MONEY SAVING // Post your tips and tricks
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Do you have any tricks you do to save money? We are not necessarily talking big, just little stuff that you can change in your daily routine that may save you a few bucks or so! It might seem stupid by I always got excited over stuff like this so I wanted to start a discussion about it, it's pretty useful to people that really need to save every little bit they can (e.g. college students) ::)
Here are a few of the things I do that save me quite a bit:
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I roll my cigarettes instead of buying a packet, it's far cheaper and also tasted better (a good solution for people like me who won't quit smoking but don't like spending $5 dollars every day on buying cancer in a packet)
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I cut my hair on my own. I pretty much started doing this after I moved to this small town here: they have only one hairdresser and a huge waiting list since she is alone against everyone, sometimes I had to wait more than a month to get an appointment and I couldn't bare this anymore. So I got myself a pair of clippers, started doing the basic, "safe" buzzcut on my own. Same guard the whole head. Started with a little longer, now I do it almost to the skin. And people say it looks pretty good on me too
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I stopped using shampoo and bodywash and went back to the basic bar soap. It's way cheaper than bottled soap, and also better for your skin, especially if you get irritations by liquid bodywash and you don't know why. I also use it on my hair (since I don't have much of it as I said above) so it's 2 in 1 and works perfectly. Also, bar soap is much more convenient than the liquid one when traveling. No spilling!!
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I use stick deodorant. Seriously, DO THAT. I used to overuse back when I was buying the spray one, just because I thought it wasn't enough. The stick lasts longer, does a better job with both odor and sweat amount (at least in my case), and is environmentally friendlier.
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I get myself loyalty cards, whenever and wherever possible. Most places will have member-only discounts, and also send coupons to you via mail every month or so. Some coupons are totally useless to me, but some are pretty useful!
Might remember more once this discussion keeps going (hopefully :-[)
So, how about you? Do you have any money-saving tricks and tips? Share!
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Where I live smoking even roll ups is extremely expensive. Cut that and you save $$$
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I'll break it down into Food, necessities and expenses.
Maybe it's because I'm black, but I just grew up knowing how to live without and to save.
I'm also a Capricorn so I can handle being broke better or know how to not spend as much money.
Food:
I visit food pantry's quite often and I always donate to these places which are usually churches and community centers and things.I have very few friends and family who I'm able to keep in contact with. I'm also single and god hasn't blessed me with a boyfriend yet sadly, so I don't go out to fancy restaurants that often. So that saves money with that.
I also go online and read what's on sale at the stores and usually only buy stuff on sale. Like I'll only buy shrimp or really expensive food if it's on sale or on special.
Necessities:
I don't shop at high end clothing stores at all. I'm not a big fan of jewelry and wouldn't wear any unless it's sentimental or belonged to a deceased loved one etc. I don't buy shoes which cost more than a hundred dollars. I don't care. They are just shoes.I very rarely I shop at specialty retail stores. I mostly go to department and closeout stores for clothes. Also sometimes I go to thrift stores.
In some cases I buy graphic t shirts and stuff online really cheap.
I don't buy brand new electronics anymore. My phone is a couple years old and to some people it's obsolete but I'm not upgrading it anytime soon. My computer I've had for a while, but again I have no complaints. I have backup harddrives and junk. I just got over a bad video game addiction which I'm glad to have conquered. I don't need that shit in my life.
In other words, I'm not saying I don't have any vices which I do. It's cigarettes and liquor, but I don't splurge money like that.
Expenses:
I no longer have cable television, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. I never really watched it, the bill was too damn high, and to me I didn't like how that was money I could be spending on something else. With youtube and netflix and amazon prime and shit, there is no need for cable tv.I take public transportation quite often. Not that I don't like driving, it's just much cheaper than gas and you get to meet more people if that's your thing.
I just keep a notepad of what I spend and make lists a lot.
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I have very few friends and family who I'm able to keep in contact with. I'm also single and god hasn't blessed me with a boyfriend yet sadly, so I don't go out to fancy restaurants that often. So that saves money with that.
