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Do It Yourself
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Improve Shopping Skills
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Food |
- Eat at home, brown bag for lunch.
- Plant a garden; can or freeze surplus.
- Learn how to get the most from the meat you buy.
- Make low-cost nutritious snacks readily available.
- Make full use of your freezer, prepare recipes in quantity and freeze for later use.
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- Check needs before shopping and use a list.
- Take advantage of weekly specials and store apps to get the best deals and/or coupons.
- Pay attention to price per unit and compare unit prices.
- Read the nutrition facts label.
- Stock up on specials that have a long shelf life or freezer life.
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Housing |
- Do simple home repairs and maintenance yourself.
- Practice energy conservation.
- Paint and repurpose older furniture for a new look.
- Make curtain panels out of flat sheets.
- Learn how to care for the yard and landscaping.
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- Shop seasonal sales for household goods, furnishings, and appliances.
- Consider utility and maintenance costs as well as the initial price of an item.
- Underbid the asking price on a house.
- Watch for end-of-summer sales of plants, mulch, and other gardening materials.
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Clothing |
- Mend, repair, and/or alter clothes yourself.
- Use coin-operated dry cleaning.
- Sew some of your own clothes or, if needed, take a sewing class.
- Store clothes properly.
- Follow washer and dryer instructions for better laundry outcomes.
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- Shop sales for wardrobe needs.
- Buy the quality that suits your purpose.
- Know store’s exchange policy.
- Explore thrift stores, garage sales, or other low cost options for good used clothing.
- Inspect clothing carefully for flaws.
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Transportation |
- Walk or ride a bike.
- Combine trips, run errands before/after work.
- Use carpools or ride sharing services such as Uber or Lyft.
- Wash your car at home.
- Do some car maintenance yourself (check tire pressure, fluid levels, add oil or antifreeze).
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- Bargain for best deal on a vehicle.
- Shop around for best deal on vehicle loan.
- Compare insurance rates with different companies (before purchasing a vehicle).
- Shop for low-cost airfares.
- Car shop at the end of the month.
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Medical |
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Exercise properly.
- Get adequate rest.
- Learn first aid.
- Reduce insurance premiums with higher deductible and/or co-payment.
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- Get prescriptions by generic name, not brand name, if possible.
- Buy insurance through group plan.
- Compare drug prices at different pharmacies.
- Cut co-pays by purchasing 90-day supply prescriptions instead of 30-day.
- Go with store brands.
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Technology |
- Identify what you need to learn.
- Read technical books.
- Use YouTube, product videos, or other online tutorials or forums to learn the features of your phone/tablet/computer.
- Take a class to learn how to use your device.
- Improve your computer skills through e-learning.
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- Use consumer websites and/or magazines to compare makes and models.
- Take advantage of online resources such as webinars, articles, podcasts, and videos.
- Ask an expert—use store personnel or online chat boxes.
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