| Author |
Message |
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 16 Aug 2008 18:24
Woooooo hoooooo! That is fabulous! I had no idea how they were getting those Redbox movies!
|
staramaze
Model SISter (2815)
|
# Posted: 16 Aug 2008 18:27
Library... awesome... for the kiddies and for me.
Coupons... I try my best.
Co-op Veggies... check HERE to find yours.
Use what I have... yes... I try this too. and I will be having a GIANT garage sale in sept. to sell off my old stuff (so I can buy MORE! lol!)
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 16 Aug 2008 19:13
There are not any in my town but what a cool idea. I belonged to a food co-op in NC and it was wonderful.
My family is really loving your ideas. I hope you all keep coming up with them.
|
allison11
Vogue SISter (3672)
|
# Posted: 16 Aug 2008 19:43 - Edited by: allison11
i don't know how many people have one of these, but in my hometown, we had a discount grocery store.
there was nothing wrong with the actual products, it was just overstock from other stores or dented cans or something.
food there was so cheap, but they also had beauty products and other stuff.
it was kinda hit and miss, but you could get a weeks worth of groceries for about $30!
something else that has helped adam and i is to plant a garden. i know it's a little late, but something to think about for next spring. we just planted green peppers, tomatoes, banana peppers, jalepenos and onions. and it has seriously saved so much money. cause the plants themselves are like $2. and then we always have fresh yummy veggies for when we cook.
|
kylissa
Model SISter (2233)
|
# Posted: 16 Aug 2008 22:33
i love love love Redbox movies...a very cheap way to entertain kids!
also- i don't have cable. (but i also don't have kids) no project runway for me.
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 16 Aug 2008 23:14
Growing your own veggies is fabulous!
I am wondering if we need to cancel cable but we have the phone and internet that I have to have for work through them.
|
allison11
Vogue SISter (3672)
|
# Posted: 16 Aug 2008 23:29
I am wondering if we need to cancel cable but we have the phone and internet that I have to have for work through them.
i have thought about doing that.
but i have to have internet for school.
and it's actually cheaper w/ our company to bundle phone + internet + cable than just to have the one service.
weird, but i'm not complaining!
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 16 Aug 2008 23:32
I know, I just wish I could find a cheaper way.
|
 
lpmkate
Favorite SISter (9453)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 12:56
I am wondering if we need to cancel cable but we have the phone and internet that I have to have for work through them.
i have thought about doing that.
but i have to have internet for school.
and it's actually cheaper w/ our company to bundle phone + internet + cable than just to have the one service.
weird, but i'm not complaining!
I got rid of cable and because of the way it's bundled here it only saves me about $10 a month. But $$ wasn't the only reason I got rid of it.
|
allison11
Vogue SISter (3672)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 13:58
because of the way it's bundled here it only saves me about $10
woah- we save like $50-60 a month by bundleing.
i actually went to cancel because of the $$$, but the rep told me about this bundle service, which was way cheaper than what we were doing.
i figure it works out, because if we didn't have internet, i'd have to drive almost all the way across the city to use the internet for school (not even a wi-fi place close to us).
|
YARASAVICH
Vogue SISter (3803)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 20:27
My #1 tip: Stop trying to keep up with the Jones's.......
If you like something - Buy it cause YOU like it not because someone else feels that it is the "thing to have".
If I like a pair of shoes or a purse, I like it cause it makes my feet feel good or I can get all my stuff into it - Not because if the brand name that it is on it.....
Also -
I've spent money lately to save money.
I'm a serious coffee-a-holic. I lived on Dunkin Donuts (24 ounces) and Starbucks (make mine a Venti please.....) Recently a friend gave me a $150 gift certificate to Bed-Bath & Beyond. I bought myself a Keurig coffee maker (and even went for the more expensive $200 one) but I had my 20% off coupon so it only cost me a little more than the value on the gift card........... In the long run I have already saved tons of money making my own coffee at home and believe it or not I think it tastes a lot better......
I also spent money getting a Britta water filter thingie. I buy gallons of water on occassion and sometimes even get the individual size waters for when we're on the go but for the most part I try to re-fill as much as possible.
