Thrifty Reader Request: Moving Tips

A big thank you to Thrifty Reader Katie for requesting this topic. She will be moving soon and she wants to know how she can save a few pennies in the process.

Moving is a huge deal. You are completely uprooting yourself and continuing your life in a new location. Just like plants, if it isn't done correctly, it can be a traumatic experience. Let's save you from that, shall we?

Whether you are moving 3 miles or 3,000 miles, there are ways to save money. I've only moved 3 times in my entire life, and 2 of them were in the last 4 years. I don't, by any means, think I have all the answers. My husband, however, has moved more times than he can count in his lifetime, so I'm drawing on his expertise. We brainstormed and thought up several ways for you to cut the budget.

Before You Move:
Preparation is the key to making this cheap and as easy as possible. Plan routes and what all needs to be moved and what can be donated/given away/sold. Taking care of this now will obviously give you less to take with you. Let's pretend you have a dining room table that just won't fit in your new place. Give it away, sell it, or donate it BEFORE you move. Simple as that. My in-laws moved one time and they knew they couldn't afford a big move. They sold or gave away nearly everything they owned in order to make it happen.

If you have a chance to get into the new place before you move, make sure you have everything ready for when you get there. You don't want to have to paint the bedroom around a bunch of boxes or furniture. It's a lot easier to clean up your messes if that stuff isn't in the way yet.


Moving Boxes:
There are two places where you can get FREE moving boxes. Do NOT pay for them.

The mall (or any big store for that matter) has flattened boxes by their dumpsters. It's a whole separate pile so you don't have to worry about food and whoknowswhat covering this stuff. Since it is in the trash, it is free for the taking.

These boxes are generally broken down properly as a way to save space. If you go to the mall for them, and you encounter one store that just doesn't have anything, you just go to the next store. This is part of the beauty of this location. You have your pick of the litter.

To ensure nice ones, don't try going in or just after a good rain. Most people know a few weeks ahead of time that they are moving, so plan your box excursion on a sunny day.

The second place is Craigslist. If you have a smart phone, I strongly recommend downloading the CL app (whether you are moving or not). You can set up a notification to alert you whenever someone posts "Free moving boxes" in your area. I see this all the time. It's not everyday, but if you plan ahead, you have better chances of catching a post or two.

Just remember that boxes, even when they are flat, are not tiny. Make sure that when you go to pick them up that you have enough space in your vehicle.

Packing:
Make sure you grab and pack smaller and lightweight boxes. This will help you when you go to move it. You might think that you are getting more bang for your buck if you use bigger boxes. You are wrong. If they are too big/heavy/awkward, they will be too hard to carry and you'll be at risk of dropping it. If you are petite like me, test it out when you are packing. If you can't lift it and it can be easily divided, go ahead and split it up.

BE SURE TO LABEL. Moving places will generally try to sell you stickers that list items inside the box, where it is supposed to go, if it's fragile, and possibly even how heavy it is. You know what? You don't need fancy stickers to do that. You just need a permanent marker. Label label label! It will save you SO MUCH TIME if you do this ahead of time. Try to make sure that all of the kitchen stuff stays together, all of the clothes stay together, etc. Label everything you put in there. You can totally get away with putting candles, games, and dog toys in the same box as long as you list it on the outside of the box. That way, when you get to the new place, you can look at the box and know exactly what is in it. I recommend labeling all 4 sides and the top as much as possible. At the very least, label what room it goes into at the new place. And label according to the new place. We added an extra bedroom and bathroom when we moved. If I just labeled it "Bedroom," no one knew which one or where to put it. Be specific. Also on this note, try to keep the rooms together. Organization is a huge help in this time of chaos.

Enlist Friends:
You know what is cheaper than a moving company? Volunteers. With moving companies, you typically are paying by the mile and by the minute. You may think you are saving yourself a headache, but when you realize that if a worker stops to blow his nose, and you have to pay him for a minute extra, you might change your mind. Think you can't find enough volunteers to just do it out of the goodness of their own hearts, buy them lunch. Pizza for a bunch of people is still cheaper than a moving company.

A free and effective way to enlist your friends is through a Facebook event. This will help everyone understand that you are in need. Feel free to upload a picture of yourself with puppy dog eyes if you think it will help. Be sure that you point out all the incentives like free food or you'll love them forever. Maybe even offer to give away your stuff to those that help. If you go this route though, make sure you contact each of them individually. It will help them know that you need their help and know that it isn't just a mass invite.


