Need help with saving money.

[triggrhappy94]

So I'm getting ready to eventually move out and live on my own. One of the my biggest concerns is money, preticularly the best ways to save money. So I'm asking my fellow Escapists to help me brainstorm different way to save money.

I didn't think I needed to say it, but please don't condone piracy on this thread. I don't want to see people getting suspended.

 

[Saelune]

Dont buy stuff you dont need. Be cheap. Learn to hunt with a stick?

 

[razerdoh]

Cancel your MMO subscription(if any) and buy games less frequently... that helped me alot

 

[manic_depressive13]

Stop spending money.

 

[Bags159]

Don't buy things you don't need.

 

[tombman888]

To save money, simply don't spend it. =D

 

[LooK iTz Jinjo]

Don't leave your house, don't eat, drink, play games you don't already own and don't cost you a monthly fee. Don't get internet, electricity, gas, phone, cable.

 

[Bon_Clay]

Are you living in a house or apartment, and by yourself or with other people? Some things depend on if you have to pay certain utilities or not, and how much.

House phone or cell phone, pick one depending on what you actually need. If possible you could just use Skype and instant messaging/email.

Don't bother with cable, use the internet and maybe Netflix for your entertainment.

Buy your own food in grocery stores and make your meals. You will be amazed at the value and volume of food you can get, stay away from fast food and restaurants. And don't buy bottled water, get a Brita filter thing if tap water isn't good enough and use reusable bottles.

And just stop buying crap you don't really need. You probably have enough crap already, you don't need any more.

 

[Gaiseric]

Try to save a little bit of your check for a rainy day.

Learn to cook if you don't already. Learn to love potatoes and rice.

Budget the hell of everything.

Search for coupons and sales for anything you do buy.

Watch your energy and water consumption.

Walk or ride a bike(if you have one) anywhere you don't have to drive.

Plan all purchases in advance.

 

[SillyNilly]

Get an accurate perspective on how you leverage your money, and use personal finance software like Quicken to achieve this.

Beyond that, the advice others have already suggested are sound.

 

[Angerwing]

Abstain from your vices.

Stop drinking alcohol, stop smoking, stop doing drugs (assuming you do any to begin with). Major money sink.

Even if you have a relatively large amount of money at one time, don't spend it frivolously. The next financial disaster is just around the corner. Broken computer, car repairs, etc.

 

[Shymer]

Start a spreadsheet of your major monthly outgoings, income and savings accounts so you really get a handle on where your money is coming and going. Shop around for better utility deals. Stick to one credit card and pay it off every month, rather than just building up debt on it. Try and buy things outright rather than getting them on credit. Start putting away a small amount each month in tax-efficient savings schemes. Examine luxuries and consider whether you get your money's worth - eg. cable TV when you only watch 2-3 programmes (which you could download/stream or buy DVDs of). Club together with friends to spread the costs - share car journeys, shop together to get bulk deals and make best use of vouchers, 2 for 1 offers on eating out. Oh - economise on food by buying plenty of fruit veg and lean protein and make your own meals.

 

[busterkeatonrules]

Personally, I find it helpful to have two separate bank accounts. I transfer a certain amount to my secondary account each month, then I buy food and whatever else I need with what remains in my primary account. Any money left in my primary account after that, can be freely spent on DVDs, games, etc!

 

[Tallim]

Dont buy stuff you dont need. Be cheap. Learn to hunt with a stick?

Sticks are expensive to clean and maintain, rocks are where it's at.

OT: Just be mindful of what you are spending your money on. Even simple things like grabbing a can of drink from the shop while you're out can add up quickly and often slip your mind and then you can't work out where money has gone.

You do have to treat yourself to something every once in a while though otherwise you will get fed up with the daily grind. Doesn't have to be much but having something to look forward to every month or so really helps keep you focussed.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well you could always sell a kidney... and apparently they also pay good money for spunk.

No but seriously, just don't throw your money away, we usually spend 80% on shit we don't need so just get wise about it.

 

[alik44]

Keep an steady watch on your funds and how u spend them. dnt buy what u know u dnt need. make anual budgets for your self and plan ahead budgets....for some reason people say this is bein cheap

 

[mcattack92]

1. Shop around to find the cheapest version of the product you need.
2. Eat in rather than eat out
3. Create a budget of expected income and expeneses that are nessecary (Food, rent/mortgage, Utilities, fuel, etc)

 

[Not Good]

Some obvious ones:
No Restaurants or Fast food
No unnecessary trips
Re-configure your grocery list to be more economical (i.e. canned beans and corn and whatnot)

Some other things:
Don't buy bottled water. You are literally throwing money away, and tap water is always better.
Keep a tight watch on your expenses and trim anything unnecessary
If you have some sort of vice, like smoking or alcohol, cut that as well. The extra $300 a month can be nice.
If you live in an area with easy access to a grocery store and other amenities, ride your bicycle or walk instead of driving or taking Public Transport.

 

[Wintermoot]

cook food yourself it,s cheaper
don,t by useless junk or stuff you know you can,t pay (like a home cinema set)
take as much stuff with you
if you go on a road trip fill bottles with water instead buying new bottles
maybe a few gaming budget cuts
if you are going to live in a big city don,t bother with a car instead get a bicycle (you save on road tax and gas)
heat only your bedroom during the winter

I don,t live on myself yet but these are some things I came up with.

 

[GeorgW]

Don't spend any money. Done!
I'm actually serious, stop buying shit. And eat pasta, a lot of pasta.