Also - I get the Entertainment book every year: URL
They have one for many (if not all) states and you can save a ton of money cause there are all sorts of buy 1 get one free coupons for everything from McDonalds to fancy restaurants to clothing stores to dry cleaning and car washes............ LOVE IT!!!!!!
Tammy - Thanks for starting this - I love the idea of saving money.
Not only do I love the idea but I NEED to because although I am making ends meet, there is not much left over at the end of the day for extras so cutting back a little here and a little there goes a long way.......
Like someone else said - It's a frame of mind.
Once you start, it soon becomes second nature.
And speaking of nature............... GO GREEN........
Less wasted not only saves you green cash but hopefully it does a little something for the earth so it is all good........
:0)
Maria
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 22:39 - Edited by: TammyGray
I started sharing some of your ideas in church today and people were highly interested. I am going to check out the Angel Food because I know a church has it right down the street.
Yes, we make our own coffee but do not drink our own water from the faucet. We do not even make our own tea because of the water. I think that is a great point, Maria.
BTW, we order our coffee beans online. My dh checked out Consumer Reports and we have a coffee subsription. It comes to the house every month with exactly the amt we use in a month.
We enjoyed the 3 movies we got for $2.12 through Red Box. What a fun find that is!
I really appreciate the suggestions and so many great finds! Keep 'em coming!
Ohhhhhhhhhh, BTW, my dd got a huge haul of Junior clothes from Freecycle today. She doubled her wardrobe! We have been doing Freecyle for 2 years now and today was a really great day for her to get brand name school clothes! Shew! That is an answer to prayers!
|
 
divv
Big SIS (4527)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 22:47
I have an account on bettycrocker.com Each Saturday, I go through and choose about 3-4 casseroles, soups, stews recipes and print out the grocery list. With high food prices, it makes it much easier on the wallet. I make the casseroles or whatever and usually have leftovers. That saves cooking something new ever night.
Tonight we had a very delish chicken soup with chees tortellini and broccoli. 2 chicken breasts cutup, a bag of broccoli and cheese, tortellini, and italian seasons, made a hearty meal and saved me money because it can be tomorrow's dinner too, or frozen for a later time.
It is 4 kids and me...so preparing dishes that can be eaten later because of leftovers helps me alot.
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 22:48
That is a great idea. Do you do crockpot cooking, too?
|
divv
Big SIS (4527)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 22:50
I also do not have cable.
I have internet and my kids have 2 computers that my friend built for them...so we network and watch all of our fav shows/movies online. Most every television network has shows you can watch online. So my kids don't miss the cable and it saves me an extra $60-70 a month.
|
divv
Big SIS (4527)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 22:52 - Edited by: divv
That is a great idea. Do you do crockpot cooking, too?
Yes!! I have a beautiful large crockpot (family size--it is big) and I love piling things in it. I have the Semi Homemade Slow Cooker Recipe book by Sandra Lee and it cuts costs because she always has easy cost cutting shortcuts to her recipes.
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 22:54
That is a great idea about watching the shows online. Do you get Project Runway that way?
I love my slow cooker! That Betty Crocker site is fantastic!
|
divv
Big SIS (4527)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 22:59
That is a great idea about watching the shows online. Do you get Project Runway that way?
There are legitimate sites where if you cannot watch the shows on the network's website, you can watch on their site. surfthechannel.com is one of them. It recently partnered with The Discovery Channel to air their shows on the site. I watch Project Runway there...only downside...you watch a day later. But I don't mind, it saves me money. nbc, cbs, bravo, hgtv(i watched the whole season of The NExt Design Star there), the n network, mtv, vhs, they all show their entire episodes online. Seriously, not missing cable at all. Everything is right on the internet. So why 2 bills? :)
|
divv
Big SIS (4527)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 23:00
I love my slow cooker! That Betty Crocker site is fantastic!
Yes, it is!! I love it! I have even rated some of the recipes I tried. I tried the African Chicken Stew the other day and my kids begged for THIRDS! :) I love trying new things and it is a great way to find out which 'big' dishes works for your family and that you can use time and time again without worrying about breaking the bank.
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 23:05
Awesome! That chicken sounds great and the surfthechannel thing rocks!
|
divv
Big SIS (4527)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 23:11
hulu.com is another place to watch shows. They say from the door that they can only post what the network allows them, after it has been aired on television and with the network's permission.
|
lorwilb
SISter Elle (1656)
|
# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 23:22
I haven't had cable in about 2 years and still watch shows online, or use my trusty old VCR and tape them....I have bunny ears on my tv and still get all the regular old channels. PR and other cable shows I watch online....haven't really missed it a bit...and save $40+ a month. I also don't have a home phone...use just my cell....don't really need one!
THese are all GREAT tips...keep them comin'!
|
Juliaom
Vogue SISter (3160)
|
# Posted: 18 Aug 2008 01:57
Buying less Scrappy stuff, or using online coupons at the stores.
Driving less, two or three days a week. Buy gas at Kroger's and save 10cents a gal.
Take books and CD's to Half Price books for cash and use that to buy them cheaper.
Use Audio CD books in the car when I travel, get them at the HPrice books, or the Library, or Cracker Barrel (turn them in when you arrive), it reduces boredom and you stop to eat less.
Take water, pop, and snacks when I travel so I dont have to stop.
Go to Big Lots and Dollar stores for TP, Paper towels, trash and baggies, buy in large quantities, as they just get pricier.
Go to Aldi's (new here) for some food.
Avoid Walmart if possible. I overbuy there.
All light fixtures have the twisty energy savers.
Unplug everything, teapot, toaster, microwave, blender and dryer when not using it. Saves Electricity.
And yesterday and today I put two coats of primer on cabinets and walls in my garage (sweat equity), can't afford that Handyman anymore.
Pay all credit cards on time and on line (no postage), saves late charges, finance charges, and keeps your credit score high.
The higher your credit score, the lower rates you get on mortgages and credit cards.
Buy a shreder, shred all bills and mail with your name and blank checks they send you, immediately. If they get stolen and used you have an identity theft problem, takes years to fix.
It also reduces trash.
I fill my own windshield washer fluid, and always ask for the senior discount at the movies and everywhere.
Eat less meals out.
Dang, I should be rich by now. What's up this that.
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 18 Aug 2008 06:25
The credit things are major. I do enjoy doing my free banking online and keeping track of everything. It sure gives me more control over what is happening with my spending.
We have changed all the light bulbs, too. We have even added them to our ceiling fans. Every light we could change we have.
|
prairieWillow
Favorite SISter (15652)
|
# Posted: 18 Aug 2008 23:38
oh, you guys are so speaking my language right now.
I have just gone back to work full time and my main cost saver is sending a lunch to school for the boy and taking my own as well.
also, I am a starbucks lover, but my salon has this amazing coffee/espresso machine that is free to us, and it is FABULOUS.
so I am saving easily $50 per month there.
that is awesome.
I'm not eating out at all.
thinking about getting rid of cable, or at least cutting it back to the basics.
turned up the air, turned on the fans.
run the dishwasher at night
try to do all my laundry in one day so that the house doesn't heat up every day.
not automatically throwing away leftovers...actually eating them.
library instead of barnes and noble
getting ready to have a garage sale with the neighbors
need to start turning off everything that isn't being used.
thanks so much for all of the amazing info.
being a newly single working mom is hard...
and I can use a ton of these suggestions.
cause I am still thinking on a much larger income than I have now.
stupid men.
lol
|
magpie
SISter Elle (1853)
|
# Posted: 19 Aug 2008 21:42
I signed up for the Everyday Cheapskate newsletter, and this recipe was in yesterday's:
Almost Starbucks Frappuccino
3 ounces hot espresso*
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups milk (low-fat is okay)
1 tablespoon dry pectin** (Starbucks' secret ingredient)
1 cup ice
whipped cream (optional)
Stir the sugar into the hot espresso. Allow to cool. Stir the milk and pectin into the espresso mixture until dissolved. Fill a glass with ice and pour the mixture over, or pour the ingredients plus ice into the blender and process on "frappe" for 30 to 45 seconds. Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream. Yield: four 6-ounce servings.
*If you do not have an espresso maker, brew double-strength coffee by doubling the amount of grinds. Starbucks uses Italian Roast.
**Look for pectin (used in home canning to thicken jams and jellies) in the grocery store's baking aisle.
Mary Hunt is the one who offers this newsletter. Go to the Debt-Proof Living website and check her out. She has tons of tips and has written books about the subject.
But if you really want to read some serious money-saving tips, go to your library and get the "Tightwad Gazette" books by Amy Daczyzyn (sp?). Her story is totally amazing. She went from being a spender to a tightwad who saved something like $40,000 in one year on one income while still buying some major purchases they needed like appliances. She then started a little newsletter that she sold for a buck to people, giving her tips. Eventually this turned into 3 books and tons of TV appearances. She stopped doing this quite a few years ago, but her tips are still spot on, and the books include recipes and all kinds of stuff. And they are fun to read.
Also, if you haven't checked out The Grocery Game, yet, do it! You can get the grocery sale list for $5 a month. New list every week, and the list tells you sales and which items are at rock bottom price. Also tells you which coupon flyer has the coupon you need to get the best deal. Totally worth the money per month for the list!
|
Thinkie
Haute SISter (819)
|
# Posted: 20 Aug 2008 15:55
In the Netherlands the recession isn't as bad as in the US but it's still happening over here. also the government tries to save money so they took away my disabillitypension in 2005 while my health was worse then when I first got it. So we have to live from one income, and since my dh has only been working for 4 years he doesn't make a lot of money (it gets better but not as quickly as the recession makes things worse)
We like travelling. So in order to have the money to do that we live pretty sober the rest of the time. we hardly ever dine out, only a few times a year plus during travels. we seldom eat icecream or have a drink outside the house, if I go out I fill a bottle with tabwater and bring it with me (the tabwaterquality is fine here fortunately). We don't own a car, we sometimes borrow my mom's but most of the time we use public transport (we live in an urban enviroment so lots of tramways and busses and trains nearby) and my dh also uses his bicycle often (I only use it in our neighbourhood 'cause I have a jointdisorder, dh can get all over town with it and sometimes outside of the city). in the Netherlands there's no such thing as coupons in most shops, but there's always some stuff on sale. Every week I check whats on sale and if it's something we often use I buy a lot of it, rather than buying it again the next week for the full price. this goes mostly for meat, cheese, detergents, shampoo, things you can keep in a cupboard or freezer. I check out what's cheapest in which supermarket (some storebrand stuff is horrible quality but lots of it is fine, we try the cheapest and if we don't like it we'll try the 2nd cheapest brand etc, we do keep an eye on the additives, vitamines and calories though), there's 2 suoermarkets I visit weekly (we live above them) and 3 others we visit once in a while. it's a bit of a hassle sometimes but I think it saves us at least 100,- per month (would be a lot less if you would need to go there by car off course but might be more if you have a family to feed). I always make a list before going to the supermarket or some other store and most of the time I don't buy anything thats not on my list. If you plan ahead you don't waste stuff you buy.
clothingstores have their old collections on sale when a new one comes in. That's when we buy our clothes. We don't care about fashion, as long as we look presentable when we leave the house (so really old clothes get worn when we stay in)
Most of our furniture comes from Ikea.
things like tv's and pc's only get replaced when the old one is broken and can't be fixed.
we also turn off machines and stuf when were not using it, lamps when we leave the room, etc. we have only a few dozen really hot days a year so we dont have airconditioning or ceilingfans. We do need central heating but thats running on earthgas and water which are less expensive than electricity, and we share the bill with the rest of the apartmentbuilding (which in our case is cheaper 'cause I get cold easily). We have an appartment, can't afford a house in this part of the Netherlands, the place used to be a rental so when we bought it we had to renovate big time, fortunately we have some very handy relatives who helped us out a lot, wenly had to have an electrician come in.
pre-cooked meals are often much more expensive than cooking yourself, if I taste something I can usually reproduce it in my own kitchen or I try and find a recipe, therefore we don't miss eating out that much. I have a cabinet filled with herbs and spices so I can add taste to the food I'm preparing, is cheaper and had less calories than sauces.
