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Curious to know how other FReepers are managing these days. What are you doing to keep afloat?

Many of us here have already been through the 2008 '0bama Reign of Error' but if there are new money-saving ideas, I'm all over it!

1 posted on 05/09/2023 6:15:25 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I just dropped collision insurance on my 12 year-old car. Saved almost $400 bucks.


2 posted on 05/09/2023 6:17:58 PM PDT by ryderann
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Expanding the garden. Again.
3 posted on 05/09/2023 6:18:44 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Follow the money. Even if it leads you to someplace horrible it will still lead you to the truth.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
How to Fight Inflation:

NUKE the $3+ trillion 80%+ unconstitutional portion of the federal government.

There. Fixed.

4 posted on 05/09/2023 6:19:37 PM PDT by Jim W N (MAGA by restoring the Gospel of the Grace of Christ (Jude 3) and our Free Constitutional Republic!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Don’t buy Bud Light…


5 posted on 05/09/2023 6:19:39 PM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs are called man's best friend. Moslems hate dogs. Add it up..)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

2. Ask for a Raise

Why didn’t anyone think of that before?

It doesn’t work if you’re self-employed.

“Hey boss, how about a raise?”
“Get back to work, ya bum!”


6 posted on 05/09/2023 6:20:15 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Vote everey demonRAT out of office.


8 posted on 05/09/2023 6:24:10 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

All these are good ideas, and things that we have always done by habit. But, the bottom line is not to live beyond your means, look for the deals, and put your money where it will retain its value. Oh yeah, and make sure you have a sizeable emergency fund, or some assets that you can turn into cash in an emergency.


10 posted on 05/09/2023 6:25:19 PM PDT by eastexsteve
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

We are down to driving one vehicle. The four year old Lexus stays in the garage while we drive the worn out F-150 most places.


11 posted on 05/09/2023 6:25:23 PM PDT by wjcsux (On 3/14/1883 Karl Marx gave humanity his best gift, he died. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

We let our son buy dinner tonight. Saved a hundred bucks.


12 posted on 05/09/2023 6:25:57 PM PDT by mplsconservative
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Coupons and sales. Check all the weekly ads and stock up on those great deals. Also switched cell phone carriers.


13 posted on 05/09/2023 6:27:14 PM PDT by mouse1
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Don’t go to Cabo or Cancun every year because your neighbors do. Go see your folks.


15 posted on 05/09/2023 6:33:54 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I just renegotiate my homeowners insurance, which increased an additional $300 compared to last year. By increasing the deductible and lowering the personal property limit (which was very high and more than I needed) my premium decreased $400.


16 posted on 05/09/2023 6:36:18 PM PDT by CaptainK ("If life's really hard, at least its short")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Reduce your tax profile as much as legally possible, especially using more savings mechanisms, 401k, ira, etc.

Cut all donations to govt entities like NPR, PBS, etc.

Stop buying unnecessary things with large amounts of govt taxes on them. Like cigarettes and booze.

Stop funding govt with your lottery ticket purchases.


17 posted on 05/09/2023 6:40:14 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

1. Stop profligate spending in DC

2. Abolish the Federal Reserve


18 posted on 05/09/2023 6:44:55 PM PDT by No Party Affiliation
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Smash/grab. Keep it under 1K.
Repeat.


19 posted on 05/09/2023 6:59:02 PM PDT by sasquatch
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
“Curious to know how other FReepers are managing these days.”

Cut off cable TV or that little dish outside the house.

Get a minimalist cell phone unless you just have to have a smart phone on your ear when you walk down the street.

Drive a 10 or 20 year old car; it has to be reliable but it doesn't have to be new.

If you can't afford the house you currently live in relocate to a house you can afford.

Don't buy as much stuff. When you don't buy stuff, you not only save the recent inflationary price increases, you also save the baseline cost. You save 100 percent.

Don't eat out often. Cook at home more. Take lunch to work or school in a brown bag or, to reduce costs further, a clean lard bucket.

Don't buy high-priced coffee. Find a cheap workaround for coffee.

Don't let young children guilt you into buying junk. They have enough junk at home already. Get young children something of value - a single shot .22 for example. For safety reasons wait until they are old enough to know right from wrong; say five or six years old.

Speaking of target practicing: practice with a .22. Don't blast away with .556 costing $.50 per.

Choose a spouse that you are not going to have to divorce. Divorce is a wealth killer.

Don't take expensive vacations. Stay home and rest; or do something useful like pack the wheel bearings in your equipment trailer. Somebody's got to do it anyway.

And if you desperately need money, give some away. Don't ask me how but generous people seem to accumulate money and have everything they need and then some.

20 posted on 05/09/2023 7:02:59 PM PDT by jeffersondem
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

We cook at home almost every meal. Maybe eat out once every couple of months.

I’ve always turned off lights as I left a room. Old habit from when I was growing up.

Pinch pennies everywhere I can. Buy a less expensive brand. Price shop for staples.

We cut back on alcohol so not buying as frequently as we used to.

If you can’t afford to join a wholesale club by yourself, see if a family member or friend or neighbor will split the fee, then shop together for those bulk items, and split them up if you need to. Paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc are usually pretty good prices so you don’t have to wait for sales at the grocery store.

Turn the thermostat down or up for the season, just a couple of degrees helps some.

Don’t just run out for errands willy nilly. Try to plan your route to make the best use of gas.

Borrow books from the library.


21 posted on 05/09/2023 7:17:22 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TP)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Home cooked meals

Cheap pay-for-what-you-use cell plan like ting or (I think) patriot mobile (I pay $22/month on average)

Used cell phone

Work out and exercise for free (pull up bar, bodyweight exercises, bike, run)

Used books

No amazon account

Used car (two-years old when bought for cash)

Less house than you can afford

24 posted on 05/09/2023 7:29:28 PM PDT by SeafoodGumbo
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Over the years I’ve made a lot of financial mistakes, but I did one thing right. I got out of debt. Completely. Paid off the 2016 Grand Cherokee, kept the 2000 Grand Cherokee, paid off all credit cards, paid off the house. Zero debt—except for the annual extortion property taxes. With the help of a frugal wife we’re able to save almost $1,000 a month out of our meager retirement income. Spending less than you make is a great addition to a debt-free life.


25 posted on 05/09/2023 7:30:03 PM PDT by Auntie Dem (Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Terrorist lovers gotta go!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Forgot to add:

No cable, Prime, Hulu, etc.

27 posted on 05/09/2023 7:31:52 PM PDT by SeafoodGumbo
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