Jump to content
The Official Site of the Vancouver Canucks
Canucks Community

The Frugal Living Thread


Gurn

Recommended Posts

5 minutes ago, -DLC- said:

One thing I've done forever (out of necessity as a single Mom working 3 jobs to make ends meet back in the day).....don't buy new stuff unless you need it.  It actually gives a great sense of satisfaction to wear things "out" rather than trash them for something new.  Get full value out of your purchases.

 

I don't caught up in "the latest" trends.  Tried and true works for me.

 

I also have found great thrift store items....recycling versus purchasing brand new.

 

 

When I was a kid Mom would take my brother and I shopping. Her trick for teaching us was-if we found generic stuff for less than the name brand, we would use part of the money saved for a lunch at McDonalds.

Why buy Kraft Mac when Western foods was $.25 less per box.?

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The biggest 'silent' killers imo are eating/drinking out, new devices, and phone plans in excess of what you really need. Oh and cable.

 

The not so silent killer is obviously living expenses. If you have a job that allows you to earn the same wage but in a cheaper city, then making the move will do wonders for your finances. Of course one has to be willing to move and weigh all sorts of personal, professional, and financial factors.

 

I saw an interesting quote the other day. I'm paraphrasing but it went along the lines of: "Netflix doesn't only cost you $9.99/month, it costs you your time. Coke isn't cheap, it costs you your health. Social Media isn't free, it costs you your focus."

Essentially if something is cheap/free - you are the product.

  • Cheers 2
  • Upvote 1
  • Vintage 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, ABNuck said:

3/ I switched from Premium 91 Octane to Mid-Grade 89 Octane in both the Rolls and the R8.

good idea, only need the more expensive gas if your engine starts to "knock or ping".

That premium plus is around 15-20 cents a litre more, can add up fast.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just ten thoughts:

1. Don't spend more than you earn.

2. Learn the difference between what you WANT and what you NEED. Buy what you need now, save up for what you want later.

3. Save a portion EVERY payday. No exceptions.

4. Try to maintain a six month financial cushion (rent/mortgage, food, vehicle) to take care of the unforeseen.

5. Prepare and eat your meals at home most of the time. Can't cook? Learn. Youtube is your friend. Freeze portions for future use.

6. Perfectly good clothing is available at any one of dozens of thrift stores. Nobody will know your shirt, slacks or sweater came from Value Village.

7. There is no real difference between regular gas and premium.

8. House brands in grocery stores are every bit as good as name brands and are usually cheaper.

9. If buying stew beef, buy a blade or chuck steak and cut it up yourself. Pre-packaged stew beef often comes from several animals of varying quality.

10. Don't deprive yourself. If you feel like a tub of chocolate Haagen-Daz, do it. Treating yourself once in a while is good for the soul.

  • Cheers 2
  • Upvote 1
  • Vintage 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

instead of going out and spending money, just stay home and watch the canucks games.

 

instead of staying up late munching out and watching tv, go to sleep early and go to the gym when its nice and empty in the morning. you'll save money by being healthier and eating less night time crap (or maybe that's just me with no self control at night)

 

save ALL plastic bottles and cans for the recycling depot. I can easily rack up 20-30$ every couple months.

 

be adamant about getting as many products as possible on sale.

  • Cheers 1
  • Upvote 1
  • Vintage 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I stopped drinking alcohol... HUGE! Saving $1500.00 per year (conservative estimate at home drinking). I work within walking distance, save $800.00 (driving a very fuel efficient 4 banger)  As a single father if two, cook from scratch 6 days a week (one night per week for takeout and one night per month eating out).... teaches kids how to cook in a healthy way and you save big money. 

 

I'm selling my house on van island this spring.  Making great profit off it.  Rolling it into land (20 acers) in central America paid in full and lots left over for building and living off of.  Building micro hydro system... Year around free, unlimited power... Sell excess back to grid.  No mortgage and no reliance on credit!!!  Big savings and true freedom.

Edited by Hogs & Podz
  • Upvote 1
  • Vintage 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, Chicken. said:

instead of going out and spending money, just stay home and watch the canucks games.

 

instead of staying up late munching out and watching tv, go to sleep early and go to the gym when its nice and empty in the morning. you'll save money by being healthier and eating less night time crap (or maybe that's just me with no self control at night)

 

save ALL plastic bottles and cans for the recycling depot. I can easily rack up 20-30$ every couple months.

