how to save money

[john_and_marlene 162]

Spend less than you make.

[Ms C 5]

I use trac phone here and magic jack to talk to my parents, no ipones or expensive stuff like that, make a budget, pay bills first, do groceries on post( cheaper and no tax-military) I use coupons a lot and follow a lot of freebies sites on facebook. I closed all netflix, grabloid yahoo accounts and other stuff with monthly subscription, take the newspaper with coupons from Walmart on Sunday night when it's free lol, cook at home, make coffee at home, use less air conditioning, we don't use credit cards, use restaurnat coupons, pay everything in cash not in monthly installments, I like to own stuff not feel like the bank owns it. BUy stuff on sale( clothes, food. Buy plane tickets early, drink tap water lol

[Darnell 8,478]

Used clothes? Eeewww.

Eh, I draw the line at socks and underbritches, I refuse to purchase those used.

[EminTX 131]

If you are socializing with friends/family in restaurants, eat before you go. Seriously. This way, a small appetizer and water will be more than enough and you'll still be with everyone.

Take-out buffets are great for getting 3 or 4 meals for 7$. If you have a hankering for Chinese, for example, this is perfect. Load that Styrofoam container up and chow down at home.

If you live in a city with free events, go to them. Houston has free concerts, movies, and other performances in Hermann Park downtown almost every week during the warmer months.

Make a list of all the free days at the museums.

If you can ride a bike, this is a great mode of local transportation.

Use birth control. The most expensive kind is still cheaper than an unplanned minime.

Brush your teeth daily. Drink the tap water - it has fluoride. (I use it for cooking and hot drinks, the water cooler is for ice water.)

Swear off alcohol. It makes you look determined and in control of yourself while you avoid blowing tons on booze.

The person who says that using used clothing is gross--get real. When going to a hotel, you are using a used towel to dry off your tender bits. Get a grip. I am perfectly capable of washing my clothes and am pretty good at it, too.

For bigger savings on laundry soap, make your own. It takes me about 20-30 minutes every 6-8 months. Bonus--my clothes are naturally soft without all the additives. My clothes are less soft if I use Downy.

http://emilylikestomakestuffdiy.blogspot.com/2011/08/laundry-detergent-diy.html

Get quality shoes and replace the insoles when they are worn down.

When something breaks down, youtube is great to see how to repair it.

Learn how to hand sew. You can make small (and major) repairs while watching TV. (My dad learned to sew in the Navy during WWII.)

Learn two new skills every year. It keeps your brain in good shape and adds to your versatility.

If your English isn't so hot, make that a number one priority. You get better deals and understand them when you encounter them. It also allows you to completely enjoy the fruits of the culture you live in.

Don't participate in activities or hobbies that have a high rate of ER visits. If you do these things, don't do stupid things and pay attention to safety. Drinking, weekend-mechanics, football, soccer, motorcycles, power-tool usage, fishing (especially in flip-flops), etc.