The hard times thread/Beat the Recession

[Lace Neil Singer]

Reduced sections = goldmine. If you have a freezer, you can buy marked down meat, bread etc and freeze it for when you need it. Same goes for damaged packaging and stuff marked down cuz there's a part missing, for example, a fourpack of beer with one can missing. It's not the packaging you're eating/using, so no need to worry. I've bought loads of good, cheap stuff from the reduced section, including loo roll reduced cuz the packaging was torn, and a roll of bin liners halved in price for the same reason. As for dented cans, as long as the contents aren't breached, they should be safe as long as you eat them as soon as.

Also, don't turn your nose up at economy or basic food items. Most of the time, the food is exactly the same as the general food items, just the packaging is basic and you're not eating/using that, as I said before. You could also buy bulk stuff, sharing price and item with another person; I do that with my parents sometimes in order to make the most of buy one get one free offers on items that would normally be too much for either of us to consume. But by sharing the item and splitting the difference, we both get the benefit. ^^

[tropicsgoddess]

Me and SO cut out the home phone (we have cellphones under the same provider), bring lunches to work, downgrade internet and look for good deals.

[Boomer]

I'm not directly affected by the recession -- work's steady and we're hiring instead of laying off. But I'm still always into saving money.

My shopping cart is almost always filled entirely with items on sale, particularly buy one, get one free items. I plan my meals around the Sunday sale circular.

I buy household necessities in bulk.

I joined Amazon Prime to get free two day shipping. Their prices are good, no sales tax, and some of their sales are really great. I generally look at other internet shopping sites to see if I can find it cheaper than Amazon -- usually I can't after shipping is figured in.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I try to bring lunch to work. Even if I do buy lunch it's pretty cheap because the company subsidizes the cafeteria to keep the prices low. Nice perk, moreso since there aren't really any convenient options for going out, especially if you are like most of the employees and only get a half-hour for lunch. (I'm salaried and get an hour, but there's not a whole lot of quick options around other than Subway and pizza.)

My roommate and I have a phone/internet/cable package, but we don't have any premium channels (just basic cable). We don't really use the phone much (we both have cell phones), though I'm not sure if it would be cheaper to drop the phone and pay for internet and cable separately....

We stock up on paper products (TP, paper towels) at Sam's club (I go with my mom because I don't buy enough to justify getting my own membership), but we don't have a lot of storage space for food (tiny apartment kitchen), so I try not to get too much more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time. Our freezer isn't real big so buying too many extras to freeze isn't really an option. When I buy lunch meats I only get enough for a few sandwiches to make sure I don't end up wasting it. I'd rather stop more often on the way home from work (I pass right by a grocery store so it's not using any extra gas) than buy extra and end up tossing it because I didn't eat it before it went bad. I just have to will myself not to buy extra stuff just cuz I'm there...

[Peppergirl]

1. To the poster who said COUPONS: I completely and totally agree.

I had never cut a coupon in my life before my divorce. Then I started it casually out of cost-cutting necessity.

Now, since I squeeze 36 hrs a week into 3 working days, I have alot of time on my hands and have REALLY gotten into it.

I always play by the rules, and dont scam or do any nasty tricks, but even I am shocked by how much I can save.

It also helps to go to the store (if its feasible) at off-peak times. The cashiers seem to appreciate it, and I dont feel so awful holding up the lines. Also, it helps to double check and make sure you meet all the restrictions on the coupons.

2. If your company offers a program to work from home, check into it. I work from home about 75 percent of the time, and the savings in gas is phenomenal.

3. Check your current cell plan to see if there are any other deals which would save you monthly money. Read the fine print, though. Most of them require a contract extension, but if you're happy with your carrier, its worth it.

4. Re-shop for auto insurance. I saved 240.00 last year by switching to my current company. 20.00 a month is ALOT to me.

5. Compare rates at your local cable company vs satellite. Each has their pros and cons, but I saved 20.00 a month by switching to satellite recently.

6. Combine trips when running errands. I've started doing this, and notice a difference at the gas pump.


Thats about it for now, I'll post more if I think of them.

[Aethian]

If one doesn't believe that they can save money by combining gas trips may I suggest writig down when you get gas? I use a little app on my iPod touch that tracks my millage, when I had services done, mpg, and other little tidbits. This has allowed me to get 26 mpg and I can really see the savings there.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

On cell phones, skip the pricy monthly plans if you don't use the phone much. I find it's cheaper to use a Prepaid plan. When I first got my phone from T Mobile, I went ahead and purchased $100 of minutes so they would last a full year instead of 9- days. Took me 2 years to go through them, and I just bought $10 at the 1 year mark so I wouldn't lose them. Now I get maybe 50 every few months, which is a lot cheaper that the cheapest monthly plan.

