Comments on: The Readers Speak Out: Their 25 Best Actions for Saving Money

By: Marcus

Marcus — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:55:02 +0000

Thanks for the tip Chris. Venturebankdirect.com has been a great find. Currently getting 3.6% APY on my savings account. I understand they are in the process of launching an online checking account as well.

By: save money

save money — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:56:47 +0000

Thanks for the heads up.

By: chris

chris — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:05:40 +0000

I was dissapointed with my bank so I shopped online savings accounts and found Venture Bank Direct. Much better rates than any brick and mortar bank. 3.8% APY and it was quick and easy to set up.

By: NP

NP — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:43:21 +0000

I use many of the mentioned strategies to stretch my dollars. I also save all loose change in jars–My husband and I are loathe to ever spend change! It can add up to 30-50 dollars per month if you use a lot of cash.

Also we have saved a lot of money on our Discover Account in Discover dollars. We have over 500 dollars there because we never tap into it. I am trying to make my savings more fruitful by purchasing a CD every month from ING.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:47:37 +0000

The library is a big one. I’m reading a few books a week lately, and although sometimes I have to wait to get the book I want, it saves a ton of money. $10-$15+ for each book as compared to buying new.

By: Shanna

Shanna — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:12:11 +0000

Great list. Great idea to reach out to your audience and get their feedback. It makes it that much more credible than what I may read in a magazine. ha ha Anyway, I came by your site today from No Credit Needed (http://www.ncnblog.com). Thanks for the post. Shanna

By: David Nofsinger

David Nofsinger — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:51:07 +0000

I think along with the “getting rid of magazines” could also be to stay away from HGTV. Almost every show I see they are gutting out kitchens and bathrooms and spending a lot of money in the process. Everyone wants to be surrounded by pretty things, I can’t blame them. I think however that HGTV motivates people into getting things that they don’t need, or fixing a house that isn’t “broken”.

By: Cari

Cari — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:51:39 +0000

As a librarian, I’m very happy to see the library shout-outs here. I agree about the women’s magazine thing. It can be really depressing to read those when you can’t afford the stuff in them, although you can probably come up with the looks from consignment stores and more inexpensive makeup. Getting back to the library thing, though, if reading women’s magazines is really your thing, you can always get them from the library to cut back on spending (I flip through them on my lunch break). Also, don’t forget you can ask the librarian for a reading list if you want the guilty pleasure of an escape without the spending temptation. There are a lot of great chick lit titles that require little thought but are well-written and fun.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:11:50 +0000

I’m surprised that no one mentioned shopping at thrift Stores for home wares, clothing, books, etc… I never buy anything without first checking my local thrift stores. I shop mostly at Goodwill because I feel good knowing my money is going to a great organization. I recently bought two brand new casual two-piece outfits with the Nordstrom tags still on them. They retailed in Nordstroms for $208! I paid $12 total! In my opinion not taking advantage of these resources is like throwing money away.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:08:17 +0000

@Maureen: I think an even stronger case against women’s magazines is that the features many times are veiled advertisements which attempt you to buy products and services and watch television shows. I think this point is more compelling than the sheer quantity of advertising in these mags.

By: oliver_optic

oliver_optic — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:50:26 +0000

‘other transportation options available to you – a bicycle, buses, trains’ I am to old to ride a bike, we do not have trains and the bus service sucks. So how do I get to work?

By: Jenzer

Jenzer — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:41:38 +0000

I agree that “women’s magazines” can be an indirect drain on the pocketbook and a direct drain on self-esteem, which also has associated costs (like an overall feeling of reduced energy and well-being).

However, I do find value in certain magazines that are geared *toward* women, but are not necessarily traditional women’s magazines. Clean Eating and ShopSmart come to mind.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:27:53 +0000

@ Kim,
I was the one who said it in the original article. I am suprised that noone else suggested it, thus putting it on the final list. Oh well. :(

By: Battra92

Battra92 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:00:24 +0000

I agree with them all … except the one about the car. It’s not possible to give up a car in Western MA. I remember when I was in college people from outside the area never quite understood that there are very few buses here and bicycling 10 miles to get to work/college was not my idea of fun.

Of course now that I’m in the real world and I have to drive 50 miles a day (round trip) I carpool twice a week to save on gas.

As for the women’s mags, I can’t say I’m surprised. I’d also add the Style Network and Oprah to that list. Hey let’s have a show where we tell people they look like rag pickers and then force them to buy expensive clothing or have a hypocrite with weight and emotional issues tell you that your life is a lie.

Seriously, why do people beat themselves up by reading/watching that crap?

By: Janell

Janell — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:44:16 +0000

Great list but, I have a question about the cable-I really like to listen to Fox news it is the only unbiased news out there other than talk radio- I have direct tv and am unable to get Foxnews unless I get the big package- Any ideas on that would love to give it up but, the other stations are not anything I prefer to listen to at this time. I have bugged the Direct Tv company but, they just offer me more channels for less. Not what I want I want a basic package for LESS and includes some of the stuff we watch.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:22:23 +0000

I’m surprised by #20 but wholly in agreement!! I never read those magazines anymore; they are just full of junk. I’m also pretty sure they make up most of their “statistics” such as “59% of men admit they like doing THIS with their woman!” And once I saw how retouched and airbrushed those models are, it made me want to read those magazines even less. All they do is perpetuate an image and lifestyle most women can never have, though many have tried. (Get this handbag for only 2,499! What a steal!)
Makes me afraid to have daughters; I’ll have to be constantly monitoring them so they aren’t over-exposed to this and become self-conscious about themselves at an early age like many girls do now. It’s just sad.

By: SS

SS — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:38:16 +0000

This list is great. I like the water pur. I am going to check that out. I think our water has
too much calcium where I live. The appliance man told me that too. So, I think I will try this. Thanks. Water is important. I want to suggest buying everything used at yard sales, garage sales, such as clothing, furniture. I have found some great buys. Shopping is too expensive. Check them out. I got a great couch set designer for $50.00. He delivered it too. I have found great deals. People need the money too. You will help a lot of people out.

By: SimplicityinKansas

SimplicityinKansas — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:08:55 +0000

Interesting list. Thanks for sharing.

By: cv

cv — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:23:52 +0000

A friend gave me her old bridal magazines when I got engaged recently, and I totally agree that these sorts of magazines are great at making you feel like you need to spend lots of money. I think the fashion and single women-oriented magazines are much worse than the more family and mother-oriented ones. Cosmo, Elle, Lucky (an entire magazine about shopping!) and Vogue are full of hot trends and products to buy. Family Circle and some of the others that have recipes and such aren’t nearly as bad.

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:39:38 +0000

@Paul,

I believe someone did say that in the original article. Today Trent was giving us a list of the most frequent readers’ recommendations from the other day.