We also have a large garden. Saves lots of $
Senior Member
We also have a large garden. Saves lots of $
Senior Member
Don't run the dishwasher until it is full.
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I eat bad food all the time, fast food lol. When they have specials, I go there. Krauszers on rt36 has coffee and butter roll for $1.49, that's breakfast. Can't beat it.
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Buy multiples when things are on sale.
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I write down all the money I spent during the week. At the end of the week review to see where I could save more money.
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Got kids? go to this site to learn some places where kids eat for free.
www.eatfree.com
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Energy efficient appliances
Some good info
Energy-efficient appliances gain favor
By DAVE CARPENTER
CHICAGO (AP) - Fast-rising utility bills have helped homeowners embrace something many previously acted only lukewarm about: energy efficiency.
When it comes to home appliances, consumers have learned they can do the right thing environmentally and save money at the same time.
Perhaps no household appliance offers more potential for savings than a washing machine. Homeowners thinking about ways to make their homes more energy-efficient may want to look into replacing their washer - especially if it dates to before federal standards were established in 1994.
Rob Moore of Albany, N.Y., and his wife are motivated to both save money and the environment as they prepare to buy a front-loading washer that uses much less energy than a traditional or top-loading one.
``The environmental concerns are definitely big in our household,'' said the 39-year-old Moore; he works for Environmental Advocates of New York and his wife Stephanie also works for an environmental group. ``But long-term it's also a pocketbook decision.''
``I think homeowners increasingly recognize that it's in their best interest to have energy-efficient products,'' he said.
While consumers have warmed to energy efficiency only gradually, the trend is increasingly evident with household appliances. Overall U.S. sales by appliance manufacturers fell to $23.4 billion last year and continue to slump as fewer homes are built in a tight economy, but energy-efficient models account for a growing share.
In a reflection of increased consumer demand as well as manufacturers' innovations, 55 percent of the major appliances shipped to stores and distributors in the first half of 2008 carried the government's Energy Star rating for high energy efficiency - up from just under 50 percent a year earlier, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
Manufacturers don't break out sales of Energy Star appliances separately, but they total in the billions. Sales of washing machines alone accounted for $3.6 billion in 2007, and much of that was in front-loading washers.
Demand for front-loaders at Abt Electronics, a major retailer in Glenview, Ill., is up about 60 percent this year, according to general manager Marc Cook.
``People come in and their first question is, 'Should I switch to a front-loader?''' said Cook. ``They like the technology, and when you sweeten it by saying they'll be using less water and energy then it closes the deal in their mind.''
Front-loaders and advanced top-loaders typically use only one-third the water of a conventional top-loader, using sophisticated wash systems to flip or spin clothes through a reduced amount of water while also dramatically decreasing the amount of hot water used.
In addition, enhanced motors spin clothes two to three times faster during the spin cycle to extract more water, reducing moisture in clothes and resulting in less time and energy in the dryer.
What energy-conscious buyers need to know most is to look for the yellow Energy Star label, which means a product is among approximately the top 25 percent of all product models in energy efficiency.
Energy Star is a 16-year-old joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. It provides labels for qualifying products in more than 50 categories - from televisions to light bulbs to furnaces to clothes washers.
The label guarantees three things, according to program spokeswoman Maria Vargas: That the product is more energy-efficient than a conventional product - delivering the same or better performance using less energy; that it's a cost-effective purchase that will pay for itself in five years or less; and that there's no sacrifice in performance.
Shoppers should also check products' EnergyGuide labels required by the Federal Trade Commission. The labels provide an estimate of the product's energy consumption and show comparisons with similar models.
An Energy Star-qualified clothes washer uses 15 to 25 gallons of water per load compared with 30 to 35 gallons by a standard machine, saving more than 7,000 gallons of water a year. Combined with lower electricity costs, the government says the machine can save the user $550 in operating costs over its lifetime compared to a regular clothes washer.
That can be welcome relief from increasingly burdensome household energy costs.
The average U.S. household will spend about $2,350 this year on energy costs, up from $2,100 in 2007, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, an energy information clearinghouse in Washington, D.C. Roughly a quarter of that is from appliances.
Of course, the added efficiency comes at a cost. Front-loaders can run $400 to $500 more than regular washers, with good-quality machines running $1,000 or more.
