editor Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 It's New Year's Day, which means it's time to do the bills and clean up a bunch of stuff from the previous year.In doing so, I'm looking for ways to save money.One thing I'm going to do is switch my phone to a pre-paid plan when my contract expires in a few months.I tallied up the average bill from my two favorite coffee shops. Starbucks is way cheaper than Lavazza (maybe because I don't like the food), so I'll go there from now on.I just got off the phone and changed my cable service from Digital Classic ($16.99/month) to Digital Starter ($1.99/month). The Comcast girl warned that I lost 120 channels, but from what I can tell by the online channel listings, all I lose is a bunch of public access channels, sports, pornography, and BBC America. I only watched BBC America one day in 2008. I didn't watch sports, porn, or public access at all, so I don't think I'm really "losing" anything.Anyone else doing things to save money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 It's New Year's Day, which means it's time to do the bills and clean up a bunch of stuff from the previous year.In doing so, I'm looking for ways to save money.One thing I'm going to do is switch my phone to a pre-paid plan when my contract expires in a few months.I tallied up the average bill from my two favorite coffee shops. Starbucks is way cheaper than Lavazza (maybe because I don't like the food), so I'll go there from now on.I just got off the phone and changed my cable service from Digital Classic ($16.99/month) to Digital Starter ($1.99/month). The Comcast girl warned that I lost 120 channels, but from what I can tell by the online channel listings, all I lose is a bunch of public access channels, sports, pornography, and BBC America. I only watched BBC America one day in 2008. I didn't watch sports, porn, or public access at all, so I don't think I'm really "losing" anything.Anyone else doing things to save money?What?!? No porn!The horror...Just kidding...I did something similar. I called up AT&T U-verse and told them I was NOT going to pay their new fee (somehow it had crept up from about $70 to almost $100). They gave me another promotional rate (this is about the 3rd time now) for 6 months dropping my U-verse 200 with 6MB downloads to about $50.I also stopped going out for dinner so much and cooking more at home (including lunches). This switch happened last summer when the cafeteria at work was undergoing renovation and there was really nowhere to go for lunch. This saved a LOT of money.Stopped driving so much (although in Houston it's not really an option to not drive). I mean, making less impulse trips and stacking more trips into a single one.Buying clothes when necessary (imagine that) and shopping at places with style and huge discounts (favorite Steve and Barry's is going out of business so gonna have to find a new favorite place ... Burlington?)Two years ago I switched to Cricket mobile phone service. While it has huge drawbacks (pretty much confined to metropolitan areas and stops working as soon as I leave Houston), it also has HUGE advantages (cheap, constant bills, ability to drop at any time if I am not happy, and UNLIMITED EVERYTHING).I am sure there are more, but those are things that come to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahiki Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I would love to drop our cable but my husband won't do without the ESPN, so that big expense has to stay. But we are cutting back on eating out, and by that mean I mean stopping at Sonic or Mission Burrito with the kids, which is about all the eating out we do. Even though these places are cheap, with four of us it's $25 or $30 each time. Plus it's junk, so win-win. We also just emptied our storage unit, which will save $75/month. edit: good thread; I hope to see other good ideas here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Couple of months ago we jacked our cell phone play down to the lowest family plan minutes offered, since everyone we call is on the same network and we had 3000 rollover minutes.This year I plan to deal with the expensive internet/cable issue. Comcast is way too much, and u-verse is about to be on my street. That may only cut $20/mo, but it counts. And I'll keep bringing my lunch to work, since I average $1.50 per day as opposed to $5 minimum going out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Couple of months ago we jacked our cell phone play down to the lowest family plan minutes offered, since everyone we call is on the same network and we had 3000 rollover minutes.This year I plan to deal with the expensive internet/cable issue. Comcast is way too much, and u-verse is about to be on my street. That may only cut $20/mo, but it counts. And I'll keep bringing my lunch to work, since I average $1.50 per day as opposed to $5 minimum going out.Smart moves. I think most folks would be amazed at the amount of money they spend eating out. I know that used to be our biggest budget but now we limit going out to really no more than once a week--usually Fridays or Saturdays. That also means cutting out Sunday morning iHops.This year I plan to deal with the expensive internet/cable issue. Comcast is way too much, and u-verse is about to be on my street. That