What You Can Live Without

Paper Towels

2008-05-30T02:55:00.000-07:00

Paper towels used to be a staple in our home. I didn't know I could live with out them. Then the budget crunch happened and every thing I purchased had to go through the neccessity screen.

I realized I could not afford the really good paper towels and the cheap paper towels were junky. I asked myself (and have found this helpful) what did my mother do before paper towels? The answer was..."cloth." Lots of it. I pulled out some old towels, cut them up, sewed them up and have put them to work. I may do an extra 1/2 load of laundry a week. They work better than any paper towel. I keep a small laundry basket in a convienient spot. We just use and toss into the basket. The only thing I am funny about is meat. Some times I will simply throw away a cloth towel if a meat spill is bad. Otherwise, I pull out my home made dissinfectant spray, kill all the germs and we're good.

The extra 1/2 load of laundry is not a big deal. Go to this link for 70 cent laundry soap. I always use bleach in my towels any way. Some times they will sour if I don't.

Cable TV or Satellite Dish

2008-05-28T03:41:00.000-07:00

This is an expense that is purely entertainment. One has to consider how much it is worth. People don't have to go with out entertainment, but they don't have to pay so much for it.

We are simply using our DVD and VHS players for movies. When it comes to the news, we use the Internet and radio. Our home has become peaceful and quiet as the TV is only on for a single feature at a time. We have had Cable and Satellite in the past and have found for the cost they are not a necessity.

Long Distance Shopping Trips

2008-05-21T03:27:00.000-07:00

We used to make the 13 mile trip to the super-center every two weeks. When income changed I began making the trip weekly. What a pain! Now that gas prices are rising faster, we have to take into account the savings on food verses the cost in gas. For all the time and gas for the long distance trip, I can stay in town and shop the local vendors. This past week I was pleasantly surprised to find every thing on my shopping list. So what if I had to make an extra stop at the new pharmaceutical chain store, I didn't have to spend and extra $6 in gas. I'm using that savings to take the kids to the movies.

Our Purpose

2008-05-08T04:11:00.000-07:00

We are all about saving money by learning to live with out some modern conveniences. By no means do we live with out all these things at one time, but we do live with out some of them at any given time. Here is simply a compilation of how to live when you don't have, can't have or it's broke. No sweat! Life goes on, especially yours.

Cell Phone

2008-05-08T03:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, you can live with out this. You are here to find out how.

Remember the pay phone? I always carry 35 cents (it's my emergency money) and and a phone card in my wallet. The problem now is finding a pay phone. Most gas stations, grocery store shopping centers, and fast food joints still have a pay phone. I have made note of who carries them and their general locations on the property. You can also rely on the generosity of others. Most people have cell phones with unlimited minutes or a land line. If you have an emergency you are not far from help.

Now you want to know what to do if you break down in the bad part of town. Go with God. We always have a direct line to Him. One time I ended up in a bad part of town. I had to use some ones house phone. They were helpful, but not friendly. I was out of there with in 30 min.

The point is, if you want to save money, you can. Saving money just takes a different way of thinking. Being willing to live with out conveniences we have become used to. Sacrificing immediate desires for later gratification.