- Oct 9, 1999
- 46,870
- 10,660
- 147
You are bullshitting yourself, which is sad, and therefore bullshitting us, which is unacceptable.
Even if you honestly saved a full 25 lbs, that savings on a vehicle weighing 3,000 - 4,000 lbs and having the same air resistance would be freaking negligible, and nowhere near 10+%.
Is your car really one of those now rare ones that came originally with a full size spare? If not, a donut spare and a jack weigh significantly less than 10 pounds total.
InflatableBuddha
Diamond Member
- Jul 5, 2007
- 7,416
- 1
- 0
As others have said, don't eat out very often.
When you grocery shop, plan all your meals for the week, figure out what ingredients you need and make a list. Don't shop when you're hungry. Buy no-name brands, and buy on sale whenever possible. Go for fresh produce and bakery items; less packaged food.
Drive less. Use transit or a bike when you can, and go easy on the gas pedal and brakes when you do drive.
Don't drive a new car unless you can afford to do so without making payments. Otherwise get a good used vehicle and maintain it well.
Impulse shop less. If you want to buy something in a store, think about it for another day or two, and if you still want it, then go buy it.
Regularly invest your savings into mutual funds, interest-bearing accounts, etc. so you have contingency when you need it.
When you grocery shop, plan all your meals for the week, figure out what ingredients you need and make a list. Don't shop when you're hungry. Buy no-name brands, and buy on sale whenever possible. Go for fresh produce and bakery items; less packaged food.
Drive less. Use transit or a bike when you can, and go easy on the gas pedal and brakes when you do drive.
Don't drive a new car unless you can afford to do so without making payments. Otherwise get a good used vehicle and maintain it well.
Impulse shop less. If you want to buy something in a store, think about it for another day or two, and if you still want it, then go buy it.
Regularly invest your savings into mutual funds, interest-bearing accounts, etc. so you have contingency when you need it.
but how much is your grocery bill?
if your bill is under $100 then i think you're sitting pretty.
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
payroll deductions directly to savings bonds or RRSPs. you forget they're even coming off your pay so it's harder to spend the money on hookers & blow.
TastesLikeChicken
Lifer
- Sep 12, 2004
- 16,852
- 59
- 86
You were disqualified because you forgot to mention the blow. Hookers without blow is like champagne without bubbles, Donny without Marie, Anand without Tech...Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
Why are you people taking my hooker comment? Are you trying to be cool like meor really cutting back on them?
sourceninja
Diamond Member
- Mar 8, 2005
- 8,805
- 65
- 91
Pirates Bay has saved me tons!
I kid, I kid!
Seriously though, playing more sports and less video games has cut my spending. Now instead of buying games I'm out getting punched in the face.
I kid, I kid!
Seriously though, playing more sports and less video games has cut my spending. Now instead of buying games I'm out getting punched in the face.
In general, making your own food is cheaper than eating out, so more money could be saved if necessary by not eating out as often.
Bring lunch to work instead of eating out. I might eat out once a week, usually once every two weeks as a treat.
We only eat out once a week, Friday date night.
Changed cell phone plans.
Upcoming cable TV plan change.
No interest on CC's, we pay them in full every month.
We only eat out once a week, Friday date night.
Changed cell phone plans.
Upcoming cable TV plan change.
No interest on CC's, we pay them in full every month.
PricklyPete
Lifer
- Sep 17, 2002
- 14,582
- 162
- 106
In my opinion the single best way to save money is to put a certain percentage out of reach the second you get your paycheck. Has worked for me so far.
Brainonska511
Lifer
- Dec 10, 2005
- 28,715
- 13,867
- 136
Only buy stuff I need (tp, paper towels, a snack item or two) when its on sale. Cook my own food - eat pasta at least 2-3 times a week. Buy frozen vegetables to supplement dinner - they're cheap and they last forever in the freezer.
I could save more by making my way to the larger grocery store nearby (but further walk or take the bus.... kind of cold out at the moment) and buy meat for less than I get now and just freeze it.
Share internet with roommates. I would like to drop the TV service and just stick with OTA, switch to another ISP... I'll talk that over when my Comcast promotion ends in June.
Turn off lights when no one is in the room. Turn down thermostat when people are sleeping/people are in class. Turned down the water heater from scalding hot (near-instant burn) to hot enough to burn if you leave your hand under for too long (all heat in my apartment is NG).
