Part III
We refer you to the previous two parts, featured last week
and the week before.
30. I just want to mention a pet peeve I have about people
trying to save money. Many people set their phones to
receive calls only. This ruffles my feathers for two
reasons. First, I consider it dangerous, especially in
families with many children. A person should be able to
summon help quickly, if G-d forbid they need to, especially
if children are left alone or with a young babysitter.
Having a phone is not a luxury, especially in a country
which is frequently in states of emergency. Second of all,
it isn't fair to expect friends and family to always be the
ones to call. When saving money on something, it's wise to
consider the other price being paid.
31. Before spending anything, ask yourself and others you
know: What is the cheapest way to do this? Besides paying
for something, you can barter for it, borrow it, make it, do
it yourself or find a cheaper or free alternative. When I
got married 11 years ago, the wedding cost $4,000. I had a
wedding of 120 guests in a friend's backyard. My roommate
who did landscaping did the flower arrangements for free and
we paid the cost of the flowers. [Ed. There are
gemachs which loan artificial flower table
arrangements.] Another friend did my make up. I borrowed the
dress, a friend negotiated the caterer, band and
photographer and my father-in-law still says it was the
nicest wedding he had ever attended.
32. "Yesh li kol" should be your motto. A friend of
mine told me she got rid of her overdraft by repeating this
phrase of Yaakov Ovinu. Every time she wanted to buy
something, she repeated to herself, "I have everything I
need. I don't need anything."
33. Learn from kindergarten teachers. They make crafts and
toys out of disposable items.
34. Start your own gemach of the thing you care about
most. If you like books or tapes and have a gemach,
you can charge a yearly user's fee to members and enrich
your library or collection without having to spend any
money. And you'll be providing a public service, besides.
35. If you have e-mail, it's much cheaper to send birthday
greeting cards and letters electronically than buying the
card and mailing it, especially long distance.
36. This may sound gauche, but don't be afraid to give
something as a gift that you've had and no longer want, as
long as it seems new or is in good shape.
37. Recycle everything. I know a man who recycles paper,
envelopes, paper clips, anything that can be recycled.
Besides being cost effective, it helps the environment.
Other recyclable items: gift wrapping, plastic cups and
bags, boxes. A friend made a castle with her daughter out of
plastic bottles and cardboard paper rolls.
38. Instead of paying someone to clean the stairs in your
apartment building or do the gardening or other apartment
house chores, organize a rotating shift where everyone does
it once a week/ month/ year.
39. Pool your money with others to buy gifts, organize an
event, rent a car or plan an outing.
40. If you take a taxi, flag one down on the street instead
of ordering it. Look for someone going your way to share it.
And make sure the driver turns on the meter (cabbie's quotes
are usually higher rather than lower!)!
41. Research! Prices in everything from long distance and
cell phone companies to supermarkets and chain stores are
very competitive. Asking a few questions and comparison
shopping can save a lot of money.
42. Do chessed with your time and person, not just
your money. Many people do lots of chessed with money
but we can always offer services in other ways, giving a
private lesson, typing a letter, translating, baking a cake
or babysitting. Consult with a halachic authority whether
you can substitute a service for maaser money
(perhaps in an area where you are a professional). [Ed.
You'd be surprised how many gemachs you can run on a
small initial seed investment -- or on nothing. A woman in
my building created a novel and popular gemach of
cartons for people who are moving. Her investment -- some
room on a large porch.]
43. Fix, don't replace. Fix early enough before you need a
major overhaul. Dental fillings are cheaper than root canal
work! Fixing a pair of shoes in time or a broken piece of
furniture is cheaper than buying new.
44. When someone does a service for you, watch how they do
it. If you observe a few times, you can learn how to style a
wig, cut hair, fill your own gas tank, fix a leaky faucet,
whatever. We never know what we can do until we try. We all
have up to 90% untapped potential.
45. When you entertain, you usually do it for the company,
so ask people you invite to bring something with them --
their specialty. That way, the cost of hosting an event
won't prohibit you from having it at your home.
46. Give maaser right away, as soon as money comes
in. Money back guaranteed long-term investment! Also, give
tzedaka whenever the opportunity presents itself. How
often you give is more important than what you give. Give a
little a lot of times, and add a prayer for all those who
need money. You'll be answered as well.
[Nu, so where are all of the readers' bright ideas? Send to
Weinbach @ Panim Meirot 1, Jerusalem, or fax to 02-538-
7998.]
