Save Some Money
By redhotpogo
@redhotpogo (4401)
United States
March 11, 2010 1:21am CST
Todays' economic troubles effect the common people all over the world. Businesses are getting greeder, paying employees less, but increasing their work load, while governments are throwing all their money into war, and other things that benefit only them. Its important now more than ever to save wherever you can. What are some things that you do to save, and changes in your life you've made to balance the cost of living?
some of mine:
1. turn in recyclable items for money
2. use items you would normal throw away as trash (one man's trash is another's treasure)
3. use coupons (lots of coupons, and freebie sites on the net)
4. make xtra money online (its not much, but it helps)
5. buy non designer clothes, and store brand foods
2 people like this
7 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
11 Mar 10
There are so many ways to save money that it's hard to think of them all. One thing you can do, if you heat your home, is to turn down the thermostat and put on warmer clothes.
If you use air conditioning, turn it up a little and adjust to it.
Turn your computer off if you're not going to use it for a few hours.
Don't waste water or electricity.
Shop at thrift stores and salvage outlets for things you need.
Learn the difference between "want" and "need."
Borrow books from the library to read instead of buying them, even second hand.
Put clothes, books and so on, on consignment to make a little extra money.
Cook from scratch, eat cheaper cuts of meat, cut out the junk food.
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
11 Mar 10
Thank you for your comment. These are great ideas. I have 2 questions. How do you waste electricity? and Will cutting the junk food save you money? I ask that question because I find that usually the junk foods are the cheapest. The fruits and vegetables are the most expensive, then the other healthier foods.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
11 Mar 10
How to waste electricity... leave lights on that you don't need. Open the refrigerator door and stand there with it open. leave the TV and other "instant on" appliances plugged in 24/7 whether you're using them or not, Use the dryer when you could just as easily put a few things on hangers or a line to dry overnight, wash small loads of clothes instead of waiting until you have a full load... things like that.
As to junk food, I guess it depends on your definition. I was thinking of potato chips, soft drinks, candy and other snacks. They're expensive and don't fill any nutritional need. If you look at the price of a candy bar and an apple, which one is the cheaper? Often it's the apple, but we have to weigh it to find out and that's too much trouble for some people.
Also, vegetables and fruit should be chosen when they're in season and the price is lower. In the Northern Hemisphere, right now root crops are cheapest because they can be stored for a long time. Other things have to be imported and that drives the price up. Cabbage and carrots are cheap most of the time. You just have to make a point to eat those things that don't cost so much and eat only the more expensive things as a treat.
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
12 Mar 10
ah ok I understand now on the food part. thank you. and I'm sorry, I hate to be a prick, but I'm still not understanding how you can waste electricity. Does it expire? Can't let it go to waste. If you don't want to waste electricity should you be using up as much of it as you can? The power companies are making that energy regardless if anyone uses it or not. Its going out. So really if you didn't want it to be wasted you would use as much of it as you could. oh well you do save money though by not using so much of it. So that's good.
@rajaiv0810 (1012)
• Philippines
12 Mar 10
We actually do some of the things that have said like turning recyclable things into money. When we drink anything which is in plastic bottles we don't throw it out. We got a sack for that and keep it until it is full and sell it. I think not just we earn from trash but we are also helping in the environment.
I don't buy branded clothes nowadays as I only work at home so it is a big savings for me. I don't buy make up, shoes, clothes very often. I also go to a different supermarket now. I go to a wholesaler supermarket to save cost, i really get a big savings on it. We turn off the fridge in the evening if there are less food inside, it is cold anyway so that coldness is enough to last the whole evening.
@blummus (451)
• United States
12 Mar 10
It's amazing how many things we do to save money or reduce our need to spend it also help the environment by reducing our negative impact and in some cases making us some money recycling bottles and cans. Nowadays it's not only smart to be frugal, it's chic to be green. More power to you, Rajaiv!
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
12 Mar 10
oh that reminded me, for people who have trouble paying that internet bill, but need to be on it. For those in the states you should check your library, alot of libraries in the u.s. offer free use of their internet. You just need to be a member. I use to do that when I was low on money.
@myzire72 (1154)
• Singapore
11 Mar 10
Yes, I agree with you that in times like this, it makes sense to save money to tide us over this difficult period. There are many ways to save and earn money. For me, I just make do with non-branded clothing, and cut down on entertainment such as going to the movies and pubbing. Besides budgeting my spending, I also tried to work on areas like online earning, which I am still in the midst of figuring everything out.
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
12 Mar 10
ah yeah the cutting back sucks. I use to buy whatever I had the money for, like if there was a movie I wanted to see on dvd, I would get it, then I had to force myself to stop buying these things that I didn't need. It was very hard at first.
@blummus (451)
• United States
11 Mar 10
I've found one of the best ways to save money and reduce my overall need for it is to share housing, preferably in exchange for services. For example, I am sharing an apartment with my sister right now and I'm about to move in with friends who need a housekeeper/cook so that they can work more effectively and reduce their sick days. I get reduced rent, they get the help they need, and we all eat better. More important, we sleep better knowing the bills are covered.
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
12 Mar 10
Yep. People helping each other out. Thank you for the comment.
@libnawilkerson (298)
• Mexico
12 Mar 10
Hello to you. I agree with you that we are in hard times in terms of economy. We should do our best to save what we have and don't waste anything.
Where I live there is no recycling place because it is a very small town. But as your number 2, I do my ""recycling". In example, if the mayonnaise jar is empty I wash it and use it to storage sugar. Things like that.
I'm also trying to make some online money but I don't know if it is worthy because I have to pay for electricity and internet.
Have a nice day and keep saving some money! Libna.
