Hints and tips to save money!

[tasha66]

In Oz, we have a website called gumtree.com.au. It is used to advertise anything for buy, swap and/or sell. Some people don't even realise that you can get alot of free stuff in the freebies section:
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-benowa-gold-coast/l3006039?ad=offering&price-type=free
Some people may be moving for jobs, or just want to get rid of stuff quickly to make extra room (like having family coming to stay for Xmas), or have tried advertising their goods with no success. Check it out. Some people will even deliver for a small fee, but usually you have to make pick up arrangements yourself (which you can find on gumtree too!) I have got free stuff and some of it was brand new, or only used once and the seller didn't like or need it anymore.
There may not be a gumtree where you live, but there are probably similar sites with free or very cheap stuff for sale, swap or buy. You could save yourself thousands by taking the time to check out these sites.
Plus if you own a trailer for towing goods, you could always advertise this for picks up for people to hire out, and make some extra money.

 

[tasha66]

The thrift is my favourite place for appliances. I have a good one near my house that tests any appliances before they sell them. I have picked up waffle makers, a crepe maker and bag sealer, all for $3.50 a piece. I have seen Keurigs for $10, bread makers, rice cookers and veggie steamers, all for under $10.
added note: Normally I'd just make crepes in a small pan but this was cheaper and works beautifully. Crepes are a great way to treat guests to a special breakfast with homemade jams, or luncheon (chicken crepes) or dessert drizzled with chocolate. The cost savings are wonderful.
Crepe recipe: 2 eggs, 1 1/4 milk, 1 c.flour, 1/2 tsp.salt. Mix well. Drop onto a hot griddle. Rotate your wrist to spread the batter. Flip over.

Mmmm, crepes! Haven't had these in ages - thanks for the recipe! The best crepes I ever had were at a market stall run by a French bloke, at the Fremantle Markets in Western Australia. They were the lightest, most delicious crepes I have ever had, but that stall didn't exist when I went back there years ago. Pity that.

 

[Ghoti2]

Mmmm, crepes! Haven't had these in ages - thanks for the recipe! The best crepes I ever had were at a market stall run by a French bloke, at the Fremantle Markets in Western Australia. They were the lightest, most delicious crepes I have ever had, but that stall didn't exist when I went back there years ago. Pity that.

Most of the stuff I cook is crepe. LOL

 

[tasha66]

Most of the stuff I cook is crepe. LOL

Ha ha! Good one Ghoti!

 

[tasha66]

I get alot of frozen and household goods at the Dollar Tree. Re-use juice bottles and water bottles. Get a faucet filter and fill up the bottles with water to make juice or whatever. Re-use grocery bags as garbage bags, or dog poop bags or cat litter bags.
Don't buy expensive cleaners! Apple cider vinegar works wonders on grease and other messes. It's an excellent window cleaner AND it kills mold. It also helps cleanse your kidneys. Mix it with water, of course.
Get on Front Porch Forum. I don't know if other states have it, but mine does and I've bought and sold things on there. I've also got alot of free things on there.

Great tips Lady B! There is a big campaign down where I am to have re-usable bags. I think plastic bags should be banned altogether - we can make our own, or use cloth bags, but the govt hasn't come onboard with that one yet.
I always re-use plastic bottles instead of throwing them away, there are too many in the world. Perhaps we should go back to glass ones? I also buy water filters too.
I forgot about the Apple Cider Vinegar, it's great stuff.
You can also use a mixture of toothpaste mixed with water and bicarbonate of soda to clean things, and it helps get rid of mould too, though best to do a wee test first on the surface you want to clean on.
I always go the dollar stores down here first, like Cheap as Chips. Many of the more expensive products I would buy at the supermarket are the same brands at the cheaper store, but I pay at least $2 or $3 less, sometimes more. It's also a great way to save money if you are buying Xmas decorations or gifts.

 

[dcontroversal]

Pay cash for everything...NO INTEREST!

Save to buy....NO CREDIT CARDS

 

[Huckleberry]

Heat your home with wood.
Carry liability only on your vehicles.

 

[dcontroversal]

Heat your home with wood.
Carry liability only on your vehicles.

Exactly.....takes me about $40 and two weeks of good labor to heat my house all winter....and with three windows open an inch I can keep it 80 if I want too and hardly burn anything.

 

[JaumeJ]

I think they r in the US..idk

They are, both chains, here in Spain. Aldi's is nearby and it is one of my favorite places. The other is too far away for my feet to take me....

There was an Aldi's in Chicago, but it was the pits. Why they vary so much is beyond my powers of reason...j God bless you all,

 

[tasha66]

Wew have Aldi down here now, and it's been a great success. They are WAY cheaper than Coles or Woolies, though I've noticed they don't discount many things. However, their normal prices don't fluctuate much, so you basically know how much you will be spending for your normal shopping you do every week. All the Aldis here are laid out the same, & carry the same basic products with weekly specials that change, so that's weird about the one in Chicago.
We're only just getting Costco down here, but I haven't been to it as it's too far for me, and not worth the money for the journey.

