- Budget groceries, gas, and other neccesaries and stick with the budget
- Keep the air condition above 78 degrees nd the heater at 65 degrees - This really helped cut utility costs
- Dress in layers in the winter to stay warmer
- Stop buying coffee in coffe shops. Find a coffee brand you like and brew extra to pack in thermos for later at work.
- Limit going out to dinner for special occasions only and share platters if serving sizes are large. Saves calories tooo.
- Use the local library for books and CD's.
- Buy less expensive cleaning products
- Eat more fruits and veges VS canned or boxed processed foods
- Take inventory of what you need and do not buy items to stock up just because they are on sale.
- Plant an herb garden for culinary herbs
- Plant an apple or orange tree
- Pack your lunch
- Use coupons that your local merchants market out. It helps support the small biz and saves you money too.
- Eat what is in season. It is usually less expensive.
- Learn to use cash instead of plastic. This helps you stay in touch with your money.
- Evaluate your bills and look for any unneccesary areas you can cut.
Full Version: Share Your Thrifty Tips Please
Get a programable thermostat for your furnace/AC. Especially during the winter months, this saves us a lot--we set the temp lower while are gone during the day and then it comes on about 30 min. before we arrive home. We also set it to be colder at night, and come back on again a hour before we get up. They will pay for themselves in a season.
QUOTE (flowergirl @ Oct 2 2008, 10:08 AM) 
Get a programable thermostat for your furnace/AC. Especially during the winter months, this saves us a lot--we set the temp lower while are gone during the day and then it comes on about 30 min. before we arrive home. We also set it to be colder at night, and come back on again a hour before we get up. They will pay for themselves in a season.
That's a great one, fg! We got a programmable thermostat for our heat pump and it's great. Why heat or cool your home if no one is there?
QUOTE (flowergirl @ Oct 2 2008, 09:08 AM)
Get a programable thermostat for your furnace/AC. Especially during the winter months, this saves us a lot--we set the temp lower while are gone during the day and then it comes on about 30 min. before we arrive home. We also set it to be colder at night, and come back on again a hour before we get up. They will pay for themselves in a season.
We do the same thing, but a word of caution: If you have a piano of any value, then fluctuations in temperature will cause it to go out of tune much more quickly, necessitating costly tunings; or, worse, can irreparably damage the wood in the piano itself. Furthermore, if you have documents or other items of value in your home that would be affected by excessive temperature changes, then you're better off with a moderate range that doesn't dip below 65* or above 78*. I know it sounds anal retentive, but there are those of us who worry about such things.
That is all.
QUOTE (NathanB @ Oct 1 2008, 09:53 PM)
Dear President of ECN:
On behalf of the Crockpots Now Campaign (CNC), we would like to take this opportunity to correct what we believe to be grossly inaccurate perceptions regarding the efficiency, quality and affordability of our beloved Crocker.
#1) The Crocker is "economical" because you purchase it with your hard earned dollars and that helps the "economy" -- Economy is the root of Economical, so the Crockpot is, indeed, economical precisely because it costs you money. And since you're helping the economy by purchasing a magnificent Crocker, your Patriotism can never be questioned. That's gotta be worth a lot, right? We think so, and that's what makes it economical!
#2) Is it the plough's fault when the fields aren't ready for planting? Do you blame the weathervane should the wind blow from the North? Can the Crockpot be at fault if your food turns out flavorless? Ponder that for a moment. I'm sure you'll reach the same conclusions about your own culinary skills that we reached in, like, two seconds flat.
#3) People save money buying our beloved Crockers because if they didn't have one, they would be horribly depressed by the gaping, Crocker-shaped hole in their lives and would then have to fork over tremendous amounts of cash for happy pills and therapy. Is that what you want, you cruel cruel beast? A world full of zombies on happy pills while hordes of nouveau riche therapists clog the reservation books at all the best restaurants in New York, L.A., London and Paris? No. We didn't think so.
We will end this letter by asking that you cease your baseless, unjustified attacks on our beloved Crocker, and publicly retract any negative statements you have heretofore previously made regarding this glorious and most lauded of all modern inventions.
Signed,
Herbert Sinclair Rothschild Hoover, III
President, Crockpots Now Campaign
P.S. -- We are holding your geraniums hostage until you publish your retraction. One false move and the pink one gets it.
On behalf of the Crockpots Now Campaign (CNC), we would like to take this opportunity to correct what we believe to be grossly inaccurate perceptions regarding the efficiency, quality and affordability of our beloved Crocker.