The Actual Move:
Instead of renting a big truck, see if you can accomplish it with pickups and trailers. (These are the people you think of when you want to enlist friends) Doing a few trips with smaller loads may take a little longer, but it's far cheaper than getting a big moving truck.

If you do find yourself needing a big truck, say the distance is much too far to allow for quick trips back and forth, call around for the best price. Some companies aren't open Sundays, so you'd get an extra day's worth out of it for free. Also, make sure you pack it correctly. My husband loves to play Tetris in the back of a truck when packing it. If you pack it correctly, you will utilize the space as much as possible, you will be at less risk of breaking something, and you'll keep the gas mileage higher by packing the bulk of the weight in the right spot. This tip is useful for a big truck or the smaller pick up loads.

If you need overnight accommodations, figure out if you need a motel or if you can simply "rough it" in your new place. If it is a long distance move and you need a motel along the way, price around and see if you can get a discount through anything (ex: drivers club, AARP, military, etc.). When you book a motel, try to make sure that a breakfast is included in your stay. It will save you time and money in the morning.

When unpacking the truck, bring each box to its specific location. You and your movers should be able to tell exactly where it is based on your labeling. If your helper doesn't know where "So and so's bedroom" is, take a quick minute to show them or give them easy directions. When the Move is done, all of your boxes should be in the right room where they need to be.

After the Move:
Take care of any of the bills you need to take care of right away. If you used a moving company or a box truck, pay them as soon as you are done. It will help make sure the time paid for is as short as possible and it will help prevent against late fees.

Unpack as quickly as possible. If you labeled everything correctly, you should be able to go to each room and know exactly what is in each box. You can easily glance and have an idea for where a happy home is for that item. Anything you don't unpack should be something that can go in storage. Don't be one of those people that still have your stuff in your moving boxes two years after you move. Our house was box free after a day. When you are done with the boxes, give them away on Craigslist.

After it is all said and done, throw a housewarming party! Invite all of those friends that helped you move to further repay them.

Thrifty Reader Request: Saving with Your Dog

If you have a pet, you get to experience the joys of a friendly companion. They can become like members of the family. And like all members of the family, they cost money. Whether you have one or you are considering buy a dog, here are some ways you can save the cash but still enjoy man's best friend. I hope these help!

• If you are really strapped for cash and can't even pay your bills, now is not the time to buy a dog. This article discusses why pets are expensive and says that Americans spend $30 BILLION annually on their pets.

Me and my pup, Delilah

• Buy a small dog. - We are just THAT frugal. Lol. We have a chihuahua. I got her from a home that rescued one dog and bought a shelter dog. My pup cost me $75 before shots. When you compare that to the hundreds of dollars that other people spend just to buy a dog, I'd say we got a pretty good deal. Smaller dogs also eat less, use fewer toys, make less mess, and take up less space.

• If you already have a bigger dog, consider buying food in bulk. For my chihuahua, we buy 25lb bags when they go on sale. This one bag lasts over a year. Your bigger dog will go through it faster, but you plan on feeding them, so go ahead and buy it. You can keep the big bag in the garage and fill up a small container to store in your cabinet for everyday use.

• Do not buy food at your vet or go all fancy with the food. Check the ingredients the next time you're in the pet aisle. Many brands use the same ingredients and some are just cheaper than others.

• Also, to save your money and your dog's life, don't overfeed it. You go through food quicker and obesity in dogs can create problems for their joints and energy.

• Consider doing away with buying name brand treats and start making your own from scratch. This website has some awesome recipes, and the ingredients are likely already in your cabinets.

Another cute pic of Delilah

• Buy toys at garage sales. Gently used toys work great and cost a fraction of the price.

• Your vet will charge a ton for services that could easily be done elsewhere. You can get your vaccinations at pet stores or animal welfare agencies at a lower cost. 

• Make sure you get the shots done on time. Preventative maintenance is a great way to save money in the long run.

• If you think there may be something wrong with your pup, search the internet for home remedies first. If you are still concerned, call your vet. Be sure to price around as well.

• Groom your dog at home. For thicker coats, make sure you brush regularly. This will save you a headache for when you go to wash the pup. For small dogs or somewhat large dogs, your bathtub will serve a great place to do this. If you are worried about hair clogging the drain, invest $3 in a drain net. When it is warmer, you can wash/groom your dog outside. If you'd like a good tutorial, this video was helpful.

