10 Things We Overpay For
You can save big by buying cheap alternatives instead.
By Joan Goldwasser, Senior Reporter, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
March 6, 2009
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Does the avalanche of news about layoffs, business losses and a declining stock market have you looking for ways to cut your spending so you can beef up your savings? We're here to help, with suggestions for less-expensive alternatives to ten everyday purchases (for more ideas, go to www.BillShrink.com, which tracks cell-phone plans and credit cards).
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Afternoon snacks. Do you munch protein bars as a healthier alternative to a chocolate pick-me-up? You could easily be paying more than $2 per bar and consuming just as much sugar as you would with your favorite candy bar. Stock up on fruit for a fraction of the cost when you do your grocery shopping. You'll be fitter and save a bundle.
Bottled water. Yes, it's important to drink water every day. But picking up the bottled variety with your lunch is an expensive way to stay hydrated. Rather than spend $2 a day for water, buy a pitcher and a filter for about $20 and drink as much as you want for pennies a glass.
A caffeine fix. Can't get through the day without at least one cuppa Joe? Stopping at Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts can set you back as much as $1.65 per cup. Splurge on a pound of gourmet coffee for $8 to $13 and you can make 40 cups for about 20 cents to 33 cents each.
Favorite tunes. Do you rush out to buy the latest CD by your favorite group even though there are only one or two songs you really like? Instead of paying up to $18 for the CD, download those cuts you want from iTunes for 99 cents each, or from Amazon for as little as 79 cents.
A night at the movies. An evening for two at your local theater costs an average of about $20, including the popcorn -- and closer to $30 in major cities. And that doesn't even count the babysitter. For just $5 a month, you can watch two movies from Netflix or pay $9 for unlimited viewing. If you're willing to wait a little longer for new releases, borrow them free from your local library. (See Cut the Cable Cord for other inexpensive entertainment options.)
Fresh flowers. A bouquet of spring blooms brightens up a room and your mood. But purchasing it from a florist at $25 and up can quickly put a dent in your budget. Check out your local grocery store, which offers a selection of seasonal bouquets for $5 to $10.
Fruits and veggies. Sure, precut vegetables and salad mixes that are washed and bagged save a little time. But you'll pay for the convenience. Broccoli florets and sliced peppers cost $6 per pound, compared with one-third to one-half the price for the uncut versions. Lettuce varieties that are pre-washed and bagged sell for $5.98 a pound. But it takes just minutes to wash and spin dry enough arugula for your evening salad, and you'll pay one-third as much. Buying whole strawberries rather than sliced ones that are prepackaged cuts the price by 75%.
Credit-card fees. Every month, millions of credit-card customers pay their bills late, and they're assessed as much as $39 each time. Set up an automatic debit and you'll never incur another late fee.
ATM fees. Each time you use an out-of-network ATM you pay an average of $3.43. Do that once a week and you'll rack up almost $180 in ATM fees every year. Avoid those charges by selecting a bank with a large ATM network or an online account that reimburses your ATM fees -- such as the eOne no-fee account from Salem Five Direct bank. Another alternative: Get cash back at the grocery store.
Fax and mail services. Instead of paying FedEx $1.49 to fax one page, sign up to send free faxes from a provider such as faxZero or K7.net. Save on shipping with the U.S. Postal Service's priority mail service. You'll pay just $4.95 to mail an envelope or small box anywhere in the U.S., and your parcel is likely to arrive within two days. Larger packages cost $10.35. That saves at least 50% compared with UPS's two-day service, the cost of which varies by weight and distance.
Reader Comments (115)
Posted by: josh at 03/06/2009 10:39:33 AM
RE: ATM fees. Ditch the big ATM network banks for a local credit union. Nearly all credit unions have an agreement not to charge each other's members ATM fees. Best of all, your money tends to stay local and safe in a credit union.
Posted by: tyler at 03/06/2009 10:47:10 AM
wow, things everyone already knows...
Posted by: ladygardner at 03/06/2009 12:01:15 PM
Ditto, many banks offer "no atm" fees now. The trick is to keep the ATM receipts and take them to the bank for credit. We were hit with $9.99 fees while in Las Vegas. My bank never batted an eye giving it back.
Posted by: karen at 03/06/2009 12:14:45 PM
Yes,Tyler but do people follow thru with these common sense tips on what they should do? NO!!!Thats why we are reading articles like this because people cant even grasp if they can afford a mortage payment!
Posted by: Annie Q. at 03/06/2009 12:20:06 PM
Things everyone knows . . . and overpays for anyway.
Posted by: jim at 03/06/2009 12:35:16 PM
I save money using an AT&T GO phone because I don't talk that much ($150/year) but my Verizon home phone (Fairpoint here in NH) is very expensive. Would like to know how to cut home phone cost.
Posted by: Dave at 03/06/2009 01:25:14 PM
I agree with the banking ideas. The problem with cutting out flowers, movies and other expenses is more companies closing or laying off due to lack of sales. I should know, I'm a laid off (Borg-Warner)auto supplier. People quit buying new cars.It's the trickle down problem that's hurting us. We need people to start spending again to regain jobs and confidence in the economy.
Posted by: Alan at 03/06/2009 02:33:09 PM
What color is the sky in the world people live on that think these "money saving tips" are news!
Posted by: SPS at 03/06/2009 04:02:43 PM
Jim - If you have high speed internet you can invest in Ooma or Magicjack and all your local and long distance calls are free for life.
Posted by: scott at 03/06/2009 04:36:21 PM
Dave- it is the efficiencies that are created during a recession that give us the ammunition to create the boom that will be the next era of prosperity. Spending money on things we don't need is not going to help the economy. That type of thinking is what is going to make this resession last longer.
