101 Ways to Save Money (2244 hits)
Category: Business & FinancialLabels: ets_sociopolitical_commentary
Rating: 1.14 on 107 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (View user info) at 2006-08-23 11:27:04 EDT
Continuing my recent trend of stealing post ideas from my morning NPR fix, I offer you Northwest Airlines' "101 Ways to Save Money" tip sheet. It was given to Northwest Airlines employees in a packet along with their pink slips.
The packet was designed to help ease their transition to a lower paying job or unemployment after being laid off work.
Apparently some of the pussy former employees found a few of the suggestions insulting, such as #46 which states: "Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash."
At least one employee started weeping, they were so insulted.
Well, personally, I'M insulted by the woman weeping! This attitude of being too good to, I guess, 'stoop to that level' insults those of us who love digging through people's trash for our consumer goods.
Hell, you find all kinds of good shit in people's trash. For instance...
How many of you watch Antiques Roadshow? Haw many times - be honest - have you watched an episode of Antiques Roadshow and saw how some smart and lucky asshole pulled a priceless work of art out of someone's garbage? For me, it's too many to count.
Some of the coolest things I've ever gotten were stuff someone else was throwing away simply because they couldn't be bothered to store it anymore. In a land where excess is the norm, people run out of room in their garages at alarming rates, hence the time-honored practice of having yard sales to get rid of all this excess crap.
Yard sales are a bargain-hunter's wet dream. Is there a lot of useless crap at yardsales or, for our British contingent, bootsales? Of course there is! But is there a lot of cool shit that is no longer made or is difficult or expensive to come by using conventional means? Hell yes.
I remember once, when I worked for a furniture delivery store, I would deliver appliances to houses and take away the old ones and guess what...9 times out of 10 the old appliance was just fine! AKA: NOTHING WRONG WITH IT WHATSOEVER.
So why was this person buying that new fridge if their old one was fine? Because they were too lazy or stupid or physically unable to pull out the fridge and clean the coils off, or worse, because they just wanted a new one that matched their countertops better. Black is the new black in kitchen appliances.
So what would we do with the old stuff? We'd clean it up and sell it for what it was, a perfectly good fucking refrigerator. What would we do with the washers that were only missing a belt? Replace the belt and sell that bitch. Why take something to the dump if it's in perfect working order and there are people in need? It's fucking stupid.
Sometimes with a little exercise in Afro ingenuity and a turn of a screw, that stereo you were about to throw away could be easily repaired. One of the most useful things you can own is a soldering iron, people. Do not be afraid of cracking open the case to something and seeing how it works or why it is not working. More times than not, there is something obvious that can be tweaked that will save you from having to buy a new one, or if you found it on a curb, you could even make money by repairing it and selling it on ebay. Some vintage electronic equipment is highly sought after and very expensive.
There are tons of websites now dedicated to telling you how these things work and how you can fix them yourself, so, I'm sorry, but GET OVER YOUR PRIDE employees of Northwest Airlines! Some people aren't as fortunate as you that they can cry over the prospect of saving perfectly good stuff from the landfill. We're sorry that the wasteful society that has brought you up has taught you that comfortable living is all about throwing perfectly good things away because you're too fucking proud to see the intrinsic value in things. We're sorry that your comfortable little workdview has been crushed and your tunnel-vision is now forced to be broadened.
I'm sorry you've lost your jobs. I know that's no laughing matter, but get a grip. You were given good advice, I suggest you fucking take it.
Now for an uberpoll... Which of the following points do you practice yourself to save money? Are there some that you had never thought of? Are there some you would be offended by if given to you with a pinkslip?
1. Set your thermostat to 64 and turn it down to 60 at night.
2. Use the phone book instead of directory assistance.
3. Use coupons at the grocery store.
4. Carpool.
5. Ask for generic prescriptions instead of brand name.
6. Do your own nails.
7. Rent out a room or garage.
8. Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt.
9. Make long distance calls at night and on weekends, instead of mid-day, mid-week.
10. Throw pocket change in a jar and take it to the bank when it's full.
11. Always grocery shop with a list.
12. Buy spare parts for your car at a junkyard.
13. Go to museums on free days.
14. Quit smoking.
15. Get hand-me-down clothes and toys for your kids from family and friends.
16. Meet friends for coffee instead of dinner.
17. Request to get interest on a security deposit for your apartment.
18. Take a shorter shower.
19. Write letters instead of calling.
20. Brown bag your lunch.
21. Make your own babyfood.
22. Use public transportation.
23. Drop duplicate medical insurance.
24. Buy old furniture at yard sales and refinish it yourself.
25. Apply for scholarships and financial aid.
26. Exercise for free-walk, jog, bike, or get exercise videos from the library.
27. Form a baby-sitting cooperative with friends and neighbors.
28. Buy your clothes off season.
29. Go to a matinee instead of an evening show.
30. Share housing with a friend or family member.
31. Hang clothes out to dry.
32. Do not use your calling card.
33. Volunteer two hours a month for reduced cost food through the Share Program.
34. Change the oil in your car yourself regularly.
35. Get pre-approval from your medical insurance company before undergoing any procedures or tests.
36. But 'no frills' vitamins.
37. Take a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods.
38. Make cards and gifts for friends.
39. Shop in thrift stores.
40. Have your water company do an audit so you are not charged sewage fees for water used in your garden.
41. Refinance your mortgage.
42. Grocery shop on double coupon days.
43. Trade down your car for a less expensive, lower maintenance one.
44. Convert your cash value life insurance to term.
45. Shop around for eyeglasses.
46. Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.
47. Recycle.
48. Move to a less expensive place to live.
49. Use low flush toilets or water saving devices in the tank.
50. Drop unneeded telephone services like call forwarding or caller ID.
51. Buy fruits and vegetables in season.
52. Avoid using your ATM card at machines that charge a fee.
53. Bicycle to work.
54. Shop around for auto insurance discounts for multiple drivers, seniors, good driving records, etc.
55. Ask your doctor for samples of prescriptions.
56. Borrow a dress for a big night out. or go to a consignment shop.
57. When you buy a home negotiate the sales price and closing costs.
58. Turn the hot water heater down and wrap it with insulation.
59. Never grocery shop hungry.
60. If you qualify, file for Earned Income Credit.
61. Shop around for prescriptions including mail order companies (Medi-Mail 800-331-1458, Action Mail Order Drugs 800-452-1976, and AARP 800-456-2277).
