There are many contributing factors which may lead someone down the path of living a cost-cutter lifestyle. The influences are typically family, culture, education, necessity, personal aspirations, political affiliations, and yes, even religion.

Truth-be-told, there is not a lot that is sexy or exciting about living a frugal lifestyle. It can be annoying to constantly have to question each and everything you purchase. It may be frustrating when your inner battle leads to doing the smart thing and not buying something you really want at that moment. And I can assure you, it will not bring in the females by the masses. Of course, if the female is an accountant, that is another story. Furthermore, you will not impress your friends who are continually “keeping up with the Jones’s”. And it surely is not an easy lifestyle choice to live daily.

Early in the process of transitioning to a cost-cutter lifestyle it was a struggle. However, over the years I have grown to love it and fully realize the benefits it brings.

Here are some of the benefits of leading a frugal lifestyle:

 

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/frugal-living-seven-hidden-benefits/

 

http://www.frugalwoods.com/2015/09/08/11-benefits-of-frugality-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-money/

 

http://lifeshowyouliveit.com/frugal-living/

 

I have experienced many ups and downs in my career, and since the dot-bomb of 2000 and the recession of 2008 I have learned how to “live on a cost-cutter’s penny”. Many of my close friends chose the “old skool” route like many of our fathers had and have stayed with one or two companies for their entire careers. I, on the other hand, being a creative chap and a rather free spirit, opted to try my hand in a variety of fields and industries throughout my twenties.

When I was in my mid-twenties, I found my niche in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, after the dot-bomb of 2000 I was laid off and had trouble seeking employment that would keep me in this industry. This industry is super competitive where many people want in and are willing to work for “popcorn chef” wages. As a result, with each passing year I painfully learned that a jumbled resume full of various fields and industries was not particularly appealing to many employers. In fact, very few saw the wide range of experience as a plus.

Once the recession of 2008 began, employers sought to hire ‘experts in their field’ so they did not have to spend time training or rehiring if the person did not work out. Companies were seeking to minimize risk as much as possible. Anyway, enough about the why, let us get into the practical application of how to live a frugal lifestyle. This article will be comprehensive in nature but is not an all-encompassing A-to-Z stand-alone guide or bible (ironically) on how to lead a frugal lifestyle.

 

Learn from the “Repubs”

In general, I am referring to individuals whom we identify with this political party. However, this would also include anyone who is “fiscally conservative”. There is a reason the “repubs” are often the first in line at Costco. And the next time you are in a Walmart parking lot, take note of how many BMW, Mercedes or other luxury cars are present. I do not know if this observation is as prevalent in other parts of the country (possibly only bigger cities), but in California, it is for real.

There is good reason that most rich people stay rich, and that is because they watch their spending more than the “middle-middle”, “middle-lower” or “lower” classes. Nevertheless, I do have a friend who leans on the Libertarian side and has impressed all of us since his teens with his ability to stretch a penny. At the time, it was a source of ribbing amongst the boys, but over the years we realized this individual would be retiring early with a seriously enviable portfolio of wealth attached to his name.

“’Republican’ appears in the dictionary just before repugnant and should come just after ‘ruthless.’”

 

Learn from People Who Excel with Numbers

People in occupations such as doctors, engineers, accountants, scientists, or computer professionals tend to be excellent with numbers and as a result often have sound spending habits. If you have friends or family in these fields, these may be good people to help educate you on good spending and saving habits.

 

Spend as Little of Your Own Money as Possible

The people who are often the strongest in this area are typically celebrities, renowned doctors or other professionals who are highly regarded in their field. These people have earned a reputation in their industries, and they are well known throughout the country and maybe even the world. Their motto is seemingly “The more they make, the more they take”.

Many celebrities are notorious for avoiding spending their own money whenever it is humanly possible. They will have transportation, hotel, gratis goodie bags, food and drink built into their contracts, and some of these will be offered regardless of the contract. Whether it is an acting job, a speaking engagement, a public appearance, or a medical symposium, they will expense anything and everything they can to the company that is seeking their services.