Posted by: Sente at 03/06/2009 05:16:12 PM
As always, Kiplinger tells you these neat things you never get anywhere else. And yes, most of these money saving tips are not news! Sliced fruit arrangements cost almost 8 times as much as the pineapple, kiwi, grapes etc if bought whole and uncut. You are paying for the convenience not the fruits
Posted by: btxusa at 03/06/2009 05:31:28 PM
We save money on our landline phone by eliminating all extras, including long distance and caller ID. For all long distance calls we purchase a prepaid phone card at Sam's and add minutes and time once per year. So far our long distance prepaid averages about $120 per year. We also use FREE Skype VOIP computer to computer.
Posted by: Holly at 03/07/2009 03:37:01 AM
Just wondering on what planet people are paying for these things anyway? We have been far poorer than that for far longer than people have been talking about this supposedly "new" economic crisis...
Posted by: JC at 03/07/2009 10:03:07 AM
Great story- but the grammar is awful.
Posted by: Ann at 03/07/2009 05:44:45 PM
We have ALWAYS followed the guidelines you suggest. How about suggestions for folks who have always been prudent? We also are feeling very squeezed. More ideas please.
Posted by: jehan at 03/08/2009 10:18:38 AM
There are a lot of "classic" frugality tips here- ditch bottled water, coffee, etc. But you also present some new and interesting ones that most people forget or don't consider! The one about not buying prepackaged salads is a great one, especially if you have a family. Unfortunately, I live alone, and the amount of salad you can make with a WHOLE head of nice lettuce, and a WHOLE package of spinach is monstrous! So one thing you should mention (in a few of these tips) is to consider waste- if you end up using the entire bags before they go bad, (as opposed to tossing half the salad if you assemble it yourself) then it may be a better option to buy the bag! Sente makes a great point- a lot of things you pay for are all about convenience- I'm a big fan of cooking from scratch: I stopped buying bread a few months ago, and now I just make it myself! There are few more satisfying feelings than munching down on a sandwich made with bread that has JUST flour, water, yeast, sugar and salt in it! btxusa also has a good point- most cell phone plans are overkill for a lot of people- do you REALLY need that unlimited data plan to stream youtube on your phone?! If you talk less than 100 minutes a month (I only talk about 20!), consider pay-as-you-go. They charge an arm and a leg for text/data but I hardly ever use it, so w/e.
Posted by: Timezone9 at 03/08/2009 10:34:48 AM
Aren't these common senses rather than "tips" that you have to get from somebody else? All you need is a 2-grade level simple math. More education/training is necessary for many Amiericans to do a simple math before they spend. Many poeple are just plain stupid. You can list 100 tips, but they all come to simple math.
Posted by: Kiki at 03/08/2009 07:42:38 PM
I agree with Scott in regards to the efficiencies (the first sentence). If we would continue these efficiencies during the era of prosperity we would have more income to invest, save, or to use as down payments so credit card debt and funky home mortgages are not so attractive. Save on what you need so you can pay cash for what you want. There is a difference.
Posted by: Nigel at 03/08/2009 11:22:56 PM
Not mentioned in this article is Spending too much on housing. People are spending less these days, cutting back here and there, and yet they are in the same financial situation because housing costs have gone way up vs. income. So it really isn't about the nickels n' dimes. Now watch housing prices fall and people being able to get into less expensive mortgages and start the economy again. The only problem is that this economy is unstartable now due to the heavy interference of the government, for example helping out banks that should have failed because of bad lending practices which leads to instability...
Posted by: cathy at 03/08/2009 11:26:25 PM
As a Florist,I would like to clarify the statement that you can only get flowers for 25.00 or above with a florist. Grocery stores know food. A florist knows flowers, what they mean, how to care for them, and we have flowers in all prices. When you get your wedding and funeral flowers from the grocery store I would like to see the results. or 20 dollars to spend I take the time tofind the flowers he can afford and give him personal attention and service at the same time.
Posted by: Joel at 03/08/2009 11:27:16 PM
Decent article with some good points. Jim from NH, I also live in NH and use Vonage for my home phone. I have never had a problem with making or receiving calls unless the cable internet is out (which hardly ever happens). The best part is my home phone cost me less than $19/month including national long distance. And you can access all your messages online. I keep the house phone for two reasons: 1) It is easier for some folks to call my house phone rather than my cell and 2)I give my home number if a business or organization requires a phone number. That way, if they sell the number, I can easily delete junk phone calls. My other suggestion is, if your bank charges you a monthly fee just to have the account, get rid of them. There are enough banks who now offer free checking that you shouldn't be paying for the "privilege" of having an account. As far as the midafternoon snack, go one step further. Make healthier versions of your favorite snacks at home in bulk, portion and then freeze the food, and then pull it from the freezer on the way out the door. Cheaper, easier and nothing to do. Just enjoy! Peace
Posted by: Michael at 03/09/2009 07:32:23 AM
I cringed when I saw the title on the Yahoo start page. I thought to myself, "If the grammar is that poor in the headline, the rest of the article probably isn't worth reading." I made the mistake of perusing it anyway and I should have followed my intuition. This article is poorly written fluff with no value.
Posted by: charlie at 03/09/2009 07:41:26 AM
...Here's a thought, maybe Kiplinger's can follow the same path to demise as many of the other major print media (Phil Enquirer, Hartford Currant etc.,); you would, therefore, find yourself amongst the ranks of the unemployed & could proceed to apply for a job with your friends at the major chain grocery store & sell CHEAP flowers.
Posted by: Anna at 03/09/2009 10:23:47 AM
Hard to cut out stuff I never did in the first place.