#1) The Crocker is "economical" because you purchase it with your hard earned dollars and that helps the "economy" -- Economy is the root of Economical, so the Crockpot is, indeed, economical precisely because it costs you money. And since you're helping the economy by purchasing a magnificent Crocker, your Patriotism can never be questioned. That's gotta be worth a lot, right? We think so, and that's what makes it economical!
#2) Is it the plough's fault when the fields aren't ready for planting? Do you blame the weathervane should the wind blow from the North? Can the Crockpot be at fault if your food turns out flavorless? Ponder that for a moment. I'm sure you'll reach the same conclusions about your own culinary skills that we reached in, like, two seconds flat.
#3) People save money buying our beloved Crockers because if they didn't have one, they would be horribly depressed by the gaping, Crocker-shaped hole in their lives and would then have to fork over tremendous amounts of cash for happy pills and therapy. Is that what you want, you cruel cruel beast? A world full of zombies on happy pills while hordes of nouveau riche therapists clog the reservation books at all the best restaurants in New York, L.A., London and Paris? No. We didn't think so.
We will end this letter by asking that you cease your baseless, unjustified attacks on our beloved Crocker, and publicly retract any negative statements you have heretofore previously made regarding this glorious and most lauded of all modern inventions.
Signed,
Herbert Sinclair Rothschild Hoover, III
President, Crockpots Now Campaign
P.S. -- We are holding your geraniums hostage until you publish your retraction. One false move and the pink one gets it.
Best post evah!
But may I submit that the crock pot is economical because you can use less expensive cuts of meat in a crockpot and they will still come out tender? This is one reason. It's great for stew beef and such. It's also great for cooking beans of any kind. I like to cook dried chickpeas in it and then freeze them for later use as pindi chana or hummus.
Pressure cookers are good for tenderizing meats and getting dinner on the table quickly, too. I need to get a pressure cooker.
QUOTE (Fulltiltredhead @ Oct 3 2008, 04:22 AM)
But may I submit that the crock pot is economical because you can use less expensive cuts of meat in a crockpot and they will still come out tender? This is one reason. It's great for stew beef and such. It's also great for cooking beans of any kind. I like to cook dried chickpeas in it and then freeze them for later use as pindi chana or hummus.
Yes to all this - and it uses way less electricity than a cooker or hob. A slow cooker (crockpot) uses around the same amount of electricity as a light bulb, apparently. So using one can both enable cheap food to taste better and save money on the cooking cost.
The cinema is a good one. We only ever go to the cinema on Tuesdays, when it is $10/ticket instead of $15, and we bring our own bottled water and snacks. Just be careful not to bring anything in packaging that will rustle or create noise that annoys the people around you!
QUOTE (NathanB @ Oct 1 2008, 10:53 PM)
Dear President of ECN:
On behalf of the Crockpots Now Campaign (CNC), we would like to take this opportunity to correct what we believe to be grossly inaccurate perceptions regarding the efficiency, quality and affordability of our beloved Crocker.
#1) The Crocker is "economical" because you purchase it with your hard earned dollars and that helps the "economy" -- Economy is the root of Economical, so the Crockpot is, indeed, economical precisely because it costs you money. And since you're helping the economy by purchasing a magnificent Crocker, your Patriotism can never be questioned. That's gotta be worth a lot, right? We think so, and that's what makes it economical!
#2) Is it the plough's fault when the fields aren't ready for planting? Do you blame the weathervane should the wind blow from the North? Can the Crockpot be at fault if your food turns out flavorless? Ponder that for a moment. I'm sure you'll reach the same conclusions about your own culinary skills that we reached in, like, two seconds flat.
#3) People save money buying our beloved Crockers because if they didn't have one, they would be horribly depressed by the gaping, Crocker-shaped hole in their lives and would then have to fork over tremendous amounts of cash for happy pills and therapy. Is that what you want, you cruel cruel beast? A world full of zombies on happy pills while hordes of nouveau riche therapists clog the reservation books at all the best restaurants in New York, L.A., London and Paris? No. We didn't think so.
We will end this letter by asking that you cease your baseless, unjustified attacks on our beloved Crocker, and publicly retract any negative statements you have heretofore previously made regarding this glorious and most lauded of all modern inventions.
Signed,
Herbert Sinclair Rothschild Hoover, III
President, Crockpots Now Campaign
P.S. -- We are holding your geraniums hostage until you publish your retraction. One false move and the pink one gets it.
On behalf of the Crockpots Now Campaign (CNC), we would like to take this opportunity to correct what we believe to be grossly inaccurate perceptions regarding the efficiency, quality and affordability of our beloved Crocker.
#1) The Crocker is "economical" because you purchase it with your hard earned dollars and that helps the "economy" -- Economy is the root of Economical, so the Crockpot is, indeed, economical precisely because it costs you money. And since you're helping the economy by purchasing a magnificent Crocker, your Patriotism can never be questioned. That's gotta be worth a lot, right? We think so, and that's what makes it economical!
#2) Is it the plough's fault when the fields aren't ready for planting? Do you blame the weathervane should the wind blow from the North? Can the Crockpot be at fault if your food turns out flavorless? Ponder that for a moment. I'm sure you'll reach the same conclusions about your own culinary skills that we reached in, like, two seconds flat.
#3) People save money buying our beloved Crockers because if they didn't have one, they would be horribly depressed by the gaping, Crocker-shaped hole in their lives and would then have to fork over tremendous amounts of cash for happy pills and therapy. Is that what you want, you cruel cruel beast? A world full of zombies on happy pills while hordes of nouveau riche therapists clog the reservation books at all the best restaurants in New York, L.A., London and Paris? No. We didn't think so.
We will end this letter by asking that you cease your baseless, unjustified attacks on our beloved Crocker, and publicly retract any negative statements you have heretofore previously made regarding this glorious and most lauded of all modern inventions.
Signed,
Herbert Sinclair Rothschild Hoover, III
President, Crockpots Now Campaign
P.S. -- We are holding your geraniums hostage until you publish your retraction. One false move and the pink one gets it.
THANK YOU NATHAN!!
Chardkay, Chairman of Crockpot Lovers/Cookers of the WORLD
I am too scared to use a pressure cooker - those things can explode! 
QUOTE (Lady jicky @ Oct 3 2008, 07:11 PM)
I am too scared to use a pressure cooker - those things can explode!
Funny you should mention that , I grew up with parents who used pressure cooker several times a week and to this day I am still terrified to use one even though nothing went seriously wrong. Its just a case of "with my luck ....." you know how that works.
I just did a side by side taste test of my own hand made vanilla and a $14.00 (2 oz) bottle of bourbon vanilla from Spice Islands. Mine won hands down. I used a 740ml bottle of Polar Ice vodka into which went 2 split vanilla beans. Close the bottle and mull in your pantry for at least a week. I've had mine for about 6 months. It does improve with age so by Christmas (when you'll be needing lots of vanilla) it will be ready.
This is a nice dark aromatic rich vanilla. It is amazing in hot cocoa.
This is a nice dark aromatic rich vanilla. It is amazing in hot cocoa.
QUOTE (lmatchgrl @ Oct 5 2008, 05:06 AM)
I just did a side by side taste test of my own hand made vanilla and a $14.00 (2 oz) bottle of bourbon vanilla from Spice Islands. Mine won hands down. I used a 740ml bottle of Polar Ice vodka into which went 2 split vanilla beans. Close the bottle and mull in your pantry for at least a week. I've had mine for about 6 months. It does improve with age so by Christmas (when you'll be needing lots of vanilla) it will be ready.
This is a nice dark aromatic rich vanilla. It is amazing in hot cocoa.
This is a nice dark aromatic rich vanilla. It is amazing in hot cocoa.
Mmmmm vanilla flavored Vodka...!
QUOTE (lmatchgrl @ Oct 5 2008, 06:06 AM)
I just did a side by side taste test of my own hand made vanilla and a $14.00 (2 oz) bottle of bourbon vanilla from Spice Islands. Mine won hands down. I used a 740ml bottle of Polar Ice vodka into which went 2 split vanilla beans. Close the bottle and mull in your pantry for at least a week. I've had mine for about 6 months. It does improve with age so by Christmas (when you'll be needing lots of vanilla) it will be ready. This is a nice dark aromatic rich vanilla. It is amazing in hot cocoa.
What a great tip! Thanks, Lmatchgrl.
I had no idea it was that easy to create your own vanilla.Perhaps I missed this up-post, but where did you buy your vanilla beans?
I found vanilla beans at The Whole Foods Market but my Krogers carries them also.
