10 Tips To Stay In Style In This Economy (#1)
Editor’s Note: Anna Hessel with a little help from hubby, Wes, will be offering up for the next seven weeks, 10 tips a week on How to Stay In Style In This Economy. Watch for it every Tuesday.
How to Stay in Style in this Economy…
By Anna Hessel with Wes Hessel
The inflation spike of the last couple years appears to be ebbing. Food costs are still high, and service providers are charging more, but there is hope out there. Save me….Saving money in this current economic climate can be a bit of a challenge, but there are certainly ways to shave your budget without losing out on things you need and want, here are today’s suggestions:
Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle
1. Go paperless: online invoices, email, or text notifications can save time (time is money) and postage, not to mention less paper to wind up in landfills.
2. Take extra weight out of your vehicle’s trunk or hatch area, maintain your proper tire inflation levels, and keep your vehicle tuned up to save on gas.
3. Buy in bulk if you can but only if it saves money – compare by per ounce, pound, square footage/yardage, or other unit measurement; the largest size isn’t always the best buy…
4. Try store or “clone” brands – they can offer near or equal quality for better price, but sales sometimes can flip that on their head, instead. Quality products can give you more mileage, so keep track and see which gets you more bang for your buck.
5. Make-your-own type devices such as a SodaStream, or using a juicer can make for fresher, healthier, less expensive choices.
6. Speaking of making, the Maker movement encourages going back to creating things for ourselves, instead of potentially energy consuming and pollution causing manufacturing. It also gives pride in our own work and honing manual skills. Maker spaces provide workspace, training, and resources. This could be crafts of all forms, sewing/fabric/leatherwork, woodwork/carpentry, metalwork – let your imagination run free…
7. Many print publications offer a free sample copy – just don’t forget to write cancel on the invoice when you receive the bill – or their online subscription can be significantly cheaper. Also, investigate services which can access multiple magazines online for one cost.
8. Repurpose – this prevents items from going into landfills and saves you money. A coat of paint, reupholstering, or a new creative way to use something are fun ways to give an old item, new life. DIY can be enjoyable and saves a bundle. Look online for free how-to’s and ideas. Just make sure you know what you’re doing if safety is involved. How about a brightly painted old bicycle with flowers in the basket.
9. Join Freecycle, Trash Nothing, or similar online groups, or try apps like Freebie Alerts to swap items for no cost. Also, many churches or other charitable organizations have clothing or toy exchanges that can be utilized by area residents. But do remember some things are actual trash…
10. Host a clothing and accessories swap, or start a community vegetable garden, if there aren’t ones in your area.
