the happy cheapskate

THE HAPPYCHEAPSKATE

101 Simple,

❂

101 SimpleNo-Sacrifice

Ways to SpendFar LessMoney

THE HAPPYCHEAPSKATE

❂The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.Pleasantville, New York | Montreal

Copyright © 2005 by The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

Illustrations © Travis Foster

All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is prohibited.

Reader’s Digest is a registered trademark of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

To our readers: The information is this booklet has been carefully researched, and all efforts

have been made to ensure its accuracy and safety. The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

assumes no responsibility for any injuries suffered or damages or losses incurred during

or as a result of the use of this information.

Contents

Feeding Your Family for LessFrugal Food Maneuvers/4Making the Most of Leftovers/6Creating Your Own Convenience Foods/8Eating Out Inexpensively/9

Become a Savvy ShopperSaving at the Supermarket/10Maximizing Coupon Savings/11Saving on Healthcare Products/13

Cutting Costs Around the HouseExtending the Life of Your Clothes/14Doing Housecleaning Economically/15Keeping Energy Costs Down/16Conserving in the Kitchen/18Lowering Laundry Costs/20Cutting Costs in the Bathroom/21Getting More for Your Gardening Dollar/21

Driving Down Transportation CostsControlling Car Operating Costs/23Alternatives to Driving Yourself/26

Living Well for Less Enjoying Sports for Less/27Getting Culture Cheap/28Raising Kids for Less/29Adding to Your Savings/31Minimizing Banking Costs/31

Cheapskates

don’t live in

denial; theylive well for less,and they have

fun doing it!

Celebrate the Joy of Being a CheapskateThe truth is, thriftiness is smart. Cheapskates don’t live in denial; they

live well for less, and they have fun doing it. After all, why pay full

price when you can get the same high quality of goods or high level of

entertainment more cheaply?

Being a cheapskate is about more than saving money, though.

There are other surprising benefits that can arise from frugality. Thrifti-

ness has shaped our society in many wonderful ways. Think of our

penny-pinching forebears, who had to make every scrap of cloth

count. When some inventive soul stitched together scraps to make a

warm bed covering, the art of patchwork quilting was born. Or how

about the hardy individuals who crossed oceans and the continent

with nothing more than what they could carry themselves, pack on a

horse or mule, or tuck into a wagon? They used ingenuity to survive

from one season to the next, creating a legacy of independence and

resourcefulness that we laud today. Then there were the folks who

lived through depressions and recessions and world wars. They

learned hard lessons about doing without and rationing for the future,

but the same generations produced some of the world’s greatest art

and architecture. Each generation is faced with challenges, and cheap-

skates know how to meet them with humor, courage, and creativity,

always with an eye on the long-term goal of living well.

That’s the most important reason to be a cheapskate—to enable you

to live the life you want. Sometimes it means budgeting creatively to

make a special purchase, to have more family time together, or to take

a stupendous trip abroad. Sometimes it means socking away money

now so you can lead a good life in your later years. Whatever your

personal reason for choosing to be a cheapskate, thriftiness as a way

of life can give you the freedom to really live.

3

Frugal Food ManeuversChoose choice When buying beef, select choice cuts instead of expen-

sive marbled prime cuts. Also, round steak is generally cheaper than cuts

from other parts of the steer. To ensure flavor and tenderness in these

leaner cuts of meat, slow-cook them or marinate them before cooking.

Buy large eggs Recipes most often call for large eggs, and this size is

usually a good value. The color of shell doesn’t affect the quality.

Freeze unused whites and yolks If a recipe calls for just egg whites

or egg yolks, don’t toss the remaining part down the drain. You can

freeze both yolks and whites for future use.

■ To freeze egg whites, use a plastic ice cube tray. Put one white into

each cube space and freeze. Pop the egg-white cubes out of the

tray and store in a labeled, self-sealing plastic bag in the freezer.

■ To freeze yolks, add a pinch of sugar or salt to each one to prevent

it from coagulating, then freeze in the same way as the whites.

Use those brown bananas Brown spots on bananas indicate ripeness,

not rot. If your family objects to the spots, peel the bananas and use

4

FeedingYour Familyfor Less

them in recipes. Once the peels turn mostly brown, mash the bananas,

add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice per banana, and freeze the puree in an

airtight container. Frozen banana puree lasts for six months and is deli-

cious in milkshakes, cakes, quick breads, and muffins.

Flop the cottage cheese To keep cottage cheese fresh longer, refrig-

erate it upside down in its original carton. You can also freeze cottage

cheese, although it will break down when thawed. After thawing, just

whip until creamy, then use in cooking.

Jab for juice If you need only a few drops of lemon or orange juice,

don’t squeeze the fruit—jab it with a toothpick and squeeze out the

amount you need. Put the toothpick in the hole and refrigerate the fruit.

Find unexpected frozen deals When a fruit is in season, check for

sales of its frozen counterparts. For example, when fresh peaches are

available, the demand for frozen peaches often drops. Stock up and

take advantage of the lower prices.

Use vegetable purees Don’t toss the tough stems of broccoli,

asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, and other vegetables. Instead,

steam them until they’re soft, then whirl in a blender or food processor

to use in soups or sauces. They add a creamy taste but are cheaper

and more healthful than real cream. Save leftover cooked vegetables

and puree them as well.

Add powdered milk For richer texture without extra fat, add 1 or

2 tablespoons of nonfat dry milk to fat-free milk, cream soups, omelets,

or puddings. It provides extra calcium and protein and costs less than

cream. Buy your store’s house brand; it’s just as good as national brands.