Posted by: Marsha Fielding at 03/09/2009 11:38:40 AM
Fruit Candy bar Protein bar. Hello! They are all as different as beer, milk and orange juice. They all have calories, but some have protein and some don't. Actually, buying a candy bar high in protein like a Payday isn't a bad substitute for a Powerbar, but an apple isn't. And apples at 3.00/lb can be quite expensive, too.
Posted by: Joyce at 03/09/2009 01:43:32 PM
Re: A night at the movies: You can also rent new movies (as well as older ones) for just $1.00 a night at Redboxes. Check their website, you will probably find one in your neighborhood. At my public library, movies ARE NOT free. You pay $24.00 per year.
Posted by: RstokesNM at 03/09/2009 03:41:38 PM
A Night at the Movies: Also, you can go to the dollar movies. In Albuquerque, the transition time from Big Title Movies at the major theatre to the dollar movies is about month and a half at a cost of less than $10 for two people.
Posted by: Ken in Connecticut at 03/09/2009 06:04:23 PM
It's a good idea to try to save money. As for the fresh flowers, I've become a florist convert lately. I have some at home that have lasted almost three weeks from the florist. I never had any from the supermarket that lasted more than a few days. So, if you price it out, the florist is probably a better deal. Also, you can support a small, local business instead of a huge foreign-owned supermarket chain!
Posted by: Bengee at 03/11/2009 04:33:57 PM
40 cups from a pound of coffee. I would like to see how that is done please.
Posted by: Amber at 03/11/2009 08:14:31 PM
These are some great suggestions, but I think the prices reported in this article are off. For example, Netflix is much more than $9/month for unlimited movies (currently $13.99 for 2 movies at a time plans). ATM fees have gone up again from $1.50 to $2.00 (or $4.00 if your own bank also charges you). On the other hand, although I advocate bringing your own water jug (you can find cool ones at grocery stores and places like Bed, Bath and Beyond for under $5), bottled water is not $2 (more like $.50 - $1.00 including bigger bottles). Nor are candy bars $2 from the vending machine.
Posted by: Ann at 03/12/2009 09:42:23 AM
I'm with Anna. Tell me new ways to spend less. I was cheap long before it came in vogue; none of this is news. As to the fruit/veggie issue - try ethnic grocery stores; some, not by any means all, have much better prices. Remember to stop there, the groceries tend to be really high, especially the American stuff. Here's another rocket science moment, turn the A/C OFF, not down. Start now and by summer, you won't notice the heat. Not kidding, when through DC summer w/o it. Did wonders for the electric bill.
Posted by: Elaine at 03/12/2009 05:48:31 PM
...(N)ot one of (the) ten things mentioned (in the article) was alcohol or cigarettes. ...your ideas are to take away harmless and simple pleasures. We haven't that much. A CD that someone may wish to add to their collection. Bottled water that they pick up to down with their lunch while on the road to pick up kids from school, on their way to a meeting that could be their end or an interview. Who has time to carry around a filtered thermos of water? But hey, don't mind if someone wants to spend nearly $40.00 on a carton of smokes, right? Don't mind if someone drags butt into a liquor store and spends more than the cost of a bottled water or a CD on that! Give me a break...Stop with such ridiculous "thrift savers" and get a grip on reality.
Posted by: Elizabeth at 03/13/2009 10:47:19 PM
How about hair and nail appointments? I've never gotten regular manicures or pedicures, but my haircut/dye job used to run over $100 every couple of months! I went back to my natural shade, used the dye box for $8 and go to SuperCuts. Not buying name-brand is sort of a given, but how many people get the Jolly Green Giant label versus the generic can of corn? (True, some labels are worth the extra money....but for example, Excedrin costs around $13.99 for a bottle you can get for $6 at Walgreens with the generic). Library books versus buying books at a bookstore. A lot of people don't even realize you can request books online....my local library is just down the street. I now go to the bookstore and write down the titles I like, then come home and order them through the library. Free books! Newspapers and magazines. Tabloid trash adds up, yet it's amazing that people still buy it. Most local and national newspapers are online and free. I do all my reading online now. Vet bills: I save a fortune using Southern Ag for basic shots. Gym membership - try the YMCA instead of the fancy gym where they hand you a towel. The YMCA offers sliding scale costs (or use a home gym if you can). I'm all for more tips. I've been cutting corners for quite awhile now and am used to it, but it never hurts to hear more.
Posted by: MB at 03/16/2009 02:02:14 PM
I agree with most of the prior posts - this article is useless. I subscribe to an RSS of Kiplinger and the more I read the more disappointed I am. So many of the articles are not informative, and the quizzes were written for morons. Who is your target audience???
Posted by: NotCranky at 03/26/2009 07:55:09 AM
Wow, some of you guys really woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something. It is just an article. None of it really helped me either but geeze louise, you better use some of the money you save to get some Prozac.
Posted by: AGH at 03/28/2009 11:26:20 PM
"Decide" the amount of your annual income. Specifically, if you make $50K per year, "decide" that you only make $40K per year and take on a lifestyle at that level. Make your decisions about expenses based on the $40K and make your decisions about saving based on the $50K. This works well for me.
Posted by: GM at 04/02/2009 08:02:39 AM
Why do people who know everything read other peoples articles anyway?
Posted by: Jen at 04/02/2009 08:08:33 AM
I am so glad people are finally getting to save some money. I have never bought anything full price for anything. Everything is way overpriced, most everything can be discounted in some way...u can check out at valucard.com or check out for out of season sales...Good Will. It a great place to so keep on saving money. Have a Great Day!
