How it all began…
Being thrifty didn’t happen overnight.
Sure, I watched my mother do it for years, but doing it for myself was another story. I can remember when my husband and I owned our first house; we were both 21, college students, and made barely anything. We were proud and didn’t want help; we wanted to show everyone that we could do it on our own. Our budget was so tight that if we spent even a dollar or two over we were in trouble. We had debt, a mortgage, and empty cupboards. I remember feeling overwhelmed, scared, and like if I didn’t make it all work out, then that meant I was a failure.
My first step to being where I am today came in the weirdest of ways; watching Oprah, whose guest for the day was Teri Gault, founder of
The Grocery Game. I was hesitant to try it out, but my husband insisted (it cost a dollar for the first 4 weeks and I was worried about paying for it!) Thankfully, we decided to make a go of it and haven’t looked back since. We now get groceries and household items so cheap (or free!) that buying necessities (and things we want) is never an issue. Learning the ins-and-outs of the grocery game also helped us to realize how to save in other areas as well. (You can read my entire blog/story about The Grocery Game under the “Tips/Advice” tab where is says "Product Reviews").
I credit The Grocery Game for helping me because it opened my eyes to the fact that we can save money with just a little effort. And once I realized that, all of the other lessons my mother ever taught me came right back, as if I had fallen off my bike and gotten back up to ride it again. Today, life is completely different for us. We have everything we could ever need and want. Our bills are all paid (and if you feel like you are the only one in debt, let me just tell you
how much we paid off to get where we are at today!
You are not alone!) We have a nicely padded savings account and enough extra money to go out and do things so that I don’t freak out about it anymore (it makes me sad to think I thought we couldn’t afford a dollar for The Grocery Game!)
It definitely took some time to get the hang of being thrifty, sometimes ‘learning the hard way’, and it definitely requires effort each and every day. These are some tips that helped get me to where I am today. You may have already known them; you may even disagree with them. They are simply what worked (and still work) for me today. Hopefully by posting them, they will help someone else out there.
Bills:
· First and foremost: know and understand your bills and money. Sounds easy, but some people (including the ‘old me’) like to avoid this; really knowing and understanding your financial situation can be scary and rather eye-opening. However, once you truly understand this, everything else can begin to fall in place.
·
Develop a system for your bills so they are paid on time. Late fees are not only expensive, but they damage your credit. There are many different ways to organize your bills; do whatever you prefer and works for you. My husband and I use a homemade Excel spreadsheet program that we made; it lists each bill, when it should be due, how much is due, how much we paid, etc. This is helpful in case a bill is lost in the mail (or email) or we forget that it is coming up! It also helps us keep monthly records of all of our expenses!
·
Pay online. I know a lot of people are worried about this, but the alternative is just as scary: checks get stolen in the mail; people take bills and letters and steal your identity. Paying online has its benefits: if you need a few extra days to pay, online billing can be more forgiving. You don’t have to wait for a check to go through the mail and be cleared. Some places even apply your payment the same day! Also, think of the money you’ll save on stamps and envelopes alone!
· Pay off your debt. Again, easier said than done. I know; I’ve personally done a lot of this. Whether you chose to pay off the bill with the high interest, highest payment, or smallest amount first, at least you are starting somewhere. I like the ‘snowball effect’; once that bill is paid off, apply that amount toward your next bill. Scrape together any extra money and apply that as well. Income tax refund? You guessed it…apply it to your debt! It isn’t as much fun as say, taking a vacation with the money, but you can have all the fun you want (well, within reason) once you are out of debt!
Coupons:
· Always use a coupon, if you can help it. Usually you will find that if you can buy it, there is probably a coupon for it!
· If the store you are shopping at has a shopper incentive program, sign up! I know all of those key tags on your key ring can become annoying, but the savings (especially when paired with coupons) really add up!
· Subscribe to your local Sunday paper; it contains a ton of coupons each and every week! If you can’t afford a subscription and prefer to buy it weekly, consider buying yours every Sunday at the Dollar Store – that will save you a few cents more than buying it at the regular store! Another great way is to watch for any sort of specials your paper may have; ours seems to offer a great special each year at a local festival I love attending (and happens to be right when I need to renew!) I usually end up saving over $100 a year on my subscription thanks to this strategy!
