The Thrift Thread

[jchitty]

Sept 2, 2008, 3:17pm, cameron wrote:Sept 2, 2008, 8:32am, jchitty wrote:Hey, Vikki and Cam.....good tips. Cam, like you, I've learned to rent a hotel room on the outskirts of town for any event I'm attending, especially Nashville. Hotel rooms in the city can be pricey...I usually stay somewhere in Frankin, TN.FYI, next time you're in Nashville Chits, I stayed at Hyatt Place (real nice hotels) near Opryland for $45 per night two weeks ago. Got it from the web site I mentioned above. Of course, timing is everything, but almost always can get places in that same price range near the airport or Opryland.CamThanks Cam, I'll check that out.

[kg]

You may be sorry you asked this one LOL. Some of the ways I save make me greener too...Day Job Commute: My commute is 130-150 miles per day. I ride a Ninja 500, green of course, and although I do have big bike envy, after work on the bike I get 60-65 mpg...kiss my speedy-like-a-750-butt, you expensive PRIUS, you ). Also, I ride rain or shine, warm or chilly, never on sand or in snow...all this so I can afford to be a rock star LOL. In the really cold weather/winter I carpool.Food: I only buy exactly what we need, from the bottom shelf unless it makes sense to buy a different brand for a few cents more due to benefit or health value. This also solve the fat rock star issue as it doesn't allow for pig outs or lots of junk...only some. Also, some fast food choices won't break the bank if/when we want it, so those dollar menus or tues night pizza specials are allowed especially since I can feed two adults very well on $20-30 bucks a week...and don't go telling me that it must be a bland boring diet...I'm [part] greek - we own diners Also, look for stores that keep their prices low and their quality high on a regular basis (like Hannaford up here). Produce lasts longer when it's fresh, unlike that found at the "big sale" supermarkets. Coupon clipping is only good when it's a product you actually use or will replace an existing already used product with. It's not saving you any money if you're adding a new "necessity" to your shopping list.Home: Energy efficient appliances, light bulbs, low settings for heat, moderate settings for cooling, unplug any electrical devices not being used, wood burning stove and use fallen trees on property to fuel (saves a ton of $$$$ in heating costs), do your own landscaping, plant a vegetable garden, even if it's just a container garden for those of you without a yard (save more on groceries too). In the winter, if things are very tight, we seal off rooms/space that we don't use enough with plastic sheeting and don't heat them. Multiple incomes...while you're waiting for the music-related ones to take root, don't be afraid to take on a second job or do something in your other time that can earn you money. I was a personal trainer on the side to finance my first album and a bartender to help pay the band until we got rolling...all this on top of the big corproate day job. I don't spend any money on anything I don't absolutely need. It takes a lot of discipline and a lot of self-denial, but when your [music] business goals are clear, then you know it's only for a certain amount of time. Anything spent on music must be an investment, not just some pretty guitar I wanted. If there is no ROI (return on investment) great enough to solidify the need to spend, then it's not an investment and something you may need to rethink purchasing. Sure expenses come up, but you have to deal with those surprises as they come, otherwise, have a plan in place and stick to it.Ok, that's enough from me for now

[aimusic]

Here's my advice...When your soul is floating about trying to decide on what family you wanna choose - go for the one's who are mega wealthy - so you're born into cash, then you can become one of those ungrateful brats who you just wanna smack around to appreciate things... Hey it worked for Paris Hilton....

[davekershaw]

Wow! Now that's whaI call thrifty Kelly!! A couple of tips I've found useful:If you're on a water meter like me; wait until the neighbours are out, then nip over the fence and hook your hosepipe to their tap!Also works on electricity, if they've got outside power sockets.When you're washing your car, ask the neighbour if they'd like their's cleaning too, then use the car to go shopping. Well, fuel is expensive these days!If you're not too fussy on matching wallpaper, get a load of sample rolls then use these. Maybe use a different roll for each wall. Friends will think you're either a skinflint or a genius!Don't waste money on a new watch. Just keep asking other people the time.Don't waste money on a mobile phone. Just ask to borrow other peoples.Oh, I nearly forgot my favourite: when you're in a restaurant with a group of friends, suggest you all order shared dishes; order yours along with everyone else, then say you have to nip to the gents. This gives you time to catch the waiter and cancel your order. That way you can dig into everyone elses, and you wont get a bill at the end!

[jchitty]

Kelly, you sound like me....I do just about everything you do with regards to saving....I use energy efficient bulbs, set the thermostat lower in winter, raise it higher in summer, and I also plant my own vegetable garden. This year, I had peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, etc. I didn't even have to worry about the tomato or pepper scare, and home grown tastes so much better too.I find that after a while, a saving mentality becomes automatic....I don't fret over trying to save 'coz it's just ingrained in my thinking now.I agree with you about music being an investment.....I haven't bought any clothes, jewelry, (don't eat out that much unless) in several years....I just wear what's in my closet. I'd rather scoop up any excess in my budget to make my demoes....they give me more pleasure than trinkets anyway. Hey, thanks to Matt, Brad, (for the humor) Dave and Mojo for their input here too.....some very interesting tips and stories you've shared here.

