Type of Life You Want – Saving Money

Saving Money is part 4 of Type of Life You Want and is written for the ad hoc meme #lifematters #moneymatters hosted by May More. The three previous in order are; Financial Education, Getting out of Debt, and Budgeting. There are mentions of kink in this post, but as a whole, it is based on finances and how to save money.

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I’m a sucker for that infamous four-letter word: SALE. Displayed in big red letters, shouting to the world that there are discounts to be had, I’m drawn to it like a magnet. Unfortunately though, no matter how discounted a price is, it may not be something that is in the budget. When Mister K and I were working diligently to get out of debt (less than $5000 to go), if it wasn’t part of the plan, it didn’t happen, even at 99% off. Things are more lenient now, but we’ve become so used to saving for the things we want that the word sale doesn’t get me excited the same way it once did. Although I am still guilty of looking.

Over the last 15 or so years, I’ve had to learn money-saving tips and tricks. Some were so that we could get by until the end of the month, others because I couldn’t stomach the idea of dishing out hard-earned dough for something that didn’t seem valuable. And every once in a while, I’ve thought, I like that, but I think it could be better.

In any of those situations, I’ve always found a way to get what it was I needed or wanted. That continues to this day because once a habit is created it’s quite difficult to break. These aren’t habits that need to be curbed though, and I certainly hope that no matter our financial situation, I remember these 5 money-saving tips.

DIY- Everything

Our entire home was a DIY project. Mister K and I are fortunate that we have both learned many skills over the years that we’ve been able to use in all aspects of life. We fix almost everything ourselves. I have a saying that if Mister K can’t fix it, it’s most definitely broken. He can fix anything, from clothing to cell phones.

DIY also extends to other areas though. We (honestly, this is just me) paint our own artwork, knit blankets, and darn socks. If you can think of it, we’ve done it or did our best to learn how. Youtube and other video streaming services have an endless supply of information and techniques. If you ask me, if you can’t do it, you just haven’t tried hard enough.

Of course, not everything can be made or repaired, so for those items we barter, trade, or budget.

Plant a Garden

Nothing tastes better than the food you’ve grown yourself. As well, you know exactly where it comes from. Not only will growing a garden benefit your bank account, but it also helps lower stress levels by giving you a dose of fresh air and a hit of vitamin D. Why would you not want those added benefits?

Gardening helps the environment too. By growing food, you’ll help support bee populations, give nutrients back to the soil and create a habitat for birds, insects, and other little critters. It is a gift that keeps giving.

The beginnings of your garden can take some hard work. Once you’ve got that out of the way, all you need is to pay attention. We use water collected from the winter and spring to supplement our watering needs. This helps lower the amount of freshwater we use, which also helps lower the bill (although water is included in the payment for the land we rent). Reusing runoff also helps the environment by reducing the amount that needs to be cleaned and then piped to our location. By composting we create new soil each year, full of nutrients and critters that in return help us grow healthy edible foods.

It a wonderful cycle and one of the most rewarding endeavors I have taken to date.

Join Buy and Sell/Trade groups

Mister K and I trade a lot. For plants, for food, for clothing. We trade manual work with others when we don’t have the skills to complete a job. The world is full of people with skills, and that is where I find so many great items. Just this morning I traded a house plant cutting for one I’ve been trying to find for years.

Originally this started as a babysitting decision. I would babysit other children and then in return others would babysit for me. This made it so money was never an option and allowed us to spend our money where it mattered, while also building relationships with other young families. Many of the moms I used to babysit for are members of the same trade groups I am, so we get to continue that bartering mindset in new ways.

You’d be amazed at what you can find with a small amount of searching. You’ll also be surprised what people find valuable and are willing to trade for. Many families are also looking for ways to save money, so offering the chance to trade for services, goods or time can be beneficial to both parties.

Meal Planning

This is not an easy task, but one that is worth it. Each week I sit down and plan the meals for the week. I also plan an alternative because I may not want chili this week, so I replace it with spaghetti, or Tourtiere pie (a French-Canadian dish). Using my meal plan, I write what I’ll need to buy at the store and away I go.

This prevents me from buying things I don’t need, eliminating purchases that sit in the fridge only to rot, or become stale on the counter. It also minimizes the amount we eat out or buy take out at home. This doesn’t just help our wallets, but also our waistlines.

For me, meal planning takes the stress out of deciding what to cook each day. It also allows Mister K to know the menu so he can easily take over if need be, or he can invite someone home, knowing what will be served. Of course, we leave room for last-minute decisions, but mostly we just go with the flow.

