10 Best Ways to save Money: (when you have none!)
The editor of Divorcedandkids.com asked me to write about saving money mostly because I just survived 2 years of off and on unemployment, coupled with a house payment and 3 kids. Yee Ha!
Note: Prior to spilling my guts on this subject, I discovered there was already a good amount of great advice out there on basic money saving tips. ie. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Editor Janet Bodnar suggests, “Have your boss (or your bank) save for you by taking money off the top of your check for retirement or some other goal. You won’t miss it.” Or, “Toss spare change into a glass jar on your dresser and watch your money grow.”
This is assuming you have a job and you have spare change! So let’s take a walk on the wild side — when there is no money, how can you save?
MOST IMPORTANTLY: “Disclaimer! Disclaimer!” Brainwash your kids: this is key to having success with the 10 tips; so teach your kids that it’s fun and adventurous to save money. Think SURVIVOR episodes. Don’t be wimpy. Growl “Eeerrr” and flex your muscles!! “It’s down n’ dirty times. Yes-sir! This is so wacky!” 
1. Kill the cable or satellite TV. Yep. I said it. That could save anywhere from $40.00 – $100.00 a month depending on your plan. Anyone with an antenna can still get over the air digital channels for free. (That usually includes your network and local stations). If you don’t get great reception, just search “free TV” on the web. HULU.com is one of our favorites. (When your kids complain remember DISCLAIMER: Be tough! Eeerrr!! Growl. This is fun!)
2. Grow a garden and eat off the land. Now that you’re not watching pay TV, you’ve got time to grow your own food. (Some easy crops: lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, snaps peas, cucumbers, and squash.) If you don’t have a place to grow, search “community gardens” in your area. Here you can etch out a piece of land, dig away and find new friends (or enemies.)
3. Review cell usage: Are you using all those minutes, data plans and texts? If money did grow on trees we’d all have the all inclusive cell plan that even cooks dinner for us! But until that happens, dial it back to the “basic plan” to save — which usually runs about $40.00 month. (If you’re stuck in a contract with costly cancellation fees try sites like CellTradeUSA.com or CellSwapper.com, which legally lets you swap out your current contract for various shorter-term options.)
4. Kill the landline: If you live in an area where you can get by on cell phone only, change to cheapest unlimited cell plan and kill the landline. (This is not advisable if you’re living with, or caring for someone with serious health needs.)
5. Make Costco runs with care: You know what I’m talking about; don’t go there hungry because you’ll buy everything! Shop on a full stomach, and if you don’t have a Costco card, find a friend who does and split things. Who needs a case of oranges? (Unless you have tons of kids.) Now that you are growing your garden, not watching TV, and your fingers are free from texting non-stop, Costco could actually turn into an event! (Sob, sob. Stop crying! This is your moment on SURVIVOR!)
6. Party, but party with a limit. Sad but true, if you have kids those parties add up. Keep it fun and simple; beach, park, or maybe invite one special friend of theirs to do something. Also, when it comes to “going to parties,” you can save by tapering back there as well. My children understood, unless he/she was a truly good friend of theirs, we had to “RSVP” with a polite “Sorry.”
7. Kill the house heater: Hoodies are fashionable, throws (blankets) are cozy, and if you must, invest in a small space heater to just warm the rooms you’re in and not the entire house.
8. Buy online: Buy what you need on your local Craigslist and sell what you don’t need! “Cha-ching!” (If you don’t have web access, it’s free at most public libraries.)
9. Car pool and Recycle: With gas prices skyrocketing, this is a sure way to cut your gasoline bill in half. Plus, all those cans and bottles do add up. So reduce, reuse, recycle!
10. Barter: Bartering has been around since Biblical times. Why? Because it works! Maybe you’re handy as a painter, cook or accountant? Think outside of the box. House sit your mechanic’s dog in exchange for an oil change. (I’ll wash your car, you feed my kids dinner! Here are some organic veggies, from our holistic garden, in exchange for that lovely hormone injected prime rib!)
Useful Resources
Titantv.com – find out which over the air stations you get for free with antennas Select “Broadcast” option, type in your zip, and the network and local stations will appear.
American Community Gardening Association – locate a community garden near you.
Trashbank.com – their slogan is “Don’t Trash it, bank it!” – Barter, Swap, Trade, Buy or Sell Online Absolutely Free (No Fees & Charges).