Pick dark-colored greens The darker green a vegetable is, the better

nutrition you get for your money. Romaine lettuce, for example, has six

times more vitamin C and five times more beta-carotene than iceberg let-

tuce. Spinach, watercress, chicory, arugula, and other deep-colored

Feeding Your Fami ly for Less 5

greens pack even more nutrients, as do veggies such as broccoli, brus-

sels sprouts, and kale.

Choose bright fruits and vegetables The same color-to-value rule

applies when buying other vegetables and fruits: Look for bright colors

for the best nutritional merit for your money. For example, can-

taloupes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and oranges are good sources of

vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Buy in bulk and freeze If there’s a great sale on milk (and you have

the freezer space), buy extra and freeze it. Whole containers take

about two days to thaw in the refrigerator.

Look for frozen juice Frozen juice concentrates cost half as much as

regular juice and are just as nutritious. They don’t take up much space,

so buy in bulk when they’re on sale. Look for ones made from 100

percent juice and avoid sugary juice “drinks.”

Get tasty coffee for less:

■ Try Latin-brand espressos and imported Mexican coffees as well as

Louisiana coffee-and-chicory blends. They all brew rich-tasting,

dark-roast java for a lot less than you’d pay at a trendy coffee shop.

■ Add a pinch of salt to your ground coffee before brewing a pot to

reduce bitterness and enhance flavor.

■ Give your coffee that boutique touch for pennies by adding a tea-

spoon of ground cinnamon or a grating of orange zest before

brewing. It smells great, too.

Making the Most of LeftoversSteak Slice thinly and serve on greens with horseradish dressing for a

spicy salad. Or serve in warm pita bread with sliced onions and

cucumber sauce.

6 The Happy Cheapskate

Meat loaf or other ground

meat Crumble and add to an

omelet with a little cheddar and

Monterey Jack cheese. Try

spreading some refried beans

over a large tortilla, then sprinkle

with some of the ground beef,

add a little cheese, and

microwave for about 1 minute.

Top with salsa and sour cream or

plain yogurt and fold in both

sides to make a burrito.

Chicken Dice it and whip up a

stir-fry. Or shred it, then cover a

tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes,

chopped olives, a little cheddar

cheese, and the chicken. Top

with salsa and sour cream.

Fish steaks Serve over salad

greens with vinaigrette or ranch

dressing or toss with cooked

pasta, steamed veggies, and a little cream sauce.

White rice Sauté leftover rice in a little vegetable oil until hot and

golden. Stir in some chopped green onions, a handful of frozen peas,

and (if you have it), chopped ham, chicken, or cooked shrimp. Make a

hollow in the center, break in two or three eggs, and scramble them

into the rice. Add a little soy sauce, toss to mix, and—voilà!—home-

made fried rice!

Assorted leftovers Chop or grind leftover meat, chicken, fish, or veg-

etables, season the mixture, and pack it into sweet peppers, large


New Life for Stale Bread

Often, bread doesn’t stay bakeryfresh as long as we’d like, but hereare some creative uses for a loafthat’s past its prime.

• Revive stale bread or rolls byspraying them lightly with water,putting them in aluminum foil, andwarming them in a 375°F toasteroven for about 5 minutes for rollsor 10 to 15 minutes for bread.

• Stale bread makes divine Frenchtoast. Soak slices in a mixture ofeggs and milk with a dash ofnutmeg, then toast with a bit ofbutter in a large nonstick skillet.

•Turn slices into croutons by cut-ting them into cubes and sautéingthem lightly in olive oil or saf-flower oil. Store in an airtightcontainer for about 10 days orfreeze them.

mushroom caps, or giant pasta shells. Bake with a sauce for added

flavor and moisture.

Make potato dishes A simple potato, baked or microwaved, can be a

terrific (and cheap) base for lunch or dinner—and provide a good way

to clear out the fridge. Try these toppings.

■ Leftover cooked ground meat, tomato sauce, and Parmesan cheese

■ Leftover chili, chopped onions, and a dollop of sour cream

or plain yogurt

■ Leftover chopped broccoli and cheddar cheese

■ Salsa, canned corn, chopped olives, and a splash of hot sauce

■ Leftover cooked chopped spinach and a little feta cheese

Creating Your Own Convenience FoodsShred your own cheese Shredded and grated cheeses are expensive

and sometimes have starches and preservatives added to keep the cheese

from clumping. Buy blocks of cheese and grate your own or, even better,

ask for lower-priced end pieces of block cheese. Package the grated

cheese in self-sealing plastic bags. Most grated cheeses freeze well.

Slice your own cold cuts It’s less expensive to buy bologna, salami,

and other cold cuts in bulk and slice them at home than to buy pack-

aged or sliced deli meats.

Make rice and noodle mixes Don’t buy pricey packages of salty sea-

soned rice and noodles. Instead, cook plain rice in low-sodium broth and

add fresh or dried herbs or spices, make fresh noodles and toss with a

little olive oil or butter and herbs, or toss pasta with a little salad dressing.

You can also make your own seasoned rice mix to keep on hand.

Make your own oil spray Buy a small spray bottle and fill it with

vegetable or olive oil. It’s cheaper than buying a spray can.


Mix your own salad combos Tear a head of lettuce into bite-size

pieces and wash and dry them in a salad spinner (a good cheap

investment). Dice carrots, sweet peppers, radishes, raw spinach, and so

on, then wrap the pieces in paper towels and store them in perforated

self-sealing plastic bags.

Whip up delicious spaghetti sauce Just take a can of crushed toma-

toes, mix in some herbs (such as basil, oregano, and bay leaf), add a

couple of splashes of olive oil and vinegar and maybe a dash of hot

sauce, and simmer for a few minutes. That’s it—at about one-fourth the

cost of costly jarred sauces!

Flavor cottage cheese and yogurt yourself Buy plain cottage cheese

and yogurt and stir in fresh or canned fruit or even a little homemade

jam. They’re far cheaper and healthier than preflavored versions.

Eating Out InexpensivelyHave lunch instead of dinner If there’s a pricey restaurant that

you’re longing to try, consider dining there at lunchtime. Lunch menus

often run 25 percent less than dinner menus—and many restaurants

have lunch specials for even less. Also consider trying that restaurant

for a less costly weekend brunch.

Share starters and dessert One way to expand your taste horizons

without blowing the budget is to share an appetizer or dessert (or

both). You’ll still savor the flavor, but you’ll eat less and spend less.

Explore ethnic cuisines At ethnic eateries, you can get a great multi-

course meal and still go home with change in your pocket. Chinese,

Mexican, Indian, and Greek restaurants are everywhere, and with a

little looking, you may also find Thai, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Cuban,

Turkish, Middle Eastern, or even Ethiopian places. Many are known for

spicy dishes, but they also have milder food.


Saving at the SupermarketGo with a shopping list Know what you’re going to buy when you

enter the store and leave with only those items.

Shop the store perimeter Produce, meats, dairy products, bread,

and other food essentials are usually located around the store’s

perimeter, with more costly prepared foods in the middle aisles. Con-

centrate your shopping on the edges of the store, where the food is

not only cheaper but healthier.

Avoid temptation Eye-catching displays of cookies, chips, and conve-

nience foods are everywhere. Ignore them.

Bypass expensive aisles Every store has one or more aisles that hold

no temptations for you (pet food, paper goods, baby supplies, cos-

metics, and so forth). Make that aisle your passageway to departments

you need to visit at the back of the store.

Learn sales patterns. Stores often repeat sales on a predictable

schedule. For example, a store may offer a “buy one, get one free”

special on your favorite ice cream for one week each month. Pay

attention to the patterns, and you’ll never pay full price!

10

Become aSavvy Shopper

Look up and down Generally,

stores put expensive brand-

name items at eye level. Less

expensive store brands are on

the upper and lower shelves.

Weigh items yourself

Preweighed produce is conve-

nient, but you should reweigh it

just in case. A 5-pound bag of

carrots can actually weigh any-

where from 4.5 to 6 pounds!

Calculate savings the right

way When comparing prices,

always check the price per

pound. Most stores put that

number on the shelf tags, but

they are often missing. Make

sure you always bring a calcu-

lator; it makes comparison

shopping a breeze.

Maximizing Coupon SavingsOrganize your coupons Arrange them the same way you organize

your shopping list: in the same order as the store aisles. You’ll find the

coupons you want more quickly and will be less likely to overlook a

useful one. Place coupons in product categories, then, within a category,

put them in order of expiration date, with the soonest to expire first.

Use double or triple coupon offers Seek out stores that regularly

offer to double or triple coupons, saving you twice or three times the

face value.

Become a Savvy Shopper 11

Coupon Pitfalls and Hidden Costs

Although using coupons can saveyou money, you can also be fooledinto buying foods you normallywouldn’t—and that may cost you.Consider these:

• Big, dollar-off coupons are oftenfor expensive items that aren’tcheap even with a coupon.

• Often, coupons are for brandsother than the one you prefer. Ifyour family doesn’t like theproduct, it will just sit in thepantry until you throw it out.

• Even with a coupon, a brand-name item may be moreexpensive than the store brand.

• Many coupons are for foods thatare highly processed and low innutrients—the type of productsthat you would ordinarily avoid.


Apparel Shopping Calendar

You can save clothing dollars by shopping for specific items at certaintimes of the year. Sales are often offered around holidays or at inventory time,

when managers need to clear out last season’s stock.

JANUARY

Holiday clothing; wintercoats; cashmere andother wool sweaters;

gloves, hats, and scarves;costume jewelry; lingerie;

purses; shoes

FEBRUARY

Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day specials,

men’s apparel,fine jewelry,winter boots

MARCH

Winter clothing,boys’ and girls’ shoes,

infants’ clothing

APRIL

Spring dresses and raincoats, hosiery,

lingerie, women’s shoes

MAY

Mother’s Day andMemorial Day specials,cosmetics and beautyproducts, handbags,housecoats, jewelry,shoes, sportswear

JUNE

Father’s Day specials,men’s clothing, bathing

suits, boys’ clothing,lingerie and sleepwear,hosiery, women’s shoes

JULY

July Fourth specials,bathing suits, children’s

clothing, handbags,lingerie and sleepwear,men’s shirts and shoes,

sportswear,summer clothing

AUGUST

Back-to-school specials,summer clothing,

men’s coats, women’scoats, cosmetics

SEPTEMBER

Labor Day specials,fall clothing

OCTOBER

Columbus Day specials,fall and winter clothing,

lingerie and hosiery,women’s coats

NOVEMBER

Election Day and Veterans Day specials,Thanksgiving specials,boys’ suits and coats,

lingerie, men’s suits andcoats, shoes, winter

clothing

DECEMBER

Holiday specials,children’s clothing, coats,hats, men’s furnishings,

cruise wear, shoes (The Christmas-to-New

Year’s week is a great but crowded sales time)

Combine coupons with sales If there’s a special on any food on your

list, be sure to check for a coupon that will give you even more savings.