62. If you pay for childcare, make use of the dependent care tax credit or your employer's dependent care flexible spending account.
63. Buy, sell, and trade clothes at consignment shops.
64. Shop around for the lowest banking fees.
65. Caulk windows and doors.
66. Iron your own shirts.
67. Plan your weekly food menu before shopping.
68. Buy a good used car instead of a new model car.
69. Purchase all of your insurance from the same company to get a discount.
70. Cut your cable television down to basic.
71. Go to an optometrist for routine vision tests or to change an eyeglass prescription.
72. Buy pre-owned toys and children's books at garage sales.
73. Have potluck dinners with friends and family instead of going out.
74. Use the library for books, video tapes, and music.
75. Inspect clothing carefully before purchasing it.
76. Don't use your dishwasher dry cycle; open the door and let them air dry all night.
77. At the grocery store, comparison shop by looking at the unit price.
78. Make your own coffee.
79. Use old newspapers for cat litter.
80. Shop at discount clothing stores.
81. Skip annual full mouth x-rays unless there is a problem; the ADA recommends x-rays every 3 years.
82. Water your garden at night or early in the morning.
83. Shop around for long distance rates.
84. Hand wash instead of dry cleaning.
85. Grow your own vegetables and herbs.
86. Shop around for auto financing.
87. Donate time instead of money to religious organizations and charities.
88. If you are leaving a room for more than five minutes, turn off the light.
89. Shop at auctions or pawn shops for jewelry and antiques.
90. Keep your car properly tuned.
91. Request lower interest rates from your creditors.
92. Trade in old books, records, and CDs at book and record exchanges.
93. Pay bills the day they arrive; many credit card companies charge interest based on your average daily balance.
94. Buy software at computer fares.
95. Search the internet for freebies.
96. Compost to make your own fertilizer.
97.If your car has very little value, you probably only need liability insurance.
98. Cut the kids hair yourself.
99. Increase your insurance deductible.
100. Buy in bulk food warehouses.
101. If your income is low, contact utility companies about reduced rates.
http://www.mnheadhunter.com/mh/2006/08/northwest_airli.html
User Reviews
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-08-29 01:07:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I keep forgetting to +2 this with the mention that, although I am not the most energy-efficient person in the world, I easily do 2/3 of this shit daily.
Cmon people it ain't THAT hard.
PS
RECYCLING IS SEXY!
Submitted by vettesrule88 (user info) at 2006-08-27 13:19:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
i found a violin with an appraisal from 1870 saying it was made in the early 1600s
also, an original F.S. Church painting, there is no record of it anywhere, but ive had it looked at by some art people and they all say its as authentic as it can get, signature, style, etc. etc. etc.
Submitted by sharedferret (user info) at 2006-08-26 20:51:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2006-08-26 17:44:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
who else would iron my shirts?
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2006-08-25 23:42:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
wait.
Make your own soap - I don't see it on the list!!!
Submitted by Stin (user info) at 2006-08-25 23:27:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Too many of these just cut a little close to home, thank you.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-08-25 19:21:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-7828123714384920696
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-25 13:47:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-08-23 18:46:51 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-23 18:20:27 (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-08-23 16:30:44 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-23 15:16:42 (#)
Ranking: -2
I'll do "none" of these. I make too much dough to have to skimp.
===
And yet not enough to have your extra 21st chromosome removed.
http://4sbccfaculty.org/lecture/2000s/images/shapiro_images/32-downs-syndrome_72.jpg """
I've seen your 'living room'.
===
And I've seen your head. Shift a little to the left there dude, you're blocking my light. """
HAHAHAHAAH NO ONE HAS EVER USED THAT BEFORE.
Shut your junkie mouth.
I'm bored of this now - I think i'll stop being such a twat.
I'm not even good at it.
Toodles.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-08-25 12:31:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I do these:
1-5
8-16
18
20-21
23-28
34
36
38-39
41- no need, it doesn't get any better than 2%
44
46-47
49-54
57-58
64-67
69-73
75-78
82
85
88
90
93
96-97
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2006-08-25 12:07:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by r0fl (user info) at 2006-08-24 23:45:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Plus 2 because I'm a loser and actually read all of this and the reviews.
Submitted by mockidol (user info) at 2006-08-24 18:18:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
"31. Hang clothes out to dry."
Did anyone else find it funny that this is exactly what the airline was doing to its employees to save money?
hahahaha
Submitted by atz (user info) at 2006-08-24 13:26:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I worked at a used appliance store and things were pretty much run just as you described: we would take "old" appliances in place of the newer ones we were selling (usually in exchange for no delivery fee), do very minor work to fix the old appliances (and in some cases no work at all), clean them, and sell them.
But the majority of the tips listed could be figured out with common sense, which is something these people seem to lack, or, as you said, they have too much pride.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-08-24 12:14:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Technophobe (user info) at 2006-08-24 10:38:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Other ways to save money...
MAKE your own inexpensive mints by leaving blobs of toothpaste to dry on a window sill. Use striped toothpaste to make humbugs.
BOILED EGGS cut in half vertically, and with the yolk removed, make ideal miniature porcelain-style urinals for hamsters and guinea pigs.
DOG owners. Don't waste money on a lead. Simply walk your dog backwards holding its tail.
To make a pot of supermarket coleslaw go further, simply grate a carrot, some cabbage and an onion into the tub, then add some mayonnaise.
Blah Blah Blah
Submitted by Beano312003 (user info) at 2006-08-24 08:00:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
WTF...?? I'm not saving all that money.
Submitted by Slighty_Obnoxious (user info) at 2006-08-24 01:09:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
;)
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2006-08-24 00:38:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Only a zero, because this isn't a HOLY SHIT THE GUBMENT HATES YOU post.
Submitted by Zoidberg (user info) at 2006-08-24 00:38:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by w_t_a_y_s_t_r_m (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:34:39 (#)
Ranking: 2
I already do number 21. All of my food is homemade out of baby
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2006-08-23 22:38:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I got a fabulous antique wooden chair from the dumpster at my old apartment complex. It was sitting outside the dumpster - I didn't actually climb into it. Although if I saw something that might be worth a lot of money in a dumpster, I wouldn't hesitate. No shame in my game.
