Comments on: Frugal Tips for The Rest of Us – How To Save Money You Barely Have

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:18:14 +0000

Hi Jessica, I’m sorry the post offended you. I always try to be careful not to be exclusive in any way in my writing, but there is always room for mistakes. Elsewhere I have certainly said that in no way am I trying to diminish the reality of poverty. I also don’t claim that these are wholly original ideas, either. That would be pretty hard considering how much writing has already been done about personal finance.

By: jessica

jessica — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:57:04 +0000

Honestly, this is a bit offensive in a number of ways. If you were referring to “college students on scholarships” rather than “poor people”, I could see the merit in writing this. As a college student who became a midwife (aka, poor) I know that when I or my husband are hungry, no matter how small the plate- we will be hungry if we don’t put enough on it. The most helpful thing on here is the old bread info, which most college freshman figure out within the first semester. Additionally, it is obvious that you don’t have children when you suggest bartering for babysitting. What do you think families in America or elsewhere have always done, despite economic reasons? I know sometimes I feel like I have a few wonderful ideas no one else had ever thought of… but I research to make sure I don’t offend anyone or come off sounding ignorant.

Let me back peddle you to English 111 (or 101): Know your audience.

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:19:35 +0000

Wow Charlie, that’s a really interesting experiment, and I’m going to check out that book. Thanks for sharing that. I can definitely see how something like that would work. I’ve also read studies showing how consuming less calories (ie., less food) in general also prolongs life because the body will not have to metabolize so much. And aging is just the process of running out of metabolic power.

By: Charlie-paylessforfood.com

Charlie-paylessforfood.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:59:00 +0000

Your tip number #10 Eat Less is not as far out as it sounds.

In his book Mindless Eating, Dr. Brian Wansink illustrates that we often eat whatever is in front of us even after we’re full.

In one of Dr Wansink’s test restaurants people were served soup. What they didn’t realize was that the soup bowl had been rigged to automatically pump in more soup from a secret hose beneath the table as people were eating.

He found that people continued to eat the soup way past the point of having there hunger quenched all because they still saw soup in the bowl.

We do the same when we see food on a plate. We’ll continue to eat until all the food on the plate is gone, even if we are full.

The problem is that plate sizes have increased over the past decade. We’re eating off bigger and bigger plates, meaning we’re consuming more and more food.

An easy way to slash your food bill is to switch from a 11 inch plate to a 9 inch plate. You’ll eat a whopping 33% less food as a result without even realizing it!

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:48:15 +0000

Great additional tips everyone; especially the day-old giveaways – even in larger grocery stores – just head up to the deli/bakery/produce counters and ask if they’ve got any day-old _______ (fill in the blank) they’re giving away. Also, many grocery stores give out free samples of stuff – you can make a note of when they do this, and all the other places that hand out free food samples…. it all adds up, right? And if you were ever truly without money for food, you could always do this.

Should also mention libraries: these places have free access to the internet, computers, phones, etc. and newspapers – so don’t buy any newspapers! If you really need to read a hard copy just go to your public library for lots of other free stuff, too.

By: Betsy Bargain

Betsy Bargain — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:28:20 +0000

Another tip for saving on the electric bill, replace at least some of your lightbulbs with the new CFL bulbs. They cost more initially, but will save you a lot of money on your utility bill.

By: Make Money Online

Make Money Online — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:07:46 +0000

Those are some good tips. Another idea you should have written is Start Blogging :p

By: Abra

Abra — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:24:33 +0000

Any electrical device that doesn’t need to be on 24/7 (a refrigerator does; cell phone charger, TV, DVD player, lamps, etc., do not) should be plugged into a power strip with an on/off switch. When the device isn’t in use, turn off the strip. These devices will use some energy even when not in use unless they’re cut off from the energy supply.

By: Swan_Writes

Swan_Writes — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:32:18 +0000

Buying dry goods in bulk, and cooking from
scratch with fresh whole foods, can be a
real healthy and good investment for the
cash short. Local Organic food co-ops are
excellent choices, and some will have free
old produce, generally on Mondays.

Bakeries will often give away day old bread.

Depending upon location and ones free time,
growing a small garden, and/or keeping a
few chickens can greatly supplemet a food
budget for a small investment of a few
hundred.

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:21:18 +0000

Thanks Scrooge, great tip, of course – especially if you can find some tap water you don’t mind the taste/smell of (I’ve been using Brita, but I even notice a taste with it, so I’ve gone back to buying bottled water! What a waste, right!?)