This is the third post in our series on cheap ideas that the average householder can use to save money. We have been focusing on good solid ideas to stretch your budget. Sometimes hearing someone else’s ideas will spark some of your own.
My daughter wants a new baby sling so we are planning a yard sale. By ourselves we don’t have that much to sell so we are asking some of our neighbors to join with us. That’s too big of a subject to cover here but I will let you know how it turns out. Meanwhile, here are the rest of Robert’s tips.
10. Get a good refurbished computer about six months out of date when you need a new computer. Refurbished laptops and desktops have lasted longer with less trouble than the three new computers I’ve owned. I suspect that the refurbishing process is one more level of shakedown and inspection as opposed to factory processes that rush new tech to market. Same for most electronics. Cost is much lower, quality much higher for the cost and in a subtle way it’s far better quality because the refurbishers are very careful about their work and eliminate flaws. You got the survivors of that batch when they get refurbished.
11. Buy a good used car instead of a new car. I know, that won’t actually stimulate the economy, but it’ll cost a lot less and it has the same refurbish benefits as the refurb computers. You may even manage to get a good running one without making car payments and that could eliminate an entire bill from your budget.
12. For vacations, check out church retreats and club events where the members or congregation have done everything to cut costs and it’s not for profit. A weekend camping with comfortable cabins and meals might only cost $30 or $40 a person versus the usual costs of weekend vacations. Even longer vacations can be organized by a group you belong to with a theme or activity that you genuinely enjoy, among people you know. They are much more likely to be cheaper because the group gets group rates and can cut expenses while having a good time.
If you want to organize something like that, plan a year in advance. Get plenty of people signing up for it — it could be anything from a family gathering to a topical hobby week at a hotel. When hotels sell a certain number of hotel rooms in a package the rates drop real low, plus they throw in perks like free conference rooms and party rooms. The process of planning and organizing the event can be a good way to bond with your friends and have a good time working up to it.
13. Be patient. Instant gratification usually costs a bundle. When you plan a luxury event or purchase and take your time window shopping, weigh your priorities and choices and change them constantly, that is a pleasurable kind of planning. It’s not as painful as cutting back when it’s focused on “get the most for my money” and I spend lots of time hunting for bargains on — luxuries. Extras that I could live without but enjoy very much. It’s important to have at least some discretionary budget, not just for finding sudden clearance bargains but to keep out of a bitter hopeless sense of frustration. It doesn’t have to be much to be a lot of fun, but every financial counselor or money expert I’ve ever known has pointed out that entertainment budget is necessary for anyone to save money over the long haul.
So when you save money on any of these tips, you make that entertainment budget a little larger. Make sure to reward yourself for all this thrift. For everything that you like and put off till later, think of something cool that you want and will get later on — don’t break promises to self on this sort of thing or it’s too easy to go off the budget and crash.
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(Gandree Continues)
I’ve known for a long time that a new car depreciates as soon as you drive it off the dealer’s lot. It doesn’t make that much difference if your new car is a year or two old. Just shop around for the best deal and love what you get.
As far as vacations go, one of the best ones we ever took was a week or two before Christmas. Here in Florida, the water is still warm, the weather is cooler, the kids are in school so the beaches aren’t crowded and the hotels aren’t booked up. It’s a perfect combination. I bet you can find a similar deal where ever you live.
I really appreciated Robert Sloan’s tips. You can tell that he has had some experience with having to save money and has done it with class. A lot of it has to do with battling the fear that tells you that you won’t make it. Usually going through hard times is not as bad as thinking and worrying about it. It always helps to know someone has successfully been there before. That is one of the reasons I write this blog. I hope it helps.
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