Northwest Airlines List Of 101 Ways To Save Money
August 17, 2006
***August 23, 7 pm update***
Click More Northwest Airlines 101 Ways To Save Money to find a commentary, update on NPR, and links to this post.
***5 pm update***
I was interviewed by NPR for their segment Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me segment. When I get the link I will post it.
***3 pm update***
Here is a link to MNspeak.com and what a few of the Minneapolis folks are saying
***Noon update***
This morning a federal judge ruled he cannot block a strike by NWA flight attendants. “CHAOS” could start August 25th.
This is a follow up to my previous post Outsourced Northwest Airlines Employees Down In The Dumps(ters)
In fairness it looks as if the company, (NEAS Company, www.neas.com) who put this list together has the same list for all of their clients, not Northwest Airlines specifically. Still, you would think the airline would look at the material they are giving to their soon to be former employees.
In my opinion some of these are decent ideas but in this context, jobs being outsourced, this is insulting at best.
So here are the 101 Ways To Save Money from the 4-page “Preparing for a Financial Setback” including the now famous #46 “Don’t be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.”
1. Set your thermostat to 64 and turn it down to 60 at night.
2. Use the phone book instead of directory assistance.
3. Use coupons at the grocery store.
4. Carpool.
5. Ask for generic prescriptions instead of brand name.
6. Do your own nails.
7. Rent out a room or garage.
8. Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt.
9. Make long distance calls at night and on weekends, instead of mid-day, mid-week.
10. Throw pocket change in a jar and take it to the bank when it's full.
11. Always grocery shop with a list.
12. Buy spare parts for your car at a junkyard.
13. Go to museums on free days.
14. Quit smoking.
15. Get hand-me-down clothes and toys for your kids from family and friends.
16. Meet friends for coffee instead of dinner.
17. Request to get interest on a security deposit for your apartment.
18. Take a shorter shower.
19. Write letters instead of calling.
20. Brown bag your lunch.
21. Make your own babyfood.
22. Use public transportation.
23. Drop duplicate medical insurance.
24. Buy old furniture at yard sales and refinish it yourself.
25. Apply for scholarships and financial aid.
26. Exercise for free-walk, jog, bike, or get exercise videos from the library.
27. Form a baby-sitting cooperative with friends and neighbors.
28. Buy your clothes off season.
29. Go to a matinee instead of an evening show.
30. Share housing with a friend or family member.
31. Hang clothes out to dry.
32. Do not use your calling card.
33. Volunteer two hours a month for reduced cost food through the Share Program.
34. Change the oil in your car yourself regularly.
35. Get pre-approval from your medical insurance company before undergoing any procedures or tests.
36. But 'no frills' vitamins.
37. Take a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods.
38. Make cards and gifts for friends.
39. Shop in thrift stores.
40. Have your water company do an audit so you are not charged sewage fees for water used in your garden.
41. Refinance your mortgage.
42. Grocery shop on double coupon days.
43. Trade down your car for a less expensive, lower maintenance one.
44. Convert your cash value life insurance to term.
45. Shop around for eyeglasses.
46. Don’t be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.
47. Recycle.
48. Move to a less expensive place to live.
49. Use low flush toilets or water saving devices in the tank.
50. Drop unneeded telephone services like call forwarding or caller ID.
51. Buy fruits and vegetables in season.
52. Avoid using your ATM card at machines that charge a fee.
53. Bicycle to work.
54. Shop around for auto insurance discounts for multiple drivers, seniors, good driving records, etc.
55. Ask your doctor for samples of prescriptions.
56. Borrow a dress for a big night out. or go to a consignment shop.
57. When you buy a home negotiate the sales price and closing costs.
58. Turn the hot water heater down and wrap it with insulation.
59. Never grocery shop hungry.
60. If you qualify, file for Earned Income Credit.
61. Shop around for prescriptions including mail order companies (Medi-Mail 800-331-1458, Action Mail Order Drugs 800-452-1976, and AARP 800-456-2277).
62. If you pay for childcare, make use of the dependent care tax credit or your employer's dependent care flexible spending account.
