Times are tough all around. So now we are *officially* in a recession (the denial is over) and the governor declared a fiscal crisis. Too boost savings (my bottom line), things need to be cut.
- The landline phone – I haven’t used it, I rely on my cell phone. I should cancel it and just pay for the internet. Last time I called and tried to cancel my landline, they talked me into keeping it “for emergencies” and for “back up.” I haven’t had a need for it; my cell phone is reliable enough. You can still dial 911 from a cell phone, even if there is no service. So I’ll be saving $40 a month.
- Reduce Direct TV bill – This one I can’t cut out but I can reduce. I’ll look to see if they have less expensive package.
- Less cafeteria meals at work. I’ll start bringing my food more often.
- Find cheaper car insurance.
I don’t know what else I can cut. I think I’m doing everything I can already.
- I don’t shop that often for new stuff. If I need (or want) something I find a coupon for it or wait until it goes on sale. And before I buy, I research it do death online.
- Only spend $40 for groceries. Go shopping once every 2 weeks. It’s just me here, I don’t have anyone else to feed.
- If people ask me to take home left overs (Thanksgiving), I do it.
- I’m always home, I very seldom go out. The last time I went out with friends was when I had my birthday dinner in October.
- Don’t go to the movies. The last movie I saw was “Lakeview Terrace,” & my friend treated me to that one for my birthday.
- Watch movies at home. I have Netflix. All the movies that come out, I wait to see on Netflix. I guess I could cut this one also. I have my account on hold for now – because there aren’t any DVD’s out that I want to see.
- Borrow books from the library. I don’t buy books anymore.
- Do surveys online - $5-10 or maybe $50 here and there, which go to my house fund.
- Do My Points - Get $10 - $25 gift certificates. Got a $10 gift certificate last month for CVS, used it to pay for my prescription.
- Bare minimum on my cell phone. I don’t have a fancy phone, it only does what it’s meant for – which is to make calls. No internet on it. I don’t do text messaging. I canceled it because people were leaving me annoying messages (guys & relatives asking to borrow money).
- Conserve electricity. Turn lights off when I’m not it the room. Unplug everything. Try to keep the bill less than $20/month (for a 1 bdrm apt).
- Use water that leaks out of the faucet while taking a shower to water the plants. Also save the water that’s coming out while waiting for the water to get warm.
- Laundry every 2 weeks (or more). Try to wear clothes more than twice if they’re not really dirty/stinky. Hand wash uniforms in between.
- Don’t buy paper towels among other things. There are lots of things I don’t buy anymore.
- Free sampling online. I’ve received shampoo, soap, tampons, razors, deodorant, etc.
- Make everything last. I try to put the purchase date on bottles of shampoo, dish soap, etc to see how long I can make them last.
- Can’t even remember the last time I had my hair cut/colored. I think it was September. I will try to stretch this out every 6 months. A good idea would be to find a beauty school nearby, they always need heads to practice on.
- Online banking with high yield savings account & CD’s. Better than getting a return of .009% at the bank.
- Pay bills online, saves stamps.
- Do not turn the heater on unless it’s freezing cold. I just put a sweater on. Same thing with the ac, unless it gets unbearably hot. Good thing I live near the beach, the highest it gets here is 87 degrees & there’s always a breeze. I just open the window.
That’s it. That’s all I can think of for now.
