I was watching a young woman juggle six pins on the street when she paused her act to tell us she was a UCLA student trying to make ends meet. It occurred to me that everyone, everyone, was doing something extra to survive.
Here was this talented girl hustling for a few extra bucks. She wasn’t a polished entertainer – too self conscious and meek – but her day’s haul would pay for next semester’s books. If she bought used.
I started to think of the things I have done to save (read: fight the fear I won’t have enough money).
In June I babysat. In July I went on a spending moratorium. This month I am planning to cover my bicycle seat in duct tape so I don’t have to buy a new one.
No one will say this, but I know what they are thinking.
“Really? You’re not even going to spend $35 on a new seat?”
“No. Why should I when can I do it myself with materials I already own?”
Call me frugal, self-reliant, or financially hyper-efficient. Or a cheapskate hoarding her dollars while the economy shrivels.
But I would rather annoint my beater bike with a homemade silver seat than lose $35 for one that matches everyone else’s.
What are you doing to stay ahead? Leave a comment or share a photo.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
I’m facing that now. I work for the State of California. The Governor enforced 3 furlough days (no pay) so that’s a 15% pay cut. Then he took away two holidays (for another 10%) cut, and now All Californian’s will be getting a 10% surcharge on state income taxes starting next month so that’s a whopping 35% paycut. There aren’t many part-time jobs out there (I’ve looked), you can only do so much Ebay because no one is buying. And I don’t have a musical or juggling talent to fall back on…I honestly don’t know how I’ll pay my mortgate, property taxes, insurance, gas, utilities, buy dog food and people food. People think State workers are over paid but not low level people like me….a Governor’s appointee gets $100K a year, I didn’t make half that before all the cuts…but I live (or try to) in high cost Los Angeles.
I’m buying from the clearance racks – who cares if it’s last season’s anything – clothes, shoes or arts & crafts supplies . And, cutting back on my favorite guilty pleasure ice cream!
In addition to doing the spending moratorium in July, and cutting back my spending overall, I have also started a second job at Toys R Us to have additional income that will allow my husband and me to still travel and do some of the things we enjoy.
Started eating healthier which in turn is keeping my weight down so I can continue wearing last years clothes 🙂
your bicycle seat doesn’t have to be silver, duct tape comes in tons of colors!
Ohmygosh, I just realized I could probably get PINK duct tape. LOL. But then I’d have to shell out for a massive roll, when I already have silver at home. Hmmm…
bargainbabe, maybe the dollar store has your pink duct tape?? 🙂
I am drinking instant coffee to save money. I went from purchasing my lattes, to brewing my own at home, to crashing on peoples couches who don’t have a coffee pot… so it’s a slow and progressive penny-saving slope I ride!
I told myself I would go out for a “proper drink” once a week, but i just can’t do it knowing how much I could save. Call it pride.
Love your frugal pride, Jenny!
Lets see im a guy…and ive started to charge for babysitting my nephew too. So when my brother and his wife want to go out to dinner and a movie (they can afford it, they rent, as in their apt. as opposed to owning a home and make six figures).
Hey they have a need and time is money.
I also switched to prepaid for cell service- and i only now use it for emergencies or text..so a $10 tmobile card can last me 6 to 8 weeks.
I am also recycling my plastic bottles and aluminum cans.
And im eating out less and when i do its either lunch or coffee with friends.
Because those dinners were really hurting my wallet.
Also got rid of the cable- now use the digital tv converter box and get about 66 FREE broadcast channels.
I stopped subscribing to new magazines (will not renew either) and have almost completely made the digital switch and it also saves trees and the environment.
Trying to keep it simple and focusing on my NEEDS and not my WANTS..or else id want everything! 🙂
Good tips, everybody.
Just wanted to point out that the girl in the picture is juggling to make ends meet.
And call her meek, but she’s juggling SIX clubs there. Probably the most marketable skill I learned in college was juggling (and yes, I learned from an actual circus performer … long story), and juggling 3 balls is hard, but going to 4 is just impossible, for me anyway. Guess I needed to go to graduate school for that one.
But SIX clubs? Very impressive. And I’ve noticed that jugglers are among the most popular street performers. Thank God for gravity, I say.
Cute comment Steven- props to all you jugglers!
Julia, I love the idea of duct taping your bike seat- no matter what color it is!
V, i totally agree with you. Eating healthier, is the way to go! It may seem more expensive, but try it. You’ll save on your doctor bill, health, toilet paper, gym membership, etc.
Even though I divide up my ‘some-what of an income’ into different categories (necc, charity, play, long term, educ., etc.), I’ve been writing down every purchase I make as part of my August moratorium. It forces me to really cut back and think twice about what I really want and need to spend my money on.
I picked up several freelance gigs in addition to running my costume/clothing business. I’m also actively seeking more freelance work.
Our income is based on one full time job
and one part time job for a family of four.
Instead of focusing on * lack *, we are always looking at the ABUNDANCE in our lives that is not tied to $$$. I’ve learned a lot of new skills that may come in handy when the economy improves. Recently I learned that vehicle parts are available online to everyday folks like myself and I do all the parts replacement rather than taking it to the shop. Also, we keep a list of BLESSINGS, like health, family, friends, family that clearly cannot be replaced by $$$. Thanks, Julie, for enhancing our life with your great website and commentary!
Eat lots of fruit/veggies and at home mostly for lunches. I splurge every other week with a dinner out and go to the $2 movies (if there is a good one) I go to outlets for clothing, and raide the clearance racks, and Goodwill, found anew pair of shoes for $5 I brew my own coffeee, and take my teabags wherever I go, I love tea. Also switched form Perrier (1.50 bottle) to the grocery store (.68 bottle) but I will splurge on Perrier every other week too.
Where are the $2 movies?!
The Academy in Pasadena has $2 matinees and $3 evening movies.
Iwas just watching how fast my paper towels disappear.
These are going away rather fast because they were the cheapest on the shelf when i was in need and so bought just lowest price. But no matter what paper towels i get even if they are the pick your size that
have perforations in smaller increments.. I still use
the option of tearing THAT piece in half also. I turn
it so the perforations are at the top and tear. I use
the smallest amount that will do the job. wiping up a
spill that is minimal that might not need a whole towel.
I feel so frugal when doing this . And you would
be so surprised how many things that you use
towels for can be taken care of by a minimally
sized piece.
Also when it comes to buying toilet paper I went
and priced every brand. I priced by unit price. that
is with X brand the unit price may be .o5 cents per
unit (one square of paper).
So went around and squinted and did the math.
it all added up to Scott brand 1000 sheets /single
thickness being the best price per unit. So I just
paid the price though it looked to cost a little higher
STILL it was lowest price PER UNIT. And at that time
i learned to live with single sheet TP. The other
brands that are two sheets thick ARE nicer, softer.
Now you will notice that places like CVS and food market have their own generic brand of the 1000
single sheets. Apparently others were doing as I was
and noticing the most frugal way to go. At that time
Scott was the only one that had that kind of TP available. Now take your pick.
Jenny, you are still using paper towels? Oh my! Please try buying a quick-drying towelette. I paid about $3 for 2 of them at Trader Joe’s more than a year ago and have not bought any sponges or paper towels since. They are great for wiping counter tops, dishes, and a lot more. When they get dirty toss them in the washer machine and they come out fresh smelling. Not like sponges that start to disintegrate and smell in a few weeks.