Posted by: Rhonda M Kisting at 04/02/2009 08:08:40 AM
This article was great. Reading is for learning things you didn't already know and for exploring new ideas and thoughts. If you're so closed minded, that you learned nothing from this article, then you probably are in a great financial position, in this tough economy....You should appreciate what you have, not bring down the rest of us.
Posted by: Carolee at 04/02/2009 08:10:38 AM
I always (have) been sick of the outrageous amount of money I get charged for a land line. Most of my calls come to during the day at my office or on my cell phone. I am cancelling the land line and all the federal, state, and excise taxes that are attached to it. It's useless to me - I never use it and it's just a number for the marketers to get a hold of so they can harrass you day and night.
Posted by: Sam at 04/02/2009 08:11:49 AM
The big underlying message here is that most people don't realize the value of one dollar saved as opposed to one dollar earned. If you put the dollars you didn't spend on coffee, CDs and DVD rentals into a jar each day (you should try it!) and then put that cash into savings, you would end up with 3-4 times that money in a decade or two. Check out any online chart on compound interest if you don't believe this. You must give your money time to work for you. A budget, when seen in the light of future goals (is there college? a wedding? a funeral? a dream house? in your future?) is not limiting, it is really freeing.
Posted by: frostfell at 04/02/2009 08:12:08 AM
to save that kind of money you need to be making it....thx but, um, can u get me a job...
Posted by: Diane at 04/02/2009 08:20:09 AM
You can also save on postage by buying "Forever" stamps.
Posted by: Frugalmeister at 04/02/2009 08:31:05 AM
When we eat out, we take home the leftovers and make them last for lunch the next day, maybe even dinner and beyond if it's Chinese food. We call it the no-bloat rule - no eating until you are stuffed just to clean up your plate. We stick to our local eateries for now and shop our favorite local stores so as to stimulate their sales rather than somebody's across town. I don't want to see them close and feel guilty that I could have done more to support them. I think the best thing we did was quietly pay off our mortgage. We did it as fast as we could and always keep an equity line open on it so we can fall back on it if we need to in a pinch.
Posted by: Don\'t get it at 04/02/2009 08:41:01 AM
I understand these tactics for saving money, however, if a person is a single parent without additional support income, with earnings of 25,000.00 yearly, what then? There are people deep in debt, with jobs, playing lets juggle this, but can't hold all the balls. This shouldn't be... Is that the majority of the economy we live in? Where can people like this really save? It's my experience not to be able to use the luxuries listed to save money in this article. What a dream it would be, to purchase coffee, afford entertainment, have that snack (when just putting food on the table for myself and drop out son is mission impossible). Local assistance for us isn't an option cause I make too much. Where do I stand when prices go up for transportation again? Thank god it's spring... just heating my home breaks the bank, or bounces the check. These issues I could use suggestions on. Medical coverage through assistance was all I could obtain for my 18 year old son. How sad is that? At least I have myself to blame. Is it because I'm employed, or is our system of late broken? Our penny is worth nothing, even when used to toss it into a wishing well. At least I still try to help others in need. I believe people endure because of other people. Not because they've purchased less. Especially when there is no money to spend after getting a paycheck.
Posted by: JS at 04/02/2009 08:41:46 AM
I read the money saving story today. Sure it works if you make extra money to save. Try saving when bothe parents work combined wages 49K with a morgage of $1300 a month, two college age children with student loans. But here's the best part, NO cable tv, never go to the movies, NO fancy vacation, toys, boats, or any other fringe bennys. I can hardly pay for heating fuel.
Posted by: JN at 04/02/2009 08:51:13 AM
While it was a true statement months ago, this is no longer true that you can enjoy the movies for $20.00 including the popcorn. You are now looking at an avereage of $28.00 per couple including the popcorn.
Posted by: RV in tennessee at 04/02/2009 08:55:10 AM
Two resources have really helped-www.daveramsey.com and my old copy of The Millionaire Next Door. Sophisticated investment strategies made Bernie Madoff look like a good idea.....
Posted by: BC at 04/02/2009 09:03:08 AM
I agree that coupons are a great way to save when grocery shopping. However, the Wal-Mart here is one retailer refusing to accept any coupon printed from a manufacturers web-site. So you become limited to only use those coupons found in newspaper flyers.
Posted by: not crabby either at 04/02/2009 09:15:25 AM
I agree w. not crabby....O.K., so the article didn't help EVERYBODY, probably wasn't meant to. May just make people THINK of some other ways to help reduce costs. Why don't some of you that are obviously so DAMNED intelligent write some articles instead of just bitching!! Go back to bed and get up on the other side ya whiners!!
Posted by: JerseyGrrrl at 04/02/2009 09:22:19 AM
I quit buying water and purchased a brita pitcher instead. I then bought a 1/2 gallon jug to fill up wth water for work. I've saved so much by doing that, because I'd drink 4-6 bottles of water a day minimum. I can't stop my soda additction, so I started buying in bulk. I'd get a craving at work at buy the $1.25 soda ($1.50 in other buildings) at the machine. That started adding up, but I saved a lot by buying in bulk. And the only thing I can really relate to is the ATM fees. I was waithdrawing 10 here than 20 there, with anywhere from 1.50 to 2.50 charge per withdrawal.
Posted by: lee at 04/02/2009 09:26:24 AM
The bottles of water are such a gimmick--I lived from 1952 to today without "hydrating" every twenty minutes. You can drink tap water or from a water fountain--you won't die. Also, you don't need to be on a phone all day long. My kids call me from upstairs to see what's for dinner! It's nuts. The cheapest way to save money is to avoid shopping period. Get the basics for food and cook, every day. You can cook zillions of meals in twenty minutes or less. Drink at home instead of in pricey bars or restaurants. Stop buying all the cleansers and paper junk and use ammonia and rags. Buy cheapo shampoos and makeup...it' s the same junk. Best advice: get a mortgage for the least amount of years possible...the savings on a 15-yr mortgage as opposed to a 30-yr mortgage is tremendous.
