How else do you try to save money?

[shell]

I LOVE to yard sale, does anyone else enjoy doing this? This past Friday I went out in the morning (I've been working the past few Saturday's so I've been missing those) but I got a GREAT deal on chairs for my daugther. She will be moving out at the end of the month and needs EVERYTHING. I had a dining room table that I'm giving her but I didn't have the chairs. Anyway, I purchased 6 oak chairs for 10.00. I was so excited about that. Now I keep looking for more deals in trying to help her out. I'm sending my hubby to a auction tomorrow for some furniture. Sometimes you can get it cheap, but sometimes it goes for an arm and a leg.

Any suggestions out there on where else to find nice used things at a reasonable price?

Michelle

[Dyanna]

Well the major way we are saving money is by reducing our electric bill. We have been usuing the energy efficient lightbulbs(the spiral ones). We have been using those for several months and noticed a big drop in our bill. We are also unplugging everything that's not in use. My DH is a HAM radio operator but hasn't used his radios in several months but they're still pulling electricity. If there was a way to unplug the fridge I'd do it. ;-) We're also using the AC a lot less and just opening windows.

[COUPONGIRL]

Sometimes you can find nice things at resale shops. Yard sales are a blast you never know what you will find. One time I picked up a complete set of dishes that I was collecting.(antique) I had a few pieces, but wow the whole set for ten dollars. Plus I got a wonderful story about them.

[mynameismom]

How about local consignment shops and craigslist (www.craigslist.com)?

[chrissy34116]

Definately craigslist! I'm trying to find a freezer on there right now. I've also been selling on craigslist, which has helped.

We just dropped our cable bill by saying adios to the DVR and going from digital to basic cable. We're also having the surge protector removed from our electric.

I'm thinking of shopping our auto insurance too.

[Sylvia]

How about this old fashioned way to save? Ask if your store has layaway instead of using your credit cards. Take the full 3 months to pay.

I collect jewellry and guitars. (well I used to) I got some really nice Guitars at a pawn shop. My Martin 000C-16GTE, a $1900 guitar I got for $600 w/ case, strap, and new strings. It's a 2007 guitar, and it still had the plastic on the pick guard. My pawnshop guy loves it when I come in... and he's always willing to put the stuff I want on layaway. Another great deal was a 3 carat Diamond ring, nice diamonds too... $699,... they let me have it on layaway for 9 months.

I once put a car on layaway with the understanding I'd be back with the remainder to pick it up. $1,000 down... he he he!! It really threw them off, when I said, "No you may not run my credit. Here's my $1k, I'll be back Friday."

I don't usually unplug, but I do use strips to flip them off. I rarely watch DVDs so those are unplugged.

My furnace runs at 68 during the day, and 60 at night in winter. When I bake something in the oven, I turn down the furnace and allow the oven to heat my house. I use fans to move the heat up near the ceiling across the room and down the wall. That helps a lot and you don't get that stagnent air feeling.


S

[courtgal]

Well the major way we are saving money is by reducing our electric bill. We have been usuing the energy efficient lightbulbs(the spiral ones). We have been using those for several months and noticed a big drop in our bill. We are also unplugging everything that's not in use. My DH is a HAM radio operator but hasn't used his radios in several months but they're still pulling electricity. If there was a way to unplug the fridge I'd do it. ;-) We're also using the AC a lot less and just opening windows.

I also bought a bunch of the C.F.L. bulbs and noticed a drop in my electric bill! They have that delay when you turn them on, so in the bathrooms I have one regular bulb in the fixtures so you can't tell. Still, it's well worth it for the drop I've seen!

[Mrs.O]

I love love love yard sales!! I've found some great deals. And DEFINITELY craigslist. I got our big screen ent center on there for a great deal. I see a lot of great deals there. I'm sorry I don't have any further suggestions, but I'm still learning some new things too!

[Kristinemomof3]

I like garage sales when I have time. We also go to Goodwill and Once Upon A Child for some second had stuff. It's just hit or miss for what I find, but it's fun. I get freecycle e-mails and have been able to get and give stuff away on it. (The Freecycle Network to find a local group) I have a small garden, cook a lot of stuff from scratch, we borrow books & movies from the library, rarely eat out. In the winter, I've been hanging stuff inside to dry to help put moisture into the air and help reduce the costs. Our windows are older, so we'll cover the windows with plastic this year (last year was our first year in this house and we didn't, bills weren't terrible, but I do think it will save.) I was able to get plastic at Mendards for $7.99 a box with a $3.00 rebate on each box.

I like Craiglist too and found my daughter a beautiful vanity on there last fall. Sometimes you can find good deals, but sometimes people want an arm & a leg for their junk. We recently got a free dishwasher off of there, the guy remodeled and ours was older and the spring on the door kept breaking. Funny story though, I e-mailed, he said "It's a KitchenAid, about 10 years old and works like a charm" Well when I picked it up, it was obviously a little older than 10 years, dh looked it up and thought it was about 15 years, our old one was 20 from what he could tell, So we get it installed (royal pain, three trips to Lowe's) I start looking through the paperwork that the guy gave me. Purchase date: 1984 I couldn't believe it, we just installed a 24 year old dishwasher!! We got a good laugh about that one. It does work like a charm & gets the dishes clean. It will have to do until it either breaks down or we update the kitchen.

Kristine

[Sylvia]

I also bought a bunch of the C.F.L. bulbs and noticed a drop in my electric bill! They have that delay when you turn them on, so in the bathrooms I have one regular bulb in the fixtures so you can't tell. Still, it's well worth it for the drop I've seen!

I posted a link in the Online Deals area... 4/$6... they are instant on... love these things.