Things You'll Need:
- No job, or a need to make ends meet.
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Step 1
Make a list of priorities. Your house, car, food, electricity and phone are your priorities. Remember, everything else is a luxury.
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Step 2
Get rid of the land line phone and cell phone. You don’t need a regular phone anymore. Get an internet data card from any cell phone carrier, and get Skype. I pay $60 per year for phone service, and $52 per month for my internet service. Before getting Skype, I paid $76 per month for phone and $29 per month for internet. I save $576 per year, and have better internet service.
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Step 3
Reduce your energy costs. Here are some easy things to do.
Get some caulk and expansion foam spray to fill all the places where your heat and cool air escape from your house. Check around plumbing, doors, windows. Fill every gap.
Get a package of clear plastic, and seal your windows. You lose a lot of air through the windows.
Get a cheap plastic table cloth, cut it a little bigger than the fire place opening, attach magnets around the piece of table cloth with hot glue, and attach to the fire place. It keeps drafts out.
Hang your laundry on a clothesline – dryers use a lot of energy. -
Step 4
Start using coupons. Tons of them are available on the internet. Make sure that they have three barcodes on the coupons because many stores won’t accept them with only one.
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Step 5
Write for companies like Ehow, Associated Content, Info Barrel and other online companies. It takes a few months, but you can start making a pretty good income by writing about what you know.
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Step 6
Clean out your house. Have a yard sale. It helps you clear out the old junk from your house while getting a little extra cash.
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Step 7
Get assistance from the government. I know that this is a sore subject with some people, but it’s okay to get food stamps, Medicaid and family assistance. With so many people out of jobs, you would be surprised how many people are getting help. You can download the information off the computer, send it in and go in when you get your appointment. You can see how much is available online without going in to the office, so it will be more comfortable for you.
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Step 8
Get free restaurant food, samples, stuff and coupons. There is a link at the bottom of this page to access free stuff. I use the links all the time. Get a free email address because you will get some spam, but the free stuff is worth it. My husband and I ate free for 2 weeks plus more free meals for birthdays.
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Step 9
Grow a garden. You can make a salad garden in pots at your windows. It will help cut your grocery bills. If you have room outside, put in a big garden, and really cut your costs.
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Step 10
Entertain yourself at home.
Have a movie fest at home. Make your own popcorn and drinks, pull out your favorite old movies and enjoy.
Check your local listing for free activities in your area, and go to some of them.
Have a game night with your children or family. -
Step 11
Check Craig’s List for free stuff in your area. I found furniture, fire wood, clothes and more just being given away.
These tips will help you save some money, and maybe make a little bit to help you until things improve. Remember, this is a country wide problem, and you are not alone!
Comments
bahr94 said
on 10/26/2009 great tips thanks so much.. rate 5 stars
vintage said
on 9/22/2009 great article