Bring your lunch. Seems everyone at work goes out and spends 5+ on lunch. I bring a little cup of salmon, an apple, some cheese, and crackers. It's healthier, cheaper, and I don't have to leave my desk.

Skip the cable altogether. It's too expensive and there's never anything on. Netflix is a lot cheaper, and you get to pick and choose what you watch and when you watch it. Especially good for those with little time to actually watch TV. And if you like TV shows, just wait a few months, and the next season will be on DVD. Put that on your list and watch the entire show rapidfire. Or get the eps online. Either way, no commercials.

If you must upgrade, buy used. Since I have money now, I bought an iPod with more space and a Qwerty cell phone. The Phone I got on eBay for far less than a new one, and the iPod is one my friend sold me cheap. Sure, the batteries aren't 100%, but it's cheaper to replace the battery than to get a new phone. And all electronics get banged up a little eventually, so getting one with a little cosmetic wear that still functions properly will save a bundle.

[Buglady]

I've been a student since 1991, and I grew up pretty dang poor. This stuff is all second nature to me now

FOOD:
- Pack your lunch; cook supper at home (The Boy actually packs a lunch for me as I leave pretty early in the morning; then when I get home I make supper. It's a nice way to feel connected and that we are taking care of each other).

- Cook extra supper portions to take with you for lunch, if you have a microwave available. Don't forget your fork!

- Cook a big batch of soup, chili, casserole, whatever, and freeze portions for later suppers so you can get more variety. (Unless you don't mind eating the same thing for a week. I don't, actually!)

- Try out meatless recipes a couple of times a week - a tasty change and saves you $ on meat. (Cheese is pretty pricy now too though, so don't go overboard with that - a lot of my 1970s vegetarian cookbooks go pretty heavy on the cheese).

- Buy fresh seasonal veggies and fruits; frozen ones for out of season. Cans are expensive and you lose a lot of the nutrition.

- Pay attention to grocery flyers. Don't buy things just because they are on sale or you have a coupon - you aren't saving anything if you buy something you don't need. After a while you get a sense of what the best and average prices are for your staple items, and you won't have to compare as closely.

- Crock Pots are fantastic for those of us who work long hours. Set it up in the morning, yummy food will await your return. Plus, you can take the toughest and cheapest meat and make it fall apart. Caution: go easy on the seasonings. Onion powder goes unbelievably bitter in a slow cooker. That was a very disappointing batch o' beans...

- As has been mentioned already, try the store brand/generic versions of staple foods and household supplies. Often these are the same things as the national brands, repacked for the store. I'm in Canada, and I have had very good luck with the Safeway, Co-op (Harmonie or Co-op Gold), Costco (Kirkland), Shoppers Drug Mart (Life), and Superstore (President's Choice) brands. Check to see what's on sale.

CLOTHING:

- Make a priority list. Things you need for work go at the top of the list; basics like a certain colour pants or shoes. Buy the best quality you can of these items first. (Unless you work somewhere that your clothes get wrecked quickly, in which case go cheap). Buy these at a workwear store to get the best material. For some reason it is ridiculously hard to find women's trousers that are not made out of flimsy fabric! I have had really good luck with Dockers.

- For work shoes: I wear a size 8 shoe, which is the same as a boy's 6. I go to the school uniform shops and buy lace-up black Oxfords - they are sturdy and comfortable and look decent for work. Again, women's shoes are often flimsy and that drives me nuts. Look for shoes that can be repaired - as long as the upper holds together you can re-sole and re-heel shoes for less than $10. If you are on your feet all day it is WORTH IT to get really good shoes. If your feet are sore your whole outlook sours, and you can end up with long term injuries to your joints and back too.

- Thrift stores can be great sources for cheap clothes - probably more for women than men. I often find items that are brand new - either they didn't fit the way someone wanted or the style changed. Men's clothes seem to be more worn out though.

- Consignment stores are worth checking out, but are often overpriced. I have had NO luck at outlet type stores like Winners (if I am going to spend an hour sorting through blouses I want to spend 25 cents, not $25), but your mileage may vary.

- In general look for clothes that are well made in classic styles, and try to keep to a few colours that mix and match well (and that suit you! It doesn't matter if a colour is "the new black" if it makes you look like a corpse).

