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Asante
Mage


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Posts: 86,797
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A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made 2
#22195806 - 09/06/15 05:47 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Scrooge McDuck once said: "A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made". You can't argue with that logic, so this thread is for us to list viable ways to save money off our expenses, be it a little or a LOT.
A simple change in habits can often yield impressive savings, and any increase in your economy of spending facilitates you reinvesting the "free money" in a better place.
Lets go!
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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Rorta
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Asante] 2
#22195813 - 09/06/15 05:55 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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I went from eating out daily to buying all my food in advance from the cheapest supermarkets and scheduling and planning every meal I would eat. Saved about £80 a week doing that.
Don't buy new cars, buy an older, reliable model instead. The cost of buying a new car is one of the biggest factors I see in people I know being unable to save large amounts of money. I will never spend more than £1000 on a daily driver and I've spent as little as £100 on a car before (Sold it for the same price).
Spend more on higher quality clothes that will last years. If I wanted to I probably could go years without having to buy any new clothes. I also buy a lot of vintage clothes that are already really old but they're cheaper and higher quality.
-------------------- It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
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Asante
Mage


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Posts: 86,797
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Asante]
#22195825 - 09/06/15 06:07 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Lately I invested in Cavity Wall Insulation which is one of THE best investments you can make in a house that needs it (many dont though)
I invested 550 bucks cause I did it together with neighbors to drive the price down, yearly return will be about 400 bucks in energy savings. Every year and a half the investment pays for itself, in todays money its 550 bucks over 30 years yielding 12,000 bucks. KA-CHING! 
Back when I was a stoner (we're talking up to 13 years ago) I used to smoke 10 bucks a day for years on end. Then one day I decided that what I was smoking was mostly tolerance, so I started putting only half the amount of weed in a joint as I used to, and still smoked as many. This took a shift in mentality, but I was still just as much as stoner except I cut it with 5 bucks a day, 150 bucks an month or 1,800 bucks a year, and you can bet I still got quite high, and as often as I liked. This lasted for several years, then I quit. KA-CHING! 
Years ago I changed from regular light bulbs to compact fluorescents, and than later still to LED lights because of better performance (instant full light, can be switched on and off many many more times) To save you all the math, its generally true to say that if you replace a regular bulb with a LED bulb, over the lifetime of the bulb you save 50-300 bucks in electricity on that one bulb. Thats worth the extra expense of getting a good LED, now isnt it? KA-CHING! 
My clothes dryer broke down the other day, it was about 10 years old. I went and got a hightech one of good reputation that only uses, I kid you not, 1/3 of the electricity of the old machine. It was twice as expensive as a cheap machine, but now I have one who will earn its own purchase price back several times over its service life in energy savings. And! I got a superduper quality, quiet, high tech appliance. Kinda like with the LED bulb, pay extra upfront to save later. KA-CHING!
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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nuentoter
conduit



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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Asante] 2
#22195831 - 09/06/15 06:12 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Cloth Diapers - $450 for a lifetime supply of diapers enough for twins just in case. $20 in laundry soap lasts about a 4-5 week. cloth wipes as well. Anyone with kids that uses disposables can probably attest that that shit is expensive.
$1000 vehicle paid cash with tax returns on year 3 with it and have put in $280 of oil changes and tires in it so far. much much cheaper than a payment and I dont give a shit about my vehicles. I'm a car killer, Im not rough on em, I baby them a lil but I but nothing over $1200 ever ($100/month equiv.) and if I can run it for under $1000 a year after that
A garden. $18 of seeds and we compost for fertilizer. Equals out to probably hundreds in vegetables.
Hunting - the year before last i spent $48 on my license and $40 on ammo for the year and had some left over. We did not buy meat for 14 months. My freezer is full of ruffed grouse, snowshoe rabbit, Canada geese, a handful of red and grey squirrel, deer, and bear.
No phone, no cable, only internet for it all. voip. $45 a month for the high end internet package that I got from posting negative remarks about price hikes and competitor pricing on their facebook page, they contacted me and made the offer.
Pedal bike to work whenever the weather allows.
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The geometry of us is no chance. We are antennae, we are tuning forks, we are receiver and transmitters of all energy. We are more than we know. - @entheolove "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for" - Georgia O'Keefe I think the word is vagina
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Asante
Mage


