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Messages By: trigreen

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June 18, 2006, 3:02 pm PDT

Trigreen's Money Saving Tips

1.  Pay cash.  You don't need a credit card, and you especially don't need one on you.   Paying cash will limit how much you spend.    

  

2.  Don't use credit cards.  Even if you always pay the amout due, credit cards companies have been known to charge bogus late fees and other fees.   The protection plans they offer, often due nothing for you and are simply a way for them to get you to hand over more money or no additonal services.   

  

3.  Get your money out of a bank and into a credit union.   On average credit unions charge less fees.   

  

4.  Before you buy something ask yourself if you really need it.   

  

5.  Don't buy cheap stuff, that will break and need to constantly be replaced.  This is one of the biggest mistakes of consumers, buying cheap stuff at supposed discount stores only to have the stuff break and need to be replaced in half the time a quality item that doesn't even cost twice as much would need to be replaced in.    

  

6.  Don't buy a gas guzzler.   

  

7.  And I will say it again pay cash! 

 
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June 18, 2006, 3:18 pm PDT

Agree w/jl4ever

Quote From: jl4ever

Is a better life, leaving your children in day care?  Is a better life getting up every morning getting everyone, including yourself off to day care, school, work?  Then coming home rushing to fix supper, help with homework, and do housework.  Hm-m-m, maybe if I pay a baby sitter I can work even more hours and afford a maid!   Is a better life slaving 40 to 70 hours a week so you can have an RV or camper or fancy car to impress your friends?  Is a better life slaving 40 to 70 hours a week so you can have your toenails done and hair done at a fancy salon so you can impress your friends? 

  

Not everyone can work.  What about young mothers whose husbands are in the military?  They  may be stationed in the middle of the Majave desert and not a place to work for miles around.  Once, many years ago, my husband  was stationed there.  I know.  Some are disabled.  I kind of get the idea that you are young and haven't been down life's road for very long. 

  

I have found that it often costs more to work than to stay home.  When I quit my job to help get my kids through their turbulent teen years, I remember we got a $5000 income tax return.  Wow!  that was half my salary back then.  I should have quit sooner.  Later, I went back to school and earned my college degree.  I worked for 12 years and have recently retired.  I'm doing just fine, but not everyone is so lucky.  People get sick.  People have sick family members to take care of.  People cannot work for many reasons.   

  

Todays society is way too materialistic.  Thanks to all my husband and my frugality and the Lord, we are living the good life.  My forturnate financial conditions does not negate the circumstances of others.  This message board is a place to help others and to share what you have learned so that all our lives can be improved.  We don't need sarcasm. 

  

I hope you will rethink your post. 

  

jl4ever 

  

  

Seems like you have some good insight into life.   I work with several people who work 2 jobs (although the number of extra hours involved in their second jobs varies a lot from a few hours, to a second full time job) and have also known and worked with other people working 2 jobs.   The ones who work a larger number of hours at a second job (let's say about 20 or more) are constantly sick, look emotionally drained, and they look half dead.  Then you have to consider the costs of extra medical care, child care, and extra services to make up for the time spent at work.   Even scarier some of these people are nurses and then you have to think about medical errors.    I do live a very different lifestyle from a lot of the 2 job workers, but the important thing is I get to enjoy my life.  I get to have hobbies, relaxation time, and fun.   I agree that today's society is way to materialistic.   It is also sad seeing that some people make so little, and it is sad that we don't pay people enough to at least have a decent life on.  
 
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June 18, 2006, 3:58 pm PDT

Have you looked into government assistance

Quote From: youngmom22

on how to make a small income go along ways with three children?  we have a bring home income of like 1400 a month anyone got any tips on how to stretch the money so everyone gets what they need.  Food is taken care of basically bought half a cow and a whole pig with income taxes and stocking up on veggies and stuff any thing else?\
Have you looked into government assistance?    You might qualify, if for nothing else at least medical care for your children.  
 
