Sara’s Frugality Tips: Learning to Live More Efficiently (Tips#21-30)

Tip#21- Careful about buying in bulk, it’s only worth it if: a) you are going to use all of those items in a reasonable amount of time, so they don’t go to waste. & If: b) you are sure the bulk discount is less than the specials in other places.

Tip#22- Spending money on friends, not off-limits. However, it must be done with a set budget in mind. For example, I am going to spend $40 on a present.

Tip#23- Potatoes: inexpensive, and versatile. Do you know how many things you can make out of potatoes???

Tip#24- You are free to make space in the budget for the things you consider important. For example, treats for yourself, gifts for friends or for those in need. The budget killer, is thinking to yourself: “I work, I deserve this, no matter how much it costs.” Do you deserve stuff? Maybe. Should you blow your budget for it? Probably not.

Tip#25- The saving of 1000 (or thousands) of dollars starts with a dollar. It adds up.

Tip#26- Make room in your budget for giving. In time, you’ll see it’s worth it. Generosity comes back to you in different ways.

Tip#27- I personally buy from Aldi’s (grocery store), because they have incredible prices, hands down, even compared to specials at other stores, and buying in bulk. (This has been my experience until now.)

Tip#28- Look for laundromats in your area that offer specials that you will use. Swiss Cleaner’s laundromats in my area offer $2.00 bonus when you add a $20 to the card. Also, weekdays before 3pm, the dryers are .19 for 10 minutes. (They also got WIFI, so I love it!!)

Tip#29- Cable… you have to weigh the cost against how much you REALLY use it. If your cable bill is upwards of $100, and you don’t really take advantage of it, try considering other options. (For example, Hulu Plus, Netflix, if they offer what you like to watch.)

Tip#30- The point of frugality is saving money on things that are not essential to you, so you can have more to spend on things that are more important to you.

Sara’s Frugality Tips: Learning to Live More Efficiently (Tips#11-20)

Tip#11- You would be surprised at how long well taken care of disposable really last.  Even though disposable products wouldn’t really be my first option in the first place.

Tip#12- Bring lunch to work.  If you work 5 days a week, and typically spend even $5 on lunch, you are still spending around $100 in just lunch.

Tip#13- Leftovers are money savers, but don’t just reheat them, revive them, create something new. Saving money can also be appetizing.

Tip#14- Only spend on your credit card the money you have available to you from other sources. Credit is not your money, so pay it all back as soon as possible.

Tip#15- The internet can provide us with countless more efficient alternatives. One of my favorites: Textbook purchases. Half.com, amazon.com, etc.

Tip#16- I really wanted to save money with textbooks, so I would buy the previous editions for a lot less.

Tip#17- Take care of your teeth, dentist bills are expensive.

Tip#18- Take care of yourself in general, medical bills are expensive.

Tip#19-FIFO (first in, first out) ideal way of managing grocery inventory at the house.

Tip#20- Recycling- good for environment, good for your piggy bank.