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Posts: 86,797
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Asante] 1
#22195855 - 09/06/15 06:29 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thank you Rorta!
Yes there is also buying food in bulk that can save you lots of money.
In the third world people buy a 50lbs bag of rice and use that as their staple, and anything they can add to that is welcome, to survive. You can store the rice in plastic milk/juice jugs to keep the bugs and mice away and being able to conveniently pour measures of carbs. A 50lbs bag of rice can be had for 1/3 the price of grocery store rice
Rice isnt just for those of us who are in financial peril on the survival level, it stores well and is the staple carb of the world.
50lbs rice = 250lbs of potatoes. What would you pay for that?
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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LunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story


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Re: A Dollar Saved Is Dollar Made [Re: nuentoter] 1
#22195872 - 09/06/15 06:38 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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I own a few houses and do most of my own work. I save pretty much any leftover materials and lately even organized them pretty well. So, when the time comes to fix a faucet, I have enough extra parts in boxes to go do it without going to Home Depot or hiring a plumber. Doing one's own work is a huge money saver and an absolute essential in terms of maybe making money on real estate. Plumbers suck $$ only slightly less than electricians. I got a buddy who knows electric and can just about do it all at about 1/5 what an electrician would charge.
I can out cook 90% of restaurants, so why go out and deal with all that nonsense of supposed service while you sit and wait for lousy food?
I can out brew 90% of breweries, but honestly to say that brewing beer saves you money vs. buying it, I would have to say it won't. Too much gear (but it's fun).
There are often energy savings rebates, check with your local power company. New fridge, heat pump, insulation, windows, water heater. Just be sure you are energy star or meet their requirements. On windows and insulation they may want to come out first and do an audit for free.
-------------------- Anxiety is what you make it.
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Rorta
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Asante]
#22196102 - 09/06/15 08:14 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Asante said: Thank you Rorta!
Yes there is also buying food in bulk that can save you lots of money.
No problemo.
Food wholesalers/cash and carries are great places to bulk buy food as are markets and some butchers.
Another little tip is to hit the butchers in the mid-afternoon and get meat for the evening. You can get some serious bargains if you're prepared to barter a little with them. At the end of the day for them breaking even is better than a total loss. This is really good if you're like me and love your premium steak!
-------------------- It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
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Stonehenge
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Rorta]
#22196608 - 09/06/15 10:38 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Buy food at bulk food stores or discount stores like Costco, sams, bj's, etc. Get stuff that will keep, on sale and stock up. You can buy 10 small boxes of many things at, lets say, $5 a box or a big pack of boxes or larger container which has just as much in it for about $30, a savings of $20. Or find stuff on sale and stock up. They put out loss leaders sometimes with a buy limit. Go in multiple times and buy the limit.
If you need work done, a guy in the yellow pages might be very expensive, try craigs list and get an out of work pro or someone who wants to make extra money on the side and get it done much cheaper.
rorta >Don't buy new cars, buy an older, reliable model instead.
Yeah, I did that for years but my old car was falling apart. My new one gets 51 mpg city and they pay for oil changes and tire rotation for 2 years plus the warranty in case something goes wrong. Plus they give free car washes. The savings on gas alone will add up. When I'm ready to sell, it will be a low mileage one owner, well maintained vehicle that will command top dollar. When you buy used you are taking a risk. There are arguments for both sides.
Make sure you get all the deductions you can on your taxes, you don't want too much taken out. You are giving uncle sam a free loan at your expense. Eat at home or brown bag it, as has been said, that saves beaucoup bucks. Buy a clothes washer and dryer rather than go to the Laundromat which will cost you many times more than buying the machines. Over 10 years you can save thousands.
Plan your trips when you have a bunch of errands, do them all at once and route them so you travel the shortest distance. Set up auto pay on your checking account and pay all your bills that way. You save the bother of writing checks each month or getting a late fee for forgetting and no standing in line to pay in person. Use the credit card with the best rebates and if you carry a balance, get the lowest rate. Pay all your bills on time to keep a good credit rating.
If you drive carefully your car insurance will be much cheaper and tickets are expensive. Do as many things yourself as you can and learn how to do more things. When you see something you want to buy, think it over first. Often you can find a better deal on the internet, maybe ebay or amazon. After thinking it over you may decide you don't need it. Impulse buying gets many people in trouble.
Quit smoking tobacco, save lots of money, improve your health. If you smoke weed, consider growing it yourself especially in a legal state. If you buy drugs, buy in quantity at a better price, unless you know you will use it all up fast, lol.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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Patlal
You ask too many questions