[linziellen]

Phew! I'm back. So, I found my little book out - it's wonderful and so nice to dig into from time to time. It's called "Natural Superwoman" by Rosamond Richardson, reprinted in 2001 so it's getting on a bit, but it covers so much. From surviving stress to natural beauty care Anyway _Green clean : natural eco-friendly tips* Install solar panels* Buy low-energy light bulbs to save on electricity bills* Insulate the loft thoroughly with recycled newsprint (lol like I have time)* Lag your hot water cylinder to reduce heat loss. Insulate hot water pipes* Line your curtains heavily to insulate the room from the cold. Don't allow them to hang over the radiators otherwise the heat goes straight back out the window. Close the curtains at dusk* Line walls behind radiators with foil to reflect heat back and save on your heating bills* Line the grill pan with foil to reflect back heat as well as catch drips* Put shelves over radiators to deflect heat out into the room* Turn your thermostat down a little - and lower it when you go out. Use the timer wisely so that you are not constantly heating an empty house* Don't leave lights on in empty rooms, or heat empty rooms* Only boil the amount of water you need in the kettle* Mend dripping taps : you can lose one litre every ten minutes* Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth*One bath uses the same amount of water as five showers. Take showers insteadAnd there we have it, it's all pretty ecological! I haven't done half of those things but I try. I don't like the idea of all that paper and foil - that would be some firework display if the loft went up in flames. Still, every little helps.If you need any more randomness just let me know, this book is full of it Linzi "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Dave I just read your list, what about those who "don't" smoke, just cadge em off their friends!

[davekershaw]

Quote: what about those who "don't" smoke, just cadge em off their friends!Ha! Nice one Linzi.I don't smoke, so I've not tried that one.I'm making cuts myself, as things are getting crazy here too!I'm cancelling my internet subscription tomorrow. Thought I'd keep my laptop in my car, drive around a while until I find someone's wireless connection, then park outside their house.Should save a few quid!!

[jchitty]

Sept 4, 2008, 4:56am, anne wrote:Does anybody watch the Suzi Orman show, or similar?She had a waitress who earned about 21,000 dollars a year, who was in her 30s, and already had over 48,000 in her retirement accounts and no other debt. She called about buying a pair of boots that she wanted ($140). When you compare that to all of the folks who call in wanting to know if they can afford a boat or a car etc you have to laugh, but if you just look at money as "its mine for me and my family" it becomes much easier to save. Since my income disappeared with our economy, I'm really starting to pay attention to every penny, saving up for things ahead of time, being sure to put away "family and friends" money, but really focusing on getting our debt down. This is a great thread!Hey, Dave and Lindz....thanks for more tips. Lindz, that's quite an impressive list.Anne, I've always heard that it's not how much money you make, it's what you do with it that counts, and the waitress is a good example of that. Most of us can save if we put our minds to it, even if it's only a little bit. In the end, that little bit can add up to a big amount.

[anne]

Absolutely with you there, Chits. My Aunt worked at her job (started on an assembly line, ended as an executive secretary - back when that job was a good solid job ). She never made much but :She supported her entire family (at 18 yrs old) from 1931-1937, when her Dad got a job at the same place.She helped my folks after they had five of us little brat kids.She paid off her house.She dressed to the 9s while working.She had enough money (after selling the house) to live with my folks but remain completely financially independent until she died, and I was able to throw her the biggest party of a funeral (her request) without worrying about the bill.And, she was able to go to Europe (cruises from NY to Italy, and one early Pan-am flight) for 6 weeks-3 months at a clip, 5 times between 1950 and 1965, as well as trips to Canada and the Bahamas. She stuck to a budget and that is how she did it. So, I'm just working on paying off the debt that my income was covering by doing flea market runs, selling stuff on ebay and craigslist and various odd jobs, all until the big fat royalty checks come in!!

[jchitty]

Sept 4, 2008, 1:37pm, anne wrote:Absolutely with you there, Chits. My Aunt worked at her job (started on an assembly line, ended as an executive secretary - back when that job was a good solid job ). She never made much but :She supported her entire family (at 18 yrs old) from 1931-1937, when her Dad got a job at the same place.She helped my folks after they had five of us little brat kids.She paid off her house.She dressed to the 9s while working.She had enough money (after selling the house) to live with my folks but remain completely financially independent until she died, and I was able to throw her the biggest party of a funeral (her request) without worrying about the bill.And, she was able to go to Europe (cruises from NY to Italy, and one early Pan-am flight) for 6 weeks-3 months at a clip, 5 times between 1950 and 1965, as well as trips to Canada and the Bahamas. She stuck to a budget and that is how she did it. So, I'm just working on paying off the debt that my income was covering by doing flea market runs, selling stuff on ebay and craigslist and various odd jobs, all until the big fat royalty checks come in!! Great story, Anne. My grandmother was the same way, and because of her thrift, she was able to help members of her family, purchase a house on my grandfather's hardware store salary, put 3 kids through college (my dad included) and she created a wondeful legacy for us all. I still fondly remember her washing baggies and re-using them (I don't do that, I must admit I splurge there) sewing her own clothes, shopping at thrift stores, etc. She grew her own vegetables and did a lot of canning too. She never ate out that much 'coz she was such a good cook. She was really resourceful.