- If you are in a job that requires you to "keep up with fashion" (some sales and office jobs), try to use smaller pieces like jewellery, scarves, or other accessories to update the basic outfits. People notice those and not the jacket you're wearing.

- learn to mend and/or alter clothing to fit you; mending is important so that you won't lose a whole outfit because the pants seam came undone.

- take care of your clothes; hand wash items that need it and make sure to take care of small repairs before they turn into large unfixable ones.

- Invest in a clothes drying rack to save money on dryers and for the hand wash items.

- Use cold water for laundry. Exception: White t-shirts. Use warm water for these or they end up grey. (It frankly doesn't matter if your socks and undies turn grey but if it's something people can see you want to avoid that).

ENTERTAINMENT:

- Pot luck dinners. TV night with friends. Books from the library. Share books, DVDs and jigsaw puzzles with friends. Find a hobby instead of going shopping out of boredom. Share a hobby with friends. Go hiking in your city or in nearby parks. Join a book club. Take a course at your local recreation centre or county extension (cost per class is usually way less than you'd spend to see a movie or go for dinner - sometimes they are even free).

TRANSPORTATION:

- Check the prices of monthly transit passes or books of tickets.
- Car pool with coworkers or friends
- Consider a bike! (Used bikes are good places to start - mine cost $5 at a church bazaar and I have 1000 miles on it )
- Don't assume you *have* to have a car of your own. There may be other options.

GIFT GIVING:

- If you have anyone in your life who considers the size of the gift to indicate the depth of affection, go slap them. Now.
- Make gifts or invite people to come to events with you instead of buying something expensive.
- Baskets of small gifts are fun to put together and really wonderful to receive.

- Movie basket - a couple of DVDs (secondhand even); popcorn & treats; maybe a blanket for cuddling on the couch.
- Pet basket - toys and treays for the family pet; watching the critters play is fun for their people as well
- Gardener Basket - a garden catalog; new tools; gloves; gift certificate for an hour of your time to help weed or to mow the lawn; a little windchime or suncatcher

HEALTH:

- Exercise to keep yourself healthy and to reduce your stress. (Biking is my thing; walking the dog - borrowed from neighbours if need be! - gardening, playing with kids, dancing, or running may be yours).

- Consider taking a vitamin/mineral supplement just in case your diet isn't always the best. I also take fish oil capsules and a Vitamin B complex because these are both very good for stress. The store brand ones are probably fine, don't feel you have to spend $100 at a vitamin store! Anything is better than nothing.


I'm sure I'll think of more... I like the other ideas that are coming up in the thread!

[AdminAssistant]

BT and I hardly ever go out to eat - but we're both kinda homebodies anyway. Rather just hang out, cuddle on the couch, watch a movie.

There's a Half-Price Books in town, and it's always my first stop for books. (I've had mixed experiences with movies/music). I've found textbooks there, and considering I'm in upper-level grad classes, that's saying something.

And tonight, I'm having people over, and instead of the usual smorgasbord of home-made goodies, I went very very simple. Chocolate dipped some strawberries, made Rocky Road Rice Krispies, homemade salsa, chips, popcorn, and some pizzas. BYOB. And if you like to hit the sauce occasionally, I find that local stuff is usually cheaper, and sometimes tastier, than the national brands. Example - BT recently had me try some Kansas whiskey - and it was smooth with just a hint of an afterburn. He said it was about half as much as a bottle of Jack. And you're supporting local companies.

If you do go out - go to lunch or just split appetizers. Save entertainment money for truly special occasions - theatre tickets, concerts, art exhibits. Usually not much more than a night at the movies and a much better experience.

Meals - buy veggies and fruit!! Yes, it's cheaper to eat Ramen, but your body needs the nutrients and fiber. And I second the vitamin recommendation - I like the Women's One-a-Day complete multivitamin.

[fireheart]

My list of tips (full-time student)