 

be adamant about getting as many products as possible on sale.

All great tips.

 

And you can save on the gym and workout at home if you really want to cut costs.  Although, my gym membership is under $15/month.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, -DLC- said:

All great tips.

 

And you can save on the gym and workout at home if you really want to cut costs.  Although, my gym membership is under $15/month.

My community centre gym is free as i'm a city employee :) another tip I suppose.. I also have a strata gym i use no paying for me lol

 

oh and one more... if you must have a streaming service (or a few) then find people to share a login with for each service, you can run multiple devices at the same time so won't even notice generally. I share mine with my family and we each pay for one of crave/netflix/disney/prime

Edited by Chicken.
  • Cheers 1
  • Upvote 1
  • Vintage 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Hogs & Podz said:

I stopped drinking alcohol... HUGE! Saving $1500.00 per year (conservative estimate at home drinking). I work within walking distance, save $800.00 (driving a very fuel efficient 4 banger)  As a single father if two, cook from scratch 6 days a week (one night per week for takeout and one night per month eating out).... teaches kids how to cook in a healthy way and you save big money. 

 

I'm selling my house on van island this spring.  Making great profit off it.  Rolling it into land (20 acers) in central America paid in full and lots left over for building and living off of.  Building micro hydro system... Year around free, unlimited power... Sell excess back to grid.  No mortgage and no reliance on credit!!!  Big savings and true freedom.

That's amazing!  It's unfortunate that Vancouver and surrounding areas are so overpriced but it'd be great to move to somewhere less expensive and do something like that.

  • Cheers 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, -AJ- said:

Maybe it's obvious and harder than it sounds, but I always ask myself before a purchase: "Do I really need this? How much am I going to use this? Can I go without this?" Amazing how much you can save by being discriminate with your purchases, especially your "luxury" ones.

I go the other way on this, I charge it up like crazy and hope I croak before I pay it off!

 

Oh! Wait a minute? :blush:

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, Ok!

 

#1. Look at real estate in Dawson Creek.....it is amazing how little it costs

#2. Get a work from home job (aka internet)

#3. Get a bike for going to the store (hint...buy a basket to put on the bike) also very healthy!

#4. Freezer meet is cheaper than fresh meet

#5. Buy bulk when ever you can......Tupperware is your friend

#6. Buy alternatives to cable....aka Ruku, netflix, amazon prime

#7. No need to have a house phone and a cell phone......ditch the house phone!

#8. Buy an electric car........(there are free charging sites all over the place)

#9. Do not get divorced

#10. Do not have kids, ........volunteer at the YMCA

#11. make your own wine! Some are actually really good!

#12. stay away from fast food restaurants ........you will be healthier and richer!

#13. Make your coffee at home and put it in a thermos

#14. Go for a long walk every day!

#15. Look for coupons, and use them!

#16. Do not buy any food with plastic wrapping it...........it is not as healthy and it will cost more

#17. Do a good deed every day......you will be happier and healthier

#18. Read a book every month (get from Library) It will reduce your blood pressure!

#19. Buy at Salvation Army, Goodwill, Value village etc (many other think the same, and it's a good one!)

#20. Do not get divorced!  (Oh, yes, I said that one already! But it is a big one!)

 

 

Edited by J.I.A.H.N
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
  • Cheers 1
  • Vintage 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, I.Am.Ironman said:

The biggest 'silent' killers imo are eating/drinking out, new devices, and phone plans in excess of what you really need. Oh and cable.

 

The not so silent killer is obviously living expenses. If you have a job that allows you to earn the same wage but in a cheaper city, then making the move will do wonders for your finances. Of course one has to be willing to move and weigh all sorts of personal, professional, and financial factors.

 

I saw an interesting quote the other day. I'm paraphrasing but it went along the lines of: "Netflix doesn't only cost you $9.99/month, it costs you your time. Coke isn't cheap, it costs you your health. Social Media isn't free, it costs you your focus."

Essentially if something is cheap/free - you are the product.

Yea I was offered more money to leave an expensive city.

 

Say what? More money to work in a cheaper city....start the car!!!!

Edited by Chris12345
  • Vintage 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...