[blueoctober]

Some of you know that I got myself in some serious financial trouble after being on medical leave for 8 months and shopping way too much. I thought I'd start a thread where we could share money saving tips. Here are mine:

I started to go grey very early (high school), so I have been dying my hair for many, many years. I would go to my regular stylist who I LOVE, but it was expensive and since my hair grows so fast I had to go back once a month. 2 months ago I started to go to a school for hairstylists and the students have done a great job (better than my regular stylist). It costs me only $35! I also get a punch card where every 5th service is free and if I rebook the day of my appointment I get 15% off my next appointment.

The school is downtown, so my parking costs half as much as the service!!!

I also go to a esthetics school to get my "pedique" done and it costs half as much as a "real" salon and the students have always done a great job.

[BlackPup]

I'm a cheat, i do my hair out of a box $16, or if I wan't something more complicated get my friend to do it...
m tip, don't buy stuff till you need it (unless it's on a really good special)
only buy specials/multibuys etc if you need it, are going to use it AND can store it!!!
With my mania induced shopping crazes, i let myself get one "project" that's not to expensive then don't buy anything else till I've finished with the first.

[owllover99]

I finally started getting my hair cut at a real salon. But I do not color my hair and I'm 57 now. Most of my clothes come from thrift stores. I do splurge and get Lee Riders jeans. I shop for food at Wal-mart. If I go to Kohls, I immediately go to the 80% off place. I love garage sales. When I did wear make-up, I went to the stores that everything is $1 and got it (except lipstick). I'm married now and feel like I"m living high on the hog because I bought new towels ($5 a piece at Wal-mart). Ok, I'll quit. Saving money has been a necessity and a joy for me. It's stupid to waste it.

I always keep some snacks in my car ( trail mix or chex mix) and take a small cooler bag with a drink & ice pak so I won't be tempted to stop at Dunkin Donuts or any other drive thru. Saves on calories too.I have also started to color my own hair. L'oreal makes the best color products hands down!

[PT52]

It just occurred to me today that where I volunteer is at the mall, and I have to drive right by Old Navy and Ross on my way out....AND I haven't stopped in either yet!!! That has definitely saved me a bunch of money!

[blueoctober]

Thanks for the tip roxiesmom!

[blueoctober]

Good for you PT52!

[Yoda]

Somebody had a similar thread a few months ago and somebody posted a link to https://www.angelfoodministries.com/ I ordered a box of food from them and was happy with the quality and the cost.

[blueoctober]

Thanks Yoda.

[blueoctober]

Thanks BlackPup.

[BlackPup]

I have canned soup, museli bars and tubs of fruit in my desk draw at work for lunch/snacks to avoid the candy machine.... I also keep herbal tea so that I can have something to drink that has flavour...

[owllover99]

I guess nobody liked my tips of saving money.

[PT52]

Of course we like your tips, owl! Walmart is the #1 place to save money - and I don't care if some people think it's evil, maybe they can afford to spend more! We have a pretty lame mall, but we do have Kohl's - I keep a Kohl's credit card just so I can take advantage of the really good sales.

I've been cutting and coloring my own hair for years - mostly because I can't stand to have strangers touch me. And I avoid thrift shops and garage sales particularly for clothes because I freak at the thought of where the clothes have been (other stuff, too like dishes, but mostly clothes). I start getting all kinds of creepy thoughts, so I just quit trying.

So, yeah - great ideas!!

There are a lot of things I do that I never really thought about because I learned from my grandmother and my mother. When my grandmother passed away, I got everyday things (like 100% cotton pillowcases) that were anywhere from 40 to 60 years old; she had taken really good care of them and so they rarely needed to be replaced.

Anyway, proud of you for being thrifty! And you're right - even people who have money to throw around should consider the impact being wasteful has on the environment...and maybe they should think more about the people in the world who literally have nothing - not even fresh water.

[eskielover]

owllover99,

I just saw this thread....you sound like me.....57 & oh well....so what if there's gray in my hair. Makeup I haven't worn for so many years & can't stand to put stuff on my face now because it feels like I'm being suffocated.....that saves so much money. My hair is shoulder length & I just wrap it up & stick a cute barette or something to hold it in place & I get more compliments than I ever did with wearing my hair long.....that saves on having to have it cut also.

