Linda,
As I’ve said before, I love lists, since they provide a metric for what we’re doing to help find any shortfalls, and are a good way to comment on each item. I have to warn that since we have lived in our paid off rural homestead for 35 years and have had to adapt to sometimes austere rural resources, some of my thoughts may be a bit contrarian to your suggestions. In short, a lot of city amenities are unavailable here without a 30 or more minute drive.
We have a cell phone service that doesn’t work in our home. We have been patiently waiting for the cell towers to work around our home. Well, it’s been 14 years, it’s not going to happen.
I thought that was only a rural problem. Cell service works here OK; but, there are places in the house where you cannot use it reliably, so knowing where it works is a good thing. We’ve been here since 1984; but, didn’t have cell phones at all until the mid 1990’s and the service is getting a little better over time.
As for your other suggestions:
1. Drop Your Landlines
This will never happen and is IMHO a bad idea for a few reasons. In our case, we get high speed internet over our landline (5 Mbps DSL) and out digital cordless phones allow use all over the property and beyond. I also worked about 1/3 of my 44 year engineering career working in telephony, including design of telephone central office equipment and power supplies / batteries, and I can assure you that in most cases, you will have dial tone, long after the cell towers are no longer working.
2. Get Rid Of Cable
Actually, we are looking forward to cable coming into our rural community, possibly this summer, since our TV is currently a combination of Off the Air and Satellite, and since the satellite systems pretty much have a rural monopoly, the basic cable package with 100 Mbps internet will be less than our current satellite.
We now have 5 Mbps that “sort of” allow streaming services; but, the 100 Mbps will fill all of our needs for less money. Your mileage may vary, of course, so put the pencil & calculator (or spreadsheet) to work for your own situation.
3. Turn Off The Lights
We do that; but, after switching nearly everything to LEDs, it really doesn’t save much if any. One warning about most LED devices is that they can emit a lot of radio noise that will not bother most people; but, can make a NOAA weather radio have reception problems, or in my case, cause problems with some of my Amateur (Ham) Radio communications.
4. Learn To Make Bread
We make bread; but, quite often we see name brand bread @ Dollar Tree and Aldi’s has some pretty good bread, including a 12 grain we like. Sometimes a little money can save you time, and we can always make a little more money; but, only save time.
5. Buy Used Items
Goodwill and other thrift stores can occasionally have great deals.
6. Drink Water
I keep a 30 ounce Yeti cup filled with ice water and sip at it all day. I also like Gatorade and making your own with their powdered mix is inexpensive.
7. Wash Your Hands
If you wash your hands often, hopefully you will save money by staying well. If you stay well, you save money by not having to frequent the doctor.
I agree; but, will add that proper nutrition, enough sleep, and the yearly influenza vaccination are also important. Other than the sleep part, we do all of these and I have not had the flu for decades.
8. Keep Bathrooms Clean
My wife is fastidious there, sometimes I think to the point of overkill, LOL.
9. Replace Toothbrushes
We do our yearly checkup & cleaning at the dentist and that visit includes sending home a new brush, small tube of toothpaste, and floss. I keep old brushes after cleaning thoroughly with peroxide or bleach, for use in cleaning other items like firearms.
10. Wash or Replace Pillows
We don’t generally do the pillow; but, the pillow cases are done at least every few weeks.
11. Wash Bedsheets Weekly
At least weekly. There is nothing like a clean hot sheet on a winter night.
12. Drop Club Memberships
I keep some of those, since in retirement they offer social engagement and are often some of the only fun we have, LOL. My radio club costs only $30.00 per year, and our Wellness Center (Gym) member ship is covered by the “Silver Sneakers” program that is part of our Medicare supplemental.
13. Stock You Pantry
We could easily feed 4 adult for a year or more and for those who are just getting started, try can copying. That means when you run out of beans or soup, etc. Instead of replacing it you purchase 2 or even more if on sale. Do this only for food you eat regularly, and soon you’ll be surprised at how much food you have on hand. Be sure to date those packages when you get home so you can use the oldest first. We use a large Sharpie marker.