Posted by: Be Nice at 04/02/2009 09:32:05 AM
This article was informative to the right audience. I know some of it is common sense, but some people are not using the sense and overspend because they can't see the big picture. I for one liked the article and thought it made sense. Thank you...
Posted by: Barbara at 04/02/2009 09:38:18 AM
My dad never doled out sage advice as a rule but he said one thing that's always stayed with me. He said to save or invest each raise you get at work. His logic was that if you could live one amount-$A one day you could live on that amount the next day. Father knows best....
Posted by: mak at 04/02/2009 09:47:16 AM
hi , Europe here, the reason (for) this (economic disaster)...the persons who bought houses, cars helicopters, boats ,living the american dream of buying all the planet even the moon...not the good american people who paying their bills, ALL THE PLANET GOT INVOLVED OR CONFUSED SOMEHOW....YOU MADE THE PROBLEM YOU MUST SOLVE IT. LIVE WITHOUT EATING HOT DOGS ,WITHOUT BUYING CARS EVERY MONTH, BUY SMALL CARS 1400CC NOT 4500CC!!!!!!!!!!!.DONT BUY HOUSES WITH POOLS, GO SWIM AT PUBLIC POOLS!!!!!!YOU ARE VICTIMS OF SELLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...BE SMART USA PROBLEM MACHINES. HELLO FROM EUROPE! PEACE FOREVER!!GOD HELP US GO OUT OF CRISIS
Posted by: jessica m at 04/02/2009 09:56:12 AM
You'd have to be an idiot to not be doing all this anyway. It just proves how stupid most Americans are and how we've gotten ourselves into this mess.
Posted by: Florist at 04/02/2009 09:57:40 AM
What did a flower shop ever do to you, Joan Goldwasser? You seem to be taking aim at the independant florist which, in this recession, reads as being anti-small business. As an independant florist, I take issue with the premise that flowers are cheaper at the grocery store. I responded to Ms. Goldwasser on March 19 and have yet to receive a reply and today I see that the article has not been modified or retracted. It is simply not true that flowers are cheaper at the grocery store, a fact that I backed up with three points of evidence. I would think that a true journalist would be interested in reporting fact, not just presenting a bunch of sound bites to their public. Perhaps you should replace the item on flowers with "Drop your Kiplinger magazine subscription and get your information online for free."
Posted by: Will at 04/02/2009 10:01:13 AM
Your stories about people who make good money, lawyers , what about people who got their hours (cut) back, the average joe, how do we save money?
Posted by: MPH at 04/02/2009 10:14:16 AM
Excellent advice, AGH. To further that...if you are in a relationship where both partners/spouses work, bank one salary and live off the other. This works for us.
Posted by: Shell at 04/02/2009 10:30:21 AM
You can get movies and music for FREE! All library's have the latest music and DVD's.
Posted by: maire at 04/02/2009 10:39:16 AM
Great if you are rich to start with, and are wasting alot of cash. What if you are on a fixed income of say, $8,000 yearly?
Posted by: Julie at 04/02/2009 10:40:08 AM
Write down every penny you spend for 2 weeks. Then review your list and highlight the items you really didn't need. You will never waste money the same way again. Stop with the mindset that you deserve everything. By the way, I am 39, married, have zero debt, never had a car payment and we just sent in the final check to our mortgage company last month. WooHoo! It feels great to be debt free!!!
Posted by: DW at 04/02/2009 11:25:25 AM
It's nice to know some people know how to save and can't learn from an article. It was a great refresher and incentive to try a little harder to make ends meet.
Posted by: lone at 04/02/2009 12:08:49 PM
What if I make 50k and decide I make 40k then the gov taxes me and I wind up making 30k? haha
Posted by: Pooka at 04/02/2009 12:11:40 PM
This article is good for people that have a lot more money than the norm. I am a student w/o a job and my husband does all the earning. We make under $50K per year and we have been cutting cost since we met. these ideas are ok but there are more effective ways. Example: my landline is $30 cheaper than any cell phone because of a bundle service w/ internet. shopping at a discount grocery store saves me at least $50 per visit. using leftovers for 2nd meals or lunches to go offers not only savings on groceries and trash but you get a hot lunch. Bulk is ok if you can store it. our gas is turned off in the late spring thru late fall, and we have fans not AC. (BTW it works in 100+ weather). There are other things, like no cable! 1 or 2'xs per month we eat out. any extra we get goes to principal on mortgage and truck.
Posted by: budget conscious at 04/02/2009 12:55:15 PM
I am proud to say I have practiced most of the recommendations here in my own life. They are indeed practical because despite our simple living standards with my husband, we are living comfortably with minimal debt, high credit scores, a 4.5% mortgage interest rate, and have a good amount saved in the bank.
Posted by: whatever,yo at 04/05/2009 11:33:16 PM
you go also go to the REDBOX and get a movie for a $1 a night... just make sure that you return in the next day or the bill adds up!
Posted by: Bob at 04/07/2009 12:07:55 PM
I just read an important article to which only three people made comments. I come to this one and over 65 people have something to say. Why do so many people have common sense when it comes to saving cents but absolutely no idea how to stay out of unnecessary debt and save big dollars????? I may have saved $5000 over the past 40 years by cutting my own hair but I saved far more than that by not borrowing money for things that I didn't really need. We overpay for a lot of things but unnecessary debt is by far the biggest.
Posted by: Troy at 04/09/2009 02:28:16 PM
POSTED BY: Bob (April 07, 2009 12:07 PM)- Well said well spoken.
