Howdy, Kossacks! This diary is about trimming the fat from your budget. I'll include some tips that have helped out me and my family.
I missed Cheers and Jeers, as I usually do (I really only participate here from 9 to 5), so here's what's grinding my gears today.
Y'know what really grinds my gears? Cell phone providers.
My wife has been diligently shopping around for a new cell phone provider, and we only want one thing -- cheaper monthly payments. All we need to do is call one another, our friends and family, and make the occasional long-distance call. We don't need texting or a cameraphone or any of that other jibber-jabber.
But whenever it looks like we've found a company that can do this more cheaply for us, they wind up making up the difference in $20-$40 in taxes and fees!
As for the current cell phone provider we use (AT&T, aka Cingulair, aka "The New AT&T is Cingulair," aka "Cingulair is the new AT&T"), the only thing they've done for us consistently is cash my check!
Another big change we made was we ditched cable. Gone-ski! And you know what? I don't miss it. I've got DKos for my politics, I've got the Comedy Central Web site for my Colbert/Stewart fix, and I've got my DVD sets of "The Simpsons." That's all I need.
Something else that's helping us is Angel Food. It's a Christian ministry that sells quality grocery items (including meat) for only $25 per box. It really cuts down on the monthly grocery bills, and it's really easy to use. There's no pastors to hassle you, either. No proselytizing or anything like that.
Even if you don't shop online for yourself, there's still birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations and the like. And I never buy anything online without consulting Web sites like www.retailmenot.com and www.currentcodes.com to find online promo codes. Using these, you can save an average of about $10-$20 on small purchases and even more on large ones. If nothing else, you can usually get free shipping -- all for doing nothing.
Here's some other things I've been doing around the house that have helped us save some money. The cool thing is a lot of these are good for the environment as an added bonus!
When shopping for a new appliance, go to Lowe's or another big-box retailer. They will sell you their display models or damaged models for huge markdowns. We saved nearly $600 on a refrigerator this way.
Go to the library instead of buying books. Your taxes already pay for it! And yes, you can rent videos too.
Heat water in the microwave or on the stove so you're not wasting water waiting for it to heat up. Also, don't shave or brush your teeth with the water running.
Do home improvement projects yourself! With our limited know-how, my wife and I have repainted, installed new countertops, carpeted and even done some plumbing and electric work.
Don't carry cash in your wallet! You'll find that if you have it, you're more likely to spend it. Also, if you need to control your spending and have little willpower, stick those credit and debit cards in an envelope with a "Do Not Open Until..." message on it, and tape it to the fridge.
Before you go to work, brown bag it! Making your own lunch instead of eating out at work will save you money, and it might also make you look busier and more productive if you eat at your desk (provided you're not too messy).
Start an herb and veggie garden! Make your own compost, too, for free fertilizer. You can save a lot on the produce bill this way.
Brew your coffee at home instead of going to a cafe or your favorite barista. I grind some whole bean Eight O'Clock Coffee (not expensive) every morning, and it's delicious.
Buy generic. Some people are too embarrassed to do this, but most store brand foods are the same quality as the name-brand stuff. And you'll learn what to avoid if you try a lot of different things. For example, I like the Malt-O-Meal Honey Nut Cheerio's more than the real thing.
See if a family member can help out on childcare. Luckily, I live pretty close to my parents as well as my brother-in-law and his wife.
Eliminate services you can do without -- lawn care, gym membership, housekeeping services, dry cleaning, etc.
Only run your dishwasher when it's full. This cuts down on water use. Ditto for the washing machine.
Wear clothes twice before washing -- no need to turn your undies inside-out or anything extreme. Just don't wash that shirt if it isn't dirty.
Ditch your landline phone and use your cell phone exclusively, if that's a cheaper option for you.
Instead of turning up the heat, put on a blanket and cuddle. Instead of turning on the heat, take off some clothes and wrestle!
Instead of going out to dinner, whip out a tablecloth and some candles for that special someone at home. They'll appreciate the extra effort so much, they won't even think of the money you'll be saving.
Mulch your garden with homemade compost and used newspapers. This keeps the weeds down and lets the soil hold onto rainwater for longer.
Use "Noodle water" on potted plants. I learned this trick while hiking. Strain your spaghetti or macaroni over a large bowl and use the (salt-free) water to give your plants a drink.
Unplug phone chargers, .mp3 player chargers, etc. These devices drain electricity even when they're not in use, so unplug them!
Learn how to change your own motor oil. At Jiffy Lube, you might pay $50. If you do it yourself, maybe $15. It adds up.
Shop at thrift stores or outlet stores for clothes instead of name-brand places. Try to go easy on your clothes and make them last longer. If you get tired of the same clothes, get together with some friends and organize a clothing swap.
I'm sure you know a lot of these tips, but I hope you learned a few new ones. And don't be shy about posting your own in the comments section!