That's because of not only the increased energy and water efficiency but other innovations such as remote monitoring, use of steam for wrinkle reduction, reduced noise and vibration and bigger washing capacity.
``People want larger capacity but they also want energy efficiency,'' said Paul Dougherty, manager of a Grand Appliance chain store in Zion, Ill. ``Two years ago they weren't asking about that too often.''
On the Net:
www.energystar.gov
Senior Member
I could become a frenchman and save money on tipping.
"Americans wind up as the biggest-spending and best-tipping tourists, while Germans and the French are among the worst penny-pinchers."
Senior Member
Some tips in a business week article:
by Ben Steverman
Friday, August 8, 2008provided by
The more we spend unnecessarily, the less money we save for our true priorities and future needs. That's especially important in challenging economic times. BusinessWeek asked financial advisors for tips on how to reduce expenses and boost savings. Changing spending habits can be difficult, but here are 25 suggestions to get started.
1. Track Every Expense
Financial advisors say the best way to control your spending is to know precisely where all your cash is going each month. There are several options: Make a budget; keep a spreadsheet of all spending; or buy a computer program designed to help manage your finances.
2. Vacation in the Off-season
Reston (Va.)-based financial planner Frank Boucher says he is taking his beach vacation in early September, when he found a luxury condo for half its cost during July and August. Vacationers can also save by staying with friends or visiting low-cost locations like developing countries.
3. Cut Out Investment Charges and Fees
Jeff Seymour of Triangle Wealth Management in Cary, N.C., points out that many investors end up paying 2% to 3% off the top each year for investing costs. Lower-cost mutual funds and index funds can slash that bill, savings that compound over several decades of investing.
Also, save more by taking full advantage of your employer's matching contribution to your 401(k) account.
4. Cut Back on Eating Out
Food is a daily expense that can add up quickly over time, so office workers can save a lot just by bringing their lunches to work rather than buying every day. Meals eaten at home almost always cost less than evenings out, even at more casual restaurants.
5. Downsize Your Car
Drivers stuck with a gas-guzzling SUV might consider selling it and finding more fuel-efficient wheels. (Of course, that could mean a financial hit given falling prices for the behemoths.) You can save on fuel and also on auto loan payments. High car payments are a frequent budget-buster, financial advisors say.
6. Cut Utility Bills, Especially Electricity
Experts are full of advice on lowering electricity and heating bills: Buy efficient light bulbs; lower the thermostat; turn off the air conditioning whenever possible; turn off lights and unplug appliances when not needed.
7. Make Sure You Don't Have Too Much Insurance
Life insurance can be a bad deal if you don't have dependents. For auto and home insurance, deductibles are often too low, advisors say. "You can save quite a bit by going from a $250 to $1,000 deductible," says Kirk Kinder of Picket Fence Financial in Bel Air, Md. "Also, shopping these for prices every couple years is important."
8. Find Cheaper Beverages to Drink
If you can break your addiction to fancy coffee, the free office coffee can be a money-saver over time. Unwilling to give up out-of-office coffee breaks, some thrifty consumers switch to a cheaper drink at their local Starbucks or other coffee shop. For alcoholic drinks, quality wines, beers, and liquor can be found at lower prices with a little research.
9. Examine Your Phone Service
Do you need both a landline and a mobile phone? If you have a cell phone, do you need long-distance service on your home phone? Canceling one line could mean one less bill every month. Many people have phone packages that are too expensive for their needs, so read your bill carefully.
10. Stop Paying for Premium Cable
Some penny-pinchers cancel cable service entirely to save $100 or more each month. Others lower their bills by cutting out premium movie channels.
11. Drive Less; Consolidate Trips
Think before jumping in the car. By planning and running many errands on the same car trip, you cut your fuel usage. Rather than driving, consider using public transportation, or walk, bike, or rollerblade somewhere nearby.
12. Use Warehouse Stores Wisely
Warehouse stores like Costco or Wal-Mart's Sam's Club can be great places to get deals, but they can also encourage over-spending. "Just make sure you go with a list and only buy those things that you are actually going to consume," financial planner Frank Boucher says. "It makes no sense to get a 'bargain' on a bulk item if you are going to throw half of it away."
13. Lay Down the Law with Your Free-Spending Friends
It can be hard to keep up with wealthier or less thrifty friends. Some financial planners advise cash-strapped clients to seek out social companions with similar budgets. However, if you're honest about your spending limits, true friends should be willing to adjust their plans by, for example, choosing a less pricey restaurant.
14. Find Free Entertainment
Movie rentals, cable TV packages, book purchases, concert tickets—it can all add up. Use your local public library to read books and rent films for free. Depending on where you live, it might also be possible to find free concerts, performances, and readings.
15. Consider Alternatives to a Gym Membership
The health benefits of a fitness club membership are only worthwhile if you go often. But there are other options: Exercise at home, outside, or at a local parks facility. Or, sign up for individual exercise or yoga classes rather than a full membership.
16. Cut Your Own Lawn
Michelle Goldstein of Goldstein Financial Future in Dallas estimates her family saves $40 each time they mow their own lawn instead of calling a lawn service.
17. Be Smart with Credit Cards
Financial advisors admonish clients to pay off their bills each month to avoid interest and finance charges. For those stuck with debt, move cash to cards with low interest rates. Some find they spend less on impulse purchases if they cut up their credit cards and use only cash instead.
18. Annualize Your Expenses
When reviewing your spending habits, roughly calculate how much they're costing over the course of a year. "Realizing how much things cost over the course of a year can really help put things in perspective," says Bob Nusbaum of Middle America Planning in Pittsburgh. For example, if you spend $10 for snacks and lunch each weekday, that adds up to $2,500 in a year.
19. Force Yourself to Save
One way to save more is to trick yourself. Transfer money automatically from paychecks into savings or investment accounts. With less available in your checking account, you'll be more careful about your spending. Gradually increase your automatic savings rate over time.
20. Institute a Waiting Period for Major Purchases
Wait at least 48 hours before deciding to buy anything over a certain price limit—$50 for example. After the waiting period is over, "You may decide that the object desired really isn't worth the price," says Jennifer Hartman of Greenleaf Financial Group in Los Angeles.
21. Pay Bills Online—Save on Stamps, Avoid Late Fees
Set up your finances so bills are paid automatically or online at the click of a mouse. "There's no reason to pay for stamps and envelopes and run the risk of a late-payment fee when bill-pay programs are usually free," says Walt Mozdzer of Syverson Strege & Co.
22. Make Sure You're Deducting All Business Expenses
Chris Long of Long & Associates in Chicago says clients often make the mistake of mixing personal and business expenses on one credit card. That makes them less likely to get reimbursed for expenses by employers or to deduct expenses from taxes.
23. Buy Generic Drugs and Groceries
Store-brand products in grocery stores are often made by the same manufacturers as the brand-name items. If you take prescription drugs, ask your pharmacist if a cheaper, generic version is available.
24. Buy Used
Cars, books, furniture, and even clothing can be bought used for a fraction of their original cost. New cars in particular often aren't worth the extra cost; a lightly used vehicle can save you thousands of dollars with little or no extra maintenance expenses.
25. Shop Smart
Coupons are a classic way for shoppers to get great deals. Supermarkets vying for shoppers will frequently run "double coupon" promotions. Comparison-shopping on the Internet is easy thanks to a variety of sites designed to help shoppers find the best deals. When retail Web sites ask for "coupon codes," try to find one by using a search engine. But whether online or in person, avoid the temptation of bargain-hunting for items you don't really need. "Most of the time if an item is 20% off, we waste $8 to save that $2," says Neerja Bhutani of Bhutani-Palmin Financial Planning in Walnut Creek, Calif.
Senior Member
This is because their tips are included in the price of the check. I found this out the expensive way in Paris.Originally Posted by hookset
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on Tue and Sat at Dennys kids eat for free with a paying parent:
Free Kids Meals
Kids eat free at Denny's and Lone Star Steakhouse every Tuesday night (and some Saturdays) with a paying adult. IHOP, Golden Corral, Hooters, Red Robin and Roadhouse Grill restaurants offer kids-eat-free deals at select locations. You can search for eateries in your area at KidsMealDeals.com.
Senior Member
bump to save pennies, we could all use some extra
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