Check product sizes Although buying the largest size of most items is

usually thriftiest, you may actually get a better price per pound on

smaller sizes when you use coupons.

Saving on Healthcare ProductsBuy drugstore reading glasses If you’re over 40 and have trouble

seeing things close up, such as newsprint, you may just need reading

glasses. You can pick up a pair for about $15 at drugstores and other

outlets. Most displays have sample reading matter that helps you select

the magnification you need. If you have other eye problems, though,

you may need prescription bifocals; check with your eye doctor.

Consider cutting pills in half If you take a prescription medicine

that comes in pill form, ask your doctor if you can get it in a higher-

dosage, larger size so you can cut the pills in half (you can find fairly

inexpensive pill cutters at most drugstores). Doubling the dosage and

halving the pills can result in a significant discount.

Ask about generics If your doctor prescribes a brand-name drug, ask

if there is a generic form that could treat your problem just as well.

Although a generic form may not be available yet, and your doctor

may say another drug won’t be as effective, it’s important to ask

because generic drugs are often half the price of name brands.

Always buy store-brand nonprescription drugs Don’t fall into the

trap of buying brand-name over-the-counter (OTC) drugs either. Store

brands of OTC drugs are almost always less expensive than name

brands, and if you compare their labels, you’ll find that the key ingre-

dients are the same—just cheaper! If you use a drug often, consider

buying a really big bottle at one of the national price clubs.

Become a Savvy Shopper 13

Extending the Life of Your ClothesGive your clothes a rest Let your clothes air out or dry before you

put them away. Don’t wear the same items day after day; allow at least

24 hours for moisture to evaporate.

Reinforce knees and elbows Put iron-on patches on the insides of

the knees of pants, especially jeans. You can also use this trick on shirt

or jacket elbows that will get a lot of rough wear. Hidden iron-on

patches are particularly useful for kids’ clothing.

Prevent stains on garments:

■ Before getting dressed, use a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel to

wipe away body oils around your neck and wrists so collars and

cuffs stay clean.

■ Add cotton underarm shields to protect your favorite dresses and

blouses from perspiration stains. Either tack the shields on or sew

on snaps to secure them.

Reverse a worn collar If a shirt collar is starting to fray, don’t get rid

of the garment. Carefully remove the collar at the seam where it joins

the shirt, turn the collar over, and reattach it with the unworn side

14

Cutting CostsAround theHouse

showing. You can also sew the

seam closed and leave the shirt

collarless.

For longer-lasting panty hose:

■ It may sound crazy, but your

panty hose will last longer if

you freeze them when

they’re brand new. Wet them

thoroughly and wring out

excess water, then put them

in a plastic bag in the

freezer. When you know

you’re going to need them,

thaw and let dry.

■ Panty hose resist runs better

and go on more easily if you

starch them very lightly first.

■ To stop a run, rub it with

wet soap, spray with hair

spray, or dab on clear nail

polish.

Cover frayed cuffs If your shirt cuffs are fraying, cover them with

bias or satin binding (depending on the style of the shirt). If you use a

contrasting color for the binding and bind the edges of the collar as

well, it will look like a completely different shirt.

Doing Housecleaning EconomicallyKeep dirt out with mats To cut cleaning time and costs, keep dirt

from entering your house in the first place. Place an all-weather,

heavy-duty mat just outside every exterior door and put a thinner mat

Cutt ing Costs Around the House 15

Making New Clothes from Old

Turn a tight sweater into acardigan Is a favorite pulloversweater too small? Transform it into a classy cardigan. Measurethe exact center of the front,mark it, and machine-stitch downeach side of the centerline. Cutfrom top to bottom between thelines of stitching and finish theedges with ribbon or decorativesewing tape.

Turn an old dress into a jumperA denim, wool, or corduroy dresscan be transformed into a jazzyjumper. First, cut away the collar orreshape the neckline into a V orscoop, then remove the sleevesand enlarge the armholes slightlyto accommodate a blouse under-neath. Cut facings from the sleevefabric or face the new neck andarmholes with bias binding.

or throw rug just inside. The larger the inside mats are, the cleaner the

floors will stay. Even if your home is carpeted wall to wall, small throw

rugs or mats will control dirt and cut carpet wear.

Clean—don’t paint—your walls If your walls look a bit grimy and

dull, don’t rush out to buy paint. Washing walls costs only a fraction of

what painting them would, and it can leave them looking bright and

new. Use a clean sponge mop with a self-squeezing mechanism. Fill

two buckets, one with cleaning solution and one with clean water.

Beginning at the bottom, clean a small section of the wall at a time; if

you begin at the top, the solution may drip down and permanently

stain the paint below. Dry each clean section with a cotton towel

before moving on to the next area.

Make your own cleaning rags Don’t ever buy cloths for cleaning!

The best cleaning rags are made from old cloth diapers, T-shirts, and

linen or terrycloth dishtowels. Although it’s tempting to grab paper

towels for cleaning, it’s an expensive habit.

Keep lightbulbs clean Dust your lightbulbs with a dry cloth. That

may sound finicky, but a dust-free bulb shines up to 50 percent

brighter than a dirty one, so you save money and use less energy.

Freshen up spreads in the dryer To quickly freshen bedspreads or

curtains between expensive seasonal dry cleanings, place them in the

dryer with a fabric softener sheet (store brands are cheapest) and tumble

on the air-only setting for about 20 minutes. This trick also works wellfor pillows that are starting to smell musty. To fluff a down com-forter, add three or four clean tennis balls to the dryer.

