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alessandra
07-03-2008, 02:00 AM
Things I've done lately:

-have been buying essentials [toilet paper, food i buy every week, frozen stuff] in bulk at the store and going less often.

-not running the ac! I have box fans and ceiling fans that I'm using instead.

-switched to CFL bulbs for all fixtures (local store had a buy 1 pack-get 1 free sale)

-have been packing my lunch for school every day. No fast food/drive though!


Oh, and regarding pharmacies: Britt, you can call various pharmacies directly and ask how much it will be to get X filled there- they've always told me right over the phone and then I pick where to get it filled at! I don't ever use WalMart, either.

Melonie
07-03-2008, 03:11 AM
be careful! i know you'll go about it right, but -most- cases of botchulism(sp) are actually from people who improperly canned their own food.

Yes I am extremely aware of this possibility. This is the reason that I confine my canning to 'acidic' foods, which have a far lower chance of bacteria problems. And yes I am meticulous about the process, using thermometers and timers instead of guesswork.



also, have you thought of selling some of your soap and cleaning products online? that stuff generally sells well on etsy. you'd just need some eye-catching/cute packaging ideas and names. you could sell salsas and stuff too.

Unfortunately, there are two little words that must be considered in today's world - PRODUCT LIABILITY ! I originally got into making the soaps and lotions as a result of being a Respiratory Therapist ... because nearly every commercial product available contains alcohol, which was really taking a toll on my skin in conjunction with having to wash up 100 times a day at the hospital as part of my job. So I came up with non-alcohol 'recipes' that worked. When I took them to work with me, the nurses and other hospital workers with the same 'occupational' skin problems wanted to try them ... so I gave them samples and they loved them.

But in New York at any rate, if you sell such products you also take on the liability of being sued if the use of your products results in some sort of negative reaction. This could potentially cost millions of dollars !!! So despite the fact that I purchased a PH tester (to make sure no batch was too harsh) and despite the fact that I purchased bacteria / fungus test paper (to make sure no batch was contaminated), my attorney informed me that retail sales of my products to strangers would still carry a huge litigation risk, thanks to court precedents like the McDonalds coffee case. Thus to pursue retail sales to the public would have involved the purchase of an insurance policy ... which could only be written if the product was produced in a 100% New York code compliant production facility (which I would have had to build at a cost approaching $100k). I never pursued the potential profit and loss effect of building a $100k facility plus paying a huge bill for insurance on the soap and lotion sale price necessary for me to 'break even' ... since I wasn't going to make that sort of investment in any case !!!

Thanks to New York's sue-happy courts, I'm thus confined to 'selling at cost' to friends and family members !

britt244
07-03-2008, 11:37 AM
Oh, and regarding pharmacies: Britt, you can call various pharmacies directly and ask how much it will be to get X filled there- they've always told me right over the phone and then I pick where to get it filled at! I don't ever use WalMart, either.

oh i did not know that! i could do that.. except i dont know what the script from the derm is for and i cant read the writing lol. i think im gonna try out walmart, since im going there anyway to get some mederma. i assume that will be cheaper there.

im glad i looked up that gas buddy site! all the gas by me is 4.15 and up, but after i go to walmart, if i drive about 15 mins out of my way there are a lot of gas stations that are 3.93-95.

gingerlee
07-03-2008, 11:14 PM
bah. yeah. walmart. i used to refuse because target is only a little cheaper and i do love target.. but i give in sometimes.

speaking of.. does anyone know what the cheapest pharmacy is? ive heard its walmart. is that true?

Wal Mart is evil, but 9 times out of 10 they are the cheapest when it comes to getting prescriptions filled, at least in my experience. The $4 program kicks ass too.

Oh, and if anybody has a Publix near them, check online when you get prescriptions for antibiotics. There is a small list of antibiotics that Publix actually gives away. Free Cipro=yay when I'm sick. I've saved a couple hundred bucks that way.

madmaxine
07-03-2008, 11:45 PM
Oh, and if anybody has a Publix near them, check online when you get prescriptions for antibiotics. There is a small list of antibiotics that Publix actually gives away. Free Cipro=yay when I'm sick. I've saved a couple hundred bucks that way.

Worth remembering- I paid $60 for a few days worth of Cipro (generic.) Not like I could complain about the price- it was crucial at the time!

My favorite saving tactics-

* thrift stores- I got a great set of dishes for $12. Stonewear. You never know what you might find, for much less than retail.

* Dollar Store- and also Big Lots & Ross Outlets- I never pay retail for anything unless it's work related and therefore a tax writeoff 8)

msonyxorb
07-04-2008, 01:40 AM
I want to do this but doesn't the fruit go brown?