I can't say enough about the final product when compaired to the most expensive extract sold. The homemade captures full essence because the beans stay put in your bottle. Shake the bottle for tiny flecks of vanilla, or leave the sediment at the bottom for a clear product. The stuff is downright luxurious and you'll have a giant size, very pretty bottle of the most magnificent extract ever. Sand tarts, sugar cookies, and delicate custards are out of this world.
I can't say enough about the final product when compaired to the most expensive extract sold. The homemade captures full essence because the beans stay put in your bottle. Shake the bottle for tiny flecks of vanilla, or leave the sediment at the bottom for a clear product. The stuff is downright luxurious and you'll have a giant size, very pretty bottle of the most magnificent extract ever. Sand tarts, sugar cookies, and delicate custards are out of this world.
That's enough vanilla extract to last twenty five years!
You could rebottle this stuff in a nice container for those little token gifts when you don't know what to give - when candy or flowers seem so trite.
I am a caterer and make 5 bottles a year. But yes indeed Colonia, this makes wonderful gifts.
Include some inexpensive (Dollar Store) cookie cutters, pot holders, a lemon zester, wooden spoons, tea towels, measuring cups, a cook book etc. all in a Good Will basket and it makes for a most cool gift.
Include some inexpensive (Dollar Store) cookie cutters, pot holders, a lemon zester, wooden spoons, tea towels, measuring cups, a cook book etc. all in a Good Will basket and it makes for a most cool gift.
You could use it to make your own vanilla lattes. I go through a bunch of vanilla extract when I get on a vanilla latte kick. Thanks, BlueCedar, I will definitely try the home made kind.
QUOTE (Fulltiltredhead @ Oct 5 2008, 07:42 PM)
You could use it to make your own vanilla lattes. I go through a bunch of vanilla extract when I get on a vanilla latte kick. Thanks, BlueCedar, I will definitely try the home made kind.
How do you make a vanilla latte? (this is not a trick question - I'm really interested)
Learn to bake bread. That way you can save money on food but also heat the place.
Last year I bought a throw at Ikea for $4 and have it draped over my couch. Since I keep the thermostat at 65 during the winter, I can throw it over myself while I watch TV or read.
Buy ski underwear. Lightweight and very warm to wear under your clothes. Otherwise, dress in layers.
Open all the drapes and curtains during the day to heat up the place, then close them at night.
Investigate your local electric, gas, phone services to see if you qualify for a low income discount. Some cities will give you money toward a new, energy efficient fridge and haul your old one away.
During cold and flu season, it's safer to wash your laundry in hot water to kill viruses.
See if your gas company will come and clean and service your heater. They do it for free, usually.
Last year I bought a throw at Ikea for $4 and have it draped over my couch. Since I keep the thermostat at 65 during the winter, I can throw it over myself while I watch TV or read.
Buy ski underwear. Lightweight and very warm to wear under your clothes. Otherwise, dress in layers.
Open all the drapes and curtains during the day to heat up the place, then close them at night.
Investigate your local electric, gas, phone services to see if you qualify for a low income discount. Some cities will give you money toward a new, energy efficient fridge and haul your old one away.
During cold and flu season, it's safer to wash your laundry in hot water to kill viruses.
See if your gas company will come and clean and service your heater. They do it for free, usually.
Ahh you reminded me of one I practice in wintertime PerfumeMe. Regular light bulbs put out heat. I have lots of table lamps in my living room and during summer I use the new fangled energy saver bulbs, but in the winter time regular old light bulbs do a bang-up heating job without turning on the heat. I compared kilowatt hours used from one year to the next and this works out really well on all but the coldest days (providing a house is insulated adequately). Plus, I love the illumination of table lamps. Cosy.
QUOTE (Demetrue @ Oct 5 2008, 08:18 PM)
How do you make a vanilla latte? (this is not a trick question - I'm really interested)
Well, my home made version is just very strong coffee plus about twice as much milk as coffee plus a good splash of McCormick's vanilla. I heat the milk in the microwave in a pyrex measuring cup while the coffee is making. It's not espresso and steamed milk, exactly, but it's close enough for me.
I don't buy trash bags, I use the plastic bags from grocery shopping. I wear sweaters instead of raising the heat. I use mostly generic brands for as much as I can. And I love leftovers.
QUOTE (Woodland @ Oct 8 2008, 03:07 PM)
I don't buy trash bags, I use the plastic bags from grocery shopping. I wear sweaters instead of raising the heat. I use mostly generic brands for as much as I can. And I love leftovers.