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June 18, 2006, 4:09 pm PDT

Pretty Cool

Quote From: jmtern

1.  i have not bought waxed paper in ever so long!  i eat lots of cold cereal.  i carefully open the waxed-paper sack along the top seam.  when the cereal's gone, i open it all the way (again:  carefully along the seams), rinse it & let it dry.   

  

wonderful for freezing bacon:  lay a rasher down on the paper; roll once; lay another rasher; roll once; lay one more; finish rolling, then seal the lot into a freezer bag. 

  

2.  when i use a paper towel to dry my hands, i shake it out and lay it across the paper-towel roll to dry.  i can use the same towel to dry my hands five or six times. 

  

3.  i re-use aluminum foil, too.  the high-quality foils are best.  usually it can be rinsed in the sink; i've also popped them into the dish-washer if they're very greasy. 

  

4.  speaking of the dish-washer...i generally hand-wash dishes. 

  

5.  when you think a sack of flour or sugar is empty, or a box of kitty-litter (or any container with dry stuff inside), open it up at the bottom over a bowl or cup.  i've gotten as much as a quarter-cup of flour or sugar that way, and a good bit of kitty-litter i'd have otherwise thrown out. 

  

6.  don't spend your change.  well...spend your pennies--carry them to ward off other pennies--lol.  every six months or so, settle down and roll up your change--then put it in the bank!  or you can do as i did in college after the last of my final exams:  i'd use it to reward myself with a treat--a new book or that.  i generally roll up between $35.00 and $75.00 every six or nine months. 

  

7.  when you think you're done with your liquid wash soap, put a wee bit of water inside (just a wee); gently shake the jug...and you've got a good lot of soap there that had been clinging to the sides. 

  

that's all for now! 

  

ta-ta! 

I like most of those.  I actually do spend, my change and find that it saves me money in the long run.  The quarters I need anyway for laundary.  I keep a regular towel in the kitchen and only use paper towels if I need them.  
 
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June 18, 2006, 4:27 pm PDT

Night Sweats

Quote From: lootas

  

        I've noticed that my boy friend gets night sweats.  From head to toe the sheets are soaked.  I've asked him if he is aware that he has night sweats, and he says he knows about it.   I've ask all the questions one would wonder about, and received all the answers that one would hope to receive.  To what degree he is honest, I am not certain.  I am not well versed on such things.  I know of one thing that causes Night Sweats.  (HIV/AIDS)   

  

        My question is what OTHER issues can cause Night Sweats?   I'm looking for other less frightening possiblities that could cause them!   Any one out there with any information on this topic?    Is it possible to have Night Sweats, and have it be Normal, or at least a non-life threatening condition? 

Methadone can cause night sweats.  I would imagine some other medications (or medication withdrawals) can cause it as well.    If you think your boyfriend has could have HIV/AIDs perhaps you should suggest that you both go and get tested?  
 
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June 18, 2006, 4:50 pm PDT

American's are too Wasteful

I only throw things away once they have no more use left.   I refuse cardboard food boxes as microwavable paper plates or use them for art projects.  When my flowers on my porch dry up I turn them into a dye that can be used as paint.   I have often found that old clothes often come back into fashion.   I don't buy a lot and don't need to because I save things.  My apartment isn't cluttered full of things.   I don't see the point in throwing things away just because you don't like them anymore.  If nothing else give them to someone who can use them or have a yard sale.   It is amazing the stuff people throw away.  I pulled one of my current favorite CD's out of the trash that a former roomate was throwing away.   My toaster was also a giveaway that someone did not want, so are a number of my books, and some of my cooking stuff (from a table we had in my old apartment building with things people no longer wanted).  
 
