►Avoid eating out period! Not only is the
food unhealthy, it is expensive and a more nutritious and
healthier meal can be prepared at home for a fraction of the
cost and time spent waiting in line.
►When shopping for groceries, avoid frozen
or convenience foods. Opt for quick cook healthier options like
salads, eggs and thinly sliced meats or fish.
►Plan ahead. plan your menu days or weeks
in advance. Cook in double and freeze, keep a supply of eggs,
frozen burger patties, or other quick cook meals on hand.
►Use florescent light bulbs in place of
iridescent ones. They cost a fraction to operate over standard
light bulbs.
►Check your hot water heater and run the
thermostat at the lowest setting that is comfortable for your
family.
►Cook 2 meals at one time and freeze
leftovers for later or use them for lunch!
►Plant a garden to reduce grocery costs. If
you live in an apartment, tomatoes, loose leaf lettuce and other
vegetables can be cultivated in pots and hanging baskets for
more nutritious lower costs alternatives to vegetables in
season.
►Avoid the use of commercial cleanser,
detergents and household goods.
►Shop for common items at yard sales, flea
markets and accept hand me downs. Not only is recycling cost
efficient it is environmentally friendly and reduces waste in
the landfills.
►Avoid buying trendy clothing, shoes and
'non practical' products. Opt for sturdy boots or shoes, denim,
cotton or flannel, thicker fabrics last longer.
►Avoid features you will not use in any
product.
►Avoid brand name products in most cases.
You do pay a hefty price for a commercially popular names when
store brands are just as good, as well made or as reliable as
those brand name items.
►Evaluate your financial needs carefully
when making even a $10 USD purchase. Is this purchase necessary?
►Take care of your things. I realize we
live in a disposable environment where things are trashed with
alarming regularity and replaced. Take the few moment of time to
maintain tools, vacuum cleaners, can openers, your mops, brooms
and clothing and extend the life of these items dramatically.
This applies to vehicles too.
►Avoid the purchase of soft drinks & snack
foods in vending machines and eating lunch out. Brown bag it
instead for a healthier and less expensive alternative.
►On your vehicle, rotate your tires
regularly to get the full use of them. If there are uneven wear
patterns, have the front end aligned.
►Avoid making trips to the grocery store or
shopping more than you have too. Saves gas and money!
►Always makes shopping lists not just
grocery lists!
►Avoid going to the grocery store during
rush hour or on an empty stomach or when you are tired.
►Stay healthy! Avoid unnecessary trips to
the doctor and prescription drugs whenever possible! Let common
colds run their course, along with fever blisters, viruses, and
poison oak, ivy and sumac.
►Realize that many health problems are
treatable at home using natural medicines, herbs or diet and
rational thinking. Many illnesses have causes that are emotional
or stress or sleep related. Cure the cause, rather than treat or
mask the symptoms.
►Don't go to the movies. Buy DVD's, or
install satellite service instead. The cost of one movie for 4
people is a minimum of $30. The same price of decent television
reception. Get more entertainment for your money.
►When it comes to making purchases, teach
your children to buy toys and items that will last them thru
many plays rather than satisfying their immediate need for
something 'new' or investing in a disposable toy. Bubbles, board
games and the imagination are still the best toys!
