Saving some money in hard times

By Andrew Ehinger

    Drive down just about any main road on Long Island and you'll see the signs. "For Rent" or "Going out of Business" signs are easy to find. These truly are (excuse the pun) the signs of the times. The economic slowdown is really beginning to be felt on main street, Long Island, as consumers are holding on to what ever extra money they have. Now, this doesn't mean that people aren't spending money.  It's just that if you ask most shopkeepers they'll tell you business is down.

So where is all the money going?

Maybe the question should be where is all the money to begin with? Layoff's have put millions out of work nationwide and thousands are looking for work here on the island. That means what money folks have is now being used more and more efficiently. But stretching your dollar does not mean you have to sacrifice everything.

Just as an example, I took my lunch. Since I'm on the road producing stories for News 12, I eat out a lot. I spend about 10 bucks every day for lunch (some days it's more, some less). But if I brown bagged it just 2 days a week, I could save about 20 bucks. Multiply that by 52 weeks a year and that's a $1040 savings. And that is ONLY 2 days a week. Now, as some may point out, I would have to pay for what ever I brought in the brown bag. OK, you're right, but I figure if I kept that down to 2-to-4 dollars a meal, I'm still way ahead of the game financially.

This savings logic goes on for just about any extra expense you have. Coffee, car wash, tanning, etc. Remember you don't always have to completely eliminate or slash your extra expenditures--just try and cut them down a little and you might be surprised with the financial results. 

So do you have any savings tips? A cool way to save a buck or two? Why not share them here in the comment section for other readers.

Comments

[SUSAN L.RUDNICK]

THE DOLLAR TREE CHAIN OF STORES IS A WONDERFUL WAY OF SAVING MONEY AND GETTING FINE QUALITY ITEMS .EVERYTHING IS JUST ONE $DOLLAR .YOU CAN ALSO GET MANY TWO FOR ONE SPECIALS;ESPECIALLY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.CANDLES,DECORATIONS,HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, CANDY,YOU NAME IT YOU CAN FIND IT THERE! AND., YOU GET SERVICE WITH A SMILE ! MY FAVORITE ONE IS ON MERRICK ROAD BORDER LINE OF AMITYVILLE .CHECK IT OUT.FONDLY SUSAN L.RUDNICK

[Peggy Lazenby]

My daughter share ameal when we want o eat out and do not want to spend a lot. We also share each other' clothes to save abuck. son has been complemented several times by the people at HEAP for al the oil he conserves and all of the money we save them by keeping our thermostats set at 65 degrees all the time. A hundred gallons lasts us at least two months long most of the time during the cold winter months and even more during the rest od the year.