By: John Schmoll
In reply to <a href="https://www.frugalrules.com/save-money-every-month/#comment-204783">Barbara</a>.
Great point, Barbara. They definitely can be.
By: Barbara
Alcohol and gambling are sometimes silent financial destroyers. There is help available for free if needed.
By: Pam
In reply to <a href="https://www.frugalrules.com/save-money-every-month/#comment-203495">Pat</a>.
Pat, THAT is the way to “cut the cord”! Me, too with DVDs or read.
Netflix, etc that others are espousing still cost in addition to internet. Cable companies got wind & have changed their pricing to bundling (just getting WiFi now not so cheap in CA anyway)
By: John Schmoll
In reply to <a href="https://www.frugalrules.com/save-money-every-month/#comment-203495">Pat</a>.
All great options to save money. Just goes to show you that it doesn't take much effort if you want to cut back.
By: Pat
Bought an old DVD player Rent movies from library also books. Prep and freeze food when on sale. Unplug appliances when not in use. Bundle my errands for errand day. Saves gas. Drive slower. Eat out less . Stay home and work on hobbies. Make gifts for family. Have a dog. Exercise and entertainment! Grow a garden. Compost food waste in old kitty litter bucket. Saves on garden soil. Water down cleaners! Use baking soda and vinegar. Wear clothes two days unless dirty.Cut down on portion sizes. Read a good nutrition book! (I lost 20 lbs effortlessly!) Reduce meat. Check out spices beans and rice aren't bad.
By: John Schmoll
In reply to <a href="https://www.frugalrules.com/save-money-every-month/#comment-189049">Rene'</a>.
Thanks so much for the kind words Rene. Sorry to hear about that. Having gone through divorce myself (my parents got divorced when I was 15), I know it can be a challenge...to put it very lightly. That said, it sounds like you have a great attitude - which is what so much of it comes down to. Great work on cutting the cord, you'll love the savings. :) Thanks as well for sharing your saving ideas - just proof there's many ways to save!
By: Rene'
I just have to tell you how much I appreciate your site! I recently went through a divorce after 25 years of marriage which ended up forcing me into bankruptcy, on TOP of losing that second income. It was EXTREMELY painful given I have always prided myself on paying my bills on time and having a credit score in the 700's. BUT rather than beat myself up, I have decided to look at it as a fresh start on life, and part of that is getting a firm hold on my finances, building up a savings and investments towards retirement. Luckily, frugal is something I've always been, but I know there are always new ways or things I've never thought of. Thanks to your site, I "cut the cord" with DirecTV today! I already had a PS4 plus a Roku in my bedroom, so it was very easy to make the switch to Playstation Vue. Even with their most expensive package, Netflix and Hulu, I'm still saving nearly $150 a month!! WOWZA!
Thought I'd share a couple of frugal tips that have worked for me - call it giving back. :)
If a store you shop at has a discount card or an app that offers coupons/discounts (Target Cartwheel is a good example) - GET IT - it's free! I use one at my Ralph's grocery store (Kroger is part of the same chain). Here are some ways I get amazing deals!
**See a great price on something with your store discount card? Maybe you can get it even cheaper! Check the store's app to see if there are additional discounts using their digital coupons. You can also combine with manufacturer's coupons for even bigger savings. Using this method, I have even gotten items for free!
**Many grocery stores will mail you coupons based on the purchases you make with your store card. Ralph's mails me coupons at least a couple of times per month, sometimes for free items I buy often. I hold onto these coupons until the item has a great sale. You can combine these coupons with store sales, digital AND manufacturer coupons to get items for pennies - sometimes free!
**My Ralph's app has a "free Friday download" every week. Check your store's Facebook page, website or app to see if they do something similar. For Ralph's, the download to your store card must occur on that Friday, but you have up to two weeks to claim the freebie (I have gotten everything from rice to protein bars to juice. I often use these freebies in conjunction with other sale items when planning meals).
**Check to see if your store has a clearance rack where I routinely find items up to 90% off. I normally find them in the back of the store, but if you aren't sure, ask a manager. This is also a good place to use coupons! YES, most stores will allow coupons (digital or otherwise) on an item even if it's marked down significantly. Also check the produce, meat and bakery departments for mark-down items. Also watch as you go down the aisles for clearance stickers on the sleves. I recently found cat food that usually sells for $12 a bag marked own to $2.37 because they were discontinuing the flavor - AND I had a $.50 off coupon!
**Yes, it takes some time, but I highly recommend checking your store's app for discounts/digital coupons (if offered) on every item you put in your cart, especially if there are several different brands for the item you need. Even if the shelf tag makes it seem like one brand is the best deal, another might be even cheaper if you check the store app. Some places, like Target, even have a bar code scanner built in so it's easy to check for coupons. (Don't forget those end caps of discount merchandise at Target!)
**If someone in front of me in line says they don't have a store card, I offer to let them use mine. They get a discount, but in return, I get more dollars in purchases applied to MY card. Ralph's offers a discount on gas (from $.20 to $1.00!) at Shell stations based on the total of your purchases. Why not let someone else's groceries get you there faster while also saving them money?
I hope these tips might help someone else who perhaps is in the same boat I'm in. Living frugal is definitely something that should be shared, so THANKS once again, John, for offering this great site!
By: John Schmoll
In reply to <a href="https://www.frugalrules.com/save-money-every-month/#comment-188590">Anita K.</a>.
Thanks for the kind words Anita! Teaching fundamental money management is such a huge issue, so glad you found it helpful. :)
By: Anita K.
Enjoyed this post, and the comments were inspiring too. I teach high school, and I am thinking of including this link as "required reading" for a section I am teaching on "Real Life after High school." Thank you.
By: John Schmoll
In reply to <a href="https://www.frugalrules.com/save-money-every-month/#comment-187946">Paul Lee</a>.
Awesome work Paul! Just further proof it doesn't take that much work to save some money around the house.