Posted by: Ana at 04/11/2009 11:11:15 PM
I use faxzero all the time. I fax my resumes using this site and I am glad I found it. I have saved lot of $$$ with them. And I am always in the search of free services on the internet :)
Posted by: GonzoHunter at 04/13/2009 12:00:58 PM
The ideas here are good, but as someone pointed out, just common sense. I and my family been doing most of these for quite a while. I wouldn't say fresh veggies & fruits are at all cheap, however! Frozen ones are nutritionally, just as good and usually much cheaper. Fruits are a waste, unless you need the sugar (this also addresses the solution for afternoon snacks. Instead, make your own granola or bring a sandwich). Another way to cut costs is quit smoking and drinking too much! Our state already has a cigarette tax and it's going up. If someone buys 2 packs of name brand cigs a day, they're spending about $56/week! Add to that your escalated insurance premiums and eventual cost of illnesses like cancer or COPD and you could spend a fortune! Still, none of this would be quite so immediate and necessary if the very rich and the government whose strings they pull were forced to "economize" by paying higher taxes and not allowed all the loopholes and pork they get! You can bet THEY'RE not skimping on their luxury cars, multiple mansions, champagne and caviar!!! Can anyone say AIG, or "Golden parachute"?! Asking the already poor to economize when this excess is the cause, is just adding insult to injury...
Posted by: Maria at 05/04/2009 07:30:34 AM
The USPS idea isn't all that realistic to me. When I have used the USPS, it has always taken longer than two days. Instead I'd use and pay the next day or two day service that was much more expensive than the commercial ones, my mail would up late and I end up wishing I had of gone with the other guys. Oh yes, the postal service will reimburse you but what good does that do when the item was late?
Posted by: ray g at 05/04/2009 08:57:34 AM
i bought a fax /phone used at a yard sale and so send my faxes free. 10.00 cost of machine
Posted by: Mary Lou at 05/04/2009 10:57:06 AM
I totally agree with Gonzo. I think all of these helpful hints are great, but why should the lower and middle income people (and by middle income people I mean a family that makes 50,000 to 75,000 per year, or a single person making 35-40,000)scrimp to try stay even, when it is the political machine and wall street greed that has brought us here. Who was the one that thought up these 401K's where we get to store our money, but as soon as we need some of it back, we're chargeg a fee much higher than the interest we were paid to begin with. What a racket! And when did a bonus start to become part of a promised salary? A bonus was originally created to reward hard work, and is supposed to be based on company annual profits, and employee performance?????? How are these people getting bonuses when the companies arent making any money?
Posted by: D. Sylvester at 05/04/2009 11:27:29 AM
Go GonzoHunter. More attention needs to be paid to those who waste the most insted of those who have the least.
Posted by: Jamie at 05/04/2009 12:00:16 PM
Actually, about the fresh flowers, I have to disagree! You can get a fresh beautiful bouquet for $10, and it gets a special treatment and a free card... as long as you pick the flowers yourself. Or one nice flower (like a lily for $6) and then the "fluff" is usually free, especially with the economy the way it is. They want to sell! Talk out a deal!
Posted by: Gio at 05/04/2009 12:07:01 PM
RE: Afternoon Snacks / Nutrition Bars. Balance or Zone brand nutrition bars are excellent, compact sources of quality protein and a myriad of essential vitamins. Also, their sugar content are sourced from fruit. These bars can be purchased at Costco, for example, in bulk boxes for a unit cost of approximately $0.76 for each bar. Local grocery stores will often mark individual Balance or Zone nutrition bars with a $0.99 price point for each bar. Fruit is a smart nutrition choice, but so is a well-priced nutrition bar.
Posted by: wlkngtall69 at 05/04/2009 12:07:51 PM
Well, you all talk about saving money, why the hell is OBAMA wanting to pass the "credit card law" which takes a year to go into effect??????????? What that will do is give the credit card companies a year to increase fees and APR's then when the law goes into effect, they will decrease the fees and APR's a little bit and say "look what we have done (but they will still be higher than they were 3 months ago), but credit card are still loosing money and they still need Federal Aid". The old saying is "if you want to make/save money, you have to spend money." I'm a firm believer in this: if you really want to help yourself, stop buying the Starbucks and Red Lobster and all the gourmet items. If you save $20 a week, SPEND what you saved by paying $15 extra on your highest interest credit card (but if your payment is $300 this month and goes down to $250 next month, still pay $300 plus what you save on that Starbucks coffee and roll/muffin). You may have to "suffer" for 6 months before you can go back to your Starbucks but you'll probably find out that the Maxwell House Original Roast coffee is beginning to taste pretty good. Besides, if you put your coffee in a thermos or thermos cup, no one knows you didn't stop at Starbucks. Point is, every time you save $10 or $20, spend most of what you saved by paying extra on something which is costing you money and you can pay on a credit card as many times a month as you want(I have one card which will only take a online payment every 3 days). I have a goal. I get paid every 2 weeks and I send at least $1 more than I saved in 2 weeks to a credit card (sometimes I send $20 more, just what I can afford) plus what my minimum monthly payment should be. I have 4 credit cards and I charge a gasoline fillup on each card, once a month (sometimes it is $11, sometimes it is $20 on each card) then I go home and pay that credit card $1 more than I charged. Believe it or not, I have gone from $31,000 down to $14,000 in credit card debt in a year. In less than a year I will have all the cards paid off.... You can do this also, if you just make up your mind to "do it"....Dennis
Posted by: dawn at 05/04/2009 12:52:22 PM
your suggestion for late fees for credit cards is valid but you should caution anyone using automatic debit. You need to ALWAYS check your due date before assuming the automatic debit because the due date is always backed up every few months. this could result in being late anyway. I think credit cards do this on purpose knowing that customers do not always look at their statement when they set up automatic payments.
