How to Live Cheaply

1. Analyze your expenses. Budget your money. Find out where it's coming from and, more importantly, where it's going. This can be a very surprising and enlightening exercise for many people.

2. Find where you spend the most money on a monthly basis. The top two or three items are where you need to do the most work.

3. Is rent your biggest expense? If so, consider moving to a cheaper place. Consider getting a roommate to split the costs of living. Consider moving back in with your parents or guardians. Offer services (e.g. looking after a relative) in exchange for paid rent and utilities. Motels will exchange maintenance services for free room, particularly during the off season when they usually have empty rooms.

4. Food: are you spending too much? If so, begin by saving your receipts every time you go grocery shopping and looking at them to see where most of your money is going. Buy mostly vegetables and flavour them with a wide variety of inexpensive herbs and spices carried aromatically by oil. Reduce or eliminate meat by focusing on vegetables with a bit of meat "on the side" rather than the other way around. Buy in bulk. Go to stores just before closing time and offer to buy what they are about to throw out. Bakeries and bread stores are very good places to approach. Raise vegetables in your back yard. Or keep your own bees, for honey (and maybe some to sell!) Offer to buy surplus food from hobby gardeners (or, exchange your labour in their garden, for food).

5. Is keeping warm (or cold) burning up your extra dollars? If so, consider ways to decrease them. If your heating bill is burning a big hole in your budget, put window sealer in the cracks to block cold air from entering through your windows. Invest in warm slippers and a comfy knit hat--it's a lot cheaper to keep you warm instead of the whole house. Turn off lights and appliances when you're not using them to save electricity. Live in a cold climate? Plant evergreens on the north side of your house, close to the house. If you live where it is predominantly hot, put up deciduous trees (the ones that lose leaves at the beginning of fall/winter) on the south side. Minimize your air conditioning. At night, open windows and run a heavy-duty fan (or even two fans) all night to pull cool air through house. Then, close up early in the morning and block sunniest windows with inexpensive foam art boards. Alternately, reverse direction of the fans to pull air from the shady side of the building inward.

6. It's easy to cut back on entertainment. Think of cheaper ways to entertain yourself. Instead of going out have some friends over and rent a movie, play games, or just sit and have a good conversation. Limit your alcohol tabs, see if this makes a dent in your entertainment expenses. Buying a cheaper bottle of wine and enjoying it with friends at home can sometimes be as fun as hanging out at the local watering hole. Or, brew your own! Or better yet, quit drinking. It can be unhealthy if not done in moderation. Learn to play an instrument! Pick up your old guitar or violin and go find the local folk, jazz, or blues music jam scene. This is really fun and really cheap. There are people jamming everywhere, although it can take some detective work to find them.

Sell your car (or don't own one to begin with). This can be difficult to do; especially if cars are a way of life for you. But it's not as terrible as you might think. Calculate how much selling your car would save you annually (including the payments, insurance, gas, maintenance, tickets & fines, parking, DMV fees, car washes, toll, supplies, and after-market parts & upgrades). Would you like to not have to spend that money? Alternatives to driving: walking, taking the bus and/or train, carpooling, riding a bike, or using a shared car service like Flexcar or Zipcar. If cars are a hobby for you, see if you can switch to a hobby that demands less money. You can get just about anywhere around town on your bicycle! If you do not yet already have a bicycle, get a good quality one (possibly a well-cared-for used one). If you settle for a cheapie bike, you will not enjoy riding nearly as much, and the bike will need continual repair

8. Cut your communication costs! Don't own both a cell phone and a landline. If you choose to use only a cell phone, try to find a plan that doesn't charge you for minutes after a certain time of day. Consider ditching monthly contract related phone services altogether and get a prepaid cell phone, such as a goPhone or Tracfone.Don't accrue charges by calling regular 411 but use free, ad-supported services like 1-800-Free411 or 1-800-GOOG411. Keep your phone off as much as possible while traveling in order to avoid roaming charges. Email is free! If you decide to own a pet, here are some ways to save: Consider getting a life long license instead of renewing it each year. Consider making your own dog food. Consider health insurance for your pet. Bathe them yourself instead of going to an expensive groomer.

9. Get rid of your bad habits. YOU know what they are! The bits of instant gratification that ruin any tight budget! Smoking Gambling Drinking (at all)

10. Develop a budget based on your above spending, with clear goals. You can do this by creating a spreadsheet or just by writing on a piece of paper. Define how much you expect to spend in each of your major categories in the next few months with goals where you can limit some activities to save for larger purchases. Don't forget to include a small portion for misc. items just in case. Track your expenses in line with your budget that you created and make sure not to go over budget. If you allow yourself to overspend a couple of times, your budget will be less helpful and you'll lose more money to things you don't need or could have found cheaper.

