Saturday, 03 October 2009

• Getting Thrifty...

  
  

  "How has the economic downturn affected you personally?  What changes have you made in your life to save money, pinch pennies, stretch your dollars?  What thrifty tips can you share (places to shop, coupons to use, places to eat, etc.)?"

  Back to the "Getting Thrifty" writing prompt on Featured Grownups (to read the other entries)
  
  Well, ever since getting married in 2000, I have always had to be careful with our spending. We have always been a family that has had to live paycheck to paycheck. We survive on what many would consider impossible and we do it without relying on the government for food stamps or welfare or any of that stuff. We are part of what many call the working poor.
  
  There are many tips that I can share... 
  
  1. I get our groceries at a "bent and dent" store. Much of the food that people buy at the big grocery stores can be gotten for half or a quarter of the price at a bent and dent store.
  
  2. I get our clothes and shoes at yard sales or Goodwill (we have a great one here that has great clothes cheap).
  
  3. Freecycle is WONDERFUL...at least ours in this area is.
  
  4. Homemade gifts. There are so many things you can make to give as gifts. Like cookie mix in glass jars for just one example.
  
  5. Reuse wrapping paper or if you have children let them make the wrapping paper
  
  6. Make your own puzzles using old boxes. Have the children make a picture and then cut it into a puzzle.
  
  7. Don't use A/C. People survived just fine without it before it was invented and you can survive now (this is true for people who live in the country or small towns...it may not be true for people who live in the inner city in an area where it gets above 100 degrees)
  
  8. Cook at home. Eating out is more expensive. Also the cheapest way to eat is to cook from scratch, the way most people did it way back in the "good old days."
  
  9. Keep a recipe box full of good recipes.
  
  10. Go to the library. There are lots of books to be read or movies to be watched all free borrowed from the library. Some libraries also have great programs for children and adults.
  
  11. We love to go hiking. It is fun and free other then the gas that it takes to get there.
  
  12. We don't get the newspaper or magazines. Almost everything we want can be found on-line for free.
  
  13. I know many will not agree with me on this but avoid credit cards. We don't touch them. We don't have any. To many people get themselves in huge debts via credit cards. Leave the credit cards alone. Only buy stuff that you have the money to get. If you don't have the money then don't buy it.
  
  14. Don't smoke or drink. Both are unneeded expenses. (Plus smoking is bad for your health too)
  
  15. Buy generic over-the-counter medicines. They are just like the band name...many times they are even made in the same plant but just slapped with a different label.
  
  So there are a few of my ideas.
  
  Can you think of any ideas that I missed or should be added to my list?
  
  
  

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