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Chapter 4: Cutting Spending and Boosting Income
Book I
Taking
Charge
of Your
Finances
Find a reliable mechanic who won't charge you an arm and a leg every
time you bring your vehicle to the repair shop. Ask people you know,
especially people who drive cars similar to yours, for the names of
good mechanics. A shade tree mechanic -- someone who maintains
and repairs cars in his backyard -- may provide affordable, high-quality
service. Avoid having your car repaired by a dealer or at a chain car
repair shop.
The experts on the Car Talk radio show also maintain a "humongous
database of over 16,000 great mechanics, recommended by -- and
for -- the Car Talk community." Access their Mechanics File by going
to www·cartalk·com/content/mechx·
Ask your teenagers to pay for their own gasoline and auto insurance or
to help contribute to the cost.
Having fun for less
Reducing your budget doesn't mean that you and your family have to elimi-
nate fun from your lives. It means cutting out the frills and taking time to find
affordable ways to have a good time. Think back to when you were just mar-
ried and money was tight or to when you were a kid. What did you do for fun
then? Do any of these cheap fun suggestions sound familiar?
Use your public library instead of buying books and DVDs, or swap
these items with your friends.
Go to www·zunafish·com and exchange your used books, CDs, DVDs,
and videogames with others online for a buck a trade. As the Web site
says, "Trade the stuff you're done with for the stuff you want!"
Commune with nature. Go for a hike, ride your bike, have a picnic in the
park, go fishing, enjoy the babble of a swift running creek, and take time
to enjoy the sunset.
Have fun the old-fashioned way: Put together jigsaw puzzles, play card
and board games, do crossword puzzles, play charades, create a scrap-
book, or put all your photos into albums.
Use your community pool.
Take advantage of free events in your community.
Entertain with potluck meals.
Invite friends over for a backyard barbeque, and have everyone bring
something to throw on the grill.
Curl up with a good book.
