Living On Less

[Estelle]

I work at a dollar store, and you wouldn't believe the bargains and good deals that are available. Our store has clothes for just $1 per item, and some of them are really nice. We have a large variety of foods and medications, sundries, laundry and dish detergents and kitchen items. Some of the stuff is junk -- you just have to be a careful shopper. Some of the food bargains are $1 large cans of spaghetti sauce, pasta, macaroni and cheese dinners and other convenience foods that you'd pay at least twice as much for in a regular grocery store. I know that dollar stores are popping up all over -- you easily can "save a buck" if you go in with a list and are willing to try some generic brands that often turn out to be just as good as national brands. I lost my full time job late last year, so we're living on one income, and we have to really keep our belts tight. It's no fun having to scrimp and save, but there are ways to manage without having to feel like you are doing without.

 

[midi]

I'd think twice about shopping at dollar stores - most of the products are made in China by workers who do not get paid much. China is undercutting countries like Canada and America, which has lowered the pay of the average worker (hello government bailouts of banks/corporates). If we are going to spend money that we have, it's important that we think about where the money goes. Yes, we need to cut back on buying junk and wasting energy on convenience (ie, everybody having a car when car pooling is cheaper, better for the environment), but at the same time, we are undercutting our own labor force.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Midi, while that is probably true, it's a bit hard when you really do need to stretch that dollar to buy more. I do shop at the dollar stores for things like wrapping paper, bows, tape, cards, stickers and stuff for Christmas and birthdays. I buy my shampoos, toothpaste, and things like that, when I am short on cash, as it really does help my wallet......

 

[Marlene]

OK...I've been away from the forum for about a week now. This is a new section.

Living on less is my family's mantra now. Here's some things that I've done just in the last few months that have helped a lot.

*I turned down the hot water heater to 120 degrees F (not sure what C is) and put a blanket on it. That blanket cost $25 and the first month my electric bill went down $35 dollars.
*I installed a new float in the toilet that lets us set the water level. The water bill has gone down a few dollars but every little bit helps.
*For about a year now I've been shopping in a discount grocery store where I bag my own groceries. I save about 40% from what I'd spend at the big chain store. It's worth it!

A lot of the money saving things I do are already listed so I won't be redundant. But the biggest thing you need to do to save money is change your attitude about what you need and what you want. Even though my husband and I had been on this path for a while, losing my job in April and not getting another one for three months really solidified our changes. Now saving money (and putting what we save into savings) has become one of my chief occupations. But if you don't have a reason for changing, you won't change. Ours is rebuilding our savings after going through it to pay off our bills after I lost my job. If it's just to have more money, to help the environment or whatever reason...come up with a reason for your changes. *stepping off soap-box* LOL

Lisa

 

[Marlene]

Oh...one more thing. I read an article that most people have had the same car insurance company for approximately ten years and that if you stay with the same company with no changes to your policy that your rates will just steadily increase yearly. I checked into it and changed my car insurance company and saved about $60/month. Two cars-full coverage. The same thing applies to homeowners insurance, too. Shop around and if you can get the same coverage for less, take it. The insurance companies count on us being lazy and not wanting to go through the hassle of changing insurance companies (and it' can be a hassle) to keep us in the same place. I figure shoot...if it saves me money it's worth the hassle!

Lisa

 

[his_swallow]

I have had to live really frugally for quite some time now. Some ideas/things I do are:

- Wash all laundry in cold water
- Make my own laundry detergent (mine is powdered: 2 cups washing soda, 2 cups borax, 1 cup oxyclean and 1 grated bar of laundry soap. Add 1 tbsp per load)
- Add extra blankets on beds and turn down bedroom heat
- Use the library
- Most areas in Ontario have a good food box program that enables you to get seasonal fruits and veggies for an incredibly low price.
- Shop at thrift stores
- Check out the freecycle groups in your area - there are always things being given away and you can list your own clutter there too
- If you have items on value, sell them through kijiji or craigslist etc. I recently sold my old wedding bands for $650.00!
- We walk everywhere
- Buy items at the dollar store
- Plan your meals around the weekly grocery flyers

I have a ton more but I don't want to hog the thread! LOL

 

[midi]

Cars are the worst - if you live in an urban area, bus/subway/bike/walk/car pool it and get rid of the car - so you don't have to worry about all the atrocious expenses that comes along with owning one. It's a difficult transition (losing freedom and convenience), but if you're urban, you'll adjust.

 

[wattle]

-I cut my hot water bill in half by turning off the hot water system during the day and then turning it back on mid evening. It was only me at home during the day and if I want hot water I can boil the kettle.It can be a bugger if you forget to turn it back on though!
-I've also found it a saving to remove the lights from the fridge and microwave, both really don't need a light in them to work.
-I buy generic brands and mix half and half with favourite brands, ie tins of baked beans once mixed together nobody knows the difference.
-If you make jelly for the kids, use gelotine and fruit juice, better for you and saves heaps.
-Start a vegie patch if you've got a graden space, better for you, and if you have extra you can trade with friends and family for their extra stuff, or skills.
- Learn how to cut the familys hair, can save huge amounts of cash.
-You can also start saving for next Christmas, I save spare coins for Christmas and also when I am shopping and can do it I'll buy store cards and save them up until Christmas to use on presents or food etc.
-I'm also into entering competitions when I'm up to it, and manage to win quite a few prizes that I put away in my Christmas/ Birthday cupboard. Sometimes I also end up winning store cards that I put away for Christmas shopping.By entering and being lucky enough to win I hardly spend anything throughout the year on Birthday gifts and most of my Christmas shopping is also done.
-Never go shopping hungry, take a list and stick to it, add up as you go around the store, so there are no nasty surprises and always be on the look out for discounted items that may be nearing their use by date most freeze well and usually are heavily discounted.

 

[Marlene]

- Learn how to cut the familys hair, can save huge amounts of cash.

My husband went out and bought a set of clippers last night for less than a haircut costs. I cut his hair. Pretty easy since he keeps it in a military cut! Next haircut and that clipper will have paid for itself.

-Never go shopping hungry, take a list and stick to it

I recommend making a menu while making the grocery list so you know exactly what you need and it's easier to stick to the list. The plus side is that you know what's for dinner when you get home and you don't have to think about it. When simplicity and frugality meet...I'm a happy camper.

Lisa

 

[amethist]

Funny you should mention cutting your family's hair.

It is something I have done for my husband since the beginning.

We once worked out if we divided the cost of the clippers by the number of times I cut his hair with them, it cost about 5 pence a haircut with the first pair of clippers I bought.

But there is no way on earth is he getting them any where near my hair. :rofl:

Amethist

 

[kers]

Hair care can be a huge money saver! I stopped dying my hair (and saved $150 every two months). On the advice of my hairstylist, I switched from the generic shampoo and conditioner to some nicer stuff--it costs more upfront, but I need to buy it only once every three or four months because it lasts so long.

I am struggling to cut down my debt and I've mostly been working by replacing bad habits. I wait to buy books until I have 30% off coupons. I trade in books at a used bookstore, and that's where I get those trashy mass-markets that you only read once. I've (mostly) cut Starbucks out of my life by investing in a good 12-cup coffeemaker. It paid for itself after a month. I don't order pizza, I buy it frozen. I cut all my meals with frozen steamed veggies and they last twice as long. Ironically, I've cut fresh fruit and veggies down a bit--I found that I would buy too much and let them go to waste. Now, I only buy them the days I know I will fix them. The other days I use frozen or canned (on sale).

 

[dust]

Great thread! I started cutting back when I went into my own recession (therapy costs, need I say more)... I do lots of things that are listed here, like not dye my hair, am vegetarian, only buy second hand stuff. But when things started to get bad I also went through all my expenses and cut out what wasn't essential; got a cheaper phone and mobile phone deal, stopped watching TV (no more license), traveled by bike, stopped drinking alcohol. I get an organic veg box once a week now and buy most of my food co-operatively, I also use an renewable energy provider. My outgoings are less than they were. Things are getting better. I do have a part-time job and am taking on more freelance work again as I get stronger. I do enjoy a more simple life though and don't want to go back to spending for the sake of it.

dust