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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Stonehenge] 2
#22197038 - 09/06/15 12:30 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Here's what I do.
1) Always buy things on special, especially groceries. Bulk up if its a good deal. You can't find a store with eggs on special this week? Well then no eggs for you buddy. Eat the breakfast food on special. You know these discount meat? Buy them. Sure they are older, but your stomach acid doesn't see the difference. Download the Reebee app
2) Walk everywhere. Free exercise, no need to go to the gym, therefore n gym membership to pay. Plus you eventually get where you want to be.
3) Do you really need your bus pass? Calculate how many times you take the bus in a month a compare the price of buy tickets instead of going for the pass. You might be surprised.
4) Thrift stores are goldmines. 1$ books, therefore entertainment for a looong time. The clothes. Insane deals can be made on clothing. My dad for example lost 80 pounds recently. None of his old clothes fit anymore so he gave em all away to the thrift store, including his 120$ shirts and pants. Brand new.
5) Businesses give a lot of free useful things away. Whether its pens, note pads, whatever it might be. I scored a nail clipping kit and an umbrella at my furniture store because they had a celebration of some sort. So when it rains out, I gave them free publicity... Who gives a fuck?
6) If you are not OCD, get your dishes at thrift stores too. A brand new kit can cost like 50$. Thrift stores give these things away. They're gonna be mismatched, but again, who gives a shit?
7) Garage sale. Use them. I got myself a shelving unti with glass shelves in perfect condition. I paid 40$ for it. I couldn't get anything like it for under 199$ + tax
8) If you're a student. Don't buy the books. Borrow one from somebody and photocopy the chapters you need, then give it back to him. He doesn't need to know you made copies BTW. Hundreds of dollars saved there.
9) Make your coffee at home. Stop drinking this expensive Red Bull poison. Fuck Starbucks.
10) When you go out th=o the restaurant, pick the days they have promos on what you feel like eating. On thursdays a restaurant ner me has half price pasta, when there's a hockey game, there's half price pizzas, etc. Saving money doesn't mean 100% sacrifice. You can still have a life.
11) Never go to bars. Period. Too expensive, too easy to have another.
12) Don't buy garbage bags. You have plenty of plastic bags you get from everywhere.
13) Tap water can easily refill a plastic bottle 10000000 times
14) Grow a garden. Right now I'm havesting mine. I have around 100$ of herbs dried up, without another 100$ still growing. I've got more tomatoes than I can eat. Same with green pepper and cucombers. It'll cost you a few buck to start, but right now I say that I've saved maybe 200$ on grocery this years and were gonna have a warm autumn, so it still grows.
15) Do you watch TV? If no, why the hell do you have cable for? Do you really need 70000 mbps download speed or is it just a man thing that you want to fastest? You need max 15 if you're a normal guy. You cell phone, is your plan maybe a bit too much for you? Cut it in half.
16) IPS, cellphone providers and cable providers will give you insane deals if you call and threaten to switch company. Call them now and save right now.
17) Email companies about their products. They'll send you coupons.
18) Never, ever cheap out. When you do need something useful that you'll use a lot, buy the best quality. Cheap things break, piss you off and have to be replaced. More expensive high quality thing last a lifetime. Wouldn't hurt if they were on special too right ; )
Peace.
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Stonehenge
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Patlal]
#22197309 - 09/06/15 01:39 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Great tips, pat, some were the same as one or two of mine but bear repeating. Look around for websites that post downloads of text books maybe for a cheap price. You might have to go to pirate bay for that, worth a look.
Def check out garage sales if you are in the area, going all over the county to look at the same crap may not be cost effective. Go to flea markets, people load up their junk and just want it gone. Best time is early in the morning or toward the middle of the afternoon. Morning to grab the best deals before they are gone, afternoon because whatever is left they just want you to take it and may give it away or dirt cheap
As for cell phones, I use a cheapo flip phone, costs me $8 a month for 250 minutes, the unused minutes roll over. Not for those who live on the phone, lol. For surfing the net, I just found a great deal. Get a tablet that is text and data only and t mobile will give you free data for life. You can't beat free, and free for life is even better. I would only use it when I'm away from home, the computer is better for that.
Bars are a ripoff, check. Use grocery bags for garbage, it works, you save a dime a bag. Don't cheap out on things you use a lot, check. I find dollars off coupons in the paper for general groceries, usually $5 off a $40 order, not bad. If you buy a lot of groceries, get an extra paper for the coupon.
The sad thing is the biggest spendthrifts will ignore the suggestions and keep throwing money away. Its us skinflints who collect tips. Right asante and patlal?
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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Patlal
You ask too many questions



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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Stonehenge]
#22197366 - 09/06/15 01:56 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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I plan on being part of the 5%. So I collect everytime I can
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Cowb0yNeal00



