Crazy Money-Saving Ideas

[Buck]

"Top Ten List

I use car windshield sun blockers in my apartment windows to save on A/C costs. With light comes heat.

Fluorescent lightbulbs are used everywhere except the refrigerator and bathroom. Mine are going on Year 9 of faithful service.

Buying organic goods by the case (except perishables) lowers the per-item cost.

I cook for my cats using a custom vet-designed diet. This has saved me many animal care dollars. Now all I pay for is shots, dental cleanings, and twice-annual blood and urine tests to make sure everything's okay inside (cat preventative maintenance).

I drink tea in all its forms. At 17 cents per gallon (with warehouse-bought tea bags), it's hard to beat as a water alternative.

Becoming friendly with my mechanic has saved me untold gas, oil, and breakdown headaches with preventative maintenance and "maximum MPG tuning."

I have become "fluent" in the use of dental floss, toothpaste, and a "teeth-healthy" diet free of excess or added sugars, especially grains. It saved many dollars at the dentist.

Cut through the "bull" about what we really need to eat, and how to store/prepare it with a minimum of fuss and bother. This saves me time, money, space, and energy (both personal and refrigerator/freezer). Salads are my best food friend.

Embrace elastic. By this, I mean that my husband and I get away with sharing most of a wardrobe. Elastic is our friend, and knit shorts, t-shirts, sweat clothes, etc. are bought by the dozen and worn by both of us. This saves untold money on clothing and laundry.

This last idea is not so crazy, but deserves mentioning. Learn to accept the word "no." Everybody can't have everything, in spite of good income and a stellar credit record. Extending yourself can come with dire consequences.

This Old Housewife


and more.........
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/06/06aug07a.cfm

[CatherineID]

Some of my ideas although I don't think I'd use them (all) ...

~ Only access the internet and magazines at the library or at work.

~ Only use light that doesn't come from a plug. For instance, candles, lanterns, or rechargable flash lights. It would certainly change our sleeping habits!

~ Never buy a book. Only check them out from the library or borrow them. Go to a bookstore and read them there, piece by piece. Make notes of ideas you want to keep at home. Allow people to give you books as gifts.

~ Limit the clothing allowance to $5 per article, no matter what it is - new or used. I've actually done this! However, I modified it to $15 for coats and shoes. I'm thinking of going back to this. We've already got far too many clothes.

~ Don't use any window coverings except those that are required for light / heat control (ie: to limit sunlight from heating up the inside of the house). In my house this would mean, adding exterior shields so people can't look into my daughter's bedroom and to modify the sunlight that blinds me first thing in the morning when I'm working in the kitchen. (Okay, this idea has some merit - hmmmmm.)

~ This isn't a crazy idea, but my husband would freak - get rid of all TVs.

~ Get rid of all automobiles. Rent one when I really need one.

~ Scale way back on our housing situation. In our case we'd live in a small cabin or mobile home on a piece of large property but it would all be owned free and clear (except for those pesky property taxes - okay, more to a state that doesn't have property taxes.)

~ Reduce our income so severely we no longer owe income taxes.

[walls0stone]

Start your own business, get an accountant and learn about wright offs...Learn to barter, and learn to take cash!

I'm not going to look like a bum when i can have perfectly new clothes, and a nice car to drive and wright off both. Want to take a trip...make it work and pleasure.

The loop holes to owning a company are so big you could drive a truck threw them with the doors open. Hire an accountant and wright off all the stuff you use.

I'm not going to be wasteful, but I'm not going to look like I mugged a scarecrow eather

[flatwater]

WallsOstone , Now that was funny ;D ;D not wanting to look like you mugged a scare crow. ;D ;D.
Flatwater

[anna]

I saw this on another web site ... when you get into your vehicle, adjust the seat, fasten the seatbelt, adjust the mirror, put on your sunglasses before starting the engine. Saves a bit of gas if you do it each time. I have a friend that uses her remote start and has her car running before she's halfway from the office to the car. What a waste.

[walls0stone]

Anna,
I would agree with that statement UNLESS... it's winter, taking the time to warm the engine just a bit would be the same as taking care of the car.. not running for 10 mins, but you get the idea.

I'd also say that taking the time to clean your frosty glass, before you start the motor would be a good idea. I wonder if bumping off the all extra snow and ice helps your MPG?