63. Buy, sell, and trade clothes at consignment shops.
64. Shop around for the lowest banking fees.
65. Caulk windows and doors.
66. Iron your own shirts.
67. Plan your weekly food menu before shopping.
68. Buy a good used car instead of a new model car.
69. Purchase all of your insurance from the same company to get a discount.
70. Cut your cable television down to basic.
71. Go to an optometrist for routine vision tests or to change an eyeglass prescription.
72. Buy pre-owned toys and children's books at garage sales.
73. Have potluck dinners with friends and family instead of going out.
74. Use the library for books, video tapes, and music.
75. Inspect clothing carefully before purchasing it.
76. Don't use your dishwasher dry cycle; open the door and let them air dry all night.
77. At the grocery store, comparison shop by looking at the unit price.
78. Make your own coffee.
79. Use old newspapers for cat litter.
80. Shop at discount clothing stores.
81. Skip annual full mouth x-rays unless there is a problem; the ADA recommends x-rays every 3 years.
82. Water your garden at night or early in the morning.
83. Shop around for long distance rates.
84. Hand wash instead of dry cleaning.
85. Grow your own vegetables and herbs.
86. Shop around for auto financing.
87. Donate time instead of money to religious organizations and charities.
88. If you are leaving a room for more than five minutes, turn off the light.
89. Shop at auctions or pawn shops for jewelry and antiques.
90. Keep your car properly tuned.
91. Request lower interest rates from your creditors.
92. Trade in old books, records, and CDs at book and record exchanges.
93. Pay bills the day they arrive; many credit card companies charge interest based on your average daily balance.
94. Buy software at computer fares.
95. Search the internet for freebies.
96. Compost to make your own fertilizer.
97.If your car has very little value, you probably only need liability insurance.
98. Cut the kids hair yourself.
99. Increase your insurance deductible.
100. Buy in bulk food warehouses.
101. If your income is low, contact utility companies about reduced rates.
53. Bicycle to work.
Good advice for people about to have no work to bike to. Thanks for posting this. It's great motivation to develop revenue sources outside the traditional workplace!
Posted by: N9 | August 17, 2006 at 10:03 AM
You forgot the tried and time tested one,
"Let them eat cake."
Or as Abe Lincoln quoted them:
"You make your bread and I'll eat it."
Posted by: dra | August 17, 2006 at 07:50 PM
Are you serious? If this is the type of garbage suggestions given by Northwest Airlines to its soon-to-be-former-employees, I dare say NWA has a lot to learn still. And if their CEO would say: hey, I will take $1 for a year's wage so that we can keep some people on the payroll, I assure you employees would think far more of their employer and the people at the top.
As it is, I think it's not only tasteless, but quite rude, to have expended the kind of money they paid to this contractor to come up with such nonsense. If NWA employees want good advice, may I suggest network with your family, friends and other people in your industry, and, of course, consider retraining. All far better options than dumpster-diving, consignment shopping, coupon clipping and things that really won't bring revenue when a paycheck is no longer forthcoming.
Posted by: Izzy | August 19, 2006 at 09:31 AM
I can't believe that the CEO and the President of NWA should be able keep their job after such a insulting suggestion to their employees. I don't believe that they should get a golden handshake either.
Posted by: Frank Pierce | August 20, 2006 at 11:47 PM
Tip Number 101
Fire the person who came up with the dumbest "motivation" ever.
Tip Number 102
Cut the CEO and their partners pay to thirty thousand a year, make them get rid of their nice cars, homes, and retirement funds, then give the profits to all the employees they are getting rid of.
Posted by: Scottie | August 22, 2006 at 12:31 PM
Pulling things out of the trash, eh? Like UNUSED Northwest Plane Tickets and/or Boarding Passes? Or those ads for NEAS? What an idea for toilet paper, eh?
Posted by: Patrick Butler | August 23, 2006 at 07:50 AM
“08-23-2006: AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A U.S. Northwest Airlines plane bound for Mumbai was turned back to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport on Wednesday accompanied by Dutch fighter planes due to worrying passenger behavior, officials said.” I guess those cost cutting measures can be really frightening when the passengers find out Northwest didn’t have enough money for fuel even after implementing all those cost cutting measures they recently published.
