The Cheapskate Master's 100 Ways To Save

By CJ Shipley

We all like money. We all wish we had more. Sadly, most of us have plenty, but don’t know how to keep it. It all goes to monthly bills, food, gas, and other things we think we have to pay for. The truth is everyone overpays for things, everyone spends money when they don’t need to, and everyone lets far more money slip through their fingers than they should. Well The Cheapskate Master’s 100 Ways to Save is here to help. It includes many simple and easy things you can do to save a ton of cash It also includes many less orthodox things that can save you even more. I hope you are enlightened, entertained, amused, or perhaps disgusted at least a couple of times, but most of all I hope it helps you save money.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CJ Shipley
• Release date: Dec 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301719419

CJ Shipley

I am a hard working, penny pinching, money conscious person, who loves to put and keep my money in the bank. Not greedy, but certainly thrifty and thankful for all that I have. My hobbies include couponing, flea market shopping (antiquing to be fancy), and finding new ways be make old things new again. I love to recycle and hate to see anything go to waste, especially money!

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Donald Trump wrote the definitive business book in 1993 called The Art Of The Deal. He explains that deal making is actually an art form. The more you understand this and study deal making, just like art, the more successful you can be at it. He, of course, is the master deal maker. The Donald.

I have never considered myself a master deal maker. Not even a novice deal maker. But I have worked diligently for years at my own art form, attuning a rare skill that most don’t consider a skill at all; saving money. How can that be a skill? How can you get good at saving money and getting free stuff unless of course you are deceitful and a thief? Well I have written this book to explain.

As you continue to read I hope you are enlightened, entertained, amused, or perhaps disgusted at least a couple of times. I have included many simple and easy things you can do to save a ton of money. I have also included many less orthodox things that you might also consider. But of course to maximize savings and keep as much money as possible, I have also included some extreme things that might disgust you or perhaps they won’t. Perhaps you will find several new easy and extreme ways to improve your budget and build your own wealth.

They key to a book like this is finding your own balance. No one can tell you and your family exactly what they should do to save. Of course, all of the things in the book could be utilized, but using all of them may not lead to the happiest of lives. You have to do what you and your family are comfortable with. You can still live a good life, enjoy treats, have fun, and still tighten down the spending. Most cheapskates do not view their lifestyle as work, but as a game or an adventure. Nonetheless, you have to be happy. And if buying managers special meats or using non-disposable toilet paper keeps you from being happy, you should probably not try those in your house.

Not everything is this book is for everyone. That is for you to decide. There are lots of choices for how to make more money, save more money, and best put that money to use. It is up to you to find the right things for your household. I hope you enjoy the fruits of my research and somewhat disturbing lifestyle. While I can’t guarantee how much money you will save, I can ensure you that trying different methods for the first time can be an eye opening experience.

WE ALL HAVE TO EAT

SEMINAR DINNERS

We have all seem them come in the mail. Most people immediately put them in the junk mail pile. Sadly that is the wrong thing to do. Getting certificates to attend a seminar or product demo class in exchange for dinner is a great way to get a free dinner. Who cares what they are promoting. Who cares what they are going to tell you about. The important thing is the free dinner! These are commonly sent out to promote a real estate buying program, a child safety seminar, or investment advice. Of course they will try to sell you their products or services at the dinner. Of course they will be hard selling. That is the point of you being there (as far as they are concerned). Just stay focused on the free meal and take enjoyment from their show. In the end, you walk away with a full stomach and a full wallet.

ROTATE AMONG FAMILY AND FRIENDS

A tradition my family enjoys is swapping dinners with family and friends. We have a regular rotation of dinner at other people’s houses. This provides us with multiple care free dinners each month, as we do it once a week or so. When it is our turn to host we are careful to provide a good dinner for everyone utilizing coupons and shopping tricks to keep it as least expensive as possible. Nonetheless, the one meal we provide for others is in exchange for three or four meals at their house. It is a huge win for everyone.

SHOP TRUE OUTLETS

First, what do I mean by true outlets? These are actually warehouse closeout, damaged packaging, dirt cheap outlet centers. This is important because the savings at so called outlets, that are not really, will save you little to no money. But true outlets will save you truck loads. Watch expiration dates and look for open packaging, but other than that it is the same as your local grocery stores. Will a box of cereal taste different because the box got smashed? Nope. Will a can of soup taste bad because the label is torn? Heck no! But retailers don’t want these poor looking products on their shelf, so they end up at outlets. Take them home, enjoy the same food for a fraction of the price, and don’t pay more for pretty labels and boxes.

VENDING MACHINE ARE EVIL

Ok, to be fair, the vending machines are not actually evil. They provide a great service by providing snacks, drinks, and other quick consumption items at convenient locations. They fill a need and are used every second of the day by millions of people around the globe. But here is the down side. Like any product or service, the convenience of it has value. Therefore, the seller (in this case the vending machine), gets to charge more for its products. That is good for the companies, but bad for you. Avoid needing the convenience and carry your own snacks. Keep some handy at work and at school. Get rid of the possible need to buy a snack. I personally have a desk drawer at work dedicated to food. It has saved me a ton of money, keeping me from buying $1 snack cakes or $1 candy bars. I hold no contempt for the vending machines, but if