Posted by: mike at 05/04/2009 01:24:38 PM
Some good suggestions. GonzoHunter, you need to calm down. I get the feeling you are going to a totally different category than this article is on. Its purpose is to remind us of easy ways to save, not to remind us of our recession situation and that those in a better financial state are the problem. You would not speak so harshly of them if you and your family were just as financially stable as they are. Every one in the world wants to dodge this recession, don't hate them simply because they didn't get the brunt of it.
Posted by: Tabatha at 05/04/2009 02:07:51 PM
I agree completely with GonzoHunter! AIG needs to rethink there priorties or let someone else do their spending and they need a much smaller budget. Why all the trips, doesn't their conference room serve a purpose other than holding space?
Posted by: mark g at 05/05/2009 01:41:26 PM
Seems the people who cry the loudest are the ones who want Gov. out of business. Give the banks money but no strings attached. WE give the money WE better get some say in the matters. Deregulation was stupid. Now the little is the one that gets screwed. Open up to greed, and it will come.
Posted by: gepe at 06/10/2009 09:48:54 PM
I think you need to get "in tune" with reality Joan G. buying flowers isn't what most of us do anyway........People can save $$ by purchasing a late model USED auto instead of new. Buying used items on Amazon.com, going to yard sales, thrift stores or consign shops...
Posted by: Mike at 06/13/2009 06:07:16 PM
First off what she is suggesting is that everyone needs to watch what they are spending money on. Maybe most of you are not buying flowers, however there are many out there that are and guess what they are not commenting on here because they are too ashamed to realize she is right. Now I do again that saving on Auto's is a good thing, go to Hertz and buy a used car that was used for a rental car, you can save thousands, or if you know someone, have them take you to a auto auction, there you will really save money, and you can pick the car you want to bid on, but be prepared to pay the cash.
Posted by: Mack at 06/13/2009 06:29:21 PM
This is a very weak and misleading article...More than half the suggestions are nearly pointless and unrelated to most peoples' lives....the author is supporting and advertising online music stores and pathetic banking options. Get real lady...
Posted by: linda at 06/13/2009 07:39:49 PM
I watched a comparison segment recently on the food channel about the difference between whole fruit, etc and pre-sliced. It really depends on what you are buying. Some fruits and veggies generate a lot of waste and if you count in the waste that is generated when you buy whole, you get a more realistic picture of what you are paying. For instance, pineapples and watermelon generate up to 40% waste, so you must figure that in when evaluating the cost. Of course, washing your own lettuce or spinach is a no brainer.
Posted by: Renee at 06/13/2009 08:19:51 PM
In regards to skipping the florist and getting your flowers at the supermarket, you get what you pay for. They are often not condtioned properly and probably will not last you as long as your local flower shop. You also have a DESIGNER doing the arrangement, it'll look nicer and present better. As the owner of a flower shop you're really not helping our bottom line.
Posted by: Elizabeth at 06/13/2009 08:27:06 PM
Wow... guess Joan G hasn't been to a movie lately. $20 will buy 2 tickets, and that's about it in my SMALL city (60K people). I have to disagree about florists, though -- I'd rather spend the $$ there on something fresh that'll last (or be replaced) than spend half at the grocery for flowers that won't. I don't buy flowers very often, so they're going to be worth it! And I'm buying advice, too, after all. Easier than setting up an auto debit for paying credit cards -- use a debit card and there's NO BILL to worry about. We have NO credit cards anymore, just the VISA debit card, and it's positively liberating. Bottled water is the world's biggest rip off -- most tap water is BETTER quality/taste than the major brands by survey and testing, so why do people buy the stuff? The BPA in the plastic is bad news, too. I use a glass and the tap... and I'm not dead yet! ;-)
Posted by: Ken in NY at 06/13/2009 08:40:06 PM
I gotta laugh "We only make 50K a year". Thats a LOT of money! Thats almost $1000. a week! I live in the western part of the state of New York-The TAX capital of the nation. I make $30k a year. We have a house with lakefront, a boat, a new car. We paid off the mortgage, got a loan for the boat and car. I wish I made 50K a year. I guess different parts of the country are more expensive than others. Here is one thing I dont think was mentioned. I have a bank. I put all of my quarters in this bank from my pocket change each day. Every $50.00 acrued, I roll them. Over a period of one year, I have accumulated over $800.00 in quarters. I paid off my one and only credit card with these quarters. I know many are unemployed, and ask "How can I save?" It is tough all over. I was once told what the BEST investment was. It was not gold or silver, not stocks, real estate or bonds. To my suprise it was FOOD. When we go to the store shopping for food, they have these aluminum packets of freeze dried meals, like spanish rice or noodles alfredo. They cost 66 cents to a dollar each. They last forever. I buy a few each time. I now have over 500 of these things. If I become unemployed, at least we will eat for awhile. Think about it..
Posted by: Dennis at 06/13/2009 09:26:42 PM
Buying foods just before the "Sell By" date often cost 40% less than they did the day before. Many such foods are not only good for several days before beginning to get stale, but many can also be kept much longer by keeping them in the freezer until needed.
Posted by: Dennis at 06/13/2009 09:38:18 PM
Pay for faxes - not me. Light use fax machines can be purchased for less than $50.00 - sometimes for as little as $20.00 when new models come out. They can also be used as a copy machine. I've had mine for several years without a problem.
