geekdaddy

Geek Daddy is feeling the effects of the economy just like most of the rest of you are. You have the Geek Daddy’s sympathy if you have fallen on hard times. I wanted to share 5 ways I have cut expenses in these troubled times.

5. Go on A Diet:
My wife and I are on a diet together to get healthier. An added side effect of this is we don’t go out to eat anymore. I was surprised at how much those lattes, bagels, and McDonald’s outings were costing. So cut out fast food. If you apply what you pay for fast food to your grocery bill, you can make your money stretch a long way. Savings: $40 a month.

4. Get Rid Of Your Cell Phone:
I am not advocating living like a caveman, and forsaking technology. I am asking you if you really need your cell phone. I’m talking about the one with the expensive plan, hideous overage fees, and time restrictions. I was paying 45 dollars a month through Virgin Mobile. I switched to a pay as you go phone from Tracfone. The phone was 10 dollars. I get to add minutes when I need them, not when the company says I can have them. Savings: $30 a month.

3. How much Cable do you need?
I have Cox Digital Cable. I like it. I got it with the variety tier, expanded DVR, and two movie channels. I then looked at what I watch, instead of what package I have. I got rid of the two movie channels, got the basic DVR, but kept the variety tier. I don’t miss the movie channels at all. Savings: $30 a month.

2. Shop at Goodwill.
I know thrift store shopping will always be anathema to some people. However, if you have a growing geek child they are invaluable. I buy all sorts of things there on a monthly basis. Clothing my girl comes at the top of the list. We got her four outfits that would have cost about 80 dollars at Kohl’s, or 40 dollars at Wal-Mart, for 20 dollars. These were not crap clothes either. The geek daughter thought she looked pretty sharp. Ka-Ching! Savings: 40 to 60 dollars a month.

ANNNNNNNNND…….The number one way your Geek Daddy is saving money is……change the electric rate plan. That’s right. I went from a 150 dollar a month electric bill to about 90 dollars a month just by changing my plan. Now power is a lot cheaper from 9 in the evening to 9 in the morning. We also save more on the weekends. This has saved us more money in the long run than any other cost cutting measure. The change in routine is far outweighed by the money we aren’t spending on power. Savings: 60-80 dollars a month.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS