Money saving tips that you can take to the bank

CALUMET CITY | No bottled water, no paying for car washes, no charging

Bottled water is out and loose change is in at the home of Carmela Vargas.

The Calumet City resident, who along with her husband, David Vargas, raised six kids and paid to put them through Catholic schools, said she has long known how to cut costs.

So amid the rise in food and gas prices, she has made adjustments. Bottled water was dropped six months ago, after the couple bought a refrigerator that dispenses water.

Her husband, a code inspector for the City of Calumet City gets "water from the refrigerator and takes it with him," she said

Vargas, a 58-year-old administrative coordinator for the University of Chicago Medical Center, also can't see paying for car washes.

"We have a big driveway," she said. "This Saturday, all the cars were washed in front. We've been doing that for years."

Vargas is a grandmother of 14. She often buys presents for her family and is a regular shopper at the Goodwill Store in Lansing, where she said bargain prices on new products can be found.

"Goodwill stores have half-price days several times a month," she said.

About a year ago, Vargas began getting her dry-cleaning done at a discount cleaner where she pays $1.99 an item. That cut that expense by more than half, she said.

To also help make ends meet, she avoids charging and saves loose change.

"I have big jars at home of change," she said. "We rolled up dimes. We have $300 just in dimes alone. We'll save for something special instead of charging."

What are you doing to make ends meet? Write to psmith@suntimes.com.