Your Worldwide Guide To Saving Money.

Frugal Living Benefits Our Planet Too

2008-11-15T13:50:00.004+00:00

Frugal living can also be about living a life that makes your impact on the natural resources of our world as minimal as possible. By reducing consumption of goods, you reduce the materials taken from the planet to produce such goods, the oil used to transport those goods and the impact of disposing of products when they are no longer needed or have been used. When you switch to using low energy light bulbs or using alternative forms of transport you can help to reduce the energy consumption that causes climate change and of course you are saving money too!

Cut Transport Costs and Use a Bicycle

2008-11-15T13:24:00.002+00:00

Cut transport costs easily and use a bicycle! Yes, sounds obvious but you can significantly reduce your outgoings by choosing a bike over buying bus tickets or using a car that costs money in petrol, insurance, tax and maintenance. As more and more towns and cities around the world become increasingly bike friendly, use this as a way to reduce costs and keep healthy.

Are Energy Saving Light Bulbs... Really Energy Saving?

2007-10-21T21:13:00.000+01:00

This question came up at my work. The initial answer was,,, well obviously, they use less energy than standard light bulbs, that's the whole point of them. Then the following was said... standard light bulbs give off a LOT of heat into the room they are in, energy saving light bulbs do not give off heat. Using energy saving light bulbs may well mean that central heating is turned up (to keep the room warm). The increase in energy used (and increased cost) of turning central heating up may mean that in fact MORE energy is consumed (and money spent) by using energy saving light bulbs than by using standard light bulbs, that give out both light and heat.
What do you think?

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Basic Savings

2007-10-09T21:27:00.000+01:00

OK... this may be obvious to many people, but I reckon in life it's best not to assume anything.

Here is a simple way to save money quickly...

Use supermarket carrier bags as rubbish bags (therefore you spend no cash on rubbish bags and the carrier bags have a double use, saving the earth's resources).

This may be a small saving, however small savings (like the ones you can read about on this website) soon add up to one big saving...and this means extra cash in your pocket, without extra working hours.

Maximise Your Income

2007-10-06T10:55:00.000+01:00

If you live in one of the following countries (United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway), you may well be entitled to financial support from your government. There has been a trend over the last decade for state benefit entitlement becoming applicable to a wider and wider range of the population, including those who are employed. Benefits can take the form of support with housing costs, tax credits, family allowances, child care subsidy etc.

Check what you are entitled to by visiting your tax authority or social security website.

Make A Shopping List...And Stick To It

2007-10-06T10:35:00.000+01:00

Shopping for food takes up a large part of most people's monthly expenditure. Stores spend a lot of time and money coming up with ways to encourage you to spend more. This is why essential goods such as bread and milk are often far away from the entrance to a store, meaning you have to walk past all the shelves, fridges and freezers to get these essentials...and then walk past all the shelves, fridges and freezers again to get to the checkout and exit.

To make sure you stick to your food shopping budget, make a list and stick to it. Easily done, but it is amazing how many people get hooked into buying more. Not sticking to a shoping list is why the bill at the checkout turns out to be higher than you thought it would be.

Save on Printer Ink Cartridges

2007-10-05T23:49:00.000+01:00

Printer ink cartridges are horrendously expensive.

When you only want to print a section of a web page (and not the whole thing with links, menus, headers and footers etc). Follow these simple steps:

1. Click and then drag your mouse across the part of the webpage you want printing out. This will highlight what will be printed out.

2. At the top of your screen, click on File, then select Print.

3. A box will open with a Print Menu. Select 'Page Range' and then click 'Selection'. Then click 'Print'.

This little tip will give you the print outs you need, without wasting ink and make your printer cartridges last a whole lot longer!

Some Thoughts On Frugal Living

2007-10-05T20:55:00.000+01:00

The reason I started this blog was because I want to raise some cash for longer term goals in my life and thought it might be interesting to share my experience and what I've learnt.

To achieve extra cash, my choices (like many other people) are to work more hours to get more cash or make my existing income go further, therefore leaving more cash at the end of the month.

There is plenty of work available that I could do in addition to my main job in my local area. However, I have chosen to use tried and tested frugal living methods (within my existing income) to live a comfortable life for less money, whilst maintaining the level of free time I currently have.

For me, being frugal is not about being mean or anything to do with self-denial (as I have said in previous posts), rather I see it as being a savvy consumer who tries as much as possible not to waste anything; food, money, electricity, gas etc.

In my life, the reason for frugality is extra cash for goals beyond day-to-day living. An additional benefit is doing my bit in not wasting the Earth's resources.

Save Cash Instantly by Ditching Brand Names

2007-10-03T20:05:00.000+01:00

In my experience in 90% of cases, a stores own brand product is just as good as the top name brands of the same product. This applies to food, many drinks and household goods. Often the products are in fact identical, made in the same factory and simply packaged in different ways. Why pay more for packaging? This is an easy and instant way to save on your daily costs and have extra money in your pocket at the end of the day.

Quick, tasty and cheap packed lunch

2007-10-01T20:46:00.000+01:00

Always take your own luch to work. Unless it's free it is never cheaper to buy your lunch at work.

Sandwiches for lunch can get a bit boring I reckon. One cheap, tasty and quick packed lunch is this.