Posted by: Grumpy at 06/13/2009 09:53:39 PM
Ended headline with preposition? Ugh. Cash back at the grocery? Most stores have limit...and be sure you use YOUR DEBIT CARD. If you use a credit card, your eyes will pop out of sockets at the rates charged!
Posted by: Unha at 06/14/2009 01:17:59 AM
Thank you for your money saving helpful hints. You just saved my family alot of money. Thank you.
Posted by: Tammy at 06/14/2009 09:38:25 AM
I pay my credit cards off each month, so not only do I save by not paying interest, I also make money on bonus cards. Last year I made $127 on one card and $60 on the other.
Posted by: Hatim Pitalwala at 06/14/2009 09:41:52 AM
Thank you very much. Your article is very informative. Its only for those who really understands the meaning of SAVINGS.
Posted by: n!ck at 06/14/2009 09:58:44 AM
long live HST
Posted by: Niki at 06/14/2009 10:44:34 AM
Dont buy flowers from a florist, grow your own. A container can be easily turned into a flower pot if it can hold water. Be creative a paint it if you want to coordinate. Then buy a flower bulb like .99, dig up some of mothers green earth and watch it grow. You can sit back and marvel your creation for years.
Posted by: Klaus from Switzerla at 06/14/2009 10:51:21 AM
Living with little or almost no money? - byuing expensive items? look at internet offers, auction houses, flee-markets, garage - sales - buying clothings? look at internet offers, like e-bay - buying food? look for special offers, buy fresh bread befor closing, etc. - clothings, fixtures free of charge? contact social organisations, churches, etc. - always try to buy quality - even if it seems to be more expensive, it will last longer - do never ever buy on credit, better wait until you have the money or buy second hand / used, it will serve the purpose
Posted by: DLL at 06/14/2009 11:54:42 AM
Grumpy, I know exactly what you mean about ending sentences with a preposition; but, really, would it be a better title as "10 Things For Which We Overpay?"!
Posted by: Natasha Assa at 06/14/2009 09:47:27 PM
To avoid ATM fees I signed up for the Smart Cash account with Fidelity. It will reimburse any cash withdrawal fee from any ATM machine plus it is loaded with tons of other cash management tools. One of them is Automatic Cash Manager which tracks min and max amount of cash on your account, replenishing it from a funding account if you fall below and invest it into your Fidelity Investment account if you have too much.
Posted by: TheInterviewingEdge at 06/19/2009 10:49:10 AM
How very true. In this economy, pinching pennies is very important. Good advice for all. Mark Ste. Marie
Posted by: Samantha at 07/22/2009 09:36:46 PM
Ah...an English Major....better to be a Business Major, than you would not worry about prepositions!
Posted by: regina at 07/23/2009 09:49:59 AM
I signed up with Charles Schwab. Reimbursement for all fees even ATM. I get 2% cash back on my charges every month.
Posted by: Kristie at 07/26/2009 11:23:20 AM
With the movies, some places offer cheaper nights. I live in Hampton Roads, VA and I know one place on weds offer $3 night. That includes a ticket and popcorn. Granted they are movies that are in limbo between the screen and dvd but for only $3 I can wait a few months. With the drinking water, I purchased the home softner system and about once every 3-6 months I change the filter and can refill my bottles at home. There are other ways to cut just watch your spending.
Posted by: xiexieniii at 07/26/2009 11:50:32 AM
Shameless, insidious promotion of Netflix and other services...
Posted by: archerlayne at 07/26/2009 12:26:04 PM
Setting up an automatic debit to reduce credit card late charges no longer works. I tried doing this but the card company changes the date the payment is due every month on purpose so they can still give you the fee.
Posted by: Vee at 07/26/2009 02:26:56 PM
Excellent advice. I spend a lot on coffee weekly and am trying to cut back. Who cares about the title, it's the information that is IMPORTANT!
Posted by: Greg Wilber at 07/26/2009 03:49:04 PM
About the water you drink and save....instead of bottled water...you are right when you get a filter and save in the short run, but the best way to save thousands of dollars is to invest in a Kangen Water Ionizer. see this website> "urnbiz.com/bestwatereveryday" Order one now for conveinence and Maintaining Better Health.
Posted by: Xango at 07/26/2009 04:08:19 PM
I buy at case lot sales and special bargains to put into my food storage or my freezer. Then I pay my food storage kitty what I would have had to pay at the grocery store when I use the item. That builds up very fast. I do not decide what I am going to make for dinner and then goes down and buys it. I look and see what I have in my fridge or freezer and then decide what we are going to have for dinner. As far as I am concerned, when a bill is broken it is gone so I take all the loose change in my pocket every night and put in a bottle that runs up to hundreds of dollars in a year. That is my vacation money that is saved up without missing it.
Posted by: Lisa at 07/26/2009 10:33:45 PM
For the English Majors, this article has been renamed. "To overpay or not to overpay. That is the question." Is that English enough for you?
Posted by: REYMEN at 07/26/2009 11:58:34 PM
AMAZING. AND THANKS FOR GIVING ME AN IDEA, BUT I DON'T USE ATM. THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.
Posted by: Frank Rizzo at 07/27/2009 12:38:31 PM
...You sure it's savings...? You sure it isn't.....NOTHING!
Posted by: Harriet at 07/31/2009 02:47:04 PM
tsk tskkkkkkkkkk. ending a sentence with a preposition---for shame 10 things for which we overpay
Posted by: James at 08/13/2009 02:01:56 AM
GotFreeFax.com is another website that allows user to send free fax online.
Posted by: John at 08/23/2009 02:26:44 PM
Rizzo!! Is that you?? Ever work for SBA? Do the words Russell T., New Hampshire Skiing and Reed Boynton mean anything to you? If so, please reply. it's John from SBA. Superrjean@yahoo.com