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June 22, 2006, 6:28 pm PDT

Very Cool

Quote From: commit

  I guess, I'm that same way.  If I see something that is still in good condition by a dumpster or on top, I will grab it.  Everything is so expensive!My oldest daughter needed a new dresser and I found one beside the dumpster. I cleaned it up and it works just fine!  Maybe I'm just cheap but I find that furniture is so poorly made that I will look where ever I can to get something cheaper or free!  Friends have given me a bed for my middle child.  A crib was given to me for my youngest child.  Garage sales are my absolute favorite! My husband thinks that I might be a little crazy, but I'm only trying to save a buck or two!  When I'm finished with a piece of furniture, I will sell it or give it away!  My house isn't cluttered but the things that I do find,  get lots of use out of it.  My husband took a picture of me hopping out of the dumpster one day.  Someone had moved out of their townhouse and didn't take a thing with them.  I found 2 garbage bags full of wine bottles and other bottles.  That was an extra $100.00 in our pockets.  Two pairs of men's hockey skates(brand new)among other things.    

  I don't feel so embarrassed because I'm not the only one who looks for the free bargains! It's not just American that are wasteful, It's Canadians was well.  No wonder we have such a problem with to much garbage, people don't like something or it's old,dirty, needs a little TLC. They just throw it away.  Recycling was introduced for a reason!! Our planet isn't in very good shape! If only we had a few more people in our world that took the time to be a little wiser about their stuff.  

  There is no need be packrats.  After you are finished with papers,recycle them.  Trees take along time to grow!  Give your clothes, furniture, applainces, accessories to shelters, groups and other people who could use them. I do and I feel good because I may have helped someone else out and save the planet, even if it was just for a moment!  Be smart!  

Sounds like a good idea to me.   I too have no problem pulling things out of dumpsters.  My apartment isn't cluttered, and also I should mention I left things for others on the table in my apartment complex, as well as taking things from it.   Giving is a wonderful thing.  I remember when I in grad school we were given some kids toys as a joke (long story).  I had no use for them so I gave them to this women's grandson in my building.  They were just little inexpensive things, but he loved them.  Now what a waste that would have been if I had just thrown them in the dumpster.   
 
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June 22, 2006, 6:44 pm PDT

Sorry

Quote From: youngmom22

Yeah we do have medical for the kids and he has his through work but I am not covered which of course now I am the one with all the medical problems...
It is really sad that the rich people monopolizing the power in the government don't care about people like us and could care less about our medical problems.   This is why I support the Green Party the one party that actually cares if we have health insurance.  
 
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June 22, 2006, 6:51 pm PDT

Thanks

Quote From: jl4ever

Great tips!   

  

After reading some of the tips on here, I noticed that my dishwasher's normal cycle is 2 hours, so I tried the light cycle.  The light cycle is 1-1/2 hours and my dishes are just as clean.   

  

I also only fill one cup with dishwasher detergent.  Now the dishwasher soap (name brand) that I buy  from the Dollar General Store lasts twice as long.  Someone on this message board suggested using half the amount of laundry soap in my clothes washer.  Guess what! my clothes get just as clean! 

  

Thanks all! 

I'll have to give washing my dishes on the light cycle a try to.   My dishwashing detergent is actually a little more expensive because I buy the environmentally friendly non-tested on animals brand (works great though).  
 
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June 26, 2006, 4:54 pm PDT

Your son sounds like a good kid

Quote From: mindylou7

hi my son does work and helps out. but it seems when monday comes along..........he shyly ask...can i have 5.00?  i of course will give him a 10 or 20.  he does help alot with younger siblings. he is 19 and he did graduate.

I don't see anything wrong with what you are doing.  It is completely unfair how these huge corporations with CEO's greedly hoarding all the money, pay there workers so little.   It is ridiculous that some young people have to waste some of there best years working to menial jobs that they get almost nothing out of except for a paycheck.  If we don't help those in need, their other option will often be to have to turn to the greedy evil bankers, who will charge them ridiculous amounts of interest.   Good for you both for parenting a good kid and for giving him a little extra spending money.    

 

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