· Look into subscribing to your local town's newspaper. Our town offers a great rate that gets cheaper as you increase the number of years you purchase. For instance, I bought 3 years for $67, which comes out to roughly $.43 a week. For that money I not only get to keep up on local news, but they also give me a coupon insert (or 2!) each week! What a great deal!
· Of course we all know that the Sunday paper is a given for great coupons.
Now,
magazines are starting to offer coupons for every day products as well! Take a peak through you every day favorite magazines and you may be surprised to find coupons scattered throughout the pages! Also, some magazines like to give you a bonus insert of a group of coupons (usually toward the center of the magazine). And don't forget to check out magazines geared specifically toward saving money. A good one to get?
All You, a monthly magazine that is available at WalMart (in select areas; if it is not available in your area, you can purchase a subscription online. The coupons in this magazine should be accepted at stores everywhere; not just WalMart!) Search online for great prices on this helpful magazine, as many blogs and websites (such as
Amazon) offer great deals on this. You should be able to get it for less than $20 a year, and in return get coupons ranging from a total of $50 - $120 in each issue!
· Need a coupon that didn’t come in the paper or magazine? There a ton of online sites that allow you to print out coupons. Check under the ‘Resources’ tab for a listing!
· Coupon swaps! Get together with your friends and bring all of the coupons that you don't want/need. Then, exchange away for ones that better suite your needs! You will be surprised at not only how fun this is, but also how many great (useful!) coupons you can get!
· Buying something online? There are a million websites out there offering “coupon codes”. Check around before final checkout; more often than not you will find a good deal. My favorite?
RetailMeNot.
Food/Household Supplies:
· Want to save money on your weekly groceries? Check out ThriftyGrl every week, as we list the deals and how to pair them with coupons to get the most for your money!
· Stock up on things only when there is actually a GREAT deal/sale/bargain. And I mean stock up. We have shelving in our garage and laundry room for this purpose.
· Don’t over-stock so much that stuff goes bad or never gets used; that defeats the point. Know what you have on hand and use it up before it expires. I like to keep a list of what we need so that I don't buy something we already have stocked at home.
· Learn to live without stuff until it is on sale again. We never, I repeat NEVER (unless it is simply an emergency, can’t-live-without-it, must have it item) go to the store on a whim and just pick something up. Holding out for the sales will pay off. And it will teach you how much stocking up is really worth it. You’ll also find out what you actually need and don’t need.
· For all of you who eat healthy; consider growing your own veggies, fruits, and herbs! I can barely keep a plant alive, so I thought this option was absurd. However, I have been able to grow peppers, tomatoes, okra, cilantro, parsley, basil, and mint; all for little effort and very little money! Before, I was paying $2 to $3 a pound for tomatoes…now they are free (and organically grown!) in my backyard! And do NOT pay for those Topsy Turvy planeters out there! They are way too expensive! You can do the same thing by buying a bucket at the Dollar Store, drilling holes at the bottom, and hanging your plants!
· For those of you who do not want to grow your own produce or need items that you don't have at home, be sure to check out the local Farmer’s Market. A lot of times their produce is MUCH cheaper, grown organically, and you can leave happy knowing that you are supporting local growers!
· As for
eating out (which is extremely costly!) consider deals, BOGO offers, and coupons (such as those in the Entertainment Book, Sunday paper, and through their email lists). Remember, there is no shame in sharing food to save money at a restaurant (especially if the portions are huge!)
Clothes:
· Have a friend (or a couple) who are about the same size as you are? Clothing swaps are making a comeback! Get together, trade some clothes, and go home with a new wardrobe!
· Hit up garage sales, thrift stores, and/or consignment shops! You never know what you’ll find unless you look! These are great places to get deals and haggle prices!
· Shop my favorite times of the year: the end of a season or holiday! Items can be marked down as much as 90% off! This is where patience really pays off! I use these type of deals to not only stock up for that particular holiday (gifts, decorations, etc.) but also on items that may also be useful for gifts throughout the year!
· Watch for sales and discounts at big box stores! I once went to Kohl’s because they sent me a $5 off any purchase coupon. I dug through the clearance rack and came home with 3 beautiful sweaters and a greeting card for less than $6 total!