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Posts: 11,059
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Patlal]
#22200139 - 09/06/15 11:59 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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bong ripz
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TravelerOfSorts
sober pro


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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Cowb0yNeal00]
#22201786 - 09/07/15 12:14 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED YOU MEAN?! THIRD WORLD IS INNAPROPRTIATES.
-------------------- a soul of solitude but a master of ecstacy in waiting for my rebirth cycle i have hopes that when mushrooms find me it will occur then and i can go about the world as a medicine man walking staff in one hand spaceship in the other a journeyman of nature soon to be stepping up to novice hopefully i will have time to become an expert, and i believe only in death will i become a master
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TravelerOfSorts
sober pro


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13) blew my mind! dude, why not just buy a 24 pack of water dump all that water out then just refill the bottles? instant savings in the bank
-------------------- a soul of solitude but a master of ecstacy in waiting for my rebirth cycle i have hopes that when mushrooms find me it will occur then and i can go about the world as a medicine man walking staff in one hand spaceship in the other a journeyman of nature soon to be stepping up to novice hopefully i will have time to become an expert, and i believe only in death will i become a master
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crazybean
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We use logs for heating. Together with massive insulation we save tons.
-------------------- Cranching numbers
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Mojo
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: crazybean]
#22259801 - 09/19/15 11:36 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Price matching. Look for companies that have competitive price match policies. Today I saved over $250 on tires 99% of the time they go on your word of what a competitor is asking for something and do not verify 
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Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Asante]
#22261233 - 09/19/15 05:35 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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This thread was moved from Money Matters.
Reason: on request a move to The Pub for more exposure.
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Stonehenge
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Asante] 1
#22261264 - 09/19/15 05:45 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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The best way to save a dollar is to not spend it on foolish crap. Too many people think when they get money they have to spend it, be it a paycheck, govt handout check, tax refund, etc. They immediately start thinking about what they will spend it on and spend every last dime. People like that are always broke, even if they make millions of dollars a year.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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Patlal
You ask too many questions



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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Stonehenge] 1
#22261840 - 09/19/15 08:05 PM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Stonehenge said: The best way to save a dollar is to not spend it on foolish crap. Too many people think when they get money they have to spend it, be it a paycheck, govt handout check, tax refund, etc. They immediately start thinking about what they will spend it on and spend every last dime. People like that are always broke, even if they make millions of dollars a year.
Consumerism is an illness for some.
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Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,797
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Asante]
#22350519 - 10/08/15 03:18 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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This thread was moved from The Pub.
Reason: OK, The Pub had little to add.
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Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,797
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Asante]
#22350876 - 10/08/15 04:51 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Beyond a threshold it really pays to buy stuff online, the threshold being to exceed the sum the web shop has for Free Shipping.
Yes you can get insanely ripped off online if you're not careful but you can also get the BEST BARGAINS IN THE WORLD there.
A store needs to pay rent, heat their building, employ personnel, and whatnot all stuff that you can find back in the cost of the product. For this reason webshops often can undercut the store price by a considerable amount.
A simple example of something that made me happy!
I was looking for high quality walking shoes because I'm obese and lugging all that weight around requires quality footwear. Using the web I combed through expert outdoors sites opinions, user reviews and whatnot and arrived at what would be the perfect shoe for me.
In the sports store in town they were 150 bucks. NO. Then the first online store I saw, a google ad, 120 bucks. Much better. I went into bargain hunting mode. I found a small web store which was clearing out the collection and now was trying to get rid of the last pairs. I managed to get 2 pairs for $30 each, free shipping. Sooo... For the price of ONE SHOE in the Google ad I got TWO PAIRS of top notch walking shoes. Excellent 
Also with some items, don't be afraid to IMPORT, to buy foreign, such as directly from China, pay taxes to the customs man and STILL come out much cheaper than if you bought domestic, or even get stuff unheard of in your country.
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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Stonehenge
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Asante]
#22351041 - 10/08/15 05:31 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Very true, I buy stuff all the time on ebay and amazon. Sometimes one has the deal, sometimes the other. You are backed by their guarantees so if you squawk you get your money back.
I would be a little careful about buying from china. I have gotten some good deals out of there but sending stuff back is almost not worth it. They are subsidized on shipping and can send me an item from china for less than what it costs a usa vendor to mail it across the country. Your $20 item may cost $20 to send it back. Again, reviews are what you want to read and very carefully.
Even with stand alone websites you can get feedback on them. Do a google for "xyz.com reviews" and see what people are saying. If its a product, look on amazon, they may have 200 customer reviews on an item so even if you buy it elsewhere you can learn a lot about it. I have dodged a few bullets that way and stumbled upon good deals too.
For example, not too long ago I went into a major auto parts place to get spark plugs. I change the plugs myself instead of paying a high fee for a few minutes work. The clerk said $8, I said for the set of 4? She said no, for each one. I got all 4 off ebay for less than $8 delivered and they were brand new. Also, no tax. Didn't even have to drive somewhere to get them. That is another factor, your time is valuable and shopping can be exhausting.
"ding dong" your package is here!
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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ManianFH
living in perverty


