ways to save money : How to Save Money with the Envelope System

ways to save money : How to Save Money with the Envelope System

The Envelope System, popularized by Dave Ramsey, is a take on a budgeting system that most people have been following religiously and quite successfully. Find out how you too can use this system to plan and save your money responsibly.

Make a separate envelope for all the change that you accumulate. Count it after a month or two and you'll have a decent amount as ready-made savings.

• Income: The money we get for work we do
• Expenses: The money we spend on things we need
• Necessities: Things that we absolutely cannot live without [the bare minimum include food, clothing, shelter (and today, the Internet)]
• Luxuries: Things we can or cannot afford, but still end up spending on, simply because we have the means - plastic money
• Debt: What we find ourselves in because we cannot (or do not want to) decipher the difference between necessities and luxuries
• Financial Crisis: What happens when our debts continue to mount due to excessive spending on luxuries
• Breakdown (Financial, Emotional and possibly Physical): The result of ever-increasing debt and no means to repay it

This is the probable series of events that you may find yourself in if you're among the millions who have the question, "Where did all the money go?" on their minds at the end of the month, or use "What are credit cards for!" as a retort when asked why they want to buy that unnecessary scarf or golf club. It may seem very harsh and insensitive to say it, but the truth is that most of us avoid facing the reality of the dire straits that our financial lives are in. We want to seem like we have it all figured out, but the truth is that we're in denial. We deny that we have a spending problem. We deny that we don't like to plan our finances. We deny that we buy stuff we don't really need. We also deny that we need help. All that ends today! Thanks to the Envelope System that's been brought into the spotlight by Dave Ramsey, you can learn to have your finances control you rather than you letting them flow down the drain (read: swiping that piece of plastic ever so frequently). Here are the simple steps that you need to follow for a frugal, yet fruitful living. You'll need:

• Envelopes (number depends on items mentioned in step 1)
• Pen or pencil
• Notepad

Step 1

Fix a Budget

The word 'budget' has come to have such negative connotations that people simply don't want to use it anymore. A budget is "the money that is available to a person ... and a plan of how it will be spent over a period of time", as per the Oxford Dictionary. It's a seemingly harmless, yet extremely loaded word. The first step towards managing your spending is having a plan of how much money you have and how you need to spend it, not intend to spend it. How to do this? First, in the notepad, make a note of the amount of money that is due to come in. Using this as a base, make a list of all the assured expenses you have until the next inflow of money. For instance, your income is USD XYZ. From this XYZ, subtract fixed expenses, like mortgage/rent, food, cable, fees, phone, and other bills, etc. If these figures are not fixed, take an upper limit and write it against the item.

Step 2

Make Envelopes for Each (Fixed) Item

Once you have the breakdown of the expenses, you have to physically divide the money into different sections. Then pick out an envelope for each item. Write the name of the item on the back of the envelope along with the amount of money you're putting in it. Put only the allotted money into the envelope. Repeat for all items on the list and keep these aside.

Step 3

Make One for Emergencies and Contingencies

Your son hurts himself and you have to rush to the ER; your car breaks down and you need to have it towed―you can never predict when such things will happen. Hence, it is important to keep some money aside for them. So, mark another envelope for emergencies, and put the assigned amount into it.

Step 4

Keep Some Fun Money Aside

After deducting the amount assigned to emergencies, whatever money remains, you take a call on how much you want to keep aside for yourself, just for fun. You may find your dream purse or the perfect tool kit on sale! Don't let a money management plan get in your way. Keep an amount aside for such opportunities right at the start, so you know that you can afford it, thus, avoiding the guilt that accompanies impulse shopping. What if the amount assigned is insufficient for this dream purchase? Simple, don't buy it!

Step 5

Don't Overspend

The success of the Envelope System is solely in your hands. The key to making it work is resisting the temptation to overspend. The whole point of assigning an amount to every single thing that you could possibly spend on is to make sure that you don't overshoot that amount. So, once an envelope is empty, you know that you cannot afford to spend more money on that particular item. If the money's gone, it's gone. DoNOT steal from another envelope, not even the emergencies and contingencies one (unless the situation you're in fits your description of an emergency or contingency).

