13 March 2008
This little drawing is from a while ago, but I need a visit from the Hamster of Plenty. Things are going to need to change around here, because while I used to have some money, soon I will have no money! And soon? The government will have my money instead. They seem to want more money than I actually have in the bank, so I'm working on a solution to that small problem. Bother.
Some good things:
-- I like challenges. Perhaps it will be FUN finding a way to spend 25% less this year. Yeah!
-- Even though my gym membership is a new expense, at least it will provide a useful diversion from shopping. Not only will I save money, I will be fit and attractive! Take that, federal government!
-- Since I won't have money for new clothes, I can finally learn how to take in all my old stuff that no longer fits. Resourceful.
-- I managed to get two cases of Almond Breeze from Fresh and Natural (for $2 a box), so at least I can survive on that for a while.
What sorts of things have you done or are you doing to save money? Truthfully, things like buying bulk almond milk aren't going to save the kind of money I need to be saving, even if pennies do add up. A shopping moratorium is definitely on the table for the next, like, ten months. Should I rent out the cats? Only eat lentils?
p.s. -- Discovering the Fresh and Natural Foods store out in Plymouth was the silver lining to my car dying a while back. I had to drive around after it was jumped, so I went straight west, and drove and drove, and there it was. Hooray silver linings.
The book Total Money Makeover is kind of poorly written but it has lots of good tips for budgeting.
posted by Amy at March 13, 2008 05:12 AM
make a meal plan and only go grocery shopping once a week (maybe a second time for fresh produce). you don't have to stick 100% to it, but it prevents situative shopping.
posted by Steffi at March 13, 2008 06:55 AM
Perennially broke, here. Habits I've picked up:
1. recycling all catalogs without looking at them first
2. not going into any store unless I absolutely have to
3. knitting and crocheting only from my stash
4. sewing only from my stash
5. deciding not to be attached to material things (handy attitude when broke) and selling and donating lots of my books and other stuff (donating = tax reduction)
6. using my library tons and tons
7. shopping my freezer and pantry before going to the grocery store
8. like you, altering clothes that don't fit so that they will
9. way easy for me: not being a fashion plate. i.e. wearing the same jeans and a few T-shirts day after day until they wear out. Not particularly recommended ;-)
10. when I want something, first thinking, "where would I put it?"
Good luck with the tax man. He wants more than I have, too. (Damn that independent contractor status!)
posted by anne at March 13, 2008 11:44 AM
I had to tighten my belt financially last year and found the biggest savings through shopping around for a good deal from my utilities suppliers and also meal planning and shopping from a list. I now think about every pound I spend and feed my sewing habit by buy clothes/tablecloths etc at jumble sales to recycle, much cheaper than buying fabric at the shops.
There is a great site for ideas, UK based but still full of practical advice www.moneysavingexpert.com
posted by French Knots at March 13, 2008 02:50 PM
I LOVE the Hamster of Plenty - he's gorgeous. I too will have constricted income by the end of the summer thanks to my scholarship finishing. So, as every good academic does, I'm sitting at my computer finding new charitable and research bodies to beg money from! I've been thinking about the money saving stuff, nevertheless, and am going to look at things like getting a water-meter fitted. Also, stopping buying random, expensive food stuffs and yarn and fabric would be a big help. Good luck! Cx
posted by Cara at March 13, 2008 03:24 PM
First, a question: What is Almond Breeze?
Money-saving ideas: a) only go shopping when you need something. Go in store, get that item and leave. b) try to grocery shop no more than twice a month. c) Find out if your utility companies have "budget plan rates." If so, sign up for them. This takes a lot of the variability of what you have to pay each month out of the picture. d) Declare at least one day per week (more if you can manage it) as "don't drive days." Gasoline has gotten so expensive that you need to squeeze every mile you can out of a gallon so group errands and plot them on a course which requires the least amount of driving, use cruise control, etc. e) look for free admission type things to do for entertainment. These can include things at schools, churches, other organizations. If museums and other attractions have specific days or hours when they waive admission charges, go during those hours. f) use the library for books, magazines, and movies.
posted by Charlotte at March 13, 2008 06:07 PM
Hello, I am engaged in what I am calling my '10 pounds project' where I am trying to get our (two adults) weekly fruit and veg shop in for £10 whilst being ethical and organic. Not happening so far but I'm experimenting. Previous to this experiment I have found food shopping online to be the most cost effective and green if you have a suitable provider in your area.
posted by alice at March 13, 2008 08:00 PM
Oooh - I'm really enjoying your blog. My biggest money saver is admitting to friends that things are tight so when we want to get together, its easier to suggest a night in rather than going to a restaurant. Its better for your waist line too! Plus, when I fessed up about trying to save money (my issue is saving for a house), I found that almost all of them were relieved cause they were looking for reasons to save as well. We're practically all in the same boat.
posted by Claire at March 14, 2008 01:53 PM
I'm not sure it's possible to cut grocery costs much when one relies on fresh and organic produce. I used to eat on $25 a week as a grad student. My diet consisted of Wheaties, grapefruit juice, bananas, yogurt, boxed macaroni and cheese, and a bit of ground beef. Urgh.
I do buy candied ginger and tea at the local Asian market at a substantial savings. They're imported from Asia, which isn't particularly green, but then I guess most tea is.
posted by anne at March 14, 2008 02:42 PM
I have independent contractor status, too, and make myself save 30% or more of my income for taxes all year. You may already do this, but if not, I highly recommend an ING savings account - I set it up to automatically take money out every week, and whenever I make freelance $ I put in 30% of that, too. By the end of the year I had thousands of dollars that I hadn't really missed, because I'm used to being poor... and it was more than enough for taxes. I transferred the leftover $ into another ING account for general savings and I'm shocked that, on my paltry income, I have as much as I do put away. I'm a savings geek now.
On the flip side, I'm horrible at planning and food shopping. I'm trying a new system where, whenever I want something impulsive and manage to resist, I transfer the cost of that item into savings. Then it's like I've spent it, but the $ is still mine for something I want more down the road.
Love your blog. Keep it up.
posted by Jessie at March 14, 2008 04:35 PM
unrelatedly, a friend recommended this site (http://www.wisebread.com/) for ideas, but i haven't had time to check it out too much..
posted by monette at March 14, 2008 08:22 PM
Hello!
I've found that big grocery and retail chains have such a large selection of specialty things in order to provide variety that they end up having to put things on clearance to open up NEW and EXCITING! items. These things on clearance are often 50 or 70 percent off of the regularly marked-up prices. You can find fine clothes, specialty foods, organic produce, etc. if you just look well throughout the store or ask. At our local store, I look at the produce and if it looks like it should be eaten within the next 2 or 3 days, I ask the produce persons if they can reduce it, and they always say yes! This applies to organic produce too. It takes humility to ask, it's true, but imagine, if the produce is not sold, it goes into the garbage. And you can have perfectly fine items for a lower price.
Also, if you have access to coupons, they are great for things that you would buy normally anyway, and are also on sale.
Thank you for a very interesting website.
posted by Tricia at March 15, 2008 12:31 AM
If you make it a game and not a "oh woe is me" you'll cope much better. You might like to check out my one month Fiscal Fast last June for inspiration:
http://theshoppingsherpa.blogspot.com/search/label/Fiscal%20Fast
Good luck!
posted by The Shopping Sherpa at March 30, 2008 10:22 AM
Hi, Since you eat a lot of veggie food and beans and stuff, maybe it will be really inexpensive to shop in an ethnic market. The beans, even packed stuff, are really cheap there and they come from the same place as what you buy from the grocery store.
Making a meal plan for a week or two week will work great.
Goodluck!
posted by Kay at April 5, 2008 07:34 PM