Posted by: Patrick Butler | August 23, 2006 at 08:28 AM
FOUND THIS TO BE A USEFUL APPROACH TO FRUGALITY THAT ALL WASTE HOUNDED AMERICANS COULD LEARN FROM. WE MUST TRY TO HALT OUR MORE IS BETTER MIND SET. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Posted by: PAUL MYERS | August 23, 2006 at 09:19 AM
I'm sorry some people were offended because there are so many good ideas that would help in times of short cash. I'm reminded of many smart things I just forgot in times of plenty. Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: josephine spitzer | August 23, 2006 at 10:18 AM
As someone who tries to live as simply and inexpensively as possible, I recognize a lot of these suggestions in my everyday behavoir.
They're great for people who are looking for ways to cut back, either out of necessity or out of wishing to live a different lifestyle, but truly inappropriate when placed in the same packet as information regarding a layoff.
Having been laid off and receiving a very similar set of 'helpful hints' with my severance paperwork, I can tell you that what might be an "oh, good idea!" moment by the light of day is not the same moment when you're faced with the loss of your livelihood and career.
Posted by: wix | August 23, 2006 at 10:40 AM
If a person did only half of these things, their lives would be too busy to find another job. The benefits of all the services that we pay for are the reason employees can work longer hours, increase production and make more money for the companies. Does NWA really think they can have it both ways? I mean, didn't all these companies get a HUGE aid package after 9/11 to keep them afloat? If the CEOs mismanaged that, then why should they be paid so high for their poor performance?
If NWA does bankrupt itself, watch. New airlines will miraculously appear, buy out the NWA planes at a low cost (on our taxpayer dime), hire non-union employees at a siginifcantly reduced rate - make loads of cash, and all investors and economic analysts will praise them as an example of a good business - meanwhile EVERYONE except the owners pay for the debt that was created at NWA.
Q: Where is the accountability at the higher levels?
A: There is none because our bankruptsy laws allow them to just transfer millions of dollars of debt onto the shoulders of their employees and the tax payers. If we don't hold them accounable, why should they be?
Posted by: Kim | August 23, 2006 at 05:12 PM
Thanks for the list of money saving ideas. Watching for useful stuff in neighbors trash is a great way to save money. Most Americans are extremely wasteful and many throw away perfectly good stuff without even considering calling Goodwill to pick it up or drop it of themselves.
Posted by: Garet | August 23, 2006 at 07:11 PM
Tip #102:
Find another job... because you're fired.
A great way of wrapping up the list and letting people know they are fired at the same time.
Posted by: Arthur Chaparyan | August 25, 2006 at 03:13 AM
Interesting how the people who could most use the advice seem to be the ones most ready to reject it.
Posted by: Gil | August 25, 2006 at 09:05 PM
I like how some of you are mad at Northwest and I do feel for the employees who will lose their jobs but what everyone everywhere does not understand is that Northwest is right you have to prepare yourself for finanical setbacks it's not your companies,families,friends, and the government to help you out STOP CRYING AND START LEARNING TO THINK FOR YOURSELF STOP ACTING LIKE EVERYONE SHOULD BE DOING STUFF FOR YOU YOU SHOULD BE DOING STUFF FOR YOUR SELF.
Posted by: Justine | August 26, 2006 at 10:35 PM
I worked for NWA over 20 years ago, I see the company hasn't changed. It was trash then.......many I've talked with since I left report the same crap year after year. I've worked for other airlines, airline management is the same no matter what the carrier.....crisis management. This is if you don't know, wait until a problem gets out of hand, then blame the staff and try to cover things up. I'm in a non airline job now, management still has their heads in the clouds. The best thing to do: Keep your mouth shut, vote union and try to retire with some $$$. As for management suggesting the staff make sacrifices, when the staff sees management set the example, then everyone follow suit. As for the rest of this newsletter, frankly my dear I don't give a damn. Good luck to all the blue collar workers.....hint: get some better paying jobs outside the industry. The airlines are not 'God'.....
Posted by: Richie B/New York | August 27, 2006 at 09:37 AM
Have the high-rolling NWA executives tried these 101 ways to cut expenses or are these suggestions only for others? Interesting the concessions the rank-and-file employees always need to make to keep the fat cats rolling in dough. The execs are the only ones who think they are so deserving of big salaries. The caste system is alive and well in Corporate America.
Posted by: Vic | August 27, 2006 at 01:49 PM
Is that list a joke? I am not talking about who sent it out or why, but it contains several grammer, spelling and formatting errors. It is something that I would expect a small non-profit program to release who caters to the underprivilige. I would not expect it from a fortune 500 company or someone representing a fortune 500 company.
Posted by: Joe | August 27, 2006 at 02:25 PM
They canvassed Northwest Airlines' vice-presidents who practise these 101 tips themselves. How do you think it got to be such an efficiently run airline in the first place? (Grrrrrrr.....)
Posted by: Katy | August 27, 2006 at 04:08 PM
Wake up out there.These people are serious.We are going to be a third world country in 50 years,and we have no one to blame except our selves.My observations tell me there is no difference in our 2 parties except a few small differences like abortion and the death penalty.I have voted Republican for 25 years starting with Reagan which in retrospect was the beginning of the end.All we can do is hope that someone will step forward like FDR and look at the plight of working people in this country and try to do something to help.At this point the fox is guarding the hen house and unless something is done to stop the shipping of our jobs off shore and South our Grandchildren really have alot to look forward to.It appears that the rich are not content with being rich they want to be FILTHY RICH.Don't share any in any way instead suggest that folks grubb out of dumpsters.I don't have the answers but people better wake up and ask alot of questions and start taxing the HELL out of corporaions that take jobs out or bring goods in.Without manufacturing we are in deep DOO DOO.I am a capitalist but we have set on our asses and let our leaders take us in way the wrong direction.Hope these words will ring a bell.My family worked for Consolidated Freightways another rich gonna be filthy rich sell out.Good luck to all the Southwest employees.
Posted by: Bruce Ward | August 27, 2006 at 04:22 PM
"Someday you will look back on this and say, 'That was the best thing that ever happened to me.'"
Posted by: The Boss | August 27, 2006 at 05:36 PM
the ones at the top stole it all, with big pay,
big big fat retirement , stocks and their opions there is no money for you little people that work with your hands and back,we at the top should get it all we got the brains, now get out there an vote for OUR friends at the GOP.
Posted by: joe carnett | August 27, 2006 at 06:15 PM
Lets all try to boycott NWA see how long they last then..
Posted by: john gender | August 27, 2006 at 06:18 PM
well if the GOP get in again there will be no jobs left anyway. who said let them eat cake, well that the GOP reply to the working people of the U.S.A. .i say vote them fat basters out of office an get this contry back. they let compays steal your pensons,health, an your kids life to come. GOD BLESS YOU ALL THAT WORK WITH YOUR BACK
Posted by: joe carnett | August 28, 2006 at 10:53 AM
AS A FURLOUGHED PILOT AFTER 911, I CAN RELATE TO THE SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS WITH OUR COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES. NOT MANY GOOD JOBS LEFT IN AMERICA ANYMORE. THE MAJOR AIRLINES IN AMERICA EXCEPT FOR SOUTHWEST AND JETBLUE ARE LOSERS. THE MAJOR AIRLINES ARE ENDING THE GLORY DAYS OF HIGH PILOT PAY. INSTEAD THE MAJOR AIRLINES ARE SPINNING UP SMALLER REGIONAL AIRLINES SUCH AS DELTA CONNECTION, CONTINENTAL CONNECTION,AND NORTWESTS, PINNACLE AIRLINES. THESE REGIONAL AIRLINES ARE DESTROYING SALARIES FOR PILOTS,FLIGHT ATTENDANTS,AVIATION MECHANICS,GROUND SUPPORT,etc.
