The Babble List: 15 Money-Saving Tips
How to replace your expensive habits with cheap ones.
by Babble Editors
November 18, 2008
As every paper and website you've read this morning has no doubt reminded you, times are tough. We wish we had a get-rich-quick scheme that would pay off your entire mortgage — but failing that, here's a list of easy substitutions that will help your family save a buck here and there. There's even a silver lining: many of these money-saving substitutions are better for your health and the environment. Here's to better and cheaper habits. — Gwynne Watkins
Instead of buying new winter clothes . . . buy new winter clothes, six weeks later.
Maybe your family can't make it to December without a new sweater or two, but if you can hold out on the bulk of your shopping, you can catch the best sales of the year: right after Christmas. If you're okay with used duds, thrift shops and eBay (add the word "lot" to your search to find bulk wardrobe auctions) are your friends.
Instead of paper towels . . . use actual towels.
Once we get accustomed to using disposable products, it's easy to take them for granted. Look around the house and figure out what you can swap out for reusables: paper cups, napkins, lunch bags . . .
Instead of regular light bulbs, use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
You already do this, right? Moving on.
Instead of subscribing to premium cable channels or Tivo, watch your favorite programs on your computer.
Even the bargain $9-a-month Netflix plan now allows unlimited viewings of hundreds of movies and television shows on your PC, thanks to the "Watch it Instantly" feature.
This feature doesn't yet work on Macs, but Apple owners can watch movies and TV on Hulu.com instead — which has a smaller selection and commercial interruption, but is totally free.
Instead of beef, cook with beans.
Vegetarian ingredients cost less, so meat-eaters should try swapping proteins at least once a week: pinto or black beans instead of beef in Mexican dishes, cannellini beans in Italian dishes, chickpeas instead of chicken in curries. Canned beans require no prep besides rinsing, while dried beans require cooking (but are so cheap, you can eat for pennies a serving). Hit Epicurious for new recipe ideas.
©2008 Babble
