Budget Cutters...

[2theMouseHouse]

What ways have you found to cut your budget or trim your bills?

 

[taymaesmom]

We recently switched satellite providers. We were paying $95 a month and only had HD channels extra in one room, no DVR either. Dh called around and switched us to another company, we are currently paying $44 a month for the first year and then $55 a month after that. We got HD channels in 2 rooms plus DVRs in 2 rooms too! We are happy with the new service and are loving the DVRs so glad we switched.

Next up is our cell phone bill! It has jumped to $220 a month! Ridiculous so we are looking around now, but our contract doesn't expire till December.

 

[CC12005]

Today I just rechecked our health insurance. I am switching providers for DS. More coverage for $17 a month less or almost $200 less per year. At the same time I asked how much premiums for DH would be. About $85 a month less if he switched to an individual policy instead of our company provided plan. Both these plans have a $1000 lower deductible. So after we are approved that's over $1200 a year.

 

[elaine and the boys]

Recycle! Our family has gradually been changing our lifestyle to include re-using items/recycling items/reducing comsumption. Just today as I was tackling 6 months of back filing, I reused my old file folders by turning them inside-out instead of buying new ones.

Outside, our three rain barrels are now full after the rain storms we had last week. Tomorrow I will use the stored water to water my window boxes and flower bed.

I just got our water bill covering the last 6 months. Our new front-loading washing machine (purchased in February) has cut our bill almost in half!!! And I now hang much of my laundry on the clothes lines my husband strung up in the basement...less electricity!

Every little bit helps....and the whole "reduce, reuse, recycle" theme has gradually become a (money-saving) habit. And it's good for the Earth!

 

[la_la]

We just got in on one of those bundle deals that includes your tv, phone and internet. It's saving us around $70 a month since we were able to cut our regular phone line.

 

[TxRabbit]

We went from 60+ miles away from DH's work to 3.07 miles!

Stopped paying $200 a month for the toll road, not to mention the fuel costs and wear and tear on the vehicle.

We also locked in an electric rate that is lower than our previous rate.

 

[wjchiefs]

we use back roads instead of toll roads. Pa Turnpike also we got rid of cable tv and use netflix for $10 a month instead of $100

 

[ziggystardust]

check out the book... suddenly frugal. i literally just finished it. I saved on it by having my library order it for me since they didn't have it. And i have to say, i did learn a few things.

 

[DawnM]

Ooma phone service. $200 up front and nothing ever again for all phone services.

Called 2 years ago to cancel cell phone service and they offered an amazing deal, less than 50% of what we were paying. It doesn't have an end date.

Called Directv and got my bill lowered by $10. Next year I will call and try to cancel and see what they offer.

I call the cable company every time the rates go up and ask what their current promotion is for cable modem internet service.

Envelope cash for groceries and spend only that amount.

Make my own laundry soap. About .02 per load.

Combine trips so I only drive when I can do more than one thing.

Stopped eating out for the most part.

Cook from scratch.....huge savings!

Keep a/c at 78 downstairs during the day and 81 upstairs.

Shop huge sales, discounts, yard sales, thrift stores, etc......

Budget, Budget, Budget, and stick to it!

Dawn

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

programable thermostat

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Keeping track of all my spending, to the penny. When I actively track, I am so much more aware of what I am buying and it plugs the leaks in my budget.

We also do not have cable. We use an antenna and hulu. Also, the fitness center at my apartment has cable, so if there is something I MUST watch, I can go there and watch it on the treadmill.

 

[momoflizandains]

Great ideas. I called to see if we could get cable instead of satellite. If possible, we will save $60 per month. I called to cancel satellite radio (which I don't need), they gave me a deal for $20 for six months total. I will cancel when that is up.

 

[Steve BWV'99]

1) Cancelled Directv, saved approx $90 /month. I bought a HD antenna and we get the local channels on HD for free. Hooked up a PC to the TV to run Hulu and Boxee. Also stream Netflix, $8.95/month for the one DVD sub. We dont miss TV at all, we save a bit on the elec bill by not having the TV on all the time. We also check out DVD's at the local library or use RedBox. A tip for old school DirectTV users who has the old TIVO units (HDR-250 etc), you can still watch recorded shows after they shut off service, the newer ones you cant.

2) Trimmed down the land line. Wish we can go full cell but the reception is spotty at our house. I use digital phone service from our internet provider for $20/month, down from $65 we were paying AT$T. Ive heard people use magicjack, but havent tried it yet.

3) Getting better with utilities, shutting down tv's/computers when not using them, keeping the house cooler with ceiling fans, switching out light bulbs to more energy effecient ones. Cut our electric bill almost in 1/2 compared to last year.

 

[Ava]

I bought a HD antenna and we get the local channels on HD for free. Hooked up a PC to the TV to run Hulu and Boxee.

Would you mind sharing how you hook a computer up to play Hulu through the TV? I really want to cancel our cable TV, but it's difficult for two of us to watch a show together on the laptop screen. We have a MacBook Pro; that's our only computer, so we couldn't leave it hooked to the TV all the time, hopefully there's a way that it can be hooked/unhooked easily.