Keeping Energy Costs Down Turn down the thermostat Lowering your thermostat by just a few

degrees in winter or raising it in summer (if you have central air condi-


tioning) can appreciably reduce

your energy bills. During the

cold months, a thermostat that’s

set at 66° to 68°F is perfect; in

summer, aim for 78° to 80°F.

Get a programmable thermo-

stat If everyone is out of the

house during the day, invest in

an automatic thermostat timer

that raises the temperature about

1 hour before you get up, lowers

it 5 to 10 degrees during the

hours when the house is empty,

and turns it back up just before

you get home.

Change your filter Get yourself

into the habit of checking your

furnace filter once a month

during the heating season and do the same with your air conditioner

during the summer months. Choose one specific day of the month or

do it the day that your bill arrives (highly motivating). Cleaning or

replacing the filter monthly can help keep your home’s heating and

cooling systems working efficiently, since clogged filters waste energy

and make the systems work harder and run longer—which means

money’s going out the window.

Use the sun to heat your house During the winter months, allow as

much sun as possible into the house. Remove and store window

screens. On sunny days, open blinds, shutters, and shades and tie back

curtains. Trim evergreen trees and shrubs that shade the windows. As

soon as the sun starts to go down, close window coverings to hold the

heat inside.


Hot Tips for Water Heaters

Except for your home’s heating andcooling units, your water heater isyour largest energy user. Here’s howto use it wisely.

• Unless you need a higher temper-ature for a dishwasher, set thethermostat at 120°F. This can cuthot water costs by as much as 50percent! If you’ll be away for aweek or more, turn the unit to itslowest setting.

• If you have an electric waterheater, find out if your powercompany offers off-peak rates,then schedule bathing, laundering,and dishwashing for these periodsas much as possible.

Make the most of weather stripping:

■ Before applying the weather stripping, lay a bead of caulk to act

as an adhesive and stop any drafts caused by surface irregularities.

■ Since self-sticking weather stripping has a tendency to peel off

eventually, add a few tacks or staples to reinforce it.

Conserving in the KitchenWatch gas-flame height Adjust the burners on a gas cooktop so the

flames just touch or are slightly lower than the bottoms of pans.

Flames curling around a pan waste energy.

When using an electric cooktop:

■ Place a pan on the coil that’s closest to it in size and be sure the

bottom is absolutely flat on the burner.

■ Set an electric burner on high first, then reduce the heat to finish the

cooking. For most dishes, turn off the burner altogether near the

end of cooking; the element will hold the heat for several minutes.

Keep dishes warm on the oven vent The oven vent on an electric

range is generally under one of the burners. When the oven is in use,

you can feel the hot air coming through the vent, so set dishes you

want to warm on that burner.

Don’t preheat the oven If the cooking time for a dish is an hour or

more, don’t preheat the oven; just turn it on when you put the dish in.

(Turkey is an exception if you want crisp skin.) If the cooking time is

just under an hour, extend it slightly. Preheating is required only for

dishes with short baking times.

Conserve oven heat:

■ Adjust the oven racks before turning on the oven. You won’t get

burned, and you’ll save heat.


■ Use a timer! Each time you open the oven door to peek at a dish,

the oven loses as much as 25 degrees of heat, which it then has

to make up.

■ When you’re baking foods sequentially (cookies, for example),

always have the next item ready to go before the timer goes off.

That way, you can put one item in as you pull another one out so

the oven door is open for as little time as possible.

■ If you have an oven with a self-cleaning cycle, start the cycle right

after you finish baking something, while the oven’s still warm. It

will use less energy to heat up to cleaning temperature.

Use your toaster oven or microwave Using small appliances can

actually save energy. A toaster oven can bake a potato or cook a small

portion of food; a microwave can heat anything liquid in less time and

with less energy than a stove can. Look for models that have lower

wattage ratings to further your savings.


Dishwasher Dos and Don’ts

DON’T run your dishwasher with less than a full load.

DO run it at night, when many power companies offer lower rates.In the summer, running a dishwasher at night when the weather is cooler also saves on cooling costs.

DON’T rinse off normally soiled dishes before you put them in the dishwasher; just scrape off the food.

DO use the lightest washing cycle for dishes that aren’t very dirty.It uses less hot water and energy.

DON’T use more detergent than you need. Experiment to see how littleyou can use and still get dishes clean.

DO use the no-heat setting for drying. (To add humidity to a dryhouse, open the dishwasher door while the dishes are drying.)

Lowering Laundry CostsDo laundry at off hours Check with your energy and water utilities

to find out whether they offer lower rates early in the morning or late

at night, whether weekday rates are less than on weekends, and

whether they have any tips on lowering your operating costs. Regions

differ with respect to energy and water resources; find out how to best

use the resources in your area.

Don’t overdo the detergent If you find a lot of lint on your laundry,

it’s a sign that you’re using too much detergent. Although it’s tempting

to add extra detergent to wash really dirty clothes, it actually doesn’t

clean any better. Also, excess detergent may not be fully washed away

in the rinse cycle, so it can leave a film on fabrics that attracts dirt and

causes garments to look dingy.

Use your washer efficiently:

■ Run only full loads. Washing small loads wastes electricity and

water. If necessary, toss in tablecloths, dishtowels, or seldom-

washed items to fill up the load.

■ Set the washer for cold-water rinses to use less energy. Although

laundry detergents clean your clothes better in warm water (at

least 65°F), the rinse can always be cold. If you want to wash in

cold water, liquid detergent may be your best bet because it

doesn’t have to dissolve.