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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Stonehenge]
#22355606 - 10/09/15 05:56 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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I agree with shopping online. You can avoid a lot of taxes that way buying things out of state. I have saved thousands avoiding taxes on big items that I needed such as laptops, vitamins, etc..
I use the bathroom at work to do my business. Doing so allows me to use very little toilet paper at home. I also drink a lot of water there, and if I have coffee, I have the free coffee provided at work. I havent paid for a cup of coffee in years upon years.
I have recently switched from drinking beer to drinking carbonated water when I hang out with friends. Yeah its more $$ than free water, but about 1/3 the price of a 12 pack of beer. I have found that it satisfies much the same as an alcoholic beverage. The cold carbonation of water gives me a bite in my throat that feels much like beer. And also the likelihood of getting pulled over for DUI is 0. Thats a huge Chaching IMO.
I do all my own gardening instead of hiring a gardener. Thats $40 a month saved.
I have a fully paid for dodge neon that cost $2000 and $25 a month for insurance because its not some top of the line vehicle. Thats chaching.
OH, I buy Jeans on Ebay, I just look for the brand and style I want and get a very nice used pair, tax free and 1/3 the price. I buy shirts 3 for $10 at the swap meet, and they last 2-3 years before needing to be replaced. Thats $40 for 3 years of shirts!
I use a rewards card for all purchases, and pay off the balance in full twice a month. Doing so adds up over time and in a year you can earn hundreds of dollars of free stuff for doing pretty much nothing.
For breakfast at work I drink all natural protein powder, which is $56 dollars a month, or roughly $1.86 per meal. For lunch at work I have unsalted mixed nuts, which is roughly $0.78 per meal. If you compare that to someone who spends $5 on breakfast, and $6 on lunch (to be kind) every workday of the year that is $660 vs $2750, or $2090 in savings. Add my free coffee on top of what some pay for starbucks every day and you are saving nearly 3k a year with a much healthier diet.
For christmas instead of buying a ton of gifts for people (with the exception of my nieces ;p), I make soaps and other homemade things. I can make gifts for 20-30 people at the cost of about $100. Hard to beat with how many people I can give to.
Whenever I see something I want to purchase, I first look on websites such as ebay or craigslist for a cheaper deal on the same thing. Wanted a $450 acoustic guitar I saw at guitar center a couple years ago, but instead of impulse buying I wrote the model number down and went on craigslist. Someone happened to be selling the exact same guitar for $250, with a hardcase. I didnt even barter with the guy, because by buying from him I saved $250 after taxes. Great guitar! Craigslist is the best because you can see the item before you buy. Dont be afraid to say no if its not exactly what you wanted, or too worn out. Your money is always your money until you put it in their hands. Also meet in public places, such as a coffee shop where there are other people around. Dont go into someones house unless you feel very very confident that theyre on the level.
Thats all I can think of at the moment, hope this helped contribute
-------------------- notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... " ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."
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ch1ck3n.s0up
Troubled Loner



Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 2,573
Loc: Hunting Fungi
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: ManianFH]
#22405591 - 10/19/15 09:08 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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I know that it sounds obvious, but READ YOUR BANK STATEMENTS!!! You might be burning money every month!
If you have a few different credit/debit cards, and have signed up for paperless billing, it can be easy to not read those statements, but you would be amazed at some of the crazy-@$$ shit that you find there.
Here are some things that I've personally discovered from reading my statements:
1. A sports club that was billing my card about $43/month, for an account that I (thought!) was cancelled in writing. Same sports club also billed an annual $49 membership fee, and a $119 closing fee. 2. An old Equifax account that I'd signed up for, that was billing $9.99/month 3. A double-bill from a rental supply store. An accident? Intentional? Who knows, but if I hadn't read my statement, it would have been money down the drain. 4. A dormant account that was over-drafted. I tucked a card away, thinking that it would be there when I used it. I'd forgotten that, to get free checking, I had to automatically transfer $100/month into savings. Over the course of 8 months, the checking account drained to $0.00, all the money was transferred into savings, and I was paying $35.00/month in overdraft fees. 5. Unused credit card "points." Some cards will give either gifts or ca$h rewards just for using the card. If you don't claim them by a certain time, you lose them. 6. $7.99 Monthly billing from a hosting service that I'd completely forgotten about.
All together, I ended up finding almost $150 in money, per month, that I was burning!
Generally, beware "recurring billing" arrangements, where you give your checking account number, and they have carte blanche to bill your card.
Read your statements--all of them!!!
-------------------- "Inspiration ~ Move me brightly ~ light the song with sense and color ~ hold away despair ~ more than this I will not ask ~ faced with mysteries dark and vast ~ statements just seem vain at last" --Jerry Garcia, Terrapin Station "Officer, I'm going to remain silent, and I would like to speak with a lawyer. I'm not resisting, but I don't consent to any searches.
Edited by ch1ck3n.s0up (10/19/15 09:23 PM)
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ch1ck3n.s0up
Troubled Loner



Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 2,573
Loc: Hunting Fungi
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up]
#22405617 - 10/19/15 09:13 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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If possible, get rid of your car. All things considered--monthly payments, depreciation, insurance, license, registration, inspection, gas, tolls, repairs, accidents, tickets, and parking--it is an absolute money sink.
It comes to about $750/month, based on the USA today's study: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/16/aaa-car-ownership-costs/2070397/
If getting rid of your vehicle isn't possible, get a decent bicycle, and--as much as possible--ride it in lieu of driving. Running over to catch a train? Ride your bike to the station and save the parking fees. Going out for a slice of pizza? Burn some calories before you get there. Need to pick up a few groceries? Throw a backpack on and bike to the store. Not only does it save the cost of $0.60/mile, but it keeps you healthy, too!
EDIT: Also, if you're hooked on Starbucks or the like, try and make your own coffee. It saves a ton of money. Those double-mocha crappés add up!
-------------------- "Inspiration ~ Move me brightly ~ light the song with sense and color ~ hold away despair ~ more than this I will not ask ~ faced with mysteries dark and vast ~ statements just seem vain at last" --Jerry Garcia, Terrapin Station "Officer, I'm going to remain silent, and I would like to speak with a lawyer. I'm not resisting, but I don't consent to any searches.
Edited by ch1ck3n.s0up (10/19/15 09:20 PM)
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TravelerOfSorts
sober pro


Registered: 06/29/11
Posts: 492
Last seen: 2 years, 4 months
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up]
#22405645 - 10/19/15 09:20 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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im considering buying a property building underground and buying a horse. lol fk cars
-------------------- a soul of solitude but a master of ecstacy in waiting for my rebirth cycle i have hopes that when mushrooms find me it will occur then and i can go about the world as a medicine man walking staff in one hand spaceship in the other a journeyman of nature soon to be stepping up to novice hopefully i will have time to become an expert, and i believe only in death will i become a master
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Stonehenge
Alt Center

Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up]
#22405682 - 10/19/15 09:29 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
ch1ck3n.s0up said: If possible, get rid of your car. All things considered--monthly payments, depreciation, insurance, license, registration, inspection, gas, tolls, repairs, accidents, tickets, and parking--it is an absolute money sink.
It comes to about $750/month, based on the USA today's study: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/16/aaa-car-ownership-costs/2070397/
Yes, but what alternative do you propose for those who need transportation? Few cities have adequate public transportation and cabs are expensive too. Have you figured up how much that would cost you? Don't forget shopping, entertainment, work, etc if you have to use a cab each time that can add up fast.
Someone in a centrally laid out city with good transportation might be better off with public transportation or a bicycle. Some European cities are like that. Take Amsterdam for example, paris, many others.
ch1c, that is a very good tip. I assumed everyone did it same as I do but probably many do not check every month. Also, do not forget phone, cable, water and electric bills. You can often contest things but you have to stay on top of them. If your water bill is abnormally high, that could be a warning sign of a leak somewhere. You can have them check your water meter if you are sure its a mistake and if the meter is bad they will refund you. If your electric bill is high you can't really contest it but you can look around and see what is using up so much juice.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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nuentoter
conduit



Registered: 09/17/08
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Last seen: 7 years, 21 days
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Stonehenge]
#22406007 - 10/19/15 10:45 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Cars are a financial drain. I'm a car killer though, I buy card for no more than $1k and always has at least 10 months left on inspection. Drive it till it dies while putting away $100 a month just like a payment. Inspection time rolls around and if it costs under a thousand fix it, if it's more sell it for metal parts and use your saved up money to buy a new grand car. Bike whenever weather permits.
Also dude how can you not notice $150 bucks a month? I've lived with my wife off $300 a month.
--------------------
The geometry of us is no chance. We are antennae, we are tuning forks, we are receiver and transmitters of all energy. We are more than we know. - @entheolove "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for" - Georgia O'Keefe I think the word is vagina
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ch1ck3n.s0up
Troubled Loner



Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 2,573
Loc: Hunting Fungi
Last seen: 2 years, 6 months
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: nuentoter]
#22407717 - 10/20/15 08:34 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
nuentoter said: Cars are a financial drain. I'm a car killer though, I buy card for no more than $1k and always has at least 10 months left on inspection. Drive it till it dies while putting away $100 a month just like a payment. Inspection time rolls around and if it costs under a thousand fix it, if it's more sell it for metal parts and use your saved up money to buy a new grand car. Bike whenever weather permits.
My buddy will find a recent inspection sticker in some parking lot, take a picture, print it, and put it in his car every year. He hasn't had a car inspected since 1983.
Not sure what the penalties are for forged inspection stickers, or if The Man is even looking for this kind of thing.
-------------------- "Inspiration ~ Move me brightly ~ light the song with sense and color ~ hold away despair ~ more than this I will not ask ~ faced with mysteries dark and vast ~ statements just seem vain at last" --Jerry Garcia, Terrapin Station "Officer, I'm going to remain silent, and I would like to speak with a lawyer. I'm not resisting, but I don't consent to any searches.
Edited by ch1ck3n.s0up (10/20/15 08:43 AM)
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Stonehenge
Alt Center

Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up]
#22408296 - 10/20/15 09:14 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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I'm not sure counterfeiting things is a good idea for saving money.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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Patchouli_Savage


Registered: 12/26/13
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Loc: Somewhere between here an...
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: ch1ck3n.s0up]
#22408314 - 10/20/15 09:18 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Save your dollar bills after breaking a large bill. I have managed to save for larger more expensive items that way.
Barter whenever possible. I once went 11 months without paying cash for cannabis. It has been two years since I have had to pay for soap.
Thrift stores are your friend.
Learn to sew- you can keep clothing for longer that way.
Get a library card instead of buying books.
Make whatever you can, such as laundry soap. Don't buy cleaning supplies. Vinegar is cheaper, non-Toxic and effective for most things.
-------------------- "You are a ghost driving a meat coated skeleton made from stardust. What do you have to be scared of?"
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Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,797
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Patchouli Savage makes a good point, BARTER. Your friends and acquaintances and you typically have stuff you dont really need that the other could benefit of. Lend each other books if you read.
If you need a fridge or so, remember there are businesses that buy brand new goods with insignificant damage (such as a scrape or dent on a fridge) and sell the item for a considerably lower price. Presto, you now have a great fridge, brand new, 200 bucks cheaper because theres a scratch on the door.
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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TravelerOfSorts
sober pro


Registered: 06/29/11
Posts: 492
Last seen: 2 years, 4 months
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Asante] 1
#22412996 - 10/21/15 09:59 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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dont buy used appliances. Seriously unless you like having insect infestations from other peoples houses in your house.
-------------------- a soul of solitude but a master of ecstacy in waiting for my rebirth cycle i have hopes that when mushrooms find me it will occur then and i can go about the world as a medicine man walking staff in one hand spaceship in the other a journeyman of nature soon to be stepping up to novice hopefully i will have time to become an expert, and i believe only in death will i become a master
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Cowb0yNeal00



Registered: 06/05/13
Posts: 11,059
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Asante] 1
#22413025 - 10/21/15 10:06 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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People that wear contacts/glasses I would highly recommend saving $ and get lasik eye surgery. Will probably save you money in the long run, better vision, less risk of infection, never have to worry about glasses or contacts again. :thumb up:
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Ran-D



Registered: 12/19/10
Posts: 16,313
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Patlal]
#22413035 - 10/21/15 10:10 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Patlal said: 13) Tap water can easily refill a plastic bottle 10000000 times
I think the cost of medical bills you would have from drinking the tap water where I live would outweigh the money saved from not buying water.
Seems like every year we get a letter explaining how for 6 months the water had unacceptable levels of such and such carcinogen.
Edited by Ran-D (10/21/15 10:10 AM)
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Patlal
You ask too many questions