School/Office Supplies:
· Sure, things go on sale when it school time comes around. But also look for unsuspected ways of saving. CVS gives away free supplies (in the form of paying you Extra Bucks), Staples offers $0.01 supplies, and other stores usually offer similar deals. Also, don’t forget to shop after school has started and everything has gone on clearance…that’s when you can really get a great deal!
Pets:
· First and foremost: make sure that you understand how much pet ownership costs prior to buying your new pet. They can be costly, especially in today’s economy (where unforeseen circumstances like job losses are causing many families to give up their pets). It breaks my heart to see so many families having to sell or take their pets to the pound! I cannot imagine how devastating this is!
· So you can afford it, but need help getting started out? Think outside the box! After we bought our first house, my husband wanted a cat. At our housewarming party near the ‘adult beverages’ table, we strategically placed a large tip jar with a sign explaining that all donated tips would help us adopt a kitten. Wouldn’t you know that we got enough money for the kitten, vet bills, and then some? Thinking outside the box really helped out!
· Vaccinations can be very expensive! Check your county’s local website; many offer free or largely discounted vaccines (especially if they are mandatory, such as rabies, which can be discounted all the way down to $5!) That is WAY cheaper than most vets offer it!
· Want your pet protected in case they are lost? Watch out for “micro-chipping clinics” where sponsors, such as the AKC, offer micro-chipping for just $5. Usually you can hear about this in your local newspaper or search for it online.
· Stopping by the Dollar Store? Check out the pet section! I am always impressed at how much of a selection they offer! I have found everything from clothing, leashes, bowls, toys, and food to litter, treats, brushes/combs, litter boxes, pet beds, and more!
· Going away on vacation and can’t take your pet? I used to be heartbroken over having to take our dog to the local pet place for boarding. She is deathly afraid of other dogs, I doubt they really give her the time and attention she needs, and to top it off, they charge (in my opinion) an arm and a leg! But then again, what can you do? I looked into it and found that more and more everyday people (who love pets!) are offering up their pet sitting services. It allows you to let your pet stay home, in their own environment where they are comfortable, and costs a lot less! If you have someone you feel comfortable with, this is a great option! We have a wonderful neighbor who watches our dog for $25 a weekend and takes FABULOUS care of her!
Misc.:
· Take advantage of your birthday. There are lists and lists of places that offer free items on your birthday. Some of the offers extend for the entire week or month! (Check under the “Resources” tab for more information on this!)
· Never underestimate the power of the Dollar Store! They have food (although make sure to check the expiration dates!!), HUGE jars of spices, greeting cards for $.50, and everything else you could ever think of needing/wanting; all for a dollar. You can really score some great deals there! I always wonder: what did we all do before the Dollar Store?!
· Think all of this “living green” stuff is for the birds? Think again! Following tips such as changing from regular light bulbs to CFL bulbs does actually save you money! We noticed a difference in our light bill right away! Extra insulation, sealing doors and windows, and turning down the heat/air conditioning sound like too much? Again, with a little bit of effort, you can really save some cash. All of the above tips save us hundreds of dollars a month!
· Been to your local library lately? Seriously, where else can you borrow books, music, and movies for free? Also, most allow free online access, activities for children, and (the best part) some quiet time away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life.
· Want to get out of the house but don’t want to spend any money? Search online or check out your local newspaper…I am surprised at how many free events (concerts, craft events, trivia nights, etc.) are offered in my area alone each year!
· Again, before you buy something, ask yourself, “Can I get this for free?” For instance: the
calendar that you post on the fridge announcing everyone’s activities,
Sudoku or
crossword puzzles, or even
home inventory checklists (which are sold in binders for a good chunk of change) can all be found online for free! Do a little online research before heading to the store!