For us, electricity is cheaper at night and in the weekend. So the dishwasher goes on late at night if we stay up late (can't sleep from the noise since the kitchen is next door from the bedroom) and I do most of the laundry during the weekend. If you have a garden and the weather is good you could dry your laundry outside in stead of using the dryer.
because the exchange rate is good from my perspective I have bought some scrapstuff in the us, cheaper for me that way.
I dont use make-up or perfume although not for moneyreasons. I only have a few pairs of shoes.
When I was a kid we didn't have a lot of money, I often had to wear hand me downs and I only got a tv at 12 (we sill have it, it's our bedroomtv now) because I was lying in bed ill very often. By then there was more money in the household and later I got spoiled rotten for several years when it comes to stuff, but I did learn how to get around with little money and to save for more expensive stuff I really wanted. I don't have kids but I think even if you have enough money they should learn that they can't have everything, they need to learn how to make consious choises and if they work for it they can have the things they really want if you can afford it. Even when the money was there, my parents wouldn't give something expensive I wanted to me immediately, but if I still really wanted it after a few months and I had saved for it they often gave me the rest of the money so I could buy it.
If we use our creditcard we pay it off immediately so we don't have to pay interest.
a lot of these things are not only good for your wallet but also for the environment.
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 30 Sep 2008 05:09
This thread has helped us so much. I set up an entire Angel Food program at my church. I watch hulu all of the time. We are having the best time with the recipees from Betty Crocker, I check Craig's list regularly. Thanks so much for all of the great ideas. With the economy the way it is, maybe more people would like to contribute ideas...
|
 
nanbhack
SISter Elle (1593)
|
# Posted: 30 Sep 2008 10:30
Stop trying to keep up with the Jones's.......
This is SO true. I have a family and a 'hood that thinks they are the JONES's.
I live in a 'hood where people are OBSESSED about their lawns, how their landscaping looks etc etc. I know I can't afford a lawnservice so I do it all myself. It saves loads of money even though I hate it all! The only thing I do spend on is yearly cleanup - they cut my bushes which are over 6 feet high and all around my house. I used to do those but it would take me more than a day and the cost of having to pay for recycle tickets cost the same as a landscaper - no joke. I also have a good relationship with this landscaper because he does do the landscaping for other ladies on the block. So luckily I can pick him up for odd jobs here and there.
That is another way to save money - if your neighbors are having over an electrician(for example) - see if they can do multiple jobs on the block. My neighbor and I always share projects -from painting to driveways! lol.
If you have household projects that NEED to be worked on - prioritize them and see which ones are the most crucial. IE - Is it going to burn your house down, effect your family in xyz way? Is it not safe etc etc. If you have something that is needed urgently - okay you may have to bite the bullet and pay for it - but if you can wait - patience is your friend.
What i mean is this - I work in procurement and you just don't go with the first quote you see. You have to get multiple quotes, research your people, ask for references. THey may get all uppity on ya - but don't let that pressure you. Also know what you want them to do before you ask for the bid. If not they will just do what they want you to do and charge you for it or they will talk you into it. I must admit - I fell for that and it was my BIL! Yes he meant well.. but his expectations for a "nice" faucet was 500-600 - mine would have been okay - does it work for $100? See what I mean? So I learned that bit the hard way.
However - I must say that if you do buy a quality product - it will save you money in the long run. Prime example - lawn mowers, kitchen appliances etc.
I also keep every scrap it seems of my material and my paper. I look for ways to constantly reuse it. I have given up buying cards - because I have all the stuff to make them!
Also with family gifts - I really try to make it "homemade".
Leftovers are my friend! I love leftovers.
Okay I just looked at this thread and it is mostly about my lawn and house! Sorry I hope this helped!
|
TammyGray
Favorite SISter (8511)
|
# Posted: 30 Sep 2008 11:21
Yes, every idea adds up! :)
|
