Tip #3

Don't throw it out

One essential skill for thrifty living is just to keep anything that still has use left in it. Note I said that it must still have use in it, otherwise your living quarters can easily become a landfill. Many people throw out their old technology whenever they upgrade to the latest gizmos and gadgets. I however, recommend keeping that old VCR or turntable. I am currently working a maintenance job at a camp. One of my duties with this job is to collect garbage. The other day I came across a box full of VHS tapes which I assume were probably thrown out because someone else' VCR broke. I now have a full summer's worth of media entertainment for no cost at all. Now you may argue that the picture/sound quality isn't the same, and that is true, but i find that there is something nostalgic about watching a film in the washed out grainy color of a VHS. Another benefit to keeping old technology is that it often comes back into style as a retro or vintage item (an example of this would be the recent renewed popularity of 80's video games). Now you may get a few odd looks from your friends when they see a commador 64 sitting on your coffee table, but just wait in a few years they'll envy you for having it. So keep your old technology, throw a retro party with it and have a good time. It may not match the stats of a blueray disk, but your wallet will thank you.