Counting coins in 2015

So not to say that 2014 was not a good year, but I didn’t get in nearly ½ the traveling I would like too.  Okay I didn’t really get any, and that makes me sad.  A big part of that was due to finances, I had a lot of unexpected costs this past year: new tires (3 times), an alternator, moving costs, roommates bailing out and leaving me to pay their back rent, but that is a story for another time ….

So I have decided that with the new year right around the corner, literally it is 4 days away people!! I am going to try and make a few small changes to try and save some extra cash for travel in 2015.  Here are a few of my ideas:

FOOD:

Going meat less.  I plan to try for even just 3 days a week.  This is a tough one for a farm girl who grew up on a beef farm.  But factoring in the average cost per pound of 90-96% lean ground beef is $4.90-5.30 that is a savings of $14.70 a week if each meal had only 1 pound of ground beef.  So for the year that would save you over $700.00!! This is not even thinking about the higher costs of other types and cuts of meat, this is ground beef only!!

Eat lunch from home, this is one I really need to start working on.   Eating out at lunch costs the average person $2000.00 a year according to surveys done by staffing firm Accounting Principles.  Bringing your own lunch could cut at least 50% of that cost. I was spoiled in my old position and ate lunch at work with the people I supported every day, now that I sit at a desk I tend to go out because I don’t think about packing my own.  (or get up early enough to pack one)

SHOPPING:

Use household products like baking soda and vinegar for cleaning rather than buying commercial products – HUGE savings can be seen right away not to mention what you would save all year long.  This is something I have been thinking about for a while now.  I have had a shopping list made for a month now of the things I want to pick up in order to utilize some of the awesome recipes I have found on Pinterest for DIY household cleaners.  I think they would do wonders for Greg’s asthma, not to mention my budget.

Buy Generic: many products are the same, regardless of brand name.  Money Talks suggests skipping the brand name on the following: pain relievers, milk, water, margarine, bleach, cleaning products and spices. I think I do a pretty good job a this already, but it is worth paying more attention to.

Buy used, sine you can save up to 50% or more most times.  And stop and think about all the ways to buy used now a days: Craigslist, Garage Sales, Resale Shops (local, Goodwill, Salvation Army), EBay and even Amazon.   I do have a slight addiction to scanning the craigslist adds some of them are crazy!

On that note: Sell of things you are not suing, this goes back to buying used. You can sell you stuff just as easily as you can buy someone else’s. 

Buy out of season, I am SO good at this with Halloween Décor but kind of let it go with other things. I think I am going to try and get a swimsuit in January this year!! (they are so freaking expensive for so little material!!)  You can save a TON of money on holiday décor buy shopping the day after when everything goes 50-80% off.

Stop buying books new!! This is a big one for our household, we love to read and are always at the bookstore.  There are plenty of places to buy used, Amazon, Half.com, Public Libraries, or even book swap services. Plus Portland has local/neighborhood “lending libraries” all over where you can leave a book / take a book.  Some peo0ple have then right on their front laws!

 

OUT and ABOUT:

Free fun: no matter what you like there is usually a cheaper or free version somewhere, especially in and around Portland.  Check out the city parks & community centers for free movies and concerts.  Or the smaller non chain move theaters, they are usually at least $3-$4 cheaper per ticket, even if you have to wait a few weeks after the movie has been out to see it. This one is hard to get Greg on board with, if he wants to see a movie … he wants to see it NOW. 

Use coupons: Living Social & Groupon are great way to find discounts with local retailers that are not just for groceries or hygiene supplies. I use these two sites ALL the TIME.  That is how Greg and I got through out first 6 months of date night’s while living in Portland when we were dirt floor broke from the move.  It is also a great way to find out about new places as there is always a new place opening up in this town J

 

HOME:

DIY – household fixes:  there are a TON of videos on the internet how a days walking the average joe through some everyday repairs in and around the house.  Utilize that and save $ on professional repairs.  Most charge you a minimum of 60-90 just to show up at the door and look at the problem that is before they even factor in parts and labor.  I do my best with this but I could be better.  I have slowly began updating parts of our bathroom, and getting the house painted. 

Reduce Energy Use:  install fluorescent or LED bulbs, turn up/down your thermostat and remember to turn off the lights when you are not in the room!  This saves you money on both heating and electric costs.

Turn off Premium Channels – HBO, Showtime and Cinemax each cost on average $13.00-16.00 a month or about $40+ for all 3.  We have just HBO and it is $16.00 each month.  We are going to cut that cost now, so in a few months when we reinstate it (Game of Throes is an obsession) we should have saved $80.00

 

Well those are my money saving plans for now, I will try and keep you appraised on how they are working out. I also want to have my credit cards paid off this year … so not sure how much of this saved monies will actually go into the travel fund at this time. (would rather get rid of interest baring accounts first)

Slàinte,
Kat