THE BORE
General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: GilloD on March 04, 2008, 04:38:31 PM
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This one is for the Gaming forum: Gamefly.com. Yes, you'll wait a little bit. No, you won't get day 1 excitement. But for what you pay for a single title, you could have 2 games out for 3 months. In reality, you'll probably blow through 8 or 10 for the cost of 1.
Netflix, of course. How many times do you really watch all those movies you buy? Get your super, super favorites, rent the rest.
Using those two I keep up on all Media for 35 bucks a month. That's for 4-6 games and around 12 DVDs.
Food!: Use a recipe management software to plan menus with similar ingredients. This will keep you from spending a bundle on costly ingredients only to throw half of them out. I usually plan a weekly menu, try to make sure my ingredients cross paths and even have the program draw up a shopping list for me. Leftovers are free lunch the next day! Also, Farmers' Markets are your friend! And a good date. Check your local papers to see if there's a co-op nearby, you'll save a bundle on grocery prices, although your selection might be a little scattershot.
Library!: Free books, yo. Better- Many college universities offer non-students library cards for a small fee. You can then usually use inter-library loan to get almost any book in existence for absolutely nothing. If you MUST own a book, check out Amazon or a small, local bookstore. Used books are the shizz.
Bike!: Bikes are expensive. Unless you hit up a garage sale. I own 3 bikes. I paid a grand total of 45 dollars for them. Most bike fixes are simple and inexpensive- a new chain runs 10 bucks, new tires and tubes also around 10- so a little bit of elbow grease can nab you a bike that's just as functional as the 5000$ carbon fiber monster in the window of the cycle shop. And with gas headed for 4 bucks a gallon, it's quickly becoming an eco- and wallet!- friendly alternative for local trips.
Downgrade your cable!: Not watching much TV? Still like the basics? Most cable companies offer a super, super basic version of cable that offers the CBS/NBC/ABC/PBS and a smattering of cable channels for as low as 5 or 10 bucks a month. Alternately, consider swapping from cable altogether. Most networks post their big hits on the web and if you're subscribing to Showtime for just one show, consider nabbing the episodes for 2$ a pop from iTunes or Amazon. You'll save a bundle.
Any other tips/tricks?
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Budget, budget, budget!: At the end of every day, check your bank statement and any receipts you have. Enter them into an Excel sheet with broad categories (Leisure, bills, etc.) to keep track of where you're spending what you spend. Spend a bundle on coffee this month? Try brewing at home. Spend a fortune at the movies? Try a matinee. I was shocked when I finally saw where my money was going. It's easy to lose track, taking control is a good step.
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Music: use torrents (except for a select few artists)
tv shows: use torrents or hulu or any streaming sites like abc.com
internet: leech wireless if you can
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what's your food planning software
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Just eat sandwiches, or make big pans of hamburger helper for leftovers
I don't need ideas, I lived as a dirty poor for a long while as a kid
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Don't buy shit you don't need.
Exactly.
Another way to do this is stay the fuck away from EB and GAF. You won't be tempted by all the pretty things we buy and show off.
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cooking for one sucks, I throw away like half my ingredients all the goddamned time
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If you have a pet: Throw it away, they are nothing but a moneysink.
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If you have a child: Throw it away, they are nothing but a moneysink.
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music - a little known gem is http://g2p.org/ , it's a google searcher that finds complete albums and 'private' files full of mp3's. This site basically replaced limewire for me. You may have to do a little digging, but I'll take the legal option that doesn't rape your HD over p2p anyday.
Anything else and I'm horrible. I blow through cash recklessly.
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Laundry: Try to keep your wardrobe as small as possible. If your pants aren't dirty, shuffle it for another day, rather than dump it in the hamper. Nothing a spritz of deodorant or cologne won't hide. You probably aren't that smelly anyway. This cuts on water bill, heat, and detergent (or whatever else). I normally shuffle around the same 3 pairs of pants, and do my laundry once a week, normally at the end of the week.
Shower: Every other day, rather than once (or twice) a day.
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cooking for one sucks, I throw away like half my ingredients all the goddamned time
You could always make a full batch, and then freeze what you don't eat for later.
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I've eaten a lot of these bad boys in my day:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/23/Cup_noodles_1_2_3.jpg/800px-Cup_noodles_1_2_3.jpg)
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cooking for one sucks, I throw away like half my ingredients all the goddamned time
correct
i'm getting better at it though
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I don't buy anything, don't rent videos, don't have the net or cable tv and spend $5 a day on food
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music - a little known gem is http://g2p.org/ , it's a google searcher that finds complete albums and 'private' files full of mp3's. This site basically replaced limewire for me. You may have to do a little digging, but I'll take the legal option that doesn't rape your HD over p2p anyday.
Anything else and I'm horrible. I blow through cash recklessly.
i've been using this nice google search function...
intitle:"index.of" (mp3|mp4|wav|rar) enter.search.information.here
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I started taking a flask of coffee to work about a month ago. I have a good grinder at home, so I buy the same Starbucks beans I'd be drinking if I bought every day at work, but spend about 1/5th the cash. Better yet, my wife does all the work! win/win
I should really bring a packed lunch more often but there are so many great places to eat nearby, I just can't bring myself to do it.
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By buying a QP and breaking it down and selling quarters and halfs w/ inflated prices. Make sure it's good shit. Perfect way of scrimping and making money.
...or not.
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Music: use torrents (except for a select few artists)
tv shows: use torrents or hulu or any streaming sites like abc.com
internet: leech wireless if you can
A mexican's answer to how to save money: Steal shit.
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Music: use torrents (except for a select few artists)
tv shows: use torrents or hulu or any streaming sites like abc.com
internet: leech wireless if you can
A mexican's answer to how to save money: Steal shit.
It's only stealing if you have money. If you're poor, it's charity.
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Music: use torrents (except for a select few artists)
tv shows: use torrents or hulu or any streaming sites like abc.com
internet: leech wireless if you can
A mexican's answer to how to save money: Steal shit.
:lol :lol :lol :lol
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i need to learn how to cook and how to properly preserve leftovers of what I make. I'm completely hopeless in kitchen and rely on microwavables and deli meat/fruits.
Get this, son. This book is all you will need to get your basics down. Read the intro to all the chapters as well for even more insights. I love this cookbook and I can't recommend enough to beginner cooks.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ZFA8Q7XYL._SH30_OU01_AA115_.jpg)
Great thread, GilloD.
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cooking for one sucks, I throw away like half my ingredients all the goddamned time
Most recipes are written to serve 4 to 6. Just divide by four. Or divide by 2 and you can pack the rest for lunch.