Um, this is embarrassing.
Has it really been 5 months since I've posted to this blog? Well, shoot.
Has it really been that long since I've couponed? Well, shoot again.
I have to admit, I fell off the bandwagon for a bit. I just stumbled upon my own blog (weird, right?) and reread all of my posts. And, do you know what? I'm inspired to start clipping again!
(Am I allowed to inspire myself? Is that actually a thing?)
One of my major goals for this upcoming year is to begin couponing again! I will try my best to keep this little blog updated as much as possible.
I've had several page views each day I've been gone, so thank you to those readers who have been coming back again and again, despite my laziness!
I will be back soon with a blog post with actual content!
Happy New Year! :)
Monday, December 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
How I really feel about paying bills!
I'm going to let you all in on a little secret- I love paying bills! Nope, it's not April Fool's Day... it's really true! There is something wonderful about sealing an envelope with a check in it, because I feel like I'm that much closer to being debt-free!
In the past month alone, we have been able to pay off almost $1000 in bills, simply by being more careful (much more careful!) about how we're spending. I also am doing daily check-ups of our checking account balance and making sure that every penny is being used for good.
I made up this cute little PDF that I've been using to track the spending from our checking account. It is basically the same as balancing a checkbook, but we also use it to track bank card swipes, which are much more frequent! Every night, I sit down and deduct all purchases from that day, and then write checks if I am able to. (You read that right... it gets done every single night!) I decided to begin this system because I was going absolutely crazy writing checks and then forgetting the amount, or just forgetting that I wrote them, or... whatever. With this system, I know exactly how much is in the bank at any given moment. It's usually different from what my "mobile banking" tells me, too, since the mobile banking doesn't know about checks I've sent out that haven't been taken out of our account yet. I feel so confident in our ability to pay off our debt so soon!
Here's how I use it- the first column is (obviously) for the date. The next is for a short memo- I usually shorten as much as possible! The next column (again, obviously) is for the amount. In the "check number" column, I put an X if it wasn't a check so that I don't accidentally fill in the wrong slot next time I do write a check (is this making sense?!) and then, I deduct the amount from the previous "Final Amount," which tells me how much money we actually have. Oh, and I outline "Deposit" rows in green and make sure to ADD it to the previous "Final Amount!"
Some may think it's too complicated of a system, but it definitely works for me. I like being in control of my money, because if not... my money will be in control of me!
Here's the PDF for you to use!
To print this PDF, just right-click and choose "Open this link in new tab." Enjoy! :)
In the past month alone, we have been able to pay off almost $1000 in bills, simply by being more careful (much more careful!) about how we're spending. I also am doing daily check-ups of our checking account balance and making sure that every penny is being used for good.
I made up this cute little PDF that I've been using to track the spending from our checking account. It is basically the same as balancing a checkbook, but we also use it to track bank card swipes, which are much more frequent! Every night, I sit down and deduct all purchases from that day, and then write checks if I am able to. (You read that right... it gets done every single night!) I decided to begin this system because I was going absolutely crazy writing checks and then forgetting the amount, or just forgetting that I wrote them, or... whatever. With this system, I know exactly how much is in the bank at any given moment. It's usually different from what my "mobile banking" tells me, too, since the mobile banking doesn't know about checks I've sent out that haven't been taken out of our account yet. I feel so confident in our ability to pay off our debt so soon!
Here's how I use it- the first column is (obviously) for the date. The next is for a short memo- I usually shorten as much as possible! The next column (again, obviously) is for the amount. In the "check number" column, I put an X if it wasn't a check so that I don't accidentally fill in the wrong slot next time I do write a check (is this making sense?!) and then, I deduct the amount from the previous "Final Amount," which tells me how much money we actually have. Oh, and I outline "Deposit" rows in green and make sure to ADD it to the previous "Final Amount!"
Some may think it's too complicated of a system, but it definitely works for me. I like being in control of my money, because if not... my money will be in control of me!
Here's the PDF for you to use!
To print this PDF, just right-click and choose "Open this link in new tab." Enjoy! :)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Let's talk about Aldi.
Aldi. It's been called "the poor man's grocery store." It's been labeled as "dirty." It's frequently overlooked. Lots of people are intimidated by how different it is from other grocery stores. It can be super confusing if you've never visited before!
I admit, I was really nervous the first time I wandered in a few months ago! The Aldi in my town is right down the hill from Walmart, where I do most of my normal grocery shopping, and I have to drive right past it... so, one day, I decided to stop in. (I bought one bag of potato chips, which were DELICIOUS.) I remember being confused about:
1. Needing to put a quarter into the buggy to release it. I had seen this a long, long time ago when shopping with my mom, but I didn't have a quarter. Shoot.
2. Not being able to use a credit card? Well, shoot again.
3. Did I want to buy a bag? What?!
I've heard that most people are confused about those same things, as well. But, I overcame the nerves and managed to go back to Aldi the next week and spent a considerable amount of time (and money!) there, and I've been much more confident ever since. Now, I always carry a quarter in my car so I can get a buggy. I know to use my bank card as "Debit," and I usually remember to bring my own bags. I actually love shopping at Aldi now! Since I love lists, I'll go ahead and make another one!
Why I love shopping at Aldi
1. I can bag my own groceries. Since I'm so picky about how my bags are packed, this is a huge deal to me.
2. The prices! Duh! This only came in second place (instead of first) because I am so unbelievably picky about how my groceries are packed.
3. The cashiers are lightning fast. Seriously!
4. There are no buggies rolling around the parking lot. I can park wherever and not have to worry about coming back to a dent in my bumper from a rogue cart.
5. Thus far, they have not re-arranged the inventory (as so many grocery stores love to do). I always know exactly where my favorite things are, and I know what aisles I can avoid.
6. They sell bags of frozen fruit (I buy a pineapple/peach/strawberry mix) that I use to make smoothies for $1.99/bag. I spend $4 every week on frozen fruit and have enough to make a smoothie every morning for breakfast!
7. I can stock my pantry/baking supplies for super cheap. I don't care if my flour is name brand, I just want flour! Same goes for brown sugar, sprinkles, and... well, you get the idea.
8. Their produce section is killer! I bought a bag of baby carrots today for $.59. I grated and froze them, and now that bag will last through several batches of shredded chicken!
9. The prices. Good enough to mention again!
And there you have it. I will forever be a fa of Aldi! What are your feelings? Good? Bad? Confused? Let me know!
Happy Sunday!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
How We're Saving
Hi, all! Poll results are in, and I have great news- you all want to hear about more than just coupons! That's super great news for me (and you!) because that means I can post more often, not just when I take a coupon trip.
Today's post is a little different from normal. Instead of tips and tricks or advice or whatever, I'm going to list some ways that my husband and I are saving money. They're not huge things that are saving us a large amount, but every little bit helps when you're trying to get out of debt! (Which we are. Desperately. Because debt is annoying!)
1. Coupons. Seriously, did I even need to mention this one? ;)
2. Turning down the AC. I'm going to let you in on a little secret (that everyone knows): I don't like being hot. I don't handle heat well at all. I hate being sweaty and sticky and uncomfortable. Still, though, I like to turn on the AC only when necessary. Our unit was out for 5 days last week, and... I survived! I learned where to put our 2 box fans for maximum air movement, so now we only turn on the air for a few minutes in the evening (typically when the house temperature reads over 80 degrees). I like the thought of making this month's electric bill less than last month's... let the games begin!
3. Changing when we do laundry. This one may seem silly, but hear me out. Because of the lack of a proper vent in our rental home, running the dryer makes it extremely hot and humid in the whole house. We do laundry when it is cooler outside (early mornings and late evenings) so that we can open up the windows and let the hot air out/cool air in. Doing laundry when it is too hot outside makes it stifling inside, and we don't wait to run the air too much!
4. Packing a lunch. I know I mentioned this one in an earlier post as a "tip," but I didn't actually take my own tip until a few days ago. One morning, I was running around trying to get ready, and I didn't really have time to eat breakfast or make a lunch. So, on my way to work, I drove through Tim Horton's and got a breakfast sandwich, donut, drink, and an iced coffee. First of all, let's not even talk about how many calories I consumed. Secondly, I spent about $6 just because I didn't have time to eat breakfast and also because I knew I didn't have a lunch.
That night, I went to the grocery store and stocked up on lunch items and some Pop-Tarts. I went home and portioned out all of the snack-y items (pretzels, animal crackers, etc.) into baggies and then put them into paper lunch sacks. Now, all I need to do in the mornings is grab a lunch bag, throw together a sandwich, and grab some fruit and a drink. If I haven't had breakfast yet, I'll grab a Pop-Tart (which have also been portioned out). Problem solved- there is no excuse for me to waste money on food now!
Side note: I've also noticed that portioning out the snacks and putting them in the baggies makes me completely forget that they're in the house! I don't snack on them mindlessly and then wonder why I don't have anything to pack for my lunch anymore.
5. Scouring Pinterest for recipes. If I lived alone, I would rotate the same 5 meals week after week and never try anything new. My husband, on the other hand, likes a little more variety. So, instead of buying expensive cookbooks (or having an unhappy man!), I look at Pinterest every few days to find new recipes, or ways to change things that I already make. This allows us to eat out less often... and really appreciate it when we do!
5. Regarding gasoline. Based on what I've seen, there aren't a large number of ways to save on gasoline besides walking, biking, and carpooling. Since I work 32 miles from home (and nobody else from work lives near me), none of those are an option for me, so I've made several discoveries that allow me to make the most of my gasoline!
Today's post is a little different from normal. Instead of tips and tricks or advice or whatever, I'm going to list some ways that my husband and I are saving money. They're not huge things that are saving us a large amount, but every little bit helps when you're trying to get out of debt! (Which we are. Desperately. Because debt is annoying!)
1. Coupons. Seriously, did I even need to mention this one? ;)
2. Turning down the AC. I'm going to let you in on a little secret (that everyone knows): I don't like being hot. I don't handle heat well at all. I hate being sweaty and sticky and uncomfortable. Still, though, I like to turn on the AC only when necessary. Our unit was out for 5 days last week, and... I survived! I learned where to put our 2 box fans for maximum air movement, so now we only turn on the air for a few minutes in the evening (typically when the house temperature reads over 80 degrees). I like the thought of making this month's electric bill less than last month's... let the games begin!
3. Changing when we do laundry. This one may seem silly, but hear me out. Because of the lack of a proper vent in our rental home, running the dryer makes it extremely hot and humid in the whole house. We do laundry when it is cooler outside (early mornings and late evenings) so that we can open up the windows and let the hot air out/cool air in. Doing laundry when it is too hot outside makes it stifling inside, and we don't wait to run the air too much!
4. Packing a lunch. I know I mentioned this one in an earlier post as a "tip," but I didn't actually take my own tip until a few days ago. One morning, I was running around trying to get ready, and I didn't really have time to eat breakfast or make a lunch. So, on my way to work, I drove through Tim Horton's and got a breakfast sandwich, donut, drink, and an iced coffee. First of all, let's not even talk about how many calories I consumed. Secondly, I spent about $6 just because I didn't have time to eat breakfast and also because I knew I didn't have a lunch.
That night, I went to the grocery store and stocked up on lunch items and some Pop-Tarts. I went home and portioned out all of the snack-y items (pretzels, animal crackers, etc.) into baggies and then put them into paper lunch sacks. Now, all I need to do in the mornings is grab a lunch bag, throw together a sandwich, and grab some fruit and a drink. If I haven't had breakfast yet, I'll grab a Pop-Tart (which have also been portioned out). Problem solved- there is no excuse for me to waste money on food now!
