MAKE A NOTE!! -- April 1st, 1999

CIRCULATION 2,130

A Free Twice Monthly Newsletter with (Hopefully) Useful Information on a Wide Variety of Topics

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By Popular Request and In Honor of the "Tax Month" of April, we will devote both issues this month to...SAVING MONEY

NOTE: In this issue due to the wide variety of areas discussed, we will not be putting the usual "POST IT..."'s at the end of the articles. Just post this whole issue in a place where it will be re-read again and again.

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SAVING MONEY...IN GENERAL

Well, J. Cook apparently got a lot of people's attention with her story of making it on a low income. I have probably received more mail in regards to her letter than anything else in Make a Note history. Many echoed Anne B.'s letter asking, "HOW!?!?!?". And even more were kind enough to share many of their "secrets" with me for use in this newsletter. In fact so many sent in their ideas that I won't have room for tips if I credit them every time I quote them. So I would like to thank all of them up front and list them here. So a big thank you to...Sherry K., Mary A., J. Cook (who started this whole thing), Joy McD., Marijo V., Debi Taylor-Hough (author of "Simple Times" Ezine and "Frozen Assets"), and Gary Foreman of the Dollar Stretcher (http://www.stretcher.com). It would also be very hard to credit just one person each time because so many of their ideas were either the same or very similar. The running theme throughout all the submissions was the idea of saving cents, not dollars. Or to borrow a quote & adapt it...."It's the cents, silly." So many of us are so busy looking at the dollars, that we forget that every one of those dollars are made up of cents. So there isn't some big secret to the whole thing; it is just a day to day watching of those cents. But not just WATCHING them, but saving them! But as Joy said, "...not to the point of being unrealistic with what (we) can achieve." Our time is worth something too, and sometimes it is a good budget move to spend a little in order to save some time. But don't use that as a spring-board for rationalization and excuses. Everyone can find ways to save that will fit their schedule and personality. These issues won't pretend to be some kind of final say on saving money, just to get those creative juices flowing so that you start looking at how you spend in a whole new way. So read on, get some ideas, send me some new ones, and save those cents. Remember that old saying about a journey beginning with a single step, well the dollars begin with a single cent.