I do have one splurge which is my horses & I'm trying to figure out a way to get them here to where I live so my board bills aren't so high. My animals are my children & I believe that when we take them on as a commitment, we follow through.......so my 6 dogs also add to my feeding bill each month. As for me, all I spend the rest of my money on is food, my bills each month & saving for property taxes & other taxes. Seems that emergencies hit & take all the savings that I accomplish away.......so have quite a bit of struggling.

They never say anything about financially induced anorexia.....but there are times when the food is the last thing I have money for. I do shop for easy to make food because otherwise, I probably wouldn't eat....it also has to be good tasting food that I enjoy otherwise, I wouldn't bother to eat either......so food is definitely an issues each month.

I only do my grocery shopping once a month.....when I go into shop food at Walmart, I don't go into the other areas of the store because too many things just call to me as 'I needs'.

I don't do much driving because my truck is a "gas hog" & can only afford to fill it up once a month.

I budget everything & make sure that the money is there for all the bills & make sure to pay them ON TIME so there are no late charges tacked on or overcharge costs at the bank.....that can really eat up your money fast & get absolutely NOTHING FOR IT.

I so splurge once in a while on my hobby which is beading....find some beads & things that I just can't resist for a project....but I have so much project material now that I don't need anything more than things for gifts I end up making which I can't make out of what I have....but most things I can make with what I have by buying only a few extra pieces.

I agree with the don't buy multiples of things you really don't need just because it's on a sale price. It really doesn't cost that much more later on that you won't be better off buying it later.

Cloths, I always buy on sale or at Walmart now, but in reality, I have so many cloths from previous years spending sprees that I don't need to really buy anything. I sometimes get the $10 off coupon on $10 or more at JCPennys & I go there to find whatever I can find that costs as close to $10 as I can find. I actually used that coupon to purchase a pair of pants that I needed for my volunteer work at the World Equestrian Games.....pants only ended up costing me $9.00....now that I can handle some months.

Also, if there have been people who have cheated you.....don't fear about going to small claims to get the money....it doesn't always work, but I just went after the guy who took my money for fencing & did nothing......got the judgment & the court said I could file a criminal charge if he didn't pay.....that was incentive to get him to really pay, so that money will be coming in soon (just in time for property tax due).

Every once in awhile I just need to watch a movie.....I find a $5 movie at Walmart that I know I will enjoy watching more than one time. I only splurge on that once every few months.

Budget the money you know you have to pay & if all else, move it so a safe account that you can't access through check or debit.....then move it over as necessary to pay the bills. Analize where you are & how much is left over after the bills are paid & that is how much you have to work with. If you do go shopping, take a calculator with you & add it up as you go, not at the checkout register. Know your limit & don't go over it. If you don't have the money, don't even tempt yourself by browsing.

[Laurie1041]

Thanks so much for bringing up the subject of saving money! After my last manic episode (I go on shopping sprees), my mom offered to become my trustee and I agreed to going to a lawyer to have the necessary documents prepared. My mom pays for all of my living expenses and we agreed to an amount of cash that I get each week for incidentals. This has proven to be the only way that I can protect what little money I have in the event of a future manic episode. If I could only undo the past and reclaim all the money I spent on mania-fueled spending! But that's not possible so all I can do is to forgive myself and move on.

I save money by only buying what is absolutely necessary and discussing possible purchases through my support team before I make a final decision. Fortunately, I have no access to debit cards, credit cards, checks, etc. I buy my food at Trader Joes using "gift" cards that my mom gives me every week. As I write this, I realize I must sound like a teenager, but I am 50 years old! But in my case, after racking up nearly $60,000 on credit cards and going through $80,000 in cash (in 4 months), having my mom as my trustee has given me tools to spend money wisely. It is my intention to take over the responsibility of paying my own bills when I have been able to attain 12 or more months of a stable mood. So far, I have had stable moods for one month now and am actively engaged in a wellness and recovery program. I am crossing my fingers!