may only cut $20/mo, but it counts.Make sure you tell AT&T that you want whatever introductory special they have. When that is up, ask them to extend it. They will usually comply or find another 'reduced rate' plan to put you on with no loss or downgrade in service. Like I said, they've done it for me about 3 times already because I told them I was not able to afford it. Funny how they 'find' plans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Make sure you tell AT&T that you want whatever introductory special they have. When that is up, ask them to extend it. They will usually comply or find another 'reduced rate' plan to put you on with no loss or downgrade in service. Like I said, they've done it for me about 3 times already because I told them I was not able to afford it. Funny how they 'find' plans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memebag Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Work pays my phone bill, so I can't save money there.I spend a ton on cable, but I get my money's worth out of it. Just last week I burned DVDs of "Remember the Night" and "African Queen" from TCM, neither of which is available on DVD yet.The Mrs. and I have been cooking at home more often. That saves a bunch, but it's hard to resist the temptation.The biggest savings we've accomplished was buying a $1000 bed from Costco instead of the $5000 Tempurpedic. It arrives next Tuesday, so we'll see if it's any good. If not, they have a good return policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff8201 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs in 08 has already reduced what my bill will be for 09 (I live in a Hi-rise Condo where the year's electrical is locked in and based on the previous years usage). I plan on buying a new Refrigerator to replace my old 1989 Whirlpool and save some energy there with energy saving appliances. The biggest saver by far that I started halfway in 08 was eating homemade lunches and not going out everyday. However, I need to apply that concept to those nights when my girl and I order out. Dear God, the cost of a few pizzas, Chinese Food and Takeout Taxi add up fast! The cost of gas going down means that for the little driving I do, I wont be spending so much at the pump... at least for now. It helps, so is worth mentioning. And as always I'll be taking steps to ensure I'm getting good mileage (oil changes, tire inflation, cleanliness of fuel injection system, filters etc.) Last thing I can think of is buying less (of everything)... however I did a lot of that in 08, and might have to spend money to save money in 09 (like that Fridge, new computer parts, some major car tune ups etc). Also I'm going to buy less liquor, I'm pretty much stocked up on everything I need anyhow. That and having fewer drunken party nights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 This is my official debt elimination year, so my spartan living will continue from last year. Cutting back on restaurants and not going out as much is the single largest savings. I don't have cable and I'm an energy miser, so that helps, too.Had new year's day mega lunch at Todai, so that'll have to last me for a while... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Like everyone else, we've cut back on going out. We only go on Saturday night now, and no fast food during the week.One thing I've noticed lately is that a lot of people seem to be just drinking water with their meals. I think the reason I notice it is because I'm doing it too,but I'm going it to lose weight. I suspect that some people are doing it to save money. Soda used to be $1.50 not that long ago. I've seen some places lately where it's $2.95 or more. At the place where we had Christmas dinner a Coke cost more than a glass of cheap wine.Does anyone have tips for saving money on those occasions when they do eat out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gto250us Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I am spending all my money as fast as I can. Turning it into Stuff. This is the only way to offset the falling value of the dollar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Does anyone have tips for saving money on those occasions when they do eat out?If you can decide on a dish, share it with your significant other. Most portion sizes are WAY too big anyhow, so 1/2 of a typical meal is probably still more than a 'serving'. You'll be surprised how full you'll be even on a 1/2 meal. If it's not enough, you can always order a dinner salad to split as well or eat alone.You're $30 - $40 bill will pretty much be cut in half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahiki Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Here's another money-saving tip: eat vegetarian, at least some of the time. A big pot of pasta-bean soup lasts for days and costs next to nothing. Plus beans are healthy. So are vegetables, they say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Does anyone have tips for saving money on those occasions when they do eat out?If you are a wine drinker, then BYOB restaurants are your friend. Our wine fridge is usually full of inexpensive vino, and we get quite a bit from friends during the holidays. A small corking fee and you can save a lot of money as the markup on wine is