This past week, Q-line asked: With the price for seemingly everything on the rise, people are having to make tough decisions to cut corners and save pennies. What are you doing to offset the cost for everyday goods and services?
Here are your responses: “LIKE MOST OTHER PEOPLE, I AM CUTTING back drastically on all my spending. Luxuries are gone including vacations, entertainment, dining out and expensive gift giving. Only the basics remain and those I watch very carefully. The country is in a mess.”
“A WELL KNOWN ADAGE THAT HAS circulated over the years suggests that a fool and his money are soon parted. Not wanting to be a fool, I’m giving up on my wants and sharpening my pencil when purchasing my needs. There are still deals out there for the prudent shopper. An example being the 35 oz. can of coffee I normally purchase sells for $13 when not on sale, $5.99 when on sale. When on sale I purchase three cans in an attempt to bide me over until the next sale. A $21 savings on one product I normally use is not too shabby. My simple message is, stock up on those items you normally use when on sale. Also, keep in mind that product coupons are gifts from the manufacture and may be used as cash when purchasing their products. Most markets double the face value of the coupon. I refer to coupons as manna from heaven especially for those products I normally purchase. I’m still not sure what to do about the price of gasoline. Gasoline deals are not abundant so any savings in mileage are the keys to savings. When I do drive, I combine many destinations on any outing. Another adage suggests, waste not want not.”
“WE COULD SAVE BIG BUCKS IF OUR commie City Council would stop taxing us 10 percent on our gas, electric and phone bills. They lied when they promised us a rebate for our water bills when they made a settlement for the polluted wells and instead have given us two water rate raises. Also, we could let Beverly Hills collect our garbage. Every city seems to be able to collect their garbage for half of what we pay. All we do is pay for Santa Monicans for Renters Rights’ insane social programs.”
“THE MAIN THING IS TO DRIVE AS LITTLE as possible and instead use a bicycle or walk because gasoline is so expensive thanks to Bush. One other thing is to not vote for Republicans. Every time we get Republicans running things our economy goes down the toilet and we get another depression like we are in now.”
“I TRY TO MAINTAIN A LOW OVERHEAD.
I’m hanging on with all my claws to my rent controlled apartment. I’m using coupons and waiting until the item on the coupon comes on sale. I’m considering taking my $600 rebate to Ralphs to tack on an additional $60, which is their offer on a gift card situation. I don’t have a car and I take the Big Blue Bus so right there I’m saving tons of money. I’m making less trips to Whole Foods where you can spend $50 on one shopping trip for a couple meals and some treats and wonder how in the world did you just spend $50.“ “IN THE BEGINNING I LIVED BENEATH my means because I had to, but then I continued because I was proud to. It became a way of life and a style and I love it. I clip coupons, I look for sales, check the mileage of a car before I even look it and I also love that Big Blue Bus.”
“I TAKE THE BUS INSTEAD OF DRIVING, that saves gasoline. When I go to the grocery store I just buy things on sale and necessary items and the same with going shopping for clothes. I make sure that I buy something on sale.”
“AS A FAIRLY NEW DISABLED PERSON, what I’m doing to stretch dollars is take the Dial a Ride bus and be more savvy about transportation. I believe that we should use bikes if possible or share rides or take the bus and of course try to keep this environment clean.”
“HAVING SPENT A LIFETIME OF BEING carefully frugal, but not cheap, I will continue to watch what I spend on. Being in a minority when it comes to realizing that nothing in life is free, unlike so many progressives in this town, I will continue to tighten my belt like many other times in my life and do less rather than burden myself or taxpayers with any unnecessary or unearned needs.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 10, 2008. Read the original PDF.