Common Sense and the Basics to Help Save Money
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Doing-it-Yourself
Everyone needs financial help not just the big corporations and banks. The people in real need are the people just like you and I. People can make a small differences in their own lives and save their hard earned money, if you are waiting on the government to bail you out don't hold you breath. Unless your name is Fannie Mae or Citibank you wasting your time! If you want to get it done do-it-yourself. Many people waste money every month on things they could do on their own. People don't realize just how much they can save just by washing and detailing their own car, or going without a trip to the hair salon just once a month. Over time this amount squirreled away can roll over into a substantial amount of money.
Contents at a Glance
Living High on the Hog
Are we spoiled?
Times are hard. Jobs are lost, homes are foreclosed on, price of gas and groceries rise, the list goes on endlessly. So how do we recover, how do we save a buck? The answers are simple even though the problems seem complex. As Americans we have become accustomed to a certain way of living. All may not have been "living high on the hog", or made bad choices, but the bottom line is we spoil ourselves in a world that has become lazy. Then there is an entirely other group of Americans that have it really bad, the ones that are working minimum wage jobs to support their families. These people right now cannot even afford gas and groceries, let alone utilities, car payments, car insurance, medical insurance, you get the picture. So what do we do? We get back to basics. I know some of you are laughing right now because you have been living that way all along. Even those of you that don't think you can do without anything else, even you can save. The main thing is use your common sense and think outside the box. We as a society have become so spoiled. I think of what my parents and grandparents done without when they were younger and I am ashamed I live the way I do. You may have the money today to go out and splurge, but you could very well find yourself out of business or without a job tomorrow. If you can save now, then save. You may not be able to save in the future. Most of us right now just don't have that kind of money.Start small and watch your money grow over time. I realize time is something a lot of you may not have if you are looking at losing your home, or you have lost a job. There is no quick fix. What I am going to tell you is how to change your way of living to better your future. Ask yourself what things you can do without. What can you do yourself? I have listed a few that you may or may not have thought of to get you on the right track.
Do For You
Changing the way you live.
What can I do without and what can I do myself?- Do I really need to eat out? Eating out is fine if the money is there, if not think of what one plate of food can cost at a restaurant, and then think about what all you could buy at the grocery store for say $20.00, a lot more than you would guess. And for the love of Pete, use those coupons If you don't know how to cook it would be a great time to learn. Do you eat out because of a busy schedule and it is quicker? A lot of meals only take 15 min. to prepare, on average this is how long you will wait at a restaurant.
- Do I really need that music C.D.? No you don't. This is a no brainer. Get a group of friends together to participate in a C.D. sharing club. Kind of like a book club. Buy a set of blank CD's and you can burn double the music for a quarter of the price of one music CD. Five bucks and a little time you could save yourself a lot of money over time, considering most CD's are around 15.00 or more.
- Do I really need those pants or blouse? If you are like most you more than likely have a closet full of clothes you don't wear for various reasons. But if you have gained or lost a few pounds and can't seem to fit in anything and really are in need of clothes don't buy new. Buying used is a cheap way to buy a wardrobe. Thrift stores, Goodwill, even yard sales are great ways to save money. A lot of times you can find clothes that are brand new for half the price. I just bought a pair of $80.00 pants for 8.00 bucks, they still had original tag on them, and I was thrilled! Another thought, sew some of your clothes, if you don't know how, learn. This is really great for small children. Girls' sun dresses can be sewn in no time and are just as nice as or even better than what you may find in stores.
- Do I really need a house phone and cell phone? Cut a phone bill out of the picture. If you can get by without one or the other go for it! This will save you a chunk of change. I have not had a land line in years; I use my mobile for everything. I was paying the same price monthly for my land line as I was for three cell phones! I saved a whopping 100.00 a month!
- Do I really need to go to the movies? No, stay in and watch the movies on the channels you probably pay for every month. Or rent, I suggest using NetFlix. You save a lot of money if you rent movies on a regular basis. And there are never any late charges, how awesome is that! With their service you can also watch movies instantly online on your computer or with the help of a HDMI cord you can plug into your television from your computer and watch them on the big screen!
How-to's
- How to change oil.
- This video will show you step by step and explain in depth how to change the oil in your vehicle.
- How to grow a garden.
- This is a great website with video's galore on gardening.
- How to sew.
- If you don't know the first thing about a needle and thread visit this website! Beginner patterns, basic techniques, and more, lots more!
More Ways to Save
Possibilties are Endless
Here is a list of things in to give you more ideas:- Detail your own car.
- Change your own oil.
- Do your own manicures.
- Buy from a farmers market.
- Plant your own garden.
- Plant from seeds instead of buying the small starter plants.
- Save gas and carpool.
- Ride your bike instead of driving.
- Make your own coffee.
- Take a brown bag lunch to work
- Go to the library and check out books instead of buying one.
- Buy books from a used book store, this is a great one for college students.
- Bottle you own water.
- Get a online dvd store membership.
- Clean that stain yourself and stop using the dry cleaners.
- Groom your dog yourself.
Reevaluate
Keep it Simple
We have become a society of people that love the instant gratification where almost everything we do is quick, easy, and simple. Right now would be a great time to get back to the basics, and reevaluate what really is important. Do more for yourself and I guarantee you will be rewarded not only with extra money, but the knowing you are the one doing it, not someone else. It's self-satisfaction in the best way! Don't Get Depressed
Get Motivated
Are you seeing a pattern, you do, you do more for yourself and you will slowly see a difference in your wallet. Some things differences you will see sooner. Times are stressful and it is easy to just lie on the couch and be depressed, but it is not going to solve our financial woes. Take the time to really think about ways you can cut back, cut out, and cut into. If you don't know how, learn how, be your own teacher. The internet has mass volumes of how-to's and it's free, you don't have to pay anyone to teach you. Illustrated on a YouTube video
This really works, I saved on my water bill last month. I have four children, I have no clue at how many times the tioilet is flushed, but I can imagine it is a large number. This is a great way to help our environment too!
Great Stuff on eBay
Recommended materials you can get on Amazon
Recommended Books
Tell me which ones you like, and vote down the ones you don't.
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New Amazon Search
P.S.
Now get busy saving money and good luck!
Reader Feedback
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SplendidAromas
Mar 1, 2009 @ 9:18 pm | delete
- It's a shame our government can't do this. Seems all they are concerned about is spend....spend....spend! It is time they learn how to "Keep it Simple."
Nice lens sis.....So glad you decided to join us here in squidoo land.
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Sojourn
Feb 26, 2009 @ 7:59 pm | delete
- "What can I do without and what can I do myself" - ugh, that hit home. You're so right. Gave me a few ideas. Thanks!
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sara08852
Feb 26, 2009 @ 8:45 am | delete
- Congrats on your wonderful first lens. Looking forward to many more!
Sara
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squirrelgurl
Feb 26, 2009 @ 5:36 am | delete
- Hope everyone that reads my lens can take something useful from it and save an extra buck!
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- Goodwill Industries International - Ann Taylor Loft-Spring 2009
- Goodwill Industries International is the world's largest nonprofit providers of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilitie
by squirrelgurl
I am a stay at home mom of four daughters and happily married to my husband of 15 years.
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