Side note: I've also noticed that portioning out the snacks and putting them in the baggies makes me completely forget that they're in the house! I don't snack on them mindlessly and then wonder why I don't have anything to pack for my lunch anymore.
5. Scouring Pinterest for recipes. If I lived alone, I would rotate the same 5 meals week after week and never try anything new. My husband, on the other hand, likes a little more variety. So, instead of buying expensive cookbooks (or having an unhappy man!), I look at Pinterest every few days to find new recipes, or ways to change things that I already make. This allows us to eat out less often... and really appreciate it when we do!
5. Regarding gasoline. Based on what I've seen, there aren't a large number of ways to save on gasoline besides walking, biking, and carpooling. Since I work 32 miles from home (and nobody else from work lives near me), none of those are an option for me, so I've made several discoveries that allow me to make the most of my gasoline!
- Filling up when our tank is 1/2 full. We're paying less each time (since filling half a tank costs half as much as filling up an empty tank!). It also makes me feel much better when I'm stuck in traffic if I have at least half a tank of gas!
- Using rewards systems for buying gas. Thomas and I have a Speedy Rewards card that we use every time we go to Speedway. If you buy a $25 gas card, you get a certain amount of Speedy points that you can redeem for free food/drink items, cents off of gas, or even gift/gas cards! Every time we need to get gas, we buy a gift card so we get those extra points. I can't even tell you how many free items we've gotten! The card has extra perks, too, like free fountain drinks when you buy 6, free bottles of Pepsi after you've purchased a certain amount, and more! If you don't have a Speedy card, I'd definitely recommend getting one.
- Leaving earlier. This allows me to relax a little and set the cruise control, meaning that I'm using less gasoline. I'm also not tempted to blast past anyone on the 2-lane road and use a bunch of gas as I speed by them at 70MPH! Don't tell my dad! ;)
- Rolling down the windows. As I said earlier, I hate being hot... but I hate paying for gas more, and AC uses more gas than I care to talk about. If I get into my car and it's obnoxiously hot, I usually run the air on high with the windows all down, just to get out all the hot air, and then I turn off the air and leave the windows down. If it gets too hot again, I'll run the air for a few minutes (windows up!) and then turn if off (windows back down!) just to cool off. I've found that it's really helpful to have the front windows 1/3 of the way down and the back windows all the way down. It keeps me cool but doesn't mess up the hair. (Very important!)
Wow... that's a long post. I hope it's helpful, though! Happy Thursday!
***Please note that I am NOT (NOT NOT NOT) a financial person... just a blogger who shares little bits of her life. Your results may vary (but I hope they don't)!***
Friday, July 5, 2013
How to Shop at Yard Sales
This post name probably sounds a little silly, right? I mean, everyone knows how to shop at a yard sale. You pull up, park, get out, roam around, buy something (or don't), and leave.
Or, maybe you're one of those people who just doesn't like yard sales. They're a waste of time, it's all "junk," everything is dirty, the stuff is too expensive... yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before!
I just so happen to be one of those people who loves yard sales. Around Wednesday of every week, I start to get what I call the "yard sale itch," and I hop onto Craigslist and browse local yard sale listings. I have tons of things in my house that were purchased from yard sales, and I guess I'd call myself something of an expert! I've rounded up some of my best tips for you to browse and (hopefully!) learn from!
1. Do your research. As I said above, I typically check out Craigslist for listings of yard/garage sales in my area. I like Craigslist because people can put as much information as they want and they can add pictures! Sometimes, though, people don't want to/have time to/know they can post online, so drive around and look for signs listing times, dates, and locations of local sales. I typically take note of signs as I drive around throughout the week and hit up any sales that look promising! Oh, and don't forget newspaper ads!
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You'll be doing lots of walking! A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also good ideas!
