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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > December > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRinging In The New Year’s Resolutions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The package tucked under my tree, naturally, was a plain brown box. No fancy bows, no shiny wrapping paper.
Monsieur Claus must read this blog. Inside was a brand new pair of … cheapskates. Can’t wait to strap them on and go rolling for bargains in ‘09.
Lots of New Year’s resolutions are focused on saving bucks. Mr. Cheapskatin’ applauds such efforts.
At the same time, let’s avoid going overboard. Here are my fave five vows for maintaining moderation with austerity. Would any work for you?
Groceries: Don’t gobble up every 2-for-1 deal because some foods wind up in the garbage after they have spoiled — or after you have grown tired of eating them.
Clothes: Don’t rush to the department store for new duds just because it’s having a sale. There will be more bargains — next week, if not the next day.
Gas: Stop tapping the pump for a gallon here and there while the fuel gauge needle forever hovers near “E.” Not good for the vehicle’s innards.
Home energy: Don’t be a slave to extreme temperatures, either freezing your fanny off in the winter or sweating a river in the summer. Your house’s heater and air-conditioner is there for a reason.
- Beer: Skip the domestically brewed, mainstream swill. Too many tasty brews out there begging to be sipped.
Otherwise, there will be a heap o’ cheapskatin’ in my life. Present your ideas for str-r-r-r-r-etching a dollar. And, please, no bows or wrapping around them.
Comments
By Jones
December 30, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
I keep my thermostat on 68 in the winter. I have three space heaters placed around the house, and they keep the temps around 70-72, and the furnace doesn’t not come on during the day. At night, I put it down to 65 but I turn off the space heaters. We also burn alot of fires.
I save every single bit of change, never spend it. I throw it into a jar. I just cashed out my jar, and after 1 year of saving nothing but change, I got $200.00. Found money.
I am putting in a vegetable garden this year. With my surplus of veggies, I will take them to my local Suwanee farmer’s market and sell them. I also plan on putting in a herb garden and selling herbs. The legal ones…….haha
I always use coupons at the grocery store, and Publix has a Mystery coupon every Sunday & Monday. One Publix brand item will go for a penny (with a $10.00 purchase).
I shop with a friend at BJ’s and buy all my paper products in bulk, paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex, etc.
But first and foremost, I pay MYSELF first. 10% of my paycheck goes directly into my savings account. It doesn’t yield very high, but it just sits there until a rainy day. I very rarely touch it.
I do not have any credit cards, everything is bought with cash. The only thing I finance is my mortgage. The vehicle is paid off too, and it’s 10 years old. Very good on mileage, and insurance is cheap.
I work very close to home, my commute is less than 30 minutes, no highways. I leave the house around 6:45 (no traffic), and I work until 4:00 (again, not much traffic). So I’m not idling in traffic for long periods of time.
Life is good. Take it slow. Enjoy the moment!!!!
By Robert
December 30, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
A great way to save if gas prices go up is by buying Tomorrow’s Gas today.
You lock in your price today and redeem it when you need it. www.tomorrowsgas.com
anybody else tried it? please post with what you think about the customer service or prodcut
By clyde
December 30, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
You’re not even an amateur cheapskate.My wife and I are legends.We haven’t gone anywhere or done anything for so long that we think going nowhere and doing nothing are normal.We never eat out.We don’t smoke,We don’t drink.We have no television.We buy our clothes at secondhand shops.Our car was paid for 10 years ago.I could run this list on forever.
By Mint
December 30, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
I use mint.com to track all my expenses. It downloads, from a secure site, your daily credit and bank transactions and categorizes it for you to track all your expenses. Knowing what and when I spend has saved me 650 a month. Going to crank it up another notch with the depression coming. My goal is to save $1000/month!!Easy as pie….shout out to ween!
By Thifty Mom
December 31, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
Jones, with the exception of the space heaters and a small amount on my credit card (emergency car repair) we could be twins!
By Debby
December 31, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Clyde, do you have any fun at all??
And Jones, if you really want to save money on groceries, try Aldi. Publix is no bargain, regardless of their 1 cent mystery item. Cook from scratch, and avoid convenience foods. Drive your paid-for vehicles as long as you can, and keep up with the maintenance.
By mystery poster
December 31, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Regarding the 2 for 1 sales. At Publix, you don’t need to buy 2, one will ring up at half price. So, don’t buy two if one will end up in the trash but buy one if you’ll use it.
Kroger didn’t used to be that way, but the last time I bought a two-for-one item there, each did ring up half price. Did they change their policy?
By jane macdonald
January 10, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this
I live in Florida now. We ride our bikes to Publix and have learned buy smart. The stock clerks can direct you to the best deals. Just ask! My coach at 18mind taught me that trick.