Wowsa, another leftover lover! I love things warmed up the next day, they taste even better!!
QUOTE (CHARDKAY @ Oct 8 2008, 04:51 PM)
Wowsa, another leftover lover! I love things warmed up the next day, they taste even better!!
And to make it even nicer, the cook gets the night off.
I do a lot of the things some of you have mentioned:
- hang some clothes (and all bed linen) outside to dry. Of course, I iron them so that takes time and electricity
- use grocery bags on a little inside-cabinet rack for kitchen garbage
- cut up those red string bags that onions come in to use as dishwashing scrubbers
- get most of my clothes from Goodwill
- try to get groceries at Publix on Sunday or Monday to take advantage of the one cent mystery item. Usually it's something I can use and worth about $2.50. That adds up.
- driving much more slowly on the interstate (55-60mph); that saves quite a bit of gas. And it feels a lot more civilized, if you know what I mean. I hope I will keep this up.
- use the library so I don't buy very many books or CDs.
- hang some clothes (and all bed linen) outside to dry. Of course, I iron them so that takes time and electricity
- use grocery bags on a little inside-cabinet rack for kitchen garbage
- cut up those red string bags that onions come in to use as dishwashing scrubbers
- get most of my clothes from Goodwill
- try to get groceries at Publix on Sunday or Monday to take advantage of the one cent mystery item. Usually it's something I can use and worth about $2.50. That adds up.
- driving much more slowly on the interstate (55-60mph); that saves quite a bit of gas. And it feels a lot more civilized, if you know what I mean. I hope I will keep this up.
- use the library so I don't buy very many books or CDs.
QUOTE (Woodland @ Oct 8 2008, 04:07 PM)
I don't buy trash bags, I use the plastic bags from grocery shopping.
I do this too but now that I take my own re-usable bags to the grocery store, my supply of plastic bags for the three trash cans is starting to run low. Anybody know of an alternative to using plastic grocery bags that does not include buying a box of Glad bags?
I only know of one way to go without trash bags, and that involves composting or owning a pig. :-)
My ex-in-laws who are farmers in the south of France have 3 buckets under their sink. Wet edible garbage goes in one lidded pail (for the pig), dry burnable garbage goes in another pail, and recyclable cans/plastic goes in another pail. I suppose there were a few odds and ends that were neither edible, recyclable or burnable, but not too much (they didn't buy a lot of packaged food or stuff).
They burned the papergoods in the fireplace, put the recyclables (dumped directly from the bucket) in the recycle bin, and dumped the wet food scraps into the pig trough, but you could start a compost heap for that if you live in a suburban area with a yard.
My ex-in-laws who are farmers in the south of France have 3 buckets under their sink. Wet edible garbage goes in one lidded pail (for the pig), dry burnable garbage goes in another pail, and recyclable cans/plastic goes in another pail. I suppose there were a few odds and ends that were neither edible, recyclable or burnable, but not too much (they didn't buy a lot of packaged food or stuff).
They burned the papergoods in the fireplace, put the recyclables (dumped directly from the bucket) in the recycle bin, and dumped the wet food scraps into the pig trough, but you could start a compost heap for that if you live in a suburban area with a yard.
QUOTE (cazaubon @ Oct 8 2008, 04:11 PM)
I only know of one way to go without trash bags, and that involves composting or owning a pig. :-)
My ex-in-laws who are farmers in the south of France have 3 buckets under their sink. Wet edible garbage goes in one lidded pail (for the pig), dry burnable garbage goes in another pail, and recyclable cans/plastic goes in another pail. I suppose there were a few odds and ends that were neither edible, recyclable or burnable, but not too much (they didn't buy a lot of packaged food or stuff).
They burned the papergoods in the fireplace, put the recyclables (dumped directly from the bucket) in the recycle bin, and dumped the wet food scraps into the pig trough, but you could start a compost heap for that if you live in a suburban area with a yard.
My ex-in-laws who are farmers in the south of France have 3 buckets under their sink. Wet edible garbage goes in one lidded pail (for the pig), dry burnable garbage goes in another pail, and recyclable cans/plastic goes in another pail. I suppose there were a few odds and ends that were neither edible, recyclable or burnable, but not too much (they didn't buy a lot of packaged food or stuff).
They burned the papergoods in the fireplace, put the recyclables (dumped directly from the bucket) in the recycle bin, and dumped the wet food scraps into the pig trough, but you could start a compost heap for that if you live in a suburban area with a yard.
