A dwindling economy doesn’t mean you have to downsize your marriage, nor does it mean life has to be bland. In fact, Andrew and I hardly feel the effect of the recession in our tiny apartment and life in general. There are several survival tips we’ve created to spice it up or add a little flavor to savor. Although, we’re not as tight on the Dave Ramsey budget as usual…our main goal is still saving as much as possible and not spending on unnecessary things or things that can wait. The key is to live on less than your paycheck. We cut out one-half to three-fourths of our paychecks and try to live on bare minimum.
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It works until someone decides to splurge on something nice that can wait (I’m referring to Andrew’s recent purchase on some so-called, REALLY NICE, REALLY GOOD DEAL home theatre speakers). They were a good deal until he had to buy a receiver, cables, and whatnot to hook it all up. He just has an expensive hobby! My idea was to use what we have now, which is a small NICE speaker system perfect for a small 860sq ft apartment, and a new NICER system would just bust out our windows and walls! My philosophy is to either use what you have or get something cheap until you save up for the big thing later. Why the rush…some things CAN wait?! Especially if you’re a student, a newly-wed, or just don’t have the money. It makes saving up more fun and something to look forward to :-)
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Some of our ideas and experiences may not be applicable among all couples or even families, but it’s worth the try especially if you have some of these resources in your area.
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Your home a little bare, having a party this weekend, or just want to window shop…
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Shop Estate Sales (or even Yard Sales)!
This is where you will find the lowest of the lowest of prices!! They have everything from books, gadgets, dinnerware, table cloths, clothes, spices, Christmas décor, appliances, to furniture and even baby stuff!! Some of it is junk and some is high class. We have gone from the oh-so-stinky we had to do a quick walk-through at a house all under one breath (just to be polite to not expose our sour and green faces), to the pleasant, multi-million dollar homes. We go just about every weekend and don’t always go to get something, but just enjoy window shopping. Just to name a few of our apartment additions from estate sales… a vintage, marble top table - $200; my bedside lamp (compliments Andrew’s bedside lamp very well) - $16; 140 piece casual china that compliments our registry items - $80; extraordinary red, leather top coffee table - $20; antique table - $10; vintage painting - $60; 30 cloth napkins - $5; 8 white dessert bowls - $12; matching serving bowl - $2; clear glass pitcher that matched one we got from our registry - $10; vases - $1; books - $2; vintage jewelry - $3-20; dress from the 20’s - $8; beautiful crystal decanter - $30; and so much more!! This is also a great place to get silly things, too – like costumes or gag gifts. Click Estate Sales to check out sales in your area.
This is where you will find the lowest of the lowest of prices!! They have everything from books, gadgets, dinnerware, table cloths, clothes, spices, Christmas décor, appliances, to furniture and even baby stuff!! Some of it is junk and some is high class. We have gone from the oh-so-stinky we had to do a quick walk-through at a house all under one breath (just to be polite to not expose our sour and green faces), to the pleasant, multi-million dollar homes. We go just about every weekend and don’t always go to get something, but just enjoy window shopping. Just to name a few of our apartment additions from estate sales… a vintage, marble top table - $200; my bedside lamp (compliments Andrew’s bedside lamp very well) - $16; 140 piece casual china that compliments our registry items - $80; extraordinary red, leather top coffee table - $20; antique table - $10; vintage painting - $60; 30 cloth napkins - $5; 8 white dessert bowls - $12; matching serving bowl - $2; clear glass pitcher that matched one we got from our registry - $10; vases - $1; books - $2; vintage jewelry - $3-20; dress from the 20’s - $8; beautiful crystal decanter - $30; and so much more!! This is also a great place to get silly things, too – like costumes or gag gifts. Click Estate Sales to check out sales in your area.
Far right table - yard sale $10 (spray painted black); couches and Pier One tall vase on far left - Big Lots; red coffee table (barely visible) estate sale; Derby posters (framed by local friends of our family in Brandenburg) - clearance at BB&B
Chair - estate sale $10; vintage marble top table - estate sale; lamp - Target; vintage art painting on floor (waiting to be repaired and framed but will go above lamp) - estate sale
Shop Clearance or Display items!
This is the first spot Andrew hits when we go to Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Macy’s, or whatnot. There were even things we could complete off our registry for cheap!! Items in these sections are marked down because they were on display, opened items, or damaged. The secret…is simple! We registered for a stainless-steel garbage can at BB&B that was $178 and found it in clearance because the lid had a dent. We bought it for $80 and still used our gift cards and coupons!!. Andrew thought he could hammer the small dent out…but just made it worst. Then called the manufacturing company and they shipped him a new lid at no cost!!!!
This is the first spot Andrew hits when we go to Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Macy’s, or whatnot. There were even things we could complete off our registry for cheap!! Items in these sections are marked down because they were on display, opened items, or damaged. The secret…is simple! We registered for a stainless-steel garbage can at BB&B that was $178 and found it in clearance because the lid had a dent. We bought it for $80 and still used our gift cards and coupons!!. Andrew thought he could hammer the small dent out…but just made it worst. Then called the manufacturing company and they shipped him a new lid at no cost!!!!
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With Andrew being the tech-nerd, he can’t stand clutter so that means…no picture frames for me (I LOVE pictures but was able to sneak in a few). However, he’s always been a fan of the digital picture frames. We now have 2 (1 to display wedding photos and the other vacation photos) bought off display and still work great - that means they were at least half off and we could still use our coupons.
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Other items with slashed prices…red Lenox wine glasses for the holidays (4 for $20), Waterford ornament ($70 off), Martha Stewart dessert goblets ($0.99/glass!!), and much more!
