Calling the expert, Cindy B...

[Rajah]

I'd do a search to find your past posts on this, but search is down.

Okay, now that we have an unexpected but needed added payment each month, what were some of your suggestions for cutting other costs?

I remember using coupons whenever possible (I never do now, so that's something I'm going to start doing)

Find a place to get groceries that is cheaper -- I *think* the HEB turned out to be cheaper than the Kroger, so I may drive farther to get big grocery purchases if our comparison shows they are cheaper.

Don't eat out as often.

What else?

 

[waughzee]

Have a yard sale when the weather gets better!

 

[Rajah]

I don't think our HOA allows yard sales. I think they do the "twice yearly neighborhood-wide" yard sales.

But that's an idea...see if we can find anything we can put out on a yard sale for when it does come around.

 

[jipsy]

eBay

 

[wovenwonder]

Go to a local beauty school for your haircuts. You can get alot of services done at the local trade schools. They will cut hair, work on your car, repair small appliances, etc for a fraction of the cost elsewhere.

Don't spend any of your change. Save it in a jar for the month. At the end of the month 'cash it in' at the bank and apply the amount to your extra monthly payment.

 

[Rajah]

Hmm, I actually only get my hair cut about once a year, if that. I like to let it grow. But that's a good idea.

Big change jar... good idea! I have change scattered all over the house because every time I cleaned out my purse, I'd have a bunch of change I just dumped in a bag. I need to find those and combine them.

Originally posted by wovenwonder
Go to a local beauty school for your haircuts. You can get alot of services done at the local trade schools. They will cut hair, work on your car, repair small appliances, etc for a fraction of the cost elsewhere.

Don't spend any of your change. Save it in a jar for the month. At the end of the month 'cash it in' at the bank and apply the amount to your extra monthly payment.

 

[Cindy B]

Me, the expert.. ha!


Lets see.. some stores may even be cheaper w/out coupons.. for example salvage stores/or an Aldi...

Buy gifts in advance, instead of spending on impulse. But when you buy the gifts, (on clearance or sale of course!), make an Excel spreadsheet for who/what occasion/price.. and then don't be tempted to overspend.. later on... by saying.. it was a deal.... so I need to buy more.


Separate needs/wants/luxuries... To me a vacation is a luxury, or a want, not a need. (Sacrilige to say that but it is true).

Buy things from thrift shps/resale as well. Some Goodwill stores have Target merchandise with all the other stuff


We managed all of our bills on one income.. which is good, since I am currently unemployed.

Cut up all your credit cards.. say no to all the offers

 

[Cindy B]

Also, go meatless.. we are currently doing at least two to three meatless meals a week, so as to cut down our meat consumption.

I used to be a vegetarian so its old hat to me, but getting DH on board was slightly challenging...

I know you love to read, use your library instead of buying. Sell some of your excess books on half.com or amazon used. Books don't do well on ebay. Sell other stuff on ebay, you will be amazed and shocked what some people will pay top $$ for. Just stuff I had laying around, that didn't cost me anything (either FREE to me or GIFTS) was a profit of over $100.

We saved gas buy only having one car as well, and using public transporation. We just bought a car as well, but a 1992 Oldsmobile (for cash only!) just so DH could drive to the train station and back, instead of me and the kids driving him to the station at 6 am. Since it was a cash car, our insurance is only $400 a year for it. (Liability only, in the highest car insurance state--NJ!)

I catch a break on services for barter. DH has gotten massages, and free chiropratic care and other stuff by doing some web page based design for a friend. I worked for a YMCA one hour a week for a FREE family membership (over $700 value)

He also makes his own PC's by getting parts from work (with permission of course!) .. we have 6 servers and 9 PC's plus a corporate server rack thanks to his employer all at zero cost.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Cindy B, you are the MASTER at savings!

I'd also recommend combing the circulars and shopping at the grocery stores that have the best savings on the things you'll need. We have "cards" for Shoprite, Kings, A&P, and Pathmark. We have found Shoprite to be the lowest priced for most things, but when A&P has a good sale, we're there and we ONLY buy what's on sale.

 

[nativetxn]

CindyB you <b>are</b> an expert at this, excellent ideas

 

[Rajah]

Yes, Cindy, you *are* the expert.

Thanks for all the ideas. We won't put all of them into place (yet), but I'm sure going to try to put some of them in place!

I think my new car is going to even out on gas to be the same as my old. It gets better mileage (I don't remember by how much, though I do remember that highway will be much better), but it uses the more premium gas.

At least I don't have to go far for work.

 

[Cindy B]

I don't see myself as the expert.. Amy Decyzyn of the Tightwad Gazette is the expert...

Her books are amazing.. some ideas are WAY out there, even for me.. (like save your dryer lint for a year to make pillows! ), but some like her muffin mix, master mix, how to make household cleaners.. are like "WOW Why didn't I think of that?"


I used to do the shopping circulars, but found Aldi the best price around, I do still have 5 yes 5 grocery club cards though.