Best Money Saving Advice
callie25
11 years ago
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sushipup1
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agograinlady_ks
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
saving money building a new home
Comments (25)Forgot to add that he saved us money by incorporating all of our needs and many wants without going over in sq footage. He also came up with architectural details that would give the house character very inexpensively. He loaded us up on storage and made the most use out of stadard windows. Also incorporated brick and stone with hardi in a way that kept the expense down but provided a huge visual impact. It is also unique from the other houses in the neighborhood and area, but still blends nicely so that if we ever resale we will standout among the homogenous designs most builders put up in our area. So that will payoff later. I have had someone on my hoa with a house significantly bigger than mine rave over the design and wish she could move in. Also he could have...but we chose not to do this... make it so the first floor was the only floor finished so that we could finish the second and basement later without anyone being the wiser. However we lost our minds and now are finishing the whole basement....See MoreBest areas to save money
Comments (14)definitely shopping around. We ended up with a more expensive travertine at a lesser price than "cheaper" ceramic tile, all because we shopped around! We also found a recommended tile setter crew, rather than using the local tile store, which wanted a small fortune (and you had to buy their outrageously priced flooring. They would not install anything but their own (seriously marked up) products. We've decided to wait on planning a pool and having it installed, so of course that is a massive savings right there. LOL! Also, watch holiday weekends (the one coming up!) and sale flyers for savings on appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, etc. Many online stores (or regular stores) have sales for the holiday weekends, and you can save a bundle! Something I am doing is trying to shop in neighboring states, rather than our own, for big ticket items (like our kitchen appliances). I found a store in a neighboring state that will deliver for free, because I have a large order. AND, I don't get charged sales tax as I am out of state. That is a very big savings right there! I shun credit cards, but just yesterday I opened one at a store I was shopping in, to receive the discount they offered me by opening an account. They rang me up. I put it on my new "temporary card". I then walked over to Customer Service and paid the "card" off. So I still won't pay interest, but I saved almost $200.00!! To me, it was worth it. Just remember to close those accounts so you don't raise eyebrows with your lender at all of the newly opened accounts. LOL! Don't be afraid to ask for a discount if you are purchasing multiple items from one supplier. Not all will oblige, but some will, and it's a good feeling to save a bit. Our lighting store is giving me 20% off because I have a large order, and I asked for one. They didn't offer it until I asked. And I didn't ask until they saw how much I was ordering! It worked like a charm. Stores need your business. Try to entice them to give you a savings. If it means a large sale for them, they are more willing to accomodate your request. If you only buy one item, probably not so willing to negotiate price with you. Just ask politely, but like you expect it. I say something like "Great. Our order looks perfect. I like the selections we made today. What discount can you offer me for my large order"? It's not offensive. They don't have to give you one at all. But I find that many, if asked politely and with a kind smile, are more than willing to give you a deal. Makes them feel good that they made a sale, makes me feel good that I saved a few dollars. Happy all around. So just ask! My last savings thought is related to design. Most photos in higher end design magazines show really expensive finishes. And building a home helps you quickly realize that all of those expensive finishes add up to one horrendously expensive home. So, do your homework. If you really love a certain tub, check around and just get a price range. Then you'll know right off if you need to give up your dream of the fancy light kits in your bathtub, or the disco ball in the game room... whatever it may be. I find it easy to give up some of my wishes when I prioritize what is most important to me. I can do without some things (an expensive chandelier) when I remind myself that by choosing a less expensive fixture (still pretty, just not as ornate maybe) I can put the flat screens in all the rooms we had planned on. Or by running our own speaker wire to the 1st floor rooms, we can still get a whole house music system on the 1st floor (the only place we really wanted it) and save thousands of dollars. That saved money can buy the best stereo system components for the best sound system available. Things like that. I guess I'd put it in a nutshell by saying "doing without unimportant things, to get the most important ones on my