Once, when I was an assistant meeting planner at a medical symposium, my boss had to pull money out of her wallet for a nationally renowned medical doctor who did not want to be reimbursed later for his parking fee. On a separate occasion, I was working on some expense reports for another medical symposium and noticed that a physician specialist had expensed a .25 cent newspaper. Yes, my friends, learn from the rich, not the poor. “The more you make, the more you should take.”

 

Veto Using Newspaper Coupons

If you are like most Americans, you stopped reading actual newspapers years ago. As a result, you are not likely to be gaining access to paper coupons to be used at retail grocery stores. This is probably a good thing, since what I recall most is being compelled to use a coupon for something that I only kind of, sort of wanted because it was such a good deal. If you do use coupons, buy the product at the cheapest retail store that accepts these coupons. Online coupons are another story. Read the fine print, but these coupons are often worthwhile.

 

Visit Retail Stores One Day of the Week

If you plan and utilize lists, you avoid having to make multiple trips on multiple days and waste gas money as well as time. True cost-cutters understand that there is no good reason for adding mileage or wear-and-tear to their vehicle and spending extra time.

 

Shop at Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart and Smart & Final

Rarely will you find a lower price outside of Costco or Walmart, but it happens. So, you should comparison shop regularly. Another benefit is that you save time and money by buying in bulk. The cons are that you spend more money up front and you must have the storage capabilities in your home or garage.

It would not be too aesthetically appealing to the eye to set up sheet metal shelving units inside your living room to store all the products you purchase at these stores. I always try and find my desired items at these stores before moving on to another retailer. Additionally, I take advantage of Costco’s monthly mailed coupons/deals (versus those in newspapers) to stock up on items like supplements, laundry detergent, paper products or any item that will not expire quickly.

If you crave gourmet items, shop Trader Joe’s instead of Whole Foods, which will leave you feeling as if you were financially “raped in a rainforest.”  If I go to Whole Foods it is for a rare splurge, for something that is not carried elsewhere or for their BBQ special or 2 for $6.00 slices of gourmet thin-crust pizza. Walmart may blow “asschovies” as a company (especially if you are employed by them) but their pricing on everyday products you use is hard to beat most of the time. If I am unable to find a product I need at Costco, Walmart is oftentimes next in line.

 

Amazon

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was an occasional Amazon shopper. Now I find myself shopping here often when I can find competitive pricing, quality products and avoid going into retail stores where I am increasing risk and they may not even have my product in stock. Amazon was my savior for used books during my time off work.

 

Shop at Ranch 99, Wholesome Choice, and other International Grocery Stores

Many of the international (i.e. Asian, Middle Eastern, etc.) grocery markets offer great deals on food items. Price compare and see if there is enough for you to buy there to make it worthwhile to switch. Determine if the food is fresh enough for your needs and if a store is located close enough to your home or work. If you have a grocery store close to your home, grab your reusable bag and walk rather than drive. You will get some exercise, save some coin, and avoid wear-and-tear on your vehicle.

 

Shop for Clothing at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, or Nordstrom Rack

Ross Dress for Less is typically a miss, but some of the ones located in better Los Angeles neighborhoods are decent or better. TJ Maxx used to offer the best merchandise for men’s clothing, but in recent years I have found Marshall’s to be carrying the better merchandise for men. Of the three, Ross tends to have the best pricing. I would reserve Nordstrom Rack for your splurge shopping, as they cost the most of the three. Their “Clear the Rack” sales are good since you get an extra 25% off clearance merchandise. At Nordstrom Rack, sign up for their rewards points program. Do not overbuy simply because you want free carp. That is ass-backwards logic.

Always begin at the clearance racks and work your way to the regularly priced merchandise. Do not overbuy clothing you will never or rarely wear. If you have standard business-casual attire or a work uniform at your job, accept and understand that you are likely only going to need casual clothing on 2 of the 7 days of the week. There is no reason to have clothes hanging in your closet going out of style before you have a chance to wear them.