Step 6

Make Way for Savings

If you do abide by all the steps given above, chances that you'll have some money to spare are more than high. How? Well, let's see:

✔ When you allot a budget to yourself, you're making a promise to yourself that you won't spend more than that much on an item.
✔ As a result, you begin to pay more attention to whether you actually need the item.
✔ If yes, the next thing you look for is whether there are inexpensive alternatives available.
✔ If yes, then great! If no, then you'll begin to look for items that you've included in the list, but can be postponed for the time being.
✔ Thus, you have already budgeted that amount to the item for the next cycle (so don't forget to add this amount there).

When you do this for everything, you'll realize how much extra money you spend on things that you thinkyou need, but don't.

Be honest with yourself when using this system and you'll see that its effectiveness lies in its freakish simplicity. You allot money to an item, you use it on that item, you keep some aside for a rainy day, and have fun with some. That's all there is to it. Don't be discouraged if this stringent method doesn't work its magic instantly. Give it a couple of months, and you'll surely reap its rewards!
Source http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-save-money-with-the-envelope-system.html
Cr. Sujata Iyer

ways to save money : Ways to Save Money at the Movies

ways to save money : Ways to Save Money at the Movies

Have a long list of movies to watch, but on a tight budget? Saving money at the movies is possible if you follow the tips and suggestions mentioned in this Buzzle article.

Screening movies in 3D is a major contributor to the rise in movie ticket prices (at least $2.50 to $5.00 per ticket).

Just because you desire to catch the season's best flicks, doesn't mean you have to blow your movie budget. As ticket prices keep rising, you will have to search for creative ways to satisfy your movie bug without having to break the bank. So before you head to the theater again, keep the following tips in mind.

For Purchasing Movie Tickets at the Theater

1. Many a time, certain theaters host free movie nights. Depending on which city you live in, go online to find information on whether there are any free screenings of new movies in your area.
2. For families and large groups, instead of purchasing tickets for a specific movie, buy tickets in bulk, (AMC, Carmike, Regal, and Cinemark) at your local theater's website. You can make your own group, depending on the limit the theater allows, and make a plan to purchase tickets.
3. Join your local theater's loyalty rewards club (Regal Crown Club, Carmike Rewards, and AMC Stubs) to avail discounts and upgrades. You can get free movie passes and discounts at the concession stand.
4. Opt for matinee or weekday shows instead. Watching movies during odd times will not only save you money, but also avoid a crowd. As for making your schedule slightly flexible, tickets are much cheaper on Mondays and Tuesdays.
5. Purchase movie packs at CostCo, find deals on sites like Groupon, or get a discount through AAA. These are some of the not-so-obvious places to buy tickets from.
6. If you are a senior citizen or a student, show your ID to the cashier and avail discounts.
7. Search for free advanced movie screenings near you. Mostly on Wednesdays, you can get vouchers through radio stations, grocery stores, theaters, and movie review sites for a free screening.
8. Consider watching 2D screenings of 3D films. Some 3D screenings are darker and slightly blurry to enjoy to the fullest; the IMAX screens aren't that much better either. Also, many theaters charge you separately for the glasses.
9. Choose small, independent theaters instead of major multiplex chains as the cost of tickets will be much, much lower.
10. For more savings, choose second-run theaters or drive-ins as they show popular movies a month or two after the original release dates.

For Avoiding Other Expenses While at the Theater

1. As theaters make a lot of money selling refreshments, skip concession stands altogether. Plan ahead of time and eat before going to the movies.
2. If you do wish to purchase some snacks, purchase the large tub of popcorn and divide it among everyone. Take brown paper bags so that each person gets an equal amount.
3. Feel like having something sweet to munch on while at the movies? Purchase your own candy at the pharmacy or grocery store, and avoid paying 4-5 times more at the concession stand.
4. While going to the theater, carpool with others or use public transportation.