Money/Savings:
· Have a savings account. I never really had one; I always had a checking account and just spent my money as I pleased. Then one day I found myself married, with bills, no savings, and an emergency at hand. What did I have to do? Unfortunately put it on a credit card… we won’t even talk about the interest and stress that eventually lead to! Anyway, the experts these days are saying to stash away AT LEAST 6 to 8 months of an emergency fund. Wow. I don’t know about you, but if I multiply my monthly bills x 8 months…phew! My best advice? Don’t let this overwhelm you, like I first did. We decided to start out slowly, figuring we would “just do what we could do.” We opened an account with Bank of America; their “Keep the change” program is what initially sparked our interest. Every time you make a purchase out of your checking account, they round it to the next dollar and place the difference in your savings account. They offer incentives and matching (check their website for the details). Can I just say how dramatically they have changed my life?! It is almost like being tricked into saving money; I use my debit card for everything, so those savings are effortless. That, plus socking away money monthly, has led us from having no savings to having a nice emergency fund on hand. So my advice? Use any method that works for you, don’t let the numbers overwhelm you, and stop making excuses; start with whatever you can today!
· Always, no matter what, contribute to your 401k. It took my husband and Suze Orman to convince me of this. I figured, heck, I need the money now… I’ll contribute in a few years. Wrong! I have seen so many people ruin their retirement years because of lack of planning. Now they are struggling to make it and are having to continue working into their 70’s and beyond just to make ends meet! Do what I was taught; start the minute you are eligible for 401k (or 403b or whatever your company offers). Always start with what your company matches; it is like getting free money! With each raise, bump up a percentage or two. It may seem like a lot now, but you will thank yourself when you are older! Planning for the future is one of the best things you can do for yourself!
Easy Ways to Make $/Earn Free Stuff:
· Join websites that allow you to earn money/free stuff. There are ton out there; you have to find which ones you prefer. My personal favorite is MyPoints. You read emails and take surveys to earn points; then cash them in for a variety of things! Over the years I cannot tell you how many gift certificates I have earned to my favorites stores and restaurants!
· Search the Internet for Focus Groups in your area. You join a group of others in a room (usually you are taped or recorded) for approximately 1 to 2 hours to give opinions on products and services. These generally pay anywhere from $50 to $150 in cash!
· Join online “Product Testing” or “Consumer Panels” for products of your liking! Usually in return for you joining and giving your opinions (online), they will send you free stuff (or coupons for free stuff) to try out before it goes public! Awesome!
· Clear out the clutter! Stop stashing stuff “for one day when I…” Have a garage sale or sell it online (EBay, Craigslist…there are a bunch of sites!) Use the money you make for something you really need, put it in savings, or apply it to your debt!
Rules to live by:
· **The most important rule anyone could have ever taught me (and I could have ever actually learned): Live within your means. I know, I know, easier said than done. But once you actually do this, a ton of stress/guilt/weight will be lifted off of you, I promise!
· Every time you buy something, ask yourself, “How many hours would I have to work to afford this?” I used to get annoyed when people told me to do this. Then I started doing it and it changed my spending habits forever! It really makes you think twice about buying something that is expensive and non-essential when you think of it in this way!
· Another good rule: my friends and I live by this one… If we want something, but it is expensive, we put it back and simply say, “If it was meant to be, then it will go on sale and I’ll come back and get it.” (Pair that sale with a coupon and it makes the wait that much more worth it!)
· And one last thing: NEVER be afraid to ask for a discount. I can give you two good examples of this. First, the story of our TV. Long story short, the store that we purchased it from had failed to tell us the truth about it (AKA: lied to us to get us to buy it). When I figured it out, I went back to the store, had a little “come to Jesus meeting” with the sales associate, and got the bigger, better model cheaper than the one we had originally purchased (along with two FREE pieces of furniture thrown in!) Another time we were at an office supply store. I desperately wanted some office bins (they are plastic and hang on the wall), but they only had 1 set left and appeared to be scratched beyond recognition. I asked the manager for a discount; who else was going to buy them in that condition? He gave me 60% off… I went home and went to work with a Magic Eraser; wouldn’t you know that all of those scratches came right off! Moral of the story: never, ever be afraid to ask for a discount!
Wow! I can’t believe my list is this long! I know a lot of it is common sense, but I look at it this way: it took me many years to learn and apply all of this to my life. If even one of these tips helps someone out, then I’ve done what I’ve set out to do!
I think the best thing this recession has done is to teach people that you don’t have to “keep up with the Joneses’” anymore. I think we were stuck in that mode for so long that it is hard for some people to get out of. Hopefully times will change and we can go back to living like times past; simply, within our means, and most importantly, being happy with what we have.