Do not shop at Old Navy!  Spending a few more dollars at the previously mentioned discount clothing retailers is well worth it, since you will look much better, and feel better about yourself, and the clothes will typically last much longer. Since I am married and the wife barely cares what I wear, I will keep clothes in good shape and wear them for years on end. Another way to save is to buy merchandise AFTER the season ends. Hitting clearance racks for a winter coat in February or early spring will often “win you the game.” I can even find great affordable hair products, shower gel, skin products and useful household items at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s.

 

Shop at Daiso, 99 Cents Only, Big Lots, Dollar Tree and Tuesday Morning

If you find a quality item here instead of other pricier retailers purchase it. I found good enough quality wine glasses at Dollar Tree for $1 each, so I bought a case for our BBQs and house parties. I store them in a cloth zipper case I found on Amazon, and now I have them whenever they are needed. For me this is somewhat of a splurge, but as a good host, I cannot serve nice vino out of a plastic Solo cup. Daiso is my preferred store of the bunch. They have nice inexpensive desktop organizer storage items (i.e. letter trays, baskets, cups etc.) for your home office and a lot of other practical products. I have found these stores to be fantastic for buying smaller inexpensive purchases.

 

Stick to Your List

True cost-cutters write a list prior to visiting a retail store, and they almost always stick to it. They have a budget in mind of what they plan on spending for that trip. Avoid impulsive purchases whenever possible and use your smart phone to price compare or find alternatives while you are out shopping. Avoid browsing unless you have the self-control and can “just say no” or stick to a small set budget of what you will spend that day.

Going to a grocery store after exercising is typically a bad idea, as you may buy food you normally would not buy. Similarly, heading to the store without a list is often a bad idea, as things may ‘magically’ find their way into your cart.

  

Live by the “Full Use” Principle

This applies to nearly everything you own including your automobile, clothing, furniture, appliances etc. I am not saying you should endure holes in your t-shirts or allow yellowed armpit stains or underwear streaks to persist without replacing them but make this principle a fundamental way of life and you will go a long way in “winning the financial game”. Another area not to overdo it is with shoes used for athletic purposes. Shoes used for running or basketball, for example, wear out quicker, and continuing to utilize them in your sport may lead to knee, hip, or back problems. All true cost-cutters live and die by the “full use” principle. Take care of your stuff, do not neglect it, or treat it roughly. The longer it lasts, the more money you save.

Replacing an item that is still functional almost never makes good financial sense.

 

If You Cannot Afford to Pay Cash, Do Not Buy It

This is a general principle that you should stick to 98% of the time. There are times when you have necessities, however, and you may lack the upfront cash. At one point I needed tires and brakes, and credit was the only option. I held out and tried to buy time, but I still did not have enough cash. I lock up my one and only credit card 90% or more of the time so I will not be tempted. For my lifestyle, I pretty much know when I may need to take it along.

 

Use Your Discounts

If you are military (or former), a senior citizen, a student, or a AAA discount applies, use it. Any discount you qualify for, do your best to use it.

 

Buy Generic Brands Whenever Available

I do not mean the 99 Cents Only store generic brands, which can be terrible. I am referring to brands like the Equate brand at Walmart or the Kirkland brand at Costco. You will get more for your money and typically the quality is the same. My co-workers were all going “gaga” over the Hydro Flask 40-ounce stainless steel water bottles with a glazed exterior coating. These water bottles caught on when people learned how much bacteria were thriving inside their reusable plastic water bottles.

I couldn’t afford the Hydro Flask at $43 (the cheapest I found online), so I found a quality brand called Quench, which was designed in the U.S.A. and made in China (just as Hydro Flask is) but costs only $15 per bottle at Walmart. Another gem I discovered was a faux salon brand line of hair styling products that is carried at Walmart. The various styles of products of the salon brand sell for about $19 on Amazon, or I can buy any of the various faux brand styling products for $6.50 at Walmart. And honestly my hair can barely tell the difference. Enough said.

