Embrace the saving habit and it will stand you in good stead your whole life
Suddenly, I am a cool guy.
Savings habits I've preached and practiced for years - and the realization that avoiding waste is being smart, not a cheapskate - are now in vogue.
With continued economic uncertainty, I run across an almost daily stream of common-sense (but frequently neglected) savings tips from consumer groups, businesses, and readers.
Here are two from members of America Saves, run by the Consumer Federation of America (www.AmericaSaves.org). They save not only money but energy.
"Obeying the speed limit will help you save in many ways," said Corrine Michniak, of Wisconsin. "You'll avoid speeding tickets, prevent higher auto insurance premiums, reduce the risks of accidents, and save gas."
"Put miles on your bike instead of driving to work. The exercise is an added energy bonus in an energy crisis," said Barb Gorzinski, of Washington.
My wife, Georgina, and I don't have a bike but routinely walk to any place no more than a mile away.
Besides wasted gas, let's look inside our cluttered homes for savings. A survey by Kijiji.com, a free website for classified ads, found 35 unused items on average in American homes.
For those items gathering dust, we spent $3,600 on average, according to the survey. But at least we could get an estimated $670 back if we resell them (or we may qualify for a tax deduction if we donate to charity).
"My wife and I have paid for vacations, TVs, and other major purchases from the proceeds of our rummage sales," said Marty Pfeiffer, a reader in Wisconsin. "There is also peace of mind that comes from simplification and cleaning."
Georgina and I are pretty good at not buying stuff we don't need, but if things start accumulating (old clothes), we sell or donate them right away.
Big savings can also result from minor acts. The September issue of ShopSmart, a publication from Consumer Reports, suggests keeping the air-conditioner set no lower than 72 degrees when home, and 80-85 when away. Even in the Florida summer, we're quite comfortable running the ceiling fans and keeping the thermostat in the mid-70s.
Another way to save is find less expensive entertainment, recommends PeopleJam.com, a self-improvement website. Going to the park, free cultural events (many held at local libraries or community centers), and going to the beach/lake are all "great entertainment that don't cost much money," PeopleJam says.
"We all buy things out of boredom, for entertainment, as a reward, or for other reasons not all that practical. If you seek out interesting hobbies and other ways to spend your time, you can create a life that is very rewarding and costs very little," says Pfeiffer, the Wisconsin reader.
Humberto Cruz is a columnist for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He can be reached at AskHumberto@aol.com. 