A Departure... of sorts.

I've spent the better part of the morning listening to Bernanke talk about the sad state of our economy. I'm discouraged. He keeps talking about how we got here, but not a lot about good solutions for improvements.

Gas prices are up. Food prices are up. When income can't possibly keep up with inflation, what is there to do?

Well, here's what we're doing.

• We're driving a lot less. Hubby is picking up things we need at Target, or Walmart, or Home Depot on his way home from work. He drives right by the stores, so why make a trip when we don't have to? The local grocery and hardware store are within walking/biking distance, so if we need something right away, we're using our own physical power, instead of gas.
• We're eating out less. We don't go out to eat very often anyway, but now it's really not an option.
• We're using our Sam's Club membership much more. Since we're eating at home more, we're buying in bulk. It absolutely saves us money.
• We are absolutely not installing the window air conditioner this year. On hot days, I close up the house by noon, and use box fans to keep the air moving. It was 101 degree heat index last Thursday. Our house stayed at a comfortable 83 degrees.
• We are turning off lights when we don't need them. They throw heat during the day, so keeping them off keeps the house cool.
• We're tending and nurturing our garden. Right now, we have raspberries, black raspberries, peas, cucumbers and tomatoes starting to come in. Have you seen how much tomatoes cost at the grocery store?! Not to mention the salmonella scare? Our gardens are organic, and we know whose hands have touched the food.
• We are watering our gardens with rain water we've collected in plastic barrels. I refuse to pay for water, when it's only used for watering.
• On cool days, we make our own bread. Granted, the Kitchen Aid mixer my mom bought for us years ago, makes it a much easier process, but still, when a loaf of bread is almost $2.00, making our own is cost effective.
• We're buying 3 to 5 dozen eggs, instead of a dozen at a time. Much cheaper.
• Our kids are drinking much more water, much less juice and pop. It may even save on dentist bills down the road.
• And, we are using our library cards.

I'm sure there are other things we're doing, but these are the ones I can think of right now.

What are you doing to cut costs?

Freelancing acquisitions

If you’re a freelance writer and you want to write for magazines, odds are you need to actually read the magazines you wish to write for. News stand prices can be a bit steep for a writer who is trying to keep overhead low. Here’s how I manage to read magazines, without blowing my budget.

Ask friends, family and local business owners if you can borrow or have their old issues. You’ll be surprised at how many of them will be thrilled to let you have the publications that would otherwise end up in the trash or recycling bins.

Go to your local library. If they don’t have the title you’re looking for, ask the librarian to add it to their subscription list. It won’t cost you a cent to read them there, with the added benefit of some quiet time.

Sometimes magazines offer free subscriptions in the hopes the reader will like it so much, they’ll renew at the end of the free term. Type “free magazine subscription” into your search engine and see what’s available.

Subscribe to or become a member of a “frugal” or “freebies and bargains” message board or forum. You’ll find not only information about free or inexpensive magazines, but other items you might need.

Shop around. If the only option available is to pay for a subscription, look for the best price available. You should never have to pay full retail price for a magazine when you subscribe.

Paperback Swap

I mentioned Paperback Swap in my last post. I thought I’d write a little bit more about it.

Paperback Swap is an online book swapping club for book lovers all over the United States. Cull through your accumulating book collection (hardbacks are fine, too), post 9 or more books (by ISBN number) you’re willing to part with, and you instantly acquire 3 credits. You can order 3 books right away because 1 credit = 1 book.

When someone orders your book, you print out two pieces of paper and wrap the book in them to be mailed. You pay the cost of shipping the book (Media Mail rates), usually less than 3 dollars. When your book is received by the person who requested it, you gain a credit.

When I need a book, Paperback Swap is the first place I look. Check them out!

Frugal Freelancing

I've spent the last few months preparing for the start of my freelancing career. I've always been a writer, but never really, truly believed there could be pay for my words. Brand new, sturdy, knotty pine, handmade (thanks handsome and handy husband) bookcases now stand in my office. Books and magazines are exactly where I can find them - with some immediacy, even.

My office is perfection. The color palette is soft blue and blush rose. There are windows to my left and right. Fresh coffee is fifty feet away. Parking is on street, but traffic is minimal. My morning commute is about 10 seconds. That's right, I work at home.

Overhead costs are low for my line of work, but the pay is also sporadic. With back-to-school sales imminent, I'll be deviating from the kids' school supplies lists - just a bit.

My list tends to run parallel with theirs -

• Pencils
• Pens
• Staples
• Highlighters
• Pocket Folders
• 3 Ring Binders
• Paper

Other places I shop for office supplies -

• Yard Sales
• Thrift Shops
• Goodwill
• Surplus Stores

September isn't that far away, start stocking up now.