Question:
What is your best money saving tip?
anonymous
2008-11-27 07:42:41 UTC
What with the credit crunch me and my boyfriend are trying to save some cash. He has a good job and works full time but I'm a student so all his wages go on bills, meaning he has about £100 to himself each month and I bring home £180 a month from my part-time job. We live on our own in a 2 bed terraced house and have a pet rabbit. Can anyone offer us some money saving tips whether it be to do with bills, pet care, cleaning the house, food/eating out anything would be appreciated! Cheers! xx
Ten answers:
MavistheMaven
2008-11-27 09:48:06 UTC
What bothers me is the way you started your post. "With the credit crunch..." the credit crunch shouldn't be affecting your monthly budget or expenses unless you've been using credit to supplement your income. So my first tip is, pay off your loans and credit cards, the ones with the highest interest rates first. If you can, transfer any balances from the higher-rate sources to lower-rate cards. Also call your card companies to ask for a lower rate (threaten to move your balance to another account, and they will try to come down in rate to keep you). And stop using the cards. Once they're paid off, you'll have that money to save or spend on yourselves.



Bills: Stay current on them, because it will keep your credit rating good and if you ever need to be late, the creditors will be more willing to excuse it (if you let them know before you're late). But shop around to see that you're getting the best prices on things like car insurance, cable, etc.



Cleaning: Old basic cleansers like bleach and ammonia cost the least and work the best. Granted, it may not be worth using ammonia because of the smell, and you can't overdo the bleach around the rabbit. But disposable wipes and sprays cost much more to use.



Food: Get the weekly sale circulars and write a list of what's on sale (that you'd want to buy) at each store. Also clip coupons. Then shop for what's on sale. Keep away from convenience foods such as frozen dinners and canned stuff. You save a lot and get much better quality by making your own. Really, you can afford steak (or to eat out now and then) if you give up the frozen dinners.

Check your receipts before leaving the store. Stores OFTEN overring you, either by ringing the full price for something on sale, or by leaving a sale sign up after it's over (in the US, they have to give us the sale price if they leave the sign up), or whatever. Here, many stores will refund the entire cost of the item, so you get it free, not just a refund of the overring.



You might save more by moving. Do you need two bedrooms for one couple? I don't know what a "terraced house" is, but does it mean there's a place to grow some of your own fruits and vegetables next summer? That would save money, and you could swap or sell the extras for other things.



Eating out, shopping, etc. You can get some of this for free and be paid a small amount, too, if you get into mystery shopping or secret shopping. You'd have to follow the instructions you're given, then submit a report, usually online, then it's a month or so before you're reimbursed for the expenses (only what you pay for the items you purchase - never fees to just be a shopper) and paid. But you can do fast food, fine dining, and even bar and club shops as well as shops for gasoline, clothes, gifts, office supplies, etc. This website lists reputable mystery shopping companies and has info on how it's done: http://www.mspa-eu.org/
Washdcwhc
2008-11-30 19:30:19 UTC
You have to start thinking S-M-A-R-T. What kind of cutbacks can you make? For example: I drink bottled water. Now at $1 a bottle on something that covers over 65% of our planet is not smart. So I bought one of those water filters that screw into your faucet. I have bottles that I refil over and over again. I take them to work. Do you have a lot of small appliances around that house that are always on? I cut my electronic bill almost in half by unplugging all the clock radios and night lights. I also bought some of those florescent bulbs that look a lot like a regular bulb. These things use 80% less electricity than regular bulbs. You would be surprised, but these small things add up. I know I was spending money on the water filter and energy efficient bulbs but these things will pay for themselves in a month providing they pertain to you. If you really need the money right away start cutting back on your food costs. Romain noodles cost a dime and they taste just as good as campbells chicken noodle that costs $130 a can. Ok no chicken in romain noodles, but you are probably just missing about 4 tiny pieces of chicken. Put a brick inside your toilet 'chamber'. You will use a little lesser water each time you flush..Before you know it you will be ahead. Wanna be creative? Find yourself leaving lights on? Buy a motion sensor switch, the lights will turn on when you enter the room and will turn off (by a set amount of time) when you leave the room. I have one, they cost $15 at HomeDepot. Need new windshield wipers for your car? Who says you have to buy 2? You only need the new one on the drivers side, leave the old wiper on the passenger side. So remember you have to start thinking S-M-A-R-T! Yours truly seahorsehawrey.
anonymous
2014-09-29 03:04:05 UTC
You should take a look at the options you can find at: HTTP://HELP.IMMEDIATELOAN.NET



RE What is your best money saving tip?



What with the credit crunch me and my boyfriend are trying to save some cash. He has a good job and works full time but I'm a student so all his wages go on bills, meaning he has about £100 to himself each month and I bring home £180 a month from my part-time job. We live on our own in a 2 bed terraced house and have a pet rabbit. Can anyone offer us some money saving tips whether it be to do with bills, pet care, cleaning the house, food/eating out anything would be appreciated! Cheers! xx
anonymous
2016-04-09 11:44:07 UTC
Well, the reception is the biggest cost of a wedding.. Have an earlier, think early afternoon (2:00), Saturday wedding at a beautiful park or botanical garden. That way there are already plenty of flower & gorgeous scenery! At the reception nobody will want heavy food or drink much at that time of the day so serve horsdevores and just a single signature cocktail or just champagne & sodas. You can't scratch the dj and opt for a string trio which would could much less, especially this early in the day. It would be very elegant alternative!
anonymous
2008-11-27 07:52:11 UTC
Never eat out, that includes a quick lunch.

When I calculated how much I spent on eating out (not nice meals just grabbing a quick sandwich or a take away) and I couldn't believe how much I spent last year. This year I've been eating at home and taking packed lunches, I've saved loads on food by doing this.
Lady in Red
2008-11-28 00:59:57 UTC
before you buy ANYTHING, ask yourself; do I really need this?



Only spend on essentials, food, fuel, utilities etc.



If you can do that you will save money.
Carl W
2008-11-27 07:50:42 UTC
Dont spend the money and eat the rabbit.



Saves money and a free meal.



Can find recipes for rabbit stew on Google
anonymous
2008-11-27 08:12:37 UTC
What can you live without? Cell phone? Cable? Eating out? Do you recycle? Clip coupons?
anonymous
2008-11-27 07:49:47 UTC
savings account to put 25 quid or so in every month, for savin for real important stuff.



spend what you can afford.
Logan
2016-07-25 05:58:37 UTC
Great article.


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