As we languish along in this down economy (unless you're a govt employee), what tips are you using to stretch your dollars? Have you shopped at a Dollar store for perhaps health and beauty items? DO you still patronize them? Have you cut back on cable services and gone to off air only or a combination off air and services like HULU and NEtflix? Have you tried Red Box instead of on-demand from the cable company? are you dining out more or less? are you gathering with friends for entertainment perhaps playing cards etc? have you switched from contract cell phone to a pre-pay like Virgin or Straight Talk? what are you doing?
I live in a 910 sq. ft. condo. I use Great Clips for haircuts. I shop at Costco. I have basic cable. I gave up cigars entirely, I rarely drink alcohol (one drink a month) My Jeep is 17 years old approaching 200K and I don't go out much to eat, since I live alone. I don't think I can downsize much more, or let's just say, I'm not willing at this point. I'm not saving for a child's college fund or a vacation in Tahiti....and I don't plan on dying rich.
I'm a Trappist Monk, living in a monestary. I own a toothbrush, change of clothes and a pair of worn sandals.
I usually take a few deer every year, dozens of walleye, hundreds of perch and quite a few catfish. I'll usually take a nice mess of squirrell and rabbit as well. I've got a quarter acre of garden space and my wife cans what she is able to. While it saves a good deal of money, we enjoy it as well.
Our Family does this not for financial gain, more of a quality of life thing. It does save money. We have a vegetable/herb garden Buy our beef 1 cow at a time with 2 friends We now have chickens (10) We do our own canning We do our own Beef/Veg/Fruit dehydrating We make our own soap for laundry/Dishwasher and bath. Take your lunch to work. Join a barter network. Sell your Blood Plasma......I use the money for my ammo habit Shave in the shower and stop buying shaving cream. When shampooing put some lather from your hair on your neck and shave. Learn to use a straight razor and stop paying for the disposables. I have a no fog mirror hanging inside the shower. If you can, use a clothes line to dry your clothes. I hang a load before going to work twice a week. As always, it all depends on how and where you live.
The last inline six I had was in a dodge pick-up. With a small two barrel carburetor. Best engines I ever owned. It was a green truck with faded stars on the doors. I think it was an old army or forest service truck. I had a gas leak that I neglected from the carburetor, it was winter ,I was at work and went outside to let it warm up. Came back inside for 10 minutes then looked out and saw the truck lit up on fire. I should of fixed that leak..... Nothing has ever changed with my spending habits, always live under my means, can live on a shoe string. I think it is the way your raised and habits that you form. They don't go away during good times. I try and save 50% of my income but usually fall around 30%. If you're in the market and have been during this bull market, the economy is not bad. A few of the things that save me money: I grow a big garden and can every year. I buy nothing. I hate owning thing. Friends hunt elk and deer. I eat it Friends brew beer, I drink it. I fix my vehicles. I try to find a tax write off in everything I do. Got a couple scooters and use them all summer long for running errands in town.
