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Post by annalovesbooks1983 on Dec 23, 2008 13:56:11 GMT -5
Im going through a time right now where money is so tight, I really have to be frugal with my expenditure in all kinds of ways, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where we share any ideas we have of saving money in any kind of ways-food, books, entertainment, general living etc. etc.
I try to never buy any new clothes unless there is a sale on
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Lu
Administrator
Posts: 5,469
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Post by Lu on Dec 23, 2008 16:29:47 GMT -5
I took the resolution of buying less books and checking them out from the local library. I work there once a week so keeping this resolution is easier than I thought, I do have a list of books I want to buy but I luckily haven't much time to go to bookstore. I need to purchase some clothes and a pair of shoes now, but I can't find anything I like...I guess that is a way of saving money as well.
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Post by Carma on Dec 24, 2008 5:59:42 GMT -5
hmm.. I never really buy a lot anyway, so theres not really a need for me to hold back... so I always bring my own lunch, I buy books from time to time (sometimes more, ometimes less), I only buy clothes when I see something I REALLY want, or when something is cheap. But you kow what, if you don't go shopping, ou probably won't buy anything anyway . My only weak point is shoes... and books.. but I try to only buy one pair of shoes per season. so I can't buy any this winter
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Dec 24, 2008 10:07:41 GMT -5
Force yourself to put a portion of each paycheck into a savings account and not every spend it. That's the only way we've ever been able to save.
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Post by annalovesbooks1983 on Dec 24, 2008 11:06:39 GMT -5
Bringing lunch instead of buying it out is always a good way to save money, thats one way I can really mount up on spending, or avoiding eating out or getting coffees
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Lu
Administrator
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Post by Lu on Dec 24, 2008 11:11:09 GMT -5
Bringing your own lunch is a good way, eating out is expensive, at least here.
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Halie
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 982
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Post by Halie on Dec 24, 2008 15:05:45 GMT -5
Resell your books to a used bookstore.
Only buy a book after you've read it, if you love it and know you'll read it again. Otherwise just go to the library, as mentioned.
And thrift shop!
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thenephilim
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 627
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Post by thenephilim on Dec 25, 2008 1:26:34 GMT -5
If you are a coffee addict like I am, invest in an espresso maker with a milk steamer so you can make your own coffee drinks at home, and not have to spend $4-5 each time you go to the coffee shop.
Also, as Michelle said above, putting a portion of your paycheck each payday into a savings account is a great idea. I was able to save away $1500 this way for my study abroad trip this coming summer.
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Isa
Administrator
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Post by Isa on Dec 27, 2008 8:31:29 GMT -5
Force yourself to put a portion of each paycheck into a savings account and not every spend it. That's the only way we've ever been able to save. Same here! ;D
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annak
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 632
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Post by annak on Dec 30, 2008 21:41:16 GMT -5
I usually am really good about not spending my money, but over christmas break, because I have so much time, I just start eating out a lot with people from work and buying random stuff. And its so much worse that I love expensive things, haha.
But the way I see it is, I don't spend a lot most of the year, so having a good time every once in a while isn't so bad.
I agree with the coffee shop comment though. Starbucks is expensive and so is Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I've stopped going and the only time I do is on Thursdays while I'm on campus or when I have a gift card.
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Post by neveralone on Dec 31, 2008 17:09:31 GMT -5
Clothes are really easy to buy cheap. I never buy anything full price. It's straight to the clearance racks for me! If you have some nice tshirts, printed tank tops, and fitted zip up sweaters or sweatshirts all you need to do is add a few pairs of jeans (you can wear them twice without washing them). I go to secondhand clothing stores. I stay away from American Eagle and Hollister and places like that. I can get used AE clothes at the secondhand stores!
My uncle calculated how much a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple, and two chips ahoy cookies cost. That simple lunch costs under one dollar! Another cheap meal that my aunt and uncle use is to make a batch of tuna salad that's a little more liquidy than you would like on a sandwich and mix it with a box of cooked pasta and peas. That gives them dinner and lunch for quite a while! Frozen vegetables are cheaper than fresh. Generic brands are not below you either!
Use the library for your entertainment. You can interlibrary loan CDs, DVDs, videos and books. You don't have to watch a movie when it comes to the theatre or get the CD as soon as it is released. If you need to get out and do something, look around on the internet for cupons for movie theatres, restaurants and fun things like mini golfing or bowling. If you go to locally owned places, it is cheaper and they tend to offer more promotions so they can get more business. A bowling alley in my area is already cheap for a game, but each time you go, you get a coupon that makes your next gane one dollar!
Patience and really knowing what you want/need are the keys to living on a budget!
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sagedautumn
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
You Might Need This!
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Post by sagedautumn on Jan 1, 2009 14:13:49 GMT -5
Yea..ALL my clothes and shoes are from Clearance. I rarely ever go to the theaters, instead I wait until the library has it or I go online and watch it. I NEVER eat out. And when I really need coffee I make it from home and put it in one those coffe mugs. And I completely agree with neveralone's last statement, Patience goes a LONG way!!!
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Post by Dominique on Jan 2, 2009 19:05:18 GMT -5
I'm terrible at saving but here are my tips anyway.
I agree about avoiding eating out, suggest going for a coffee with your friends instead.
Take a packed lunch to work.
Download entertainment instead of going to the video store, or if you do go to the video store hire a weekly to save a few dollars.
Have something to eat before you leave the house to prevent yourself getting hungry while you're out and spending money on food.
Try not to go into shopping centres. At all. Or as little as possible. This is the best way for me to save money. If I just don't go there I can not shop, but if I'm in a shopping centre it's very hard to keep up my will power. Limit yourself to the grocery store.
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Paige
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
Posts: 1,787
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Post by Paige on Jan 6, 2009 14:07:40 GMT -5
Unfortunately I need to buy more professional clothes because I have student teaching next fall, but I have time to aquire that. I'm scared to see how much money I'm going to have to spend on more professional clothes because of classroom observation/student teaching! Luckily, I've already had to start buying nicer clothes because I have to dress up when I work at the 5th grade building on Mon/Wed (Fri we can wear jeans).
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