list". Yes, I'd love smart home capabilities. Yes, I'd love an 8 stall horse barn and lighted outdoor riding arena. But perhaps my money can be better used to buy a piano for the children to take music lessons on, for furnishings in the various rooms that will make our home a cozy, comfortable space to live. I've lived in "empty rooms" when first out of college and in 1st apartment, and it was neither cozy nor comfortable. Remembering that, I'll take the furnishings over the horse barn that would possibly sit unused since we are so busy! Okay, enough of my rambling thoughts. Enjoy your process, and I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the cabin as it goes up! Don't forget to share. I don't see enough timber/log homes go up on this site. That will be a fun one to watch!...See MoreBest Money Saving Tip For Me
Comments (4)cowboyind, Here I thought you were just getting a "buzzz" out of it. (;^)) Hadn't noticed that, as a matter of fact. Whether your message was hypothetical or not - the issue of the number of hypothetical hours remains the same. We earn "before-tax" money, but buy (most, i.e. non-deductible) goods with after-tax money. Which makes the concept of whether we want to exchange that amount of effort for so much money to buy certain goods even more relevant, for the number of hours is (almost) *always* larger. Another good idea along this line is, if we think that we really do want to buy the item, to ask ourselves whether we might be able to arrange to get the item at even less expense using another channel. For example, buy a (used) item at an auction, estate sale, etc. where there are quite often some really good bargains to be found. But - take care. Be sure that you know the market value of items that you desire before going, and keep your emotions in check. Sometimes, in the heat of an auction, people get their egos involved and bid items up to higher than retail value. Linens and some household accoutrements often go for next to nothing at auctions. With, often, a number of other itmes in a box - that you may be able to sell individually later in garage sales for more than you paid for the whole box, originally. So, you got what you wanted free - didn't you? Who can beat that? Unless you can get someone to pay you to take certain items off their hands. How often have you run on to such offers? Garage sales are a good source, as well. I bought a couple of (snmall) radios last year for $1.00 and $2.00. Good wishes to you and yours, ole joyful...See MoreBest Way to Save Money - Guaranteed!!!!!!!
Comments (11)"QUOTE>The best way to save money is to... NOT spend it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't spend it, you save it. Don't think too hard about it. Putting it under your mattress gives a better return than spending it!"QUOTE> As a single person with no children I sort of agree with this. I'm not big on investing. Perhaps once I'm done with school (returning adult changing careers). I have direct deposit and don't really pay attention to my money. I pay my rent, credit card bill, phone bill, food bill, car payment and ins. Those checks go out every month.(except car ins. I pay that in a lump sum every three or four months, I don't pay attention) As a recovering shopaholic I don't purchase much of anything. I'm too busy anyway with work and school. So I basically ignore my money. I find that when I do finally look into my bank account I end up with so much just sitting around. Last year I looked and to my suprise I had six grand just sitting there. It accumulated over a few months. I finally did open a online account and put it in there and now it sits there being ignored again. I transfered my credit cards to my credit union, my car loan to the credit union and pay my tuition out of pocket so no bill once I'm done. All that extra income will be all mine. I just spent about six grand on new furniture but I'm paying it off monthly (union cc special super low rate until its paid :)) and letting that suprise six grand that accumulated just sit in that online account. When it reaches nine thousand I will pay off my car. Then pay off the credit cards with the extra from the no longer car payment and lower ins. extra cash. Shouldn't take long. I pay way more than the minimum now anyway. Then once again with the ignoring and we will see how much I accumulate. That will go towards a house down payment. If you have no outside responsibility other than yourself. Ignore your money and stay out of the malls. Don't look at your account for a few months. ( I didn't do this on purpose I'm just real lazy when it comes to balancing a check book and if I didn't have direct deposit I would walk around for weeks with a live check because I always forget) When you see the extra in the account you tend to spend it. I know I have enough to cover the checks I write so I don't think about what's left over. I ignore it and then one day take a peak and suprise large sum looking back at me. I don't recommend this to everyone because it obviously won't work for all. Keeps me in line though. I see money that has no obligation tied to it and mall here I come!...See Moreemma
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