A small thing or two I am doing to save money

[Bluzmann57]

We all know the U.S. economy is in the tank and belt tightening must go on, at least among most of us who are not close to being wealthy financially. I recently decided to try and not only save money, but gas as well and trying to do my small part to alleviate global climate change as well. I work some different type of hours, three days one week, four days the next, 12 hour shifts, and therefore have many days off. So since I have many days off, I am trying not to drive at all one day a week. If I need anything from the store, I can walk to two major drugstore chains. There is a locally owned meat market three blocks away from my place, so groceries are no problem either. So I am attempting to save money and walking more, thereby improving my health. One notices a lot more things while walking and the peace and quiet is kind of nice as well. So that is my small contribution. It certainly is not possible for many to quit driving altogether especially when one has kids, but there are other things one can do, like shopping at discount stores, combining trips, maybe even car pooling.

[obamaforme]

1. Very clever! Good for you.

[JaneQPublic]

2. Good suggestions.

I've tried to adopt similar habits, such as doing errands, shopping, banking, and P.O. either on my lunch hour or trip home from work. That way, I can usually go without driving at least one day during the weekend.

Other good money-savers has been to switch to making your own ice tea vs. drinking canned or bottled beverages and to cooking more meals at home. Both of these habits not only save money, but are also healthier for you.

[lunatica]

3. I shop heavy duty once a month at Costco

They have considerably lower prices for food, and when I buy in bulk (which you have to at Costco) the items last for months. Example: I buy the big aluminum foil boxes and they usually last for 4 or 5 years.

I've been buying LED lamps which last thousands of hours and run on batteries. The cost of the batteries is a small fraction of the cost of my monthly electricity bill. I changed all my light bulbs to the new green ones.

[pipi_k]

5. Oh yeah, Costco

Hubby shops there...also at another chain discount grocery store.

We have some storage room upstairs, and that's where the bulk items go, like two 20 lb. bags of rice, gallons of orange juice, huge packages of toilet paper, paper towels, napkins...cases of mac and cheese...

When the local supermarket has a "Buy one get two (or three) free" sale, we stock up on soups and stuff.

Which is a good idea anyway because we're very rural and a trip into the "Big City" for shopping is a matter of 20+ miles each way.

But yeah...I get thrilled to see the Costco stuff...

:)

[pipi_k]

4. Some of my own ways of saving money...

I try to buy stuff at the Dollar Store or at the local Goodwill. Instead of buying books, I go to the library...or, if I do want to buy books, I get them by the boxload on eBay or for less than a quarter each at the Goodwill.

I make gifts for birthdays and Christmas, etc. I've already made six afghans this year, tons of sweaters and hats and scarves last year.

Again, eBay for stuff because the prices are pretty good, even on new clothing...and I like to feel like I'm helping out the "little guys" who are trying to make a living...not the big fat corporate pigs.

Surprisingly, eating out isn't that expensive when I get Chinese food. One meal on the luncheon menu is less than eight dollars, and I don't ever finish...I take the leftovers home and get two more meals out of it.


I haven't bought a box of SOS pads in almost two years. When I get a new box, I cut the pads in half, then I store the half I'm using in a plastic baggie in the freezer. Keeps it from rusting in my soap dish.

Regular white vinegar (mixed with water or dish detergent or straight up, even) makes a dandy cleaner and it's cheaper than store bought cleaners and probably better for the environment...that goes for baking soda too...

I hate having to pay full price for things....

[GTurck]

6. I saw a site last year...

that would rate your residence on a scale of 1-10 with regard to walking to purchase necessities. Our house in rural Texas was a 9 and our sons house in Chicago was a 1. The reason is that in cities all the things a person needs are close enough to walk to or there is a bus line close enough to ride to shopping. In the suburbs and the country walking is not an option except as exercise but there is no stores or facilities. That leads me to the conclusion that we live in a predominantly urban nation but that there are many, many areas still rural or semi-rural. The solution to saving energy must respect that fact and make multi-faceted recommendations. If only the bright minds in city-planning, transportation, etc would think about this with no pre-conceived notions from the 20th century we might begin to address what needs to be done.
I grew up in Chicago and so appreciate all that it offers especially in transportation but I lived most of my life in its suburbs being forced by rising housing costs to move further and further out until we hit northern Will County. Now we live in a dream spot with a sight of the Texas Hill Country out of our porch door close to our grandchildren. I would chose alternate transportation if I could get it but nobody knows how to accomplish that given the lack of population density. Surely driving to a bus stop to finish an errand, appointment or just recreation doesn't make much sense and that is the only option I have ever seen.