3. Do a drive-by. This isn't as shady as it sounds! If you are looking for something specific at a yard sale (for example, furniture) do a drive-by before stopping your car (as long as it's safe to do!). That way, you can quickly see if they have what you're looking for. If you're just browsing or looking for knick-knacks, though, this tip isn't for you.
4. Ask questions. It is a huge pet peeve of mine to go to a yard sale where nothing is priced! It does happen, though, and if you really want to buy an item, you have to ask for the price. (Annoying, especially for introverts like me!) Also, don't be afraid to ask if something actually works. Hopefully, the answer is yes, but I've also gotten the response of, "Well, it would work if the cord was replaced" or "We don't have the battery pack that goes with that, but it would work if you ordered one online!" (Also annoying!)
5. Don't be afraid to dig. Lots of people throw yard sales together last-minute and don't take the time to display items on tables to everything is visible. If stuff is piled in boxes or crates, dig in! (Tip: bring gloves and/or hand sanitizer with you!) You never know what you're going to find!
6. Take small bills. Especially if you're shopping early in the day, yard sale hosts probably won't be able to make change for a large bill. It really stinks to not be able to buy something just because it costs $.50 and you only have a $20 bill.
7. Haggle, haggle, haggle! I can't stress this one enough. Try to talk people down! Chances are, they'll take your offer as long as it's reasonable. At our last yard sale, I had an old Garmin GPS marked at $15, and I sold it for $10 to the first person who asked about it. We also had a loveseat for $50 and sold it for $25 because we just wanted to get rid of it. It was worth that other $25 to not have to lug it back into the garage!
8. Go later in the day. Around here, yard sales all seem to end around 3PM. I've noticed lots of times that after around 1PM, sellers start to lower prices. Again, they probably will do whatever it takes to get rid of the stuff! The downside to this tip is that, by later in the day, lots of the good stuff will already be gone.
9, Take your own bags. Even if you just take a plastic Target bag and stick it in your pocket, it'll save you from having to worry about carting all of your treasures back to the car! It is also helpful to keep a crate in the car, to move things into from the bag. That way, the items won't be rolling around in the car.
I was going to do 10 tips, but I think I'll stop at 9 for now... I enjoy odd numbers. :)
Have a fab Saturday and be sure to share your treasures with the Clip Smarter community tomorrow!
Or, maybe you're one of those people who just doesn't like yard sales. They're a waste of time, it's all "junk," everything is dirty, the stuff is too expensive... yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before!
I just so happen to be one of those people who loves yard sales. Around Wednesday of every week, I start to get what I call the "yard sale itch," and I hop onto Craigslist and browse local yard sale listings. I have tons of things in my house that were purchased from yard sales, and I guess I'd call myself something of an expert! I've rounded up some of my best tips for you to browse and (hopefully!) learn from!
1. Do your research. As I said above, I typically check out Craigslist for listings of yard/garage sales in my area. I like Craigslist because people can put as much information as they want and they can add pictures! Sometimes, though, people don't want to/have time to/know they can post online, so drive around and look for signs listing times, dates, and locations of local sales. I typically take note of signs as I drive around throughout the week and hit up any sales that look promising! Oh, and don't forget newspaper ads!
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You'll be doing lots of walking! A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also good ideas!
3. Do a drive-by. This isn't as shady as it sounds! If you are looking for something specific at a yard sale (for example, furniture) do a drive-by before stopping your car (as long as it's safe to do!). That way, you can quickly see if they have what you're looking for. If you're just browsing or looking for knick-knacks, though, this tip isn't for you.
4. Ask questions. It is a huge pet peeve of mine to go to a yard sale where nothing is priced! It does happen, though, and if you really want to buy an item, you have to ask for the price. (Annoying, especially for introverts like me!) Also, don't be afraid to ask if something actually works. Hopefully, the answer is yes, but I've also gotten the response of, "Well, it would work if the cord was replaced" or "We don't have the battery pack that goes with that, but it would work if you ordered one online!" (Also annoying!)
