The Thrift Thread

[sgs4u]

It is my intention to live in a way that requires absolutely no monitoring of cash flow, because I experience abundance on such a grand level that money flows thru me like air. All my needs are met effortlessly. Saving money is a wonderful way to live, and I'm not saying any of you should choose different paths. But I would rather spend money frivolously on my friends and dreams, that ever worry about trying to save it.Money is cool, especially when you can have fun spending it Sept 2, 2008, 8:32am, jchitty wrote:Hey, Vikki and Cam.....good tips. That savings of almost 4 hundred dollars, Vikki, is really worth the effort you put forth to cancel services you weren't using. Little things do add up to big savings.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.

[jchitty]

Sept 2, 2008, 8:52am, sgs4u wrote:It is my intention to live in a way that requires absolutely no monitoring of cash flow, because I experience abundance on such a grand level that money flows thru me like air. All my needs are met effortlessly. Saving money is a wonderful way to live, and I'm not saying any of you should choose different paths. But I would rather spend money frivolously on my friends and dreams, that ever worry about trying to save it.Money is cool, especially when you can have fun spending it Sept 2, 2008, 8:32am, jchitty wrote:Hey, Vikki and Cam.....good tips. That savings of almost 4 hundred dollars, Vikki, is really worth the effort you put forth to cancel services you weren't using. Little things do add up to big savings.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.I find that if I'm thrifty, I have more to spend on folks. I hear you though....for some people, saving money is a chore. To me, it's entertainment, sort of like solving crossword puzzles. However, being thrifty doesn't mean being cheap or uncaring with friends or family....it just means working with what you have and putting it to the best use.

[hummingbird]

Sept 2, 2008, 8:52am, sgs4u wrote:It is my intention to live in a way that requires absolutely no monitoring of cash flow, because I experience abundance on such a grand level that money flows thru me like air. All my needs are met effortlessly. Saving money is a wonderful way to live, and I'm not saying any of you should choose different paths. But I would rather spend money frivolously on my friends and dreams, that ever worry about trying to save it.Money is cool, especially when you can have fun spending it Unfortunately, I used to live by that philosophy, and I have the debt load to prove it So now I pay as much attention to the details of my financial transactions as I do to the composition of my music And I have lots of fun, because... by saving & planning, I'm able to go to the Road Rally every year, buy software for my studio, and have a one month vacation every summer (not that easy, since, being self-employed, I have no holiday pay).

[cameron]

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.Cam

[matthoggard]

Oh yeah Steve we have the same outlook. You cant take it with you right!!I do however save where I can. I am fortunate to have a great job that pays good money. I also have a killer boss who lets me pursue music at the same time.The best advice for saving money (I tell my wife this constantly) is, DONT SPEND IT!!!!!!She thinks that buying shoes and handbags on sale is saving money. She does get great deals and she wont buy if its not a cut price but all in all, NOT SPENDING MONEY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRULY SAVE MONEY!!!!Not spending frivolously is what I really mean. But even though I make a good living I still wont spend that 800 bucks on that Gibson I really want. I have 6 guitars. All of them are good so why buy another? anyway,"got my mind on my money and my money on my mind"

[mojobone]

It's getting hard to find a good washing machine on the curb, these days, since the metals recyclers are paying $50 for them in any condition. {sigh} Fortunately we have two of each, so if the economy gets worse, we could take in laundry. Rabbits in the garden? That's free protein, 'round here. We get lots of furniture and window air conditioners and whatnot, being as we live in a college town. It amazes me the stuff folks throw away.We fix up and sell what we can't use ourselves.

[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!