Originally Posted by Laurie1041

Thanks so much for bringing up the subject of saving money! After my last manic episode (I go on shopping sprees), my mom offered to become my trustee and I agreed to going to a lawyer to have the necessary documents prepared. My mom pays for all of my living expenses and we agreed to an amount of cash that I get each week for incidentals. This has proven to be the only way that I can protect what little money I have in the event of a future manic episode. If I could only undo the past and reclaim all the money I spent on mania-fueled spending! But that's not possible so all I can do is to forgive myself and move on.

I save money by only buying what is absolutely necessary and discussing possible purchases through my support team before I make a final decision. Fortunately, I have no access to debit cards, credit cards, checks, etc. I buy my food at Trader Joes using "gift" cards that my mom gives me every week. As I write this, I realize I must sound like a teenager, but I am 50 years old! But in my case, after racking up nearly $60,000 on credit cards and going through $80,000 in cash (in 4 months), having my mom as my trustee has given me tools to spend money wisely. It is my intention to take over the responsibility of paying my own bills when I have been able to attain 12 or more months of a stable mood. So far, I have had stable moods for one month now and am actively engaged in a wellness and recovery program. I am crossing my fingers!

Hi- We are about the same age with very similiar stories with the money & can relate to your feelings about how it is tough to forgive yourself.That was very smart of you to give your mother control. So many times I would think- I will never do that again with the credit cards only to do it again & again. Now I realize that I had no control over it. Well, better late than never. I finally have an answer with my BP II diagnosis and I'm looking forward to a much better future. Thanks for sharing your story.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by owllover99

I guess nobody liked my tips of saving money.

Sorry owllover I forgot to post a thank-you to you too. Thank-you for your post.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by Laurie1041

After my last manic episode (I go on shopping sprees), my mom offered to become my trustee and I agreed to going to a lawyer to have the necessary documents prepared.
I save money by only buying what is absolutely necessary and discussing possible purchases through my support team before I make a final decision.

Good for you Laurie! My debt got me a $60,000 consolidation loan. I still struggle at times with spending money on things I don't need, but I don't have access to any credit and with a $1300.00 debt repayment each month it doesn't leave much for splurges.

Thanks for your honest post. I often feel VERY guilty about the mess I got myself in and it helped to hear that I'm not the only one.

Though I've certainly had my moments of ridiculousness (Ebay, I'm looking at you!), at the core, I'm quite good with being thrifty. Have looked, but can't quite find the exact quote... Goes something like this.... Thrift is the art of doing with one dollar what any bungler can do with two.
Love that. To me, it's about creativity. It doesn't take any creativity whatsoever to buy things. To make something from "nothing", to think of things in new ways, is waaay more interesting. A rush even. (Perhaps this hobby is strange, lol!) Am I relentless about this? No way. BUT, the key to finding enjoyment in it is to consider how much more cleverly things can be done and most importantly, not to think of it as deprivation. Even when the numbers would suggest otherwise. Why say all this? The philosophy of it is easier to remember and apply over a variety of situations.

Philosophy, fine. How about some concrete tips, lady?
When you think of something you need, first consider if you actually do(!) Then consider what else might work that you already have (this is where the creativity part can come in).
More concrete? Fine.
**Bulk buying. Not as in huge volume, but as in, say... bulk spices. Fresher, because you can cater to the kind of quantity you actually use. I use, at most, 3 bay leaves a year. Why buy a whole jar to go flat? Or any boxed/bagged quantity of something you only use infrequently?
**Most of the stuff in the bulk area is much cheaper (but not always! Be not afraid to use the calculator on your phone! ) Learn to recognize the common names of things typically thought of by brand. Like... Cream of Wheat. It's farina. And way flippin' cheaper that way!
**Places like Costco can have great prices (marinated artichoke hearts? sundried tomatoes? Hallelueia!) BUT. Many things are name brand items that are still more expensive than a generic available elsewhere.
**The library!!! We don't have tv. We don't go to the video store. We watch oodles of movies and series on dvd free from the library. Many systems have an online thing where you can get items from other libraries in the system, placing them on hold. All those movies you always meant to watch? No problem. And the best part is that if you don't like it, it didn't cost you anything! (Video stores, for me anyway, would induce fear of *wrong choice* and therefore, I'd take forever and be all stressed out trying to decide.) Oh yeah, and there are books too.
**Avoid browsing. Sure, it seems harmless enough, but it's like crows to the glitter pile. Yeah, Ebay too. (I had to stop because I couldn't stop. Make sense?)

