6 Controversial Moves That Will Save You Money
Source: 6 Controversial Moves That Will Save You Money
It really is quite hard to shave off hundreds or thousands of dollars off your expenditures unless you opt for some what some people might call drastic measures. Of course, you can always have more cash in the bank by earning more money, which you achieve through methods like having side jobs or negotiating a higher salary. Some people opt for certain choices that will save them a ton of money, which may seem controversial to others. Read on to find out what they are.
Not Having Kids: More and more women are not having kids. In fact, a Pew Research Center study done in 2010 found that 20 percent of older women don't have kids. This compares to the 10 percent found in the 1970s. This can be a result of society being more OK with childless women and marriages. Although not having kids will save you thousands of dollars (the actual number is between $148,000 and $299,000 for the first 17 years of a child's life according to the US Department of Agriculture), most people will say having children is an invaluable experience that you can't put a price on.
Not Raising Pets: How much is that doggy in the window? Too much apparently. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that cats cost $670 a year and large dogs will see you with $875 less a year. To me that sounds like a conservative estimate, especially if your beloved animal ends up having medical problems. However, I'm sure many owners will say the high price tag is well worth its cost.
Renting Forever: There's no place like home, but would a house feel like your own if you're renting it? We once asked readers if they would be comfortable with renting forever, but 65 percent of them said they eventually want to own their own home. With home ownership comes the added cost of things like maintenance, taxes, and insurance, which renters don't have to deal with. Many argue that buying a house is a good investment, because you're building equity. That may work with people who intend to live in a place for a long time and who buy the property at a good price. However, for those people who have seen the price of their home plummet or who have faced foreclosure, renting forever would've saved them a lot of money.
Not Attending College: There are some advocates out there that say college is a waste of time and money. Take for example, Billionaire Peter Thiel, who is an investor of Facebook and Paypal. Thiel is offering smart college kids under 20 to drop out of school and join his two-year entrepreneurship program. Is higher education really worth the high price tag? Some will argue that having more education increases your earning potential, which will make you richer in the long run.
Dumpster Diving: Not only are freegans saving the earth by recycling unwanted items in dumpster, but they are also saving money at the same time. This is a controversial move because people are of the opinion that it's not very hygienic or safe to eat. The legalities are also in a bit of a gray area as well, because the act of rummaging through other people's trash can be viewed by the police as trespassing.
Skipping Showers: By taking showers twice a month, our savvy pal LearnVest estimates that you'll be saving $45 to $200. It's called the "no 'poo" movement, and its followers drop the daily use of shampoo and soap to save money and preserve their hair from harsh chemicals. Even celebrities are in on the no-shampoo trend - Jessica Simpson, Robert Pattinson, and Prince Harry are fans.
Which of the six controversial moves would you consider?
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