5. Don't be afraid to dig. Lots of people throw yard sales together last-minute and don't take the time to display items on tables to everything is visible. If stuff is piled in boxes or crates, dig in! (Tip: bring gloves and/or hand sanitizer with you!) You never know what you're going to find!
6. Take small bills. Especially if you're shopping early in the day, yard sale hosts probably won't be able to make change for a large bill. It really stinks to not be able to buy something just because it costs $.50 and you only have a $20 bill.
7. Haggle, haggle, haggle! I can't stress this one enough. Try to talk people down! Chances are, they'll take your offer as long as it's reasonable. At our last yard sale, I had an old Garmin GPS marked at $15, and I sold it for $10 to the first person who asked about it. We also had a loveseat for $50 and sold it for $25 because we just wanted to get rid of it. It was worth that other $25 to not have to lug it back into the garage!
8. Go later in the day. Around here, yard sales all seem to end around 3PM. I've noticed lots of times that after around 1PM, sellers start to lower prices. Again, they probably will do whatever it takes to get rid of the stuff! The downside to this tip is that, by later in the day, lots of the good stuff will already be gone.
9, Take your own bags. Even if you just take a plastic Target bag and stick it in your pocket, it'll save you from having to worry about carting all of your treasures back to the car! It is also helpful to keep a crate in the car, to move things into from the bag. That way, the items won't be rolling around in the car.
I was going to do 10 tips, but I think I'll stop at 9 for now... I enjoy odd numbers. :)
Have a fab Saturday and be sure to share your treasures with the Clip Smarter community tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Last week's Kroger trip!
Last week, I posted a picture on Facebook showing what I Purchased at Kroger for less than $5! Here it is again for you to admire.
After that trip, I decided that I really needed to go back to Kroger and pick up some more cereal. So, this was my second trip.
I was so excited that all of this was just under $10! So, all in all, for less than $17 (rounding both figures up by $1), I got...
- 13 boxes of cereal
- 3 bottles of Tone body wash
- 2 packages of Pillsbury biscuits (one of which I used to make pizza balls tonight... yum!)
- 2 bottles of barbecue sauce
- 2 bottles of mustard
AWESOME.
Here's how I did it-
Transaction 1 (first picture)
- 2 boxes of Lucky Charms: $1.99 each & used a $1/2 coupon
- 2 boxes of Multi Grain Cheerios: $1.99 each & used 2 $.75/1 coupons that doubled
- 2 boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch: $1.99 each & used 2 $.60/1 coupons that doubled
- 2 bottles of French's mustard: $.75 each & used 2 $.50/1 coupons that doubled = FREE!
- 2 packages of Pillsbury biscuits: $.99 each & used a $1/2 coupon
All of these items were included in the Kroger Mega Event, where you got $5 off automatically when you bought 10 participating items.
Transaction 2 (second picture)
- 2 boxes of Lucky Charms: $1.99 each & used a $1/2 coupon
- 2 boxes of Multi Grain Cheerios: $1.99 each & used 2 $.75/1 coupons that doubled
- 3 boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch: $1.99 each & used a $.60/1 coupons that doubled and a $1/2 coupon
- 3 bottles of Tone body wash: $2.77 each & used a B2G1 (buy 2, get 1) coupon and a $1.50/2 coupon
- Kraft Barbecue Sauce: $1 each and used a $1/2 coupon
All of these items (except the barbecue sauce) were included in the Kroger Mega Event, where you got $5 off automatically when you bought 10 participating items.
It's a great feeling, knowing that I have enough cereal and body wash to last for 6 months! Oh, and here is a picture of my stockpile!
It's not unusual to find me staring at it with the closet door wide open... and I have no shame in that. At least now, my husband can no longer say, "Hey, honey? I ran out of shampoo a few days ago and I've been using yours since then." He has 12 bottles JUST for him... no need to take mine!