 

Decorate with Used, TJ Maxx Home Goods or IKEA Furnishings

When I refer to used, I am not speaking of mattresses or couches where bed bugs or other unmentionables may reside on these items. I am referring to tables, metal or wooden chairs, lamps, dressers, etc. Our condo is of a modern style, so we found a great dining table, chairs, bar stools, end tables and floor lamp at IKEA. My favorite department there is kitchen accessories. If I need glasses, spoons, bowls, silverware, or similar items, I am coming here first.

Yes, there are certain things NOT to buy here. I know IKEA dressers and beds used to be mediocre, but I have heard they have improved. You be the judge. Other retailers I like are Lamps Plus and Urban Home, both of which offer reasonably priced items to decorate and furnish your home.

Although, the better deals I have found are still at TJ Maxx Home Goods. I wanted a modern art deco table lamp that was $149.95 at Lamps Plus. I decided to check Home Goods first, since this lamp was back ordered, and I found a similar style with a slightly different look and comparable quality for $59.95. Shortly after purchasing it I realized I liked it better than the Lamps Plus one. Check out Craigslist or eBay also for less expensive pieces to decorate or furnish your home.

A cost-cutter is by appearance like a shoplifter in that frequently they look like anybody else. There is not a specific look and they occupy all social classes. And similarly, they do not like spending their own money.

  

Buy Used Merchandise When It Makes Sense

Utilize Craigslist, eBay, or other sites when the savings is worth it, and you are not going to pay the price later. Example: a used mattress with beg bugs. I built a home gym buying used dumbbells over the years, and it cost me half of what buying new would cost. Buying new for something you are likely to be banging up may in fact be dumb. On Amazon I will often buy used DVDs or used books when the price difference (including shipping) makes sense. Especially when I can get them in good or like new condition.

 

Free Stuff: “If it’s free, it’s for me, I’ll take three.”

Okay, you already paid for these at your hotel, so it is not actually free, but the housekeeping crew is only going to discard them in the trash so take them with you. Sometimes the wife loves a hotel shampoo, lotion, or conditioner, so I will tip a few bucks and leave a note asking for extras. If you are at a Hilton or above, the products are worth it and oftentimes the staff will hook you up since they are not paying for them out of their own pockets.

Take advantage of the punch cards at your local coffee house, frozen yogurt place or sandwich shop. Again, do not buy more to get that 10^th punch and the free item; just simply purchase as you normally would and eventually one day it will be FREE.

You know you are a true cost-cutter when you rush to move your car from an enclosed garage to an outdoor uncovered parking spot to receive a ‘free car wash’ during a torrential downpour.

Once I did this and drove a lap around our small condo community to have the rainwater hit my car at various angles to achieve a complete car wash. This one had me bragging to fellow cost-cutter friends for days. I was not sharing this story with the ladies.

Take this “free” mantra/motto with you at all times. If your company has a catered meal and they inform you that you can grab a to-go container, do so. Again, do not go overboard and become an obnoxious pig who looks like they are homeless or on welfare. You should not be elbowing people, shoving people to the ground, or stepping on small children to obtain your free carp.

 

Make it a Game: “Battle of the Cost-cutters”

While I was in university a fellow personal trainer buddy and I were too cheap to bet but challenged each other to a contest to see who could pull off the cheapest date. My date attended my university, so we dined at the student union food court on our dining commons cards (i.e. free). Then, I rented a movie at The Wherehouse for 99 cents and received the student discount on both of our coffees at the coffee house around the corner from our dorms. It was a close call, because my buddy was a cheap buzzard in his own right, but I “won the game.”

One of my friends told me the most impressive cost-cutter tactic I may have ever heard. On one occasion while traveling with his in-laws, he was staying at a budget motel. In the morning he walked across the street to a more upscale motel chain, used the fitness center, grabbed an upgraded continental breakfast, a coffee and a newspaper and headed back to his budget motel. Unfortunately, he got caught by his family and had some explaining to do.

