Okay, everyone touts out these great breakthroughs on how to save money. Frankly, I look them all over and say, DUH! DUH! DUH! Of course, I am in debt. So, I don't listen to all of them. I should. Maybe I wouldn't be in debt. Here's the list:
1. COOK! Make your meals at home. Don't buy prepackaged foods. Actually, when we want to eat out we splurge and purchase prepackaged foods as a "fast food". For example, instead of going to a fast food restaurant to buy chicken nuggets and fries, C sets the oven on and runs out to get chicken nuggets and fries at the store. He tosses it in and 20 minutes later we eat! Not bad. Going to a restaurant would take longer.
2. BARTER. We've bartered for things we need: anything from free classes to work on our house. In exchange, we did a favor for someone who needed work we could provide.
3. KEEP INTERNET. I get chills when people tell me they chose cable over Internet. It's just not a smart decision. I have saved more money by having the Internet than not having it. With such Internet sites as hulu.com. and tv.com or on any of the network websites, you can get your television free. I stay linked on certain blogs that update me on coupons and deals. Have you been able to get coupons by watching televisions? Honestly, we thought we'd die without cable, but we are happier.
4. GO GREEN. The upfront cost is steeper, but in the long run you spend less. I am finding it so funny that people who used to make fun of me for being so green are now buying the same items I am.
5. Be PREVENTATIVE. From anywhere to maintaining your car (oil change) to yourself. Keeping your car in tip top shape means less visits to the mechanic. Keeping yourself in tiptop shape means less visits to the doctors. Go to Well Visits & preventative care. For us, preventative care if free. If we end up in the sick waiting room, we end up paying. So, it does pay (so to speak) to keep yourself maintained.
6. SAMPLES! Ask for samples from the doctor. I have saved a ton by having a doctor give me samples.
7. ASPIRE To GARDEN! Grow your own Food. We started a garden! And, while the garden didn't produce very much, friends of ours had gardens that did and were kind to share. I am thinking another great idea is to "Assign" each friend an item to grow in their garden to exchange. We raise chickens too. I am not sure they are worth it yet.
8. VISIT DISCOUNT stores. I shop for my prepackaged snacks at a discount grocery store. I can get organic foods with dented boxes for 50 cents. This week's grocery bill was $129.00 because I just needed to buy fruits and veggies. I splurged on those items.
9. BUDGET. I spend less when I budget. Pay cash for everything. You spend less for that too.
10. RESEARCH and question everything. In about a month, I may look over this list and think: DUH, these aren't the best things out there. I read and research almost everything! I don't jump into quick decisions and as a result I save money.
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