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SAVING MONEY...EATING OUT

Looking at our family and many others I know, this is one of the biggest expenses that people can usually save a LOT on. Many said that you need to know the difference between a "want" and a "need", and let's face it folks, eating out is definitely a "want". Even a TV dinner saves you money over take out, so first of all, try to cut back drastically on eating out. Just one trip to a fast food place with a family of 4 usually runs you at least $15, so if you even cut back one time a week, you are saving $60/month! I could do a lot with that! So try to eliminate those trips as much as possible, even if it means a TV dinner or making a meal early in the afternoon because you know you won't have time later. Also try not to carry enough money to go, when you know you might be tempted later, that way if you get weak later, you won't have the cash to make the trip. In fact, pay cash whenever possible, or write a check, have only one credit card & use it only when you can't use the first two. You tell me your kids beg for that restaurant with the play area; love is not spelled M-c-D-o-n-a...., well you get the idea. Your kids will love you just as much, maybe even more, if you make a pbj sandwich & take them to the park, they'll be less likely to catch the plague there than in a closed-in play area (saving you medical expenses), and you will be saving big money. Now on those RARE :) occasions that you do go out, there are plenty of ways to save money. One of the easiest & best ideas I ever heard came from Debi's Simple Times Ezine (for a sample send a blank email to simple-times-sample@xc.org), just drink water. Most places charge anywhere from $1-$2 for beverages these days, so just by drinking water you save a family of 4 $4-$8! Pay close attention to how much the kids eat. If you have 2 that always leave food on their plate, then let them split a meal. Maybe one doesn't finish, but another one is still hungry, let the hungry one finish the small eater's meal. But please, please, don't ever try to get around restaurants that charge a little extra for an empty plate (to share food) or have 2 people in your family eat off an "all-you-can-eat" buffet, but only pay for one person. I used to work as a waitress and people who do these kinds of things are setting a disappointing example for all to see. If you think a restaurant OWES it to you because they charge too much, then don't eat there, but if you eat there, then honor their rules. Let's save cents in a legitimate way. So ask the waitress if it is okay to split things, and don't try to save by not tipping, give folks what they are due (usually 15% for average service, 10% for not to so good, and 20% for excellent or go to a self serve place).  Watch the prices, sometimes it is cheaper to order things separately, esp. if you are drinking water. Other times, those kids' or value meals do save you money, but check the price. Look for the cheapest items on the menu, read the descriptions & work your way up in price. It may be that you may find something that sounds good that you hadn't considered ordering until you read the description. Watch for coupons in the paper, phone book, online (http://www.hotcoupons.com), or special discount books. The latter are often very good deals, IF there are restaurants in them that you use and food you like you can use them with. Ask if restaurants have special discount programs, like Subway and Boston Market, that offer stamps for all your orders & when you have a full card you get some free food. When you are choosing where to go, pick the places you know are less expensive, but still good. Here in town we have Red Lobster, but we have found a place (Peaden's) that while it may be open fewer days, serve food on disposable plates, and be a little more casual, is a less expensive & fun place. So there's seafood and there's $EAFOOD. :) Maybe just go out for dessert instead of a whole meal. One article suggesting having the appetizer because you would be less likely to eat dessert & appetizers don't cost as much as desserts. Eat a snack at home before you go, so you won't be ordering as much. Take babysitting into consideration. A restaurant near your home, rather than one clear across town, would probably save you an hour's worth of babysitting. Try the independent businesses rather than the big national chains, often they are a lot better deal & have more character.  And use those doggy bags, no not for the sugar packets, but everything you paid for. :)

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SAVING MONEY...EATING IN

This was an area a lot of the ladies felt had the potential for the biggest savings. As Marijo says, you need to ask yourself, "Do we really need this or do we just want this?" Try those store or generic brands; just because you don't like the generic green beans, doesn't mean you won't like the generic cream cheese. Use those grocery price labels to see what you are paying by the unit. For example, bulk doesn't always mean cheaper, sometimes 2 smaller containers might cost less than one big one. Usually the more convenient a food is, the more expensive it is, but remember a TV dinner is better than eating out. And sometimes I have found that making certain things from scratch actually costs more than buying the cheapest mix, so be alert. Or if I like blueberry muffins, but know I won't have time to make them from scratch, Duncan Hines will save me money over store-bought and taste better. If you are buying meat, buy the cheaper cuts and just tenderize them a bit more. If the recipe calls for a pound of ground beef, try 3/4 and it will probably work just as well. Remember your family needs good nutritious food, and junk food is just wasted calories and cents. Drink lots of water at home too. Try to eat your evening meal before 6pm, so you will use the calories & they won't just be wasted going to fat when you go to sleep. Be realistic about your schedule too. I used to buy onions, but then never got around to cutting them for the recipes or trying to cut them in advance for that matter, so they ended up rotting in the crisper (they really should call it the "rotter" or the "molder"). So for me, buying the frozen onions is cheaper than buying onions & having them rot OR eating out. Use those coupons, it may be only cents, but it adds up, remember. Make a list of the items that you buy every time you shop. Go to every grocery store in your area and see who has the best prices, try to recheck them every year. We are military and while the commissary is usually significantly cheaper, there was one place we lived where everything except the meat, was cheaper at a civilian store. I am not one who believes in going from store to store to store, to get the best deals on every item. I think it often wastes gas & I just don't think most of us have time for that sort of thing. So find the cheapest store you can & go there. Don't assume that you can tell how expensive a store is by looks.  Ask if they have any kind of value cards, or double coupon days. Pick up those flyers & peruse for coupons. Limit the times when you have snacks or meals. We homeschool and I noticed that my kids weren't snacking they were grazing, constantly wanting something to eat or drink, taking up school time, not to mention adding to my dirty dishes. So we made a rule that we would eat our meals 3 times a day, with a quick snack mid-morning & mid-afternoon. In between snacks & meals, all they can have is water and it saves not only money, but time & effort. Try different kinds of foods, for example, maybe you like a particular kind of apple, if another is cheaper, why not give it a try, maybe you will like that one too. Many felt they could save a lot of money by doing once a month cooking, but for my schedule it would never get done. Some people can save a lot of money by using a freezer & buying in bulk, I tried that & tend to forget what I have in there, so it doesn't work for me. Gardening can save you a lot, unless like me you have squirrels that eat things as fast as they grow. Many are involved in gleaner groups or coops. Some spend about $70-$80/week for a family of 4 for food, another said she spends the same, but for the whole month! Take a moment to fill out those entries for give-aways (But do NOT enter any where you have to use a stamp -losing 33 cents, or buy something). Someone has to win and over the years, I have won an ice chest, electric ice cream freezer, large thermos, large turkey, and a lunchbox. Use those rebate slips and send away for the free things. When you like a product, call & tell the maker, often they will give you coupons just for calling.  When you hate it call & explain why & they may send you a refund or a coupon for another product that you do use. NOTE: I am certainly not advocating taking advantage of the makers & calling with excuses to get coupons, but I do believe in negative AND positive feedback & the companies like it too. Use whatever will work for YOU! 

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SAVING MONEY...ON ENTERTAINMENT

So you've heard the old song, "The Best Things in Life are FREE", well some are pretty close. For adults, you can check out FREE books, videos, audio tapes at the library. If you are interested in a particular title, you can often have the library order it for you (if they think others will be interested in checking it out) and then you usually get to use it first since you requested it. Go have a picnic somewhere instead of eating out. Take the kids to a free park instead of Discovery Zone type place. Make popcorn at home & check out a video, instead of taking them to the movie theatre. But keep a close eye on how many videos you rent & try to cut back. Tape some TV shows or movies to watch later. Watch for special deals that help you save money like discount/coupon cards. Exercise together as a family. Play games, board games not computer ones, at home. Or invite your friends over for the same when they suggest going out to dinner & a movie. Go see free community concerts or festivals. The "Date(ing) Your Mate" books have some wonderful ideas for dates, and even have chapters on doing it on a tight budget. If you go to any kind of all day thing like an amusement park, fair, or show be sure to take your own snacks, lunch, and definitely water, whenever possible. On the latter, a Camelbak is an excellent investment and has saved us a LOT of money purchasing drinks, and is less cumbersome than water bottles. And remember when you spend the day in a public place, use that waterless hand sanitizer on the whole family to save money on cold/flu medications and doctor visits. Every little bit helps. Go to places that charge a single admission rather than for every ride. Get rid of the cable, unless you need the basic to get anything. This is a huge expense & as my husband likes to tell me when he comes back from trips & staying at motels, "It just takes longer to figure out that there is nothing on." So make sure this is something you REALLY want. For some people it might save them money, IF they go to the theatre or rent videos a lot, as long as they stop going to or renting movies TO WATCH the cable instead.

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SAVING MONEY...AROUND THE HOUSE

