10 Ways To Stretch Your Dollar

These are things I have been doing to ease the pain of high gas prices, high food prices and the devaluation of the dollar.

  1. I’m cooking more and dining out less.
  2. When I do eat out, I go to a restaurant that has a coupon offer. I doggy bag what I can’t eat. Sometimes that doggy bag becomes tomorrow’s lunch.
  3. I’ve begun to use coupons at the supermarket again. I slacked off for a while, but I’m back.
  4. I don’t drive out of my way, but when I can, I purchase gas at Costco. A membership card at any of the warehouse stores has gotten more attractive, even if you don’t have a large family. Share the cost of the card with a friend–even better. Then meet on a Saturday morning and enjoy each other’s company while you shop and gas up.
  5. I’ve always bought name brand items, but I’m giving generics a shot when they’re available.
  6. I’m reading more and looking at less TV. Gone are the days when I have the TV on as background noise. And I remember to close the lights when I leave a room.
  7. I’m only buying things I need. Impulse shopping has come to an abrupt halt. And if it’s not on sale, it’s not in my cart. I’ve also sworn off shopping on the internet and the TV.
  8. I make a special effort not to throw food away. In the past, I’ve forgotten certain foods were in the refrigerator. I’m now keeping an eagle eye on all leftovers. Nothing gets wasted. Every last morsel gets eaten.
  9. I’m shopping less frequently at the supermarket, too. I’ve always loved eating breakfast at dinnertime, and eggs are almost always a staple in my refrigerator. So, I’m eating scrambled eggs and toast in the p.m. again once in a while. Tuna fish is another staple I had been neglecting. I forgot how much I love tuna salad slathered on a crisp hoagie roll with lettuce and mayo. Yum.
  10. And lastly, I set my air conditioning a few degrees higher this summer. It’s still more comfortable inside than outside. You’d be surprised how much you save this way. As an added bonus, lowering that thermostat conserves energy overall.

Some of these things, I’ve always done. I started as a youngster, because my mother insisted on most of these conservation rules. Even when gas prices were $.50 a gallon, my mom was plotting her shopping course, never backtracking, always hitting her errands on a pre-ordained route. Consequently, I’ve always done that myself.

Jeez, do you believe gas was ever $.50 a gallon?

Do you have any other ideas I can use to stretch my dollar?

7 thoughts on “10 Ways To Stretch Your Dollar

  1. Nona Nita

    All of your suggestions were great! I also find that garage saleing and thrifting cna save me a bundle. I have outfitted a whole backyard play area for my granddaughter’s visits for under 25 dollars and she is as delighted as if the items had been new. I also outfitted my cupboard with a new set of Farberware pots for under $10.00 (a remarriage of two formerly divorced people meant too many fairly new pots for them and a windfall for me!) Some people won’t do it, but to me it’s just another way to recycle!

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  2. Lee Cantrell

    Don’t discount shopping on the Internet. There is a lot to be said for “letting your fingers do the walking” or driving in this case. I’ve gone back to college and have needed books for class. No driving to the book store for me, I’m at Amazon or another on-line book seller (plus the books cost WAY less than what the college sells them for!). The cost of shipping is still less than driving there. There are a surprising number of essentials that you can get from reputable on-line vendors. So, why drive when you can have someone else bring it to you!

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  3. Pingback: 10 Ways To Stretch Your Dollar « Frances Ellen Speaks

  4. DrefdeftOvept

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