Here is a collection of random ideas that have been passed on to me.
This is a collection of ideas that readers have suggested as ways to save some money.
Skip the cable TV, instead watch DVD’s or read.
Now before you jump all over me.
The idea here is to have a library card where you can take out the DVD’S and books.
A family library card for a year is a lot cheaper than the yearly cable bill for most families. Often times a membership at a video store is less than a pay for view channel on TV. Keep in mind how far you have to drive to do this.
Give up the gym membership. Now you do not give up exercise altogether.
You can do strength training at home. Walking is also the cheapest exercise around. Only go to the movies once in a while. Go to the park with your kids instead. You will save the cost of the tickets and have more fun anyhow. If you have movie night at home with a borrowed DVD and homemade snacks, you will save even more.
Quit smoking and drinking. It is a lot cheaper for you and way better for your health. Just staying healthy can help your bottom line. There are fewer trips to the doctors, optometrist and dentist. A prescription here and there and basic dental care along with an eye exam is expensive enough without adding to it.
Avoid the mall. Window shopping may seem like a great way to spend time but not only does it make it a lot harder to resist buying items. There is also the cost for the food court if you eat while you are there since malls do not allow outside food and beverages in. You also have the cost of just getting to the mall. Even if you go on the bus and do not drive you still have to pay to get there. Try to reduce the number of trips you make to pick up stuff.
Having one day when you do all your errands is more cost effective than running around every night after work. Bring your own lunch to work.
A lot of people will eat out every day saying they do not have the time to pack a lunch. The average meal can run you from $8 to $20 every time.
This can eat up a huge amount of money just for the convenience of grabbing a meal. While you are at it. Bring your own coffee as well. A latte to two a day will add up in a hurry.
You also have to consider things like are you driving to pick up your coffee or when you go out for lunch. There is now the added expense of fuel and the maintence to your car.
Depending on where you live you may want to take public transit to work. If you have to pay a huge amount to pay for parking when you get to work is it worth it to drive every day.
Sandra Nolan is a freelance writer from Rocky Mountain House. Her column appears every other week in LIFE. Contact her at slnolan@xplornet.com