14. Cook From Scratch
The more meals you cook at home the more money you will save. Teaching our children and grandkids how to cook from scratch is a skill everyone needs to learn.
While cooking from scratch is important, just eating at home can save money. We keep a small supply of “Hot Pockets” in the freezer and with those you can have a meal in less than 5 minutes with the Microwave. You will probably want some other side, like a fruit or vegetable to go with it; but, it’s still a lot cheaper then eating out, especially in our case where the closest restaurant of any kind is about 8 miles away.
15. Start A Garden
We’ve been doing that for 40+ years and hope to start here soon, weather permitting (mostly rain & mud). Our last frost day is May 15.
16. Learn To Mend Clothing
Yep. Darn them holy socks & jeans!!!! LOL
17. Have Potluck Dinners With Friends
I volunteer with our local county EMA and our second weekly meeting each month is a potluck. Most of the other organizations to which I belong hold potluck dinners for the holidays.
18. Write Grateful Notes
Not as often as I should. Do emails count?
19. Use The 30 Day Plan
We always ponder large purchases and see how they fit the budget. Our 30 day plan is using one of our credit cards for the float. The billing cycle closes on the 6th of the month, with the bill due on the second of the following month. A purchase a week ago (3/4/19) would close on 3/6/19 and be due on 4/2/19. Waiting a few days until the 6th, shifts everything an entire month, so a purchase today 3/11/19, will close on 4/6/19 and be due on 5/6/19 allowing an entire month of income to trickle in, in the meantime. We also always pay the entire balance each month, so no interest; but, the points are then redeemed for gift cards (usually Home Depot) that spend like money.
20. Check Out Dollar Stores
Dollar Tree is our favorite; but, Dollar General has the best selection on greeting cards.
21. Remove Credit/Debit Card Numbers From Online Merchants
This is a poor way IMHO to do self restraint. I leave my card numbers with Amazon and PayPal, since they seem to have security down rather well, and cyber security is very important. Any online vendor that accepts PayPal is more likely to get my business; but, for those new or one off vendors, my credit card allows me to go online and get a “Virtual Card Number”. This number and its associated security code works like my normal credit card number and code; but, allows me to set an upper limit if desired AND may only be used one time.
22. When Cooking Dinner-4 Times The Recipe
With only the two of us we generally only double it; but, that’s a good idea that saves time for sure.
23. Try Generic Brands
We always purchase a single item to try before purchasing others. Aldi’s seems to have some good store brands.
24. Stay Out Of The Stores
I love to walk the aisles of Big Lots, Ollie’s, and Harbor Freight looking for “Deals” ; but, only for deals. One needs to learn restraint and the difference between needs & wants.
25. Cancel Magazine Subscriptions
The only subscription I get are those that come with organizations I belong to, and I get most of those as online to save the piles of paper. I’m an NRA life member and a member of the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) the ham radio training and lobbying organization and get those online magazines.
Other than the local small town newspaper, we get nothing else and simply don’t have the time or need the additional clutter.
26. Trade Babysitting With Friends
Our baby is 28 and no longer at home.
27. Swap Pet Sitting With Friends
No pets; but, livestock that we trade off with neighbors when on vacation.
28. Take Lunch To Work
I’m retired but, used to brown bag my lunch.
29. Downsize-Pay Off Home
We upsized to this homestead and paid it off 20 years ago. The key is staying in one place and chipping away at it. We’ve been here for 35 years
30. Invest In A Slow Cooker
Instant Pot!!! Yes!!!
31. Make Menu Plans
We only do that on occasion for a week at a time; but, generally just look through the pantry and freezer for what’s on hand and go from there. The key is a well stocked freezer, a deep pantry, and to not be too picky on what you’ll eat.
32. Make A List Before Grocery Shopping
Always; but, that doesn’t stop adding a few sale or comfort items to the cart. Best however, to ”Eat” before grocery shopping, LOL.