 

Enjoy the Simpler Things in Life

Take a walk, read, listen to music, watch movies, or take photographs with your digital camera. Go to your favorite coffee house and read on a comfortable couch. Whatever you enjoy that does not cost much money is fair game.

 

Leave the House Less Often

My point here is not to be a homebody. However, if you are the type of person who cannot be trusted in retail stores, restaurants and bars and you will overspend, then you should remove yourself from these destinations until you can exhibit better personal restraint. The only danger at home is that you have easy access to the credit card in your pocket, the Internet and online shopping websites, so understand that point as well and exercise self-restraint one way or another. Leave the house for low-cost fun such as exercise, photography, free concerts in the park, or any other similar hobbies or interests that apply to you.

 

Do Not Buy a McMansion

Unless you have a family of eight people you really do not need a ton of space. Between the mortgage, insurance, upkeep, housekeeping, air conditioning and heating, it will truly weigh you down. Being house poor will also sabotage your quality of life and limit your personal enjoyment of vacations and other small indulgences that are no longer feasible on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

 

Use the Internet for Home Improvement Projects

Understanding your “Mr. Fix It” potential or lack thereof utilize the Internet (ex. youtube.com) for how to repair, improve or build something. Be honest with yourself: If after reading the instructions there is a better chance of you doing more harm than good, call in a professional. If it is a true expert “home improvement” project you should always get at least 3 bids so you can select a contractor, you feel good about who offers a competitive rate. When we replaced some windows in our condo, I obtained 3 bids (all visited our condo) and I did my own research on manufacturer brands and types so we could make the best possible choice. Additionally, I researched the contractors through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Yelp.

 

Use White Vinegar as a “Green” Cleaning Agent

There are great online websites that give you simple recipes on how to cheaply make cleaners with this cleaning liquid. For example, to clean my yoga and Pilates mats, I use a 50/50 combination of water and white vinegar. It is a lot cheaper than buying some specialized product designed for the same purpose.

 

Dine at Casual Trendy Restaurants Instead of Fine Dining

These days you can find plenty of interesting, less-expensive casual dining options via Yelp. If you can find tasty eats concocted by creative chefs without the hefty price tag, take advantage of it. The culinary world has changed with places like Urban Plates, California Fish Grill, Burger Lounge, Tender Greens, and other chic casual independent restaurants entering the arena. When I lived in Los Angeles, we had so many hole-in-the-wall dives serving up fantastic eats your options were truly endless.

 

Rarely Go Out to Lunch or Dinner

I prepare my work lunch in advance and go out to lunch 1% to 3% of the time. You will find this to be much cheaper and healthier since you can better control what you are consuming. If you work in an office setting where you may fall out of favor with colleagues by not joining them on occasion, you may want to cut something else in your budget and join them for lunch a couple of times per month. The same applies to dinner with friends after work hours. If you are a foodie like me, find ways to cheat the plan like finding local tasty dives in your hood where you will not break the bank but will still satisfy your culinary desires.

Here is an example of my typical work lunch:

For example, for $2.99 per pound at Costco I can buy boneless, skinless-chicken thighs and use these for numerous lunches. Usually I will marinate the meat overnight before cooking. I can make whole-wheat tortilla wraps with fresh greens and olive oil with red wine vinegar or a healthier dressing. This is a much better way to go than buying pre-packaged meals. Throw in a Fuji apple and I am done. For snacks I eat items like the RXBAR Peanut Butter energy bar, which is one of the healthier energy bars on the market. If I am not that hungry, I will have a couple of ounces of roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds, pecans, pistachios, almonds, or walnuts. Doing it yourself will cost less and be healthier for you. Additionally, I always look for sales or buy in bulk at Costco on these items and then stock up. Prepare your meals for the week in advance (Sunday night). You will save money and stress by not having to settle for a meal that is not nutritionally sound or costs you more.

Spending goals are directly opposed to nutrition and fitness goals. With spending, people want to earn well above what they spend. And with nutrition and fitness, most people want to expend much more energy than the food they consume.

 

Make Coffee at Home

I asked for a quality Bonavita 5-cup coffeemaker for Christmas and the wife got me a Breville burr grinder so I can brew quality java at home. I buy whole bean coffee online from Philz, Costco (Peet’s, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Kirkland) or other quality roasting companies. The wife even bought me an Osaka cold brew kit (approximately $30 through Amazon) and I began making excellent cold brew coffee at home.

Then I pour it into a BPA-free plastic carafe ($4.99 at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s) and store it in the refrigerator. I even have to-go cups and straws (Smart & Final) for my cold brew coffee. I enjoy diverse blends so I will grind a mixture of medium roasts with darker roasts, which creates a more interesting and complex cup of java.

Living the cost-cutter lifestyle does not mean you have to live like a pauper. It simply means you must plan more, do more tasks yourself and be smarter with your money.

 

Drink Booze at Home

Do everyone a favor and DO NOT drink and drive. Your wallet will thank you, as will everyone else on the roadways you traverse. Enjoy your beer, wine, spirits or liqueurs at home and you will save three to four (3-4) times the money you would pay at a bar or many restaurants. Additionally, it is DUI friendly with no risk; unless you get so tanked you trip down the stairs and break your neck.

 

Re-Gift When Feasible or Appropriate

If it is someone you do not know very well, consider re-gifting. If it is family, do not re-gift unless you are sure they are a fan of the item in question and they were not the one who originally gave it to you. If it is a friend, use your best judgment. If it is too crappy to re-gift, donate it to Vietnam Vets, Salvation Army or Goodwill and get a receipt for tax purposes at the end of the year.

 

Do Price Comparison Shopping Regularly

Do not become obsessive about it, which may lead to anxiety and annoy your significant other. But understand that retailers change their pricing more often than you might think. I have found that if I buy beer at Total Wine & More instead of BevMo, I typically save about $2.00 per 6-pack. Seasonally (St. Patrick’s Day), Costco will offer Guinness Draught beer by the case and the price simply cannot be beat. When I was drinking more of this beer, I would buy two to three cases to stock up.

 

Spend the Money on Cable, not at the Movie Theaters

I have not gone to the movies in years. I literally have no clue the name of the last movie I saw in the theater. When I tell people, they are astonished since I was a film major in college. The truth is that I rarely if ever get caught up on my movies saved on my DVR. And even if I did, there is Tubi and other apps on through my cable box that makes things almost infinite. Additionally, I am a patient person and am often not aware of new films released in theaters. No temptations = no expense and no sense of loss of what I am missing. Finally, I watch TCM or local channels, which show older films, old TV shows and classic films. These are more my cup of tea anyway.

 

Research an Item Before you Purchase it

Do not spend very much money unless you have qualified your purchase via online research. Usually you must weed through more amateur consumer reviews than professional reviews, but they can be helpful in qualifying your purchase. Simply skip the reviews clearly written by clueless ass clowns. Anytime I am spending over $20.00, I am going to spend at least a few minutes qualifying a purchase. For example, I nearly bought a replacement charger cord for my Garmin golf watch, but I felt that the charger had a design flaw. Once I read some reviews on Amazon, I realized I was better off continuing with my lame rubber band quick fix (as other reviewers had done), since this older product had only gotten worse. The replacement cord had become shorter, and the same plastic piece that broke off mine also broke off cords of other owners of this charger. Had I purchased a replacement charger, I would have likely broken it once again and gone back to the rubber band fix. Since I have more time than money, I have no problem researching prior to buying. I cannot afford to waste money, but I am able to waste a little time. Again, consumer reviews must be taken with a grain of salt. For instance, some Yelpers will complain about how crowded parking lots are at restaurants, how long they had to wait for their name to be called, or how many times their water glass was not refilled. Ignore these numb-nutters that fail to focus on the food. Unless it is a fancy, high-end establishment why would someone focus on these lame observations as a reviewer?