Drink More Water!

I was at lunch with some friends the other day at a chain restaurant. My friend's drink cost him $2.29. TWO. TWENTY. NINE. I'm sorry, but that is just ridiculous. I know he had free refills, but it helped me realize some math. Bear with me for a moment.

Let's give some restaurants the benefit of the doubt. Let's say the average soft drink only costs $1.50 and you get free refills. Think of how many times you go out to eat per year. I would render a guess at the average family eats out once a week. $1.50 X 52 weeks = $78! For ONE person.

Seventy-eight dollars is a lot of money, and that's at the low end for price per beverage and a low estimate for the number of drinks you order per year. Add in when you get fast food, the number of people in your family ordering, the amount you spend on groceries a year for soft drinks to enjoy with dinner, or the coffee you buy for your mornings.

You know how much money I spend a year on beverages? Zero. Nada. Nothing.

As I teen, I was drinking WAY too much pop/soda/coke/whatever-you-wanna-call-it than anyone should have ever been allowed to drink. It was easy for me to drink 8 cans of something without thinking it strange. Now, as a mother who doesn't let her kids drink pop, I am floored by this memory.

About 9 years ago, I decided to quit cold turkey. I did this during my first real job. You see, at this job, I had lunch breaks. It didn't take long to realize that my added beverage at lunch was taking up too much of my $7/hr wage. Pop was expensive, lemonade was cheaper, but a cup of water was free. I was sold. "Can I please have a cup/glass of water?" has become quite the natural question when I do go out to eat.

Whether I go out to eat, drink at home, or take something with me to the park or whatever, I don't buy anything aside from food. I haven't come across a single place that has denied me a cup of water. The very worst case scenario was when I was dying of thirst and ran through a drive-thru. Because I wasn't ordering food, I was informed that I'd have to pay $0.16 for a small cup of water. Big whoop.

Want to be really frugal? Ask for no ice. Most restaurants have their drinks ready to serve cold. Since ice cubes take up more space than water, you'll get more water in your cup AND it will still be cold.

And please understand that I am not advocating drinking bottled water. If that is your solution, you've missed the point. Bottled water costs money and produces a ton of waste.

I have a water filter on my fridge at home that pumps out ice cold clean fresh water to me whenever I want it. If you don't have a fridge that does that, you can get a water filter for under $30. You can also purchase a thermos to carry water with you if you see fit. You can find those for under $13.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but putting a $30 investment into a water filter and $13 into a nice reusable water bottle is still LESS than that original amount we added up earlier.

These products would last for years, work out to be infinitely cheaper, reduce an unlimited amount of waste, and it's all completely healthy for you.

Click here to read some reasons why water is not only thrifty, but how it has a ton of great health benefits.

For the skeptics, I know you're considering how high my water bill must be because of how much I drink water at home... Well, for one, it isn't even a noticeable increase in our water bill, but furthermore, we conserve water like crazy at home. But that post is for another day.

If your wondering where I get my caffeine fix, I don't have one. I don't drink pop, tea, or coffee (coffee and tea costs money too, you know). I've learned that a human CAN survive without pumping caffeine into their system.

Eliminate Dryer Sheets and Minimize Fabric Softener

Want your clothes soft and static free AND cut back on costs? This tip is great.

Ingredients:

• A bottle of your favorite fabric softener
• A 2 gallon bucket
• A few sponges
• Water

Directions:

1. Pour the fabric softener into the bucket. 
2. Fill the empty fabric softener container with water. Pour into bucket.
3. Repeat Step 2.
4. Stir
5. Throw in sponges
6. Cover with lid or towel.

To Use:

1. Wash clothes without fabric softener.
2. Put clothes into dryer.
3. Wring out a sponge (or 2 - depending on load size). Toss in with the load.
4. Dry as usual.
5. Return sponges to bucket.

Your clothes will still be soft and static free. You are using a mere fraction of the amount of softener you'd normally be using AND you are eliminating your cost on dryer sheets.


Additional tip:

Find small container to store the sponges and a smaller amount of the liquid. This way, you can store it handy and you don't have the bucket in your way. Keep the remaining in the bucket, but out of the way.

Feel Green:

If you use this tip, you'll be eliminating the waste of your added fabric softener containers, the dryer sheets, and the dryer sheet box AND you will be using fewer chemicals in your clothes.

