Sunday, January 31, 2010

You gotta Save wherever you can!!


Sometimes money just seems to beat you up, kinda like what happens to the guys in the movie, "The Hangover". (Hilarious movie btw.) I wish I could just go to Atlantic City & win it all. But frankly, I'm not that good at Texas Hold'em & I seem to only win like $2 once in a blue money when I do those scratch-off lottery thingies. So I have to resort to other measures.

At the end of each month I try to do a post about how I've attempted to save money this month. I'm a single girl in her 20's, trying to move out of my parent's house, & trust me it's not easy. I could easily rent a place right now or put down a down payment BUT I wouldn't have anything left over to live on. I'd be living from paycheck to paycheck & I can't afford to do that right now mentally or physically. So I gotta save where I can so when I do move out I could actually enjoy it. Waiting should be my middle name, because it's all I seem to still be doing. lol.Well here are some Tips from things I've tried this month:

Saving Money Tips:

1.)Buy an Actual Water Bottle: I love bottled water, especially Dasani but depending on where I buy it, it costs around $1.50 - $2.00. Buying one everyday a week for lunch costs around $10. Buying one everyday for a month is at least $30. Well honestly, I would rather buy shoes with that $30. If you buy a water bottle & keep refilling it, it will save you money almost immediately.

2.)End of Season Sales: I'm not sure why stores have all the winter stuff on clearance racks already when there is at least 2 months of winter left??? Do you know?? Well I took advantage of these sales. I have a Nine West Outlet by me & they had there end of the season sales. Even if it's just 20% off, its still more money in your pocket.

3.)Take the train, bus, or Ferry in to Avoid Parking Fees: Okay this may not apply to everyone. Well I live a short train ride away from New York City. I ALWAYS take the train or bus in. It is ridiculously expensive to park your car in the city. I imagine in any city. Why not take the train if you can. One night in NYC, for about 3 hours of parking it cost almost $40!! There was me & 2 other girls so it wasn't too too bad but I'd rather have more drinks then use the money on parking & gas too!!

4.)Drink Specials Night: This is an easy one. Alot of people have their favorite bar they go to. Right? Well check out the specialty nights! Is there a $3 Mixed Drinks Night? Or a $2 Draft Beer Special. Why not check it out! Or maybe even a Free Ladies Night option? Also you could wait til the drink girls walk around with the shots. They are always cheaper then going up to the bar. (P.S. Sometimes there is 20 cent Hot Wing Nights too. I do this every Tuesday @ a local bar.)

5.)Movie Matinees:I think we've all noticed the increase in movie tickets lately. By me it's $11 to see a movie, & $14 dollars for 3-D. I pay it, but I'm not happy about it. So I try to get a matinee movie whenever I can. Matinee movies are cheaper before I think its 3pm, & if somehow I wake up before noon on the weekends I go to the Morning Matinee which is $6. For students, you should check if a theater near you has Student days. Mine does, it's Thrusday. =)


Okay so those are a few tips to start ya saving money. I'm trying to work on that New Year's resolution that seems to be on everybody's list. It's never too late to start. Maybe I'll get to go to Las Vegas with the money I save. I haven't figured out where I'm going to go on vacation but it's definitely an option. But I sure as hell I hope I don't wake up with a tiger in the bathroom. hehe =P

What are you saving up for btw? Anything Cool?

See you all in February.

33 comments:

tess said...

good tips! getting rid of bottled water is a must for saving money. Also:

brewing your own coffee

maybe buying a six pack with some friends is cheaper than a bar

getting rid of magazine subscriptions

checking out books from the library

Denysia said...

I bike to work/school or wherever I need to go! I also do the rebottle water too! I have these rubbermaid plastic bottle containers!

Heather Rose said...

M'kay. That kitten? Just trumped anything competent I could have pulled together for the rest of this helpful post. So adorable.

angel6033 said...

ugh! I hear you I am tyring to save again, I spent all my savings moving to SAn Antonio, I worked so hard for a whole year and finaly got moved out, now I need to clear out my debt. Then I can go back to school and accumulate new student loans lol...so I am pretty much saving up for school.Great tips :)

Anonymous said...

Turn all those savings into a free trip somewhere is a great idea.

Secretia

Anonymous said...

fanks love for the wonderful moolah tips. i'm saving up for a Japan 2011 trip - yeeuuuuuuu!

I couldn't get past that hangover picture -too funny! but i found 'I love you, man' even funnier! seen it?

x
Aimee

Pixel Wild Child said...

