(As expected I got that picture from some site called Empower Millionaires Italy-For Italian Individuals Who Seek Financial Mastery & Personal Empowerment! I can’t believe that crap still works!)
I’ve seen this floating around the internet for some time. Originally written by TheDailyGreen, I figured I should make my own plan (Ideally I would get mine+ his. So a $16 Economic Stimulus Package) Whether you have a job and are working while you read this post, or you are not working and just hanging out at home, everyone needs their own list. You can even have a $24 one (yours + mine + his)
Here’s his:
Window Insulating Strips: This easy-to-apply insulated adhesive tape will seal up that drafty window in our bedroom in a jiffy. I’ll sleep better at night without that chilly breeze blowing on me, and I’ll dream of the energy and money I’m saving. Goes well with draft snakes.
Baking Soda & Plain White Vinegar: (A one pound box and a one quart bottle, respectively.) The King and Queen of the Green Cheapskate’s cleaning closet. Individually or combined, you can green clean most everything in your house — and most parts of your body — with these super cheap, environmentally saintly products.
Refillable Water Bottle: I don’t buy bottled water (heck, I don’t even buy bottled wine), although my dear wife occasionally imbibes. She admits that it’s a matter of convenience, not taste, as our tap water is pure and delicious. Hopefully this refillable bottle will help her break the habit, keep all those throwaway bottles out of the landfill, and save us at least a couple hundred dollars a year.
Lentils (1 pound, dried):I said in an interview in the Boston Globe recently that I consider lentils to be the perfect food — healthful, delicious, and cheap; a perfect example of the joys of eating lower on the food chain. Another Globe columnist then decided that my lentil worship was worthy of public ridicule. But based on reader response to his op-ed, he learned a painful lesson: Hell hath no fury like the scorn of Lentil Lovers.
Reusable Grocery Bag: My favorite grocery store takes five cents off my bill every time I use one of my own bags, so this investment is a no-brainer.
Vegetable Seeds: I chose a packet of cherry tomato seeds. I’ll start them in my kitchen window in a few weeks, a cheerful reminder that gardening season is on its way, and I’ll enjoy their economical bounty all summer long. Viva la Victory Garden!
Best of the Three Stooges DVD: Now that my 401K balance would barely buy a fast food value-meal, I could use a good laugh. And think of how much this one DVD will save me in movie tickets, not to mention the gas to drive to the theater. (Plus, with each passing year, my resemblance to stooge >Larry Fine becomes increasingly uncanny.)
Here’s mine:
Freebies: Yes times our tough for everyone, including businesses. But why not take advantage of free give-aways? Meet your new best friend. Shop 4 Freebies.com I already signed up for free oatmeal and a Kashi Tv dinner. It takes 6-8 weeks to arrive but it’s a free meal! (If you don’t mind looking semi foolish, go to career fairs and pick up free pens, bags, t-shirts, candy, etc)
Water: I completely agree. Buy a cheap water bottle that can be refilled at work, home, in the mall bathroom, etc. In my case, I happened to be lucky enough to walk past Penn Station just in time to get a free Ritz Crackers sponsored Nascar water bottle. I didn’t realize how many they handed out until I was volunteering at the homeless shelter the next day and just about everyone had one.
Hulu: It’s Free TV. Why would I ever pay for cable? I don’t have to buy a TV, I can just use the internet (which I jump on for free..Thank you Apple128o123490309235) and watch any old SNL videos.
Poptarts: Probably the most expensive item on the list, but they double as a carb and a treat. And they are so good so many ways. I can eat them cold, heat them in the microwave, cook them in the toaster, etc etc. With so many flavors you never get sick of them!
Rice: It’s cheap and you can add just about anything to it. Butter, soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, vegetables, gravy, fruit, really anything. Oh and stick it in an old pillow case and heat it up in the microwave (only 2 minutes!!) and you’ll have a rice bag to keep you warm at night or make you feel better when you are sick.
Running: Who needs a gym membership when the streets are free? You do have to be mentally tough to run on the street everyday and not get bored but it’s free and it’s a better work out than that elliptical that looks so appealing but is really not that hard.
Carrot Sticks: For $2 a bag you can make sure you get your veggie servings in everyday. Make sure to avoid the pricey organic brand.
Blankets: It’s getting warmer so this one is less applicable, but sometimes people blast the A/C during the summer. Anyways, my Dad would always keep our house SO cold. Work is always SO cold too. Make sure you always have blankets and jackets on hand. It’s cheaper than messing with the temperature every 5 seconds.
Needle & Thread: Maybe sewing lessons are required, but it’s amazing how much you can fix with those two things. Buttons, hem pants, fix holes, yeah you’ll never have to go to the tailor.
(Only if I had extra money left over, I would buy Cereal!! I could live off of all the different varieties. Even the generic brands)
So there’s my list! What’s yours? Make one and send it over! Or link to your post in our comments! Either way we want to hear your ideas!
I left this off my list because well I work in a office where they pay for all my office supplies, but we could save you lots and lots of money on office supplies at Shoplet.com. Maybe you should add that to your list!
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