Most of this section I am sure you have heard before, but look at it in a new light of saving cents. Use the natural light instead of lamps, open those curtains. Try turning your heat or A/C off & when you get uncomfortable adjust your clothes instead of the thermostat. When it gets to the point where you can't adjust your clothes any more, then turn the heat or A/C just to the point where it will cycle on & no further. Start each day like this. Eventually you will find that you are getting more used to the heat or coolness & don't need the utilities as much. Let the sun shine in when you are cold, close the curtains on the sun when you are hot. Try just running the fan instead of the A/C. Only wash full loads of clothes & dishes. Stay off the phone (some of you who know me are now saying, "SHE should talk!!!", which goes to show you that I know it is an area I need to work on). Put a note by your phone and before you make a call ask yourself, "Can it wait until I see them? Can I send email (or snail mail) instead?" Limit yourself to a certain amount of time per call.  But remember the phone can save you time & money. If you are looking for a particular item, it is a lot faster to call around to find it & ask the price so you can find the cheapest place at the same time. Sometimes it is worth it to me to spend a little extra to make a call to get something resolved instead of writing a letter. Whenever you call long distance, TELL the person (if it is a business) that you are calling long distance & the first question you ask should be, "Do you have an 800 line". Most companies do, but just don't advertise it as much. Check with the 800 directory. Call your phone company every 6 months to make sure you are on the plan that can save you the most money. They can usually go back about 3 months for you. Stick with the simple cleaners. An excellent book for this is "Is There Life After Housework" by Don Aslett. Before you buy anything for the home, make sure it is a need not a want.

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SAVING MONEY...ON THE CAR

Buy the gas recommended for your car and not any more expensive. If you have a spouse or teen who tends to purchase the expensive gas, it might save you quite a bit if YOU made a point of filling up. If your car is under warranty it is against the law for a dealer to make you go to them for your maintenance. As long as you keep records of all the maintenance & mileage, then you should still be covered under your warranty even doing the work yourself, or getting an independent to do it. Ask around to find the most honest independent garage you can to have your work done (in Fayetteville, NC try Ed's Tire & Auto on Yadkin across from the Waffle Shoppe). DO have the maintenance done, it will be worth it in the long run. Many people don't know that city traffic, stop & start, short trips, are all considering hard driving & most cars need to be seen more often to last longer. Drive a car until the annual REPAIRS (not maintenance) bill reaches 25% of the car's current value, then buy a car that is reliable, check out those Consumer Reports articles. If you can get a good used car, do it, but we often found that the most reliable cars were hard to find used. We decided we would rather pay a little more for a Honda Accord, than an American counterpart, because we have heard that the Accords tend to have the lifetime of 2 American cars. Consolidate trips. Use the cruise control. Save money by having only one car if your schedule permits. Sometimes I tease my husband that if we had 2 cars I would never see him. When you finish paying off a car, keep making those payments into a car account, so that the next car you can pay cash. Don't let the kids eat in the car unless it is a long (several hours) trip, it will save on the wear & tear on the seats & floor.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Recommended books/publications, most available at the library: Tightwad Gazette, Cheapskate Monthly, Frozen Assets, anything by Larry Burkett. 

Recommended Web Sites: http://www.stretcher.com, http://members.aol.com/Dsimple/index.html, http://members.aol.com/frugally4u/. You also could probably find a lot just checking out assorted books at the library or doing an internet search of "frugal", "money-saving", etc.

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JOKE (from Patty K.)

"Dear Dad,

$chool is really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you like you can $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you. 

Love, Your $on

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh. 

Love, Dad"

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QUOTE (from Mary A.)

"It takes a decision to be a good steward, discernment to know the difference between a want and a need, discipline not to spend money you don't have, and determination to make your wants fit your means." ---Mary A.

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FEEDBACK-FEEDBACK-FEEDBACK

From Pam

"Hi Sharon, Yes, other people really liked (the Irish Potato candies)! Most of the kids did too (mine did!) so I think we can start a tradition!" 

From Alisa R.

"Sharon, Thanks so much for that (the Do IT Yourself 12 Eggs of Easter Instructions)! I didn't ask for the DITY instructions, but I was getting ready to! Happy St. Patrick's Day! And hope you have a blessed Easter!"

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Well, hope that we have started some brainstorming out there to consider the cost, and the costs in cents. :) Next issue, Saving Money on: Travel, Education, Parties/Presents, Home Sales/Rentals, Medical, Research. Send me your ideas and forward this newsletter on to anyone you think might be interested.

God bless,

Sharon ^i^

Make-A-Note@worldnet.att.net

Editor, Make a Note

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