Living On Less

[Marlene]

I do enjoy a more simple life though and don't want to go back to spending for the sake of it.

I feel this way, too. Through the tidal wave of Christmas commercials that we just had for the past month the same thought ran through my head...I don't need or want any of this stuff. I've gotten rid of so much stuff (and still am...I have four paper bags in the spare bedroom full of stuff going to the thrift store) and the less I have the happier I'm finding I am. I'm clearing out the mental and the physical junk in my life.

Lisa

 

[midi]

Aye, I've got bags and bags of books going to the local library and friends - it's an ongoing process, but they're getting them. There's no point in keeping things I haven't used in over a year and others will definitely use them. Zen is all about freeing the self from materialism.

 

[skyp56]

Good thread! Thank you all for the good suggestions!

My hubby is the cook for our family and has been "experimenting" with beans, noodles, and pasta for months now. He is getting quite expert at finding just the right spices to use.

However, he is one of those who feel a meal is not a real meal without meat, so we spend around $1000/year to a local butcher. I could do without the meat, and often do, just so there is more left for him. I like veggies/fruit with or after my meal, which he doesn't. He eats potato chips, I eat nuts. I am ok with the heels of the bread; he tosses them out.

Also, I have lactose intolerance, so lots of other inexpensive foods are off limits for me. Go figure, when I grew up on a dairy farm! So, no puddings, ice cream, or sour cream. No milk on oatmeal. Quite the blah existence sometimes.

My way of saving is to make my own floor cleaner for our laminate flooring: 2 cups distilled water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol. Cleans great! Also, I use the darn refill pads on that mop till they are nearly black, too! Plus, I'm ready for dinner afterwards cause the vinegar reminds me of pickles, lol!

 

[trapped]

Trying to walk or bike or even take public transit instead of having a car is a great way to save money... I know sometimes it is hard... when I was in California, it was so so difficult to function and work without a car. Part of why I love where I live now, is the amazing public transit and subway systems- It only costs me $60 a month for unlimited use of the public transit. I was spending over double that every WEEK just for the gas for my car in California! Also, if you're a family that has multiple cars, you may be able to work out a schedule to share the car and sell one of them... it's a pain, and it sucks to not have as much "freedom", but saving the money on the insurance and registration and gas costs can really add up!

I personally think 99 cent stores or dollar stores are great. They have a lot of name brand items as well there, but for a fraction of the cost!

Planning out meals ahead of time really helps too, because then you can create a shopping list for only EXACTLY what you need. I tend to always buy in bulk as well- it is so much cheaper that way! Beans are a great staple, and pretty inexpensive, and while it does take more time to prepare them if you buy them in bulk instead of canned, it saves a lot of money. Things like bran or oatmeal are great, inexpensive staples, that are healthy for you too. Making your own coffee instead of splurging on Starbucks really helps and adds up a lot too.

 

[midi]

Trapped, I can't imagine the cost of transit in a place like L.A. or Vancouver! *shudder*...and for those of you who are keeping your vehicles, consider helping out peeps who don't have one. When I had a truck, I gave my neighbours rides to the grocery store. Now that I don't drive, I have friends who give me rides to places that aren't on the bus route. Also consider buying bulk things and splitting the costs with others.

 

[trapped]

Midi- yes, it gets quite expensive! The buses in LA are so unreliable, and no one uses them really and those who do get a negative stigma attached to themselves as a person... it is really quite unfortunate. And such a different contrast from Boston, where it is assumed you are going to walk or use public transit. I've heard the fees for having a car in an area like this are quite high though, what with paying for parking and the toll roads and all- which aren't things you really have to worry about in LA (or at least the parking fees aren't outrageous like they are here!) but in Boston a car is really unnecessary it seems- I've been doing just fine without one, going all over the place, and have talked to people who have lived here for 30-40 years without a car. I do have friends here who have cars though, so it is nice that I can call them if I need help moving something or whatever. Giving rides to others is a great idea too... my friend's mom used to get together with a few other women who lived in the neighborhood, and they would all go shopping together. They each took turns driving each week, so it split up the cost of gas.

 

[Mina]

Hair care can be a huge money saver!

Agreed! I started dyeing my own hair a few years back, and it costs me about $6 a month when I buy the products from Sally Beauty Supply. My husband shaves his head with a clippers, which paid for themselves years ago.

I wait to buy books until I have 30% off coupons.

Borders Rewards, Kers? I love their program! So many great coupons, and some good offers through Borders Rewards Perks.

 

[a3a2]

I have cut out all household cleaners with the exception of a generic glass cleaner (use it for just about everything) and toilet cleaner. I use vinegar instead.

Boiling water does a great job on sluggish drains. If that doesn't work, try a bit of baking soda followed by a bit of vinegar.

Cheap shampoo on a scrubby gets the bath and shower clean.

I make a point of telling people if I have to buy something like a tool or an appliance. Often someone will say they have an extra one in their basement and we can have or borrow theirs. Or, they have a used one to sell at a much reduced price. We do the same thing when we have something of value to give.

We also help people with their home improvements or car repairs whenever possible. We don't do it to get something in return, but it often does come back that later we will need that peorson's expertise and they are happy to give it.

 

[a3a2]

Used coffee grounds sprinkled around the perimeter of your home repels ants. Don't drink coffee? Mix equal amounts of powdered sugar and borax.

 

[bonnecanyon]

Hey a3

You have a wealth of knowledge on home remedies - wish everyone lived that way. I use vinegar for cleaning lots of different things such as windows and spots on the carpet.

When my budget is tight I eat eggs - sometimes they are only 99 cents/dozen. They are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner (i.e. soft/hard boiled, deviled, egg salad, quiche, omlets, etc)

BC

 

[Gloria]

I have a farm and thirty chickens! I call them "the girls". Since the economy got bad, many people have chickens even in city neighborhoods and even in apartments. They eat anything - stale bread, leftovers, etc. Many people don't know that you don't need a rooster to have eggs. A rooster would not be a good idea in an apartment because they crow all the time - not only in the morning. We eat eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Egg whites make a wonderful masque for your skin. Eggs have been used for years for shampoo or conditioner for your hair. My family is healthier since we started eating eggs and gave up the junk food.

Even if you are in a tiny apartment, you can still grow your own sprouts. Broccolli and radish sprouts are delicious and very easy to grow. They are ten times fresher than the lettuce in the store and are really good anti-oxidants. Shop around for bulk seeds. I get a 1/2 pound of seeds for about $10.

Dog food is so expensive! I give my dogs and cats scrambled eggs. I also make my own dog food with brown rice. Dogs love garlic and if you add some garlic to any food, they love it. I give my dogs and my horses garlic. Garlic is supposed to repel internal parasites, ticks, fleas, horse flies and mosquitos.

Oh! And do you have children that open a can of coke and leave it? I know that coke has a brown color and you wouldn't think it would clean your toilet but it does. I pour all leftover coke down my toilet. Don't flush and let it set. It has some acid in it or something very strong to take the stain away. I used it instead of the expensive rust removers. It doesn't matter if it is diet or regular - same corrosive action. WE DRINK THIS??!!

 

[Deleted member 541]

I have heard, that using coke on surface rust on a car, removes it too....YUCK!!!!! Glad I don't drink it....