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Tired of sitting on the couch, running out of cheap date ideas, or getting hungry…
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Discover your neighborhood or local parks and take a walk
We are fortunate to live in a beautiful area of Memphis, Mud Island…so we take frequent walks throughout the charming neighborhood. In fact, just a couple weeks ago, we discovered new small parks and trails behind the houses and through the woods! It was beautiful and peaceful. I can’t last longer than 30min – 1 hour on the couch or doing nothing…so where we live often rescues my sanity.
We are fortunate to live in a beautiful area of Memphis, Mud Island…so we take frequent walks throughout the charming neighborhood. In fact, just a couple weeks ago, we discovered new small parks and trails behind the houses and through the woods! It was beautiful and peaceful. I can’t last longer than 30min – 1 hour on the couch or doing nothing…so where we live often rescues my sanity.
Our first time exploring the park and our neighborhood the 1st week as newly-weds!
Hit a farmers market or local orchard
While in Louisville, KY, our local orchard was Huber’s Orchard and Winery…where we pick strawberries, pumpkins, and sample their wines fresh off the vines. Not only was it a cheap date, but also cheaper products! We love tasting their fresh, homemade food/wine. Here in Memphis, we’ve hit the local farmer’s market for the best free-range, aged beef, vegetables, flowers, fruits, and even homemade lotion and soap made with goat milk. You definitely get the best deal on produce here as opposed to your chain grocery! There are also tons of farms and orchards. Not only have we’ve picked fresh, ripe strawberries, but just last weekend we picked the most juicy, lip-smacking peaches at Jone’s Orchard! The key, is to stock up and freeze. Andrew’s mom even gave us tips on preserving the peaches…boil for about a minute, dip in cold water to peel the skin, and bag to freeze. We have been able to make homemade strawberry ice cream and cakes, and now we’ll make peach cobbler and peach ice cream!!
While in Louisville, KY, our local orchard was Huber’s Orchard and Winery…where we pick strawberries, pumpkins, and sample their wines fresh off the vines. Not only was it a cheap date, but also cheaper products! We love tasting their fresh, homemade food/wine. Here in Memphis, we’ve hit the local farmer’s market for the best free-range, aged beef, vegetables, flowers, fruits, and even homemade lotion and soap made with goat milk. You definitely get the best deal on produce here as opposed to your chain grocery! There are also tons of farms and orchards. Not only have we’ve picked fresh, ripe strawberries, but just last weekend we picked the most juicy, lip-smacking peaches at Jone’s Orchard! The key, is to stock up and freeze. Andrew’s mom even gave us tips on preserving the peaches…boil for about a minute, dip in cold water to peel the skin, and bag to freeze. We have been able to make homemade strawberry ice cream and cakes, and now we’ll make peach cobbler and peach ice cream!!
Andrew...really never serious...never mind him while my girlfriends and I pick some peaches!
Become a member of Costco and shop!Costco is not only a great place to purchase bulk items at a great price, but it’s also our traditional Sunday dates after church! We window shop and get what we need, sample food, and on our way out…sit on a bench and enjoy our $1.50 lunch…i.e. split a polish and drink! Careful though…Andrew’s last bite of polish jumped out at him and bounced off his nice dress pants…talk about comical ;)
Candlelit dinner and other FREE ideas…
I know it sounds cliché, but Andrew made me a romantic dinner after I got off night shift on our 10 month anniversary…he used our new casual china we got at the estate sale, our crystal wine glasses from our registry, and put candles and our wedding centerpiece on the table. It was very sweet and fun!
I know you may think…”what’s FREE?” Easy…test drive your favorite cars, window shop and try on things you can’t afford (that includes extravagant jewelry), tour open houses, attend free local events, and check out your city government’s website to scope out museums, zoos, etc. that may be free on certain days. NOTE: Do not attempt if you can’t resist temptation!!!
Andrew says, "Did you ever think while you were scribbling on this table as a little girl, you'd be eating on this same table with your husband?" I said, "I had my birthday parties on this table!!!" This was my mom and dad's 1st kitchen table until our family grew :)
Last but not least on the savings...Hold onto it as long as you can…be Mr./Mrs. Fix-it!
Andrew and I have been very fortunate to grow up in families where there was a lot of fixing going on. In fact, I don’t ever remember my dad hiring someone to come in and fix our pool leaks/pump, change the oil, fix the car motors or any type of motor, add on to our house, etc. There were times he had assistance…but for the most part…we never saw a stranger! My parents held on to almost all their appliances and vehicles for at least 20 years (including TVs!!). And, Andrew’s dad and brother are engineers...so it’s in his family as well. Needless to say, Andrew is almost always with his hobby (electronics) and fixing it up. He even bought a fairly new computer PC at an estate sale for $3 (they said lightning struck it)…he knew how to fix it.
Our cars…well, he says he will NEVER buy a Pontiac (I have a 2003 Grand Prix). High on miles but still running and Andrew has been able to fix the AC settings, my clock/radio, air filter, etc. Pontiac motors make it more complicating to DIY (do-it-yourself), but with today’s World Wide Web…he was able to research and even find videos on how to repair things on specific models and let me get my hands dirty as well. He has a 1995 “Green Dragon” (aka Mercury Cougar) that still runs probably better than my car! A new car is in our budget…but not until either one breaks or we have the cash to pay in full!
Sell unwanted or unused items!Since Andrew bought some new speakers…he has been going through some things to get rid of…and recently…out of all his nice electronics, the first of all items and the most hit item that we posted on my work bulletin board…is the silly Beatles Lava Lamp!!! Sold it for $75!!! We’ve found that selling local is much cheaper than posting it on eBay.
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