I have frozen my husbands', mine, and my daughters credit, and I encourage anyone who will listen to me to do a freeze. Fraud alerts and such just tell you AFTER there has been fraudulent activity - why not prevent it? This way no one else can open a credit card or get a loan in our names. Freeze your credit before you get hacked.
knit/crochet/macrame - working with "two sticks and a string" or the equivalent can provide health benefits while you are doing it, and a finished product in your choice of size, style, and color that may rival boutique items costing hundred, if not thousands, of dollars more than you expended (even if you use really fancy yarn.)
Yard sales and thrift shops for purchasing gifts- while they're great places to find gently used items for my own household, they're also a treasure trove of new, still-in-packages gifts. I routinely buy $20-40 items for gifts for birthdays, Christmas, etc. for pennies on the dollar. I stock up whenever I find something good, and while I don't always have a recipient in mind, one always comes up soon enough.
I'm afraid there are never general rules of thumb that apply but it never hurts to ask. When you ask, and if they think it's too early, ask them what metrics they care about so you'll know when to go back.
(1) I live in an area where we pay for trash pickup. If you do too, downsize to the smallest container (it's cheaper) and be more mindful about recycling and reducing waste. (2) Switching from incandescent bulbs to CFLs and LEDs throughout our house has made a noticeable impact on our utility bill -- we're saving about $30 a month because of this and because we keep the thermostat on 67 or 68 throughout the winter and hang-dry a lot of clothing instead of using the clothes dryer. (3) Drop the channel-palooza and get basic cable or no cable (a Roku box with Netflix is a great alternative). The cable company has to offer a stripped-down plan that allows you to get just the Big Three networks and public TV, but they don't advertise it. Usually it's only $8 to $10 a month. (4) Regularly review your cell phone plan and see if you can get by with a lower-level plan. Threatening to leave will usually result in you getting a better deal -- be sure to speak to a supervisor if you can't get anywhere with the customer service rep. (5) Eat less meat, more veggies. Build fast meals around rice and pasta. Shop your pantry, you'll waste less food. (6) Cook and bake more. I recently started making Jim Lahey's no-knead breads in my cast-iron pot -- my family loves it, and I calculated once that I get about four or five round loaves out of a $5 bag of bread flour. You can't buy artisan bread for $1 each. Now I'm using basically the same recipe to make pizza dough at home -- another fast, cheap alternative to frozen pizza or dining out. (7) Even if it's just one crop, plant something. I like tomatoes and basil because they're easy to grow and can be used in so many ways. Every August-September, we enjoy caprese salads, pizzas with fresh tomatoes, and simple pasta tosses with fresh basil and tomatoes -- all very cheap.
(1) I live in an area where we pay for trash pickup. If you do too, downsize to the smallest container (it's cheaper) and be more mindful about recycling and reducing waste. (2) Switching from incandescent bulbs to CFLs and LEDs throughout our house has made a noticeable impact on our utility bill -- we're saving about $30 a month because of this and because we keep the thermostat on 67 or 68 throughout the winter and hang-dry a lot of clothing instead of using the clothes dryer. (3) Drop the channel-palooza and get basic cable or no cable (a Roku box with Netflix is a great alternative). The cable company has to offer a stripped-down plan that allows you to get just the Big Three networks and public TV, but they don't advertise it. Usually it's only $8 to $10 a month. (4) Regularly review your cell phone plan and see if you can get by with a lower-level plan. Threatening to leave will usually result in you getting a better deal -- be sure to speak to a supervisor if you can't get anywhere with the customer service rep. (5) Eat less meat, more veggies. Build fast meals around rice and pasta. Shop your pantry, you'll waste less food. (6) Cook and bake more. I recently started making Jim Lahey's no-knead breads in my cast-iron pot -- my family loves it, and I calculated once that I get about four or five round loaves out of a $5 bag of bread flour. You can't buy artisan bread for $1 each. Now I'm using basically the same recipe to make pizza dough at home -- another fast, cheap alternative to frozen pizza or dining out. (7) Even if it's just one crop, plant something. I like tomatoes and basil because they're easy to grow and can be used in so many ways. Every August-September, we enjoy caprese salads, pizzas with fresh tomatoes, and simple pasta tosses with fresh basil and tomatoes -- all very cheap.
I have moved all my accounts' due dates to the same day of the month and automated payment as much as possible. These two things have made it easy to remember, and very difficult to forget.
Great post! I live in Alexandria, VA, just minutes from DC and I've considered "renting" out our extra bedroom on airbnb, but haven't taken the plunge because I worried that since we only have one bathroom that we'd need to share with the guest and since we do use part of the guestroom closet and dresser for storage that we wouldn't get takers. We aren't at the metro either. But from our house you can walk to shops, restaurants and the bus station and it takes 10 minutes to get to the National Mall from our house. Are my hesitations/worries valid? Or do I just need to get over them and/or shift around some of our stuff.
