« MLK | Home | Pick and Choose »
Stretch Your Dollars
By Daphne | January 22, 2008
Burying your head in the sand is not the thing to do right now. The stock market is dropping but over the long term because you want to have money for the future, so sit tight. If you just started investing last year or five years ago in planning for your retirement, your money would probably be in less volatile areas where there would be less growth but more stability.
In the meantime, don’t fret.
Here are some tips to help stretch your dollars.
- If you have some coffee that is high quality and some that is average: Make your own blend. Use half premium coffee and half not so premium. This way you do not waste anything. Make your own custom blend of coffee and you can still enjoy your favorite beverage.
- As your lights go out, replace them with CFL light bulbs. They cost more initially but the savings will definitely be noticeable when you receive your electric bill.
- While the temperatures are cooler,take advantage of the extra heat that your oven will contribute to your home and bake a casserole, or other dish or your choice. This way you are benefitting from the extra heat from your stove.
- Use a little less detergent than recommended. I have washed clothes and forgotten them until the next day. Inevitably when I rinse out the clothes soap bubbles come out with that extra rinse. If you have a good quality detergent then try using a little less than recommended. Your clothes will be fine and smell just as fresh.
- Keep contributing to your savings account. This way you still will have an opportunity to have money for later.
- Check the bottom of your receipt for surveys. Most stores will offer you an incentive for answering the surveys. A restaurant that I used a gift card for 3/4 of my transaction offered me a $10 gift card just for completing a survey. Basically, the gift card could pay for another visit to the restaurant.
- Swap books or movies with friends. This way you can see movies that they own or even play some of the games they have if you have a comparable system.
- Don’t buy things just because you have a coupon. Many gift cards (and cash) you can save but coupons have an expiration date. I only use a fraction of the coupons that I receive, sometimes I pass these on to friends or skip them all together.
- Save gas by combining errands and keeping your car in good condition. Make sure your tires are inflated properly and have your oil changed at regular intervals. Plan your trips to the store. Go after work, or before work so you don’t have to make an extra trip.
Topics: January 2008 |