 

[CowboyCO]

We took our kids off our higher cost group insurance and put them on their own individual policy -- Savings $250/month.

We combine errands into one day to cut down on fuel usage. Just that change - $50/month

Order water to drink when you eat out $2 x 4 people = $8 every time. If you eat out 4 times a month, that saves $32!

We installed a programmable thermostat - Savings $30/month

We downgraded our Dish TV package and renegoatiated the rate. Savings $35 month

We never pay full price for eating out - ever. No Coupon, no eat! (I miss Texas Roadhouse, but they never have good coupons...)

DW found a shopping show on the radio that sells certificates for restaurants and services. So we buy those for things we need. Haircut for Dad? $2+tip Wife got haircut and highlights for $15. I got the car aligned for $20. Oil changed for $10, etc.

We surf craigslist for things we need that don't have to be brand new. My trimmer died and I found one on CL for $10.

We got on this kick when we went to go visit old family friends in Florida.. They are loaded - (she was a school administartor and he worked at a refinery) They managed their money and retired as multi-millionaires. We went out to dinner and when the check came, what did she pull out? A coupon. She's got millions and she's using a coupon. That's not stingy. That's smart.

 

[Steve BWV'99]

Would you mind sharing how you hook a computer up to play Hulu through the TV? I really want to cancel our cable TV, but it's difficult for two of us to watch a show together on the laptop screen. We have a MacBook Pro; that's our only computer, so we couldn't leave it hooked to the TV all the time, hopefully there's a way that it can be hooked/unhooked easily.

Ava, we have a HDTV with HDMI video connection. My PC has a DMI Video connection and had to get a dmi to hdmi cable, pretty much hooked it up and go. We are fortunate to have a spare PC so we keep it plugged in all the time. So you need to find out what kind of external video port your macbook has and hopefully your TV has the same. You can leave the cable plugged into the TV and just hook up the macbook when needed. You also need to switch video outputs so it will show up on the screen rather on your laptop screen thats about it.

I took it a step forward and got my remote to work with it and connected it to my sound reciever as well so I dont need to use a mouse/keyboard.

 

[southcarolinagirl]

My DH called XM radio the other day to cancel, it has gone up to $12.95 a month!! Of course, they sent him to the retention dept and they offered him 8 months for $20! We accepted their offer!

 

[dfchelbay]

Ava, we have a HDTV with HDMI video connection. My PC has a DMI Video connection and had to get a dmi to hdmi cable, pretty much hooked it up and go. We are fortunate to have a spare PC so we keep it plugged in all the time. So you need to find out what kind of external video port your macbook has and hopefully your TV has the same. You can leave the cable plugged into the TV and just hook up the macbook when needed. You also need to switch video outputs so it will show up on the screen rather on your laptop screen thats about it.

I took it a step forward and got my remote to work with it and connected it to my sound reciever as well so I dont need to use a mouse/keyboard.

Just wanted to add that Hulu has a premium content for $9.99 a month with more movies, tv, etc to watch, in addition to all the free stuff they provide. Cheaper than cable, and more to choose from than Netflix online viewing.

 

[Sagginit]

i started couponing recently and cant believe how much i have saved. my average grocery bill has almost been cut in half and i find i pay prolly 1/3 of what i was paying for beauty items.

i also plan for my weaknesses. im not gonna say i dont need candy/gum and just not buy it b/c then i buy it on impulse and pay premium. instead i keep a stash that i get on sale. i went to a wawa the other day and was shocked at how much a candy bar cost.

i started going green before it was popular and i found some items to be pricey but worth it. i used glass straws, nice rubbermaid containers instead of bags, refillable mugs and take drinks to go etc.

i refuse to pay for a gym too. i run and do yoga/pilates/weight exercises at home and look just as good as the gym rats i know.

i also have a steamer and it saves a lot on dry cleaning since i wear suits and nice dressy sweaters to work.

and the big save is i drive a 92 honda. low insurances, low maintenance and no car payment. yeah it doesnt look pretty but it does the job and allows me to pay off student loans and be debt free otherwise.

im a young single girl but some of these ideas apply to anyone- i have picked up lots of ides from family threads on here.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Ava, we have a HDTV with HDMI video connection. My PC has a DMI Video connection and had to get a dmi to hdmi cable, pretty much hooked it up and go. We are fortunate to have a spare PC so we keep it plugged in all the time. So you need to find out what kind of external video port your macbook has and hopefully your TV has the same. You can leave the cable plugged into the TV and just hook up the macbook when needed. You also need to switch video outputs so it will show up on the screen rather on your laptop screen thats about it.

I took it a step forward and got my remote to work with it and connected it to my sound reciever as well so I dont need to use a mouse/keyboard.

Could you tell me how you got the remote to work with it? The sound is not very loud as it has to come from the computer and not the t.v. I would appreciate it very much. Jo