Put up a clothesline The environment will thank you, your clothes

will thank you, and your utility bill will thank you! Sunlight actually

kills many odor-causing bacteria, so your clothes will smell fabulous

naturally. No more spending money on laundry products that claim to

give clothes “air-dried freshness”! Another plus: Line drying is easier on

fabrics. In fact, most shrinkage occurs in the dryer, and machine drying

wears down fibers, so line drying will make your clothes last longer

and look better, too.


Use dishwashing liquid for hand washables Read the label on the

soap you use for dishwashing by hand. Generally, it can also be used

to wash your delicate garments. If the product is formulated to be easy

on your hands, it’s gentle enough for even your fine hand washables.

Cutting Costs in the BathroomReplace your showerheads Installing inexpensive, low-flow shower-

heads will cut the amount of shower water you use by half. It’s is a

simple job that you can do with only a couple of wrenches (one to

turn the showerhead sleeve and the other to grip and steady the pipe;

be sure to tape the wrenches’ jaws so you don’t scratch the chrome).

Look for a brand with an on/off switch that lets you interrupt the flow

while you soap up, shave, or shampoo and resume the flow to rinse.

Conserve water at the sink:

■ Turn off the water while you soap your face or hands, shave, or

brush your teeth.

■ Keep an old milk jug under each sink. When you have to run

water until it’s hot, catch the cool water in the jug, then use it for

your houseplants or humidifier.

Reduce the water you flush If you don’t have new low-flow toilets,

fill plastic soda bottles with water, put on the lids, and place one in

each toilet tank to reduce the amount of water per flush.

Getting More for Your Gardening DollarNeed help planning a landscape? Check with a local university or

college to see whether it offers a major in landscape design. Students,

either undergrad or graduate, can often be hired for less than profes-

sionals. A student will also have a higher stake in coming up with a


beautiful and workable design that will help launch his reputation. If

you have a detailed design to follow, you’re more likely to end up

with a garden that functions well and plants that thrive.

Look for garden gear at garage sales These sales are excellent

sources of garden supplies. This can be a seasonal opportunity, when

folks start cleaning out their storage sheds or garages. Watch ads

closely and call ahead to find out which sales will include garden

tools, machinery, or furniture. Remember, that rusty cast-iron patio set

can be revived easily with a little muscle and paint.

Buy gardening supplies at season’s end Like clothing, gardening

supplies usually go on sale at the end of the season. Check the news-

paper during late summer, when lawn mowers, edgers, gardening

tools, and garden furniture are likely to be offered for considerably less

than in late spring or early summer. Also watch the ads in late winter

or very early spring, because sometimes home centers want to get rid

of last year’s stock before bringing in new merchandise. You may find

clearance sales on all sorts of garden goodies.

Buy plants at the big-box garden center If you find the cost of

plants outrageous, the prices at the garden centers of big-box super-

stores, particularly on bedding plants, can be fabulous in season. You’ll

also find a large variety of furniture, arbors, edgings, trellises, and so on,

as well as terrific clearance sales—but be careful not to wait too long.


23

Controlling Car Operating CostsForget regular tune-ups Most cars today don’t need regular tune-

ups. A general engine checkup done once a year by your mechanic

should pick up any potential problems. If you own a car made before

1980, however, you’ll probably still need to have it tuned up once or

twice a year—ask your mechanic. For newer cars, it’s always a good

idea to have a mechanic or dealer perform the manufacturer’s sug-

gested major servicing at 15,000 miles, 30,000 miles, and so on.

Don’t buy premium gas Some people believe that premium gas is

better than regular, but if your car’s engine isn’t designed for high-test

fuel, buying premium is a big waste. With the exception of a few high-

end cars, most cars today are designed to run on regular gas. If a car

requires high-test fuel, it will be noted under the gas gauge on the

dashboard. Otherwise, premium fuel is not better; it doesn’t produce

more power, improve engine performance, save fuel, or contain any

additives that help your car. It just costs more.

Keep your tires properly inflated Soft tires use up a great deal of

extra energy. Set the pressure within the range recommended by the

Driving Down TransportationCosts


car’s maker; it’s listed on a label on the doorjamb, engine compart-

ment, or glove-box door.

Plan ahead to cut car costs The worst kind of gas-guzzling travel is

those quick trips to the grocery store for milk, then a stop at the post

office, then the drugstore, and so on, which can add up to big costs.

One way to cut down on them is to sit down every morning (or the

evening before) and make a list of where everyone has to go and what

they have to do for the day. Then plan the most efficient routes to

keep everyone on schedule with the least amount of traveling. You’ll

save money, time, and frustration.

Maximize Your Car’s MileageAim at getting the mileage per gallon estimated by the government

for your vehicle. If you’re not, one of the following could be the culprit.

• If your brakes are rubbing even slightly, you can burn extra fuel withouteven noticing the excess heat or wear on your brakes.

• Every time you switch on an electrical device (the headlights or defogger,for example), you use more gas.The greatest gas-sucking device of all isyour car’s air conditioner.The more you use it, the worse your mileage.

•Tires affect fuel efficiency. Big tires have more road contact, resulting inmore friction and more gas burned. During cooler months, a tire that’sinflated correctly at 70°F will be underinflated by as much as 5 pounds persquare inch (PSI) at 20°F. This also produces more friction with the road.

• A faulty transmission linkage means that the information the car needs towork efficiently is not getting to the computer. This can significantly reducefuel economy, especially at highway speeds.

• Harsh wind, weather, and terrain can lower your car’s fuel efficiency, as can aheavy load, stop-and-start traffic, and rough road conditions.

• Short trips of 5 miles or less reduce mileage and are harder on yourengine, especially in cold weather. That doesn’t mean you should drive far-ther, but it does mean you should take the time to warm up your car.