Apart from the tips mentioned above, there is another way to enjoy movies without having to spend a lot―watch movies at home via DVDs (Redbox), online movie subscription, and online streaming (Hulu, YouTube, and iTunes).

In order to really make a difference, you have to make a plan, understand where you can reduce the expenses, and implement it. Apart from the tips mentioned in the article, talk to your friends, neighbors, and coworkers about how they save money at the movies. It won't hurt to share some of your secrets too.
Source http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ways-to-save-money-at-the-movies.html
Cr. Sheetal Mandora

ways to save money : Tips to Save Money on Your European Vacation

ways to save money : Tips to Save Money on Your European Vacation

A European vacation sits prettily on everybody's wish list, but perhaps, the only thing that stops us from boarding that plane is the exorbitant cost. But worry not. Buzzle tells you how to have a fabulous European holiday without burning a (Mariana Trench-sized) hole in your pocket.

Don't even think of carrying a lot of cash to Europe. You'd rather withdraw money from ATMs in Europe to avoid being ripped-off by dubious exchange agents, especially in eastern Europe, where the Euro has not been adopted. Also, American credit cards are widely accepted all over Europe.

What a good traveler needs is a nice, cozy place to stay which isn't too expensive. The presence of a clean bathroom is nice. Home-grown restaurants that offer lip-smacking local cuisine at reasonable prices are appreciated. And yes, internal transport that doesn't leave him broke before the trip ends.

As you can see, a budget traveler's demands clearly are quite budgeted. He doesn't yearn for a seven course meal at Maxim's, neither does he think of staying at The Dorchester. If you're thinking along the same lines, we've got you a set of tips that will help you enjoy Europe in all its glory, at a fraction of the cost.

5 Ideas to Save Money on Your European Vacation

Time Your Trip Well

 Give the summer a miss.
You actually imagine yourself spending a gorgeous summer in Europe, with the sun shining down, and the perfect weather. Unfortunately, so does the rest of the world, which is why it is rather costly to be on this continent from June to September. As far as air travel is concerned, you might mistakenly assume that booking on a weekday will always come at a cheaper fare. The cost of your plane ticket depends not only on the day you travel, but also the time of your flight, the layover time (if applicable), and your carrier. Therefore, pay close attention to all these factors while booking your ticket. For all you know, you may get an excellent deal over the weekend as well. Another misconception goes that travel agents can get you lower rates owing to the fact that they book in bulk. But frankly, they earn their profits from commissions paid by you, when you book through them to avail "discounts". Your best bet, therefore, remains to contact the airlines and the hostels/hotels directly.

 Choose to go off-season instead.
Planning the holiday during the off season, say early winter or spring does have a lot more perks than you'd imagine. First, it's obviously cheap. Second, you won't encounter the jostling crowds. Third, you'll welcome the slight nip in the air, as the European summer gets sweltering each year. Fourth, airlines give you humble fares and upgrades. Fifth, rooms are available at throwaway prices. Are you getting the drift?

Plan with Precision

 Resist the lazing.
You're tempted to go with the flow and explore Europe at a languid pace. It sure sounds nice when you have a wad of cash stashed in your pocket. But if you're looking to save money, you will have to give a miss to the aimless wandering.

 Go for efficiency.
You'd rather plan, as this will allow you to fix an itinerary, and make use of the wonder that is Eurail. They offer some amazing deals on the cheap, so you don't have to be constantly worrying about how you're going to travel on the continent. Also, try to book night journeys for long distances, as it will save you time, and cut down on the staying expense. Many of you trying to save money may also consider hitchhiking as an option. Though quite unreliable, it will take you from one place to the other at a minimal cost. Keep in mind that when you're hitchhiking, you can't afford to have a fixed itinerary in place. Always remember not to be very rigid with your itinerary, as you will find cheaper options to travel within the continent as you go along.

Save on the Stay

 Chain hotels are getting cheaper, you know!
Sure, they are. But what they cut on rates, they add in taxes, so the best thing would be to avoid them. You don't really need to pay USD 50 a night to get a mint chocolate on your pillow, do you?

 Think B&Bs, house sitting, YMCA, hostels, and the lot.
The best thing about Europe is the sheer number of staying options it has for budget conscious travelers. Family-run hotels are quite cozy and clean, and they come with the added advantage of interacting with the locals, who will be quite willing to offer more tips on saving money. If you choose to shack at any of the hostels, ensure that you book in advance, and be sure of the facilities before you land there. Talk to someone who's lived there before, to get an accurate idea of the living conditions.

Know About the Freebies

 Freebies are only aimed at students.
True, a lot of them are indeed for students. For instance, students can avail passes which lets them get inside museums and attraction for almost nothing. But that's not to say that there isn't anything for the slightly older ones.

 We're talking city cards, bus passes, and more!
Europe thrives on tourism, so it is only fair that they discount it a bit. Several of Europe's biggest attractions including London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Madrid offer passes that let you travel on the cheap using public transport. They also have city cards that give you discounts on entrance fees at monuments and museums. Some even offer discounted meal tickets. Check the tourism websites for individual cities to know more about such offers.

Go for Cheap Chow

 So much to see, and so much to eat!
Both of which can be quite expensive. Being a tourist, you're bound to hover in the touristy areas, and you'd obviously be tempted to grab a bite at the fancy places that surround you. But don't.

 You can revel in the deliciousness for less.
Most European towns have market places that sell fresh produce like fruit, breads, and even roasted meats. Of course, these won't cost you a fortune. It also lets you savor the region's cuisine and flavors to your heart's content. Quaint little restaurants and cafes situated away from busy areas also offer a homely experience. And before I forget, European chocolatiers are quite generous as well, so enjoy the sampling before you make your purchase.

Saving money on your European vacation involves doing stuff that takes a detour from all things conventional, but is worth it. But don't be so hung up on saving money, that you compromise on having a fabulous trip in Europe. Don't forget to have a great time while you're there.

Source http://www.buzzle.com/articles/tips-to-save-money-on-your-european-vacation.html
Cr.Renuka Savant

ways to save money : 11 Budget-friendly Tips to Stock Your Pantry for the Holidays

ways to save money : 11 Budget-friendly Tips to Stock Your Pantry for the Holidays

A well-stocked pantry means no more last-minute trips to the store for cooking supplies. However, stocking a pantry within a stipulated budget calls for planning. Buzzle enlists some budget-friendly tips to stock your pantry.

Interesting!

Most Irish shoppers begin grocery shopping only two weeks before Christmas. Some even start just one week in advance. 68% Irish folks even said that they ended up using their Christmas supplies in advance, leaving them to restock.

The holidays are marked with a lot of cooking, serving, and eating. Besides the ultimate Christmas breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you need to also cater to unexpected friendly visits, potlucks, cookouts, etc. All this calls for an abundance of food supplies and of course, a well-stocked pantry. Scrambling at the last minute for basic essentials can raise stress levels and simply suck out the joy from the holiday season.

Stocking up for the holidays is great; however, with the scores of ads being shoved into our faces, it's difficult to stay level-headed during our grocery shopping. Staying focused and purchasing only the essentials seems an ardent task. However, there are different ways you can hold your grocery shopping on a leash, and prevent the holiday budget from skyrocketing.

How to Stock Your Pantry for the Holidays

Prepare a Budget

As with planning anything else, the primary base on which the pantry stock rests is your budget. Believe it or not, the budget gives the head start for holiday shopping, and gives you an idea of what you can afford. Without a budget, you're sure to burn a hole in your pocket. So, be wise and set aside a budget for your holiday staples. Once you have it defined, you can move ahead to planning the menu, etc. However, make sure you stick to it despite all temptations.

Plan Your Holiday Menu

While some enjoy ham-centric Christmas feasts, others have their stuffed turkey as the occasion's centerpiece. Depending on your family's preference, prepare a holiday menu that includes not just the delicacies for Christmas eve or Christmas day, but also includes other sumptuous delights you would like to prepare and serve the entire holiday season. While preparing the menu, also make a rough draft of all the ingredients you think you will need, and also take into consideration the approximate number of people you think you'll be entertaining.

Check Your Pantry

Once you have your menu in mind, the next step is to check your pantry for present supplies. Check the expiry dates on all of them, and discard those that have crossed the date. Baking causes ingredients and spices to lose their effectiveness on long storage, so check them and discard, if necessary. Once you've got your pantry sorted out, based on your overall menu for the season, you'll know exactly what you have and what you need to stock up on.

Prepare a Shopping List

Before heading to the supermarket, you need to prepare a shopping list. It's always better to jot down your own list. If you think using a printable template is better, go ahead. However, each family is different, and pantry essentials will differ from one household to another, depending on personal preference and lifestyle. Preparing a list of your own isn't rocket science, so make one for yourself. All you have to do is write down items you think are required, and take the list along when you shop. Take a pen along as well to cross out the items you've purchased.

Check Your Guest List

It's important to know your guests well. Is someone allergic to gluten, milk, nuts, chocolate, etc., or is anybody vegan? If you have no clue, call them up and find out, because your supply purchase for the holidays will also depend on this factor. If you're having them over for just one meal, make sure you list down the gluten-free items you need to prepare the meal. Be very careful while doing this.

Take the List Along

Don't rely on your memory to guide you at the supermarket, even if it's darn perfect, because memory always gets overridden by the enticing tactics of supermarket marketers. So, this holiday season, make sure your shopping list is guiding you, instead of allowing the supermarket to tell you what you need. The list helps keep you on track, and prevents you from diverting too much from the essentials. Moreover, when you leave the place, you're sure to have everything you need and less of the fancy stuff you thought you needed because they were on display.

Stock Up on Bargain-priced Staples

Grocery stores and supermarkets offer great deals during this time of the year, and the smartest thing to do would be to take advantage of the top-of-the-line bargains. Bag some of the lowest prices of the year, and stock up on your frozen pie shells, pureed pumpkins, cranberry sauce, canned food, etc. Bulk bargains are great ways to stock up on non-perishables, especially hospitality supplies. While all bulk bargains may not be great deals, keep an eye out for the profitable ones.

Compare Prices

While every store portrays that it's giving you the deal of a lifetime, be prudent. Don't lunge at the first offer you set your eyes upon. Peruse through different stores online, check their rates, and find out what's the prevalent rate this season. Going through price comparison sites can be helpful. If you're purchasing in bulk, calculate the unit price of the item, and then check if you're in any benefit. Keep an eye out for exceptionally good deals, and bag them as you go along.

Use Coupons

Look through newspapers and magazines, browse online for digital coupons, etc., and get hold of some high value ones that you can encash this holiday season. These coupons will help stretch your budget. However, make sure you sort the coupons and take them along when you go grocery shopping.

Smarten Your Pantry

Just because it's the onset of the holidays doesn't mean you have to spend lots of cash on fancy items. But, this also doesn't mean you should serve the regular stuff. Going smart is the best way! A few food staples can transform regular dishes and give them a festive appeal. For example, stocking up on holiday sprinkles or coconut shavings is the easiest way to add a Christmas touch to most desserts. Adding freshly ground spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, etc., to pies and desserts gives them a warm and glorious appeal. Use simple staples to customize your dishes and give them a grander feel, all without stretching your budget!

Avoid Overstocking

You want to furnish your pantry with all the essentials required for the holidays, not stock it up with everything you can lay your eyes upon. It's important to have an understanding of what you will really require, and whether you really need a particular item or not. People often go on a shopping spree and pick up large amounts of food, without bothering to stop and think if they will actually eat it. If you're not into corn, don't buy bags of it. If you're hosting a small gathering, don't purchase a whole ham. To hold a leash on your budget, don't overstock your pantry. Know your likes and dislikes, and stick to the right items and quantities.

Stocking up your pantry for the holidays is going to take time, so don't expect it to happen during the next grocery visit. It may take you a few days (or even weeks if you begin early) to peruse through the different sales offers and make your purchases. All through the shopping spree, remember Christmas is all about Christ and not about food, clothes, and gifts. Have a blessed holiday season!

Source http://www.buzzle.com/articles/11budget-friendly-tips-to-stock-your-pantry-for-the-holidays.html
Cr.Priya Johnson

ways to save money : 27 Funny Things People Do to Save Money

ways to save money : 27 Funny Things People Do to Save Money

You would not believe the extent people would go to, to save a little dough! Here are a few rofl-y funny things people do to save money. Read along for a good laugh.

Tips To Be Stingy 

• Don't throw away coffee cups refills are much cheaper than ordering a new one.
• Use your neighbor's Wi-Fi, you can split the bill with them.
• Get your haircut from a beauty school.

Don't we all have that aunt whose sole supply of condiments, sugar, and creamer comes from the little sachets found on the table of any restaurant? 

I remember an instance when a family boarded a plane with empty bags and filled them with the blankets and tiny pillows provided by the airline; they must've left with blankies enough for a tiny village. 

Isn't there always this lady whose only aim of going to the cosmetic shop is to slather herself with all the free testers she can lay her hands on (no offense intended)?

If you think these antics were weird, then you'd definitely not believe what whacky stuff people do just to save a few bucks here and there. Given below are some money saving tips from some extremely frugal and stingy real people that will slowly but surely make you rich if exercised for a lifetime!

Funny Ways To Save Money 

Knit with dog hair: Man's best friend is now his designer too! Why waste money in buying wool when the dog keeps shedding all over the couch? Just collect them, clean 'em up, and knit away. How about making a pair of mittens from the hair of your husky for your honey, that too for free!

Use peanut butter in place of shaving cream: If it's good enough to be slathered on bread, then it's good enough to be slathered on your face as well. Besides who needs expensive shaving cream when you have a jar of peanut butter lying in your pantry! Just a tip though, keep the peanut butter you intend to eat far away before you shave, you wouldn't want any nasty surprises in your peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Using coconut oil or olive oil as hair gel: Did you know that coconut oil nourishes your hair and moisturizes your scalp? Why waste money on hair gel when coconut oil styles as well as nourishes the hair! Besides, the scent of coconut might even make up for lack of use of a deodorant (hopefully!).

Dumpster diving for food: There's always this bakery that throws perfectly good day-old bread and incredibly slashes the rates off stale donuts. On the way back from buying these donuts, a dive into the dumpster would give you a loaf of bread for free, how about that! Another dive into the dumpster of the local grocery store and the pantry for the week can be stocked (almost) well.

Bathe a few times less: Aside from satisfying your lazy morning whims, not bathing can help you save time and money on water and other toiletries. If you could get your wife to do that, then you'll probably save a fortune.

Get fresh flowers from the cemetery: You know how expensive it gets to get your wife some beautiful fresh flowers, especially on Valentines day! We know a place you could get them for free―the cemetery! Why do dead people need flowers anyway (no offense)? But be careful, with the kinda price hike you'd probably not be the only one visiting this florist.

Turn your underwear inside out so you can wear it twice before washing it: It's best if we just leave it there.

Give up using toilet paper: There are other ways to clean yourself than to use toilet paper. Seriously, paying so much money for something you're gonna use only once?! You could use an old bottle filled with water too, you know. Old newspapers seem to do the trick for a lot of people. Some people just use a single ply just to make it longer.

Remove the light bulb from your refrigerator to save energy: You know that tiny bulb in the refrigerator that lights up every time you open it. It doesn't really seem to help, you need to remove the container out to examine whatever is in it anyway. Many people choose to remove the bulb, it would probably help them save some cents (as if that's a bad thing).

Getting furniture from the cast offs on the street: Next time you wanna get an inexpensive couch for the living room, try out a few alleys first who knows if you're lucky enough you might even get 'right what you're looking for' before someone else does. A few stitches here and there, and it'll be as good as new. Sure, it may have a few rodents crawled on it or may be a little disease infested, but hey, when is that store-bought cleaner ever going to pay off.

