The Babble List: 15 Money-Saving Tips
How to replace your expensive habits with cheap ones.
by Babble Editors
November 18, 2008
Instead of your local discount store, try Freecycle.
. . . or Zwaggle, or Freepeats. All of these services are set up to facilitate bartering between users: you post when you've got an Exersaucer to give away, and you respond when someone else in your geographic area is letting go of a toddler bed. Craigslist, Handmedowns.com and your local parents' listserv are other online options for getting gently used swag.
Instead of buying new books, try inter-library loan.
We know, the library is great, but they never have everything you're looking for. Or do they? If your local library's budget hasn't been slashed too terribly by the powers-that-be, talk to the librarians about getting missing books from one of the nation's many other libraries through a fantastic little system called ILL. You may have to wait a couple weeks and/or pay a marginal shipping fee, but you'll still save the cost of a brand-new hardcover. If you'd rather own your reading material, check out Abe Books for used book deals.
Instead of drinking bottled water, get a water bottle.
Any beverage in the corner-store cooler is significantly cheaper if you make it at home. Filtered water? Cleaner than bottle water anyhow, if those new studies are to be believed. Iced tea or coffee? Brew it strong with hot water, let it cool to room temperature, transfer to the fridge. Vitamin Water? The vitamins are negligible, so test the theory that it tastes exactly like watered-down juice. Soda? Ah. That one's trickier, but if your family doesn't pledge strict allegiance to Coke or Pepsi, those seltzer machines from Soda Club may just do the trick.
Instead of buying premium cereal, mix it up.
If you're a sucker for overpriced cereals with names like Natural Blueberry Walnut Morning Harvest, consider assembling the same thing yourself: chop up your favorite dried fruits and nuts, then mix with generic wheat cereal. If your favorite cereal can't be duplicated, try mixing it half-and-half with a cheaper brand, or swap it out twice a week for old-fashioned oatmeal.
Instead of holiday clothes, buy holiday accessories.
It's tempting to splurge on snowman sweaters and velvet dresses, but kids will be just as happy with Santa hats and glittery scarves.
©2008 Babble