This reminds me of my visit to England this summer. My friend recycled his wine bottles. We had to drive about half a mile to a large bin on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere -- 7' x 7' x 10' with three holes for clear glass, brown glass and green glass. The bins were emptied once a week. They were all full to the brim -- this in farm country where you seldom saw anyone walking or driving and your nearest neighbor was usually half a mile away. So unless people were coming from 20 miles away, I suspect most of the bottles were from his neighbors. Nothing else to do on the moors, I guess. Brits have a well deserved reputation for heavy drinking.
QUOTE (sgupta4 @ Oct 8 2008, 05:34 PM)
I do this too but now that I take my own re-usable bags to the grocery store, my supply of plastic bags for the three trash cans is starting to run low. Anybody know of an alternative to using plastic grocery bags that does not include buying a box of Glad bags?
I also take reusable bags with me but somehow I always end up with items bagged separately in plastic bags. I generate very little trash, so for me, this works.
Great thread! I've been following and taking notes. heres one for drivers:
You don't always have to have your foot either on the gas or the brake. Let the car coast up to a stop sign/light, and then as it loses speed, and you get closer, gently apply the brakes. On the open road, I've found I can go some distance just coasting (esp if there is a hill!) and can delay having to hit the gas pedal. Saves gas and is easier on the brakes.
You don't always have to have your foot either on the gas or the brake. Let the car coast up to a stop sign/light, and then as it loses speed, and you get closer, gently apply the brakes. On the open road, I've found I can go some distance just coasting (esp if there is a hill!) and can delay having to hit the gas pedal. Saves gas and is easier on the brakes.
Please share your tip(s)
Most people don't think they can negotiate with a utility, but they can. For example, if your natural gas is delivered through a third-party "marketer," they will usually offer a fixed and a variable rate, per therm. So what you do is shop them; call around and ask what their best fixed-rate deal might be (this is a good time to do this, as winter is coming). If you get a lower rate than you're currently paying, ask your marketer to match it; ask them nice, but let them know that you're going to walk if they don't. Then follow-up to make sure they actually changed it.
Same thing with phone/cable/internet packages. Shop around, then go back to your provider and insist on a better deal.
Landlines: most local phone companies offer a "tariff" rate which they don't want you to know about. Sometimes they'll even pretend that they don't know what it is. It is a basic landline rate with no long distance or frills -- although you will pay junk fees (you know, those little 2 and 3 and 5 dollar charges that get tacked on.) If you still need a landline, for a home security system or 911 for example, or are just not comfortable using only a cellphone, call them and insist on the tariff rate. (Ours is $17.95/mo plus junk fees.) If they pretend they don't have one, threaten to file a complaint with whatever regulatory agency oversees your phone system. This will usually get their attention.
Best tip of all: go to http://www.clarkhoward.com, a great consumer advocacy site, full of tips like this.
Most people don't think they can negotiate with a utility, but they can. For example, if your natural gas is delivered through a third-party "marketer," they will usually offer a fixed and a variable rate, per therm. So what you do is shop them; call around and ask what their best fixed-rate deal might be (this is a good time to do this, as winter is coming). If you get a lower rate than you're currently paying, ask your marketer to match it; ask them nice, but let them know that you're going to walk if they don't. Then follow-up to make sure they actually changed it.
Same thing with phone/cable/internet packages. Shop around, then go back to your provider and insist on a better deal.
Landlines: most local phone companies offer a "tariff" rate which they don't want you to know about. Sometimes they'll even pretend that they don't know what it is. It is a basic landline rate with no long distance or frills -- although you will pay junk fees (you know, those little 2 and 3 and 5 dollar charges that get tacked on.) If you still need a landline, for a home security system or 911 for example, or are just not comfortable using only a cellphone, call them and insist on the tariff rate. (Ours is $17.95/mo plus junk fees.) If they pretend they don't have one, threaten to file a complaint with whatever regulatory agency oversees your phone system. This will usually get their attention.
Best tip of all: go to http://www.clarkhoward.com, a great consumer advocacy site, full of tips like this.
You can get bargains at pawn shops.
QUOTE (PerfumeMe @ Oct 10 2008, 06:28 PM)
You can get bargains at pawn shops.
So what are people hocking these days, besides instruments and jewelry?
