Struggle with the economy? Any tips or hints?
#121
Stitch, If your husband waits until he's 67+ to draw SS, how much longer after that does he plan on living? I had to retire at 62 and opted to draw SS rather than going to the hassle of doing a disability. Having lived 10 years after past 62, I am probably making up the amount I gave up by not working until I was 66 to get the full amount. I think there are calculators online on the SS site. I didn't use one because I needed the money. Period.
The jeans I have on today are at least 20 years old and were on sale when my daughter bought them for me.
The jeans I have on today are at least 20 years old and were on sale when my daughter bought them for me.
#122
I use my slow cooker a lot, it's on now with Muffin's food, yesterday making a home made soup. Last year I bought a Halogen oven and now never use my grill or oven, even my microwave is used rarely since I have bought it, saves a fortune on electricity. If my large oven goes on the blink I would never replace it just get a table top two ring cooker.
#123
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bosque County, Texas
Posts: 2,709
Most of the recipes that use pasta can have rice substituted. Obviously it will not be the same dish, but spagetti sauce served over rice makes a tasty dish that is cheaper than spagetti. Your favorite pie fillings can be served as puddings saving the cost of the crust and the calories. Both of these are also ways to keep the "almost same" meals but make them gluten free.
#124
We have a roaster oven we keep on the back screened porch and we use it in the summer. That save on A/C bills. Before they brought fiber optic tv/internet out here, I used to get my dialup internet through Goodwill. Yes, Goodwill. It was only $75 annually. Have bought a lot of clothes lately at a local thrift shop.
#125
Some good ideas. Keep them coming please. Never heard of washing your hair with conditioner, doesn't it get greasy? I shop more and more at the Dollar Tree. I have been developing a list of things I purchase on a regular basis like toilet paper, dish soap, trashbags, can goods, dry foods, etc., how much I use in a month, and what it costs at each store. I am getting to know what to buy where unless I find a great sale. Example, my 12 yo likes koolaid. I found I can get a package with 12 envelopes at dollar general for 1.00, while at WinDixie it is like .30 for each envelope. Lois-nounoe, I have the world's blackest thumb, I can't get anything to grow and I have tried many times. Wish I could grow my own foods, especially tomatoes, I just love tomatoes. I live in the country, have plenty of area to work with, just can't. Have 2 freezers I could use and lots of pantry space.
#126
Loved reading all the hints....grew up poor and we did lots of the ideas written. Now living on .
SS only and finding it more and more difficult to keep up. Looks as if I too will be using a lot more savings ideas....My biggest expense is gas.....live in rural area and need to drive 10 miles each way to stay in touch with friends....They are very important in my life so I will continue with that and cut back other places.....Can't go back to work as I have kidney disease and am on disability...Been on chemo over 10 years so must stay away from large groups of people and can't risk catching any illness they may have....What happened to the "golden years"?
SS only and finding it more and more difficult to keep up. Looks as if I too will be using a lot more savings ideas....My biggest expense is gas.....live in rural area and need to drive 10 miles each way to stay in touch with friends....They are very important in my life so I will continue with that and cut back other places.....Can't go back to work as I have kidney disease and am on disability...Been on chemo over 10 years so must stay away from large groups of people and can't risk catching any illness they may have....What happened to the "golden years"?
#127
Like others, I buy meat on sale and divide it up and freeze it. I buy shampoo, but don't buy a separate bottle of body wash, just use the shampoo. We usually have a garden every summer, and I can and freeze a lot. When I buy or produce onions, green peppers, etc., I always slice them or chop them and freeze them to use later. We have a large apricot tree that produces like crazy every year and I pit and freeze them 4cups at a time in freezer bags and make apricot pies the rest of the year! Then we invite the neighbors to come in and pick all they want, LOL!
We use Magic Jack to make all our long distant calls. You can even take it with you if you travel and plug it in when you arrive. We still have our regular home phone because we get our DSL from the phone company. I'd like to get rid of DISH. My phone company is now offering TV and it would be cheaper and there is not all that programing that I never watch....or the "70" radio stations.
For those of you on Medicare, check out First Health on the drug program. Most of my meds and all of DH's meds are generics. Generics are FREE on this program, so if most or all of yours are generics, switch over and save money.
We use Magic Jack to make all our long distant calls. You can even take it with you if you travel and plug it in when you arrive. We still have our regular home phone because we get our DSL from the phone company. I'd like to get rid of DISH. My phone company is now offering TV and it would be cheaper and there is not all that programing that I never watch....or the "70" radio stations.
For those of you on Medicare, check out First Health on the drug program. Most of my meds and all of DH's meds are generics. Generics are FREE on this program, so if most or all of yours are generics, switch over and save money.
#128
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 2,633
To Prism99, you are most likely allergic to sulfates that are in the shampoos and conditioners. I am also, Get like a boil and busts and then is a sore that takes a while to go away, I used to have a lot on my head til I found out that I was allergic to it and started using some that doesn't have sulfates in it. The only thing I have found that I can use is the Loreal shampoos & conditioners that are sulfate free.
#129
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 2,633
#130
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 2,633
If I could do my job without all the traveling and gas I would have lots of money. However I must travel to do my job, and have to work with someone who wants to micromanage all of us and it is scary because I think she is trying to get rid of us, so she can get her friends to work--hope she has good luck on that one. I need to have this job as it pays for my health ins that I used to pay out $1200 a month for 2. Now I pay $400.28 a month. Save where I can.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post