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Using Only What You Need

Blog | January 30th, 2012

With a struggling economy, families are constantly trying to find a way to stay above water while still chasing that American dream of “keeping up with the Jones’”. More likely than not, however, Mr. and Mrs. Jones are sinking into debt as they continue to buy their new toys. To succeed in this financially trying era, it may be time to focus on your own priorities and see if you can live a more minimalistic lifestyle. What can you live without? The more you decide you don’t need, the more money you’ll save.

Dispose of the “Disposable”

            One of the easiest ways to get rid of a few purchases is by avoiding things that contain the word “disposable”. Sure, these things are convenient, but you’re usually paying for one-time use! Consider paper plates and plastic cups and utensils. By opting to use actual dishes and cleaning them, you’ll eliminate these purchases. The same goes for paper towels. Handy? Of course, but you can choose to use actual towels instead, simply washing them after use.

            Outside of the kitchen, things like non-rechargeable batteries can be replaced with chargeable ones and disposable razors can be traded for the one-time investment of a more durable razor, only needing to replace the blades. If you have a recent addition to the family you may want to look into using cloth diapers instead of disposable ones.

Lunch for Less

            By making the frugal choices with beverages, you can save a hefty amount. Instead of buying juice boxes, single-serve sports drinks and personal bottled water, buy them in bulk and put them in your own plastic bottles. This will save you money while also being environmentally conscious.

            Instead of buying individual servings of Jell-O, pudding or yogurt, you can save money by buying large quantities or making your own with premade powders and putting them in reusable containers.

In lieu of sandwich bags, consider taking your lunch with you in plastic containers, such as Tupperware. These can also replace plastic wrap and aluminum foil more often than not. You don’t even need to spend money on plastic containers. Just use empty, washed out containers of sour cream, salsa or butter! Much like replacing water bottles, this is a very green choice as well.

Break the Chain!

            There are items that may never cross your mind to eliminate, but you might not miss. Consider the microwave. How often do you use it? Can you heat your food up other ways? Especially if you have a high-efficiency convection toaster, your microwave may be obsolete. Your home phone is most likely unnecessary as well. Many people have their cell phones on them at all times and seem to only use their land lines for taking sales calls (and the annual call from their technologically slow great aunt). Why pay a bill for something that’s not important? You can always give your great aunt your cell phone number.

            Do your newspaper and magazine subscriptions pile up without being read? Is their best purpose acting as your drink coaster? If that’s the case, why not cut those subscriptions? All of the information is surely available online, anyway.

            As the functionality and speed of laptop computers rise, the need for a bulky desktop computer falls. If you like working at your desk, consider buying a nice-sized monitor and plugging in your laptop. This way, if you’d like to, you can still take your work with you.

            Now this might sound crazy, but picture your life without your television. For many families, the TV is a central part of their entertainment and really couldn’t be eliminated. Others, though, simply have one because everyone else has one. If you can’t get rid of your TV, which is very reasonable, think about how essential your cable subscription is. It’s a large bill that may be able to be replaced by watching your favorite shows online, with services like Hulu and Netflix. Also, when the big game is on or the newest Grey’s Anatomy episode is airing, you’ve got a good excuse to join a friend on their couch, making TV a social affair again.

            Tell us, what could you live without? Share here!