Tips for Saving Money - Living Frugley

[koolkat1980]

I just joined a gym! Ouch! It's going to cost me about $80 per month! :0 How many times a week should I use the gym to get my money's worth!??

Due to the Gym Membership, I've decided to stop buying coffees and make my own! I decided I can have one luxury over the other - rather than both!

Does anyone have some good 'saving tips' and strategies to stay out of bad debt!? I am interested in hearing them!

[winneythepooh7]

Yeah, don't join a gym! There are plenty of exercises you can do for free! Unless you are really, really dedicated, this is a good way to waste $$$$.

[PenforPrez]

Does anyone have some good 'saving tips' and strategies to stay out of bad debt!? I am interested in hearing them!

Self-denial goes a long way. Don't buy what you don't need. Just say no. :)

I was grocery shopping yesterday because it was payday, and I still had a lot of food left from my last shopping trip. I was walking through the store, and I walked by the chips. I love potato chips, and I really wanted some. But I said "no" and walked away. It's an extra I don't need, and it's not good for you besides.

I just got what I needed: chicken breasts, a dozen eggs and some ground beef. $11, and I was out of the store. It helps to know what you need and make a list. :)

Paul

[cameralady]

Yeah, don't join a gym! There are plenty of exercises you can do for free! Unless you are really, really dedicated, this is a good way to waste $$$$.
One the other hand, winney, $80/mo. is practically a bargain in our area. Even the local Y charges more.

To the OP-The gym membership might be worth it if it will give you access to weight machines than you wouldn't have at home...and you turn into a gym rat.

Let's say you go three times a week. $80/(3 times/wk * 4 weeks)=$6.67 per day you use the gym. is it worth it?

[dulcie]

* I don't pay for going to the gym, however, if that is what you need to get going and motivated, then I understand paying the money. I'm lucky that I like my neighbourhood for running and I am also a student, so it was mandatory to pay for the gym membership with my student fees.

* I've been trying to make more things at home, including meals, baking, coffee/ tea drinks...I like London Fogs (Earl Grey with vanilla and milk), so I've been making them on the stove instead of getting them from Starbucks.

* My main means of saving a little money lately has been the public library. My husband and I like to watch movies, but it was getting expensive (have very basic TV with 3 channels...also to save money) So now we either just take a look online and order it or head down there and see what they have. Sure it is kind of irritating that there isn't a ton of choice when you want a movie right then, but we can still generally find something we like. We've been getting box sets of TV shows (Yay Prime Suspect!) and they have new movies too. Ive also been taking out books instead of buying, which I used to do quite frequently.

* I also completely agree with this too. Although I admit I slip often enough.

Self-denial goes a long way. Don't buy what you don't need. Just say no. :)

[steph78]

One the other hand, winney, $80/mo. is practically a bargain in our area. Even the local Y charges more.
Holy crap, are you serious?? I have been shut off in my little low COL area a bit long I guess. I cannot imagine paying that much for a gym membership (although I do hand over more than that for my monthly cable bill, sadly)

I pay $49/month for my gym and I feel like that's a bit extravagant, it's definitely on the pricey side for this area. But, this gym is associated with the local hospital, has a pool for lap swimming, and included in that monthly cost is the perk that they have trainers on hand who will meet with you and look over your workout log. I meet with the same trainer after every sixth workout, and that accountability keeps me a LOT more motivated to go regularly and work hard than I probably would if I were just on my own, so I guess I feel that I'm getting my money's worth more so than I probably would at another gym. Oh, AND they provide excellent on-site childcare which is important for me.

[AsianGeek]

Well use the company gym if you can if money is tight. Otherwise try to bike instead of using your car. Start treating food as fuel, eat what you need not what you want. Don't go out to eat more than 3 times a week. Don't drink alcohol socially unless it's a really big event or if it's free. Don't go to the mall for anything without a plan to get just the item that you need and leave. Never leave a balance on your credit card. Always check your bank account so that you don't get hit with overdraft fees. Start favoring rice over pasta as rice is so much cheaper over time. Brown bag your lunches when you go to work. Oh and buy a brita water filter and drink water from just that instead of buying beverages.

I think that's it for the most basic cost saving tips. Of course then there's investment but you need to have a large chunk of money to play with.

[nikorock28]

Where my home is, the community center (including gym, pool, water park, basketball court, etc.) is part of our monthly $105 HOA fees. So, you best be wise to use it as I do!

[Fender247]

Make a monthly budget based on your income and stick to it. Clip coupons. Make a goal to save a certain amount each month...or by a certain time as different times of year can be more expensive than other like holidays, etc.

I think 80 is about average for a gym membership. Just use it frequently get into a routine and go at around the same time each day or the same days every week and stick to it. I like to write my routine in writing as it helps me stick to them. I've gone as far as turning down plans with friends or not going out at night because I had to go to the gym in the morning.