Oh, and I forgot-I'm getting an EZpass. Discounts on toll roads.
yeah the fruits would also lose their nutritional value very fast if you cut them and dont eat em right away

Lysondra
07-04-2008, 04:54 AM
yeah the fruits would also lose their nutritional value very fast if you cut them and dont eat em right away

That's not true unless you drain them of water.

ahmeerah
07-04-2008, 04:59 AM
yeah the fruits would also lose their nutritional value very fast if you cut them and dont eat em right away

True but they're not going to lose all of their nutritional value.

To save $, I go to the wholefoods.com website to see whats on sale. I only buy the poultry on sale and when I do I buy a lot of it and store it in the freezer. When none of it's on sale I buy the sardines and eggs. Sardines (yum!) are canned but they're low on the food chain (in terms of mercury content) and high in CoQ10. I cut down on supplements I use by eating smarter too.

Lysondra
07-04-2008, 04:59 AM
The bigger the fish, the more mercury it'll have - fyi. So I eat from fish at the butcher I can see the size of. Salmon tends to be small.

ahmeerah
07-04-2008, 05:08 AM
^^^ Yeah. That's what I meant by low on the food chain. Salmon has it's own issues.

Lysondra
07-04-2008, 05:09 AM
^^^ Yeah. That's what I meant by low on the food chain.

I know, just expanding on it. :)

ahmeerah
07-04-2008, 05:10 AM
^^^ Oh. :)

britt244
07-04-2008, 08:43 AM
Wal Mart is evil, but 9 times out of 10 they are the cheapest when it comes to getting prescriptions filled, at least in my experience. The $4 program kicks ass too.

oh i give up on walmart. i tried yesterday. i really did. i went in and (this is going to sound horrible and i'm going to get yelled at for it but i'm going to say it anyway) i was the only white person that i saw there, i felt like i was at work with the way these hispanic guys were staring at me and making comments. the girl at the pharmacy counter was rude, they didn't even have my prescription, and they didnt have other things i was looking for either. they were out of mederma and rice cakes.

i bought a few small things, like peanut butter (way cheaper than the grocery store - about half the price actually), and went to the cashier, who did not speak ONE WORD TO ME, even when i smiled and said hello. she didnt tell me how much it was - i had to look at the screen and she looked at me like i was stupid - i handed her the money and said thank you when she gave me my change and she ignored me.

i went right across the street to target and that is where i will stay. they have a $4 prescription program too, from what i saw at least. i realized that with my insurance, i dont think it matters where i get them filled anyway, the price is the same.

RoseLeigh
07-04-2008, 09:57 AM
^^One of the Walmart's near me is like this-just rude and awful and full of screaming children. I go to the Target now.

TigersMilk
07-04-2008, 10:09 AM
I just don't go to the Walmart during the day. I try to go at night...late night when children are in bed.

I love the dollar store. You can get a ton of household items there. I got my broom that works better than the $7 I spent at target for a different broom.

britt244
07-04-2008, 10:12 AM
^ i went at like 7. ugh. just.. no more.

RoseLeigh
07-04-2008, 10:29 AM
^ i went at like 7. ugh. just.. no more.

I wish ours were still open 24 hours. 3 am is the time for Walmart. At 10 (when they close), it's still full of toddlers.

UltraViolet
07-04-2008, 01:31 PM
Not all WalMarts are like that. (the rudeness) But i will agree about during the daytime it's like a zoo. On Tuesday afternoon mom and I went to WalMart to get some things. OMG. After 15 minutes my mind was frazzled with all the people and screaming kids and noise; I told mom that I HAD to get out right then. I was trying to try on some shoes and I swear I couldn't look at the boxes for 5 seconds before I had people milling in front of me!

Melonie
07-04-2008, 02:09 PM
On the subject of WalMart ...

A. because they buy their products wholesale in China / Japan / Vietnam, and in huge quantities, they DO offer the lowest prices of any US retailer for virtually every imported item. Because of their deals with generic drug makers, they also offer unbeatable prices for filling prescriptions. Some of the items they buy domestically though (like 'upscale' fresh vegetables and meats) may not be the lowest price ... but close

B. Because they ARE the lowest priced retailer for tons of items, their customer base has always consisted of people who must pinch pennies ... meaning a whole lot of retirees and a whole lot of low income / public assistance. Cardinal Rule #1 ... NEVER GO SHOPPING AT WALMART NEAR THE FIRST or FIFTEENTH of the month !!!! The obvious reason ... this is when Social Security and Welfare checks arrive !!!

