What Are Ways You Can Save Money ?

[humbleseeker]

I dont save by cutting down on things I just put money in the bank every week and it builds. I enjoy my comfort, my heat my air. Yes I am a bad example for this post.

[ellarose]

I dont save by cutting down on things I just put money in the bank every week and it builds. I enjoy my comfort, my heat my air. Yes I am a bad example for this post.

Lol, I guess that would work well if you have money to spare! Many people I know would sure benefit from doing that!

[Guest LadyC]

so, how much money per month does it actually save to unplug things? and if a lamp is plugged in but turned off, is it really using electricity? i wonder, if i were to turn the pc off at night instead of just letting it go on standby, how much would it save? if we're talking a combined total of a buck a month, i think i'll keep the convenience.

my brother is very frugal. he actually turns the breaker to his kitchen off every night so that even the clocks on the stove and microwave don't work. i just can't believe that really saves a whole lot.

Are you serious? Doesn't he have to set them again every morning?

i'm serious.... and no, they never set the kitchen clocks. i visited for two weeks last january. it was unbelievable! they are so conservative with their utilities that the only heater they'd run was in the bathroom, so that when they got up in the morning to shower, it was cozy. (they use gas space-heaters). it was so cold in their house that by mid-afternoon, the indoor temperatures would still only reach about 60. i walked around in their house wearing my coat!

not me.... i'll pay extra for creature comforts!

[Fez]

If I am away for more than two days I switch off my hot water (electric) geyser. Less than that and it is not worth it. A hot water geyser can be responsible for upwards of 50% of your electricity bill (we don't use gas or interior heating). I am looking at a solar water heater at the moment, our electricity supplier gives up to 30% rebates if we fit them. I also use my air conditioners sparingly. I have solar for power outages that keeps me going for about 8 hours (lights, fridge, fans).

But I have found that the best way to save money is not to spend it if you can! Every little bit saved adds up, and the wonderful power of compound interest should not be underestimated!

[MorningGlory]

so, how much money per month does it actually save to unplug things? and if a lamp is plugged in but turned off, is it really using electricity? i wonder, if i were to turn the pc off at night instead of just letting it go on standby, how much would it save? if we're talking a combined total of a buck a month, i think i'll keep the convenience.

my brother is very frugal. he actually turns the breaker to his kitchen off every night so that even the clocks on the stove and microwave don't work. i just can't believe that really saves a whole lot.

Are you serious? Doesn't he have to set them again every morning?

i'm serious.... and no, they never set the kitchen clocks. i visited for two weeks last january. it was unbelievable! they are so conservative with their utilities that the only heater they'd run was in the bathroom, so that when they got up in the morning to shower, it was cozy. (they use gas space-heaters). it was so cold in their house that by mid-afternoon, the indoor temperatures would still only reach about 60. i walked around in their house wearing my coat!

not me.... i'll pay extra for creature comforts!

Well, I won't judge the way others live but....I'm with you, life is too austere if you give up everything. God doesn't require that we not enjoy life.

[Saved_by_Jesus]

During these tough times what are ways you are cutting back or saving money?

I -

cut off my land line and just use my cell phone

i cut off the internet and borrow my friends computer

Keeping the ac on 76-77 degrees

ZG

I turned all my credit cards over to a debt consolidation program.

I don't go anywhere (besides work, church, and doctors) or do anything anymore.

I shop at Salvation Army for most of my clothes.

I cut out most of the channels on my satalite. Kept the religious station for me, and the Scifi station for my husband.

I ask my doctor for samples of my medicines when he has them, so I don't have to buy them.

I buy things like flour, rice, etc. in bulk instead of already packaged.

[OneLight]

Something I use to tell others when I taught about saving money.

1. Keep track of every transaction you make for a month.
   
2. Make a list on what your transactions were, grouping them to see how many times you made like transactions.
   
3. Looking at the list you created, place beside each transaction what is absolute to your survival, what you think is essential, what you could do without and what is obviously only luxury.
   
4. Eliminate first the luxuries from your next months transactions, then what you could do without.
   
5. Decide if what you think are essentials are really essentials or just desires and eliminate them from your next months transactions.
   
6. Decide if you are purchasing the necessities at the best price available and adjust where you can.
   

This is just the basics of what I taught. There are other things you could do to save money, like putting on an extra layer of clothes when cold or closing the shades during the hot weather to keep the house cool. During the hot weather, open your windows at night to let the cool air in and close them as the sun rises and heats the air. I can provide a link to the material I used, which is grass root created and not by economist.

[humbleseeker]

Yes less bills the better I dont have a credit card and dont ever want one. When I turned 18 I got scammed into two of them I was irresponsible and eneded getting a bad credit rating and had to get help from my mother so I could get them paid off. Delayed gratification is a good way of doing things. Save for what you want and buy it with cold hard cash. I love the feeling of plopping down the money for something I have wanted for a long while. I am saving for an engagement ring now, I wish she didnt have so exspensive tatse lol.

[Believer1997]

I am amazed at the amount of money some that I know spend on ... bottled water!!! Yikes!! Tap water, in most instances in the US anyway, is safe and clean. If you really do not like the taste of your water buy a filter ready pitcher and filter the water and keep it in the fridge. Also, many fridges feature filtered water. When we are my daughter's home - the water "bill" is amazing!! But her water does taste kind of icky - so we've given her a filter system for her tap water - she says it's really cut the bill!

[MorningGlory]

I am amazed at the amount of money some that I know spend on ... bottled water!!! Yikes!! Tap water, in most instances in the US anyway, is safe and clean. If you really do not like the taste of your water buy a filter ready pitcher and filter the water and keep it in the fridge. Also, many fridges feature filtered water. When we are my daughter's home - the water "bill" is amazing!! But her water does taste kind of icky - so we've given her a filter system for her tap water - she says it's really cut the bill!

My son and daughter-in-law are world class champs at buying bottled water. They pay a water bill and STILL spend an estimated $50.00 a week on bottled water. To me, this is a colossal waste but...what do I know? I did suggest the filter on the tap thing but it fell on deaf ears. I also read some article that found some bottled water comes straight from a tap somewhere. Oy!