I'm frugal about some stuff and spendthrift about other stuff. I've bought ten pairs of shoes since June, and I always tip at least 30% in bars and restaurants, but I never buy name-brand anything. Name brands are a waste - all you're paying for is the name. I'm also obsessed with outlet stores. There's a premium outlet mall in Dawsonville that I would never leave if I didn't have to, you know, work and bathe and stuff.
Anyway thanks for the tips. There's some good stuff on that list.
Submitted by awesome_face (user info) at 2006-08-23 21:35:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
You can save lots of time by not doing any of these.
Submitted by gravitas (user info) at 2006-08-23 21:10:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
36. But 'no frills' vitamins.
instead of food?
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-08-23 18:46:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-23 18:20:27 (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-08-23 16:30:44 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-23 15:16:42 (#)
Ranking: -2
I'll do "none" of these. I make too much dough to have to skimp.
===
And yet not enough to have your extra 21st chromosome removed.
http://4sbccfaculty.org/lecture/2000s/images/shapiro_images/32-downs-syndrome_72.jpg """
I've seen your 'living room'.
===
And I've seen your head. Shift a little to the left there dude, you're blocking my light.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-23 18:20:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-08-23 16:30:44 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-23 15:16:42 (#)
Ranking: -2
I'll do "none" of these. I make too much dough to have to skimp.
===
And yet not enough to have your extra 21st chromosome removed.
http://4sbccfaculty.org/lecture/2000s/images/shapiro_images/32-downs-syndrome_72.jpg """
I've seen your 'living room'.
Submitted by whysenheimer (user info) at 2006-08-23 17:52:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by UnderOathMeal (user info) at 2006-08-23 17:47:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Numbers 19 and 79 make no sense and should be replaced.
Cat litter serves a purpose not supportable by frikkin newspaper. Here's a hint: clump. Here's another: odor masking.
Write a letter instead of calling? WTF? Ok, should we send it via Pony Express, too?
Decent effort, however.
Submitted by BadAssJulie (user info) at 2006-08-23 17:36:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I think I'd be offended by this too.
However, +2 for #29 because I read it as "go to a manatee instead of an evening show" instead of "go to a matinee instead of an evening show."
Submitted by sideshow (user info) at 2006-08-23 16:46:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:50:37 (#)
Ranking: 2
85. Grow your own vegetables and herbs. **I grow my own herb... Is that what they mean?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't lie, you get it off me....
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-08-23 16:30:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-23 15:16:42 (#)
Ranking: -2
I'll do "none" of these. I make too much dough to have to skimp.
===
And yet not enough to have your extra 21st chromosome removed.
http://4sbccfaculty.org/lecture/2000s/images/shapiro_images/32-downs-syndrome_72.jpg
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-08-23 16:04:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:41:16 (#)
Ranking: 0
can we not tell i spend most of my time broke here?
jesus i'm like a jewish martha stewart here...
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I'll be your sugar daddy if you're taking applications....
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 15:19:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:34:44 (#)
Ranking: 2
Arrows are cheap....how about the new Matthews Swtichback XT Bow?
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i am not your sugar mama. two arrows, one as insurance, is all you get.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-08-23 15:16:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:37:54 (#)
Ranking: -2
I'll do "none" of these. I make too much dough to have to skimp.
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:38:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:52:25 (#)
Ranking: 0
well then women should at least have a couple hundred aside for a doctor visit a year.
although a yearly isn't a requirement, it's recommended to not go more than two years without a pap. go yearly if you've ever had an abnormal one. while you guys just have to turn head and cough us chicks have to spread while we're stabbed with bristly things and giant salad tongs. being female it's a good idea to have insurance.
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i think planned parenthood will do this too if you are below a certain income level.
i hate the freakin salad tongs.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:34:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Arrows are cheap....how about the new Matthews Swtichback XT Bow?
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:28:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:21:24 (#)
Ranking: 2
hahahaha....filthy said bung
anyway...bullet...I don't need no stinking bullet....arrows baby, resharpen and reuse my broadheads even.
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so i'll buy you two nice new carbon arrows with any type of head you want and you gimme deer. or a couple dowel rods and some exacto blades.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:27:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
no I hunt NJ and PA right now, this fall will be my first trip to hunt my very own land down in Kentucky...I'm so excited about the idea.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:24:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:15:41 (#)
Ranking: 2
oh and I do my own butchering
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:12:58 (#)
Ranking: 2
we used to make our own apple cider
and I eat probably as much 'free' venison each year as I do chicken or beef
----------------
In Kentucky?
Good hunting land down here.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:21:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
hahahaha....filthy said bung
anyway...bullet...I don't need no stinking bullet....arrows baby, resharpen and reuse my broadheads even.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:21:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:15:41 (#)
Ranking: 2
oh and I do my own butchering
-----------------------
Know how to butcher "long pork"?
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:19:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
WHERE'S MY DEER MEAT ASSHOL!!!
i'll give you the 22 cents for the bullet.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:19:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"3. Use coupons at the grocery store."
Coupons don't really save you money - the shit they give out coupons for is alreay marked up to cover the cost. It's a scam. You'd do better to buy fresh produce and rustle up a meal yourself, rather than go for cheap processed shit. It's pretty cost effective to knock up a massive chilli, split it out into containers and bung them in the freezer. When you get home pissed you can just chuck it in the microwave.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:15:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
oh and I do my own butchering
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:12:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
we used to make our own apple cider
and I eat probably as much 'free' venison each year as I do chicken or beef
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:09:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
yeah well, unless you go to a military base. the commissary is usually pretty good at stocking the best of the bruised.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 14:03:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:37:39 (#)
Ranking: 0
peanut butter is better when they have a few teeth. it can give them the runs from what i hear. although baby shit isn't exactly a solid consistency it's not exactly nice to make that worse. it's still one of those things where if they're under about a year old it shouldn't be anywhere near your first option for them. although wic makes you buy it if you're breastfeeding. babies may only eat 2-6 oz at a meal time but they do it so often it's hard to keep stuff on hand that didn't just come out of a tit or a can.
everything needed is in breast milk. but when they start teething a lot of mothers stop breast feeding because the little twat goblins start chewing. tomatoes and peppers are not good baby foods at all. squash could be, it purees well and it's nutritious, but it grows on vines that stay close to the ground unlike eggplant and tomatoes. and those are hard to have in the house. (i've tried this) it's mostly the fruit part of baby food that's impossible to get cheap or take care of yourself. like you can't grow a tree in your house, well you can but i don't think a bonsai apple tree would be a useful sort of thing to have around.
the other thing is, if you have a yard and your own house you're probably not so poor where you need these options. you can't do much about gardening in a city. a window box just won't cut it and not everywhere will let you do a community garden. plus soil and plant food are things that need to be taken into cost, as well as actually tending to the garden. however, you can go to orchards and get cheaper bruised fruit. depends on how picky you are and how much access you have to those things though.