Before each winter hits I buy a dozen thin plain black socks for under boots and pants. Womens socks are very expensive, mens socks are cheaper, but the cheapest are in the teen boy's department at about $1.00 per pair.
QUOTE (Sofiadurango @ Oct 11 2008, 03:36 PM)
So what are people hocking these days, besides instruments and jewelry?
I was watching the news and one pawn shop owner said he knew the economy was in trouble six months ago because construction workers began pawning their power tools. When I have some extra money, I 'd like to get a nice digital camera.
QUOTE (PerfumeMe @ Oct 12 2008, 11:26 AM)
I was watching the news and one pawn shop owner said he knew the economy was in trouble six months ago because construction workers began pawning their power tools. When I have some extra money, I 'd like to get a nice digital camera.
Perfume Me
I told Mr. Sdgo your pawn shop owner story, and he said "Were they stolen power tools....?"
and when I queried him further he said, a const. worker would never pawn his tools, as he would lose
the means to buying them back. I myself have heard of the brisk trade in stolen tools from jobsites and
gangboxes, etc.
QUOTE (Sofiadurango @ Oct 12 2008, 04:58 PM)
Perfume Me
I told Mr. Sdgo your pawn shop owner story, and he said "Were they stolen power tools....?"
and when I queried him further he said, a const. worker would never pawn his tools, as he would lose
the means to buying them back. I myself have heard of the brisk trade in stolen tools from jobsites and
gangboxes, etc.
I told Mr. Sdgo your pawn shop owner story, and he said "Were they stolen power tools....?"
and when I queried him further he said, a const. worker would never pawn his tools, as he would lose
the means to buying them back. I myself have heard of the brisk trade in stolen tools from jobsites and
gangboxes, etc.
Musicians pawn their "tools" -- musical instruments. I'm sure a lot of stuff in pawn shops is stolen, jewelry, cameras, computers.
QUOTE (Sofiadurango @ Oct 12 2008, 07:58 PM)
Perfume Me
I myself have heard of the brisk trade in stolen tools from jobsites and
gangboxes, etc.
I myself have heard of the brisk trade in stolen tools from jobsites and
gangboxes, etc.
I'v heard of this as well. Apparently thievery on the job site is huge in construction.
I agree that most construction workers would sooner suffer some terrible fate rather than flog thier tools. Theft is the more obvious explanation , but then again , as Perfume pointed it is all to common in pawn shops with any sort of goods.
My dad was a construction worker and though he has long been retired he still to this day blanches visibly and gets an awful twitch when I ask to so much as borrow his tools.
My dad was a construction worker and though he has long been retired he still to this day blanches visibly and gets an awful twitch when I ask to so much as borrow his tools.
You know - I myself do most of the thrifty things mentioned. So why am I still poor???
I can't say this strongly enough - NEVER go grocery shopping when you're hungry! A granola bar in your glove compartment is a valuable weapon against impulse spending when you have to just run in for a couple of things....
I actually tried the coasting in the car thing when gas was over $4 a gallon a couple months ago, and found that it actually DID save a smallish, but noticeable, amount of gas! (Would have done a lot better if a) I had more hills to coast down on, and
fewer p.o.'d drivers leaning on their horns while they tailgated me, LOL).
The cost of pizza, delivered, or not, is getting really obscene. I found, when babysitting some youngsters one weekend, that if you gathered the ingredients for English muffin pizzas and let them go to town making their own, well, there's an impressive savings, the kids are kept busy, and the pizza craving is somewhat satisfied. (Not that the price of a pizza will bankrupt me, but there's another adult living here who invariably demands a second pizza with extra toppings to his own taste, plus a side order of hot wings, and an antipasto, and there goes $20-$30 right there.)
Not to be taking business away from tailors, but so many people take their too-long pants to a tailor to be hemmed, which may cost almost as much as the pants. A straight hem is easy enough to do by hand. I've cut the long sleeves off dress shirts and made short sleeved shirts for thems that want 'em, and also hemmed too-long jeans with clear nylon thread on the sewing machine. Do an excellent job, too. (I do want to say that I myself have plenty of time, patience, and know-how to do simple alterations, and this is one more weary chore people who work all day, or are super-finicky about their clothes. may not want to get into. Just making a suggestion in the name of thriftiness.)
I can't say this strongly enough - NEVER go grocery shopping when you're hungry! A granola bar in your glove compartment is a valuable weapon against impulse spending when you have to just run in for a couple of things....