I also go online and read what's on sale at the stores and usually only buy stuff on sale. Like I'll only buy shrimp or really expensive food if it's on sale or on special.
I don't shop at high end clothing stores at all. I'm not a big fan of jewelry and wouldn't wear any unless it's sentimental or belonged to a deceased loved one etc. I don't buy shoes which cost more than a hundred dollars. I don't care. They are just shoes.
I very rarely I shop at specialty retail stores. I mostly go to department and closeout stores for clothes. Also sometimes I go to thrift stores.
I don't buy brand new electronics anymore. My phone is a couple years old and to some people it's obsolete but I'm not upgrading it anytime soon. My computer I've had for a while, but again I have no complaints. I have backup harddrives and junk. I just got over a bad video game addiction which I'm glad to have conquered. I don't need that shit in my life.
I take public transportation quite often. Not that I don't like driving, it's just much cheaper than gas and you get to meet more people if that's your thing.
I can relate to all of those pretty much:
Restaurants: I don't believe in fancy restaurants. Seriously, I see no difference between a regular restaurant and a top-class restaurant. Maybe it's because I grew up in Greece, where most actually "good" restaurants are small, traditional family restaurants etc, but I won't enjoy a meal if it costs tons, no matter how good it tastes like. I would prefer to buy a huge pile of noodles and sesame chicken and spring rolls at my local, often called "crap" asian bistro than go to a fancy place where they ask you to pay for breathing. BISTROS FOR EVER.
Sales: I was taught by my mum to never buy anything that is at eye-level on the shelves of a grocery store. Biggest deals as well as minor brands, discounts, and generic brand products that cost way less than the major brand are usually on the top or bottom shelves. Seriously, TRY IT. It saves you a LOT if you buy generic brand, and especially in some products it doesn't even make a difference. Like, seriously now, who needs top brand toilet paper??
Clothes: I also rate stores (and brands) a lot. The first time I get something from a store or a brand, I will see how good the quality is and how comfortable the clothes are for me and either blacklist or whitelist this shop/brand. Then, next time I go shopping, I will straight up go to the places that sell clothes that I like and that are actually worth the money. Even if it costs a little bit more, at least I know it's gonna be in my closet for a little bit longer than the (usually "top" brand) shitty counterpart. Thrift stores are a HUGE thing where I live and I'm actually fascinated of them. Like, I don't shop in thrift stores only because it's cheaper, but also because of the entire experience. It's really cool to search through piles and piles of used clothes and then suddenly find a piece of clothing you actually like (and it's often unique!). It's like treasure hunt and we all like treasure hunt! Also, the quality of some clothes in thrift stores is truly amazing, since you can sometimes find the really good quality high-end brand that you wouldn't otherwise buy for a fraction of the normal price. Last but not least, the uniqueness of the clothes as well as the fact that some look old fashioned / retro is a plus, since you rarely find people that are dressed exactly like you!
Electronics: It's actually a pet peeve of mine when I see people buying a new phone every six months or so. My phone has a cracked screen but other than it still works perfectly fine, I'm not gonna waste my money to replace something that is not actually broken.
Public Transport: A MILLION TIMES YES! I grew up in a family where no one is a driver (technically my dad is but he had a terrible accident years ago and has developed a phobia of driving since then) so I always related to public transport, or friends/etc. Biking is a good alternative too, and it's really good for your health and fitness! Walking is also free and, seriously, why do you have to drive to a place that is 3 squares away? *Disclaimer: it might seem really odd to some people here that no one in my family drives but it's pretty common where I live. People do have cars but may only use them for trips or longer distances etc. Oh, and also, there is usually only one car for the entire family cause there is no need for more.
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Another thing I have worked on is changing my entertainment.
Until recently I would usually consider a rad Saturday night to include a nightclub, a few drinks, etc. I don't do that anymore (and in case I do, it's rare). I realized that you don't really have to spend a lot of money to have fun, as soon as you are with the right people. Movies at home, board games, party games, dinner at home with friends, or just beers on a public place (yes, it is permitted in some countries) are all good, as soon as you learn to entertain yourself with the small things ;D ;D