Registered: 10/09/10
Posts: 44,797
Loc: Ottawa
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Ran-D]
#22413116 - 10/21/15 10:31 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Ran-D said:
Quote:
Patlal said: 13) Tap water can easily refill a plastic bottle 10000000 times
I think the cost of medical bills you would have from drinking the tap water where I live would outweigh the money saved from not buying water.
Seems like every year we get a letter explaining how for 6 months the water had unacceptable levels of such and such carcinogen. 
And what's being done about it?
--------------------
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Ran-D



Registered: 12/19/10
Posts: 16,313
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Patlal]
#22413182 - 10/21/15 10:45 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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I don't know, I assume everyone that works for the city is incompetent and I do not want to rely on them for something as essential to life as clean water. Spring water is cheap enough (25 cents a gallon), and there is even a spring with some great water about 30 miles from here where I can stock up as much as I want.
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Perusha_Kyuden



Registered: 07/27/15
Posts: 644
Loc: Canada
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made [Re: Ran-D] 1
#22418660 - 10/22/15 02:50 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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grow ur weed
-------------------- Master of none
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Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,797
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Quote:
TravelerOfSorts said: dont buy used appliances. Seriously unless you like having insect infestations from other peoples houses in your house.
True but I meant appliances from damaged goods merchants. They sell essentially new appliances which got damaged in transport or store storage.
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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nuentoter
conduit



Registered: 09/17/08
Posts: 2,721
Last seen: 7 years, 21 days
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Asante]
#22425961 - 10/24/15 06:17 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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I dunno I've had the same washer& dryer for 6 years I bought them both used for $100 from someone I knew well that was moving and couldn't afford the space to bring them with him.
--------------------
The geometry of us is no chance. We are antennae, we are tuning forks, we are receiver and transmitters of all energy. We are more than we know. - @entheolove "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for" - Georgia O'Keefe I think the word is vagina
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Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,797
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: nuentoter]
#22425976 - 10/24/15 06:22 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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If he had roaches or these critters:

You would too.
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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Tcm19277
Etheromaniac



Registered: 01/25/09
Posts: 6,191
Loc: Korova Milk Bar
Last seen: 12 days, 3 hours
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Asante]
#22426309 - 10/24/15 09:09 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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WHAT?!
I thought buying used things is a good idea, you find some great deals. My computer is from a pawnshop, so is my IPod, both where very cheap & work just fine. I recently found a guitar worth ~£450 for £299 in one of these places, bought to re-sell.
How do you get bugs etc from buying stuff from pawnshops & how do you stop it.
I have been on the other end of pawnshops, people would put up anything they can for sale or 'buy back' to get their Drug of Choice, never make the payment, then you get it at a knock down price. Just be careful on how long a warrantee the place offers, if any.
Are there certain things that are OK to buy, but not others?
That CFL to LED lighting is a great idea, my family pays a lot for electricity (I think they use too much) but that'd definitely help, changing all their bulbs.
My tip is to just walk everywhere, or cycle, but eitherway,
You keep healthy, see new places, meet new people, and if you know the right spots, can even go apple/rasberry/strawberry picking and get yourself a free lunch on the way I suppose this ommunity's heard about mushroom picking 
and another good one, in the winter & you're feeling cold, put on another layer, a jumper, etc, instead of turning the heating on. Really annoys me walking into someone's house in the dead of winter and they are sat around in a tshirt with the heating turned up to 30C
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Tcm19277
Etheromaniac



Registered: 01/25/09
Posts: 6,191
Loc: Korova Milk Bar
Last seen: 12 days, 3 hours
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Tcm19277]
#22426326 - 10/24/15 09:16 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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I actually use a lot less electricity spending time on this desktop from the pawnshop than my older desktop I used to use.
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ManianFH
living in perverty


Registered: 07/06/04
Posts: 14,741
Last seen: 2 hours, 11 minutes
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: Tcm19277]
#22426687 - 10/24/15 11:06 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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buy a costco or sams club card and get your gas there. after 5-10 tanks youll have paid for your membership just through cheap gas, then you get all the other benefits of having the card.
-------------------- notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... " ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."
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Stonehenge
Alt Center

Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: A Dollar Saved Is A Dollar Made (moved) [Re: ManianFH]
#22426944 - 10/24/15 12:03 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
mick said: buy a costco or sams club card and get your gas there. after 5-10 tanks youll have paid for your membership just through cheap gas, then you get all the other benefits of having the card.
That is a good way to save on gas. I get a gas card at a 20% discount from a grocery chain when I shop there. Another good way to save on gas is to go to I think it is gasprices.com and type in your zip code. It gives you up to the minute reports on gas prices in your area, the names and addresses so you can pick a cheap one close by. I often get prices as low or lower than sams which I also am a member. And I get another 20% off from that which adds up.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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