I actually tried the coasting in the car thing when gas was over $4 a gallon a couple months ago, and found that it actually DID save a smallish, but noticeable, amount of gas! (Would have done a lot better if a) I had more hills to coast down on, and
fewer p.o.'d drivers leaning on their horns while they tailgated me, LOL).The cost of pizza, delivered, or not, is getting really obscene. I found, when babysitting some youngsters one weekend, that if you gathered the ingredients for English muffin pizzas and let them go to town making their own, well, there's an impressive savings, the kids are kept busy, and the pizza craving is somewhat satisfied. (Not that the price of a pizza will bankrupt me, but there's another adult living here who invariably demands a second pizza with extra toppings to his own taste, plus a side order of hot wings, and an antipasto, and there goes $20-$30 right there.)
Not to be taking business away from tailors, but so many people take their too-long pants to a tailor to be hemmed, which may cost almost as much as the pants. A straight hem is easy enough to do by hand. I've cut the long sleeves off dress shirts and made short sleeved shirts for thems that want 'em, and also hemmed too-long jeans with clear nylon thread on the sewing machine. Do an excellent job, too. (I do want to say that I myself have plenty of time, patience, and know-how to do simple alterations, and this is one more weary chore people who work all day, or are super-finicky about their clothes. may not want to get into. Just making a suggestion in the name of thriftiness.)
While the cost of pizza can be high, one large pizza will do me for four meals - I have two slices per meal, with some couscous, salad, and tomatoes. I feel like less of a glutton too because I'm not eating the whole pizza at once
Having said that, homemade pizza is cheaper again. We have had some great pizza parties in the past, where we provided home-made dough and tomato sauce, and cheese, and guests brought their own toppings. It led to a lot of fun in the kitchen, and cost us next to nothing.
There is a great tutorial for taking up jeans or trousers and keeping the original commercial hemline, here:
http://www.daciaray.com/?p=38
Having said that, homemade pizza is cheaper again. We have had some great pizza parties in the past, where we provided home-made dough and tomato sauce, and cheese, and guests brought their own toppings. It led to a lot of fun in the kitchen, and cost us next to nothing.
There is a great tutorial for taking up jeans or trousers and keeping the original commercial hemline, here:
http://www.daciaray.com/?p=38
QUOTE (Mariana @ Oct 1 2008, 05:26 PM)
Website for coupons, you can print them online or locate the one you're looking for and which weeks' coupon flyer it's in.
http://www.couponmom.com
And for my all time favorite, here's the site that will give you the available online shopping savings codes. I just had to buy my long-legged, soon to be teenaged boy some more jeans because he's outgrown his others. I managed to save about $30 at Old Navy online using this site's info. Either this one or the coupon mom site snagged me a $20 Omaha Steaks certificate a few weeks ago. That at least paid for the shipping plus a little.
http://www.currentcodes.com
Just select the e-tailer's name and voila, all the current online discount codes are there for you to browse and use.
http://www.couponmom.com
And for my all time favorite, here's the site that will give you the available online shopping savings codes. I just had to buy my long-legged, soon to be teenaged boy some more jeans because he's outgrown his others. I managed to save about $30 at Old Navy online using this site's info. Either this one or the coupon mom site snagged me a $20 Omaha Steaks certificate a few weeks ago. That at least paid for the shipping plus a little.
http://www.currentcodes.com
Just select the e-tailer's name and voila, all the current online discount codes are there for you to browse and use.
I had to give another shout out to Coupon Mom. I've finally gotten the hang of it, and wanted to share the 'system'.
Pick up the weekly Sunday paper, snag the coupons out of it and file in a folder by date. After you make your shopping list, go to CouponMom and click on Grocery Coupon Database. Select your State or Region. Search out your shopping list, go to the date and type for that coupon in your file, find it, clip it out, move on to next item. Finally, this is working well, and we're saving an average of $5 or $10 each trip with a time investment of 20 minutes or less. No messy single coupons to sort through, and we're less likely to buy stuff we may not necessarily need just because we have a coupon.
I said I never would, but I bought a space heater. In Michigan it is bitter cold right now, unseasonably early this year. I set my thermostat 5 degrees lower than I did last year and use my space heater in my living room while I am watching television. I do not use it in my bedroom because I would not be able to sleep with one running for fear of a fire as so many have happened to others. I like my bedroom cold enough to hang a deer anyway, always have! I have a down comforter and I love sleeping under that. I already saved at least $25 on my November heating bill.
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