Need crash course in being frugal

[jkp464]

My DH just lost his job. I've never been very good at economizing ... but now I need help! I know eating out has come to a complete halt, and I'll have to get better at planning meals at home. But how can I save money on the regular day-to-day stuff, like groceries, toiletries, etc? We don't subscribe to a newspaper or get magazines, so how do I get coupons? Anybody have any other tips on economizing? Thanks!

 

[MinnieLove]

Sorry to hear - I lost mine last year due to medical issues. You can do this! And you can make fun and get DH involve! Yes first - write two week menu! This alone will keep you eating at home, and eliminate quick runs to the grocery.

Coupons are a life saver! I buy 4 copies of a Saturday paper -small neighboring community - that has coupons. I costs 75 ($3 ttl) - and when compared to the larger Sunday paper at $2 a copy (saving $5). Or you can actually order coupon inserts on line (thecouponclippers.com, ClippityQ.com, etc.. do a search). Then find a coupon site that has the weekly coupon matchups for the stores you shop. I use Coupon katarina - but you need to make sure your stores are reviewed. Why is this important - maximize your savings. Match up weekly sales with the coupons you have.

My local Kroger store only allows four coupons per visit - that is why I purchase four papers. Find out your store policies... Also there is one Kroger location in the area that doubles Qs up to $1.00 allowing a LOT OF FREE ITEMS. Call around and ask what Q policies are. I used to shop mostly at Walmart - but now Krogers because of that policy. I used to buy a lot of store brands but they are more expensive than name brand with coupons.

Also coupon sites on line - where you can print your own coupons. Cellfire, Smart Source, etc.. I also like "the krazy coupon lady" site. She has an alpha listing of all coupons online. Make sure you go to amazon and purchase some cheap printer ink - I print a lot of coupons!

I have only been couponing for a couple months. I am saving big on cereal, soup, frozen veggies, yougurt, butter, creamer, etc... Not everythng has a coupon. And I still refuse to buy a lot of junk food for my kids. I havent paid for toothbruch, tootpaste, deordant, soap, etc.. since I started Qing.

Also join a couple websites dedicated to couponing to learn from others. If you facebook - it is a convenient way to keep track of the specials.

Sorry for the typos..

 

[Marionnette]

My DH just lost his job. I've never been very good at economizing ... but now I need help! I know eating out has come to a complete halt, and I'll have to get better at planning meals at home. But how can I save money on the regular day-to-day stuff, like groceries, toiletries, etc? We don't subscribe to a newspaper or get magazines, so how do I get coupons? Anybody have any other tips on economizing? Thanks!

Sorry about the job loss. I hope he finds something quickly. The February unemployment report this morning was encouraging.

You'll find lots of ideas scattered through the board. Some are pretty drastic but then sometimes you need drastic when you are hanging on by a thread. If you don't have a budget or if you haven't revised it yet, now would be a good time. List everything in the order of priority. The mortgage/rent should be on top. Followed by food and energy bills. Insurance and then debt. At the very bottom should be your "wants" instead of your needs. Place your "wants" in order of priority and start cutting from the bottom up until your spending no longer exceeds your income.

Get the Sunday paper for coupons. Print them from online sources like Smartsource and Redplum. Order the good ones from a clipping service or have friends and family save their inserts for you. Check the couponing forums like A Full Cup and Hot Coupon World. Match the coupons with the sales flyers. Stockpile the stuff that is on sale. Make your weekly menu based on what is on sale. Do one shopping trip per week so that you don't make quick trips for milk or bread and then end up spending $20 on impulse buys.

I know that a lot of people think that they are already economizing. But when they take an honest look at where their money goes every month, they realize just how much goes toward non-necessities. When your income is good, those non-necessities are the benefit of your hard work and should be enjoyed. When times are tough, those little luxuries should be the first to go.

 

[Diegosmom]

If you are not a couponer (and dont think you would be good at it) I would check out angle food ministry. We have ordered food from them a few times but I am a huge couponer so usually I can find a little bit better deal myself. But someone wo isnt like that would think they are very good prices. Check it out.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Sorry to hear about that...................

Tips to economize:

Try at least getting the Sunday paper so you get the coupons and weekly ads. I know you can go online, but our local Walmart for example, does not take computer printed coupons.l

Get to know your local thrift stores. Sometimes we find clothes that have literally never been worn.

If you are really in a pinch, visit a food bank to get a few food items.

Buy more store brand items.

If you laundry is not really terribly dirty, use less detergent in the load.

Not everything at the Dollar Tree is a screaming deal, but when they have a one time stash of a closeout item, it often is quite a value.

I hope these ideas help.

 

[java]

Well when it happened to us I didn't think I could cut any more out of our budget but here's what I did and surprise we saved a lot.