You are right, it is important making the most out of our money, especially in these moments!!! The bad thing, at least here in Europe, is that the size that most people uses, me included, (european 42 size - I think 12 size US), dissapears sooooo quickly!!! and then size 40 is gone and then... only XS clothes or sizes 36 are left in a matter of one or two days... it is so frustrating!!!

Chicago Chic said...

I can so relate to this. When we were planning to move to Italy, it required us to save save save for a year!!! We were very extreme though - stopped our cable, sold our car, sold everything...haha. I love your tips here, especially movie matinees, totally the way to go! Also similar to your Drink Specials night - Happy Hour! We used to go to Happy Hour for dinner/dates...great way to save and still have fun.

Good Luck with saving...and Brava to you for doing it! :)
xoxoxo
Rachel

Scientific Housewife said...

I love The Hangover and that lolcat is so cute!

nando.gino said...

Looks like I have to noted these tips. Thanks for sharing. Actually, I've did and always do your #1 tips.

Pretty Zesty said...

I'm saving to pay a loan back right now... HA! But I like to save for trips as well. The only money I've been saving for future is a 401K. Another tip I've tried is bring my lunch everyday. Being that I work in NYC, this saves me about 50 bucks a week!

Sadako said...

Great tips!

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

Good tips... bottled water is so pricey and adds up! Matinees are a good idea. I sneak candy and soda into the theater...saves $10! :)

Anonymous said...

Not really saving for anything cool.. just to be out of debt. Student loan totals just came in for the hubs.. I have to say wasn't as bad as I expected.. but still. This will be our 2nd round of student debt to pay off since we have already paid off a chunk in the past...here we come!

Bathwater said...

Vegas is definitely at great time. I never seem to come back with any money though.

Tracie said...

I use my water bottle but dang I miss the kind you buy at the store.

Here's another tip for you: Use the library instead of buying books.

Iva Messy said...

those are all very great tips!! Happy Monday!!

Susan R. Mills said...

Great tips, Melanie. I need to go shop the sales. I haven't gotten around to it yet. I hope all the good stuff isn't gone. :)

Aquiles Damiron-Alcantara said...

Very nice saving tips. Sunday morning/afternoon movie? Does not sound bad at all. I might just try it.

Con aprecio,
Aquiles

Rachael said...

Oh I feel your pain when it comes to trying to save money. Me and the fella are trying to do the same to be able to get our own place together and just have money to do things that doesn't just include paying bills and have money for a rainy day. It's hard work to say the least. It always seems to vanish before you can spend it!

Unknown said...

these are some pretty good money-saving tips...you don't have to suffer too much doing them! good luck. it's worth it in the end.
xoxo alison

Manju said...

refilling your waterbottle also means less pollution. so woot for that!

p.s. the hangover was hilarzzzz

MeLaNiE said...

I'm saving to move out too :) but it will be atleast a year!

Leah said...

Great money-saving ideas Melanie. When I want to save, I try to avoid temptations so mall trips are out.

drollgirl said...

ooh, you are good at saving money! i came into some extra cash in january, so i spent quite a bit. and now i am reigning it in. no more crazy spending! it is all about saving and scrimping again. :)

Sandy said...

I have GOT to save for a spring/summer wardrobe. I went a little extreme last year and threw almost everything out 'cause I refuse to be that size again. So now I'm committed to getting down further to really make it worthwhile.
I work downtown Toronto ... way too tempting. Going for walks at lunch WITHOUT the purse ... helps a LOT.
Great post Mel!

courtney said...

My saving money on movies "trick" lately is to go before noon on the weekends. The amc by my apartment (which gets a little sketchy with hooligans at night) is very nice at that time and it is only 5 bucks!

Christopher said...

I'm trying to save up for a trip to Europe. Easier said than done.

Valerie said...

We go to matinees all the time! Good list!

Rich Life Revival said...

I've been using ebates and shopping online- also salemail, giltgroupe, and ruelala :)

Jennifer Fabulous said...

I always look forward to these money tips posts!! You have such amazing common sense and advice. :) They have really helped me in the past, just thought you should know!

Sierra said...

Thanks doll, I needed to read this because I am going through a hard money time right now. It is so hard to save, I hate it!

Sophia said...

These are really great tips! Well thought out. I am saving money for the miscellaneous. Maybe a laptop?

Much love,
Sophia
http://apoetscircus.blogspot.com/

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