The price of everything is just rocketing upwards so we’re trying to find savings where we can. What is everyone else doing to make their pay packet stretch farther these days?
Here’s what our family is doing:
We do all of our own basic vehicle maintenance now. I have saved over $1,000 in the past year doing our own oil changes, brake replacements, etc. It also keeps me from being upsold on things I don’t need by the lube shop (e.g. radiator flush).
We formed a grocery shopping club with our neighbours. We buy items in bulk from wholesalers and restaurant suppliers and then divvy them up. We’re saving between 30 to 60% over retail depending on the item.
Offsetting holidays by a week or more. Easter candy is expensive on Easter morning. It’s cheaper to give my kid her Easter basket a week later. The chocolate bunny that was $3.95 last week was $0.95 yesterday. We are now doing the same with baked turkeys, hams, etc. We snag them on sale immediately after the holiday now. We still have a great meal, but without paying inflated holiday prices. Does it really matter if the turkey is served a week later?
Buy clothes in sales at the end of the season.
Compare banks/insurers
Look for promotions
Buy coffee in bulk
Use cheap mobile phone operator
Get password of WiFi from neighbors
Student discounts if you can
When paying in different currency use credit card
Ask for refunds when not happy
Honestly my family has cut most things that aren’t necessities out but we’re still struggling. I feel like such a burden. We’re probably going to have to use a food bank soon if it gets any worse.
Check your policy to see if you’re getting a loyalty rebate. Those who have been customers for three or more years without claims usually get a reduction as a thank you from the insurer for being a good customer. If you’ve been with a company for a while with no claims and don’t have that, ask your broker to remarket you and see if better rates are available.
There are plenty of free streaming services available these days and also free movie services. e.g. Roku TV, Pluto TV, PopcornFlix, etc. No need to pay for a streaming service if you’re having trouble covering all of your bills.
-whey powder is the cheapest good quality source of proteins.
-diet down if you are overweight
-eat one or two big meals a day (fasting protocol). If you only eat once, you can probably eat outside/uber, depending on the place. Even better if you cook for yourself that one meal.
-do not smoke
-don’t have expensive hobbies
Don’t pay for Ad free versions of sites (Don’t know if it works on all of them but it works on spotify and youtube). When you can use Brave browser and have no ads for free.
Absolutely. Fast food is no longer cheap food. The problem is that a head of lettuce costs me $5 right now whereas I can get a large pack of pasta for $1. The high cost of quality fresh produce, dairy, and meat is a huge barrier to having a healthier population.
I go over the grocery store circulars that come every Tuesday in the mail as soon as they come. The best sales are on the first page. That’s how I got a 10 lb ham for $8.70 and a pound of asparagus for 97 cents, Strawberries were on sale this week for $1.99 for a pound.
On my car insurance I play the odds. Instead of buying extra coverage I have always bought the bare minimum required by law. I don’t even get collision coverage that would pay for my own car in an accident that was my fault.
And it’s paid off. I’ve saved thousands of dollars since I started driving at 17 and I’ve only been in one accident that was my fault and damaged my own car. I couldn’t pay to have it fixed but at least I hadn’t been paying an extra $200 a month for 40 years just to cover my one accident.
I like buying stuff after the holidays too. I love the grocery club idea!!! I don’t know enough people to do that but it’s a great idea.
I do the same I always have. I plan my meals a week in advance. That way I can use ingredients for more than one meal and it cuts waste and saves money.
Some things I cook from scratch to save money and some I buy prepackaged. I figure out the total cost either way and choose the cheaper option.
I check multiple stores prices before I buy items.
I’m looking forward to hearing what others do to save money. I’d like some tips.