So I’m working on this story for BabyCenter that’s all about hidden money savers that most people probably haven’t heard of. This story was the reason I’d posted that Freecycle survey last week. Turns out that 60% of those who had taken the survey either had heard of Freecycle but never used it or didn’t know what Freecycle was.
Anyway, I handed in the story and now my editor would like additional hidden money savers in day-to-day living to add to the story. She loved Freecycle and wants more ideas like that. This is where you come in.
I’m wide open here for suggestions–from ways you find to make extra cash or tricks you’ve found for slashing your spending. I’m looking for ideas that aren’t that commonplace but that work for you. Anything you think is cutting edge and you wouldn’t mind sharing with the millions of BabyCenter readers would be awesome. I await your brilliance.
READ LEAH ON HOME GOES STRONG
Well, there’s always Cities on the Cheap (g). The main site has some websites you can use to find kids eat free deals.
I presume consignment stores and craigslist have already been mentioned.
I did well selling books on Amazon, but you have to have the right books. You might check prices on parenting books.
Here’s what I’m doing lately to survive & be frugal, and still get a few things I want (& are not considered a need):
Bookins.com – I got rid of old books for points and used those points to get a Gilmore Girls DVD Season 3! It’s my favorite show and makes me happy when I watch it.
Coupons & Store Sales – IMPORTANT! I’m spending alot less on my groceries when I learned how to become an efficient couponer. My resources for learning has been frugalcouponliving.com. Ashely, the lady that runs this website is awsome and full of great deals and she’s very informative. My reason for saying IMPORTANT! is that you really need to combine sales & coupons to get the great deal and actually can make money toward other items on your purchase if your really good (I’m still a newbie, but am still doing really well.) I’m getting at least 50% off of my bill and sometimes more. You just can’t be picky about brands.
Freecycle.org – I know this is what starting everything for your wanting comments, but I have used this and it’s wonderful. I’ve gotten two free dining room chairs for free that work great for my apartment. I’ve also gotten rid of stuff I could never sell, but people still really need.
Time Banks – they are becoming more popular; however, I have not done this yet. Basically, it’s doing some thing for someone to bank time and then you can use that time to have someone do something for you. Trading time basically. I know I could really use a hair cut for free, so I’m thinking about seeing if anyone was involved in my area time bank website.
That’s what I got. Hope that helps.
Megan:
These are great suggestions. Thanks.
Time bank sounds like bartering, though it seems like you don’t have to work with one specific person–you apply your time to something you want/need in the future, right? Thanks again for posting a comment.
Leah
The time bank idea sounds like something similar with babysitting. You sit for a family in the babysitting co-op, you earn points, and can cash them in for a babysitter when you need it.
Though I’m well passed the baby stage, but not yet at the Grandma phase of life, I have a lot of nifty ways to save money up my sleeve.
Leah, you’ll know I’m big on this one: grow your own veggies and fruits. This is especially great for families with young kids because not only do you save money on fresh produce, but your kids can learn valuable lessons from the garden. And if you make it fun (grow a bean pole tipi, pumpkins with their names inscribed, purple potatoes), you might get them to do some of the work.
Consignment stores aren’t the only places that will sell your stuff. I recently made a little extra cash by taking a box of cast-off costumes, dress-up outfits and funky clothing & accessories that were taking up space, to a shop in town that has an eclectic assortment of weird stuff. She was grateful for the no-cost inventory and I was happy with half of whatever she sold the items for. Keep your eyes open for independent shops that sell used, vintage or collectible things and see if there is a fit with what you have at home.
Make a hobby pay for itself: I love to knit. But there are just so many knitted items my family and clotse friends need, and good quality yarn can be expensive. So now I’ve been knitting berets for my daughter’s friends (these are young women in their 20s who seem to have disposable income). They pay for the yarn (at my cost), and I buy it at my favorite knitting store where I accumulate points. After so many points, I get a credit in the store. So I keep my hands busy making pretty things and every once in a while I make something for me or to give as a gift.
DeeDee:
Great ideas, as always!
Leah
I guess it’s kind of like using Freecycle or Craigslist, but if I need something, I put the word out as part of my Facebook status. (Or, if I have something to give away.) Most of my 300+ friends on Facebook live in my county, so it’s local. This is especially good if you just want to borrow something, or if you need to hire a contractor.
My basement electrical work was recently done at a great rate by someone I went to high school with and hadn’t seen since. But he was a Facebook friend, and when I posted that I needed work done, he said, “Did you know I’m an electrical contractor?” Someone I trust, AND a good deal.
Weird but tried and true- Our (new) mattress was just a little harder than we are used to. Rather than (for now) shelling out the money for a king sized mattress topper, like those egg crate things, my husband laid out an old, huge and soft comforter that we no longer use. Then he put the fitted sheet on the bed to cover it. It’s like we sleep on a different bed. This would also work if 1 spouse likes the bed soft and the other likes it firm.