Tips and Tricks to Save Money
Call me cheap
I can save money fast.
Review credit card annual statement:
Auto subscriptions- go to the website, scroll down,
cancel,
and unsubscribe.
Gym memberships- cancel and change to:
Youtube yoga or online
free workouts.
Vitamins, wine and beauty products by
subscription are more
expensive.
Shop for generics especially for your prescription drugs.
Pay off credit card debt. Not just move it around.
Pay it down.
Don’t buy packaged foods.
Don’t buy fast fashion, find unique items
that have been gently
loved.
Do you watch cable television seven days a week?
Can you cancel for a couple months and
substitute getting books from the library,
being
creative, writing letters, and walking?
Substitute an xbox and cheaper internet with
Netflix if you
must watch movies.
Utilities turned on and not needed.
My Dad always knew when you left a
light on in your bedroom on the other side of the house.
How he knew was some kind of magic,
but we never bet him.
Turn lights off, turn the thermostat down,
put on a sweater, enjoy fresh air…
Never buy a new car, and never lease one,
both are throwing money away.
Research carefully the prices, maintenance tips,
and know what a vehicle deal truly is: a car that always gets you there.
If you own your car without payments,
you have more freedom than the guy with the fancy car at the valet.
Keep your car in top shape by changing the oil early,
checking the
tires, cleaning it every week yourself.
Find an old bike and a helmet and start using it for short
trips.
With the pandemic we all learned how to cook at home.
My Noni taught me to always buy what is in season
and to plan your weekly meals in advance.
So how do you know what’s in season?
Ask at the farmer’s market what’s coming next week…
The produce direct from farm will last longer and taste better.
Which leads me to grow your own.
Eat at home. It is healthier and
cheaper.
Seeds are free at many exchanges, as are cuttings from other gardeners.
Pots and containers are often given away on freecycle.com
or at yard sales.
There is nothing as delicious as a tomato you grew still
warm from
sunshine.
What can you do to increase a little side income?
Not uber or doordash, something that is special to you
and doesn’t wear on your car.
Offer to walk the neighbor’s dog in exchange for something.
When you have extra of a find that has limited time or spoils,
share it with neighbors or friends.
I love to go strawberry picking in the spring.
I’m allergic to the berries (can maybe eat one)
but I enjoy the activity, so I bring back a box
for my Mom and
my neighbor.
What can you freelance?
Write? Blog? Teach? Babysit?
Counsel? Giving of yourself will grow your soul.
It’s not your title, your car, your designer whatnot
that makes you whole.
Knowing you are your own person who can take
care of yourself and
your community has great benefits.