 

[EleventhHour]

**Copied from the Suggestions forum**
I thought a forum for ways to save money is a good idea.
For example, switching off all your power points after you use them, when you are asleep or go out, can save hundreds of dollars on your utility bills. Shopping at op shop stores such as Goodwill / Salvation Army firstly for goods can save vast amounts of money too, especially on clothes.
We could all post random ideas on every day things, like cheap meals, gardening tips (growing your own food if possible), etc.

Save money by working hard in all areas of life, teach yourself and do for yourself, repairs in the house, painting, grout, baseboards, installing floors, repairs etc., etc.,

Buy in bulk, good quality fresh fresh food if you do not have a garden.
Cook in bulk, can, freeze, store

Make as much as possible from scratch....learn to use food in multiple ways to make multiple types of meals starting from one source.

 

[EleventhHour]

Wew have Aldi down here now, and it's been a great success. They are WAY cheaper than Coles or Woolies, though I've noticed they don't discount many things. However, their normal prices don't fluctuate much, so you basically know how much you will be spending for your normal shopping you do every week. All the Aldis here are laid out the same, & carry the same basic products with weekly specials that change, so that's weird about the one in Chicago.
We're only just getting Costco down here, but I haven't been to it as it's too far for me, and not worth the money for the journey.

Aldi is a good place to shop for sure.

Costco is good for bulk purchases.

 

[PennEd]

**Copied from the Suggestions forum**
I thought a forum for ways to save money is a good idea.
For example, switching off all your power points after you use them, when you are asleep or go out, can save hundreds of dollars on your utility bills. Shopping at op shop stores such as Goodwill / Salvation Army firstly for goods can save vast amounts of money too, especially on clothes.
We could all post random ideas on every day things, like cheap meals, gardening tips (growing your own food if possible), etc.

Going in a different direction than just spending less.

I really like the banks that offer "keep the change" credit cards. It works like this.

For every purchase you make with the card it rounds up the transaction to the next dollar amount.

So if you buy a coffee, for instance, for $3.25, it will round up to $4.00 and put the 75 cents into a dedicated savings account.

This adds up pretty quick over time.

Good luck!

 

[EleventhHour]

Pay cash for everything...NO INTEREST!

Save to buy....NO CREDIT CARDS

I would agree that avoiding "interest payments" is the best way to save money for sure and if not possible on big purchases keep a good credit score so that you can negotiate with the bank for a lower interest rate, so you can pay it off quicker.

But definitely do not carry a balance on credit cards.

 

[EleventhHour]

Heat your home with wood.
Carry liability only on your vehicles.

Yes this is good one for sure, insurance companies do not need more money, I always keep an eye on how much my vehicle has depreciated so I know when I reach the point of paying for coverage over a certain number of years will be more than the value of my vehicle.

And depending on your needs, buying a good quality used vehicle with low mileage and a good history is definitely a money saver.

 

[tourist]

Have you thought about making your own?

Actually, I did briefly consider making my own money but the prospect of going to prison for counterfeiting was a bit problematic so I didn't pursue this.

 

[ArtsieSteph]

I have found that meal prep apps are a good idea to keep from too much food waste. That and the freezer is your friend. My mother and I have the habit of putting bread in the freezer, and it lasts many many months longer than it would otherwise. And if you can, try to make things that you usually buy for convenience. Coffee, tea, ice cubes, even baking things like marshmallow fondant can be made at home.

 

[ArtsieSteph]

And as I have said, don’t be afraid of generic foods! I’ve actually found several grocery brand foods to be my favorites like ice cream. And if you’re focused more on price than health properties, don’t worry about organic brands.

 

[ArtsieSteph]

Unrelated to food: GOODWILL. They are awesome for having projects you can upcycle or buy for cheap. Though I’d suggest not buying items such as shoes or used brushes for hygiene purposes.

Also craigslist has a free items list. If it seems safe and legit, give it a go.

 

[tasha66]

Unrelated to food: GOODWILL. They are awesome for having projects you can upcycle or buy for cheap. Though I’d suggest not buying items such as shoes or used brushes for hygiene purposes. Also craigslist has a free items list. If it seems safe and legit, give it a go.

Great suggstions AS! Yes I draw the line at buying undergarments at op/thrift shops. I do buy bras or crop tops. However I always soak them in a wee bit of disinfectant first, then wash them 2 -3 times thoroughly. Our big chain stores down here sell underwear quite cheap anyway.
I'm in a very hot, humid state so many people don't wear bottoms. They tend to chafe and cause rashes, and it's too hot. So most of us just go without. Many of the girls down here wear bikinis under their shorts etc, as they all live at the beach, so it's easier to strip off.
What a hard life we lead hey!!