Easy Ways to Save Money

chinadoll · June 20, 2006, 6:14pm

REALLY great idea for a thread!

This one’s for the girls, who will really be able to relate: Instead of the weekly/biweekly/monthly “Girls’ shopping day” that usually also includes lunch at a very nice restaurant on top of the shopping at nicer or more upscale places than you need to shop, make a day out of training, running, hiking and/or biking. “Girls’ exercise day” instead. Not treating shopping like a fun social activity or something to do on a regular basis will save THOUSANDS of dollars a year and it’s just as fun if not more.

And if you shop when you’re bored, learn to exercise when you’re bored instead. I taught myself this “trade off” years ago and am so much better off financially.

Carry a couple of protein bars, dried almonds or whatever and bottled water with you wherever you go. Buy the snack/drink in bulk at Costco. You’ll avoid a lot of impulse buying of snacks or drinks when you avoid sudden hunger/thirst that over time really add up.

AgentOrange · June 20, 2006, 6:16pm

[quote]CrewPierce wrote:
4est wrote:
AgentOrange wrote:

Turn off the air conditioning in your car (roll the windows down instead) – you will see a definite improvement in your gas mileage.

Not necessarily. My Scion xB gets WORSE mileage with the windows down. It creates a TON of drag.

At highway speeds (excess of 45-50mph depending on your car) you get better MPG with the A/C on. At slower speeds you get better MPG with the windows down.
[/quote]

I didn’t think to mention that I meant city driving. Personally, I’ve seen a huge difference in gas mileage on about three different vehicles I’ve driven regularly, but it’s always tough to make sweeping generalizations. This is Edmonton, Alberta I’m talking about here – our ‘freeway’ has traffic lights! So I wasn’t driving that fast… less than 70km/h and in the city.

apayne · June 20, 2006, 6:19pm

Climb out the window in the motel bathroom when you are done.

WideGuy · June 20, 2006, 6:20pm

Never trust the media or the government. They don’t have your better interest in mind and only want to bend you over and fuck you out of all your hard earned money.

PharmD_Pete · June 20, 2006, 6:23pm

There are certain things that are just better not to skimp on. Protein powder, IMO, is one of them.

RSGZ · June 20, 2006, 6:25pm

[quote]TDog305 wrote:
4est wrote:
Don’t date. Get a prostitute when the need arises. It’s cheaper in the long run

Funny, I have 2-3 friends that live by this advice[/quote]

Heh, ya I have the same thing. Some friends refuse to date because they save money that way. I’m just sneaky about it, not that I’m cheap or anything.

Drinking before going out, making your own food and Ebay are the best tips I can think of.

PharmD_Pete · June 20, 2006, 6:27pm

[quote]WideGuy wrote:
Never trust the media or the government. They don’t have your better interest in mind and only want to bend you over and fuck you out of all your hard earned money. [/quote]

Good point. Check this shit out.

chinadoll · June 20, 2006, 6:30pm

This is another one for the ladies: With the exception of needing one for traveling, NEVER use credit cards to buy luxury items, for example eating at restaurants, designer clothing, jewelry, cosmetic surgery.

Buy only those “luxury” items if you can afford to pay cash for them otherwise, you can’t truly afford them. The costs of credit add up quickly over time, and with interest, you end up paying more and also get into the credit-habit mindset.

I only buy stuff like handbags and Roca Wear/Juicy outfits if I have the cash. And I have no credit cards. I’ve been doing this for the last 7-8 years and it has really paid off I actually have much more cash in my pocket at the end of each month.

It requires some planning ahead and thought (and working extra). For example, I will work overtime shifts or a second job and that will be my “mad money”-- designer shoes/handbags, travel, jewelry, but my regular pay will be allocated only to bills and savings.

And avoid the temptation at the department stores and/or boutiques when they offer you their credit card for 15% off your purchase. Yes, that $349.00 handbag is so cute but not cute enough to pay interest on it.

on_edge · June 20, 2006, 6:30pm

[quote]BIGRAGOO wrote:
PGJ wrote:
Never buy expensive shoes, watches, tires or protein powder. The cheaper versions will do the exact same thing.

…and never know what real luxuries are. Dude, a cheap watch will break quickly, cheap tires wear faster than a better brand, or even blow, and cheap protein is just a gimmick and tons of abdominal gas in a bucket. Seriosly are you that cheap??[/quote]

Go for inexpensive protein, not cheap.

BigRagoo · June 20, 2006, 6:52pm

[quote]kellyc wrote:
BIGRAGOO wrote:
PGJ wrote:
Never buy expensive shoes, watches, tires or protein powder. The cheaper versions will do the exact same thing.

…and never know what real luxuries are. Dude, a cheap watch will break quickly, cheap tires wear faster than a better brand, or even blow, and cheap protein is just a gimmick and tons of abdominal gas in a bucket. Seriosly are you that cheap??

