Las Vegas residents share how they save in tough economic times

Las Vegas resident Randy Erwin leaned against the bed of his white Toyota Tacoma, arms crossed over his chest, his brows drawn together in a defiant and irritated line as he watched the meter on the gas pump tick past $40.

"It costs a small fortune just to fill up now," he said. "There are no jobs. Cost of living is up. Gas prices are changing by leaps and bounds every day. A guy can't seem to win."

With gas prices soaring, in some cases to $4 per gallon, a weak economy and the cost of food, housing and entertainment higher than ever, Erwin isn't alone in his feelings.

But certified financial planner Audry Batiste isn't so pessimistic.

Batiste said if people would embrace the ideology of financial dieting, the stress of financial instability would not be all-consuming.

"There are ways to cut back and methods that can help people get back on the right financial track," he said. "It's my job to lead people in that direction."

Batiste said budgeting is a key component and the first step toward learning to live within your means .

"You can't know you're overspending if you don't really watch what you're doing with your money," he said. "Well, you can know, but it's easier to be in denial about it when you don't pay attention."

Batiste recommends that people save at least 10 percent of their annual salary as a rainy day fund.

"There are lots of little ways to cut back," he said. "Even if you can't do 10 percent, save something. That's better than nothing and will give you something to fall back on in a time of need."

Batiste said consumers could start to cut back by looking at things such as cable television and phone bills.

"You're paying for 100-plus channels, but how many are you really watching? " he asked . "If you can get your cable bill lowered by $20, it's a start. It may sound cliché, but every little bit does help."

Batiste also encourages individuals and families with cellphones to cut the cord, so to speak -- the land line cord, that is.

"If everyone in the family has a cell phone, there's really no reason to keep a home land line going," he said.

Batiste said scaling back outings, such as weekly evenings on the town, and daily indulgences, such as a Starbucks latte, can help, too.

"Start going to dinner every other Friday night instead of every week," he said. "Have a romantic dinner at home. Buy specialty coffees weekly instead of every day. I really can't stress how quickly the little things add up; $5 here and there can make a difference."

Batiste said another way to save is to take a "staycation" and not a vacation.

"We live in Las Vegas," he said. "There's no place better to get away from it all without having to leave the city. Go to the Strip and play tourist for a few days. Lounge by the pool. Stay at one of our fabulous hotels."

Southwest Las Vegas resident Virginia Thompson forgoes buying books online or at local booksellers to save a few bucks by checking them out at the library.

"I get to read what I want to read, and it costs me nothing," she said. "You can also get DVD s at the library."

Jodie Elliot saves money by purchasing generic medicines.

"I haven't bought name-brand Tylenol in years," she said. "Why do that when you can buy the store brand and save?"

Brett Grant, owner of the Radio Shopping Show on KSHP-AM 1400, a local radio station that offers discounted retail items to its listeners, said people on the hunt for deals can find ways to enjoy a night out on the town for less.

"We offer certificates for as much as 75 percent off," he said. "We get everything from discounts on shows and dinners to shampoo and salon visits."

For more information, visit www.kshp.
com. Grant said people call in to the show to purchase the certificates, which is a great way to save money on things that can otherwise cost a great deal.

"If we sell you a $50 dining certificate for $25, then you've saved significantly," he said.

Grant said the show, which is on the air seven hours per day Monday through Friday and three hours Saturday and Sunday, offers hundreds of items for sale daily.

Grant said he learned long ago that you can't spend $50 when you have only $51, and he's attempting to help people live within their means.

"Nobody wants to have to make sacrifices," he said. "I understand that sometimes that's necessary, but if you can find good deals, it isn't always."

Contact Southwest and Spring Valley View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.