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Cheapskates Concepts

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Don't buy things new. A new item is used the minute it leaves the store and so devalues immediately. How often have you bought a new jumper, worn it, washed it and it doesn't look new anymore?

Don't pay for entertainment. A family fun night can cost less than the price of one cinema ticket. Hire a video, make pizza and popcorn, dip and freeze your own ice-cream cones. You've saved a small fortune - the very least of which is the cost of the fuel to get to the cinema.

Don't buy convenience foods. You can easily and quickly make 'take-away' style food at home. If you are really busy and don't always have time to cook from scratch, try once-a-month cooking, or even just doubling what you are cooking and freezing for the future.

Change your diet. Meat is expensive, not all that good for you and makes an awful mess when it is cooking. Try switching to a vegetarian or part vegetarian diet. Don't like vegetarian food? What's a salad sandwich? Or spinach quiche? Or vegetable soup?

Always comparison shop. Don't assume the advertised sale price is the cheapest. By the same token, don't assume op shops are always cheap. Some are more up-market and so more expensive.

Think before you spend. Do you really need that item? Question the need for everything you buy and you will save heaps.

Remember, a little adds up to a lot. Saving the cost of one cup of coffee a day gives you over $12 a week more in your purse.

Don't buy books. Join your local library. You can also borrow magazines, cassettes and CDs. Always return them on time, or they will end up costing you.

Don't be afraid to learn a new skill. Try dressmaking if you don't sew, or do a basic home car care courseif you usually pay a mechanic for simple car maintenance. Some neighbourhood houses offer home maintenance courses for beginners. Just knowing the basics can save a fortune in tradesmen.

Do you really need that second job? Take a long hard look at why you have it. Then be brutally honest about what it is actually costing you. Do you have to pay for extra childcare? Are your travelling expenses more? Has your tax gone up? Do you spend more on take-away or convenience products because you don't have time? You may well be surprised to learn that instead of making money, your second job is actually costing you. 

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  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
    • Gift Memberships
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Inspiration
    • Getting Started
    • Handmade Christmas Central >
      • Handmade Christmas 2025 is about to start
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Articles
    • Back to Basics >
      • Back to Basics
      • Back to Basics Index
    • Housekeeping Routines
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
  • SAVING REVOLUTION
    • 2025 Saving Revolution Index
    • Saving Revolution Resources
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Add a Recipe
    • $300 a Month Food Challenge >
      • $300 a Month Food Challenge
      • The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletters 2025
  • Saving Money
    • Bill Paying System
    • Cheapskates Tip Store
    • Tip Sheets
    • Top Tip Competition
  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • Help Files