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All very good points. Not everyone has the option of growing their own food, obviously. But aren't there cooperative gardens in cities you can buy into or donate time to for a portion of the harvest?
If there isn't, there should be. Maybe one of you city kids can set this up.
On the subject of bruised fruit...that's exactly why fruit's so expensive at the supermarket. They get the best of the best. The rest goes to fruit juice and sauce and concentrated products.
Submitted by wardy (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:56:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
wow.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:52:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
well then women should at least have a couple hundred aside for a doctor visit a year.
although a yearly isn't a requirement, it's recommended to not go more than two years without a pap. go yearly if you've ever had an abnormal one. while you guys just have to turn head and cough us chicks have to spread while we're stabbed with bristly things and giant salad tongs. being female it's a good idea to have insurance.
i've never even had the flu though.
Submitted by pastacheese (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:50:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The sick thing is that someone is getting paid 100 grand a year to write this shit.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:47:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:24:42 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:20:00 (#)
Ranking: 2
101. Live in your parent's basement.
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Taking a roommate is perhaps a better alternative, depending on who the roommate is and whether or not they bathe on a regular basis.
I had a middle school teacher who still lived with his mother to save money.
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Hell, I still would if I could. It's tough to save cash when you have to pay for everything.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:47:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:17:06 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:08:05 (#)
Ranking: 0
23. Drop duplicate medical insurance. - this is tough because you never know what will happen. a good chunk of the bankruptcy claims filed are due to medical bills and since the government has decided that if you get cancer and can't pay for the treatment that you still owe thousands and thousands of dollars you'd regret it. if you have kids you shouldn't do this either.
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But the thing about medical bills is, even if you have to pay a little each month for the rest of your life, it's still not going to be any more expensive than what you'd pay for medical insurance and deductibles. Plus, it's illegal, I think, for them to charge you interest on your medical bills as long as you are making an effort to pay them.
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yeah but things like cancer treatments can rack up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. amounts so obscene where if you're really so poor as to consider this you'll never pay them back and your credit is wrecked for your life instead of the 7 years it used to take to get that off.
my mother has lupus. when it's not flared up she goes to the doctor at least once a month and takes a handful of pills a day. when it is flared up she can easily be put into the emergency room on stroke watch. she was on chemo as well for her kidneys. it really really depends. if you have no one else relying on you and you're healthy, then yes, drop all the extras. if you have children or have a history of any sort of problem or chronic condition that breaks the coverage boundaries of one, then you should keep all you have. the cost of private insurance is just ridiculous but if you're having double coverage from two different employed household members, or two different employers on the same household member then you should keep it around.
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There's no reason to have multiple insurance that overlaps in coverage unless there is some distinct advantage that covers something you know you already have.
Insurance is a gamble anyway. The fact that insurance companies make money at all should tell you that the odds are in your favor for NOT having coverage while you're young and single and healthy.
Having a family with kids is a different story, but if you're young and single and healthy, I'd say FUCK insurance!
I've been sick that required a hospital visit ONCE in the last 8 years that I know of. It was an emergency room visit where I got treated for dehydration brought on by flu.
Even if I'd had no insurance at the time, the visit would have costed me about $1500-$2000 in total.
If I consider what I'd pay over the course of the last 8 years in medical insurance, which is $35 a month. That would be a cost of $3360 over the same course of time. So it actually cost me MORE to have insurance during that time than it would have to not have it, PLUS I have a fucking deductible!
Likewise, there are many times when a hospital visit is not required and the doctors can do nothing anyway except tell you to wait it out and give you a pain killer.
Again, it's a gamble, but it might be worth it. As long as you're not out doing dangerous shit all the time, odds are in your favor here.
Like I said...you can't argue with the fact that insurance in a money-making business, and SOMEONE is losing out on the deal...namely the consumer.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:41:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
can we not tell i spend most of my time broke here?
jesus i'm like a jewish martha stewart here...
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:37:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:26:14 (#)
Ranking: 0
It's been so long since I had a baby around, I can't remember... What about peanut butter? What's the safe age for that? You were talking about protein earlier. That's a pretty good source.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure everything a baby needs is in mother's milk, including protein. That's what it's designed for. When the baby's too young for solid foods, mother's milk should be all that's required.
Plus, much of this debate could be solved by simply growing your own vegetables. If you have any kind of yard you could grow fruits and vegetables. Many could be grown in pots inside if need be. Tomatoes do pretty well inside. Peppers do well. I think squash would grow just about anywhere.
I guess the point is, while all aren't necessarily easy, there are other ways of doing things besides paying too much for overpackaged, over-marketed foods.
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peanut butter is better when they have a few teeth. it can give them the runs from what i hear. although baby shit isn't exactly a solid consistency it's not exactly nice to make that worse. it's still one of those things where if they're under about a year old it shouldn't be anywhere near your first option for them. although wic makes you buy it if you're breastfeeding. babies may only eat 2-6 oz at a meal time but they do it so often it's hard to keep stuff on hand that didn't just come out of a tit or a can.
everything needed is in breast milk. but when they start teething a lot of mothers stop breast feeding because the little twat goblins start chewing. tomatoes and peppers are not good baby foods at all. squash could be, it purees well and it's nutritious, but it grows on vines that stay close to the ground unlike eggplant and tomatoes. and those are hard to have in the house. (i've tried this) it's mostly the fruit part of baby food that's impossible to get cheap or take care of yourself. like you can't grow a tree in your house, well you can but i don't think a bonsai apple tree would be a useful sort of thing to have around.
the other thing is, if you have a yard and your own house you're probably not so poor where you need these options. you can't do much about gardening in a city. a window box just won't cut it and not everywhere will let you do a community garden. plus soil and plant food are things that need to be taken into cost, as well as actually tending to the garden. however, you can go to orchards and get cheaper bruised fruit. depends on how picky you are and how much access you have to those things though.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:26:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:06:37 (#)
Ranking: 1
yeah but the problem with potatoes is they're just filler. there's nothing to them as far as nutrients really. it's a bunch of starch which they're already getting in every other item of their diet. potatoes shouldn't be used as the main everything unless you're really giving them very nutritionally dense food to make up for the gap.
or pedialyte, but that shit's damn expensive.
