How to Be Cheap and Love It, Part II

As I said in my last article, I am one cheap dude. This is not an accusation I have heard from others, but simply a label I put on myself, with pride. I look at any situation involving the use of my hard-earned money and I say, "How can I get a good or better deal out of this?" In fact, maybe I should have put that on my list of tips. Oh well, consider that one a freebee. The last article I wrote gave five nifty nuggets on how to get the most out of your money, but this time I'd like to shift gears, go in a whole new direction. That's right, this time, I'm offering not five, but six penny-pinching ideas for you! And without further adieu, here they are.

1. Buy used. Especially when it comes to entertainment. You can get CD's, movies, books, videogames, just about anything from a previous owner, often for a fraction of the price. And for crying out loud, do not drive that new '08 Ford off that lot with a six-year loan! Sounds like common sense, true, but then why do so many people I know do it?

2. Hold off on life insurance if you're young. Even once you get married, there really is no need to have a huge safety net in case something happens, especially if both you and your spouse are working. Once a kid enters the picture, well, then it's probably time. Which leads to my next point.

3. Don't have kids until you know you are ready. They're the biggest investment anyone could ever make, but so commonly people rush into it. Preparation for little ones involves every area of your life, from financial to emotional to spiritual.

4. Do not gamble. No lottery, bingo, any of that stuff. You're just throwing your money away. Unless you're a professional gambler with the skills necessary to beat the odds, you're looking at some serious financial hurt, especially if you become addicted.

5. When it's time for a new PC, build your own. Seriously, you can build a top-of-the-line, upgradable, attractive machine for $800. Order the parts from a website like New Egg or Tiger Direct, have a computer-literate friend supervise, and just do it.

6. For vacations, go on road trips with friends. I know, gas prices are beastly, but splitting the cost between four people in the same car becomes a lot more friendly on the wallet than four round trip tickets to just about anywhere in the country. Plus, it would be an adventure, a great opportunity to make some memories (provided you don't strangle each other in the car on the way there).

Well that's all I've got for now. When I think of some more I'll check back. Just remember, frugality is not just a set of actions, it's a way of thinking. And once you can think this way, you'll always have your eyes peeled for the next opportunity to get the better end of any deal.