Live Good on the Cheap! Spend Less Money and Still Be Comfortable!
If you find that money is tight for you, here’s some ideas on how to spend less money but still be comfortable. Some I’m sure you either know or do, but some you may not. In no particular order:
1. Use places like Ebay and Amazon as lending libraries for CDs and books. Basically buy the cheapest CDs and books or other products you can find at the cheapest prices you find for the most acceptable quality to you (i.e. new or used and in what condition) and after you’ve finished using them, just resell them back immediately at a price that will be a minor loss for you. This strategy is based on the fact that you know for certain there are plenty of people online who will buy your product in used condition. The important thing is to take care of your product so that you can advertise it in “like new or new mint” condition. If you buy something new, you will be taking a larger loss selling it used rather than buying something used and selling it used.
2. Use the public library to rent DVDs and/or join Netflix. If you have a library that has a large DVD and perhaps CD inventory including fairly recent releases, use that to watch DVDs free. If you have around $20 a month to spare, join Netflix where you can rent have an unlimited amount of the newest releases as well as archive releases, up to 3 out at a time, sent to you by mail.
3. Eat spaghetti at home twice a week. Its both good and cheap.
4. Use your cell phone as your main phone. Join a service that provides you with a free cell phone.
5. You may not like this one but it will save you considerable money in the long term. Get Medical and Dental Insurance. Work for a company that provides insurance rather than work for a company that pays a higher salary but no health insurance. A simple 30 day prescription could cost you $240 without insurance and $35 with insurance. Always buy generic drugs as long as the pharmacist says they will not affect you differently than non-generic ones. Supposedly, there may be occasional differences from what I’ve heard. If you’re in awful financial straights, go to a dental school and get your work done. I’d only do this if you had no other choice. I’m not sure if Medical Schools offer the same service.
6. Bring your own canned sodas to work (assuming there is a refrigerator) as well as snacks.
7. Buy your sodas, food, snacks, etc, from a Grocery Store instead of a small grocer, or a small mom and pop shop.
8. Buy an electric scooter for $350 and use it for your local travel instead of a car.
9. If you can get by without a car, just use public transportation.
10. For Cable TV, don’t buy a package for channels you don’t watch.
11. Buy an HD Ready TV rather than a complete HDTV because you cable company is going to provide
the receiver you need anyway to get HDTV. The HD Ready TV’s are usually cheaper. You might want to double check this out, though. Your better off with a 1080 than 720 HDTV because you’ll get a better picture.
12. Assuming you get Broadband internet service, you might want to buy your own modem but you need to check the compatibility out with your company. If you only use a cell phone then you will have to get Cable Broadband as opposed to DSL service which requires a phone line.
13. If you’re going out on a date with someone for the first time, unless you’re convinced the date will go great, just take her out for a drink only. The next time you can take her out for dinner. I’m assuming you will pay for the both of you. This way you don’t waste a lot of money on someone with no potential and also you don’t have to be with her as long if its not going well!
14. For certain items you might need like a good watch, stereo, speakers, etc., shop online and buy used. No one is going to know its used if it works and looks fine. Same with computers, etc.
15. Don’t have kids or take the chance of having kids (i.e., use contraception) if your finances are limited.
16. Get renters insurance if you live in an apartment, so a robbery won’t totally wipe you out.
17. Buy free weights and other weight equipment instead of joining a health club.
18. Wait till there are good sales to buy decent clothes.
19. Don’t go out with a woman who money is important too and you can’t afford to be with her. Eventually, it will catch up.
20. Don’t drink and drive because if you get caught, it will cost you a mint.
21. Quit smoking.
22. Floss your teeth when you brush and you’ll have less dental problems.
23. If you can, live at home. independence costs!
24. If you’re going to live with someone, make sure they have a job and will split the rent.
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