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It's been so long since I had a baby around, I can't remember... What about peanut butter? What's the safe age for that? You were talking about protein earlier. That's a pretty good source.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure everything a baby needs is in mother's milk, including protein. That's what it's designed for. When the baby's too young for solid foods, mother's milk should be all that's required.
Plus, much of this debate could be solved by simply growing your own vegetables. If you have any kind of yard you could grow fruits and vegetables. Many could be grown in pots inside if need be. Tomatoes do pretty well inside. Peppers do well. I think squash would grow just about anywhere.
I guess the point is, while all aren't necessarily easy, there are other ways of doing things besides paying too much for overpackaged, over-marketed foods.
Submitted by maiorano84 (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:19:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I don't pay taxes. Then I give the surplus to charity.
I guess that means I break even.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:17:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:08:05 (#)
Ranking: 0
23. Drop duplicate medical insurance. - this is tough because you never know what will happen. a good chunk of the bankruptcy claims filed are due to medical bills and since the government has decided that if you get cancer and can't pay for the treatment that you still owe thousands and thousands of dollars you'd regret it. if you have kids you shouldn't do this either.
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But the thing about medical bills is, even if you have to pay a little each month for the rest of your life, it's still not going to be any more expensive than what you'd pay for medical insurance and deductibles. Plus, it's illegal, I think, for them to charge you interest on your medical bills as long as you are making an effort to pay them.
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yeah but things like cancer treatments can rack up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. amounts so obscene where if you're really so poor as to consider this you'll never pay them back and your credit is wrecked for your life instead of the 7 years it used to take to get that off.
my mother has lupus. when it's not flared up she goes to the doctor at least once a month and takes a handful of pills a day. when it is flared up she can easily be put into the emergency room on stroke watch. she was on chemo as well for her kidneys. it really really depends. if you have no one else relying on you and you're healthy, then yes, drop all the extras. if you have children or have a history of any sort of problem or chronic condition that breaks the coverage boundaries of one, then you should keep all you have. the cost of private insurance is just ridiculous but if you're having double coverage from two different employed household members, or two different employers on the same household member then you should keep it around.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:10:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:04:00 (#)
Ranking: -2
14. Quit smoking. - Aren't you a pot head?
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I haven't purchased a bag of pot in probably 6 years.
And I just quit smoking cigarettes a week ago. Today is day 7!
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:08:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
23. Drop duplicate medical insurance. - this is tough because you never know what will happen. a good chunk of the bankruptcy claims filed are due to medical bills and since the government has decided that if you get cancer and can't pay for the treatment that you still owe thousands and thousands of dollars you'd regret it. if you have kids you shouldn't do this either.
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But the thing about medical bills is, even if you have to pay a little each month for the rest of your life, it's still not going to be any more expensive than what you'd pay for medical insurance and deductibles. Plus, it's illegal, I think, for them to charge you interest on your medical bills as long as you are making an effort to pay them.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:06:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:03:54 (#)
Ranking: 0
Loki: My momma cut my hair. :$
Inion: Good points about the food. I know what you mean on the applesauce thing. That makes sense. Think about things like mashed pototoes though. You can buy 10 lbs of potatoes way cheaper than you could possibly buy the same amount of pre-packaged baby food potatoes.
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yeah but the problem with potatoes is they're just filler. there's nothing to them as far as nutrients really. it's a bunch of starch which they're already getting in every other item of their diet. potatoes shouldn't be used as the main everything unless you're really giving them very nutritionally dense food to make up for the gap.
or pedialyte, but that shit's damn expensive.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:04:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
14. Quit smoking. - Aren't you a pot head?
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 13:03:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Loki: My momma cut my hair. :$
Inion: Good points about the food. I know what you mean on the applesauce thing. That makes sense. Think about things like mashed pototoes though. You can buy 10 lbs of potatoes way cheaper than you could possibly buy the same amount of pre-packaged baby food potatoes.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:58:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
1. Set your thermostat to 64 and turn it down to 60 at night. - use blankets. unless there's an infant in the house that can't regulate its own body temperature yet there's really no reason to have the thermostat over 50-55.
9. Make long distance calls at night and on weekends, instead of mid-day, mid-week. - email from the library
18. Take a shorter shower. - take a bath with 2" of water and a cup. it's enough to get you clean and it uses less.
19. Write letters instead of calling. - email again.
22. Use public transportation. - walk
23. Drop duplicate medical insurance. - this is tough because you never know what will happen. a good chunk of the bankruptcy claims filed are due to medical bills and since the government has decided that if you get cancer and can't pay for the treatment that you still owe thousands and thousands of dollars you'd regret it. if you have kids you shouldn't do this either.
28. Buy your clothes off season. - alter the clothes you already have. needle and thread are cheaper and you can borrow the how to book from the library. also, old navy has a 10 cent sale at the end of the summer. look for one.
34. Change the oil in your car yourself regularly. - buying a filter and 5 quarts of oil is sometimes more expensive than taking it to a shop that does it for cheap in an hour or so. also this is assuming you don't already have an oil filter wrench, a small tool set for the nut keeping the oil in and somewhere to do the change. a lot of apartment buildings won't let you do it on the property.
43. Trade down your car for a less expensive, lower maintenance one. THAT'S UNAMERICAN!!! kidding. well sorta...
44. Convert your cash value life insurance to term. - that depends on age. if you're over like 55 you shouldn't mess with your life insurance too much. if you get dropped, getting coverage again could be really hard.
45. Shop around for eyeglasses. - america's best. national chain, i got two pairs and an eye exam for less than $200.
58. Turn the hot water heater down and wrap it with insulation. - you can boil pots and use it too. costs less to boil a lobster pot of water than it does for the heater to keep it hot all day.
65. Caulk windows and doors. - throw a towel under the doors and stick the soft side of a velcro strip around the jambs. works just as well as weather stripping in most cases. having a carpet or rug will also keep the heat up in a room.
75. Inspect clothing carefully before purchasing it. - i'm hoping they mean search for rips, stains, and pulled threads so you can get it for cheaper by arguing.
76. Don't use your dishwasher dry cycle; open the door and let them air dry all night. - handwash your dishes, rinse and lightly soap things immediately after you use them and reuse them. it saves on having to wash a full load of anything. use a cloth towel to dry.
79. Use old newspapers for cat litter. - better yet, turn the cat into an outdoor cat. a lot of shelters and animal control offices do "free shot" days a couple times a year, then you only have to foot the bill for a $3 flea collar every three months instead of cat litter.
83. Shop around for long distance rates. - again email from library.
85. Grow your own vegetables and herbs. ch-ch-ch-CHIA!
88. If you are leaving a room for more than five minutes, turn off the light. - tea light candles. last for hours and you can get 100 for $1 at dollar stores.
97.If your car has very little value, you probably only need liability insurance. - depends on the state. also if you live somewhere where a lot of people drive more expensive cars than you, you might want to not drop extra coverage. rear ending a $100k audi suv is not something you want to be making up the difference on.
99. Increase your insurance deductible. - if you can't afford a $500 deductible if and when it comes down to you to pay this it won't matter if your monthly rate dropped. unless you're going to keep your deductible on hand, it isn't that practical to do this.
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many of these suggestions were just saying the same thing over and over. a thrift store and a consignment store are the same thing if you're the shopper.
it mentioned nothing about foodbanks.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:54:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
In theory it's true that saving up for a house (or anything for that matter) is better than financing.
but
You have to live somewhere and paying rent is just throwing money away with nothing to show for it. I just don't think anyone could both pay rent and save up to buy a house.
Back when we were renting, we were in duplex and the people who owned our house sold it. The mortgage company sent the payment book to us by mistake. Naturally we opened it and realized that the rent we were paying on our half of the duplex was the amount of the monthly mortgage payment. The whole other half was profit - or probably upkeep and maybe taxes depending on how they had their escrow set up.
We thought it would be far more expensive than that to own a home and felt really stupid when we clued in. Hell, if I'm going to buy a house for someone it might as well be me so we bought a house. We had it appraised so we could get a second mortgage to do some home improvement and were shocked at the amount it has gone up in value since we bought it. I thought it was crazy, but then about three months ago, our next door neighbors sold their house which is very much like ours for twice what we paid for ours.
There are just certain kinds of debt that I can't be convinced are bad like a mortgage or student loan. I bitch about my student loans but I'm positive that I make several times what I would without those degrees hanging on my wall.
Oh not just ESPN but ESPN in HD, yes that is an absolute necessity.
As for turning things off, back in the heat wave when we were all being told to conserve energy at work, they told us not to turn our computers off at night because rebooting takes more juice than leaving them on all night. I don't know if that is true or not, maybe it is but I turn my off at home because I swear they heat up the study.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:53:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:45:39 (#)
Ranking: 2
If it helps, my hot tub has been empty and shut down for the whole summer.
I didn't see keeping your tires properly inflated but I suppose that would fall under keeping your car in tune.
I do a lot of saving by doing all of my own remodeling.
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Home repair is a BIGGIE.
Something as simple as replacing the o-rings or gaskets in your sink valves yourself can save a small fortune.
Doing things yourself can be a learning experience, a bonding experience (if you do them with kids or spouses), it saves money, and it can be fun!
There is a certain pride that comes with knowing you've done something with your own hands and didn't simply call up a repairman or a professional installer.
If you don't know for sure how to do something, the internet and family members offer a WEALTH of information, and there's no better way to learn than by DOING. Are you gonna fuck up? It's possible. But if you fuck up once, then you'll know!
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:52:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
102. Don't be a socialist.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:47:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:40:29 (#)
Ranking: 2
Ah the library thing is on there
Does basic cable include ESPN because without that Sam would move out.
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It's going to be different for every cable provider, I assume. But my guess is, yes, ESPN is included, but ESPN2 or ESPN8 "The Ocho" would not be.
Plus, there is always the internet. ESPN's website includes all the scores and many of the key clips one might have missed.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:45:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
If it helps, my hot tub has been empty and shut down for the whole summer.
I didn't see keeping your tires properly inflated but I suppose that would fall under keeping your car in tune.
I do a lot of saving by doing all of my own remodeling.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:44:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:41:56 (#)
Ranking: 2
refinancing the mortgage would be a really bad idea considering how much interest rates have gone up in the past couple of years
I'm just sayin'
I'll stop now.
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No, don't stop. That's an excellent point!
In fact, I've argued on previous posts that it's better to save up for a home purchase than to use a bank anyway.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:43:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
65. Caulk windows and doors.
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Also...draw curtains and blinds in the extreme winter and summer months, they increase the insulation efficiency of the window and blinds block out solar radiation that will heat up a room quickly.
Of course if you block out too much sun you have to use artificial lights, so you have to find a happy medium. Crack the blinds open just a little while you're there and close them entirely when you're gone...unless you have plants.
Turn your thermostat up to 80 in the summer while you're not there and down to 60 in the winter while you're not there.
Unplug any appliances when not in use, including your TV and computer. These items suck up to 40% of their operational energy simply by being plugged in. This energy fills up capacitors in the electronics and is bled off slowly through heat. You might as well be burning money.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:41:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
refinancing the mortgage would be a really bad idea considering how much interest rates have gone up in the past couple of years
I'm just sayin'
I'll stop now.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:40:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ah the library thing is on there
Does basic cable include ESPN because without that Sam would move out.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:39:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:19:39 (#)
Ranking: 0
I doubt that making baby food is more expensive unless you're under WIC assistance.
