Cheap. Fast. Good! by Beverly Mills, Alicia Ross, and Steven Guarnaccia (Hardcover - 12 Dec 2005)
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Agreements
• Have all agreements in writing
Bills
• Reduce your phone bills
Bookings
• Carry out an early booking
Cards
• Consider the Post Office Card to save on currency exchanges
Cars
• Buy a more economical car
Cash
• Check your spending habits
• Compare bank charges
• Don't overdraw at the bank
• Don't spend your salary before it comes in
• Go for free banking
• Have a low interest rate credit card
• Keep in the bank 3 to 4 months of your salary as a contingency
• Look for better deals on mortgages
• Overdrafts are expensive, do not over draw
• Pay all bills on time
• Pay bills on time
• Pay off your credit card bills on time or have a standing order
• Put spare change in a bottle
• Try to borrow books
Children
• Ask your children to take care of clothes and other school things
• Buy presents for children when they are at bargain prices
• Make children do little jobs around the house
• Put a little aside for the children
• Teach children about energy costs
• Teach children about environmental issues
• Teach children about money management
• Teach children about recycling
Clothes
• Avoid designer labels
Coupons
• Look for coupons
Credit card
• Reduce your credit card debt
Credit cards
• Avoid annual fees on credit cards
• Avoid purchases on credit cards
• Compare credit card rates
• Do you really need your credit card?
• With drawing money by credit cards abroad may have higher interest charges
Direct debit
• Use direct debits
DIY
• Be your own handy man
Entertainment
• Subscribe to less TV channels
Environment
• Recycle to protect the environment
Fees
• Avoid ATM fees
Food
• Cook at home and reduce outside fast food
• Reduce your meat intake
• Re-use food containers
Fuel
• Reduce your fuel bills
Health
• Avoid the gym
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Reduce cigarette consumption
Holidays
• Compare holidays on line
Home
• A smaller home is more economical to run
• Avoid drying clothes in a dryer
• Avoid expensive birthday gifts
• Avoid having pets
• Better energy efficient appliances should be purchased
• Boil or use a water filter instead of water from bottles
• Boil water to the quantity required
• Buy from eBay
• Clothes needing dry cleaning should be avoided
• Control your heating thermostat
• Disposal things should be used less
• Do you need all those TV channels?
• Do you really need cable television?
• Do you really need satellite television?
• Double or triple glazing reduces energy consumption
• Download public domain songs for personal use
• Drink alcohol less
• Eat healthily
• Eat less fish products
• Eat less meat products
• Emailing is free
• Extend your house rather than moving
• Flowers can be grown at home
• Food should not be wasted, only prepare what you need
• Give old clothes to charity shops
• Go to auctions
• Grow your own vegetables
• Have coffee at home
• Have double glazing fitted
• Have heavy carpets to keep warm
• Have thick curtains to keep heat loss to minimum
• Have thick roof insulation
• House repairs should be attended to immediately
• In colder weather wear more clothes
• Learn how to replace a tap washer
• Learn something new every day or week
• Legs can be waxed at your house
• Long distance calls should only be used off peak
• Look after your shoes
• Look for single telephone, broadband and TV deals
• Lower the thermostat setting in your home
• Make home made cakes and jams
• Only have one phone
• Own fewer things
• Pizza can be made at home
• Plant fruit trees and bushes
• Put left over's in the fridge to eat tomorrow
• Quality items last longer
• Read news online
• Rechargeable batteries are useful
• Rent a room
• Rent DVDs to watch at your house
• Repair minor things yourself
• Restore old furniture yourself
• Rooms not in use should have doors closed
• Save water while washing or turn tap off
• Set washing machine to low temperature wash
• Sew your own curtains
• Shower heads should be water saving
• Stay away from lawyers
• Switch lights off when not required
• Switch off appliance when not in use
• Take a few days in buying expensive items
• Take your drinks to the cinema
• Theatres and cinemas can be expensive
• Tint your hair easily at your house
• Unplug electric item when not in use for a long time
• Use air conditioning when it is essential
• Use bath water sparingly
• Use dried flower arrangements