I could save more by making my way to the larger grocery store nearby (but further walk or take the bus.... kind of cold out at the moment) and buy meat for less than I get now and just freeze it.
Share internet with roommates. I would like to drop the TV service and just stick with OTA, switch to another ISP... I'll talk that over when my Comcast promotion ends in June.
Turn off lights when no one is in the room. Turn down thermostat when people are sleeping/people are in class. Turned down the water heater from scalding hot (near-instant burn) to hot enough to burn if you leave your hand under for too long (all heat in my apartment is NG).
Learn how to use coupons and CVS Extra Bucks to your advantage.
you can supply your house with all the brand name toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, bath soap, dish soap, toilet paper and paper towels for next to nothing if you plan right.
you can supply your house with all the brand name toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, bath soap, dish soap, toilet paper and paper towels for next to nothing if you plan right.
Stop shopping at scams like Safeway and Lucky. RIPOFF?
Asian supermarkets FTW! Oh and even Target is a lot cheaper than Safeway.
Asian supermarkets FTW! Oh and even Target is a lot cheaper than Safeway.
- Oct 9, 1999
- 46,870
- 10,660
- 147
Lol.
And, loki, your OP indicates you've already got a decent grasp on what to do.
A couple random other ones:
- Keep your fridge, and especially your freezer, full. The mass stays cold, and will significantly cut your electric bill. Also, experiment with turning down the temps in your fridge and freezer until you hit the "sweet spot" between "cold enough" and savings -- same in reverse with your hot water heater.
-- Buy your spices from the bulk bins at natural foods co-ops or ethnic stores. Supermarket chains still gouge unbelievably for theirs.
-- Want primo clothes cheap? Find a thrift shop in a high-end neighborhood tied to a "socialite" cause. The connections and location of the people who run it will insure a near plethora of primo duds, often nearly unused. Like garage sales, this method involves patience and restraint.
-- Always pay your CC in full on time, and get one with rewards. This way, the ~one month float and the cash back means they are paying YOU to use their service. Try to put everything on just one card. This, with a perfect payment history, will mark you in their database a great customer, and combined with "your smooth, confident and assured" manner on the phone will get you a PREMIUM level of service. Trust me on this.
-- Used wisely, your home sub to your Sunday paper will pay for itself in grocery coupon savings. Note: supermarkets often tie their 2for1 sales to coincide with manufacturers coupons.
-- Also, don't pay any more than half price for your Sunday paper sub. Newspapers are desperate these days for circulation numbers.
-- Hypermile when driving. Without even calling it anything, I found that I have been using a lot of their practices for years, just without the trendy name.
Edited for additional blather: Pay attention to the mailed or included in your Sunday paper weekly supermarket inserts. Invest a full 10 minutes scanning them.
You know who offers THE CHEAPEST prices of good, brand name necessities like TP, paper towels, toothpaste, etc? NOT the price clubs, but supermarkets when they regularly offer their half price/near half price sales on them. When you spot them, stock up.
And, finally, not that you need to be told this, OP, but don't go down the "x cents off is everything" rabbit hole, don't morph into a miserly crank.
All these stratagems are simply disciplined lifestyle habits that should quickly recede (as any good habit should) into the background of your consciousness.
Remember that life is ALSO to be lived, loved and enjoyed. Never forget to treat yourself to the best from time to time. If you don't, who will?
FelixDeCat
Lifer
- Aug 4, 2000
- 31,011
- 2,682
- 126
It was a full sized spare, and I averaged about 280-290 between fillups. And while my observations were very unscientific, I can now go about 310-325 between fillups.
Since I use a debit card, Ive notated the trip mileage at every fillup for several years. I also keep track of the amount paid, price per gal and obviously gallons purchased. Yes, I know there are so many variables in play, but Ill bet if I threw that spare tire, jack, etc back in the car, the mileage will go down. If I could get away with it, I would also take the back seat out to save even more weight. When gas was $4+ per gallon it made sense to try anything.
Cruise control 65 also helps guys. I know you all are speed demons who like barreling down at 80mph+. When you see a car in front of you, you tailgate and are impatient. Hell, I am too even if I do only 75. It's tough to make me maintain 65 if I'm in a rush. However if I have plenty of time and I'm not going to be late to work then I'll take it slow. You all should. 31mpg vs. 27ish is a HUGE difference.
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