Dr iv ing Down Transpor tat ion Costs 25

How to Haggle When Buying a CarUnless you want to pay more than you should, you need to learn

how to haggle for a car. Here are some tips.

DON’T wait to shop until your current car is on its last legs. Being in needputs you in a bad bargaining position.

DO have your research, including models, options, and prices, firmly inyour head or at your fingertips.

DON’T worry about bargaining too hard and offending the dealer. Sales-people are there to make money.They take care of themselves.

DO be discreet. If you really want a particular car, continue to bargainas if you were undecided between two or three.

DON’T do the salesperson’s work. During bargaining, you may be askedto name a reasonable profit. Don’t; that’s not your job! Focus ongetting the best car for the lowest price.

DO be willing to walk away. Trust your gut instinct if the deal isn’tgood enough, if some details don’t feel right, or if you don’t feelgood about the dealer.

DON’T glide over details. Most contracts include a fee for paperwork oradvertising. If you’ve agreed on a good price, ask the dealer towaive them. If the answer is no, suggest that the dealer providefree servicing or extras (floor mats, for example) to offset the fees.

DO express negative feelings. If you do, you may see a radical changein the dealer’s attitude, resulting in a better deal.

DON’T pay any mind when the salesperson asks,“What would you likeyour monthly payment to be?” It’s an old trick. Paying $219 amonth is no deal if the payments stretch out for an extra 24months.

DON’T discuss your trade-in until the end. Clever salespeople give you ahuge bargain on the new car, then fleece you on the trade-in. Geta firm price on the new car first, then the best price for your oldone (you’ll always do better selling it privately).

Alternatives to Driving YourselfTry a carpool:

■ Joining a carpool saves money. If sharing the commute with one

other person cuts your travel expenses in half, just think how

much dividing it by four can reduce costs.

■ If you carpool, you’ll be able to travel in high-occupancy-vehicle

(HOV) lanes, which let you zip past other traffic.

■ Check to see if your employer helps employees organize carpools

or offers other incentives, such as better parking spaces or flex-

ible hours.

■ Call your county government or regional transportation agency to

see if either one offers a program for matching up people inter-

ested in forming a carpool. Watch for highway signs with a

number to call for more information about carpools.

■ Look for a Web site to help you find or start a carpool. On a com-

puter search engine, enter your city and the word carpool. These

sites usually provide a form to fill in, then they match you with

others who are interested in carpooling from your area to neigh-

boring destinations.

Consider carpooling to church or a game Carpools are not just for

commuting to work. Anytime you can find a group of people who all

want to go to the same place at the same time, start a carpool. Destina-

tions include school, sporting events, extracurricular activities, church

or temple, choir, dance groups, and clubs.

Use a bike:

■ If you live reasonably close to where you work, commuting on a

bike will cut travel expenses significantly.

■ If your job is too far away to bike, try pedaling to the train

station. Or use your bike to run errands in your neighborhood.


27

Enjoying Sports for LessDiscover the minors Many cities are home to major league farm

teams whose players are in training for the big leagues. If any of these

teams are in your area, give them a try. At minor league games,

everyone gets a great seat because the stadiums are much smaller. The

games tend to be family friendly, and the ticket prices are vastly lower.

Go to women’s team sports In some areas, the passion for women’s

softball is beginning to rival that for men’s games, and women’s col-

lege basketball, softball, lacrosse, and soccer are rapidly gaining

ground. Most cities that have a men’s professional basketball team also

have a women’s pro team that plays during spring and summer.

Whether college or pro, women’s athletics are amazing, and there are

usually seats available on game day.

See swimming and gymnastics Don’t wait for the Olympics to

watch water sports or gymnastics. If you have a college or university

(or even a high school) nearby with a ranked swim team, swimming

and diving events can be extremely exciting to watch. For gymnastics,

check with high school or college athletic departments or gymnastics

Living Well for Less


schools about competitions. Both men’s and women’s events are full of

heart-stopping moments, graceful routines, and supreme athleticism.

Try a soccer game This sport has long been the favorite throughout

most of the world. The games are fast and exciting, the skills are

breathtaking, and it’s fun learning the rules of a new sport. See if

there’s a youth or adult league to check out in your area.

Go to martial arts competitions Martial arts schools frequently offer

demonstrations, and there are competitions between schools. These

are exciting to watch and cost little or nothing.

Try horse shows and dog shows It can be thrilling to watch riders

lead their horses over obstacles or observe trainers putting their dogs

through their paces. Usually, admission to these events is very low or

free. Check with area stables for event information and with local dog

trainers for upcoming shows.

Getting Culture CheapTake advantage of your public library Besides books, you can take

out videos, audiotapes, and CDs for free. Libraries have become commu-

nity centers that offer computers, book clubs, readings, and fabulous

children’s programs. Ask for a schedule of activities.

Check out bookstores Both big-chain and local bookstores often

host a variety of events—author readings and signings, book discus-

sion groups of all kinds, kids’ programs with storytelling and crafts,

and even music.

Try local theater groups Local community theaters often produce

professional-quality shows, and the ticket prices are very reasonable,

while college theater can be a stimulating and cost-effective way to see

live performances of works ranging from the classic to the experimental.

L iv ing Wel l for Less 29

Enjoy local music and dance:

■ Community symphonies, chamber ensembles, and choirs offer

great deals. Often, you can hear amazing performances by tal-

ented amateurs and professional guest soloists.

■ College music departments feature all kinds of performances,

from symphony orchestras and soloists to jazz ensembles, a cap-

pella groups, and opera recitals—usually for a bargain price and

sometimes free.

