HELP! Cutting costs...your ways?

[TigerCheer2009]

MyGoofy: Good ideas! Thanks!

mrsbornkuntry: I like the idea of signing up for things we like for coupons! Thanks!

Pearlie: I like the idea of cart purge and I want to try it!
Thanks!

grplwrd: I will try out the websites. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.

Kramer: The farthest I will go on "downloading" music is to Walmart Music because every download=$0.88. Thanks for the tip though!

Keep them coming please!

 

[NYMomof4]

One way that I cut costs is by direct deposit for my pay check-then I have to justify my spending. What really worked for me this year is putting an automatic bi-weekly deposit to my Disney savings account that I made through an online bank account. It's only $40/week but I've found that I have lived without it For Disney plans we go during value season and research the best deals.

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Thanks NYMomof4! Good idea!

 

[missj171]

One thing Ive started doing recently as a broke college student:

I have really sensitive skin and used to spend a ton on creams for it, it wasnt like this was frivolous like buying loads of new lipstick, because it was very sore - anyway I finally plucked up the courage to go ask for samples from the ladies at the cosmetics counters and im sure have saved myself loads by using a cream for a week before i buy it- and so not buying loads that just make my skin even worse and have to chuck out!

Basically: ask for free stuff! Also, often you can be tricked into buying things with offers of free stuff you dont need, but do look at for good 'gift with purchases'. again with cosmetics, last time i spent a bit on a cream i got a bag with loads of goodies in it, i havent had to buy new cleanser mascara or foundation for ages because of my freebies.

These are all tiny things, but sign up to some of the free stuff websites, you can get loads of household stuff like toothpaste, shower gel, detergent etc. etc. for free- and in small sample sizes that are great for travelling (preferably to Disney!) I always used to take big shampoo sizes on vacation and leave loads of it there, taking these small freebies saves a few pennies!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Thanks and I love freebies! That's what I go to conventions for...people actually do WORK there?

 

[EthansMom]

Here's a link to another post on this subject: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=773256&highlight=saving

DH and I have worked hard to reduce our spending on Birthdays and Christmas. It's insane to think about how much money we used to spend on Christmas gifts for our extended family members -- at $50/person we were going through a ton of money on gifts for ADULTS who didn't need anything! We've severely cut the amount we spend on gifts for adults and limit the amount we spend on our own kids and the nieces and nephews.

 

[disneymom3]

I agree with the gift thing. Even for kids! We had a garage sale not long ago and I looked at all the toys I was selling. Jeez!! Three kids and a banquet sized table full of toys. And there are still more in my house!! This year DD got a CD she had been wanting, a gameboy game and swimming goggles. Less stuff!

 

[ntburns22]

One thing we do to save extra money for our vacations is when we write a check or use the debit card we round it up in our check book. For example if I debted $13.24 at the store I write it in as $14. Right there 76 cents. It adds up pretty quickly. Right now we have about $500 of extra money in our account.

 

[we3disneygo]

one trick i have learned is don't read the ads in the Sunday paper.......if you don't read them ,you won't know what's on sale,then you won't go shopping just to buy something!!!!!!!!!!!! works for me!!!!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

EthansMom: Thanks for the links. I like the tip...we always buy extra gifts for those unexpected visitors and most of the extended family. I never thought not to do that...thank you!

disneymom3: WOW! That's a lot of toys...and less stuff would definitely be good right now! Thank you!

ntburns22: Thanks! Good idea....never really thought of it.

*There's a lot of stuff I never really thought of!*

we3disneygo: Good idea. My grandpa gets the Sunday paper, and we also get those packets chock-full of coupons...thank you!

 

[dizcrazy]

I agree with the "don't go shopping" rule. There is a huge difference betweens needs and wants, and knowing the difference and limiting your visits to shopping places will save you big $$$!

Also, try to keep credit cards at home!

 

[8 Ears]

Ok, ready for cheap, cheap. And maybe not the BEST MOMMY award


Our light bill is usally over $100.00 a month. I got so tired of telling the boys to shut a light off, TV, radio... so now they have 1 1/2 warnings. I tell them to go shut if off, if I get no response or they do not do it when they say they will, like when there is a commercial, or after they finish such and such THEN I say, you owe ME $.01. Well they now scurry to do it as it comes out of their Disney $$ of course, it goes into the family Dis fund, but they do not know that

So we can save in 3 ways, they can keep their $$, they can give it to me and I will "save" it AND we are saving on the darn light bill!!!

LOL, hope some of you get a kick out of this as much as their friends parents do.

*Side note, please do not tell our local elec. I am why so many people are saving on their bills*

 

[ceecee]

Don't buy CD's... download music illegally off the internet. It will save you a lot of money.

 

[tlbwriter]

Don't buy CD's... download music illegally off the internet. It will save you a lot of money.

And shoplifting is a good way to cut down your grocery bill!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

discrazy: Thanks for the info...I'm thinking I'm only gonna carry $20 in my wallet. Knowing that I have less money makes stopping for extras unnecessary.

8Ears: I like that idea and I won't tell...thanks!