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Ways to save money that you know.

#61
Two words: Generic Brands

Seriously, everything from bread to mouthwash and over-the-counter medication. I compare ingredients and it they're the same, I definitely buy the generic. If they're slightly different, I try the generic. If it's funky, then I know not to go cheap on that particular product.

You can save up to 50% IME on each product.
 
#65
eedre said:
Two words: Generic Brands

Seriously, everything from bread to mouthwash and over-the-counter medication. I compare ingredients and it they're the same, I definitely buy the generic. If they're slightly different, I try the generic. If it's funky, then I know not to go cheap on that particular product.

You can save up to 50% IME on each product.
Click to expand...

I do this with cold medicine. I've never been disappointed.
 
#66
Many people pay thousands to have advertising for useless products pumped into to their home all day long. Get rid of your TV and cable bill and save tons directly and indirectly.

Also you can learn to think of advertising differently. Instead of being wonderful bringers of glorious information we need to know, to decide what we want to buy, start thinking of ads as some homeless alcoholic asking you for $50.

Never buy a new car, the actual cost of buying new cars instead of investing the difference can run in the hundreds of thousands. More than enough to offset excess toilet paper use.
 
#69
eedre said:
Two words: Generic Brands
Click to expand...

+1

Always look for the generic brand, you pay a lot for packaging and advertising which is the first place that generic brands save their cash.

My tip is, don't be afraid to shop at the low end stores for your food. Aldi and Netto have a bad rep as "poor stores" in the UK but they do good products cheap. Aldi in particular are excellent. You have to learn the shop, like how Aldi's meat products are often substandard and best avoided, but once you know whats good and bad you'll save loads.
 
#71
The best way to pay off your house BY FAR is an Accelerator Mortgage. (Link Removed) As long as you make more than you spend each month you can pay off your house in about half the time.

Also, never finance a car. I know this is a very common thing but think about this, you are paying extra money on something that is loosing value every day. If you can afford the car payments, save the money ahead of time instead of paying it after. I know this is easier said than done, but you will save tons of money, plus how awesome would it be to walk into the car dealership, write a personal check, and drive off with a car that is 100% yours?
 
#72
Lot's of good stuff.

Almost mentioned but not quite is I've found that even with coupons the major brands are often still more expensive. A lot of generics are just as good and worth trying to find out. One of the surprises for me was the store brand charcoal left unburned chunks when the name brands didn't. Go figure.

Air conditioning should be left on for it costs more if you have to re-cool the house. Heating is cheaper to leave off when the house is unoccupied. Don't let your pipes freeze of course.

Last winter I noticed that my hot water would get cold pretty quick if turned off for a short time. My basement is basically unheated - the furnace and ducts are down there but the vents are closed. I insulated all of the pipes down there and my hot water stays hotter longer, so that has to save me a nickle.

I don't use the dishwasher. It's an older one, but I am sorry, you have to wash the dishes for the dishwasher not to leave crud on them. Have you noticed that each time they come out with a new one the manufacturer says that this one really does clean without pre-cleaning. That's what they said about the last one, and the one that's sitting in my kitchen right now. Living alone I let a sink full build up before I wash them too.

I recently inherited the house I grew up in and I am now living there alone. Probably getting a dog soon, but I am getting around to the idea of getting a roommate for financial assistance and because I feel that it's wrong for me to have such a large footprint. It's not a huge house but it's more than I need. I just need to get rid enough unneeded and unused stuff to make enough room, but Craigslist isn't helping like it should. Craiglist is screaming right now.

Get rid of cable and satellite, and go to the library. Somebody should be starting up a 12 step program for this soon:D
 
#73
Re: coupons / sales:

There are two sides to this coin.

1) You find a coupon or sale for something you really truly need, you end up saving a little because you were going to buy it anyway. This is a win for the consumer.

2) You find a coupon / sale item and say, "Gee, it would be nice to have that." So you go and spend money on something just because it's a "good deal" rather than "because you need it." This is a win for the retailer... they convinced you to buy something you didn't really need. Some (not all) women are horrible with this.
 
#74
Neal Boortz, the radio personality, has a plan where you don't spend your dollars. Use cash more and cards less, and then don't spend any dollar bills. Always use 5's and up. Then put those dollar bills away, and don't touch them. I'm going to be trying this plan.
 
#77
Trevorus said:
Neal Boortz, the radio personality, has a plan where you don't spend your dollars. Use cash more and cards less, and then don't spend any dollar bills. Always use 5's and up. Then put those dollar bills away, and don't touch them. I'm going to be trying this plan.
Click to expand...

It was easier to do this when I lived in Canada. One dollar and two dollar coins, baby. Real piece of cake to put them away and forget about them.
 
#79
-Kramer- said:
The best way to pay off your house BY FAR is an Accelerator Mortgage. (Link Removed) As long as you make more than you spend each month you can pay off your house in about half the time.

Also, never finance a car. I know this is a very common thing but think about this, you are paying extra money on something that is loosing value every day. If you can afford the car payments, save the money ahead of time instead of paying it after. I know this is easier said than done, but you will save tons of money, plus how awesome would it be to walk into the car dealership, write a personal check, and drive off with a car that is 100% yours?
Click to expand...

Not to flame you or anything, because this is sound advice, but you must admit the impracticality of the issue. How many people can save up 5k-8k (going low end here) to drop on a decent used car? It would take a LONG time for me to be able to save up that cash, I can only speak for myself.

Again, not disagreeing with ya, if I could I'd pay for my car in cash, forget the personal check! Same applies to a house as well.
 
#80
nickn said:
If you're the type that frequently stops for sodas when you're out driving, put a case of water in your car and just grab a bottle whenever you get thirsty. Saves you mucho dinero.
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Bottled water is usually more expensive than soda, I have a Brita water filter in the fridge and a few refillable bottles. That knocked off about $700 a year from when I used to drink sodas and has stopped thousands of bottles and cups from going into a landfill.
 

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