Share your 'insider tips' on everyday living

[PrairieRose]

Like for example;

When we go out to eat (which I have to admit is too often) Gripey and I always order water with lemon to drink. It's not really to be frugal, although it is frugal but more for health reasons. Whatever the reason it does cut down on the cost of the meal by a few dollars.

Also, in our area there is this promotion by one of the local tv stations called "Thrift Thursdays". On Thursday of each week they announce another local merchant of the city nearest us that will offer gift certificates for 1/2 price of whatever their service is. Right now they have one for an oil change ($25 value for $12.50). I'm gonna buy a few of those...you can usually buy several. Anyway I'll have to be 'in town' to get my oil changed but that's no big deal....need to go in every now and then anyway. We pay almost $30 here for an oil change. I could also give these as gifts. They also list restaraunts. Not long ago we got 10 of these for $12.50 to our mostest favorite place in the world. We're still using them when we go in....eat like kings I'll tell ya for $12.50. It's amazing. I wish we had bought 50 of em....

Now share your's please.

[annymoll]

For me it would be:
*Keep your food as close to basic as possible. The more processing, the less healthy. Leads to health problems, which are costly. I seldom bake breads, sweets, or heavy dishes.

*I limit the use of large appliances.

* I use passive methods to help heat and cool the house when I can.

I do these on a daily basis and notice savings.

[bumplett]

ok, I'll take a turn:

When we go out for Mexican (which we love), we order off the 'el carte menu (side items)

so instead of spending $4 for a kid's meal, I get them $1 taco or $1 burrito - and for myself, I'll get one or two things. (this is far less than a "meal" at reg menu price) - and chips/salsa as our appetizer (free)

I also read all of my junk mail ~ I can usually find a few coupons for services or stores that I can use at some point ((LOVE the 40% off an item at Micheal's - and this is in EVERY ad))

[FrugalMomof3]

I would have to say:

- When DH and I go out to eat (which isn't very often) we usually order 1 soda and a water. We share the soda since refills are unlimited, not much of a savings but it helps.

- When we order chinese food which is our fav. We order the lunch special, and we share it That's a $5 savings!

- When I wash laundry I ALWAYS use cold even for whites, this prevents my heating system from turning on every so often to once or twice a day!

- At night (when it's dark) I use candles instead of turning on the lights, saves me a couple bucks per month on my electric bill. During the day we use natural light as well.

[3-boys-4-me]

I don't know that I have much to add here, but these are somethings that I do:
~Keep a clutter free home. That keeps me from having to buy something that I already have, but just can't find it.
~Menu plan. That keeps me from ordering pizza at the last minute because we've either had a busy day or I just don't feel like cooking. I always keep atleast one easy, quick meal in the freezer for those nights.
~All laundry, with the exception of whites, towels and sheets, is washed in cold water and I only wash full loads.
~The dishwasher is only run when it's busting at the seams full.
~I DO NOT buy school pictures. Instead I take all 3 boys once a year to have their photos taken together. I generally do this around Christmas time. Then the photo is framed and used as one of the gifts we give my DH's folks.
~I combine errands to save not only my time but gas.
That's all I can think of for now. I am sure nothing I do is out of the ordinary but I wanted to contribute something.

[latierra84]

when i cant go home for lunch (while at work) and i have to go to a fast food place, i always get the kids meal. it tides me over and i still get basically everything that the adult size comes with. i feel deprived when i only get a $ item and a cup of water but getting the smaller burger, small fries and a small coke just makes me feel fuller and they usually run about $2.

[Jaded]

I don't think this would work for everyone, but I work in a grocery store, so it does for me. I've limited myself to $2 for lunches when I don't bring something. For this, I get a banana, a yogurt, another piece of "on sale" fruit, and water is free. I'm not a big eater, so this will tide me over. Sometimes I'll buy the deli egg salad for 1.99, and a loaf of cheap bread. This is enough for two lunches, and of course, the extra bread goes home. With that, I usually buy a banana also.

I guess my best tip would be to do as much as you can that needs to be done at your house yourself. I cut my own grass, paint, do small repairs, all myself. If there is something I can't handle, there is usually a friend who will help me out. Single guys love homecooked meals, so I cook them a couple of meals, and they fix things for me. If they're married, I have both of them over for a meal, or pay them a small amount (much smaller than I would a repairman).

And make friends with your neighbors! You never know when you might need a ride, a cup of sugar, or whatever. Some people go their whole lives not knowing who lives next door to them. It's sad. I know a lot of my neighbors, and can always count on them when I need a helping hand, and they on me.

[druidessemily]

If you enjoy going out to eat often, you should invest in an Entertainment Book. They generally run about $25, and are loaded with great deals. Most of the dining coupons are for "buy one entree, get one free" so it works better if you have someone to go with.

Our entertainment book has $65 in coupons for Kroger, so we'll have paid for the book just by using that!

[lottaLove]

If there is something that needs to be done, I get someone to teach me how to do it, if I cannot learn from a book. This can help you learn how to fix basic plumbing problems, change your own oil, fix a broken tile, etc.

Use the library. Some libraries are better than others, but we go to ours several times a week. They have excellent movies and books for free.

We don't buy books/magazines/newspapers that we could get the content of for free. I use online news resources, online recipe databases, the magazine's online resources and articles, etc. I find it is so much easier to search for a recipe online than through a book, that any of my old cookbooks go completely unused.

Don't make a trip for one item. If you are in the middle of baking something and realize you have no eggs, improvise or do without. There are many clever substitutions that will work for different things, or you can completely change what you are making to accomodate for the missing ingredients.

Wear layers, add blankets to your beds, and have warm pjs and slippers on hand for cooler temperatures. This will help you keep the furnace at a lower temperature and go longer with it off.

Get into a routine. I find I spend a lot less, and have a lot less stress (which can in turn help save on the cost of future stress-related illnesses!) if I establish a daily routine and stick to it. This way I know I have time to get things done, I don't end up in a drive thru because I didn't have time for breakfast, and I am usually on top of things that are going on in the house. This works for packing a lunch for work the night before as well. This way there is no "didn't have time" excuse.

Make time for yourself, and make this time a priority. If you don't make time for yourself, you will wear yourself out. If I take the time to read a bit or sit quietly or just watch a bit of mindless tv, this is my unwind time. Without this time to just relax, my stress levels increase and I find I am much less productive in all areas of my life than I would be if I had taken this time.