Make Change: Tried and true and new ways save money

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By Kurt Allemeier | Sunday, September 7, 2008 10:16 PM CDT | () comments

Sharon Bailey prepares dinner for her husband Bill. (Jeff Cook/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

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Tried and true and something new is how Bill and Sharon Bailey approach saving money.

As gasoline and food prices rise, the Baileys, of Davenport, are sticking to a family tradition of making big meals and putting aside leftovers for meals later.

Although they are empty-nesters, Sharon said she saves by buying in large amounts, especially getting some bulk items at a discount grocery store. On a recent evening, she cut up a five-pound ham purchased for $10, serving part of it with scalloped potatoes. She put two-thirds of the ham aside for at least two other meals later in the week. Tomatoes for a salad that accompanies the meal come from the couple’s garden.

“I cook for about four to six people, and there is only two of us,” Sharon said. “I freeze the rest, and we have it for lunch or sometime for another quick meal after work.”

The couple, married 43 years, live in the house they built. They raised five children who are all grown and out of the house. They admit to being fairly frugal when it comes to eating.

“We don’t eat out a lot,” Sharon said. “We mostly stay home.

“I’m not a fancy cook. I believe in easy, comfortable meals.”

Bill and Sharon come from large families, so simple meals with easy-to-find ingredients was something they learned growing up. She saves money by thinking ahead and creating a grocery list, rather than making several stops at the store during the week.

They both admit that they are driving slower now that gas prices are well over $3 per gallon as a way of saving gas and money.

Bill works as a mechanic for Terry Frazer’s RV Center in Eldridge, Iowa. He said he keeps the speedometer of his Ford Ranger on 55 mph on his commute to and from work. He has seen his gas mileage improve from 19 to 22 mpg.

“The higher gas prices went, the slower I went,” Bill said. “You leave five minutes earlier and get there at the same time. It is no big deal.”

Sharon, who drives mostly around town, notices that drivers who go faster than her often end up at the same stoplights.

“I’ve been trying not to put my foot down so much,” she said.

Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at (563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com.

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When the economy gets tight, people have to adjust their spending. Whether it’s dusting off the old bicycle, eating out less or expanding the vegetable garden, Quad-Citians are getting creative.

E-mail your story idea and contact information to newsroom@qctimes.com with the heading: Quad-Citians Save Money. You may also mail ideas to Quad-Citians Save Money c/o Quad-City Times newsroom, 500 E. 3rd St., Davenport, IA 52801.

We are seeking participants who will agree to being photographed and videotaped for interviews for a series of stories that will run both in our print edition and on our Web site, qctimes.com.