Really great post, whenever I start a new project it's always the second 6-12 months that are the hardest. The first 6-12 are the easiest because you have so much energy and so many ideas and you notice the greatest growth.
If people want to delve into this a bit deeper, I suggest reading "The Dip" by Seth Godin. Fantastic book.
Big congratulations on the 3,000,000 sale as well. Well deserved, Jim.
my favorite way to save money is... to think twice about what i am buying: if it is worth the value, if it is worth my time, if it is worth coming back later...etc.
We just haven't hit the right note with our beer-making yet. Definitely excited to brew up some batches this summer and get it closer to that irresistible homemade that'll stop us from shopping!
My favorite way to save money is through d.i.y. Everything from cooking to cleaning to home repairs and simple projects cost less and usually have superior results to "ready made".
I am a Muititasker. In many ways than one actually. I have dont such things as to playing video games, while talking to my friend on the phone. Of course if i were to add in Watching a video into the task then i would fail at one of the others mostyl because i am busy watching the video. There are many steps you can take depending on the task. Ie: You can eat a meal while you watch a movie which is a simple task. Eat, and watch the movie. Simple enough. You can have a conversation on the phone with a friend while you fold cloths and watch T.V. This does not really require much attention. While you are watching T.V. Your friend on the other line might be talking to you but, it does not take a whole lot of skill ot do those two together. Folding cloths (if you have done this many times and dont even have to look to do it or you probibly dont even notice it) will come to ease to you even while you do all these other tasks at once.
Pickles (dill, vinegar, or sweet). Bread crumbs. Salad dressing. Most fruits can be canned in a boiling-water bath, and you can adjust the syrup strength and infuse it with herbs--I can peaches in extra-light syrup infused with basil or anise hyssop.
I have frozen my husbands', mine, and my daughters credit, and I encourage anyone who will listen to me to do a freeze. Fraud alerts and such just tell you AFTER there has been fraudulent activity - why not prevent it? This way no one else can open a credit card or get a loan in our names. Freeze your credit before you get hacked.
Definitely combining coupons/Target Cartwheel and the 5% Red Card at Target. Just make sure to stick to a list!
knit/crochet/macrame - working with "two sticks and a string" or the equivalent can provide health benefits while you are doing it, and a finished product in your choice of size, style, and color that may rival boutique items costing hundred, if not thousands, of dollars more than you expended (even if you use really fancy yarn.)
Yard sales and thrift shops for purchasing gifts- while they're great places to find gently used items for my own household, they're also a treasure trove of new, still-in-packages gifts. I routinely buy $20-40 items for gifts for birthdays, Christmas, etc. for pennies on the dollar. I stock up whenever I find something good, and while I don't always have a recipient in mind, one always comes up soon enough.
Thanks Ashley, glad it resonated!
I'm afraid there are never general rules of thumb that apply but it never hurts to ask. When you ask, and if they think it's too early, ask them what metrics they care about so you'll know when to go back.
Thanks William!
(1) I live in an area where we pay for trash pickup. If you do too, downsize to the smallest container (it's cheaper) and be more mindful about recycling and reducing waste. (2) Switching from incandescent bulbs to CFLs and LEDs throughout our house has made a noticeable impact on our utility bill -- we're saving about $30 a month because of this and because we keep the thermostat on 67 or 68 throughout the winter and hang-dry a lot of clothing instead of using the clothes dryer. (3) Drop the channel-palooza and get basic cable or no cable (a Roku box with Netflix is a great alternative). The cable company has to offer a stripped-down plan that allows you to get just the Big Three networks and public TV, but they don't advertise it. Usually it's only $8 to $10 a month. (4) Regularly review your cell phone plan and see if you can get by with a lower-level plan. Threatening to leave will usually result in you getting a better deal -- be sure to speak to a supervisor if you can't get anywhere with the customer service rep. (5) Eat less meat, more veggies. Build fast meals around rice and pasta. Shop your pantry, you'll waste less food. (6) Cook and bake more. I recently started making Jim Lahey's no-knead breads in my cast-iron pot -- my family loves it, and I calculated once that I get about four or five round loaves out of a $5 bag of bread flour. You can't buy artisan bread for $1 each. Now I'm using basically the same recipe to make pizza dough at home -- another fast, cheap alternative to frozen pizza or dining out. (7) Even if it's just one crop, plant something. I like tomatoes and basil because they're easy to grow and can be used in so many ways. Every August-September, we enjoy caprese salads, pizzas with fresh tomatoes, and simple pasta tosses with fresh basil and tomatoes -- all very cheap.