Make your own coleslaw (it's easy but if you haven't the time buy large cheap tubs of coleslaw) and have with cold meats such as chicken.

If you buy tubs of coleslaw (500g are a good size), once empty, why not wash them out and use them as lunch boxes!

Really Frugal Alcohol

2007-10-01T20:25:00.000+01:00

This tip may not go down to well with everyone, but what the heck (I do actually do this).

Add water to bottles of spirits to make them go further (such as vodka or whisky). After the first drink I forget and don't care anyway ;-)

Public Transport

2007-10-01T20:19:00.000+01:00

To cut the cost of public transport ask the following of your local transport companies or transport authority:

1. Are you entitled to any discount travel scheme for reasons such as your age, being a student, having health difficulties, having a low income etc? You may be pleasantly surprised at what you can save in your local area.

2. Is there a cheaper way to travel regular journeys than buying single or return tickets, such as weekly, monthly or annual 'season tickets'?

3. Is it cheaper to purchase any tickets online via the internet?

Food Storage

2007-09-30T12:08:00.000+01:00

Wash out and keep food containers (such as the plastic pots coleslaw come in and ice cream tubs) then use them for storing food and packed lunches.

Ebay on Your High Street

2007-09-30T11:50:00.001+01:00

Charity or thrift shops are a gold mine for finding items for your home. From teapots to trinkets, make use of the high street equivalent of ebay!

Check Your Savings

2007-09-30T11:49:00.000+01:00

Move any savings around high interets savings accounts, don't let them get stuck when they could be making you more money.

Old Envelopes

2007-09-30T11:48:00.000+01:00

Use old envelopes for making lists and taking phone messages.

Flat Cola

2007-09-30T11:47:00.000+01:00

Use left over flat cola to clean your toilet, it works great.

Back to College

2007-09-30T11:35:00.001+01:00

Check out if you have a local college that runs catering courses. They may offer cheap meals out and cheap goods to buy and take home.

Vending Machines

2007-09-30T11:34:00.000+01:00

This may be an obvious one, but avoid vending machines, they are very expensive. Take your own food and drink with you from home.

Frozen Food

2007-09-30T11:33:00.000+01:00

Keep your freezer full. A half empty freezer uses electricity to keep empty space frozen. Pick up reduced freezable foods (such as meat) and store them ready for when you need them.

Markets

2007-09-30T11:32:00.001+01:00

Visit you local food market about an hour before it closes, this is when you can get the best bargains.

Save on Drinks

2007-09-30T11:20:00.000+01:00

What I am talking about here is saving money on alcohol. If you enjoy a drink, it will save you lots of cash if you buy alcohol from low cost supermarkets and not from a liquor store or off license. Add in a bottle of cheap wine or supermarket own brand beer when you do your grocery shopping. This way you can have a drink when you feel like, without having to go to expensive shops.

Top 10 Frugal Tips

2007-09-30T11:04:00.000+01:00

1. Get Organised
The most important thing you need to do to save on spending and therefore have extra cash is get organised about it. This means, shopping around for the best deals and planning what you need to buy. By planning what you need to buy, you can get the goods and services you need at the lowest price. An example of this is making sure all food you need is bought from the cheapest shops in good time, therefore you don't need to pop round to the local late night – and much more expensive – shop.

2. Don’t be mean
Being frugal does not mean being mean. It is quite possible to be generous to yourself and others without being wasteful.

3. Ignore adverts
Adverts and marketing work, that’s why so much money is spent on them by companies. Living frugal means switching off to adverts and spending your money in a wise and intelligent way.

4. Use the internet
Great deals are often, but not always, found on the internet. When purchasing an expensive item it is worth looking round high street shops and then once you have decided what to buy searching for the best deal online.

5. Be creative
There are lots of opportunities to cut the amount you spend. Selecting the right brands of food and drink, looking at how much you are paying for gas, electric, telephone etc. Changing your bank to an account with a better interest rate.

6. Avoid credit cards
Although credit cards have their uses for some people, on the whole they are the most expensive way of purchasing goods and services.

7. Shop smart for food
The way to reduce the amount you spend on essential items (such as food) is to buy the majority of it from lower cost supermarkets. For foods that have a very long shelf life, buy in larger quantities as this is usual the cheapest “per portion.” Make a list and stick to it. Finally, don’t go food shopping when you are hungry, eat first.

8. Shop smart for cleaning products
Vinegar is very effective at cleaning glass. It is much cheaper than glass cleaning products and when mixed half and half with water works really well. For other household cleaning products try One Pound or Dollar shops as they often sell the same products as supermarkets but at a lower price.

9. Plan for Christmas
Don’t leave your Christmas shopping until December. By shopping for Christmas throughout the year you can get great bargains as they are available. Store your purchases ready for Christmas. This can save a lot of money.

10. Check your finances
Mistakes happen all the time. Check you’re on the correct Tax code, check your pay slips and check you bank statements.

Frugality - a definition

2007-09-30T10:37:00.000+01:00

Wikipedia defines frugality as:
“Frugality (also known as thrift or thriftiness), often confused with cheapness or miserliness, is a traditional value, life style, or belief system, in which individuals practice both restraint in the acquiring of and resourceful use of economic goods and services in order to achieve lasting and more fulfilling goals. In a money-based economy, frugality emphasizes economical use of money meeting long term personal, familial, and communal desires”.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frugality