How do you cut costs and save $$ living in South Florida?? (Miami: apartment, lease)

[BRAZEN]

i need lots of tips

[gbugmiami]

Medicaid fraud, insurance fraud, hope for hurricanes and big independent adjusters payouts, sell drugs, etc.

Whoops, i almost forgot mortgage fraud!

And no this is not a sarcastic post. I know people that do ALL of the above to 'make ends meet'.

[somebodymiami]

dont run your a/c, dont use hot water. buy cheaper food.dont pay for cable or internet. sell old junk. work more than 1 job.

[StilltheSame]

\Live close to work to cut down on commute time - which both saves gas and aggravation; make friends and entertain at home as much as possible; SFL has great shopping so take advantage of the deals. Good luck - I had to leave - I make over 6 figures and the cost of living was just too high there for the quality of life.

[tallrick]

Don't buy an overpriced house. Remember never pay more than 3 times your income. Also do not buy a car you cannot pay for in cash.

[bale002]

Shop for produce at local produce stands, shop at discount stores for dry goods and household items. Go to stores like Publix only for meats and specialty items.

As mentioned, live close to work and cut down on commute times, learn to entertain yourself at home, tolerate 79-83 degree temperatures in home, stay at home only in underwear, saves on clothes as well.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by BRAZEN

i need lots of tips

cut off cable, just get broad band. if you have a spouse or significant other who you plan to marry then get a family plan for your cell phones. Car pool if you can OR take mass transit if possible. Once your lease is up look for places that are much cheaper. Start taking your lunch to work instead of going out to eat. Don't eat out, cook meals at home. When you go to movies go to the dollar theater. Try to find free events to go to on the weekends. Sit down, and figure out all your expenses per month and figure out which ones are necessities and which ones are not and cut them. Also put yourself on a weekly budget and do not move away from that. Try to run your A/C less, I know that one is hard down here but if you can't afford it then maybe walk around the house in your birthday suite (if you don't have kids or room mates). Okay that last one was a joke *i think*

Good luck

[Momma_bear]

You don't need a cell phone AND a land line. Get rid of the land line.
Publix has great BOGO deals. Buy those and save a bundle on food.
Live close to work.
Get a cheaper car.
Cancel cable/sat tv.
Cancel internet-use the public library.
Buy clothing only when necessary-on sale.
Eat at home every meal.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

You don't need a cell phone AND a land line. Get rid of the land line.
Publix has great BOGO deals. Buy those and save a bundle on food.
Live close to work.
Get a cheaper car.
Cancel cable/sat tv.
Cancel internet-use the public library.
Buy clothing only when necessary-on sale.
Eat at home every meal.

What if you live close to downtown? Their be bums in them there libraries.

What is Bogo?

[Eduardo983]

Originally Posted by BRAZEN

i need lots of tips

Ok, If you are single:

Don`t rent an apartment ($1,100), just try to rent a room and share the apartment (450$ including cable, utilities, your own room, internet, washer and dryer).

Buy everything at Walmart (what`s possible), if you go to the movies pay the student fee (Save $2 compared to the Adult fee, more or less)

When you want to rent movies, don`t do it at Blockbuster ($4.27 per night)...there are a sort of movie machines inside the Publix Super Markets and you can rent movies for $1 per night.

Always use 87 gas type, unless you have a car with a powerful engine... then you should use 91.

Whenever you eat at a fast food place, don`t buy a combo, get the hamburguer or the taco etc that you want for separate (Save $1.25), ask for a free cup of water (water is healthier than soda)...in the case you really want the soda, use the free cup of water and take the free soda (it works in Pollo Tropical, taco bell, and BK).

Don`t buy a new car, in Miami they depreciate too fast, if you get a new one, it will be worth 30% less once you take it out of the car dealer.

Buy a small engine car (save money on gas) with a good A/C. (2004 - 2009)

There are gas stations like the CITGO stations where Air is free (for your tires).... other gas stations charge you $1.

The best fast food restaurant that I highly recommend you is Pollo Tropical. The chicken does not have any additives...the food in general...and it is very healthy and tasty. You could eat there everyday and the food won`t harm your body like McDonalds or BK. The chicken has a lot of proteins and the white rice and lemonade are perfect to build muscle if you go to the gym.

Whenever you go to SoBe, try to get early if you want to get a parking spot. Private parking places charge you $20 (way too expensive).

If you don`t have a profession/career/training.... try to get hired in Bellsouth or FPL, those two companies pay very good salaries...I would say they are among the few companies that pay above decent salaries in Miami. (Telephone customer service agent = over $45,000/year, FPL Apprentice line specialist = Over $75,000/year). Many of those positions don`t require you to have a bachelors degree. The county also pays well (Police, firefighter, even a county painter, any position in the county). Avoid small businesses like Hernandez and whatever C.P.A., whatever, whatever, and Rodriguez/small business (They pay peanuts!).

Ohh, avoid Brickell, SoBe, and Coral Gables if you want to save money (to reside...just visit). To places are expensive. Kendall, and Doral are good areas to live.

Ohh, whenever you go to Dolphin mall, they have a special "Yellow key" for tourists that you claim in the Info Kiosk at one of the mall entrances. By showing an I.D. from a state different than Florida or a Country different than U.S., you get that Yellow key ("Key to discounts") and can use it to buy products (you`ll save a lot of money...for example..Shoes >> -25% many stores..Nike, Footlocker, etc). (I`ve been doing this for years, and many residents as well).

Ohh there is a device called Majicjack (Voice over IP) and it costs 20$/yearly (the service)... you`ll get a Miami Number 786 305 and you can make free calls within the U.S. and accept calls.... (a broadband internet connection is required).(you`ll save tons...this tool is excellent for people that have family overseas) http://www.magicjack.com

Well, I know a few more... I`ll write you later..