h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

…this might sound a bit drastic, but bare with me. Having recently joined the ranks of the unemployed (damn university degree, what a waste of time that was), I have found that the best way to keep tight those purse strings is to NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE (whenever possible, I’m not saying don’t ever go out again (especially to work if you have a job, not going would be counter productive as you might loose it)).

I have found that if I save up all the things I might need to leave the house for and do them all on one day of the week, in one trip this saves considerable amounts of money. This works on the principle that when one is out of the house we are encouraged to buy things that we don’t need. A drink here, a newspaper or magazine there, maybe a packet of crisps or a bar of chocolate, and it all adds up. And, furthermore, these things all cost more than they should and we really don’t need them, especially if conservation money is necessary. Therefore, the less often you go out, the less money you will spend on this junk.

Also, the amount of time now spent in the house can be used very productively. It is very easy to think of things to do, especially if this is a temporary measure and you are only looking to be extra thrifty in the post Christmas months.

My tips for staying in and saving:

1. Make shopping lists. Start on Sunday. Every time you think you need to go and buy something, don’t. Write it on a list, then take that list out on the next Saturday and only buy the things on it. This will ensure that there is no wastage on junk you don’t need. This rule is especially important to those people who pop into shops to get things going into / coming home from / in lunch break of work. This often results with impulse buys and things that are not really needed, such as paper to read on bus, sandwich for lunch, etc, etc.

2. Don’t go out in the lunch break. I know taking sarnies is a pain, but think of the savings in just a month (£3 - £5 per day, that’s £15 - £25 per week, that’s £60 - £100 per month). There are plenty of interesting things that can be done in a lunch hour to take ones mind off crappy home made lunch food:
a. Try reading the news on the Internet (see www.bbc.co.uk/news for example), or your horoscope, or your favourite comedy site or TV channel site.
b. Take a pen and some paper and write a letter to a friend.
c. Pay a game with a co-worker, a game of chess or backgammon might last a weeks worth of lunch breaks.
d. Read a book.
e. Clean out your desk draws.

3. Find things to do at home. There are many things that can be very satisfying, which don’t involve going out.
a. Don’t go to the pub, but invite some friends round for a drink (especially good if there is booze left over from Christmas).
b. Record one of those oldie films they show in the daytime and watch it in the evening, you might be surprised at how entertaining it is.
c. Do your spring clean a bit early.
d. Do any DIY you’ve been meaning to do for ages.
e. Do something creative, for example make gift tags from all your old Christmas cards.
f. Write a list of things you are going to get your friends and family for Christmas presents next year. Then you can keep an eye out for them in the sales.
g. Write thank-you letters for all the gifts you received this year.
h. Look on the Internet for interesting meals on a budget and add the items to your shopping list.
i. Re-arrange you furniture.
j. Spend an evening listening to all your old tapes, CDs or records.
k. Plan a summer holiday. (It doesn’t even matter if you aren’t planning to go on holiday, just thinking about it can be very uplifting)
l. Play a favourite childhood game.
m. Go for a run or a walk (do this at night, so you are not tempted to buy a drink on your way – or take one with you).
n. Make a list of interesting things you can do at home and do them!

You might be amazed at how much you can save, and more amazed on the amount of money you usually spend on things you don’t really want or need. Also, a knock on effect is that fewer journeys might have a considerable impact on your usual travel costs.

Have fun staying in, and remember, it’s cold outside in the winter. And that’s another good reason to enjoy staying in.

If you do *need* to read the papers go to your local library this is doubly good in the winter because you can turn off the heating and use the council's. Plus because you are in the library there sin't the temptation to buy (especially if you take along a small bottle of water (refilled from the tap))

If you live near a uni get your newspapers from the uni shop, our shop sells the guardian for 20p and the times and telegraph for 15p (the sun and the other tabloids are full price though).

I like your thinking!!!!!!