■ Local dance companies and college dance programs can offer

enormous variety, including ballet, jazz, and modern dance.

Ticket cost is minimal, and the performances by exciting young

dancers can be superb.

See classic and experimental films If you’re a movie buff, college

film programs are a godsend, showing rare oldies, cult favorites, and

avant-garde flicks—usually for less than the mulitplex. And there are

often informative discussions following the showings.

Get into museums free:

■ Most museums feature one day or one evening a week—or some-

times one day a month—when they don’t charge admission. You

can see the best art in the world, from classic masterpieces to

cutting-edge modern works, all for free.

■ If you are a member of your local museum and are visiting a

museum while on vacation, ask about reciprocity. Many museums

will let you in free if you’re a member of a sister institution.

Raising Kids for LessBuy clothes one size larger When you have a new baby, avoid

buying many newborn-size clothes. Instead, go for 3- to 6-month sizes,

since a newborn grows amazingly fast. Then keep a size ahead as your

baby gets older. Most 6-month-olds wear the 9- to 12–month size, 1-

year-olds wear size 2, and so on.

Don’t buy baby shoes Babies don’t need them. In fact, most pediatri-

cians recommend allowing infants to go barefoot as much as possible

well into early childhood to allow their feet to develop. When toddlers

do need shoes, choose soft, flexible ones with soles that won’t slip but

will move with the child. And buy cheap, because children go through

shoes like water through a sieve.

Make your own baby food Don’t spend money on those cute little

jars. It’s easy, healthier, and much cheaper to make your own baby

food. Using a food processor or blender (an electric coffee grinder is

ideal), simply puree cooked carrots or peas or canned fruit in water

(not syrup). As the child grows older, just puree whatever you’re

having for dinner. Pick up some small plastic cups with tight-fitting lids

at garage sales or thrift stores and make large batches.

Rig up a booster seat Don’t spend money on booster seats for

youngsters who can’t quite reach the tabletop without a little added

height. Take your outdated phone book (just the right height!) and

wrap it in an old pillowcase. This trick is also great to remember when

you’re visiting friends or relatives who aren’t set up for small children.

Instead of investing in a high chair:

■ You can feed an infant in a portable car seat set in its upright

position or simply hold her in your lap.

■ When the child can sit upright (about the same time you begin

introducing solid foods), buy an inexpensive three-in-one booster

seat. This seat, which has a seat belt and removable tray, can be

strapped onto a sturdy kitchen or dining room chair. The tray

moves to accommodate the child’s size.


L iv ing Wel l for Less 31

Adding to Your SavingsTrick yourself into saving One trick to help you save more (or pay

down debt faster) is to take the payment amount of a debt that’s been

paid off and continue paying it, either into a savings account or to sat-

isfy another debt. For example, let’s say you have two car payments,

one for $300 and one for $230. Once you pay off the lesser debt, just

begin adding the $230 to the second debt, making new payments of

$530. You’ll be amazed how quickly you pay off the second loan (and

save on interest). Once that second debt is paid off, try tucking that

payment into a savings account and watch your savings take off.

Because you weren’t planning for the money to be available, this

strategy is a painless way to build up savings.

Don’t overdo paycheck withholdings Ideally, when tax time rolls

around, you want to be sure you’ve paid the right amount in taxes;

you don’t want to owe money or get any back. Although it may feel

great to get a big tax refund, this means you’ve actually been lending

your money to the government, not putting it to work for you. That

$2,000 tax refund could have been earning you interest in a CD or

money market account.

Minimizing Banking CostsGet free or inexpensive checking Scout around for a bank that will

give you a free or cheap checking account with a low minimum balance

requirement—then make sure you keep that amount in the account.

Even better, look for a bank that allows a combined minimum balance

for checking/savings accounts. This means you can park more money in

savings and have it earn interest before you need it to pay bills.

Avoid unnecessary ATM fees Ask your bank for a detailed list of all

fees, including ATM fees. If there is no fee for using your bank’s ATM,


avoid using other banks’

machines so you won’t be

charged to withdraw money.

Take out larger amounts of cash

at your bank, if need be, so you

won’t have to use other ATMs.

Use direct deposit Most

employers offer direct deposit of

salaries and pensions, and you

can set up this service for Social

Security benefits as well. Ask if

your bank will drop or lower

checking fees if you have your

paycheck or Social Security

check deposited directly to your

checking account. Many banks

will, but only if you ask them. In

addition, this method of payment

is faster and safer, and the money

is available to you immediately.

Bank online If you’re already paying for Internet service, look into

doing your banking online. You’ll have instant access to your

accounts, you’ll save on postage and potential late fees on bills, you’ll

buy and use fewer checks, and you’ll be able to easily transfer money

between accounts to keep most of your funds in the highest-interest-

bearing accounts. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about bouncing a

check again. All major banks now offer this service, sometimes at no

extra charge.

UnexpectedIncome?

When you have a windfall—abonus, a gift, extra cash for extrawork—use the rule of thirds todetermine how you’ll use it.

One third for the past: Use onethird to pay down a debt.

One third for the present: Use thesecond third to make a home orpersonal improvement you want.

One third for the future: Immedi-ately put the final third into somesort of savings or investmentaccount.

If you follow this rule, you’ll seeyour debt shrink and your savingsgrow, and you won’t feel deprived.

the happy cheapskate

Documents

family time

high level ofentertainment

high quality of goods

savvy shoppersaving

enjoying sports

gardening dollar21driving

registered trademark

new york montrealcopyright