  

In-Network Doctors

Unless it is a life-or-death situation or you have a chronic condition and you want the most renowned specialist in your area, choose in-network doctors. There is usually no good reason to pay more unless your life is nearly or literally on the line.

 

Find Online Package Vacation Deals or Use Costco Travel

Costco has a wide variety of travel deals. A cost-cutter friend recently went to Hawaii and got an excellent price for a trip that included airfare, rental car, hotel, golf, and breakfast. When my wife sets up our golf outings or vacations, she finds deals through independent sites where she can find deals or package deals that include hotel, golf, and food. It is like when you “bundle” with your cable or satellite/phone/net provider. You will pay less by buying more services. Select weekend getaways to refresh yourself instead of longer, more expensive European or Caribbean trips. Reserve those longer trips for truly special occasions.

 

Tipping

This is a tricky area and I encourage you to read online more about the topic to develop your own general policy. Avoid reading comments written by those in the service industry, as it may not include the whole truth on how one should proceed.

Here is my favorite site for tipping etiquette:

 

https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/money-etiquette/tipping-etiquette-guide

 

Even though I am a cost-cutter, I am self-aware enough to realize that in the service industries these people are oftentimes largely dependent on their tips to help make a living. My philosophy is that if I cannot afford to tip at a certain venue (i.e. hotel, restaurant, salon etc.) then I have no business going there. As a result, I will opt for a more budget-conscious option where I can afford to tip appropriately, or it will be self-service, or tipping is not expected.

 

Do Not Over-Advertise Your Cost-Cutter Lifestyle

As I indicated earlier, the ladies may enjoy the fact that you are financially savvy, but the “penny pincher” is only appealing to a very select few. Additionally, do not go overboard with your family, friends, colleagues, or the ladies, thereby exposing them to continual cost-cutter situations. If you go to dinner with friends and you pull out a calculator every time and work it out to the penny, this will likely not endear you with these people.

I had a friend from my university days, and we would shop at various CD stores in downtown. Like clockwork once his total was rung up, he would turn to me and ask, “do you have any change?”  The first time or two, I fell for it since I was young, but clearly this was part of his “cost-cutter religion” since he never paid me back. It was his way of NOT having to pull out another bill. Over time I am sure this tactic saved him a decent amount of money. Unfortunately, I am sure he annoyed many a friend along the way.

 

Do Not Always Sacrifice Quality in Favor of Price

As I stated prior, there are times to cost-cut and other times where you may not want to. For example, gas for your vehicle is important, and if you use low-quality gas it can have long-term consequences for your vehicle. Visit toptiergas.com/licensedbrands and you will see a list of retail locations to help ensure you are treating your vehicle right for the long haul. Using low-quality gas will likely cost you more in future repairs than any pennies you save now. Also, read your car’s owner’s manual and avoid buying a higher grade of octane than your car requires, since it is a waste of money. Use whatever the manual recommends.

 

Buy Japanese Automobiles

In SoCal everyone is caught up with BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover, Tesla or beyond, but the reality is that many of those brands will leave you parked on the side of the road more often than my $21,000 Nissan Altima. This is especially true if you are buying the low end (i.e. Mercedes “C” Class) of these luxury brands. I am over six feet tall, so compact cars rarely work for me, but I did consider and test-drive the Honda Civic 2-door and other smaller cars. Japanese cars run forever, and if you go with a four-cylinder engine you will keep more cash in your pocket.

My car has 182 horsepower, which provides plenty of acceleration to get me on SoCal freeways. My philosophy on automobiles is to buy new and run it into the ground or nearly run it into the ground. A similar alternative is to buy a one-year old certified preowned vehicle. I am a careful person and I do not work on cars, so I feel better having that warranty. I owned a Mitsubishi Galant for 12 years. Early on I felt the vehicle had transmission issues but neither Mitsubishi nor an independent transmission shop found anything over the first several years I owned it. In fact, the transmission shop told me it was likely a “user error.”  About 8 years later I went to trade the car into CarMax, and they told me they would take it but that it had “transmission problems”; imagine that. Regardless, the car lasted over 12 years. That allowed me 7 years or more to save for the next car.

