How to be Amazingly Thrifty
Article about: Bargain, dollar, money, save, save money, Simple ideas to save money, thrift, thrifty, yard sale
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With the economy crashing down around us, so many people are actually trying to *gasp!* save money- but its not as easy as it looks. Countless Americans are failing miserably at trying to be thrifty, so I’m writing this article to tell all of you out there that no, you don’t have to sell your Grandmother’s antique silver just to keep a little cash in your pocket.
1) Pocket Change! It collects in your cup holders, in the washing mashing, in your shoe. The one place it never seems to collect? THE BANK! This little tip is one most would scoff at: but after a while, the dimes, nickels, quarters and pennies really start to add up. But how to keep it out of those pesky places I’ve already mentioned? Well, here’s what you’re going to do. Go out to the store and get two large containers in which to hold any coins you may collect throughout the day. Place one in your cubicle at work, and one by the front door of your house. When the two are filled up, DO NOT take them to a Coin-Star machine, or something similar. Know why? For every dollar you put in that machine, it receives nine cents of it!
I suggest rolling your own coins- it’s not that difficult and, if you want it to be, it can be a fun way to bond with your kids. Make it into a contest. Award prizes. Whatever. Or give the neighborhood kid five bucks and have them do it. Then when you have your many rolls of coins, mosey on down to your bank and trade those suckers in for a wad of cash. (Be warned: you will be treated like a neanderthal of sorts at the bank; some people are too snooty to roll there own coins nowadays. But hey, you’ll be a rich neanderthal, so don’t let it bother you.)
Now, this money will not be used to pay your bills. This money is what I like to call “Holy Crap! money”, because life, with its sick humor, likes to send us curve balls and speed bumps, such as, “Holy Crap! My car just broke down”, or “Holy Crap! I just broke my arm”, or the ever popular, “Holy Crap! It’s Christmas and I haven’t bought anything!”.
2) This next tip may make you feel slightly like a senior citizen- unless you are one, in which case, kudos to you for trying to save some cash. The tip is a good one, one many people already use: the circulars. Now, the dictionary.com definition of a circular is: A printed advertisement, directive, or notice intended for mass distribution. The ones I’m referring to are the ones in the front of your supermarket, that tell you the sales on all sorts of food. Here is how to use these handy little things:
a) Make two shopping lists: one with all the essentials your family needs such as bread, milk, eggs, as well as large categories like fruits, and cereal. On the second list, write out frivolous things your family might want such as cookie dough and frozen waffles, as well as things that fit into the large categories on the first list, like apples and Cap’n Crunch.
b) Take these two lists to the store and pick up the circular for that week. Go through and circle all the re-occurring things on your lists and the circulars. If something on the first list is not in the circular, buy it regardless. If this is the case for the second list, you should not buy it for that week.
3) This last tip contains many separate tips: They are grouped together because they most come with a sacrifice: Time or Money? What i mean by this is that if you want to spend the time to make your lunch instead of buying it, you could save an unbelievable amount per year. But doing so will eat up your time in the morning. I believe the choice is easy, but then, I am the one writing the article. So think about this trade-off before you make a decision. (Note: I believe that even though they take up time, they can be fun and well-worth it if you involve your family and friends.)
a) Wash your car at home instead of getting it done professionally.
b) Buy one durable, fill-up plastic water bottle and a purifier: this will soon pay for itself and is better for the environment.
c) Be sure to use ALL of a cosmetic before switching to a new one. To create a new lip gloss, scoop out the lasts of your lip-stick and mix in some Vaseline.
d) Of course, shop thrift-stores and Good Will, but also learn to barter and hit some yard sales!
HAPPY BARGAIN HUNTING!
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