C. lately, the clientele at my local WalMart has been 'improving'. However, this is happening at the expense of more upscale retailers (i.e. JC Penneys , local 'upscale' supermarkets etc.) Looking and listening clearly indicates that there are now a whole lot of 'soccer moms' shopping at WalMart who used to shop at more upscale retailers. Their SUV's are still clogging the parking lot, though !

gingerlee
07-04-2008, 02:22 PM
oh i give up on walmart. i tried yesterday. i really did. i went in and (this is going to sound horrible and i'm going to get yelled at for it but i'm going to say it anyway) i was the only white person that i saw there, i felt like i was at work with the way these hispanic guys were staring at me and making comments. the girl at the pharmacy counter was rude, they didn't even have my prescription, and they didnt have other things i was looking for either. they were out of mederma and rice cakes.

i bought a few small things, like peanut butter (way cheaper than the grocery store - about half the price actually), and went to the cashier, who did not speak ONE WORD TO ME, even when i smiled and said hello. she didnt tell me how much it was - i had to look at the screen and she looked at me like i was stupid - i handed her the money and said thank you when she gave me my change and she ignored me.

i went right across the street to target and that is where i will stay. they have a $4 prescription program too, from what i saw at least. i realized that with my insurance, i dont think it matters where i get them filled anyway, the price is the same.

I totally understand how awful going to Wal-Mart during the day is. I went psycho on a manager there once because he was ignoring me and helping the people in line behind me. I yelled 'What dick do I have to suck to get some fucking service in this motherfucker!' Needless to say they did what I wanted right then.

I go really, really late at night now. Otherwise I would have a meltdown every time I went there, and I don't want to be the crazy lady yelling at every staff member in the building.

P.S. Target fuckin' rocks.

person
07-04-2008, 04:35 PM
A. because they buy their products wholesale in China / Japan / Vietnam, and in huge quantities, they DO offer the lowest prices of any US retailer for virtually every imported item. Because of their deals with generic drug makers, they also offer unbeatable prices for filling prescriptions. Some of the items they buy domestically though (like 'upscale' fresh vegetables and meats) may not be the lowest price ... but close


Walmart has n extreme amount of market power, if I'm correct. Is it true they can force suppliers to do whatever they want, or else their products won't reach the mass market?

"Now, at the price I'm selling to you today, I'm not making any money on it. And if we do what you want next year, I'll lose money."
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/102/open_snapper.html

madmaxine
07-04-2008, 05:13 PM
From what I have read, Wal-Mart has a certain "vendor scheme"- if any item they stock does not move X amount of units in X amount of time, they won't carry it anymore..... It's the expediting and micromanaging of space and resources that Wal-Mart has mastered.... But THIS means I can't find certain products I like there because they don't "sell" to the majority of the public....I have to go to CVS or Target.

Aside from that, the layout of Super Wal-Marts is too stressful. It's so huge in there, it's exhausting to think about finding everything on the shopping list. It's almost counterproductive.

britt244
07-04-2008, 05:49 PM
Not all WalMarts are like that. (the rudeness) But i will agree about during the daytime it's like a zoo. On Tuesday afternoon mom and I went to WalMart to get some things. OMG. After 15 minutes my mind was frazzled with all the people and screaming kids and noise; I told mom that I HAD to get out right then. I was trying to try on some shoes and I swear I couldn't look at the boxes for 5 seconds before I had people milling in front of me!

maybe not, but it was enough for me not to be going back anytime soon. another one, closer to my parents house, my dad refuses to go to because theyre rude there too. at that one, once, my mom saw the cashier (who was black) being super nice to the (also black) people in front of her, smiling, saying hello, generally being friendly, and then she was very rude to my mom and barely spoke a word.

golden41
07-04-2008, 08:18 PM
I am my own salon. I do my own pedicures, I still get my acrylics done once a month. When they start to look bad I paint them nude w/glitter. When one breaks off I glue it back on. Less crappy looking then they sound lol. I cut my own hair, cut my bfs hair, give him massages /vise versa. Give myself a neck/shoulder/hand/foot/ass massage if needed.

I buy any household needs and appliances when they are on sale at the thrift store. super savings just like all the 60 yr olds in my hood. garage sales/pawn shops are good too. I stopped buying things i dont need.

I buy my fave foods in bulk. I think I will star making my own juices now.

I save all my errand running for one day.

I car pool to work. I work close by and so do my carpoolees.

I need to work harder at saving my reciepts for tax purposes.