One thing is that I don't have a credit card since the divorce. Debating if I even should. It seems that a lot of situations that called for credit cards before are now do-able with a bank card. In sticking to just the bank card, it is only use-able for what is actually in there. And I refuse to carry a balance. Refuse. Always have. Kept me out a lot of trouble, that one...* So what's the point?

(* To those wondering... yes, in hypomania, I've bought too much and ridiculous things. But it mainly plays out in activity and projects. Wasted money? Oh yeah. Lots. But never money I didn't have. At the time. And of course desperately wished to have back later... )

[PromisesToKeep]

Im glad I kept reading to page two... at first, I was thinking... Amateurs! These people are Amateurs! And then I found a kindred spirit in Laurie1041. Thank God.
One day was $950 in Clinique make-up which is really funny because the only make-up I wear is my permanent eyeliner. I have enough clothes that I literally would be able to wear a new outfit every day for about 18 months without ever doing my dry cleaning (yes, I bought dry clean only like the idiot I am) from Bloomingdales, Macy's, Coldwater Creek, Saks 5th. Everything in my kitchen is professional grade, Henkles (cant put in dishwasher), Calphalon (no dishwaher), Kitchen Aid, $900 espresso maker, bone china with platinum (that cant go in microwave or dishwasher) Waterford Crystal (again, no dishwasher), a Desktop, a Laptop and a Notebook computer (all just for my use). Oh, hair and facials... I would drop over $350 ever 6 weeks and that didn't include all the product I need to control my wicked thick hair. Why I thought that I really needed to spend $40 on shine drops alone is beyond reason. One dozen sets of sheets, 600 thread count or higher, 4 comforter sham and bedskirt sets (one for each season), and then lets count in all the little stuff like flat screen tvs (yes, multiple) 1st edition books and text books, new Scandanavian furniture throughout, dvds, bluerays, computer programs... it goes on and on and on...
I don't own stuff, my stuff owns me.
It was fine when I was used to making $80 K per year and had 3,000 square feet to play with. Now I am on disability at $13 K per year and share less that 900 square feet with a roommate (who keeps putting my china in the microwave)
I wouldn't shop until I was hypomanic or manic then look out. At one point, I had a $55,000 limit on one of my eight credit cards although I could only spend 10 k per day per card. When I realized I was out of control, rather than cutting up the cards, I put them in a pitcher of water and froze them. Next time I was manic, I thawed them in the microwave and off I went.
I too ended up making my mom my payee but in my case, for five years. I defaulted on all the credit cards and am so far in denial that I don't dare pull my credit report to find out how much I owe to whom because at 13 K per year, I don't have the ability to pay. Furthermore, in the state of Florida, you cannot file for bankruptcy if you have a psychiatric diagnosis. Finally, I have a ton of unpaid medical bills in the two year period between when I left my job and when Medicare kicked in including multiple trips to the ICU for life support on a ventilator after failed suicide attempts. Do you know how much they charge for one day in the ICU on a ventilator?
Today my motto is, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." I tear paper napkins in half. I use washable dishtowels rather than paper towels. I go to churches and missions for day old bread and food boxes (I am well under the poverty line, I qualify) and what I cant get there, I go to the dented can and wilted vegetable food stores. I have been SELLING off my designer clothes on EBay... five dollars here, five dollars there... it adds up. I have a list of free or very low cost hypomanic/manic activities. I have learned how to stretch one pound of meat for five days with all sorts of casserole recipes. Generic fat free yogurt is 4/$1.00 and make a great breakfast along with two scrambled eggs and donated coffee and the yogurt also doubles as dessert. One of my hypomanic activities is making a scarf of my own design that I sell on consignment at an exclusive boutique. I bring home $25 per scarf, I already have the yard from a previous shopping spree and it only takes 90 minutes to whip out the scarf. To keep my mind active, I take free online classes at MIT and buy my textbooks used from Abes Books (online) for about $4.00 each used and THEY pay the shipping. I downgraded on my car from my 2001 BMW convertible to a 1994 Camry that is paid for, therefore, I don't have a car payment or need to carry collision insurance (although I continue to carry liability). I am infamous for bumming a ride whenever I can and offering a few dollars for gas. Keeps the wear and tear off my car, keeps the gas bills down and I don't have to take quite as much anxiety meds, which aren't covered by insurance.
I am making an art of becoming frugal. I find coupon absolutely useless because I end up spending money on items I wouldn't have bought otherwise. I don't buy premade/convenience food. If I do have to stop at a fast food restaurant, I skip the drinks and fries, just order one sandwich from the dollar menu and stop at a grocery for whatever cold drink is on sale. I stay away from the dollar tree unless I need to buy greeting cards which are 2/$1.00 (how does hallmark get away with charging $4.95 for a card????) Oh, and I will close with the following. I have no business in walmart. I have everything I need. Even with undergarments, Hanes her way outlet online has cheaper socks, bras, underwear, slips and hosiery. No more sixty dollar bras at Victoria's Secret. No one sees them anyway!
ptk
Princess, having had sufficient experience with princes, seeks frog. I want the remote control!

