1
Living Room / Re: Going Into Frugality Mode -- What are your Tricks and Tips
« on: January 27, 2009, 06:39 AM »
I happen to know these circumstances very well, so here are my 2 cents (they're free ;-):
* If you don't need a car, then don't buy one / get rid of it. Especially when you live in a city, you can opt for this & choose public transport. If there is an occasions when you do need one, just ask a friend or family and offer to pay for the gasoline (most of the time they won't accept that offer).
* Do all your groceries in a cheap store (we've got Aldi & Lidl here in Europe) and don't buy other stuff than what you need and buy there.
* Cook yourself, and don't go out eating.
* Recreational activities: do something with your friends without spending (much) money. For example: organize poker nights, those are cheap + you can win something too). If you organize such activities at your home, make a pot & share all costs (drinks, chips, etc...)
* Limit or refrain from doing unnecessary expenses: no theatre, cinema, buying music. Don't be afraid to use the internet as entertainment channel & get rid of your cable tv. Download your music & video from the nets (+ there's a lot of free & legal stuff too on the net).
* Do not buy new stuff if it isn't broken yet. Don't upgrade your computer, etc.
* Stimulate a cheap hobby, for example: digital photography, walking, reading, writing ; put a stop on hobbies that cost you (gym membership, etc.). Go to the library in stead of buying books.
* Turn out lights, close doors, get rid of lightbulbs & choose the less power hungry variants.
* Sell stuff you dont need on ebay.
* Track your expenses & evaluate what costs you too much, get rid of that / replace it with something cheaper but equally valuable.
* If you don't need a car, then don't buy one / get rid of it. Especially when you live in a city, you can opt for this & choose public transport. If there is an occasions when you do need one, just ask a friend or family and offer to pay for the gasoline (most of the time they won't accept that offer).
* Do all your groceries in a cheap store (we've got Aldi & Lidl here in Europe) and don't buy other stuff than what you need and buy there.
* Cook yourself, and don't go out eating.
* Recreational activities: do something with your friends without spending (much) money. For example: organize poker nights, those are cheap + you can win something too). If you organize such activities at your home, make a pot & share all costs (drinks, chips, etc...)
* Limit or refrain from doing unnecessary expenses: no theatre, cinema, buying music. Don't be afraid to use the internet as entertainment channel & get rid of your cable tv. Download your music & video from the nets (+ there's a lot of free & legal stuff too on the net).
* Do not buy new stuff if it isn't broken yet. Don't upgrade your computer, etc.
* Stimulate a cheap hobby, for example: digital photography, walking, reading, writing ; put a stop on hobbies that cost you (gym membership, etc.). Go to the library in stead of buying books.
* Turn out lights, close doors, get rid of lightbulbs & choose the less power hungry variants.
* Sell stuff you dont need on ebay.
* Track your expenses & evaluate what costs you too much, get rid of that / replace it with something cheaper but equally valuable.