Generic Brands — Consider buying an alternative that may be cheaper or eliminating that item if it is not necessary. The brands that are directly in front of you on a store shelf are the most costly: reach up or stoop down for the cheaper store brands. Bargain, Bargain, Bargain. It pays off. Make a realistic budget, one that you can meet without starving yourself or depriving yourself of necessary things. Learn to separate "needs" from "wants". Ask yourself if you really need this item...and if you're not sure, wait. If you catch yourself thinking, "But I deserve this!" be very wary — that's a tactic advertising agencies use. Don't be brainwashed into buying. Cut down on smoking...or, quit altogether! Buying cigarettes really adds up. Why pay someone to ruin your health? But that's easier said than done when you have an addiction. Why not buy tobacco and roll your own — much cheaper! *Consider cutting alcohol too. Better yet, quit alcohol and smoking all together. It might be why you're in this mess in the first place. Are you in high cotton right now? Even if you're earning a six-digit income, you still have a good incentive to live cheaply: spending less means saving more, and saving more means that you can easily Retire in Your 30's And, you never know what life is going to bring in the future: you may be flush now, but, life has a way of evening such things out, in the long run. Include savings in your budget. That way, a portion of your earnings is already going to investments or a rainy day fund. Also try the monthly investment or savings plans offered by several employers that deduct money from your paychecks and send it to savings accounts or investments automatically. Avoid lemons: always consult Consumer Reports for unbiased ratings of hundreds of products, especially for big ticket items (new and used cars, appliances, computers...). Available free at your library, or with a subscription. Don't rent high-priced DVDs! Borrow them from your library, as well as CDs & books. Some libraries lend tools, too! The last year's movie might be $1 at the store, and can be a lot better than the (over) hyped and just released $8 one. Use your public library! Many allow you to request materials online; they'll e-mail you when the item arrives, and hold it under your name. However, make sure you return them on time! Often late fees for DVDs are very high. Always write due dates in your planner, and some libraries can give you email reminders if you sign up for them. You might also look at switchplanet.com to trade DVDs you own for ones you want. It's free, so all you pay is postage for the DVDs you mail out. Cancel your cable subscription. You'll never miss the 24th rerun of I Love Lucy. Watch shows online at Hulu. Hang laundry on a clothes line if the weather allows it. You'll save electricity (and/or gas) and your clothes and linens will smell better! You can also hang laundry indoors if you have the space. Use the barter system. Do you have a friend who can repair your car? Offer to do something for them in return (like paint their kitchen). Your time and talents are valuable assets. Free-cycle. Many communities have websites or other systems for offering/receiving household items, clothing, etc. at no cost. This is a win-win for everyone: you receive an item, someone else no longer has to deal with it, and it stays out of the landfill. Use Paperbackswap.com where you can trade books instead of buying them. Shop at thrift stores and resale shops - many of these support charities. To save even more money, look for specials such as "All coats 1/2 price on Tuesdays" or "Everything with a pink tag..." etc. Balance out transportation cost vs. savings. If you're spending too much money on gasoline to get to 'cheap' stores, the savings aren't worth it. The same goes for driving across town to save a few cents on a box of macaroni-and-cheese or day-old baked goods. But, once you 'are' there, stock up! Do it yourself. While many services require a professional in that field or a licensed contractor, there are many tasks that can be performed at no cost by you (or by your family members): lawn care, car washing and maintenance, etc. Yes, it may take a bit longer, but, if anyone can do it, you can! Exercise is the added bonus! Keep a coin can or piggy bank. Toss in loose change and when the bank is full, take it to the bank, and deposit the "free" money. Use a free credit card that gives you a percentage back for all purchases. Most important!!! PAY OFF THE BALANCE every month. You get 30 days grace period to pay off balances as well as the 1-3% back and an itemized list of expenditures each month. Consider cutting up your credit cards! Is is simply too easy to get into debt you can't get out of, with them. Go to the grocery store instead of a restaurant. You will not only save money but you can maintain a healthier diet as well. Better, grow it yourself! Replace expensive drinks and foods with satisfying, cheaper, versions! Drink tap water, flavoured with a hot pepper, a sprig of mint, or your favourite flavouring (instead of sodas...which rot your teeth, which will REALLY put a big hole in your budget!) Popcorn: No, not the over-priced and over-buttered 'microwave' kind! Add a bit of oil and you can pop hot popcorn in just about any good pot that has a lid. Noodles, flavoured with bits of vegetables, spices, and broth. You can make a reasonably tasty and nutritious meal for a small fraction of what a meat-heavy dinner will cost. Tea instead of coffee. Decorate inexpensively. Use 'found' objects. Collect cuttings in the wild. Recycle what others have left for the trashman (a coat of paint, a bit of tile, voila! an art masterpiece!)

