cheap livin' notes[[image:for couples without children?]]{{disclaimer: these are just ideas}} (or, what i learned from katherine -- partially written by katherine)
- there is a difference between living cheaply and being a miser
- there is a difference between a bargain and junk
- you can live more richly than people who make more money than you if you look for bargains
- it's not as much work as some people claim
- never buy a new book
- and when you dont care that much about a book, borrow it from the library for free instead
- cook
- rice, pasta
- costco: not going to help much unless you have kids
- christmas shopping: many people claim that xmas shopping is a big financial drain but it doesnt have to be that way. shop early, always be on the lookout for xmas present, store them up even in the summer. ebay, flea markets (note that people do sell new stuff there, not just used).
- buy on sale
- flea markets, discount stores
- clothes: ross, marshalls, tj maxx
- ebay?/used books
- do it yourself: if you know how, it's much cheaper to do stuff yourself than to pay someone to do it for you or to buy it. example: sewing on a button is easy to learn. don't take it to the tailor, it's not worth it.
- travel: as soon as you know the day, buy your tickets immediately -- dont wait.
- cut your own hair
- if you wanna save money eating out, get take out (if it has a take-out menu) (go there yourself and get it, i mean) instead of eating at the restaurant. often there are discounted prices, and you dont have to pay a tip
- if you want to save even MORE money, cook your own meals
- buying in bulk does not always save you money
- 2 reasons: sometimes the price per ounce is actually more expense -- they try to trick you!! make sure you check. 2nd, sometimes its too big and you cant finish it and it goes to waste.