Another use:
Does your dog ever act strange when a thunderstorm is approaching? Some believe that they act this way because the canine feels an increase of static electricity in their fur. Wipe a little bit of this liquid on their fur and it will help remove the static, making them calm and fresh smelling all at the same time!

Let me know if you try it!

Guest Blogger: Thrifty (and Effective) Skin Care Tips

It's time for our very first guest blogger. Thrifty Reader Lynn wants to share her secrets on thrifty (and effective) skin care.

Take it away, Lynn:

I have really oily skin. It wasn't always like that, but I think with age it's gotten worse and worse. Face abuse or what have you. I always had mild to bad acne as a teen and I prayed and hoped that it would dissipate when I graduated to adulthood.

I have tried nearly every face wash from your local drug store. I even used Proactive, which worked for a couple months then it was back to what it was; oily and pimply. An esthetician had told me many of her clients that use Proactive have very dried out skin. I quit using it after that!

Mary Kay has an "Oily TimeWise" skin care line which I really do like. I think my skin was far too gone by then. 

The worst part? Everytime you go out to try something new, you end up sinking $25+. This, in end, will cost less than $20 if you buy generic.

What most people don't realize is that the oil our skin produces is healthy! When we use cleansers, we're stripping our skin of good oil which it is trying so hard to produce. This causes a vicious cycle. We try to keep our skin as non-oily as possible, while our skin is producing more oil to protect our skin. Thus oily skin.

So after a lot of research, I had a modge podge of different face regiments. Some of them were really expensive, I'm not spending $50 on a 5oz bottle of face wash that will HOPEFULLY work. Uncool. I found a couple that I was willing to try for a low investment. This is the first one I tried, and it's worked incredibly well for me. I noticed a difference within a few days. For some people it will take longer, it just depends how long it will take for your PH to balance out.

$0-$10: I use Mary Kay's TimeWise 3-In-1 Cleanser (combination to oily). I've read that Cetephil works wonderfully too. Try whatever you already have first!
$4-$9: Benzoyl peroxide acne cream (I use the strongest stuff I can find, which is usually 9%)

$5: The secret weapon - Vitamin E pills (Yes, like the kind you take in the morning. Walmart has them on sale occasionally - 2 bottles for $5! FTW!)

When you wake up in the morning, splash your face with cold water. It'll help waken up your skin and and take down the inflammation. Works better than cucumbers. Wash your face, you can use warm water. My biggest mistake was SPOT treating my acne, and not treating it like a war zone. I use a little bigger than a pea size and slather it on to my jaw line (my problem area). Do this wherever your areas are. Take a thumb tack and poke a hole in the Vitamin E pill and squeeze about half on to my finger. You can replug the pill with the thumb tack. Using a thumb tack helps you locate it as well if it drops on the floor. I dab it on both cheeks and one line across my forehead then I make sure to spread it everywhere. Don't forget your neck! Try to lay off the SPF and makeup for a while as it tends to inflame acne. Reintroduce it slowly after you feel your skin is ready. If you can't lay off all makeup, skip foundation at least.

It'll feel a little weird for the first couple days, but if your face is oily like mine you won't notice unless you touch your face (and if you're like me, you try to avoid touching at all costs anyways). And be forewarned, it does not smell like roses and peaches. Hopefully no ones getting that close to your face throughout the day though, and the one that is won't care. Hehe!

I've only been doing this for a few weeks. Not only has it cleared up immensely (and while PMS-ing? Miracle!), but it's glowing. I haven't used foundation in 2 weeks! I'm getting a lot of compliments too.

Once I feel like my PH has stabilized, I'm going to switch to using Vit. E only at night. When I switch to using the Vitamin E once a day at night I'll be using a moisturizer.

No one's skin is the same, so play around with it. Use the Vit E. once a day, every other day. Maybe it's the cleanser you're using. Maybe you have sensitive skin? Try that instead.

Here's an article with a list of the benefits of Vitamin E and skin!

"There are a variety of other benefits of vitamin e for skin care:
it helps maintain the skin’s oil balance during the cleansing process."

Another little trick? If your burn yourself apply Vitamin E to your burn. It'll help it heal quicker and you won't blister. =)

That's all, folks!

 These are great tips! Vitamin E promotes healing, so it is no wonder that you can use it for acne, scrapes, and burns. I hope you find these tips helpful to you!