Curious Ways to Save

We all know the basics of saving money and do things like turn off lights when we are not in the room; unplugging appliances; using coupons; etc.

But what are unusual ways that we can save money?

-stay married.  Divorce costs and alimony costs are through the roof.  If you get married, make it for life!

-stop buying beer, sods and munchies.  Besides not being good for you, the prices of these items have skyrocketed!  I recently found a book on how to make your own chips and other junk foods at the library.

-if you eat out, only eat half of your meal and save the rest for the next day.

-stop buying bottled water and drink tap water.

-eat slowly which makes you get fuller faster and therefore makes you eat less food.

-if your doctor prescribes medicine for you, see if he has samples to give you.  (often big drug companies will give your doctor samples of their latest and greatest  products)

-learn how to make your own cleaners, laundry soaps, etc.

-dumpster dive or if your city has a big garbage day once a month or once every other month, drive around to the best looking houses, usually they throw out the best stuff.

-never buy new.  If you must buy new, always, always, always buy off season. (like a snowblower and winter coat in May and summer clothes in January).

-make do with one car (or none if you can).  Instead use public transportation, walk or ride a bike.

-learn how to haggle with people over the price of an item

-barter

-grow your own food (even if you live in an apartment, you can grow a few things on your balcony).

-never use credit because even the lowest credit card rates are upwards of 12% in interest.

These are but a few ideas.  One idea that even I am not interested in trying is to go without toilet paper.  Even I draw the line there!  I have also read that when you eat out at fast food restaurants, take extra ketchups and salts (I do take a pile of napkins, then use them instead of paper towels at home) but I don’t take extra condiments.

Another idea that I read about was talking about how expensive wedding flowers were and suggested going to a cemetary and nicking a few flowers there but because that is illegal, I wouldn’t suggest it.  Perhaps you could use wildflowers instead.

Hopefully these ideas will help and spur you onto some of your own while on your money saving quest.