33. Pay Cash For A Used Car
34. Case Lot Sales Rock
We’ve done that more than not; but, recently purchased our first new vehicle in 18 years. The junkyard paid us and hauled off our last new 2000 minivan that had two previous deer encounters, we sold the 1989 pickup truck, and now have a 2018 and a 2003 Honda CRV, and are probably done purchasing any vehicles. new or otherwise for a long time.
35. Join Your Local Library
A long time ago. That’s where I get most of my audio books. I bring them home, rip to mp3 and return them quickly. I don’t share those mp3’s; but, that makes them more portable for later listening.
36. Buy Discount Cards-2 for 1
We don’t have those around here. The boys sell popcorn and the girls sell cookies.
37. Check Out Your City’s Calendar
Our closest city with anything going on is 15+ miles away; but, we do a few things there on occasion.
38. Watch The Mail For Coupons
How about watch your email for coupons. We get a few there; but, you can sign up for many coupons online. Harbor Freight, & Kroger are good ones around here.
39. Buy Surge Protectors
Every room in my house has surge protectors. If we have a room we don’t use often and that room has a lamp or clock, it has a switch on a power strip I turn off when the room will not be used. No utility money wasted on that room.
Unless you have batteries in those clocks, that means resetting them every time you turn the switch back on. And the lamps generally don’t save anything, unless that’s how you turn them all on & off. Along with surge protection, we also use small computer UPS units. These privide surge protection and keep things like TVs’, satellite receivers, and even LED light bulbs running through a power glitch or outage.
40. Eat More Vegetables-Meatless Meals
We love salads; but, have 300+ pounds of beef in the freezer, LOL.
41. Look For Haircut Coupons
No place here that takes coupons; but, my barbber only charges $10.00 for cutting my hair and trimming my beard. I generally give him an extra $2.00 tip; but, this is only about every 6-8 weeks.
42. Eat Your Leftovers
When you make double or triple servings, that’s the whole point, isn’t it? LOL
42. Change Your Furnace Filters
At least once per year for us, since we have no central air and don’t run the furnace for half the year. If you have central air (cooling), you’ll need at least twice or maybe three times, since the AC can add moisture to the filter in the hot humid days of the summer.
43. Buy LED Lightbulbs
We use them almost everywhere except the barns and the basem*nt
44. Declutter Your Home
That seems to always be a work in progress. Living here for 35 years seems to be part of the problem, since people who move a lot, discard their clutter more often.
45. Stop Spending Money To Entertain Kids
Our youngest is 28 and no grandkids yet.
46. Consider A Reverse Osmosis Water System
We had one installed along with our water softener when we purchased this place back in 1986 and other than some maintenance every 12-18 months, it has worked exceptionally well.
47. Have A Staycation
We do that; but, often stay with friends and relatives. My kid sister lives and works in Key west and we’re planning a trip there that will only involve air fare, food, and incidentals. Cheap vacation. We did the same thing when she was station in Hawaii more than 10 years ago. 10 days on two islands for only about $2500.00 for the three of us.
48. Rent Out Your Basem*nt or Room
No basem*nt to rent; but, we do rent some land to a local farmer for growing crops.
49. Use Airbnb For Your Next Vacay
We’ll have to think about that; but, we have friends and relatives in nice places like Fl & AZ.
50. Compare Insurance Costs
Our independent agent is a good friend and fellow ham operator and does that for us regularly. 2 years ago he had us switch and we saved nearly $600.00 per year; but, the new car ate up most of that LOL.
51. Get Rid Of One Car
If you have a lot of kids one car will probably not work. I realize there are lessons and sports. Make a five or ten year plan to see if one car would work for you.
No kids at home; but, living in a rural area, a non running car would be a bad thing, so now we maintain two cars. Both are Honda CRV’s, a 2003 & a 2018.
52. Use Public Transportation
Not out here, LOL.
53. Make A Budget
We’ve done that and live quite comfortably, even having monthly savings.
54. Dehydrate Food
We do that and freeze dry & smoke.
55. Buy A More Economical Car
See #51
