Last June, we got six tanks of gas for $210. In January we paid $260. In April, we got six fillups for $310. Adding $50/month to our bills cost $600 in a year. Something’s got to give.
So we’re eating out a bit less. Wifey’s a good cook, and we had only been dining out 2 or three times per week. But now that is down to once a week.
When eating out, we no longer get sodas. We order water. The hard part is feeling silly. But that’s easy to get over, since restaurants charge around $2 for colored sugar water. $2 each at a family of four is $8. Three meals out is $24! Look around next time you are out eating – you’ll see lots of water.
We do have soda at home, and we also make coffee there too. The Mr. Coffee maker, filters, and 3 pounds of Maxwell House makes about 250 cups of coffee, and costs less than ten cups of Starbucks.
Errands are done on the way home from work, rather than after coming home first. We drive fewer miles that way. When we run errands on the weekend, we try not to forget anything, and make sure to have a plan to get to all of the places in the shortest route possible.
The Tribune says people are tipping less, buying fewer gifts, skipping haircuts, and skipping meals to make up for the extra they are spending on gas.
Do you have any money-saving tips? What are you doing to counteract rising prices? Leave a comment, then answer the new poll on the sidebar.
WP
2 years ago
If you have a GPS already, use it to find the most efficient route, I’ve been surprised a few times on trips where I always thought I was taking the best way. Slow down…it’s amazing how much more fuel you burn when you get much above 50-55mph. If you eat fast food, don’t idle through a long drive-thru wait, park and go in. Might even burn a calorie or two while saving some dough on wasted gas. When you have flexibility, try to time errands during non-peak hours. For general money-saving tips, CFL’s CFL’s CFL’s. We switched a few years back and saw an immediate impact on our electric bill. In FL temps aren’t much of a factor, and you can use incandescents in those places where you actually need them. Evaluate just how much TV you watch, or Internet you use, and trim the fat. We found we rarely watch the HD channels even though we have an HDTV, so that’s a quick 6$ a month we saved by cancelling. Same thing with excessive movie channels or other extras that aren’t used. Same thing, unless you do excessive uploading/downloading, maybe there’s no reason to pay for excess bandwidth. Wash clothes in cold water. Switch to a tankless hot water heater. I could keep going, but that’s enough for a start maybe.
Tam
2 years ago
Eating at home can save you a ton of money. I hate to cook and my husband buys a lot of prepared frozen meals like chicken picata, chicken marsala, prime rib, etc (frozen food section at BJ’s or Sam’s)…I add fresh veggies to it and cook pasta or rice or potatoes, serve salad. It’s still cheaper than eating out. actually I think it’s probably cheaper than buying the chicken, beef etc…., heating up the stove, buying all the ingredients that will probably go bad before I use them up again.
I bring my lunch every day to work. I am just eating less food too which isn’t a bad thing.
We are drinking less milk.
I cut coupons.
Buy as much store brand things as I can. You can really save money that way.
I don’t go out as much just to go out. I only go out when I absolutley have to.
Today we are visiting my brother in law in Riverview. It cost me $8.00 in gas to drive there from New Tampa. My son has a grad party to attend right across the way from them tomorrow. He is spending the night at his uncles house so that we won’t have to drive to drop him off again, costing another $8.00. I will pick him up when he is done. His uncle didn’t mind and they can spend some time together.
There are many ways we can cut back. Order a movie from your cable company. or watch what is on HBO instead of going to the movies. Make it a movie night, invite the neighbors and tell them to bring thier favorite snack. Much cheaper than $9.00 a head at Muvico, plus popcorn, soda, candy…that can cost just 2 people $50.00, for a MOVIE, rediculous. That’s $25.00 per hour to entertain me? I have better things to do.