[Krishna]

-Have a budget. I know down to the penny how much I've made and how much I've spent every month. That alone helps.
-Pack your lunch.
-Don't buy snacks/drinks at vending machines.
-Buy store brands if the taste is the same.
-Buy what is on sale and/or clip coupons.
-Carpool and/or combine multiple errands into one trip.
-Set the thermostat to be slightly warmer in the summer and slightly cooler in the winter than you'd prefer.
-Shop at rummage sales. I got 3 brand new picture frames for $2 that would have cost me $15 each in the store.

[koolkat1980]

Thanks for the interesting and varied replies guys! You are pretty much right about the gym! I wasn't going to join! Then a friend wanted to join - so I mainly joined for social reasons..knowing that I'm capable of being self-motivated without a gym! But, it has a pool which I will make use of as much as possible.

My essental monthly expenses are my transport fees $112, Gym Fees $82, and Physio fees $52 which equals $246.46 per month. I also spend abit on eating out about 1 to 2 times a week, donate a few $$ to charity; mobile phone bills and fuel. I hardly drink these days.

I guess - I need to budget more effectively down to the last $$, lately I have been very slack and bought new gym clothes when I really didn't need it.

Some tips of mine include;
*Pay Credit Card Debt on time to avoid having to pay on interest
*Avoid taking your credit card out shopping
* Walk or ride a bike to station than drive (Saves on petrol).
* Avoid shopping with Girlfriends.
*If you have a gym membership....shower in the gym and use their facilities rather than at home.
*(One I heard from someone else) Buy groceries in bulk if possible.
* Instead of buying expensive brands...go the no brand names or homebrands.
* See movies on "tightwad-tuesdays" (not sure if you guys have these days) or wait for things to come on dvd instead.

[cameralady]

I hardly drink these days.
That's good. The prices for vices (alcohol and cigarettes) are expensive.

[redav]

A luxury enjoyed twice becomes a necessity.

Avoid putting yourself in the position where you can make bad decisions--to use Paul's example, don't let yourself be tempted by chips by not even walking down that aisle. Have your savings directly diverted from your paycheck so that you never have to handle them.

NEVER pay for anything with a credit card that you don't already have the cash to pay for--and PAY IT OFF each and every month. Credit cards are like fire--if you respect them, use them carefully, and only for their benefits, they can make your life better. But if you don't, they can burn down your life.

Honestly figure out where you are. Set goals. Make plans. Measure your progress. Evaluate your success. It may sound too simple to make a difference, but it is the small things that make the big things happen.

[wordsmith]

A luxury enjoyed twice becomes a necessity.

Nah...true necessity makes scaling back a simple choice. My car was a luxury. I don't have it anymore. The cost to continue driving it was just not feasible, so now I'm doing without, even though I had the "luxury" of personal transportation for more than a decade. You can cut back on/ cut out ANYthing when you have no real choice.

[gemma-dahl]

Nah...true necessity makes scaling back a simple choice. My car was a luxury. I don't have it anymore. The cost to continue driving it was just not feasible, so now I'm doing without, even though I had the "luxury" of personal transportation for more than a decade. You can cut back on/ cut out ANYthing when you have no real choice.

This is awesome that you did this. We're going car-free, too. After a while, you just don't notice it anymore. I save so much cash this way.

Other saving tips:

-Pay bills on time. Late payments hurt credit, and you get slapped with late fees.

-Buy generic. Avoid soda, chips, and sweets; they are empty calories and really add up in price. Whole, natural foods are always cheaper in the long run.

-Turn the lights off, a/c off, heat off when you're not at home.

-Pick up a couple of side jobs for extra cash.

-Get rid of cable. It's all junk anyway. And go to the library more. If your library has interlibrary loan, you can get books from around the world.

-Never underestimate the values that can be had at thrift stores, big-box stores, and discount chains.

[Fender247]

This is awesome that you did this. We're going car-free, too. After a while, you just don't notice it anymore. I save so much cash this way.

-Pick up a couple of side jobs for extra cash.

-Get rid of cable. It's all junk anyway. And go to the library more. If your library has interlibrary loan, you can get books from around the world.



I'm car free now and it's been working out pretty well.

Also picked up many odd jobs in college to bring in a few extra bucks. Quite funny looking back at some of the jobs I did.

And I don't have cable anymore! Nor do my parents. I use the internet a hole lot, read books, rent movies, pursue other hobbies...working out well.

[winneythepooh7]

There's a Dollar Tree down the street from me that I love. There's so many things I can get there that are so much cheaper than the grocery store or even Target (everything from 50 cent birthday cards to soup (which is like 3 for $5.00 for store brand at the local grocery) to toilet paper and cleaning supplies, candles, hair bands, etc. etc.

You can save even more $$$ by making soup yourself!!

Or using natural cleaning supplies, such as baking soda.........I am going to start leaning to more "green" ways of cleaning, especially since I am preggers now and they say to avoid regular cleaning supplies like the plague as they can be toxic for the baby..........I may even look into doing the cloth diaper thing. I have a friend who does this who saves a lot of money this way. But we shall see.....it may in turn equal the amount of our water bill so that's still up for discussion.