Don't let up on your budget. If someone wants you to go out and spend $50 doing it, ask yourself if you will regret spending the money. If you stick to your budget and allow for miscellaneous expenditures, you will have extra cash left over to spend on the random entertainment activities that come up or other things you want to buy. The easiest way to lose money is by nickels & dimes. Be wary of small, repetitive purchases (Starbucks, fast food, cell phone calls, cable bills...). Avoid the seduction of sales. "50% off" is only a bargain if you really needed the item. Remember: if you don't buy it, you get 100% off! Don't get discouraged. Remember that if you stick to your plan and try hard enough, you will be able to save up money, or at least spend significantly less than before. If you have children to care for, try not to deprive them of a childhood with cheap spending; just save a little money here and there if you feel it won't make a major difference. Know that even if your children complain about your money saving ways, they'll appreciate them later when they move out on their own!

Is rent your biggest expense? If so, consider moving to a cheaper place.

No. TAXES are.

Not only that but TAXES are my second biggest expense too.

ML/NJ

Consider buying an alternative that may be cheaper or eliminating that item if it is not necessary. The brands that are directly in front of you on a store shelf are the most costly: reach up or stoop down for the cheaper store brands.

Been doing more of the food shopping of late and find that this is not necessarily true if you use coupons. Especially with a coupon that doubles.

Consider moving back in with your parents or guardians.

That is why I advocate parents renting out the family home for income and buying a one bedroom condo when the last kid leaves.

That, plus I can earn a buck setting it up for them!

8^)

lol....I am not so sure about that but the neighbors tell me so. I was letting them free roam but my dog grabbed one so I have them in a big fenced in area. I got talked into ducks too. Duck eggs are supposed to make fluffy cakes. I don't bake so why I have Dupree, Duckie & Gibbs I don't know. I just hope they stay out of my pool. My mother who grew up on a farm always told me to have some land & we would always have food. She grew up during the depression & it didn't hit them as hard as my dad's family. At 53 yrs old I am not quite sure how good a farmer I will be but I am trying.

>> At 53 yrs old I am not quite sure how good a farmer I will be but I am trying.

That’s just where Mrs. Tick and I are at. There’s a lot we don’t know, but we will learn.

On the ducks... where do they lay? In boxes like chickens? On the ground? I happen to like duck and am considering trying to raise a few.

My chicken coop is huge, the chickens roost so the ducks get the floor. I may make a box for them. I figure I may as well keep them together so when its bitter cold I only have one heat light on. I am told they will do fine together, just need a kiddie pool. Get some Diatomaceous Earth from the feed store & make sure you dust your coop & roosting areas. Chickens & ducks can get lice. The eggs taste so much better then store bought too. I am thinking of getting some peacocks. Their eggs are supposed to taste good but I would raise them to sell. However they are great watch dogs but they tend to scream at night. Since I have neighbors I guess they will hate me if I get them. I am thinking of buying 2 goats. I won't have to mow much & goat cheese is tasty. However milking goats is not something I planned on.

I rescue horses so I needed to save money. This farm thankfully allows only 3 horses. If gas goes too high I am getting a donkey & a cart. I see people using them here so I am going to look into that. I wish I had enough land to grow my own hay but I don't. Good luck, keep in touch we can learn together! ~Pandy~

We lived thrifty when I was a kid. It was fine because we did not know any better. We were dirt poor but I thought we were rich because we gave canned food to the church food pantry.

Since the socialists came to power, I have been doing it again. It is really just a state of mind as long as you have enough to cover your basic needs. If you don’t, it is a state of worry.

Are ducks quieter than chickens (for nearby subdivision neighbors?).

My Mom said when she was raising us and things were tight, it was mainly garden food, with a walk up to the nearby farm to get a thin slice of meat.

I still think it is a waste when I get served a huge steak, having grown up with 3 strips of beef about the size of bacon and twice as thick being the meat portions of my dinner. (Some times it was a “2 strips” dinner.

Thanks for the info! It sounds like a lot of work but a lot of fun too. Good luck with the goats. I hear good fence is one key to keeping goats.

I can’t stand that peacock screeching so those are out for us, but they are beautiful to watch.

I bet there is a market for duck and peacock eggs for those who are allergic to hen’s eggs (or have convinced themselves they are allergic, anyway).

FRegards

My ducks are still ducklings but I don't think they will be any louder then that rooster.

My house is a landmark & is on the record as a farm so my neighbors can't say too much. Dog barking is about all they can complain about. The house is neat. It was used as a hospital after the civil war. And again after WW1. In fact there is a grave under my brick patio & we've found a few grave stones. About 30 yrs ago the last owner's had a tree come down, in the hole were found bones, like arms & legs. Some people think I was nuts to buy the house but it is very peaceful here & no ghosts have bothered me. We even have a hidden room. The 1st part of the house dates to 1834. I have a nice barn & a chicken coop, paddocks & a swimming pool. Next I am getting rain barrels since I have a well & if the power goes out I need water for the animals.

“like arms & legs”

*******************

Thanks for the info on the ducks. And I doubt you have to worry about complaints on the dogs, as the neighbors probably view you as the crazy person that bought that old haunted house!

Battlefield medicine sure has come a long ways since the “chop off the limb” surgeries of the Civil War.

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