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babies don't eat meat. they get the majority of their protein from milk and formula and very little from any other source such as legumes. granted you can puree a pork chop and feed it to a kid but it'll probably hurt the child's stomach. you should not puree canned fruits to make your child's food because a lot is lost in nutritional value with the syrups. bad for their teeth too.
it is incredibly expensive to make baby food from whole foods. not including the processor, children eat every couple hours for first few months. they can (according to my friend's doctor) get started on cereal at like four months. up until that it's best to breast feed. i don't know how often you buy vegetables or fruits but they are expensive. i'm not kidding when i say 10 packs of ramen is the same as one apple. that one apple is maybe two partial meals for a child because it has to be cored and peeled.
if you get the store brands of jar baby food you get more for about the same cost as buying fresh fruits and vegetables and mashing them down. and it lasts longer. baby cereal - one box is a month worth with breastmilk, formula, and jar food added in. the cheap vegetables, ie potatoes, onions and lettuce, things you can buy in bulk, are not nutritious enough to use as a staple in a baby's diet. fresh fruits are very expensive compared to a box of baby cereal. a bag of carrots or rice may be cheap, but you can't just feed the kid only mashed carrots and rice water.
a giant jar of unaltered apple sauce is cheaper than buying the 20 apples it would take to make it. also, unfortunately, juice is cheaper than fresh fruits and parents use that to get vitamins in. just buy the store brand and breastfeed for as long as you can. or well as she can, i don't think you can.
and wic is retarded when it comes to its rules about what you can and cannot buy. you can have 16oz of cheddar but you can't buy a bunch of bananas. if you're on wic you probably can't afford normal food any how. you're living on toasted oats or something yourself.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:39:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
If you cut your kids' hair yourself, you can save money on sports because they'll be getting in great shape fighting at school every day.
Did it mention checking books out of a library instead of buying them?
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:38:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:29:32 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:13:36 (#)
Ranking: 2
24. Buy old furniture at yard sales and refinish it yourself. --all the fucking time
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My mom does that ritually.
It's quite a cool hobby really.
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yeah i've done it for tons of stuff. It;s so easy and just requires some time and elbow grease-- and you can really do it as a source if income, because around where I live it's sold as "shabby chic" for big money in antique stores and fairs.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:38:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:24:42 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:20:00 (#)
Ranking: 2
101. Live in your parent's basement.
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Taking a roommate is perhaps a better alternative, depending on who the roommate is and whether or not they bathe on a regular basis.
I had a middle school teacher who still lived with his mother to save money.
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Taking a roommate is not always the better option.
http://www.ubersite.com/m/92163
-Dave
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:37:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm positive it would piss me off if someone handed this to me as I was getting laid off.
We don't get any money for recycling here. We're just supposed to dutifully stick everything recyclable in the little red box and put it on the curb every Monday night.
102. Steal copper pipes and wiring to sell to recycling plants
103. Find a job that provides you with a uniform, preferably one with a name tag as well so you can use it as a second form of id
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:29:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
In NJ the energy company has a program where they will pay for 70% of the overall cost to buy and install an windmill and once your meter starts running backwards they will send you a check each month.
We're looking into windmills for the property in Kentucky.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:29:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:13:36 (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow I do a lot of these--i just checked for fun.
Once you start to be more frugal it's like an addiction to saving money. I did a lot anyway just because we did them growing up. Also makes your life a lot simpler.
24. Buy old furniture at yard sales and refinish it yourself. --all the fucking time
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My mom does that ritually.
It's quite a cool hobby really.
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:27:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ETS + 2 WTF.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:27:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh, also if any of you guys are using DSL right now, did you know that if the company from which you get your DSL service owns the phone lines, they are BY LAW not allowed to require you to get their phone service too?
If it's AT&T/SBC, I know from experience, you have to threaten them with a lawsuit to get them to give you naked DSL.
Fuck AT&T.
Submitted by jojo747 (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:26:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I like this post (a first for one from you) and I like this list but I would definitly be pissed if I was given this they day they fired me.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:24:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:20:00 (#)
Ranking: 2
101. Live in your parent's basement.
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Taking a roommate is perhaps a better alternative, depending on who the roommate is and whether or not they bathe on a regular basis.
I had a middle school teacher who still lived with his mother to save money.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:22:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Uberjunkie (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:59:01 (#)
Ranking: 2
Good shit, but I would not want that advice being handed to me as I was being "let go."
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Well, the problem is, their jobs are being outsourced to Mexicans and Indians and shit. I would be more insulted by that than the 101 tips on saving money thing. That's only insulting because it's the 'icing on the cake' or 'last straw' kind of thing.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's a misdirection of anger.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:20:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
101. Live in your parent's basement.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:19:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:55:49 (#)
Ranking: 1
just to let you know, making your own babyfood is more expensive than buying it in most of cases. unless you're breastfeeding, then you are making your own baby food. buying your own whole foods is more expensive than buying a can of formula, box of baby cereal or large jar of applesauce. this is one of those gripes with the the american health whatever blah blah blah because poor people can afford macaroni and cheese but for 10 packs of ramen they can only get one apple.
wic does not cover fruits and vegetables yet. they will be soon but to do that they are cutting down on other parts, mostly the cheese rations from what i hear.
i didn't see anything mentioning food banks. but then again they mostly give you condensed milk, mac & cheese, and some rice and bread.
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I doubt that making baby food is more expensive unless you're under WIC assistance.
Submitted by BranDo (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:17:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
102- Commit Suicide
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:17:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
oh yeah and i second what loki said about long distance calls. besides, i rarely need to make any.
Submitted by Donitsu2002 (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:16:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
#102: Abort any children like ETS to save on food and a variety of other things very costly
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:16:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
oh and by the way that is fucked up thing to hand to an employee. i mean let them figure it out for themselves.
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:13:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow I do a lot of these--i just checked for fun.
Once you start to be more frugal it's like an addiction to saving money. I did a lot anyway just because we did them growing up. Also makes your life a lot simpler.
2. Use the phone book instead of directory assistance.
3. Use coupons at the grocery store.
4. Carpool.
6. Do your own nails.
8. Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt.