I go to work at 7 to get free tip out versus 20 or 40. if it a slow night i am one of the first to get to leave early.

golden41
07-04-2008, 08:30 PM
Also I save money on laundry by washing in my bathtub. I hang dry also. Saves me $3.00 and I do laundry at least once a week. Mosly thongs. I save about $150 a yr doing this.

I saok my dishes instead of using a dishwasher.

When my lease ends I am moving a less upscale complex. I will save $300 a month. Right now my rent is 775 but I found one for 475. BIIIIIIIIIIIG difference. I wouldnt have signed at this complex in he first place but I had a problem wih my renters history. should be fine now!

golden41
07-04-2008, 08:32 PM
Im also a moocher. Some people just dont appreciate the things they have until its gone.

Get a library card. I love to read but im ired of buying books. the biggest library in my city has EVERYTHING i want.

XxAmber89xX
07-04-2008, 09:34 PM
service contracts and subscriptions...

#1 I called to cancel my satellite dish... they offered 1 full year at a 40% discount to remain. i took the bait.
#2 So I tried it with my high speed internet... they gave me a $15/mth discount and 2 months free to get through my 'hard times'... I didn't have hard times, but that was my excuse to ask to cancel... again, i took the deal.
#3 I called my cell phone provider and tried the same. $5/mth discount.

3 phone calls and I saved over $60/mth in doing so. expenses i'd be paying had i not called. 8)

britt244
07-04-2008, 09:38 PM
service contracts and subscriptions...

#1 I called to cancel my satellite dish... they offered 1 full year at a 40% discount to remain. i took the bait.
#2 So I tried it with my high speed internet... they gave me a $15/mth discount and 2 months free to get through my 'hard times'... I didn't have hard times, but that was my excuse to ask to cancel... again, i took the deal.
#3 I called my cell phone provider and tried the same. $5/mth discount.

3 phone calls and I saved over $60/mth in doing so. expenses i'd be paying had i not called. 8)

so, uh, what companies do you use? ;) i'd be scared though that they wouldnt offer that and then what do you do? actually cancel your service? i wouldn't want to do that...

that reminds me, i rarely use my credit card these days, but i need to call and get a lower interest rate. my dad told me to tell them i'm going to close it bc i can get x rate with a diff card and they'll lower it. they should anyway, i almost always pay my bill in full and its always on time. i just havent used it in months til this past month when i had to bc my bank card was on hold since it was being used to pay for my surgery and the bank will only allow a certain amount to clear per 24 hours.

deadjen
07-06-2008, 05:22 PM
"
#2 - water! - we buy way too much bottled water. i'm going to invest in a good filter instead. i may still buy (in bulk) water bottles for taking to work, but that's it. (recommendations on filters would be great, actually). "

I just got on to my man about this. He drinks so much bottled water, filling our dumps with these never degrading plastic bottles and WASTING SO MUCH MONEY!! grrr. . . So I started saving his bottles, bought a water purifier, and now he fills the old bottles, refrigerates, and reuses :)

Also.... ebanned.com

Corgan
07-15-2008, 12:23 AM
i don't like generic lotion... it's worth the extra $2 to me to get the real thing.

venusace138
07-15-2008, 01:53 AM
* Like everyone else, I go for the generic brands of most foods.

* I never buy pre-sliced anything, or anything pre-packaged for individual servings. RIP OFF! Buy fresh foods in bulk, invest in a chopper (mine was only $10.00 at Target). Use what you need asap, and FREEZE THE REST! Freezing fruits and veggies also preserves their nutrients.

* Learn to sew. I can't stress enough how important it is to have knowledge of basic 'homemaking' skills. Those $70.00 costumes at the dance store? If you sew, you can make your own with $10.00 (or less) worth of material.

* DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN LABELS/STATUS SYMBOLS!!! Most 'designer' items aren't worth it, quality wise, so you're basically paying for a fancy tag. It's worth the $ if it's an investment - something high quality which you'll get good use of and which will last! If it doesn't fall under that category, find something comparable yet much cheaper.

* Entertain yourself on the cheap. I buy most of my books, cd's, and dvd's used, from places that buy/sell/trade. Full retail price? No thanks!

* I make my own smoothies, pasta sauces, etc. Waaay cheaper, not as time consuming as you'd think, and just as tasty.

* Buy in bulk!

* Big hint: Grocery stores which cater to latin American or south Asian communities often have bargain prices on fresh veggies and grains. Here in Texas, their gallons of milk are cheaper too.