1. Cut HBO. Saves $20 off the bat. If it goes on much longer we'll drop cable.

2.found a bread outlet- entemann's /maier can get 3 loaves of bread
sometimes for 1.50! And it is always about 5 days from expiring. Which is about 2 days less than my regular store but still good.

3. Plan your meals based on the sale flyer. There are loss leaders generally every week so one week it's pork on sale one week it's chicken ect...

4. Build in meatless meals.

5 I made my own chicken stock a couple days ago and it was so stinking easy.
I can't believe I've been paying for that. All you need are chicken bones, carrots, onions and water

6. I started baking tons. *I have 4 kids so that's why so much bread and baked items.

7. I shop Aldi's now (as an ex trader joe's girl it was a shock at first but we have found some things we really like here and the price is right!)

8. Breakfast for dinner once a week.

9. Lose your brand loyalty.

10. On Coupons- I just asked my Dad for his insert from the Sunday paper. I bet you have someone that is just tossing them that you could get them from.

11. Hit the library! They have movies to rent makes a great free night.

12. Make pizza dough (easy peasy) and have it on hand for pizza and movie night.

13. Dollar store- that WORKS stuff they sell is amazing. I am slowly trying out many of the cleaning supplies.

14. I am lucky to be getting seeds from a friend for my garden. Veggie garden time is almost here and that will save tons. I can eat almost 5 days out of the garden alone in the summer. Thankfully my kids love veggies.

15. I am going to start CVSing. They opened one near me and it's time to start checking it out.
This is a great website to get you started. I follow her on Facebook.
http://dealseekingmom.com/
She has a CVSing section that is very helpful.

16. Sign up for freebies!! Walmart does freebies and I have gotten things like toothpaste, shampoo samples ect.

 

[leadfootlevi]

Couponing can help, but it probably won't save the amount you're losing. You need to reduce the amount going out each month. Raise your insurance deductibles, shop for lower car insurance, cut all non-essentials (cable TV, home phone, cell phone "extras", Netflix, coffee every morning, etc). As you already said - stop eating out, but you also need to make (and stick to) a budget for your grocery shopping. Make meals that will last more than one meal (leftovers, make a whole chicken and use the remaining meat for another meal the next day, make chicken stock ---- stretch your dollars). Buy or make cloth napkins and stop using so many paper towels. Forget about paper plates. Run the dishwasher/washing machine only when full. Hang your clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. Make your own laundry soap. Stop magazine subscriptions. Turn the thermostat down.

 

[jgreco]

Your best bet is to join a site like www.couponmom.com and get all of the printable coupon sources.

http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com is a good place to see what will be in the Sunday paper in advance so you know if its worth buying it or not. There are some people that will clip every coupon they find, I only clip the ones I will actually use for the brands I prefer. I find if I just buy something because its a good deal even if its on sale with a coupon, I am still spending more than I would have.

If you are on Facebook, "Like" your favorite products since they occasionally advertise coupons.

You can also look at your store's circulars online in advance, so you can plan your shopping. Also I always take a trip down the isle where the big ticket cleaning products are in case there are "Smart Source" coupons that I can use when I finally do need laundry detergent, etc.

You can also buy coupons online. I've not gone that far. But I do look for a printable coupon for everything I buy before I go shopping. The manufacturer website often has good coupons on their website and Facebook page.

I go shopping twice a week to one drugstore and one grocery store each time to get what I need. Our stores are in close proximity to my house so it works for me.

-Shop your pantry and make a list of what you already have to complete or complement meals. Plan your meals around ingredients (& spices/seasonings) you already have and what is on sale.

I do not hoard items just because its on sale, I buy it as I need it. it is almost always on sale again when I need it.

-Lastly, www.restaurant.com and take advantage of the 70-80% off offers . Don't deprive yourself completely on going out. Pick a restaurant that gives large portions, so you have "Free lunch" the next day from your leftovers.

Good luck!

 

[Ava]

Ditto everything leadfootlevi said. Cutting meals out & couponing will help, but it likely won't be enough. Hopefully your DH will find a new job soon, but you need to cut as much as you can now in case he faces a long unemployment. Gather all of your monthly bills & see where you can make cuts. Try to get to the point where you can live on your income (if you work) or on his unemployment benefit amount (assuming he's eligible). The goal should be to go as long as possible without dipping into any savings.

 

[prncess674]

Here's hoping you have a 6-8 month emergency fund. If you start cutting way back now that money could stretch even further.

I went and read some of your previous posts and it looks like you have some pretty expensive trips planned this summer that require flights. It is now time to reevaluate if those trips are in the cards. Vacations are a want and not a need. Is there a local park or lake that you could visit rather than flying to a destination?

Also if you may want to start to looking into selling some big ticket luxury items you may own: boats, 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, etc.

