Most Extreme Money-Saving TIps
- writermom13
- BettyPine
- lilfreedoms
- writermom13
- ortmanclan
- writermom13
- JessaPr31
- justrose
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» writermom13 - Extreme Money-Saving Tips
Hi! Thanks for the great comments on my first article. I have a question I'd like everyone to answer, just for the fun of it.What is the most extreme thing you've ever done to save money?
Don't be embarrassed. Wear your experience as a badge of honor; this is how far you will go to be there for your family and your kids. And, your tip may help another family. What one considers extreme may not be to someone else.
I am looking forward to your comments.
Jennifer Krausz, contributing editor
-- posted by writermom13
» BettyPine - This hard question to answer
I'm pretty bad 'bout money. I can't say there is one extreme tip I could give. But this is what I do to make sure my bucks give me value from what I buy.If I buy something, or go in for a service or go out to eat, and I don't get what I ordered, or get treated shabbily, or get defective item, I don't just forget about it. I speak up, I call managers, and then for supervisors and if they don't help I have called the companies. I usually get some kind of kindness in return. A rebate, coupons, new item, better service, one on one customer care. Over the years that has saved me a lot of money.
I hope you get a big response to your question, it's interesting.
-- posted by BettyPine
» lilfreedoms - money saving tips!!
This will all depend on the age of your child but for me, using cloth diapers has been a big one!! Second hand stores to buy cloths from and freezing dinner leftovers so they dont go bad in fridge and grow arms. The biggest thing tHough is, SELF-DISCIPINE, SELF-DISCIPLINE, SELFDISCIPLINE.
Peace, love and light
lilfreedoms..
-- posted by lilfreedoms
» writermom13 - answering my own question
This is a tough question, I'm finding. The things I do don't seem so extreme to me. And what would seem extreme to others? That probably varies. I mean, I hardly spend any money on clothes for my kids because I take their old ones to a resale shop and use the credit to get new ones. I get some from yard sales, and they get some for gifts at holidays. To some, that would be extreme.I also have been eating bagels breakfast or lunch, amd sometimes both, for a while because we got them free from a family member. To some, that would seem extreme.
I have not had a pizza delivered in months, maybe a year. I usually make my own because it might cost $1.00 instead of $10 from Pizza Hut or Dominos, plus tip.
I think the most extreme thing I have ever done is buy Christmas gifts at garage sales. I buy used baskets and cookie tins that look brand new, no scratches or dents, and fill them. I sometimes find brand new items for a fraction of the cost in a store, even on clearance. I don't give anything that looks even slightly used. But I am keeping track of Christmas spending this year, expecting to save over 50% compared to before I started doing this. I think a lot of people would find that extreme. In fact, I don't usually advertise the fact that I do this.
Your editor,
Jen Krausz
-- posted by writermom13
» ortmanclan - Miserly Mom Book
There is a great book out called Miserly Mom that provides tips on saving money. I can't provide all the tips as there are many but it is a book worth owning. It changed my way of thinking. I'm sure amazon.com has it.-- posted by ortmanclan
» writermom13 - Re: Miserly Mom Book
In response to message posted by ortmanclan:Yes, Miserly Moms is a great book. I believe Jonni McCoy's web site is one of my links. If not, I'll add it. But as for the book, I have it and refer to it from time to time for ideas. I especially like her frugal recipes. She also wrote another book, Frugal Families, along the same lines, but with different information. Thanks for posting!
Jen Krausz
-- posted by writermom13
» JessaPr31 - Re: Miserly Mom Book
Her books are great ! I am trying to think of some extreme things that I do, but I do everything to the extreme it seems. Auuugggh! I visit alot of free websites and receive free e-mail newsletters. With the ton of freebies I get I save alot of money, it especially comes in handy when emergencies happen and you need some more shampoo etc... I shop alot at the dollar tree, I get books there. I also go to the local library and borrow books, movies, and audio tapes instead of renting or buying them. This saves us alot of money. I love books and my husband loves movies....
Great Topic ! I am excited to learn some good tips.
-- posted by JessaPr31
» justrose - Extreme Things I Have Done!
Neat site!I call companies for EVERY problem. I mean, the diaper tabs come off, or the spray nozzle sticks, or the pizza doesn't rise, or the bone in the Spam (very gross by the way), or the paper late etc. ALWAYS, they make reparation. Coupons for FREE product and cents off, extended subscriptions etc....
Refuse to come in to doctors office if I know it is an ear infection, or strep or whatever. M y Doctor will call something in, and I save 15$ per sick kid. You have to have an understanding Doctor, and I do not recommend this to others, this is just what I do.
This may not seem frugal, since I do not personally do the purchasing, but since our families exchange Christmas list, I have made it a habit to keep one updated all year round, and send it out in SUMMER. We get more things we can use, and they get to have more time to find things on sale (garage sales, whatever).
Shopping at salvage or dent groceries for some items. Diapers, detergents, cleaners, cereals, ketchup, you name it. Just check the dates, and be careful about dented cans. Trust me, people think this one is EXTREME.
I don't do cloth diapers. matter of fact, we use the name brand kind to minimize leaks.
Being able to spend money on things that I WANT, is one reason why I am frugal.
-- posted by justrose
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