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by blueoctober

Some of you know that I got myself in some serious financial trouble after being on medical leave for 8 months and shopping way too much. I thought I'd start a thread where we could share money saving tips. Here are mine:

I started to go grey very early (high school), so I have been dying my hair for many, many years. I would go to my regular stylist who I LOVE, but it was expensive and since my hair grows so fast I had to go back once a month. 2 months ago I started to go to a school for hairstylists and the students have done a great job (better than my regular stylist). It costs me only $35! I also get a punch card where every 5th service is free and if I rebook the day of my appointment I get 15% off my next appointment.

The school is downtown, so my parking costs half as much as the service!!!

I also go to a esthetics school to get my "pedique" done and it costs half as much as a "real" salon and the students have always done a great job.

Dear Blue,

Excellent idea for a thread! Do you think it would be easier for readers to put one suggestion into a post? This is one to which I could contribute a lot because we've been without funds for years.

In our town there's a barber shop for both men and women that just charges eight dollars for a haircut for any man or woman. I go there once a month. All the barbers are women, and they seem to be excellent on both men and women. People may want to check their local resources and find out whether such a barber shop exists where they live.

Take care.

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by PromisesToKeep

Im glad I kept reading to page two... at first, I was thinking... Amateurs! These people are Amateurs! And then I found a kindred spirit in Laurie1041. Thank God.
One day was $950 in Clinique make-up which is really funny because the only make-up I wear is my permanent eyeliner. I have enough clothes that I literally would be able to wear a new outfit every day for about 18 months without ever doing my dry cleaning (yes, I bought dry clean only like the idiot I am) from Bloomingdales, Macy's, Coldwater Creek, Saks 5th. Everything in my kitchen is professional grade, Henkles (cant put in dishwasher), Calphalon (no dishwaher), Kitchen Aid, $900 espresso maker, bone china with platinum (that cant go in microwave or dishwasher) Waterford Crystal (again, no dishwasher), a Desktop, a Laptop and a Notebook computer (all just for my use). Oh, hair and facials... I would drop over $350 ever 6 weeks and that didn't include all the product I need to control my wicked thick hair. Why I thought that I really needed to spend $40 on shine drops alone is beyond reason. One dozen sets of sheets, 600 thread count or higher, 4 comforter sham and bedskirt sets (one for each season), and then lets count in all the little stuff like flat screen tvs (yes, multiple) 1st edition books and text books, new Scandanavian furniture throughout, dvds, bluerays, computer programs... it goes on and on and on...
I don't own stuff, my stuff owns me.
It was fine when I was used to making $80 K per year and had 3,000 square feet to play with. Now I am on disability at $13 K per year and share less that 900 square feet with a roommate (who keeps putting my china in the microwave)
I wouldn't shop until I was hypomanic or manic then look out. At one point, I had a $55,000 limit on one of my eight credit cards although I could only spend 10 k per day per card. When I realized I was out of control, rather than cutting up the cards, I put them in a pitcher of water and froze them. Next time I was manic, I thawed them in the microwave and off I went.