MOST OF THESE REGIONALS ARE PAYING PILOTS LESS THAN $20.00 PER HOUR OF FLIGHT TIME WITH A GUARANTEE OF ONLY 80 HOURS PER MONTH. THAT IS JUST SICK!!!!!!!!!PILOTS SHOULD BE PAID WHAT THEY ARE WORTH BASED ON EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING. THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IN THE USA WITH REGIONAL AIRLINES HIRING THE LOW FLIGHT TIME PILOTS RIGHT OUT OF FLIGHT SCHOOL, TYPICALLY WITH ONLY 250 HOURS OF MULTIENGINE TIME OR LESS. THAT IS JUST PLANE SCARY!!!! WITH THE RECENT COMAIR #5191 CRASH IN KENTUCKY THIS SHOULD BE A WAKE UP CALL FOR THE FLYING PUBLIC IN AMERICA. ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN, BUT WHY SHOULD THE MAJOR AIRLINES ADVERTISE THEIR BRAND NAME WHEN WE AS THE FLYING PUBLIC ARE SUBJECTED TO INFERIOR SERVICE AND TRUST. WHY SHOULD THESE MAJOR AIRLINES AND REGIONAL SUBSIDIARIES BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE HIRING YOUNG KIDS TO FLY US AROUND? ARE THEY SO GREEDY THAT THEY WILL COMPROMISE SAFETY TO SAVE ON HIRING QUALIFIED OLDER WISER PILOTS? HOW MUCH IS YOUR LIFE WORTH? WOULD YOU TRUST YOURSELF TO BE CUT UP BY A SURGEON WITH LITTLE OR NO EXPERIENCE? I DO NOT THINK SO!
IT IS A VERY SAD COMMENT ON OUR GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW AGENCIES LIKE THE FAA TO ALLOW THESE KINDS OF LOW STANDARDS TO CONTINUE. IN ADDITION THE UNITED STATES STILL CONTINUES TO TRAIN FOREIGN PILOTS AND HIRE FOREIGN PILOTS FROM EUROPE AND OTHER COUNTRIES AS LONG AS THEY PASS HOMELAND SECURITY BACKGROUND CHECKS AND HOLD A GREEN CARD.
THIS IS ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM FOR AMERICAN EMPLOYMENT. WHY IS IT THAT THE USA ALLOWS THESE AVIATION WORKERS TO WORK CHEAP IN AMERICA TO GET THE EXPERIENCE AND THEN LEAVE FOR EUROPE OR THEIR HOMELAND WHERE AMERICAN PILOTS CAN NOT WORK, WHY?
I CAN NOT WORK AS A PILOT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, SO WHY SHOULD WE ALLOW THEM TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES?
SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG IN AMERICA. I FEEL LIKE A FOREIGNER IN MY OWN LAND!
ANY COMMENTS?
Posted by: CantMakeItHereAnymore | August 28, 2006 at 01:55 PM
It's amazing...
But maybe not.
Someone should remind the CEO's and top brass at these companies that without their employees, they'll have NOTHING to manage.
Yes.
Dark days indeed.
How about we all start taking trains again? Who needs the airlines?
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
Posted by: Jay Kahrs | August 28, 2006 at 02:02 PM
Has anyone considered that the reason they're losing their jobs is because they did a poor job to begin with?
Anyone who who has flown "Northworst" recently will have little sympathy. Here's to all the surly, lying Northwest employees for leaving me stranded for 14 hours in Detroit, then putting us on a plane where we got to sit on the tarmac for another 3 hours -- Enjoy being jobless!!! I'll be on Continental...
Posted by: Carn Dias | August 28, 2006 at 04:08 PM
carns dias, you don`t think Continenal not next, them fat basters at the top of almost all the companys in the USA are a bunch of crooks, you think your grass cutting job going to last. you will be eating it,you nut.
Posted by: joe carnett | September 02, 2006 at 10:09 PM
I found a great prescription discount card at www.rxdrugcard.com. It costs only $4.50 a month to have the card. They have posted their prescription prices on the website to check before you enroll. I think that RxDrugCard.com is the best drug card available for prescription discounts. No-one should have to pay the full cash price.
Posted by: Lily | July 31, 2008 at 01:44 PM
These are suggestions on how to save money. The employees (and the audience in this blog) should be thankful that the NWA administration shares their ideas.
Much as I'd like to see all NWA employees get their positions back, I am not in the position to do so. But I admire the administration for at least sympathizing with their employees in this matter.
I also have a resource to share. It's a short, concise article about saving : http://www.siakoi.com/business/shopping/random-money-saving-tips.html
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Posted by: Albert | December 07, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Its funny to me when people suggest that the CEOs and the like have pay cuts down to that of even less than their employees. True, some of these get over the top ridiculous pay, but they definitely deserve a higher pay grade. They accept added stress, risk, and get the hatred of everyone, apparently.
Posted by: flirting tip | April 20, 2010 at 12:56 AM