Not buying new jeans for 10 years, just because the old ones still fit: We all have that favorite jeans we can't part ways with, but not adding any other jeans to your wardrobe saying, "if it fits; it sits" might be hard at first, but there are a good lot of people who're incredibly good at it. Hang in there, and you might even achieve it. Besides, this can be a great motivator to stay in shape.

Look for loose change in car washes and car parking lots: An easy way to earn a few cents or may be a buck is to look for change while walking in the parking lot. You could also draw inspiration from all those who just can't pass by the vending machine without checking it and the area around it for some change. If in case you need to hire a taxi (God forbid!), you could also go change diving on the floor of the taxi.

Using butter wrappers in place of oil for cooking: Taking the word 'resourceful' to yet another level, some people rub their pans with the papers that are used to wrap sticks of butter, which eliminates the need to use any oil at all. An additional perk, aside the few bucks saved, is the leniency this habit might show to your waste.

Buy clothes in a yard sale: Although most of us might find it unacceptable to buy their clothes from the yard sale, unless it is from the house of Coco Chanel. Some people find it completely alright to shop for their Sunday bests from the backyard of their neighbor as long as they get some good clothes at a literally throw-away price of course (so what if they belong to 1984), apart from the fact that they helped their neighbor earn a buck.

Use old clothes as sleeping mats, bedding, or rags: With the number of zeros behind the digits you have to pay to get a new bed, wouldn't sleeping on the floor be better? Who needs a fancy bed anyway? Just throw a few old clothes together and it's good to go, why stop here, this so-called bed would be good enough as sleeping mats on the next camping trip too. A bed would never do that! The best part is when this bed gets old enough we could use a part of it to wipe the kitchen table!

Reusing everything possible: Aside from saving a few bucks, this can be quite an ecofriendly habit. But we doubt if the environmentalists meant it to be taken this seriously. There have been people who have admitted to drying and reusing paper towels. Sure, you save a little but with cloth towels despite the initial investments, you might be able to use it many more times! Some people also use ground coffee a few times before throwing it out, just to make sure they can squeeze out every bit of caffeine they paid for. Some people peel the stamps off letters and use them the next time. Their motto: why buy when you could just peel 'em off.

Other Crazy Ways To Save Money 

Here are a few other shining examples of ridiculous ways to save money.

Washing clothes in the dishwasher; eliminating the need to buy a washing machine and some detergent for clothes. While you're at it, why not dry them in the oven?

Use duct tape to mend broken flip flops; why throw them away when it'll be all good with some duct tape. We know people who use duct tapes for just about anything, be it repairing a broken taillight or as a bandage!

Collect their feces and use that as a free substitute for fertilizer for plants; one word: EEW!

Train the cat to use the potty and save money on kitty litter; whatever may be the reasons, this may be pretty cool.

Train their dog to beg for food from strangers; who could resist those eyes?! Of course, they're gonna feed Archie. If you get a dog, you better feed it.

Getting some water and a lemon instead of soda, make their own lemonade at the table. You know what others sitting on the table are thinking: Awkward!

Marrying a man who knows how to fix things, and save a fortune. Think about it, you don't have to call in a plumber, an electrician, or a carpenter; the man fixes everything! When you find a guy who really fixes things and not just says to do so, stay married to him.

Visit the lost and found department of the local library for a new umbrella for free; if they left it there and haven't shown up for it as yet, they probably don't need it anyway.

Collecting day-old newspapers from the whole block to cut out the coupons from them; not sure if they'd wanna stay in touch after a few such incidents.

Digging the trash for used tubs of popcorn and soda containers; washing them and using them for a refill. Something tells us that these people might not stop at just one free drink. We'd advise people who're out with them to exercise a bit of caution, especially if they're buying.

Collecting recyclable pop cans from everyone possible and making a few bucks recycling them; stingy but eco-friendly, so this gets a thumbs up.

Note: We're not sure if it's the way to go, but if you really aspire to be the next Scrooge McDuck, then these tips are surely gonna help you get there!

Source http://www.buzzle.com/articles/funny-things-people-do-to-save-money.html
Cr.Amita Ray