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20 Ways to Save a Few Bucks
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Amy Dalton | DivineCaroline
July 07, 2009
So, have ya heard the economy is bad?
Seriously, I wanted to encourage everyone to just take a deep breath. There are ways to survive this. This too shall pass. I have a few tips for saving a few bucks and cutting corners, but first let me share the following stories.
Back in 1997, I was one year out of college living with my husband in a cabin within the hills of West Virginia. I got a very bad kidney infection. Together he and I made about $26,000 a year. We had $5 in our checking account. I couldn’t keep food down. The doc suggested Jello. Hubby took the $5 out of the bank and went to the grocery and bought me $5 worth of Jello. Couldn’t keep that down either. I kept the unopened boxes of Jello for three years after that. I just couldn’t get rid of them because I knew what paid for them.
We eventually moved and got better jobs, etc. Worked our way out of that situation until …
We moved down here in 2004. Hubby took a job that allowed me to stay home full time. Circumstances caused him to lose that job in 2006—the day before our second child was born. Here we were, two jobless parents with two kids.
Needless to say, our spending habits had to change overnight! Trust me, I know it is hard. But one must evaluate their situation and change their mental mindset to accept the situation. These tips aren’t just for those who are now on limited incomes, but also good ideas for everyone to incorporate.
Here are a few things we do. My family didn’t have a lot of money when I was growing up so a few of these are just going back to my roots!
1. Borrow DVDs from the library instead of renting them.
2. Reduce restaurant visits to one to two times a month and choose places where kids eat free with reasonable prices.
3. Examine cell phone, telephone, cable, and internet plans. Combine or change to save more money per month.
jo426
about 1 month ago
6 comments
Very informative..thank you.I can definitely use some of these tips.
VictoriaHall
2 months ago
2 comments
Great article! Some of the tips I was already aware of however, I picked up a few new ones today.
Deneen
about 1 year ago
554 comments
Awesome article...since I have given up my 87K/yr job to move to paradise...I no longer have Starbucks, cook my own dinners and shop at costco---healthier and cheaper than eating out! I now wash my car myself and clean my own pad...no more housekeeper!!!
mzbrown
about 1 year ago
866 comments
I visit the thrift and salvation army stores as well. My son had been begging for a spandex shirt to wear under his football uniform. I checked Sports Authority and the short sleeve version was $40. I went to the thrift store, got the long sleeve Nike version for $5.99!!! Then yesterday half the football team was without long sleeve shirts under their uniforms, and it had gotten really chilly outside. I went to the thrift store next to the park, purchases 8 shirts for $25.00, and got $10's off. Monday's you get 50% off every item you buy.