obscene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 No more sugary or diet drinks, no more B.S. energy drinks. Riding the scooter to work more. Getting rid of the Cutlass. Buying groceries all at once instead of making a trip every other day. No more going out to eat or fast food trips. Putting more money into my 401k. I may change to AT&T internet and cable from Time Warner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millennica Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 My biggest savings will come from having purchased all new energy conserving appliances, which saves me 10.00 per month in electric bills. I also installed a new furnace which has a 92% efficiency rating instead of the 50% efficiency rating on my old furnace. I'm hoping that this will result in a lower gas bill. As far as cutting back in other areas, this is difficult as I was already more frugal that is probably warranted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 We have saved a lot of money by using the produce stand (Canino's for us) for fruits and veggies instead of grocery store. What was once $15 worth at Kroger, $10 or so at Fiesta, is now $6 a week at Canino's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Just covering off some bargain living I've done lately: Bought a spiral sliced ham AFTER christmas for $9. Since then it has fed me for 10 meals, and is a very easy lunch-at-work option. I have 2 lunch sized ziplocs left, so 12 meals for $9 ain't bad. Along the same lines, on New Year's Eve I smoked a pork butt, ($6.72, bought based on a great sale I saw at HEB in the weekly sale mail), and ended up getting 6 meals out of that. Spare ribs were on sale (again saw it in the weekly sale mail at Foodarama), got 2 full racks for $11, also smoked New year's eve. I got another 7 meals out of this. I haven't eaten lunch out once this year, and I feel like I've eaten better than if I had, all the while saving money. Of course, I also set a record for consecutive days eating pork, and when I gave blood 2 weeks ago they were amazed at how high my iron was. Whatever, I gave some of it away right after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchtastic Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 ^^ You must have gotten in on the same $. 67 / pound pork butts that we did for making the family sausage. I've still got 4 pounds worth in my freezer. Maybe some crock pot carnitas for super bowl. Cutting down on eating out is a huge savings. I brown bag to work 4 days a week. Also, I used to make a pot of coffee at home in the morning, have couple of cups and bring a to-go with me to work, and end up leaving at least a cup in the pot. Now I have one cup at home out of the french press, and drink office coffee if I want more. It makes me appreciate the good stuff more, and I have realized that I don't need 4 cups a day. No Astros season tix this year is going to be the main cost savings in 09. That's crazy money I just can't justify right now. On going out to eat, we try to keep the really good places to once every couple of months and the 'usual' places to once a week. At home, most of what I do is from scratch, including bread, and I can turn a cheap cut of meat into something you'd swear was coming out of a restaurant kitchen. Alcohol is a big expense that I'm cutting wayyyyy back on. Since Christmas, the policy has been no drinkies at home on weeknights and so far it's noticeable in my budget and my waistline. (Tonight doesn't count because it's a holiday, BTW ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Have ta start bringing my lunch to uni now. That will save me a good 5-7 bucks a day at least. It adds up for a broke college student. But heh, whatever I will end up "saving" will have to go to supplies.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 At home, most of what I do is from scratch, including breadBread is a big expense I'm saving a lot on these days. A good loaf of crusty bread is $3-$4! I can make it myself for about 30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porchman Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Bread is a big expense I'm saving a lot on these days. A good loaf of crusty bread is $3-$4! I can make it myself for about 30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryanS Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 All of you posting to this thread are nothing but CHEAPSKATES. CHEAP. CHEAP. CHEAP. I got a raise this year, investing every bit of it; "spending" it all. Absolutely making no adjustments.Cutting costs on bread?!? Is Mrs. Baird's really that expensive?!! Come on people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Anyone else doing things to save money?1. Canceled my land line and AT&T DSL service. I had to give back my laptop to my former employer when they laid me off, so there was a time when it did me no good. Also canceled all Blackberry data service, including text messages.2. Built myself a new desktop computer. I got a TV card, so I now have a 24" television for sale to offset that expense. The value-add is that the TV card more or less can function like a Tivo. Also, by combining multiple devices into one I'm able conserve on square footage, which is important where I'm moving.3. I currently pirate wireless internet service from unsuspecting