• Use energy efficient light bulbs
• Use internet messenger for long distance
• Use Skype for talking long distance
• Use the electric kettle sparingly
• Use the fridge to defrost
• Use the grill and oven less often
• Use the library to obtain DVDs to watch
• Use the local garage for car repairs
• Use the shower for 5 to 10 minutes
• Use the TV to record your favourite movies
• Use windows to the cool the rooms
• Vending machines are expensive to use
• Wallpaper and paint yourself
• Washing machines should have full load
• Water does not need to boiling hot all the time
• When you buy things they should have minimum maintenance costs
Insurance
• Compare breakdown insurance
• Compare home and contents insurance
• Compare life insurance
• Compare travel insurance
• Get insurance quotes annually
• Get the right travel insurance
• Take out the maximum redundancy insurance
• Take up insurance for the essential things
• Take up legal expenses insurance
Jobs
• Carry out a part time job
Library
• Go to the local library
Loan
• Get a loan or mortgage you can afford
Loans
• Avoid loans
Local
• Go to the street market
Meals
• Avoid ready made meals
Money
• Save your change at home
• Track your money
Neighbours
• Avoid what the neighbours do
NO
• Try the word 'NO'
Offers
• Hunt for special offers
Pension
• Consider having a pension plan
Phone
• Compare mobile phone contracts
Save
• Save a little everyday
Sell
• Use ebay to sell things
• Go to a car boot sale
• Sell your old books
• Sell your old junk
Shopping
• Are all those options really necessary
• Ask for a lower price
• Ask for a quote and shop around
• Ask for cash payment discounts
• Avoid compulsive shopping - think it through
• Avoid large shopping trips
• Avoid paying interest
• Avoid tipping
• Budget your shopping
• Buy discounted goods
• Buy end of date products at discount prices
• Buy famous brand reliable products
• Buy food only once a week
• Buy second hand
• Compare a pay as you go phone
• Compare bulk purchases
• Compare own brand items
• Compare your bills every year
• Compare your mortgage every year
• Cycle to the shops
• Don't buy DVDs, rent them
• Don't impulse buy
• Explore other shops for bargains
• Extended warranties can be a waste
• If its not right complain
• Is free delivery included?
• Is it an essential purchase?
• Look for special offers
• Negotiate with sales people
• Packed lunches for work
• Shop for special deals - end of line
• Shop in the sales
• Shop online and compare
• Take a shopping list with you and stick to it
• Things are normally cheaper in the Christmas sales
• Trade-in old CDs DVDs and books
• Use a cheaper brand
• Use less shampoo and liquid soap
• Use the dish washer less
• Use the internet to shop
• Walk to the shops
Solicitors
• Avoid solicitors and use advice bureaus
Student
• Use student discount cards
Tax
• Claim child credits
• Claim tax credits
• Consider your ISA tax benefits
Tickets
• Compare cinema and theatre tickets
• Don't by last minute tickets
Travel
• Avoid exchanging money in the hotel
• Avoid foreign holidays
• Book train tickets online
• Cars should be washed at home
• Check the weight of baggage on the trip back
• Consider annual travel insurance for frequent flyers
• Cut on fuel by driving slowly
• Don't speed on roads
• Fuel up your car before from your destination
• Have the right tyre pressures to save on fuel
• Holidays items should be bought before you leave
• Hotel internet fees can be high
• Learn to barter abroad
• Lighten the load in your car
• Local phone cards can be economical
• Monthly travel tickets are more economical
• Obtain the best deal on currencies, check the actual exchange rates
• Park in the correct spot and pay the correct fee
• Pay for flights by credit card
• Pay for vacations by credit card
• Second user cars can be cheaper
• Share your car to work
• Street food can be economical
• Take advantage of tax free duties
• Tipping is only essential at certain places
• Use a second handset locally
• Use rail discount cards
• Use safe forms of travelling money
• Use the local buses
• Use the train
• Use traveller cheques
• Weekly travel tickets are more economical
Vacation
• All inclusive vacations can be economical
• B&Bs are cheaper than hotels
• Consider flexible vacation dates
• Consider frequent flyer programme
• Consider less expensive vacation destinations
• Cruising vacations can be discounted
• Don't use the hotel mini bar
• Eat out from the hotel
• Go for a swim at a hotel
