Waste Not, Want Not

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Here's a few things I started doing to make my money count for more
Before I go grocery shopping I shop at home first. You don;t know how many bottles of shampoo, toothpast, bottle of BBQsauce/ketsup or boxed dinners I have found stuck in closets or on back shelves.
When I am out and see something I like. I first ask myself it I need it or just want it. Like today I had to task myself do I need another bowl for fruits or I just want it because it was cute.... I put it back. The bowl I use now is relatively new and works just fine
I like to eat out on the weekends. Instead of those costly dinners we opted for lunch instead. There is a big difference in cost and the lunch portions are better for my waistline.
I have started using coupons again (when I remember) just the other day, I used a few coupons and saved $7.00. I started thinking, I would much rather have the $7.00 bucks in my pocket than in theirs.
Have a great day and remember, alot of little changes can make a differnce..

Texas MoM of TX 4:44PM May 25, 2008

I save an estimated $350-$400 a month by taking the bus to and from work and most everywhere else I need to go now. I don't buy any gas, I don't pay car insurance, and best of all I don't have any more car repairs! Sure, it takes some extra planning, but I've got more time than money. Oh, also factor in another $250-$300 a month at least if you have a car payment loan! Other tips: When you bake chicken or beef or fish, save the broth and freeze it for future use in recipes. Likewise, let uneaten bread stale, grind it in the blender and bag air-tight it in a zip lock; then use it in recipes to stretch your food dollar. Eat smaller meals. If you have left-overs, incorporate them into a second dish or a lunch for the next day - you'd be surprised what variety you can make so you won't be eating the same thing! Cook larger meals and store some of the portions for later consumption - instead of dropping off for a $6 burger and fries (your meal is better for you anyway). Take your lunch to work. Shop for vegetables and fruits at fresh markets, their cheaper and fresher than at the stores and you can prepare them for freezing. Buy 3 percent milk and divide it into two gallons - you can add some cheaper powdered milk if it is too light for you - it cooks the same and you can save big! Likewise, water down fruit juices and the like, they're usually too strong and you may find them tastier in fact. Make you own iced coffee beverage with unused coffee; or, add milk and cinnamon for a treat at work (also can be stored). If you rent more than three movies a month, join Netflix and see many more movies, save money on rentals and late returns! Don't buy trash bags; instead, re-use your plastic grocery bags (you don't want trash sitting in your house, do you?). Cut down on cleaning products (the most items you'll need to clean a house are simple bleach and water, rubbing alcohol, and a mild detergent. Don't over-use products - more actually works less. Turn the lights off when you leave the room, like your parents always told you. Hand wash your dishes. Unplug appliances that you normally don't use, and plug them in only when you need them. Wear lighter clothes/more clothes, instead of adjusting the thermostat. Only buy items when they are on sale, and then stock up (food, clothes, and school items). Considering today's "street" fashion, buy some of your everyday and weekend clothes at the thrift store - and be creative! Blue jeans and T-shirts are a great deal, and you can fashion them the way you want! Most of all, always comparison shop both in person and on the web for everything - from major department store items, groceries to electronic items. Use coupons for everything. Also check out your local dollar stores; despite what many say, they can't be beat for many bath, laundry and household items. Buy food that is in season and clothes that are out of season - both will save you big! And always save your receipts. If you find it cheaper before you open it up, return the item and buy the other one!

Steve Williams of FL 2:11AM May 20, 2008

e of:
You missed some of the story. What Costco was saying was that there was a world shortage and if we didn't buy all the rice it could be sent to other countries. This is a good point to keep in mind. I remember when we were kids, our mothers told us to eat up, there were hungry people in the world who would like it. Maybe we should eat less (I certainly gained weight from this philosophy) and there would be more of what we don't need to send elsewhere.

Katherine of IN 4:42PM May 14, 2008

e, one of the causes of food shortages in other nations is actually too much dependence on foreign aid, believe it or not. It used to be that countries ate a diet that was produced in their own countries (or else no one would be living there). However, imported rice has been so inexpensive that it has supplanted the native diets. It also allows agricultural land to go unfarmed. Ethiopia is actually mostly a very fertile country. It's the headwaters of the Nile. But their farmers can't compete with free grain being shipped in, so that land is unproductive.
In the long term, countries are going to have to become accustomed to a native diet. Rising oil prices will eventually make most imports prohibitively expensive. I hope the native production skills that their grandparents had haven't been completely lost.

of 6:30PM May 09, 2008

I read about food waste and I feel nauseous (period). That's why I write about it on my blog: http://www.wastedfood.com
I agree with the previous comment that our food problems are minute compared to those in many other nations. Still, American media is going to focus on American life and the rising cost of food is a major issue for many people.
That said, Americans spend such a small percentage of their income on food ( 10 percent of according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2005 data--the latest year) it shouldn't come as a surprise that the actual cost of food is rising. That number is sure to rise, but it won't come close to matching the amount most of the world spends.
My fear is that the rising food costs send Americans towards the cheapest foods--the mass-produced, corn-syrup laced items.

Jonathan of NC 12:00PM May 02, 2008

I read this about the food waste here in America and felt somewhat nauseous, thinking about how our media has been making a big deal of food "rationing" in the U.S. at Costco's, yet at the same time in other countries around the world there are true, real, non-media-made-up food shortages and rationing going on. It says so much about us when our media is allowing many people to worry about food shortages here in the U.S. but we do so little to help other nations...

e of 11:03AM May 02, 2008

I had never heard of the empty water bottle idea either -- that's great. Thanks for the suggestions!

Kimberly Palmer of 10:33AM May 02, 2008

A tea bag is a good thing to stick in a bottle of water, too - instead of or in addition to lemon. Almost any kind of tea will brew at room temperature, not just the kinds that say they do. White tea makes fantastic iced tea.
Another thing I do is use paper towels instead of tissues - they don't fall apart after just one sneeze. Some brands are better than others for this - I like Viva, myself.
I was shocked today to see that an article suggesting that you take an empty water bottle with you through airport security and fill it up on the other side was among the "most read" articles on some travel site or other. I didn't realize so many people didn't know this already.

Johanna of MD 3:25PM May 01, 2008

Thanks for the link! For the commuting thing, although I take the train 25 miles to work, I do walk the mile to the station rather than driving. I save gas, wear and tear on the truck and the $4.75 per day for parking. Oh, and I think I get some exercise too!

Clever Dude of MD 1:33PM May 01, 2008