As the economy gets worse......

[ldy_solana]

I've been wanting to drop my cell phone. May I ask what company you're using? I'm not really even sure how pre-paid works!

i have always used tracfone.$20 every few months for a phone card and dh did buy himself(which is now mine)camera phone but i had a regular flip phone with no added stuff i wouldn't use anyway, actually big lots has them for $10 right now you just have to buy more airtime.i don't talk to anybody on my cell really its mainly for school to get a hold of me or dh to get a hold of me if i am running errands or for emergencies if i break down and i am alone. i don't have much to say and if i am running around busy i really don't want to talk to you anyway. so i don't see the need to spend $60 or more a month on a cell phone even if i didn't want text messaging. i have a friend who is addicted to iphone but in the same breath complain he has no money! wtf get rid of the phone and fees! shoot i will just call you back at home.

kassia

 

[sparrow13]

Thanks for the info on the phones guys!! Some more questions....

- can I use it with my existing Verizon cell?

- if not, what is the process. I got to Target and buy a Tracphone? or do I need to go to a dealer? And then I buy minutes?

THX!

 

[ldy_solana]

sparrow i am not sure but i think you have to actually buy a tracfone. i find it better of the pay as you go type phones though.

kassia

 

[coloradomama]

Thanks for the info on the phones guys!! Some more questions....

- can I use it with my existing Verizon cell?

- if not, what is the process. I got to Target and buy a Tracphone? or do I need to go to a dealer? And then I buy minutes?

THX!

You need to buy a Tracfone...you can do this at Walmart, Target, even our grocery store has them for about $14, I think. Then you buy the minutes separately. If you do not use a cell phone often, it's a good way to go.

 

[gogigi]

I'm not eating out as much, not buying as many workouts as I used to nor taking part in as many preorders as I used to. I've cut down on excess shopping. I don't get my hair done as often (not that I ever got it done on time before). I'm just trying to think through do I really need or want this? If it's something I want can I wait on it or save up for it or how badly do I want it and then I prioritize my wants. I just find myself thinking a bit differently and being more thoughtful as opposed to jumping right in with a purchase.

 

[netsnotes16]

I have always been a miser,more so now.

Garage sales, thrift shops, etc. Goodwill even has 1.00 days. I found a pair of Ralph Lauren dress pants for 1.00

Emails from stores, for example, Handpicked had a warehouse sale, and found jewelry for 1.00, so I started my Christmas shopping.

I use coupons too, only if it is BOGO and cheaper than the Store brand. I read my ads, to find the cheapest on fresh veggies/fruits and go the stands when possible.

Craigslist and eBay works for me as well. I found a pair of 35lb weights for 35.00 getting ready for Cathe's STS.

Cleaning supplies are cheaper at Dollar General and Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree's "Awesome" detergent is the best. My hubby buys all that expensive stuff, but I find that bleach, ajax, works well to clean just about everything! But I do like DT's natural cleaner.

I find that early mornings and late afternoons most stores have meat on sale. After 8:00 service I usually get my meat put in freezer. Every once in awhile I will get a rotesserie chicken, etc.

My mother used to say, don't buy retail until it is on sale!

 

[elliemom]

From where I stand, I don't see the economy improving very much. First of all 2 friends are architechts and they have been laid off for over a year. No new home building, no architechts needed.
Philadelphia is laying off 3,000 employees, NJ state workers are experiencing forced furloghs, 2 local hospitals have hiring freezes on Nurses etc etc etc.

I am a tightwad, cheapskate, thrifty money saving freak!!! So I haven't have to make too many changes. I did do a few things though that allowed me to save more money. (And be a littler greener too) No pun intended.

I close all blinds and curtains on sunny days and cool off the house early in the am.
I unplug every single appliance and gadget not in use
I make my own popsicles from fruit juice and water for the kids
I searched and found many free activities for my kids
I buy large bottles of juice and give my kids a cup of juice mixed with water instead of buying single serving ones.
I swap babysitting with a friend
I cook on Sundays and use the meals throughout the week.
I never turn my oven on during the week.
I hand wash a glasses after the kids use them, and they use them all day long.
My washer only runs when it is full and my clothes dryer is UNPLUGGED. Saw major savings on my bill last month.
I will not pay one cent of interest to greedy bankers, therefore I don't use credit cards. I have to keep one for room reservations and etc but it's paid off every month.
I read all labels on hair products etc,if they both contain the same thing I buy the generic versus the Pantene.
I use coupons (but only for things I already buy)
We rent movies at the library (free) and borrow books
I shop with cash only so I see the money leaving my hands!!!!

Just a few tips!!!

 

[Gayle]

Sparrow - I've had a Tracfone for 4 years. You buy the phone (pretty cheap), then you buy the airtime cards separately. The cards come with an amount of time that your account is active for and a number of minutes. I *think* as long as you keep your phone active, you keep the same number.

I buy a one year card every year for around $100, so it averages to less than $10 per month. Plus all your unused minutes roll over. Tracfone is always offering deals for bonus minutes as well whenever I get close to my expiration date.

 

[berry99]

Ellie - thanks for your tips! Ever since I visited you I have been closing my blinds during the day so that the sun doesn't heat up the house. It works!!! I unplug my appliances too, but DH doesn't so it's really frustrating . I try!

 

[TeTe]

I was doing all of those things before the economy fell

Me, too...except the vacation. Vacations/travel are the LAST things that I'll give up.

Also, I live extremely close to my job, so I don't spend a lot on gas, nor do I have any desire to buy a new car anytime soon. This is how I have lived for years. I eat at home more, not because of the economy, but because DH loves trying out new dishes and wines. We also have friends over more instead of meeting them at restaurants for the same reasons...and because we can hang out for as long as we want, play the music we want to hear, and all-in-all, just be more comfortable.

The only thing I've changed recently (I had to take a lower paying job recently) is that I don't buy clothes as much, but, then again, I can wear jeans to work every day if I want. One of the advantages of working in a small office with artsy types.

 

[yelly]

One of the smartest decisions we've made was when we moved here a year and a half ago, instead of buying a house and having a mortgage, we used our money to buy a trailor outright, so we own our home. It's definitely a humbling lifestyle change, and space is tight, especially because I've had another baby since we've been here. But it is so nice to not have to struggle TOO much in this economy. We also only have one car, which is the part I have the hardest time with. We hardly ever eat out, which in this small town is actually a good thing. I almost always get all my clothes at secondhand stores, which if you find the right store is no sacrifice at all, imo. My husband also hunts, so we have venison throughout the year too (what else would you expect in Montana!)

I guess just keeping things simple, which is actually what I'm happiest with.

dani

 

[sparrow13]

I guess just keeping things simple, which is actually what I'm happiest with.

dani

Amen.

I envy those of you with one car. We would love to do that but with DH in real estate it's hard.

 

[upnorthchick]

I spend more time thinking about if we're saving enough and investing enough for the future and the unknown, that's the biggest change for me. We have been very fortunate with our jobs--the companies we work for are strong and doing well. Hopefully, that will continue. DH and I haven't changed our spending habits too much but only because we already live pretty frugally - we rarely eat out and on Sundays I cook the food for our lunches for the week. The biggest change, like others on this thread, is when we shop for clothes, house items, etc., we determine if it is a need or just a want.

 

[dorothyrd]

All the people around here who are in my industry(IT) that were laid off still don't have jobs, so I don't see a lot better here. I think they are telling us a story on that one.

We always have lived frugally, don't keep credit card debt, low car loans, drive cars until they cannot be driven anymore, shop sales, bring lunch to work instead of eating out.