I'm on a 'Low Budget'

02/02/09 | Jenk

[jenk]

While chatting with fellow freepers, I realized I have some expertise (I'm no expert) in the ways of making a household more economical. I preserve foods by canning and freezing, I hunt, plant a garden, dry clothes outside, and so on. I do not pretend to be an expert in any of these endeavors, but I do my best.

I have been told in the past that I mustn't be so thrifty, because it is that unwillingness to spend that hurts our economy. Got it. However, I live this way because I am building and planning for a grand future. The past eight years have been extremely good for me financially, and I'm being forced right now to go back to what I've had to do ten years ago to get by. No problem, been there, done that.

That said, I hope to start this thread to help others and answer questions to the best of my ability and find others with expertise that I do not have.

[TornadoAlley3]

Good Morning jenk, thanks for the ping. My Blue Ball Book on canning arrived in mail Saturday.

[jenk]

cool

[jenk]

you got it

[DYngbld]

It has been going sense March. OUTSTANDING thread. I think I look at it weekly to see the new stuff added. (it is nearly 10,000 post strong)

[rightthinkingwoman]

Marking.

[bmwcyle]

Cheap is small and not too steep
But best of all cheap is cheap
Circumstance has forced my hand
To be a cut price person in a low budget land
Times are hard but well all survive
I just got to learn to economize

Im on a low budget
Im on a low budget
Im not cheap, you understand
Im just a cut price person in a low budget land
Excuse my shoes they dont quite fit
Theyre a special offer and they hurt me a bit
Even my trousers are giving me pain
They were reduced in a sale so I shouldnt complain
They squeeze me so tight so I cant take no more
Theyre size 28 but I take 34

Im on a low budget
What did you say
Im on a low budget
I thought you said that

Im on a low budget
Im a cut price person in a low budget land

Im shopping at woolworth and low discount stores
Im dropping my standards so that I can buy more

[quality costs, but quality wastes,
So Im giving up all of my expensive tastes.
Caviar and champagne are definite nos,
Im acquiring a taste for brown ale and cod roes ]

Low budget sure keeps me on my toes
I count every penny and I watch where it goes
Were all on our uppers were all going skint
I used to smoke cigars but now I suck polo mints

Im on a low budget
What did you say
Yea Im on a low budget
I thought you said that
Im on a low budget
Im a cut price person in a low budget land
Im on a low budget
Low budget
Low budget

Art takes time, time is money
Moneys scarce and that aint funny
Millionaires are things of the past
Were in a low budget film where nothing can last
Moneys rare theres none to be found
So dont think Im tight if I dont buy a round

Im on a low budget
What did you say
Yes Im on a low budget
I thought you said that
Im on a low budget
Im a cut price person in a low budget land
Im on a low budget
Say it again
Low budget
One more time
Low budget

[i look like a tramp, but dont write me off,
Ill have you all know, I was once a tough
At least my hair is all mine, my teeth are my own,
But everything else is on permanent loan.
Once all my clothes were made by hand,
Now Im a cut price person in a low budget land.
Im on a low budget
Ill have you all know
Were on a low budget
Im on a low budget]

[Marmolade]

Add me too, please.

[Marmolade]

My daughter got me started couponing again, after all these years. It takes a bit of time to cut and organize them, but I have been able to get many items FREE or near free by doing so. Walgreens and CVS have great deals with their coupons, manufacurer coupons and store rewards.

Website info to check out to help in stockpiling items:
http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/getting-started-couponing-basics-newbie/89883-couponing-101-couponing-basics-newbie.html

I learned a lot of tips from that thread.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

My favorite band of all time. Never gets old.

[Le Chien Rouge]

I have been on a Low Budget—(love the late 70’s Kinks by the way)—since the 2000 dot.com bust......I have so many ways of stretching ones paycheck that I could write a book.....

However, the last several months I have been spending more on stockpiling food and household goods.

I would cautiously recommend that others do the same not out of fear but out of preparedness.

[Tainan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HEW5bXqKbU Kinks - Low Budget

I live within my means...and its a good thing.

[bmwcyle]

Click here

[papasmurf]

I can help you in your endeavor.

I owe this information to another FReeper, whose name I have, sadly, forgotten.

IF YOU SMOKE: STOP buying brand name cigarettes. They are loaded with chemicals, and even more so in TAXES!!!

I smoked for the better part of 40 years. The last 5 or so, I smoked as much as 4 packs a day. It was insane. I was insane. I disgusted myself when I actually stopped and thought about the number of cigarettes I consumed in a month, year, etc.

Here’s a “twofer”:

Part 1...Go to your local smoke shop or google for make your own cigarettes. Then, buy a 16 oz. bag of tobacco, a carton of tubes, and, if you don’t mind splurging a bit, a machine to make them for you (trust me, it’s well worth it).

Altogether it will cost you about $60.00 the first time to make 3-4 cartons of smokes. After that, it’ll only cost you about $15.00 or so for a bag of tobacco and about $2.50 for a carton of tubes. A 16 oz. bag of tobacco will make at least three cartons but usually four. Do the math, you’ve now saved a car payment, or a month’s electricity bill, etc.

Part 2...Now that you’ve been smoking a “clean” cigarette for a while, you will have surely noticed that your desire to smoke has subsided quite a bit, mine did immensely. Now, if you’re of the mind to do so, you’ll find quitting will be so much easier. I have.

When you get a craving, as I still do sometimes, I can not offer a higher recommendation than Commit lozenges, I like Cherry flavored, to take the “edge” off. They work as advertised.

At $34.26 per carton, and only 4 cartons per month, you will save over $1300.00! dollars per year! I have saved about $5000.00 in the year I did this, plus maybe, my life, as well.

[papasmurf]

“I live on a sailboat for around $1000.00 per month”

I hate you.

And I say that with nothing but love in my heart! LOL

[CottonBall]

live on a sailboat for around $1000.00 per month - I can do better I think.

Were you the one with the cute little tabby? (If so, don't make her catch her own fish!)

[CottonBall]

Good thread - keep me on it!

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Yep, that’s me and boat kitteh.

[goodnesswins]

Keep me on your list, thanks.

[savedbygrace]

Old Proverb:

“I’ll live a few years of my life like few men will, so I can spend the rest of my life like most men can’t.”

[an amused spectator]

Every nickel that you deny to the Demopub/Republocrat Tax Machine is a blow for liberty and freedom.