• Group vacation bookings can be economical
• Loyalty hotel programmes can be good
• Package vacations can be economical
• Read vacation guide books for tips
• Room service charges should be looked at
• Short term apartments can be booked easily
• Stay at a campus
• Stay at a youth hostel
• Take a vacation in your country
• Try and travel non-peak time
• Use points rewards card
• Weighting your baggage before travel
• When on vacation take the bus, metro or train
Vouchers
• Look for vouchers
Warranties
• Say 'No' to extended warranties for small value items
• Seek out 3 free warranties
• Seek out 5 free year warranties
Water meter
• Install a water meter
Women
• Be career minded and learn a skill
• Be independent on financial matters and cash
• Budget your shopping and give yourself a goal
• Build a nest egg for a rainy day
• Buy generic/own brand medicines
• Consider term life insurance
• Control your finances yourself
• Don't jointly sign anything unless you agree
• Don't spend more than your wages
• Get there before the parking places have gone
• Go on the shops mailing list
• Go shopping on your own or with a trusted friend
• have a pre-nuptial agreement, protect your value
• Have your car longer
• Improve your writing and IT skills
• Insurance deductibles can be increased to save on your premium
• Invest your money carefully
• Jointly agree to any loans or re-mortgages
• Jointly manage money with your partner
• Keep all passwords to yourself
• Keep all your receipts safe
• Keep you job and be independent
• Keep your discount coupons handy
• Keep your home in joint names
• Know that are in power and in control
• Know your tax return
• Know your value of what you are worth
• Learn from your mistakes and try again
• Learn to balance your budget and cheque book
• Learn to say 'NO'
• Learn, absorb and manage money
• Make a personal will
• Negotiate your salary
• Open source software is free
• Save for your retirement first
• Save your money and spend it wisely
• Set up a trust fund for your family
• Shop when sale days are on
• Study the stores return policy
• Submit a insurance claim if it is worth it compared to the deductable
• Try and buy end of line items
• Try free food samples near lunch time
• Underwear should match your skin colour
• Use your reward card
• Wear a shirt for quick changing
• Woman should buy their own house
Student
• Ask for student discounts
• Ask for the lowest phone tariffs
• Attend all classes
• Avoid credit cards
• Avoid non-essential loans
• Bills should be paid on time
• Books - try allbookstores.com
• Books - try half.com
• Budget your life expenditure
• Budget your weekly shopping
• Buy a pay as go mobile
• Buy non-brand clothes which last
• Cook at home
• Do your own ironing
• Do your own laundry
• Don't carry out impulsive buying
• Don't drink alcoholic drinks
• Don't give any financial information
• Don't give passwords away
• Don't pay a fee for a credit card
• Don't smoke
• Don't use a car
• Don't use cable or satellite TV
• Eat economically
• Free laptop deals are not ideal
• Get a driving licence
• Get a first aid kit
• Get a sewing kit
• Get a student bank account
• Get a student travel card
• Get a TV licence
• Get insurance for your belongings
• Get or borrow second hand books
• Healthy eating is a must
• Keep all your receipts safe
• Keep health and exercise
• Live close to the university
• Order things online
• Save money before going to university
• Search the internet
• Sell your old junk
• Travel off-peak
• Try and get things for free
• Use 0% credit cards
• Use a USB battery charger
• Use emails to send attachments
• Use rechargeable batteries
• Use Skype for free internet calling
• Use student discount cards
• Use the bus or cycle
• Use the library
Wedding
• Ask a student to take the video
• Borrow things
• Give an email address for replies
• Have a barbeque reception
• Have a friend do the floral arrangements
• Have a friend do your make up for free
• Have a friend edit the video
• Have a friend take the photographs
• Have a friend take the video
• Have friends decorate the venue
• Hire a vintage car for the venue
• Hire all wedding clothes or buy online
• Keep guests to a minimum
• Reuse the same flowers at different venues
• Use a friends car for the venue
• Use economical shoes
• Use venues which are off-peak
• Wear your Sunday best for the wedding
• Wedding stationary can be made using software
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