Howdy Y’all! Let’s pinch those pennies!
I know, I know. I’m always making excuses for not posting more often. But this time I really do have a legitimate excuse.
My computer DIED.
Okay, well, it’s not completely dead, just totally out of order! James thinks the repair bill will be at least $200 and that’s if he gets the parts on line and does it himself.
So, for now I’m writing to you from a laptop we borrowed from my parents.
Seems like every day I’m hearing about our awful economy and how the American people are struggling to survive. Personally, I know we’re in a bit of a downturn from our usual prosperity. But do you really think this is the end of the world?!
No, it’s not.
Although, with You-Know-Who in office, it could be closer than we think…
Moving on.
Okay, so even though I don’t think we are experiencing a second Depression, I do think we needed this wake-up call. We are a ridiculously frivolous society. We rack up the credit and the mortgages and we don’t care. We know someone somewhere will bail us out, even if it’s our kids.
Isn’t that what the government has been doing with the Auto and Home industries? Isn’t that what’s going to happen with Healthcare? Who needs to work hard and hold themselves accountable when Uncle Sam is just a phone call away?!
Years of living with this attitude has finally caught up with us. Now it’s time to start living within our means. We should be proud of ourselves for balancing our checkbooks and sticking to a budget. Learning to live a more affordable lifestyle has unmeasurable rewards.
While browsing through the Bellingham Herald today I came across an insert all about a group of Senior Citizens in our area. Three or four individuals were profiled. Each talked about their personal history and how they made it into retirement with money in their pockets.
The first profile is of a 90 year old woman named Dee. She is a widow and lives in a retirement community in Bellingham. She still uses the same ledger to balance her finances that her and her husband began using in 1947.
Another profile features Earl, an 86 year old potatoe farmer. His first job at the age of 15 taught him the value of a dollar, literally. He was paid $1 a day to gather eggs from 1,300 birds and clean their cages.
He offered some wise words for those struggling today,”You better go by what you’re making, and live within your income, and throw the credit card away. It doesn’t hurt to put a little bit away.”
Now, I know what your thinking. Who am I to tell anyone else how to live? What makes me so high and mighty?
I’m not. I’m not presuming to know more than anyone who reads this blog.
My husband and I are like a lot of other struggling people out there. We have student loans and credit card bills. We (mostly me) get a little stressed when it’s time to pay the rent and all the other bills. But ya know what, we’re working hard and we’re doing our best to get by.
James is in school working on a degree and I plan to be back in school, myself, sooner than later. We both drive cars that are completely paid off. We eat at home most nights, saving eating out for very special occasions.
But then again we have our weaknesses. For him it’s the movies, for me it’s Starbucks.
I feel like I’m getting off course here.
I started this post with the intention of listing some of the fun free/almost free things that you and your friends/family can do this summer.
So, I’ll get back on that track.
Saturday nights in Fairhaven can be a real treat. Check out their Outdoor Cinema program. For just $5 a person (you bring your own seats, food, drink, etc) you can join the crowd assembled on the lawn behind the Colophon Cafe for an outdoor movie. Check out the schedule:
http://fairhaven.com/content/2009_summer_movies
WWU offers another variety of entertainment through their Summer Theater Arts Program:
http://www.wwu.edu/theatre/summertheatre.shtml#commedia
Every Saturday at 10 a.m. the Bellingham Farmer’s Market opens up on Railroad. It’s a great place to go and shop for local produce and dairy products. From July until September is my favorite time to go. They have a wonderful selection of berries and fresh fruit. Be sure to check it out on July 25th for the next Kid’s Vending Day:
http://www.bellinghamfarmers.org/
And don’t forget about all the wonderful parks in Whatcom County. Most of the city parks don’t cost a thing to get into and they can provide hours of entertainment. And don’t forget about the parks with access to water like Marine Park, Bloedale Donavan, and Lake Padden. Who doesn’t like to go for a swim on a hot Summer day?!
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/
Now, besides these fun-almost-free outtings, there are other things you can do to make your money stretch.
Do you like to read? Do you have a ton of books on your shelf that you’ve read once and probably won’t read again? Well, gather up those books and head to your nearest used book store. Here’s a tip. You’ll usually get more “store credit” than you will get cash for your books. So, if you like to read and don’t mind a dog-eared page or two, you can score some major bargains.
Need to get your car washed? Keep a look out-mostly on weekends-for fundraising car washes. Ya know, the ones with the screaming kids standing on the sidewalk, waving signs that read “Marching Band Car Wash” or “FFA Fundraiser.” Usually these car washes are powered by hardworking kids looking for donations. It might not be the super shiny wash and wax that you usually splurge on, but for $5 it’ll do. Plus, you’re donating to a good cause!
Look in your closet. Is it full of clothes you or your spouse never wear anymore? Are you holding on to clothes that don’t fit? Seriously, are you ever going to wear them again? No. So why not make some cash?
My two favorite consignment shops are Labels and The Clothes Rack:
http://www.labelsconsignment.com/
http://www.the-clothes-rack.com/
Within the past month I’ve collected $17 from these two shops. That’s about 3 Iced Grande Vanilla Soy Lattes from Starbucks…just for trading in clothes I don’t want anymore! Awesome!
And lastly, there’s the Starbucks visits. Do you know how much it really costs to make that trip every morning for your cup of Joe? As mentioned above, I love Lattes. But each Latte, the way I like it, costs $4.12. Now, for $10.00 I can buy 1/2 pound of Starbucks Espresso Blend and a bottle of their Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup.
So, for almost as much as it costs to purchase two Lattes at the store, I can purchase everything I need, take it home, and make my own Lattes for 3+ WEEKS!
So, you see, everyone can cut a corner somewhere. Whether you decide to eat in on Friday nights or spend a day in the park instead of the Mall. We can all make a difference in our Financial lives. Do you really need a new purse, or do you just want one? If you really do need one, why don’t you take two purses you don’t like anymore to Labels. Help put a dent in the price of that new bag. Heck, why don’t you take a moment and look through the selection at the Consignment shop. You’d be surprised!
Bottom line, we’re all in this together. We’re gonna get through it. And we’re gonna come out stronger than before.
That said, it’s time for bed. Have a wonderful week everyone. I’d love to hear some of your ideas for stretching your budget.
Let’s help each other out.
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Tiffany on July 20th, 2009 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -