Goodwill, Ikea, thrift shops
NEWLYWEDS, NEW HOME | Saving by skipping phone, TV, Internet
When wedding bells rang earlier this year for Julia Vazquez-Zimmerman, she and her husband, Andrew Zimmerman, were cost-conscious in planning the festivities.
They opted for a brunch and cash bar instead of a sit-down reception dinner with free drinks. And they honeymooned in Paris -- not in the spring -- in January, staying at what Vazquez laughingly called the Budget Inn of France.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
"We had a good time," Vazquez said. "It was very economical."
As a young couple just starting out and also buying a home in the midst of a troubled economy, the Aurora residents understand the importance of being frugal.
They have no landline telephone, no cable and no television or Internet access at home, said Vazquez, 27.
"When we're together, we spend our time cooking new meals, watching movies from the library, practicing yoga and attending free events," said Vazquez.
She directs an in-house television station at Children's Memorial Hospital that broadcasts TV shows and movies for kids. Zimmerman, 25, works in management at a Carol Stream Walgreens store, she said. Because public transportation isn't an option, he drives to work. She takes Metra four days a week to help keep a lid on out-of-control gasoline prices.
"I don't drive around as much," she said. "Anytime that I do drive into the city or anywhere I try to go to at least the grocery store or a Target, or (when) going way south to visit family, I visit a couple of people, so it's always more than one or two things."
When buying items for the house, Vazquez is picky and practical.
"Just about nothing in our house, but maybe a bookcase from Ikea, is new," she said. "I got most of my furniture from the White Elephant, which is a consignment shop on Lincoln. I also go to places like Goodwill for vases and funky housewares."
She also keeps an eye out for bargains at going out of business or store moving sales.
"I tend to wait to go during the last days when they're really discounted like 60 to 80 percent," she said.
That paid off recently when she found a comforter marked down from $80 to $10 at a Cost Plus World Market store that was moving, she said.
She enjoys shopping for clothes, but doesn't go overboard.
"With clothes, I go to vintage stores a lot, because I'm more likely to find something that's really unique, probably 30 to 40 years old," she said. "Nobody has it and I get a ton of compliments.
"I'll admit I have a pair of Tory Burch shoes I went ahead and did a major splurge on, but I'll wear (them) with a $2 dress from Goodwill, and it just looks sharp."
So she's able to get her shopping fix, without busting the budget. Said Vazquez, "I can't get upset spending $30 a month on new clothes and home accessories."
What are you doing to make ends meet? Write to psmith@suntimes.com