How to be Rich* (Part II)
*Rich: having enough money to buy things that you need and some things that you want
Finally! Some things that I really love talking about! In my last post about "being rich," I talked about some ways to save money. In this post, I will be focusing on how to spend less money when you do need to spend.
Shop at thrift stores.
I'm gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket... oops, sorry! Okay, seriously. Thrift stores are my very favorite places to shop! Whether it be Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or privately-owned shops, you can find treasures there for next to nothing. As I look around my living room, I can see 13 things that have come from thrift stores. It's kind of addicting. I plan on doing a post later about my favorite finds!
Shop at yard/garage sales.
Yard sales are great in that people typically want to get rid of everything that they have set aside to sell, so they're willing to make deals. It takes a bit of practice to know what kinds of yard sales are worth your time, but it is so much fun once you figure it out! Every Thursday evening, I get something that I call "the yard sale itch." I get on Craigslist and look for garage sales in my area and map out my Saturday morning. It may sound crazy, but... well, okay. Maybe it is crazy.
Learn how to navigate Craigslist.
Like thrift stores and yard/garage sales, Craigslist is full of junk and a few treasures. If you know what you're looking for, and know how to use the "Search" feature (which is basically the easiest thing in the world), you're all set! We have purchased several things from Craigslist, including our refrigerator (for $60)!
Know when to invest.
At my previous job, I was on my feet for literally 8 hours every day. I was walking, dancing, skipping... you know, kid stuff. And it wore my shoes out in 2 weeks flat. I went to Dots and bought a pair of cheap canvas shoes, and they lasted 2 weeks. I went to Walmart and bought a pair of cheap flats, and they lasted 2 weeks. Then, I decided to stop buying "cheap" shoes and went to Payless. (Have I mentioned that I loathe spending money?) I bought a pair of DexFlex flats and they lasted me 4 MONTHS and are still in good shape (although they have certainly had better-smelling days). Had I "splurged" and bought them from the start, I would have saved about $25.
So there you have it! Some of these are painfully obvious, but some are not-so-much. I hope that you enjoyed reading!
Finally! Some things that I really love talking about! In my last post about "being rich," I talked about some ways to save money. In this post, I will be focusing on how to spend less money when you do need to spend.
Shop at thrift stores.
I'm gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket... oops, sorry! Okay, seriously. Thrift stores are my very favorite places to shop! Whether it be Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or privately-owned shops, you can find treasures there for next to nothing. As I look around my living room, I can see 13 things that have come from thrift stores. It's kind of addicting. I plan on doing a post later about my favorite finds!
Shop at yard/garage sales.
Yard sales are great in that people typically want to get rid of everything that they have set aside to sell, so they're willing to make deals. It takes a bit of practice to know what kinds of yard sales are worth your time, but it is so much fun once you figure it out! Every Thursday evening, I get something that I call "the yard sale itch." I get on Craigslist and look for garage sales in my area and map out my Saturday morning. It may sound crazy, but... well, okay. Maybe it is crazy.
Learn how to navigate Craigslist.
Like thrift stores and yard/garage sales, Craigslist is full of junk and a few treasures. If you know what you're looking for, and know how to use the "Search" feature (which is basically the easiest thing in the world), you're all set! We have purchased several things from Craigslist, including our refrigerator (for $60)!
Know when to invest.
At my previous job, I was on my feet for literally 8 hours every day. I was walking, dancing, skipping... you know, kid stuff. And it wore my shoes out in 2 weeks flat. I went to Dots and bought a pair of cheap canvas shoes, and they lasted 2 weeks. I went to Walmart and bought a pair of cheap flats, and they lasted 2 weeks. Then, I decided to stop buying "cheap" shoes and went to Payless. (Have I mentioned that I loathe spending money?) I bought a pair of DexFlex flats and they lasted me 4 MONTHS and are still in good shape (although they have certainly had better-smelling days). Had I "splurged" and bought them from the start, I would have saved about $25.
So there you have it! Some of these are painfully obvious, but some are not-so-much. I hope that you enjoyed reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)