Bankrate.com recently had a contest asking for people's best tips of frugality. I didn't participate because I just found out about it but you can bet I am here to clean up awful mess afterwards. I reviewed each of the tips and guess what...only 5 are going to be of value to you. Sure, if you have all the time on Earth you may save by following their other tips. However, most are not things that can be worked into a normal schedule (I am almost surprised making your own butter wasn't on the list).
However, as I mentioned there were 5 very solid tips. Here are the ones that are worth considering:
- Extinguish your pilot lights and save $$! : "During the warmer months turn off your pilot lights to your gas furnaces and gas log fireplaces. This has saved us $15 a month. Every little bit helps!!"
- Appliance timers -- blessings in disguise: "...Now, the electrical water heater is off during the day when nobody is home, and is programmed to operate an hour before I return home from work. I have saved approximately $20 per month, and am now planning to put a programmable timer or thermostat on my furnace as well..."
- Increase the r-factor in windows easily: "...They are held in place by the lip edge of the window and the exact fit. It cost about $40.00 to do all the windows and saved 40 percent on my heating bills."
- Use Vinegar to clean: I talked about it a while ago but it's worth repeating. "Use directly in the laundry to eliminate musty odors, it even works on urine odors. Fido have an accident? Douse the area with vinegar, place an absorbent cloth over the spot and step on it, press your weight into it to absorb vinegar and old urine and let dry."
- This is the winner in my book - The 30-day-rule: "When you see something in the store that you absolutely have to have, come home and mark the item, store, and price on your calendar. Then count 30 days ahead, and circle the date. That is when you can go back and purchase the item, if you still want it. Making yourself wait for an item suppresses impulse purchases, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone back to find that same item on the clearance table!" --Sarah Gorman Virginia Beach
Well Sarah, you said a mouthful. That is something that I have never done and I am as cheap as they come. Sure comparison shopping is fine but when you want to make a purchase, waiting 30 days eliminates 100% of the impulse. That really gives you a chance to be sure you want to buy. If we all get that strategy into our heads, we'll avoid regretful clutter.
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