(1) I live in an area where we pay for trash pickup. If you do too, downsize to the smallest container (it's cheaper) and be more mindful about recycling and reducing waste. (2) Switching from incandescent bulbs to CFLs and LEDs throughout our house has made a noticeable impact on our utility bill -- we're saving about $30 a month because of this and because we keep the thermostat on 67 or 68 throughout the winter and hang-dry a lot of clothing instead of using the clothes dryer. (3) Drop the channel-palooza and get basic cable or no cable (a Roku box with Netflix is a great alternative). The cable company has to offer a stripped-down plan that allows you to get just the Big Three networks and public TV, but they don't advertise it. Usually it's only $8 to $10 a month. (4) Regularly review your cell phone plan and see if you can get by with a lower-level plan. Threatening to leave will usually result in you getting a better deal -- be sure to speak to a supervisor if you can't get anywhere with the customer service rep. (5) Eat less meat, more veggies. Build fast meals around rice and pasta. Shop your pantry, you'll waste less food. (6) Cook and bake more. I recently started making Jim Lahey's no-knead breads in my cast-iron pot -- my family loves it, and I calculated once that I get about four or five round loaves out of a $5 bag of bread flour. You can't buy artisan bread for $1 each. Now I'm using basically the same recipe to make pizza dough at home -- another fast, cheap alternative to frozen pizza or dining out. (7) Even if it's just one crop, plant something. I like tomatoes and basil because they're easy to grow and can be used in so many ways. Every August-September, we enjoy caprese salads, pizzas with fresh tomatoes, and simple pasta tosses with fresh basil and tomatoes -- all very cheap.
I have moved all my accounts' due dates to the same day of the month and automated payment as much as possible. These two things have made it easy to remember, and very difficult to forget.
Never late on anything!
Great post! I live in Alexandria, VA, just minutes from DC and I've considered "renting" out our extra bedroom on airbnb, but haven't taken the plunge because I worried that since we only have one bathroom that we'd need to share with the guest and since we do use part of the guestroom closet and dresser for storage that we wouldn't get takers. We aren't at the metro either. But from our house you can walk to shops, restaurants and the bus station and it takes 10 minutes to get to the National Mall from our house. Are my hesitations/worries valid? Or do I just need to get over them and/or shift around some of our stuff.
I ALWAYS start at invoice minus Holdback. If i offer this to 100 dealers, 1 will bite. I could care less about the dealer's well being
Really great post, whenever I start a new project it's always the second 6-12 months that are the hardest. The first 6-12 are the easiest because you have so much energy and so many ideas and you notice the greatest growth.
If people want to delve into this a bit deeper, I suggest reading "The Dip" by Seth Godin. Fantastic book.
Big congratulations on the 3,000,000 sale as well. Well deserved, Jim.
my favorite way to save money is... to think twice about what i am buying: if it is worth the value, if it is worth my time, if it is worth coming back later...etc.
We just haven't hit the right note with our beer-making yet. Definitely excited to brew up some batches this summer and get it closer to that irresistible homemade that'll stop us from shopping!
Ah! Great suggestions! I'm kicking myself now because how could I forget pickles?! My husband makes them all the time :)
This recipe for those expensive Raincoast crisps is super easy:
http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-harvest-crackers-with-cranberries-pecans...
I like looking for the best deal on whatever I need to buy, and I do use coupons whenever possible. I also try not to buy too many non-necessities.
My favorite way to save money is through d.i.y. Everything from cooking to cleaning to home repairs and simple projects cost less and usually have superior results to "ready made".
I am a Muititasker. In many ways than one actually. I have dont such things as to playing video games, while talking to my friend on the phone. Of course if i were to add in Watching a video into the task then i would fail at one of the others mostyl because i am busy watching the video. There are many steps you can take depending on the task. Ie: You can eat a meal while you watch a movie which is a simple task. Eat, and watch the movie. Simple enough. You can have a conversation on the phone with a friend while you fold cloths and watch T.V. This does not really require much attention. While you are watching T.V. Your friend on the other line might be talking to you but, it does not take a whole lot of skill ot do those two together. Folding cloths (if you have done this many times and dont even have to look to do it or you probibly dont even notice it) will come to ease to you even while you do all these other tasks at once.
My favorite way to save money is to apply my "frugal filter" to every purchase -- many of which wind up becoming NON-purchases:
http://www.wisebread.com/want-to-cut-costs-get-yourself-a-frugal-filter-...
Fav way to save money is to find coupons, codes anything. Never pay full price for anything.
Pickles (dill, vinegar, or sweet). Bread crumbs. Salad dressing. Most fruits can be canned in a boiling-water bath, and you can adjust the syrup strength and infuse it with herbs--I can peaches in extra-light syrup infused with basil or anise hyssop.
We don't buy disposable water bottles, it saves us a lot, especially on vacation.
Shopping with a list and with coupon match-ups. Also eating from the pantry can save a trip to the store!