Count 'em: 75 tips for surviving a crummy economy
Posted
Jul 07 2008, 12:19 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Recession. Not a recession. Whatever label you put on the economy, "people are hurting financially," "Frugal Dad" says. He provides 75 tips for cutting back to help your budget withstand the impact of $4-plus gas, higher food prices and our other economic ills. We love compilations like this because you can print them out and put them on the fridge.
Frugal Dad covers a lot of ground here, and has some ideas we hadn't considered. He cuts bottled juice with water to make it last twice as long. To save money but salvage his social life, he meets friends after the dinner hour. Eating out, after all, can be a mighty budget buster.
Here are some other samples (click here to read the entire list):
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Some people won't use a drying rack or clothesline because clothing and towels can end up wrinkled or stiff. To fix that, Frugal Dad puts them in the dryer with a dryer sheet (we tear ours in half) for a few minutes after the sun and wind have nearly completed their job.
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Our partner blogger, Donna Freedman, would agree with this one: Get a used freezer to stock up on discounted meat. (Or, if you live in ranching country, we suggest you consider buying a half- or quarter-beef right from the grower. It costs a lot less per pound, and grass-fed beef is leaner and tastier.)
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You should know by now that properly inflated tires improve gas mileage. Buy a tire gauge, and check your tires every time you fill up the tank. Honestly, it's easy.
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Keep any irregular income -- bonuses, overtime, gifts, money found on the street -- in a separate account for emergencies or to cover rising costs.
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Forget baths. The alternative is a "navy" shower.
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Frugal Dad read our mind with this one: "I don't buy anything that requires ironing."
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Shed the product loyalty. Often the store brands taste just like the advertised ones. It makes you wonder if that dog is spilling the beans on the bean recipe.
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Don't get spendy on gifts. Frugal Dad's wife gave him a decorated jar containing 50 pieces of paper, each with a reason why she loves him. He said, "It was one of the best gifts I've ever received, and cost less than $5 to make."