In the beginning, meal planning was a difficult task that I didn’t much care for. But now it’s second nature and I am happy to say that with a bit of planning, we never have the same meal twice in one month, unless we choose to.

On the other side of meal planning is buying things that have a good shelf life in bulk. Flour, sugar, and salt for instance will last years if stored correctly. Buying it in large amounts almost always saves a few dollars. It’s also nice to have the essentials on hand, and it sure does make meal planning a whole lot easier.

If you come across a recipe that calls for something you won’t use regularly, buying in a small quantity at a bulk store can save you from throwing unused portions away. The world throws almost one-third of all its food in the garbage, while half of the world starves. Saving money for you could save it for someone else too. Something to think about.

Buy Second Hand

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that you can’t buy everything second-hand. For instance, underwear, personal hygiene products, and other personal things shouldn’t be used by someone else first. But there are plenty of things that still have value that is just thrown away. Have you heard the saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure?” It’s true!

Secondhand stores are my favourite places to shop. And while I can say that not everything is worth purchasing, if you’re patient and know how to spot a deal, you can find some amazing items. I once bought an oriental vase for a friend as a birthday gift. It cost me $19.00. She later had the vase appraised and apparently it is worth close to $5000. So, you see, not everything that is thrown away is garbage.

Savings for the Kinksters

By now you’re thinking, she said there’d be mentions of kink. Fear not, I have not forgotten. We often buy things for our kinky lives that we could just as well make at home. Toys, sexy clothing, aftercare creams, etc. So, in the spirit of saving money, here’s a shortlist of things you can or do have at home, instead of buying the more expensive version.

Coconut oil

Not only is coconut oil a great massage oil, but it also makes an excellent lubricant. Few people are allergic to it and it interacts well with silicone and latex, removing the fears that some lube creates. My favourite part about coconut oil is that it’s edible, meaning you can use it anywhere. A small amount goes an extremely long way. Personally, I use it as my daily lotion, especially in the summer when the sun’s harsh rays dry out my skin. If you don’t care for the smell of coconut oil, you can buy a refined alternative that is odorless.

Skewers/Barbeque Sticks

Made from bamboo, skewers and barbeque sticks are environmentally friendly. Bundling a few together can make a great impact toy, and using the sharp ends, you can create a myriad of sensations, which is great if you want the fun of a Wartenberg wheel without the cost.

At less than $5.00 a package, either option is cost-effective but also allows you to experiment with thickness, aiding in deciding if you like a thud or a stingier sensation during impact play.

Skewers are generally 12 inches (30cm) in length and barbeque sticks are usually 36 inches (90cm). Shorter ones are great for close proximity, while the longer sticks give you more leeway for moving and getting a good swing (tutorial to come for both of these).

Buy Rope at the hardware Store

If you’ve ever bought rope from a company that specializes in jute for shibari, you’ll know just how expensive it is. When you’re just starting out and wanting a cheap alternative, the hardware store is a good place to find it. If you choose the right store, you can get it off the roll (think 50 shades of grey), and in various colours. Need tips for cutting, storing, or deciding on rope? See A beginner’s Guide to Rope Play.

Waterproof Sheets

If you’ve seen the price of vinyl sheets, you’ll know that at $30 a piece, they’re not very affordable. If you go for higher-end versions, I’ve seen them as high as $90. A cheap way to get around this is to buy plastic tablecloths from a dollar or craft store (shower curtains work great too). At $1.25 to $4.99 you’ll save a ton of money, and just like the real deal, they are easy to wipe off. Being made of plastic they’re also recyclable, something that vinyl is not.

Exercise Ball

Not really a toy, but an alternative for those with stiff joints or mobility issues. Instead of buying a sex swing or saddle, use an exercise ball. They’re pretty cheap nowadays, even being sold with a pump. At a fraction of the cost of a swing, they’re a great solution to the cost-aware individual. My favourite part is the extra stability given, even in those tantric positions. Plus, they have a nice bounce, making all that thrusting and gyrating work to your advantage. Unlike swings or saddles, exercise balls are waterproof and are easily cleaned. As an added bonus, nobody questions what it’s for if you forget to put it away (yes, I speak from experience).

There you have it, money-saving tips in all areas of life. Saving may not always be easy, but it is always worth it.

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A big thank you to May More for hosting this #lifematters meme at ifsexmatters.co.uk

To start this series at the beginning see Financial Education.

For more about MrsK’s life see #lifematters.

Looking for something fun? Give this a read!