Just avoiding stores in general is another way to avoid spending $$$.

Making a grocery list and sticking to it (I find a huge way I've blown $$$ is by not sticking to my list).

Bringing your own shopping bags to the grocery store........It's not much savings, but my grocery store takes 5 cents off for every bag you bring from home.

Getting a savings card for the grocery or other stores. Again, not always huge savings, but it's something.

Using coupons and following sales circulars. This is something I need to start doing more. But it can backfire if you are going for things you wouldn't normally buy anyways. I've saved money on treats like ice-cream at Baskin Robbins, or my morning bagel and coffee at Dunkin' Dounts this way, however. It's something.....

When I need clothes, I try to stick to places where there are huge coupon savings, like NY&CO. Or I shop at discount stores for clothing (Target, Old Navy). I try not to buy things that are "trendy" either, that way I will get longer use out of them.

Clothing swaps with family or friends are also ways to get new goods for free!

Planting a garden in the summer or growing fresh herbs on your kitchen counter/balcony if you live in the city.

Getting generics or OTC prescriptions if they are equivalent........I am going to start doing this with my prenatal vitamins. My Rx is like $35.00 a month on my Rx plan, however, if I buy the OTC version they are only $6.00!

A big thing I do that helps me save $$$$ as well is pay all my bills online and then whatever is left over minus $100.00 (for basics such as gas for the week, maybe one dinner out, and my breakfasts at work) transfer into savings and then don't touch it!

I do treat myself every day to breakfast out (usually bagel and decaf on my way to work), however, at close to $4.00 a pop, that is another way I could cut back on a serious amount of cash if I wanted to!

There are also so many great personal finance blogs online that offer even better tips on ways to save cash, if you do a search. Good luck!

[wordsmith]

This is awesome that you did this. We're going car-free, too.
I'm not actually car-free, theoretically (well, I may be, but my household isn't), we just went from a two-car to a one-car household, and I'm dependent upon my boyfriend to get me to and from work, which does require quite a bit of sacrifice on both our parts (we each work in opposite directions of our house, so it's pretty out of his way, and requires my going in quite a bit early). I wish we could go car-free totally, and so does the BF, but we each have jobs that are beyond the reach of our city's limited transporation. I recently switched jobs, and I used to be on a bus line, and it was great. But the new job is better for me, and unfortunately, it's not as nicely located as the previous one.

[ebruening]

As others have mentioned, do without cable. We are saving approximately $100.00 per month by forgoing cable TV. We're reading a lot of books, and check out good DVDs from our local library.

I work out of town during the school year. I carpool with 4 other people during the school year - it saves miles on my car, and saves money on gas. As a sidenote, I am looking for a teaching position in town next year, so that I can take public transportation or ride my bike to work EVERY day, instead of taking my car 9 months out of the year.

This summer, since I'm going to school in town and working a part time job in town, I'm cycling to class and work Monday through Friday, and I'm going to ride the bus to my job on Saturdays. The benefits to cycling are twofold: cycling helps save money on gasoline and parking, and increases my physical fitness.

Take lunch and snacks to work/school, so that you aren't tempted to eat out, or buy snacks from vending machines. Better yet, put yourself in a position where you're forced to bring your own food from home.

I work at a high school during the school year, and I'm essentially forced to take my lunch, since I can't leave the building from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It has saved me a lot of money in the long run. This summer, since I'm riding my bike and/or taking public transportation, I'll be forced to bring my lunch with me as well, due to lack of convenient transportation to lunch-hour restaurants. Regarding snacks, I've found that making my own trail mix is far less expensive - and healthier, since I can choose what goes into it - than buying prepackaged trail mix. A local grocery store has dry roasted peanuts and dried fruits in large bins (as an added bonus, the dried fruits are just that - they don't have any added sugar, which has made me really sick in the past) for far less money per ounce than the prepackaged trail mix.

I'd advise against regularly eating junk food or fast food. We have a friend who constantly eats fast food. He has mentioned that it is very expensive, considering what he gets for his money, but he appreciates the convenience of not having to prepare food himself. Every so often, I think it's okay to eat junk food or fast food - just not all the time. Recently, I've found myself in a position where I become very ill if I eat food that contains wheat. This severely limits what restaurants I can patronize, but actually, it's been a bit of a blessing in disguise, because I know that if I eat food not prepared at home, I'll probably become very sick. Therefore, due to health reasons, I rarely eat out.

[wordsmith]

Foregoing cable has been a longtime expense-shaving step I've utilized, too. Also wearing clothing a few more times before it's retired to the wash, as long as it's presentably clean to do so, not bad-smelling, etc. Which also helps preserve the life of the clothing.

[hereisnewyork]

I'm selling some stuff on ebay that I was originally just going to give to the local thrift shop. I'm not getting much for it and having to ship it all is probably not going to be fun...but hey, it's better than $0?

I wish I had more to sell!