Colony News: Dollars and Sense

Let's all get financially sound!

Integrate one or many of these money saving tips into your life for
some great benefits:

1. Pack a lunch-You can save over $500 a year or more, simply by foregoing buying your lunch everyday, and taking a packed lunch.

2. Carpool-With gas being anywhere from $3.00 and up per gallon, carpooling can be an instant way to save alot of money. See if your job has a carpooling fund, that will often help pay for your venture to and from work if you carpool. If you don't live far, invest in a bus pass, so on days when the weather is okay to great, a nice walk to the bus stop and a quick trip will get you to work with no hassle. Or simply head in to work or school with a group, take turns driving, and filling up. This can save you over $2,000 per year.

3. Coupons-Look on online coupon sites like Current Codes or Coupon Mountain for discounts on many websites or free shipping coupons. Also check out coupons in your weekly paper for discounts on everything from toilet paper to spaghetti sauce. Every little cent helps, and this could sace you $200 or more per year.

4. Invest in a good pair of tennis shoes- You can cancel that gym membership if you can walk and you have a great pair of shoes. Everything from walking, running, tennis, and jumping rope can be done outside or inside the home, can burn some serious calories, and can save you $70 per month on that pricy gym membership you rarely use. Or, get a pair of inline skates, and skate your way to fitness. Throw in a stability ball and a pair of handweights, and you can duplicate many of the exercises you do at the gym at home for the price of a months membership, that will last for years. Savings: over $800 per year.

5. Deep Freezer: You can buy meats and such when they are on sale, pack them, and keep them for when you need them. In the winter when things like hot dogs are cheaper, stack up for summer barbeques. Make spaghetti sauces, chili, and soups and freeze them when veggies are on sale. You can actually save tons of money this way...up to $500 per year if you buy at farmer's markets.

6. Tailor-Do you have a long denim skirt that is out of style, some pants that just don't fit the bill anymore, a boring trench. You can have all of this stuff updated by your tailor into classic and chic styles. Cut off that long denim skirt into one that hits at the knee, add a short split at the front for movement, and you have a piece that works from work to play. Cut those pants off, and make a pair of cropped pants, perfect for wearing with boots and sandals in the summer. Put some new buttons on that trench, cut it to knee length, and use the bottom portion to make a belt. You have a Burberry style trench that will last for years. These sort of changes can show you a savings of up to $1000 per year on new clothing.

Try out these money savers...if you have some of your own, e-mail them to us at
ahoneybee@gmail.com, with COLONY in the subject. We will feature your suggestions next week.