When it comes to stretching those dollars, few do it better than Korean moms. Amid fears of a recession, here’s some cash-saving advice from our favorite frugalists.
DIY
In her stand-up routine, Margaret Cho jokes about the time her mom refused to buy her glue for a school project. “Just-a use riiice,” Mama Cho advised. Not a bad idea. Follow her lead and be resourceful in creating homemade household products. Mix together vinegar and baking soda and you’ve got yourself an effective cleaning agent. Blending oatmeal, cornmeal and wheat germ gives you an exfoliating body scrub.
Recycle
Umma would never let you throw away wrapping paper at Christmas. She’d fold it up and use it for birthday gifts. Of course, there are less obvious (read: tacky) ways to recycle: using old TV dinner trays to reheat food in the microwave, reusing fabric softener sheets to keep drawers and suitcases fresh, and making quilts out of old clothes. Protect your wallet and the earth!
Cut Your Own Hair
So you still have nightmares about that jjigae bowl inching toward your head. Get over your fears by giving yourself a trim that won’t get you beat up on the playground, er, at the office. Some tips: Wet hair is easier to cut than dry hair, cut only a little at a time and make sure to sharp scissors. And if you’re a guy who doesn’t need a high-maintenance Ryan Seacrest ‘do, the Flowbee isn’t such a bad idea.
Take What’s “Free”
Sure, you used to cower in the booth every time umma would hoard sugar packets and napkins from McDonald’s. (The chili flakes at pizza joints were an extra special treat.) But don’t be afraid to snag a few extras here and there. Why spend money on an expensive car wash when you squeegee your entire vehicle at the gas station for free?
Buy In Bulk
Umma did it with kimchi, why not get a Costco card and do it with everything else?
Find A Roommate
Lower your rent bill with housemates. Hey, umma didn’t seem to mind living under the same roof with both sets of grandparents. Free babysitting.
Got A Green Thumb?
Save major cash by growing your own fruits and vegetables. Umma loved boasting to all her friends and relatives that the ingredients in her latest culinary creation came straight from her backyard.
How are you coping with the recession?