 

Use AAA to Find an AEE-Certified Mechanic

While it is true that auto dealerships are becoming more competitive on price for service, I have still found that more often than not I need a coupon or special promotion to get close to the prices found at your local neighborhood auto repair shop. This may be dependent on the town you live in, so price shop and get quotes and compare.

 

Car Washes

I opt for the exterior-only basic car wash twice per month at my local car wash. Occasionally I will step it up to the wash that includes some of the extras, like vacuuming, rainbow wax, interior cleaning, etc. I am usually the only one in my car, so I do not need to have it vacuumed that often. An exterior wash at my car wash is $11.99 plus tip, versus $24.99 plus tip (on a coupon deal) for a full wash. This savings adds up over time. And I always save a lot of money during the rainy season. HA! If your vehicle is older or you are not a car enthusiast in any way, shape, or form, you may want to consider the Shell drive-thru automated car wash option. This is as low as $7.00 for a regular wash with no tip needed. However, most car detailers will preach that it is not good for the paint long term to have machines touching your car’s finish. However, given the current COVID-19 pandemic, maybe we should not give a rat’s ass.

 

Avoid Paying Interest Whenever Humanly Possible

Nothing will put you in trouble faster than borrowing money. This is especially true if your earnings are low. It may feel good at the time, but that sensation will go “bye-bye” when you start falling behind or are only able to pay the minimum payment on your monthly credit card statement.

 

Recycle Items for Cash

This is an area I could improve upon. I do not like seeing clutter, so trying to find space in the garage to store cans or bottles is not exciting to me. I envision a poorly rinsed can leading to an ant farm colony now residing in the recycle sack. Additionally, I have a variety of hobbies and interests, so the odds of me getting bored enough to stand in line in the sun to drop these cans and bottles off at a recycling center is not good. I suppose this is an area where I feel my time is worth more than my money.

 

Sell Used Items You are Not Using

If you have items of value that you never use and they are taking up storage space, sell them on eBay, Craigslist or OfferUp. If the item is no longer useful, you will feel better about having the extra space and the extra money. If there is not much value attached to it, donate it to Vietnam Vets, Salvation Army or Goodwill. You will feel better knowing someone is getting use out of it. And do not forget the receipt, so you can use it for your taxes at the end of the year.

 

Barber/Hair stylist

I used to go to a hair stylist where it cost nearly $40.00 total. At times I felt the results were inconsistent and there had to be a better option for a cost-cutter. I used to go to Super Cuts on occasion when in college. But new research reflected it was pricy considering the mediocre to poor Yelp reviews. I realized since my hairstyle was short now that I could surely try barber shops since my style is now a mini mini fauxhawk. I found a $12.00 barber plus $3.00 tip (appropriate number) establishment. Then, across the street I found a $9.00 barbershop plus a $3.00 tip.

Finally, when COVID-19 hit, I was forced to cut my own hair with my Norelco All-in-One trimmer and I experimented with a buzz cut, crew cut and a mini mini fauxhawk. I never had any bad haircuts and kept fine tuning it until my mini mini fauxhawk was quite good. As a result, I now spend zero dollars on my haircut, I can do them as often as I want, and I have no desire to return to a barber.

 

House Cleaning Services

This is an area of indulgence for me where I am okay with spending the money. I had a stretch of time where I had numerous back-to-back injuries and was unable to do housework. As a result, I began using house cleaning services. If I were to cancel this service, I know I would never find the time or energy to keep my house as clean as they get it. Also, I would have to do various segments of the house piecemeal because I simply do not have the time or energy when I return from work. I have so many personal interests and projects I have decided that they are much more important to me, so I am okay with spending some money here. You may have a different area where you are okay with spending the money. That is okay to have exceptions. Just do not overdo the “exceptions” if you want to truly live the cost-cutter lifestyle.

 

 

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