Anyhow..that’s just some of my ideas.
jason
2 years ago
I moved to be closer to school and work. I also am starting to work from home a lot more. If your job is mostly on the phone and online see if your boss will let you work from home. Email your building and ask if anybody is interested in a share-a-ride program. A lot of folks often commute in from the same communities at about the same time.
jason
2 years ago
really I am just adjusting my budget to the new reality, I am better off than the homeowners here because I was able to move into a cheaper apartment easily while a home owner is pretty much stuck for the time being.
gar
2 years ago
I will be biking to work a few times a week. May not be practical for everyone, but I only live 4 miles from work. Biking will also improve my health. Speaking of my health, I will be eating out less.
junior
2 years ago
All the things you mentioned are probably very meaningful for you but I have memories of world war 2 and the rations we got for coffee,sugar,shoes,gas,etc. Even our banana split was called a victory split because all the bananas were sent to our troops. Now I am elderly and in a nursing home and I feel like our troops they cannot get to the nearest grocery store or sandwich shopso Ido Operation shoebox for the troops,my extended family. tHANK GOODNESS I DO NOT HAVE TO BUY GROCERIES OR GAS AS I LIVE ON 35 DOLLARS A MONTH.
David Jenkins
2 years ago
I canceled HBO, $10 right there and they didn’t have any good shows left and all the movies they have I watched 4 months ago on Netflix.
I drive 30-40mph the whole way to work, whatever the speed limit is where I am and it only takes me 3 minutes to get there or back. In general, I never drive anywhere more than 10 minutes from my front door. Usually it’s really no more than 5. Not driving so much has made the gas hikes really not impact my quality of life much.
GKR
2 years ago
I’m converting my carto a plug-in electric.
Patricia
2 years ago
Eat in more. We’re trying new recipes–both Hubby and I cook–and it’s fun.
Stay home more. More quality time with the kids. If we do go out, we go for simple, free things like a local park. Did splurge and drop $43 at Muvico yesterday for the five of us plus one small drink and a small bag of popcorn. Cooked hot dogs and wrapped them up in foil for eating in the car on the way to the theater so they wouldn’t really be hungry during the flick.
Buy fewer books. Use the public library for books, as well as movies. Free, if you return everything on time, and easy as pie since you can reserve things online.
Spread out personal care appts, like hair salon.
Wait longer to buy clothing replacements if things are still usable.
Look up health tips and natural home remedies to avoid doctor co-pays only to hear, “There’s really nothing we can give you…” or “Keep doing what you’ve been doing…”
tommy
2 years ago
These are some great tips! Keep ‘em coming!
dreaming
2 years ago
produce is unbelievably cheap at the open markets on east hillsborough. half or less than publix or sweetbay. yes, you have to drive there, but it’s worth it weekly.
get videos and books from the library. one thing that really works in hillsboro is the public library system.
dropped the trib and sptimes. hey theyre free online.
use craigslist to buy and sell stuff. a lot cheaper than new and just as good.
stopped cable tv and internet. see library above. also, use free wifi hotspots for computer access. savings? over $100 month…
Anonymous
2 years ago
Ditch the SUV and buy a small car instead!
Buy the paper on Sunday and cut coupons.
Invite friends over to hang out at home instead of going to a bar. If you do go to a bar, drink domestics instead of imports. I drink imports when I’m at home instead.
For parties, use reusable plasticware instead of paper/styrofoam/disposable plastic. Better for the environment too!
Go through the house and unplug any appliances that aren’t in regular use.
Tino
2 years ago
If gasoline is really that big a portion of your expenses, you really should put a good chunk of money into oil & gas company stocks. If oil goes to $150 or $200, you will be protected. Buying an energy mutual fund is neither difficult nor only for the rich.
junior
2 years ago
SAVING ON TIPS SAVES A FORTUNE. MY FRIENDS INVITED THEM SELVES OVER FOR MEMORIAL DAY-SAYING WILL MAKE IT POTLUCK. THEY CAME WITH NO FOOD,SO I SAID TO MYSELF THEY HAVE THE LUCK AND IHAVE THE POT.