* Learn to cook/bake. That $3.00 brownie at the coffee shop? For $3.00 you could make 2 dozen brownies!

* Castor oil and olive oil are amaaazing for hair. So skip those overpriced designer treatments from Sephora! Natural oils will work better anyway.

* Free workout! Wash your car yourself. Forget paying $15.00 at a car wash.

* We all like to smell good, but perfume is expensive! Lately I've opted for natural oils. Jasmine, rose, vanilla, and ylang ylang are traditionally 'sexy' scents you can get in oil form for under $10.00. And the scent lasts as long as perfume.

VegasPrincess
07-15-2008, 02:10 AM
Definitely hit up the dollar store anytime you need like toilet paper, cleaning supplies (my dollar store even has non-chemical non toxic ones which is all I use cause of the puppies), salad dressings, tuna (seriously), mayo, condiments, pickles, magazines, whatever. Its been saving me a lot of money. Just moved somewhere with a dollar store around the corner last September and discovered the wonders.

I like to go out and won't ever be a total homebody, so I hit up places where my friends work and hook me up or happy hours. Total money saver there. Now not healthy, but tonight my man and I went out and got 15 wings and a half pound of Buffallo shrimp and drinks for 30 dollars WITH a 25% tip. SRSLY, cant beat that.

Zoe_en_Australie
07-15-2008, 05:40 AM
I've just read the whole thread, but over a few hours, so forgive me if I repeat anythingL

- I totally second the water filter thing - I had awful pipes in the my last house, and couldn't stomach the tap water, so I bought a Durand ceramic gravity feed filter (http://www.durand.com.au/range/seamiststone.html), which I LOVE, and has made us all drink so much more water, and paid for itself many times over. The replacement candles are $36 each, and you probably need to replace them about every 9-12 months with frequent use. Rad.

- Porridge - when I was a kid, I hated the stuff, but I now realise, it's incredibly good for you - slow release Low GI, and CHEAP! Oats, and water. Heat, and serve with fresh fruit over the top.

- Farmers' Markets After dallying with Raw Food for a while, it became obvious to me that living only off fresh produce can be really expensive. Especially when it's good quality, well coloured produce. None of this Coles crap, or Woolworths...
If you go directly to the farmers, you will find fantastic produce, and at really great prices. Plus, you are putting the money right into the growers' pockets instead of some giant company to marks it up for you anyway. Support the little guy!

- Olive oil is a great hair treatment.
- Oatmeal/Almond meal and milk (you can get bulk skim milk powder in the supermarket) as a face scrub. It's mild and cleansing, and really really cheap.

- Save your $$$ for mid season / end of financial year sales. I like to do this...when I'm not unfortunately moving house at the same time! Lots of clothes, for CHEAP! I actually recently went to the DFO (direct factory outlets for those of you who aren't familiar) during financial year sales, and got some things that were reduced 3 times over! So cheap...


For me, most of my money goes on food and coffee, or occasionally wine. I only realised this after keeping a money journal...which I would reccommend to anyone who can't work out where all their money is going!!


Oh, and also: ebay (http://www.ebay.com.au), etsy (http://www.etsy.com), op-shopping (http://opshop.org/), garage sales (http://www.streetgaragesales.com/), co-ops (http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/index.html?page=1280&pid=), the trading post (http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Home), aaaaaaaand swap meets (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23246204-5013173,00.html). Awesome!

My 2 cents. Maybe 7897432060 cents, but hey. ;D

Lysondra
07-15-2008, 05:45 AM
^Hey, on the topic... where the fuck are the swap meets in this country?

Zoe_en_Australie
07-15-2008, 06:22 AM
^Hey, on the topic... where the fuck are the swap meets in this country?

Melbourne. Sob!

ALthough there was one here earlier this year.

Lysondra
07-15-2008, 06:32 AM
Melbourne. Sob!

ALthough there was one here earlier this year.

Dude, you work nine to five... go to bed!!!

Now back on topic... freezers are your friend.

anomar
07-15-2008, 11:54 AM
Im also a moocher. Some people just dont appreciate the things they have until its gone.

Get a library card. I love to read but im ired of buying books. the biggest library in my city has EVERYTHING i want.

This is a huge one! I looove the library. With my library, you can order things from any branch online. So whenever I see something on the internet I want -- a book recommendation, a CD box set, a DVD -- I order it from the library. Most of the time it gets to my local branch in about a week or so... I only have it for about 3 weeks so I make sure to read it quickly... and then bam, it's not cluttering up my house and I keep track of my reads on an app on facebook. Much better than paying $15-25 for something I'll only read once!