Mom holds the line on cell phone usage to save money
'I'M THE DISHWASHER' | Cutting back on utilities, using mass transit a good way to save
Garvice Saunders believes in communication -- to a point. Among the ways she works to keep costs down is by exercising strict discipline in the use of her cell phone.
The far North Side Chicago resident is on a pay-as-you-go plan with Virgin Mobile.
(Keith Hale/Sun-Times)
"It's for emergencies or job search use while I'm out and about," she said. "My family knows I'll return home soon, so if they are not on fire and I'm not on fire, do not call or text me on my cell phone."
Saunders, who has lupus, has been out of work for nearly a year and relies on Social Security disability payments for income as she looks for permanent work. Keeping costs in check is important, she said.
She recently switched her landline telephone and Internet service plans because the bill was too high. The plan she has now with EarthLink is saving her as much as 25 percent each month, she said.
Saunders, who lives with her elderly mother, relies on public transportation to get back and forth from job interviews and takes advantage of a shuttle service for disabled patients when her mom has doctor's appointments. The service costs a total of $8 round-trip for the two of them, she said, which is cheaper than a cab would be.
She noted her mom, who receives Social Security, doesn't get around as much anymore and that's indirectly helped both of them reduce costs.
"We save money because we were both shopaholics," she said.
Saunders also saves money on her energy bill by cutting out the use of one home appliance: the dishwasher. She has only used it once in the past seven months.
"I'm the dishwasher," she said.
What are you doing to make ends meet? Write to psmith@suntimes.com