How to Save Money on Everything

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from Tulsa World, By LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer, 8/30/2009

Do you find saving money a chore or fun?

For many people, it's simply a way of life something they've either picked up while growing up around the time of the Great Depression or adopted more recently out of necessity.

With layoffs plentiful and unemployment rates rising, many are pinching pennies in any way possible.

Recently, the Tulsa World Business section invited readers to send their money-saving suggestions, and they responded with ideas both creative and sensible. Their tips were far-reaching, including how to save on clothing, food, entertainment, household chores, to name a few.

For many such as 76-year-old Charlotte Hutchens of Ralston, finding ways to save money has just become a habit, something she grew up with.

"We learned during WWII as well as being children of the Depression of many ways to cut costs! I still use baking soda and salt for toothpaste, and corn starch makes the very best bath powder," said Hutchens in her e-mail.

She picked up some savings tips from several sources, including her Dutch-Irish grandmother who was "as tight as bark on a tree." Also, as a young wife and mother living in Colorado, she recalled how they had to haul water from a cistern. The family learned how to share bath water and brush teeth out of a cup.

Her babies were born before the age of disposable diapers and plastic bottles.

Everything was rationed during the war. If you wanted meat, you had to raise chickens, rabbits and pigs. To buy another aluminum tube of toothpaste, you had to return your empty one to the drugstore so the tubes could be recycled for the war, said Hutchens during a phone interview.

"You learned to use up what you had," said Hutchens.

Del Huntsman of Broken Arrow, who was born at the end of the Depression, is another who has "always been frugal." But lately, she's really been watching her pennies and her budget after her retirement investments lost 20 percent of their worth last year.

"I moved some investments and put them in something more secure I'm 76, and I don't have time to wait around 10 or 20 years for it to rebuild, so I wanted to make what I had secure rather than waiting around to see what was going to happen," Huntsman said.

Among her savings tips, Huntsman said she has reduced the insurance premiums on her home and auto by raising the deductible on each policy. Other savings suggestions include cutting back on cable usage and switching to generic medications.

Frugality is a favorite topic Gloria Warren Smith, who has degrees in art and home economics and in 1957 was crowned Mrs. Oklahoma. She also was a finalist in the Mrs. America pageant and was named Mrs. United States Savings Bond that same year.

She sent in a lengthy explanation of some ways to trim food costs such as buying meats in family packs at less per pound. If a 10-pound bag of russet potatoes is on sale at $2.99, have a friend split it with you, she said.

"Upon receiving weekly grocery ads, list stores you shop with and sale dates on a business-size envelope with items and prices under each. Compare sizes and prices for stores with the best bargains. Try to limit the number of stores to save on gas and impulse buying," she wrote.

For Gena Nelson, saving money became necessary after she was laid off in May from her telecommunications job of more than 22 years. She has since been hired on a part-time contract basis for the same company, but is making about half of her former salary.

Nelson, who has three teenage boys to put through school, said her husband challenged her with a new budget after she first became unemployed.

Finding ways to save money is challenging, but it also can be fun.

"I try to make it fun because otherwise it would just be a lot more depressing," Nelson said.

Like many respondents, Nelson sent several savings tips, including where to find deals on restaurants, clothes and entertainment, among others.

One huge savings tip she and her husband pursued was the refinancing of their home, which knocked off about 25 percent of their house payment.

Among some simpler savings methods, Nelson noted how incredible clothing finds can be found at places such as The Quality Thrift Store, Goodwill and Salvation Army.

"In May, my Saks card moved to the back of my wallet for a long break. I have shopped at thrift stores since college, mostly for vintage clothing, but this instinct kicked in again when my income was cut in half," said Nelson's e-mail.

"Over the summer I have gotten some amazing deals for 99 cents — seven pairs of American Eagle khakis for boys' school uniform dress, a faux mink cape, a vintage wool black dress, countless sundresses, and dozens of baby items to donate to Emergency Infant Services," she said.

Now, with more time on her hands, Nelson also cleaned out every closet and sold piles of clothes to the Echo consignment store, which donates items that aren't sold and provides the receipt.

"Even though we're still adjusting, and hoping that I will find a job soon, the new budget has been an adventure and we've definitely saved money and also definitely had a fun summer," Nelson said.