-For clothing, stick to discount department stores (in Australia, they'd be ones like Kmart and Big W) i.e. not $2 shops, but still cheap-ish. More often you can get block coloured shirts or pants for a good price and they can be used to layer or mix and match.
-Start a little herb box. The herbs themselves are only a few dollars from your local garden shop. (I'm growing parsley, sage, basil, rosemary and mint, the first three are in one box, the other two are in their own pots) If you decide to grow mint or rosemary, my advice would be to place them in their own pots-they swamp everything. They can be used to flavour dishes, make teas or in the case of the latter two, be used as potpourri.
-Buy clothing accessories that can be used in more than one way. A scarf that can be used for a headband or a belt for example. A sarong could be converted into a top as well as a skirt or a dress. There's a certain type of strapless top that I see in some places that can be worn as a skirt as well as a top.
-Like others have said, bring your lunch in from home instead of buying your lunch. Or if you work in a supermarket or in a place that has fresh fruit, veggies etc. a few people I know will make their own salad rolls which usually cost them all of $3. (most of us are part-timers)
-Shop around for big-ticket items. Compare prices and what will work out better in the long run.
-If you can, learn some basic home skills such as sewing-it'll be cheaper to repair those old clothes than take them to a dressmaker. Especially if you need to replace buttons.
-Shop around for deals on things like movies, arcades etc.
-If you can, try and catch public transport to major events rather than relying on the car. Or carpool if you can. (I know some people can't use public transport to get to work or uni) Set up something with work.

Australia isn't hitting the recession quite yet, but we're feeling the crunch, so we're being careful.

[Boggles]

I'm a big fan of Martin Lewis - Money Saving Expert

Very British orientated but there is plenty of sound advice there.

With groceries, don;t try immediatly dropping to the cheapest option. You are more likely to change buying habits permenantly if you downgrade one level. So if you would usually buy premium, switch to regular. If you usually buy regular, switch to own brand and so on.

Going shopping when hungry is a bad idea.

Going shopping just before closing means you can get a lot of stuff reduced which is fine for freezing.

Take a shopping list with you and stick to it.

Use leftovers for lunches/ extra meals. For example, i roasted a chicken today even tho there is only me. I've had roast chicken today and will have chicken sandwiches tomorrow. Tomorrow night i'll make chicken pie for the freezer and the carcass will be turned into chicken soup for lunches later in the week.

If you are in the UK, register for Quidco http://www.quidco.co.uk to get cashback on your online purchases. In America, try googling Big Crumbs or FatWallet. 9No idea what they are like as I've never used them)

And finally whenever a contract comes up for renewal, be it phones, insurance or whatever, the renewal price is never the best option. Most insurance companies send out annual renewals only a week before the due date so you haven't time to shop around. Diary for a month before the date and you have time then to check out comparison sites adn so on for the cheapest deal. And quite often, ringing your current insurer up to see if they will price match another company's offer works.

[Boggles]

I forgot to add the Golden Rule:

It's only a bargain if it is something that you need and would be buying anyway.

[edible_hat]

Once a month or so I google for free samples, and they usually arrive within a week. Teabags, coffee, etc. Most are one per household but if you find one that's one per person, get each person in the house to apply for it. (But this might put you on a direct marketing list)

Also, just using the Internet to search for bargains. For Australians, http://www.lasoo.com.au/portal/ lists pretty much everything that's on sale at every store.

We booked the hotel for our wedding night through http://www.wotif.com/ $500 rack rate at a 5-star hotel... $198 for the night, including Wotif's fee.

ETA: Also, I keep seeing ads about people who have saved $500 on their car insurance... when I got my insurance, I shopped around and $500 is my entire annual premium.

[draftermatt]

My wife is a nurse, so she's recession proof. Therefore we haven't had to do some things or go to great lengths, but we're still trying to save money, get out of debt, etc.

1. Lunches are either Ramen, Tuna, PB&J, or leftovers

2. We don't really go out to dinner anymore, maybe once in a blue moon. (Valentine's Day, but probably not again till her Birthday)

3. If we order dinner out it becomes lunch/dinner for the next few days.

4. Trips out are combined so we don't have to make several trips

5. When we need to gas up a vehicle we combine that with other trips so we're not burning gas just to get gas.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I'd add for clothing tips:

Teen girl stores. Yes, you may feel a bit out of place, but clothing stores that are aimed at teenage girls are a great place to buy cheap socks, bags, jewelry, makeup etc. Just cuz there's a crunch doesn't mean you can't treat yourself. Plus you can pick up cheap tops and black trousers there.

Boy's trainers. It's weird, but boy's trainers are usually really hardwearing and a lot cheaper than girl's trainers.

Charity shops. As well as clothing, you can buy books there, and shoes. Charity shops in the rich parts of town are a goldmine. XD

Above all, do not turn your nose up at stores like QS, Peacock's etc that sell cheapo clothes. A lot of the time, the clothes are well made and just as good as expensive brands; in any case, if you buy a skirt for a fiver you won't mind as much if it wears out in six months as you would if you'd spent £50. Markets are also good, if you fancy a knockoff that looks designer. XD