If they're in your area... go!

hpb.com

1/2-Fast Player · 11-03-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrash

Sometimes libraries have book sales and you can get a massive amount of entertainment by buying used books.

Or you could just borrow library books for free!

***Art*** · 11-03-2011, 10:58 PM

Half price books is not a good way to save money. It's a good way to spend even more money than you would have in the first place.

bobthecockroach · 11-04-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1/2-Fast Player

Or you could just borrow library books for free!

Seriously. Borrow books. From the library. From friends. Whatever. Borrowing is always cheaper than buying.

Almost Enough · 11-04-2011, 11:05 AM

There are a lot of people saying buy cheaper stuff, or go to Goodwill...but I'd be hesitant to say that. Learn to live with LESS stuff, and realize what you spend the most time using, and don't skimp on it. By all means, look for a great deal, but don't sacrifice quality for price tag. For instance, I've always had a cheap dresser growing up. The cheapest ones we could find. They'd fall apart and later on we'd have to replace it with a cheap one again, because we thought that it'd fall apart because of operator error. When I got out on my own and got my opportunity to buy my own dresser, I waited until I found a nicer, solid dresser at a good price. I used a cheapie till I found it, but now I know I have a quality piece that I won't have to replace. Do the same with the items you use most frequently. Again, learn to live with LESS, and focuse MORE on what you have, and make sure it's quality.