Go for inexpensive protein, not cheap. [/quote]

Ahhhh. Wiser choice my friend.

CrewPierce · June 20, 2006, 6:59pm

[quote]BIGRAGOO wrote:
kellyc wrote:
BIGRAGOO wrote:
PGJ wrote:
Never buy expensive shoes, watches, tires or protein powder. The cheaper versions will do the exact same thing.

…and never know what real luxuries are. Dude, a cheap watch will break quickly, cheap tires wear faster than a better brand, or even blow, and cheap protein is just a gimmick and tons of abdominal gas in a bucket. Seriosly are you that cheap??

Go for inexpensive protein, not cheap.

Ahhhh. Wiser choice my friend.[/quote]

I second that. I wish Biotest would make a version like elite whey’s protein. It’s good protein, tastes amazing and is only $20 for 5lbs.

BigRagoo · June 20, 2006, 7:04pm

[quote]CrewPierce wrote:
BIGRAGOO wrote:
kellyc wrote:
BIGRAGOO wrote:
PGJ wrote:
Never buy expensive shoes, watches, tires or protein powder. The cheaper versions will do the exact same thing.

…and never know what real luxuries are. Dude, a cheap watch will break quickly, cheap tires wear faster than a better brand, or even blow, and cheap protein is just a gimmick and tons of abdominal gas in a bucket. Seriosly are you that cheap??

Go for inexpensive protein, not cheap.

Ahhhh. Wiser choice my friend.

I second that. I wish Biotest would make a version like elite whey’s protein. It’s good protein, tastes amazing and is only $20 for 5lbs.[/quote]

They do have a basic whey product. Look in the store.

bullpup · June 20, 2006, 7:04pm

[quote]rsg wrote:
TDog305 wrote:
4est wrote:
Don’t date. Get a prostitute when the need arises. It’s cheaper in the long run

Funny, I have 2-3 friends that live by this advice

Heh, ya I have the same thing. Some friends refuse to date because they save money that way. I’m just sneaky about it, not that I’m cheap or anything.

Drinking before going out, making your own food and Ebay are the best tips I can think of.[/quote]

I’ve got this one beat,

Drink a six pack on the way to the bar, 5.95, as compared to 2.50 each when you get there.

Find a decent looking fat chick and show some interest in her, she’ll more than likely buy your drinks,

Let her get you wasted and take her home,get her to spring for jimmy caps, if she wants it bad enough she will put up the 4 bucks too,( Note, fat chicks will do you like there’s no tomorrow, besides they never know when they’ll get some again), they are also willing to try anything.

Okay, no we just solved the drinking for free problem, and now there’s no need to get popped by the cops picking up a prostitue, not getting busted for that will save you a crap load of cash.

Premium protein is the way to go sorry guys, but I don’t wanna go around bustin ass like the fat chick your gonna be working on this evening.

As for the ladies, roll your own tampons, ( I know this one was gross). Clip your own goddamn toe nails,( My wife spends thirty bucks every two weeks getting this done). Let the bush grow, who needs a Brazilan wax job, lets do some role playing, " Ugh me Tarzan you Jane", and get midevil with that thing.

Drink tap water, buy a Brita water pitcher filter, @ 28.00 bucks and you’ll replace the filter every two or three months, @ 8 bucks. The initial investment is high but it pays off quickly. The water machine’s you see in grocery store parking lots are good too .25 for a gallon can’t beat it.

Buy precooked frozen grilled chicken breasts, 8 breasts for 6 bucks. The energy it takes to cook the breasts not to mention the heat associated with it and how much it heats your house while cooking them, you’ll save money by popping these in the microwave.

If you travel with protein powder, empty the powder out of the jug and put it in a one gallon ziplock bag, and then put the bag in the jug. I had one of the jugs come open in my carry one, 36.00 worth of protein in my bag, covering everything plus dry cleaning cost= Too god damn expensive not to use a zip lock.

Bullpup

Headhunter · June 20, 2006, 7:07pm

Buy clothes that you plan to ‘slob’ around in at the Salvation Army.
Do not drink, smoke, or buy lottery tickets.
Adopt a soldier overseas and send him things to make his/her life a little more bearable. Won’t save you any money, but its good to do anyway.

HH

system · June 20, 2006, 7:08pm

[quote]CrewPierce wrote:

I second that. I wish Biotest would make a version like elite whey’s protein. It’s good protein, tastes amazing and is only $20 for 5lbs.[/quote]

We do! Check out the Premium Whey.

http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1067084

-MBR

CrewPierce · June 20, 2006, 7:20pm

I’ve seen that but how about you keep the price and add in some flavor? I’m a big fan of mint chocolate…but I doubt you take personal orders

on_edge · June 20, 2006, 7:22pm

[quote]I’ve got this one beat,