I too ended up making my mom my payee but in my case, for five years. I defaulted on all the credit cards and am so far in denial that I don't dare pull my credit report to find out how much I owe to whom because at 13 K per year, I don't have the ability to pay. Furthermore, in the state of Florida, you cannot file for bankruptcy if you have a psychiatric diagnosis. Finally, I have a ton of unpaid medical bills in the two year period between when I left my job and when Medicare kicked in including multiple trips to the ICU for life support on a ventilator after failed suicide attempts. Do you know how much they charge for one day in the ICU on a ventilator?
Today my motto is, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." I tear paper napkins in half. I use washable dishtowels rather than paper towels. I go to churches and missions for day old bread and food boxes (I am well under the poverty line, I qualify) and what I cant get there, I go to the dented can and wilted vegetable food stores. I have been SELLING off my designer clothes on EBay... five dollars here, five dollars there... it adds up. I have a list of free or very low cost hypomanic/manic activities. I have learned how to stretch one pound of meat for five days with all sorts of casserole recipes. Generic fat free yogurt is 4/$1.00 and make a great breakfast along with two scrambled eggs and donated coffee and the yogurt also doubles as dessert. One of my hypomanic activities is making a scarf of my own design that I sell on consignment at an exclusive boutique. I bring home $25 per scarf, I already have the yard from a previous shopping spree and it only takes 90 minutes to whip out the scarf. To keep my mind active, I take free online classes at MIT and buy my textbooks used from Abes Books (online) for about $4.00 each used and THEY pay the shipping. I downgraded on my car from my 2001 BMW convertible to a 1994 Camry that is paid for, therefore, I don't have a car payment or need to carry collision insurance (although I continue to carry liability). I am infamous for bumming a ride whenever I can and offering a few dollars for gas. Keeps the wear and tear off my car, keeps the gas bills down and I don't have to take quite as much anxiety meds, which aren't covered by insurance.
I am making an art of becoming frugal. I find coupon absolutely useless because I end up spending money on items I wouldn't have bought otherwise. I don't buy premade/convenience food. If I do have to stop at a fast food restaurant, I skip the drinks and fries, just order one sandwich from the dollar menu and stop at a grocery for whatever cold drink is on sale. I stay away from the dollar tree unless I need to buy greeting cards which are 2/$1.00 (how does hallmark get away with charging $4.95 for a card????) Oh, and I will close with the following. I have no business in walmart. I have everything I need. Even with undergarments, Hanes her way outlet online has cheaper socks, bras, underwear, slips and hosiery. No more sixty dollar bras at Victoria's Secret. No one sees them anyway!
ptk
Princess, having had sufficient experience with princes, seeks frog. I want the remote control!

Hi, Promises!

It's hard for me to read your post with so few paragraphs. Could you possibly post one tip at a time and make it so it's easier to read? Take care!

[Ygrec23]

Suggestion: I'm sure many of you know this one, but even if there's only one person reading this who doesn't know it, it's worthwhile:

ALWAYS eat before you go to the supermarket. For obvious reasons.

Take care!

[Ygrec23]

Don't think that AARP is just for seniors. Their website and materials are open to everyone. They have 42 groups (all of the posts to which you can read, free) dedicated to saving money. Then there's the web magazine The Consumerist, which charges nothing for access.

Here's the correct AARP page:

http://www.aarp.org/applications/sea...savers&section=

Here's the page of The Consumerist:

http://consumerist.com/

Take care!

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by owllover99

I guess nobody liked my tips of saving money.

Don't be silly, Owl! Don't just look at the posts, look at how many people read this thread. The vast majority of people don't post, they just absorb the information you provide and go out to apply it to real life. Take care!