9. Make long distance calls at night and on weekends, instead of mid-day, mid-week.
10. Throw pocket change in a jar and take it to the bank when it's full.
11. Always grocery shop with a list.
13. Go to museums on free days.
14. Quit smoking.
16. Meet friends for coffee instead of dinner. --sometimes
18. Take a shorter shower. --sometimes
20. Brown bag your lunch.
21. Make your own babyfood. --going to when the baby comes
23. Drop duplicate medical insurance.
24. Buy old furniture at yard sales and refinish it yourself. --all the fucking time
25. Apply for scholarships and financial aid.
26. Exercise for free-walk, jog, bike, or get exercise videos from the library.
31. Hang clothes out to dry. --planning on it
35. Get pre-approval from your medical insurance company before undergoing any procedures or tests.
36. But 'no frills' vitamins. --target generic prenatals!! woo!
37. Take a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods.
38. Make cards and gifts for friends.
39. Shop in thrift stores.
42. Grocery shop on double coupon days.
46. Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash. --hell yeah. I always scour the sidewalks on big bulk garbage day, especially in rich neighborhoods :)
47. Recycle.
49. Use low flush toilets or water saving devices in the tank. --we do this-- but i hate our low flow toilet, its designated the pee only toilet :)
51. Buy fruits and vegetables in season.
52. Avoid using your ATM card at machines that charge a fee. --usually
54. Shop around for auto insurance discounts for multiple drivers, seniors, good driving records, etc.
57. When you buy a home negotiate the sales price and closing costs.
66. Iron your own shirts.
67. Plan your weekly food menu before shopping.
71. Go to an optometrist for routine vision tests or to change an eyeglass prescription.
72. Buy pre-owned toys and children's books at garage sales.
73. Have potluck dinners with friends and family instead of going out. --we go out too
74. Use the library for books, video tapes, and music. --library near me ROCKS
75. Inspect clothing carefully before purchasing it.
76. Don't use your dishwasher dry cycle; open the door and let them air dry all night.
77. At the grocery store, comparison shop by looking at the unit price.
78. Make your own coffee.
80. Shop at discount clothing stores.
81. Skip annual full mouth x-rays unless there is a problem; the ADA recommends x-rays every 3 years.
82. Water your garden at night or early in the morning.
84. Hand wash instead of dry cleaning.
85. Grow your own vegetables and herbs.
89. Shop at auctions or pawn shops for jewelry and antiques.
90. Keep your car properly tuned.
96. Compost to make your own fertilizer.
100. Buy in bulk food warehouses.
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:04:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I heard about the moneysaving tips thing too. I was blown away.
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-08-23 12:03:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Yeah, we get paid to bring bottle back to the bottle depot. In Alberta we pay a deposit when we paurchase anything in a container that you can take back to the depot though so it really isnt saving money, it is getting it back.
I dont get any money for recycling newspaper, milk jugs, plasics and glass
Submitted by Uberjunkie (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:59:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good shit, but I would not want that advice being handed to me as I was being "let go."
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:57:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:49:16 (#)
Ranking: 2
1. Set your thermostat to 64 and turn it down to 60 at night.
8. Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt. **or uses those florescent ones that are like 12watts but give off as much light as a 100 watt
11. Always grocery shop with a list. **never go stoned...
47. Recycle. **Huh? how does this save me money?
70. Cut your cable television down to basic. **FUCK THAT
---------------------
8: Compact fluorescent bulbs are the way to go.
11: True. And stay away from the Chips Ahoy!
47: Already answered this below.
70: Cable television sucks anyway.
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:56:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Sorry, forgot teh +2 there
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:56:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:46:33 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Kaelic (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:35:15 (#)
Ranking: 2
Also, I know if I took a date for a "walk in the woods", not only would there not be a second date, I'd probably get pepper sprayed in the face. Who takes a date out for a walk in the woods, other than rapists?
------------
See, you're not looking at this the correct way...
Walks in the woods bring you closer to nature and shit. It's a spiritual thing. If you want to forge meaningful relationships and not just a fuck-buddy arrangement, it's this type of date that will be most memorable.
The best things in life are free.
============
You are right, Rape is free, unless you rape a hooker, but i suppose if you kill said hooker you can take the money back...
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:55:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
just to let you know, making your own babyfood is more expensive than buying it in most of cases. unless you're breastfeeding, then you are making your own baby food. buying your own whole foods is more expensive than buying a can of formula, box of baby cereal or large jar of applesauce. this is one of those gripes with the the american health whatever blah blah blah because poor people can afford macaroni and cheese but for 10 packs of ramen they can only get one apple.
wic does not cover fruits and vegetables yet. they will be soon but to do that they are cutting down on other parts, mostly the cheese rations from what i hear.
i didn't see anything mentioning food banks. but then again they mostly give you condensed milk, mac & cheese, and some rice and bread.
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:50:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
85. Grow your own vegetables and herbs. **I grow my own herb... Is that what they mean?
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:49:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
1. Set your thermostat to 64 and turn it down to 60 at night.
8. Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt. **or uses those florescent ones that are like 12watts but give off as much light as a 100 watt
11. Always grocery shop with a list. **never go stoned...
47. Recycle. **Huh? how does this save me money?
70. Cut your cable television down to basic. **FUCK THAT
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:46:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Kaelic (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:35:15 (#)
Ranking: 2
Also, I know if I took a date for a "walk in the woods", not only would there not be a second date, I'd probably get pepper sprayed in the face. Who takes a date out for a walk in the woods, other than rapists?
------------
See, you're not looking at this the correct way...
Walks in the woods bring you closer to nature and shit. It's a spiritual thing. If you want to forge meaningful relationships and not just a fuck-buddy arrangement, it's this type of date that will be most memorable.
The best things in life are free.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:43:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:38:26 (#)
Ranking: 0
how does recycling save money?
and what does this mean "long distance", does anyone really pay for long distance calls anymore
------------
Some states still give deposits back on bottles, and ALL states will pay you for such things as aluminum and copper. I know Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky do for sure.
If I'm not mistaken, you get paid for turning in car battery cores and other core auto parts too.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:40:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Public Transport? Yes
Thrift Stores? Yes
Sadly...
48. Move to a less expensive place to live.
If only there was somewhere, I could give up my ambition to be an alcoholic.
-Dave
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:38:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
how does recycling save money?
and what does this mean "long distance", does anyone really pay for long distance calls anymore
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:37:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I'll do "none" of these. I make too much dough to have to skimp.
Submitted by Kaelic (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:35:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Also, I know if I took a date for a "walk in the woods", not only would there not be a second date, I'd probably get pepper sprayed in the face. Who takes a date out for a walk in the woods, other than rapists?
Submitted by w_t_a_y_s_t_r_m (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:34:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I already do number 21. All of my food is homemade out of baby
Submitted by phuzzygish (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:33:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
How the hell do you find this shit?
And I would end some summumabitch of they gave me this at work.
Submitted by Kaelic (user info) at 2006-08-23 11:32:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You would be lucky not to get your face broken if you handed me some shit like that. How has no one come in with a machine gun yet?