YMM Reading List

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Radical Money Saving Ideas for Military Families and Retirees

Recently I read an article regarding "Radical Money Saving Ideas" like moving to the country, raising livestock, and eating off the dollar menu.

Right.

Here are a few radical ideas that military families could try and actually have a huge impact on their bottom line.
  1. Live car free.
  2. Rent a smaller place, or live in on-base housing.
  3. Shop in the commissary and use coupons wisely.
  4. Never pay for membership in a health club.
  5. Cancel cable, Internet access, local phone, magazine subscriptions but sign up for the local newspaper (Clip the coupons and read the local events calendars..
  6. Get free stuff (corollary: give stuff away).
  7. Travel by military transport (but only where you can stay cheap!)
  8. Grow a garden.
  9. Take care of what you own.
  10. Give gifts of time, interest, and caring.
  11. Avoid shopping as past-times.
  12. Serve meat as a side-dish...three times a week (max).
  13. Purchase necessary insurance...but don't go overboard.
  14. Create, use, and improve your budget.
  15. Cook. Eat less, save the leftovers.
  16. Turn down the heat on your hot water heater and insulate the tank.
  17. Lower the thermostat in winter, raise it in the summer, turn it off when you don't need it.
  18. Use electric appliances like you were off the grid.
  19. Sell the toys. You know what I'm talking about.
  20. Don't pay for banking. Check out free options with ATM fee returns.
Post your ideas as comments.

1 comment:

Andrea said...

Lee, I would like to interview you for a story I am writing on SBP versus life insurance. Would you be available for a phone interview? I can be reached at andrea.peck@yahoo.com