Posted on 02/29/2008 4:59:13 PM PST by RKBA Democrat
If I did them all, I would become "Cardboard Greenie-Weenie Man"
I don't see anything in here about reloading your own ammo, rolling your own smokes or brewing your own beer.
Tragic.
When buying beef at the grocery, look for the "Manager's Specials". The stuff that's a tad browner than the bright red cuts? It has more flavor and is way more tender. Smart beef-eaters know that the just-turning-brown meat is AGED. If they called it "aged" instead of "Manager's Special", they charge you way more for it. Don't take my word for it, ask the butcher. He probably has a handful of "in the know" customers already who buy up the "Special" beef. Just use it right away or freeze it for later.
Have a written budget EACH and EVERY month, and stick to it. I use a customized spreadsheet that I made (with a wink and a nod to Dave Ramsey). It automatically tracks remaining funds while I am allocating my take-home pay to the various items listed. FReepmail me if you want a copy, I'm happy to share.
Neil Boortz related a way to force yourself to save in Somebody's Gotta Say It!: Never pay for anything with $1 bills. And then stash the $1's you get in change in a savings account, or even a piggy bank, but stash them! You'll save a lot of money in a little time.
I have one more car payment and then I am debt-free! Woo-hoo!
Books that changed my way of thinking about money include, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and, The Millionaire Mind, and even Dave Ramsey's book about eliminating debt, The Total Money Makeover. You would be surprised at the habits of many of America's millionaires. They DO sweat the small stuff, lol! They don't waste money they could be investing, an example of which is buying new cars. They buy good condition, low mileage, late-model used cars. The biggest chunk of the depreciation has already occurred, and major bugs or recalls have already been taken care of, so they are a better use of money than buying new.
bflr
Car insurance: Get the highest deductible that you can. Then put that same amount in a separate savings account, or even a thirty-day CD that will automatically roll over. You’ll save a chunk on the insurance, and you’ll be making money on the deductible! If you need the deductible you have it, and if you don’t, you’re still saving/investing and that’s a good thing. Oh, and some insurance companies offer a discount if you pay your insurance annually or semi-annually rather than monthly.
“Wealthy people don’t waste their time on small matters.”
I suggest you pick up a copy of “The millionaire next door.” At the library, of course. Very wealthy people *do* waste their time on small matters. John Bogle, founder of the Vanguard Group is famous for brownbagging it and repairing ball point pens to save a few cents. Warren Buffet still lives in a fairly modest home.
In my view, there is a cost/benefit in all of this to consider, which is why I don’t spend a lot of time clipping coupons. But I do it some. If it takes me 30 seconds to save $2, then the payback is $120 an hour.
See # 89. Reloading is a good idea, but for me it would probably fail the cost/benefit test. Shooting .22’s is fun and doesn’t cost much.
“I have one more car payment and then I am debt-free! Woo-hoo!”
Are you going to call in to Dave Ramsey and give the scream?
Another money and time saving tip: download podcasts of financial shows on i-tunes for free. Dave Ramsey and Clark Howard put some of their programs on there for free. And no commercials.
101. Leave the socialist/welfare state of Michigan, even though you can’t sell your business, the value of your home, land and other investments has fallen precipitously and you have to deplete your retirement account to start a new business in another state. Ain’t communism grand?
This article assumes some semblence of stability where, in fact, real life guarantees no such thing.
it’s not top on my toy list, but it is on there.
Hillbilly House wife is great!
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/
Links to homeschooling resources, money saving forums and emergency shopping/meals, menus, eat for a week on $45.00....
Lots of good stuff there.
Craig’s is great! Free washing machines, free ranges, deep freezes...
Sweet!
It's easier to just steal them from work. (And why would you need so many staples anyway?)
Ha! Oh God NOOOO! I’m NOT the best example of his successful plan, lol! I will celebrate this victory quietly with a wry grin and some rye whiskey.
I love rice pudding. We do what you do plus an egg.
I must respectfully disagree. The “old” wealthy people watch their small matters with an eagle eye. The “new” wealth ignore such items.
I know a lady who is “old” established wealth. She loves tomatoes. But, even though her private plane could easily fly them to her...she declines until they are in season in the area (her back yard).
familyop, good suggestions on jazzing up rice. And here’s a simpler ratio to remember: 1 rice to 2 waters. I usually use a coffee mug, so it’s one mug of rice, toast (brown), then stir in the water & cook per your directions.
(Takes slightly more water for brown rice and even more for “wild rice,” which in some cases are actually cultivated grasses.)
I liked white rice with lots of butter and Texas Pete, had to cut it out now that I have diabetes.
If everyone did this we'd save trillions in higher taxes.
Full Disclosure: comparison shop on sales within a store. Most items will have a unit cost on the shelf price; compare those before buying whatever has a "sale" sign on it. Also, a solar-powered calculator can help you determine unit costs for items which are priced deliberately confusing such as paper towels or T.P.
Set aside one day of the week to go shopping (mine is Saturday early in the morning). Go through the newspaper and bulk mail circulars for the two or three closest stores to you, comparing to your list. By making one or two stops you can save ten or twenty dollars per shopping trip by cherry picking from each store.
Buy in bulk, cook in bulk. Make meals for a whole week and store them in the fridge. Take the leftovers to work for lunch -- it saves a lot of money compared to buying a sandwich at noon. And if your office does not have free coffee or tea, bring your own instant coffee and/or teabags from home. Why pay a dollar for something that costs a dime if you supply it yourself?
If it is hot outside and you are worried the food won't keep, put an ice chest in the back seat with ice or blue ice in it to store the perishables. I have done this in Phoenix in mid-summer at 110 degrees.
Cheers!
Best money savers,,,dont smoke, maintain lean body, don’t drink much, don’t eat out. Starbucks is like crack cocaine,,you can make your own. Toyota cars last forever.
For carry out, Indian food is cheap and very soul satisfying.
We eat beans, love them, and soups of all kinds.
Don’t go to the mall, try not to read fashion mags.
But don’t stint on hair especially highlights,,they are a necessity. As is good make up and good skin care.
Best exercise is swimming and usually cheap at the y.
I am thinking of giving up land phone but need it for the burglar alarm. Gave up mags, can get them online. No newpapers, can read them online.
Don’t churn stock accounts, mutual funds with low fees are easier.
Health is the most important thing,,healthy is generally cheaper.
I love being frugal except there are some false ecomonies that cost more. Like buying bad cars, bad shoes and bags. A good pair of shoes is forever,,cheap ones fall apart. Good slacks are forever but you can use cheaper tops. And I buy everything in black or brown so it all goes together.
ANd avoid diamonds, big cars, too big houses, to much eating out and expensive hobbies.
101. Spend less than one makes... and let the greatness of the time value of money rule.
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