neighbors with unsecured networks.4. Not getting a new car after all, in spite of the good deals available. No job, no auto loan.5. Paid off my car note in full. Reduced insurance to liability only. Saved $40-ish per month.6. My condominium is in the middle of being upgraded. Will be listed for sale shortly.7. Moving into 350-square-foot warehouse space which I own as part of a larger building. Thank god for no zoning in Houston!!!8. Will be acting as an on-site security guard on my own ongoing construction project, preventing budgeted losses from theft and reducing insurance premiums.9. Eating out is OK, but only for occasional breakfast at Tel-Wink or Frank's, only out of a taco box, or only from a fast food value menu. If I'm already out and about, can keep a meal under $2.50, not have any prep time or clean-up, and be able to receive and finish it within five minutes, I'm happy. Prepared meals must come in under $1.50 and be comprised of non-perishable foodstuffs. Less than one dollar is preferable. Needless to say, I'm eating a lot out of cans. Ranch style beans, Wolf brand chili, Ramen noodles, Campbell's soups, pasta dishes, brown rice, etc. basically comprise my diet. I still have leftover MREs from Ike net of camping trips but I'd prefer to save those for more functionally-appropriate purposes.10. No booze ever. Only after I'd exhausted my remaining supply about two weeks ago did I realize how much I really like beer, particularly dark beer. There must be some kind of nutrient I'm not getting elsewhere in my diet.11. By chance, I'm saving on gasoline. However the deferred maintenance on my vehicle will be an issue in the near future.12. With all the free cash, including that which I'm raising from liquidation of assets allocated to consumption items, I'm hoping to invest almost all of it into highly-levered fixed assets as investment items. Yes, it is stupid. I know. I'm fully cognizant of the distressed position I'm placing myself into. It requires me to take a job within two to four months. But my glorious empire must be nurtured for years before bearing fruit; and it shall be sweet.**MORAL OF THE STORY**Always build up a good solid savings. You never know when it'll come in handy. I had an especially large amount, most of it in straight cash or stocks that fared reasonably well over the last year. It was a reasonably conservative stance to counterbalance risky and illiquid investments. If I hadn't had that, I would still be without a computer, I would not be able to realize insurance savings from paying off my car, I would not be able to upgrade my condo for sale at top dollar, I would not be able to handle incremental repairs to my car, and my ability to supply even working capital (much less additional contributions) to my ongoing risky investments would probably be crippled. Inadequate savings would've triggered a downward spiral.All of you posting to this thread are nothing but CHEAPSKATES. CHEAP. CHEAP. CHEAP. I got a raise this year, investing every bit of it; "spending" it all. Absolutely making no adjustments.The words "spent" and "expense" are related words. They imply an outlay that depreciates immediately (or very near immediately) and that has no salvage value.Cutting costs on bread?!? Is Mrs. Baird's really that expensive?!! Come on people!Yes. It is that expensive. Worse still, it is a perishable item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 All of you posting to this thread are nothing but CHEAPSKATES. CHEAP. CHEAP. CHEAP. I got a raise this year, investing every bit of it; "spending" it all. Absolutely making no adjustments.Cutting costs on bread?!? Is Mrs. Baird's really that expensive?!! Come on people!Every cent saved on lunch during the work week can be spent on booze on the weekends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 All of you posting to this thread are nothing but CHEAPSKATES. CHEAP. CHEAP. CHEAP. I got a raise this year, investing every bit of it; "spending" it all. Absolutely making no adjustments.Cutting costs on bread?!? Is Mrs. Baird's really that expensive?!! Come on people!Consider yourself lucky. Not everyone is as fortunate as you.Based on the number of applications and searches being done each day on HAIF:jobs (shameless plug), it appears that a fair number of your fellow HAIFers are either unemployed or underemployed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Since I wear my hair really short, I cut my own hair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I re-financed one of my cars and got the payment down by $140 a month. I'm thinking of doing the same with the house. Interest rates are really low now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahiki Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 All of you posting to this thread are nothing but CHEAPSKATES. CHEAP. CHEAP. CHEAP. I got a raise this year, investing every bit of it; "spending" it all. Absolutely making no adjustments.Cutting costs on bread?!? Is Mrs. Baird's really that expensive?!! Come on people!You can pay between $3.50 and $4.00/loaf for whole wheat sandwich bread at the grocery store. I think that's expensive. It's almost half that at Costco. I heart Costco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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