Something I (really, we) have been very conscious of lately is money (who isn't??) and we have been working toward saving more of it. Here's a few ways we have been doing that.
- Selling my clothes to a consignment shop. My favorite consignment shop, Ashby, and their big sister Clementine, will sell your clothes (with no fee to consign) and give you a portion of what they make. I have had several $50 checks over the last year just by taking in clothes that I was going to donate anyway -- and it only took about 10 minutes (they're about three blocks from our apartment). It's like magic.
- Kroger has something called Digital Coupons that you can just load onto your card from your computer and then you don't have to clip 'em! We don't get a paper and I don't spend a lot of time looking around for coupons on the Internet so this is a perfect alternative.
- I mentioned our money-saving jars. We've just hit week 6!
- While my hair is growing out, I have been cutting my own hair. Sure, it may not be professional (or even reasonable), but the price is right. I also cut Dan's hair with a pair of clippers he has had for many moons.
- Even though I haven't started my no-clothes-for-one-year, I have made several decisions that don't involve spending money. Because I know that that is coming, I have been thinking about my $ goals and saying no to trendy tops and that sort of thing. (You might be thinking: why not just start your no clothes buying now...you only have 3 more days? I have to find a pair of jeans that fit, stat! Due to my changing body shape, I got rid of every single pair of jeans I own. This is blasphemous, I know). Anyway, I am just trying to be more conscious of what I am bringing in. This list was really helpful when I started thinking about what I own and what I actually wear.
- The LIBRARY, of course. Both the public library (my branch is a block from home) and the library where I work have been great resources. We were going to buy Seasons 4 & 5 of The Wire, but thanks to the library -- we don't have to! I am also a pretty big reader, so this saves a TON of money. They have cookbooks too! And classes! Libraries are the best.
- Although I haven't found THE ONE yet, I have been scouring craiglist and thrift stores for the perfect bedside tables. I refuse to purchase them new -- I just can't do it!
- Getting rid of my gym membership has saved me $40 every month! That really adds up. Running has been doing me right (in more than one way).
- Before I moved last spring, I ate everything that I had in my freezer and pantry before buying anything new from the store (outside of some produce). This not only made it so I didn't have to move all those cans and boxes, but was kind of fun -- I thought up some interesting recipes to combine weird ingredients (panko and pasta? ok!) We are doing that this month to save some dough and also because we have a lot of food for just two people.
- Although this isn't something we're doing right now, we had a yard sale. When we moved in together, we said, "we cannot keep all of this stuff." Growing up, my mom always talked about having a yard sale, but we never did it. Let me tell you right now -- it was so great. Less stuff to move, less stuff to find a home for, and we made over $200 for about 4 hours worth of work. I'll take it.
- Driving can be very expensive. I only fill up my car once or twice a month (usually around $60 total monthly). Luckily, I don't have to drive very far to work and we live very close to the store, dining, museums, etc. Trying to combine errands and walk as much as possible is good for you, the environment, but especially your wallet.
- Credit card points! Saving these up for giftcards or straight cash is awesome and rewarding.
Definitely check out Young House Love's posts on saving money and check out this Yahoo article (I know, I know, but it's actually quite good).
Anyway, those are some things I am trying out to save some money for bigger and better things! Hooray!
