Now, here are a few specifics to help save money:
- Pay the high costs for only required specific branding. These expenses are routinely reimbursed, but there are always hidden costs that are freely out of pocket:
- outer uniform/suiting with specific company logo
- shoes required by the school/employer
- tangible supplies required with brand logo
- under-armor, supportive wear required
- public relations entertainment
- Second-hand thrift stores, yard sales, are smart
- Buy outer clothing that can be professionally dry-cleaned. Dress shirts, suiting, athletic sportswear, and outer coats without fur or fleece, are safe items that can be professionally cleaned to look professional.
- Avoid shoes, fur/fleece/flannel clothing, and any foundation clothing; they are used and may have contaminants that can not be easily eliminated. Use your own judgment if they are in the original manufactured packaging and make sure they are whites easily laundered with bleach. It is always best to buy them new at local department stores.
- Use caution with outdated fad-fashion. Revival fads are never recommended. Select outerwear that reflects a standard, traditional, classic professional banker/finance appearance.
- Avoid suiting with large lapels and double-breasted that may reflect popular fad from the 'Disco 1970s.'
- Avoid suiting with tiny lapels and narrow or wide slacks as they also may reflect popular fad from the early 1960 and the bell-bottoms from the 1970s.
- Avoid prints fabrics and stay with dark solids. Black should be worn Monday-Thursday and use navy blue or dark brown for casual Friday if permitted. Striped or plaids can be too controversial: Too wide, too loud, too thin, etc. Save the prints for fun during dress activities in your private life.
- Any tangible hard item that can be easily cleaned with household cleansers can be cheaply purchased: books, wall decor, wood furniture, office supply/equipment, stationery, rubber mats. Again, always avoid fur/fleece/porous materials and select smooth surfaces for easy cleaning.
- A second-hand consignment may not be really less expensive
- Consignment shops are often more expensive depending on the individual exchange policy as they sell for their clients. They are traditionally selective with their clients and merchandise they sell.
- Use them as a last resort for specific labels on clothing, home furnishing.
- Again, the same suggestions apply as listed under second-hand thrift, yard sales.
- Discount department stores and dollar stores can help:
- Sadly discount stores often have low prices due to mass marketing and mass supply/demand. Their prices are very low and often lower than the dollar store. Select grocery, households, electronics, toiletries, foundation wear, and hardware at these discount department stores.
- For items over $1 at the discount department stores, shop the dollar stores to select items for $1.
- Grocery - Eat healthy to live, not live to eat
- For suppers at home: When cooking, freeze leftovers for later. If the dish cannot be frozen, don't make it. This is great with suppers at home; 'TV dinners' from the freezer to the microwave.
- Use the crock-pot on slow, medium for all night cooking and use for your lunches for the next three days. One chicken breast in the crock-pot will allow three lunches at work in a sandwich or on crackers. This will save a fortune on deli meals at work/school if you have access to a refrigerator. Meats and dairy must be refrigerated.
- If your health allows and you do not have access to a refrigerator, peanut butter with celery or other raw vegetables or crackers is a great alternative to meats and dairy for lunch. Remember your goal is to save money and maintain good health.
- Use a large thermos or sports bottle for beverages rather than purchase drinks. The drink machine or soda fountains are always expensive. They add up.
- Utilities at home
- Keep lights, electric switches turned off when a room is not in use. Unplug any electric appliance if possible when they are not used.
- Avoid heating/air controls and use a portable fan/heater in the room you are using. Make sure they are safe in proper working order and use with caution by moving the appliance with you to another room. Before going to bed unplug the portable and use the heat/air controls only in the bedroom you use. Close the vents in the other rooms and make sure no heat/air escapes by closing and covering the vents and using door 'draft dodgers'. Only open the vents in the bedroom you sleep in. Make sure portable appliances are unplugged from the wall to avoid fires.
- Use blankets and quilts for lounging or sleeping to keep warm with portable heat/air devise. When asleep, the heating and air controls will keep you warm safely.
- Launder as you shower. The best way to keep foundation wear in great shape is hand washing and line drying. Use the washer/drying for large outerwear or large households such as bedding and towels or items when you want to use bleach. Line drying can cause static in fine washable pants/skirts and an annoyance at work, be sure to use a fabric wash/softener liquid if you wash by hand. Use your own judgment using the washer/dryer to prevent the static in your dress clothing. Use a delicate fabric wash/softener on dress clothing specific for dark (or light) colors and wash/dry the dark (or light) dress clothing together. This will keep the washables looking and wearing well without the dreadful static at work.
- Cook with microwave, crock-pot, hot pot, or portable device. Use the conventional stove for larger dishes and when multiple stove eyes are necessary. The larger the appliance, the more costly the utility bill.
- Cell phones can be very affordable by being a part of a group plan or my personal choice is the cheapest on the peg at the discount department store and pay monthly as needed. Thankfully my phone is only for call in and out without the extra features. Most of the time the employer or school will provide a cell phone with the features they require. Use wisdom when spending money on a cell. If you have a cell phone, a landline home phone should not be necessary.
- Travel gas and accommodations. Always use caution in every environment.
- If you live near a store, simply walk if possible and if the area is safe. A roller cart is wonderful to shop with if it stays open. It's a good idea to ask the merchant immediately to avoid shoplifting suspicion.
- When parking at a shopping center, stay parked and walk to various shops. Remember to use caution and wisdom regarding area safety.
- When staying in hotels, don't be shy to stay 'cheap.' Research the hotel: location, health rating, and most valuable public reviews. Personal safety, clean, and bug-free are the priorities. Always carry your own bathroom cleanser and wear aqua/shower shoes in the tub/shower.
Theses ideas may be wordy but will open doors to more great ideas to save money for the most important expenses in your life.
May you always enjoy the highest best in your life.