 

[pinkprincess30]

Hopefully these tips will help you, or someone else...

Dependig on how much TV you watch, you may want to consider cancelling cable/satellite and getting the $10 Netflix package. There are TONS of shows and movies on instant que to watch. That worked for us when DH lost his job. We figured movie trips, dinners out, concerts and the like were not an option at the time, so we could afford ourselves the "luxury" of Netflix as our entertainemnt. You'll need an internet connection to watch Netflix on TV, like a wii or xbox live, or a computer you can watch on. But watch your internet usage...you don't want to go over your limit.

I would say don't overwhelm yourself if couponing is new to you, but DO look for coupons as an easy way to save money. Pairing up coupons with a double coupon on an item that's already on sale...SCORE!!! And don't fall in to the trap of buying something you don't need just because you have a coupon. But DO use double coupons when possible. Buying a newspaper would be worth it.

Make as few "quick trips" to the grocery store as possible. A quick trip usually means you are there for 3 things, which you already have in mind, so you will pay full price because you NEED it. Not to mention the fact you will probably leave with $50 worth of stuff. (Or maybe that's just me )

Buy in larger quantities. You can buy meat & other items at a lower price if you buy more in a package.

Most grocery stores have a "price per ounce" on their price tags. Pay close attention to that and you will save a TON!

Generic brands are your friend. You can usually (but not always) get the off-brand for cheaper than the name brand sale/coupon price. It depends, so you have to keep an eye out.

PLAN PLAN PLAN ahead! I know you have to watch your money, but if you can get items on clearance that you won't need for a few months, you'll be so glad you picked them up at $5 in stead of $20!

Plan your meals around what is on sale. If you plan for spaghetti when the supplies are on sale, then you can cut your meal prices DRASTICALLY, sometimes in half. $5.00 may not seem like much but when you add it up over a month you are saving a lot.

Really watch for ways you may be frittering away cash without realizing it. Coffee's, quick run through the drive-thru & impulse buys. They're killers!

Above all else, remember: This too shall pass!!!

 

[JB2K]

I know you can go online, but our local Walmart for example, does not take computer printed coupons.

This seems to pop-up, every now and then on this board. Bottom line is all Walmart stores are supposed to accept valid internet-generated coupons per their corporate policy.

Ditto for Target.

If you're getting serious about the coupon game, I would print both webpages from Walmart and Target, put them in your coupon binder, and if a checkout person gives you any difficulty, ask for a supervisor/manager and show them their policy!

 

[Disneefun]

Take a hard look at your utilities. Turn the heat down a few degrees or the AC up a few degrees (open windows and a fan are good for all but the hottest days). Use a clothesline instead of a dryer. Turn off all lights when you leave a room, and turn off TV's computers, etc. when not in use. Unplug everything not in use to prevent "vampire drain." Shorten your showers and don't waste water. (If you use a sprinkler system in the summer, turn it off and let the lawn fend for itself). Turn off the water when you brush teeth/wash your face. Only turn it on to rinse.

Many people are careless with power and water, but taking some conservation steps can cut your bills by a decent amount.

 

[Orangewolf]

Everyone else has pretty much covered the good stuff, but one piece of frugal advice that has helped me the most is JUST STAY OUT OF THE STORES. Buy what you need once a week or less and stay out! If you don't see it you won't want it. I had to go into Kohls for my hubbys work pants and found myself drifting over to the kids clothes - and my kids DO NOT need anything. Then even though I didn't buy anything I WANTED to and it made me feel deprived. Where as if I had never gone over there I would never have seen all the cute clothes and lusted after them

 

[MEM]

Ditto everything leadfootlevi said. Cutting meals out & couponing will help, but it likely won't be enough. Hopefully your DH will find a new job soon, but you need to cut as much as you can now in case he faces a long unemployment. Gather all of your monthly bills & see where you can make cuts. Try to get to the point where you can live on your income (if you work) or on his unemployment benefit amount (assuming he's eligible). The goal should be to go as long as possible without dipping into any savings.

This sounds like an excellent plan! First the OP needs to see where her money is going every month before she can apply frugal strategies. I would also recommend visiting the llnoe.com forums for Dave Ramsey's fans. Those folks are very blunt in their recommendations so you have to try not to take it personally, if you decide to post your budget for their review.

 

[HS3kids]

First- OP, sorry about the job loss. Its a scary time and I hope its a short-term situation. Ive been there and it stinks.
I second what PP's have said, particulary-stay out of the stores, meal plan around what you have and whats on sale, and couponing. One of my favorite sites is Moneysavingmom.com -she matches up sales and coupons for you plus links you to printable coupons. Also lots of other budget ideas, like recipes and such.
Hang tough, this too shall pass

***edited to add: I buy just the Sunday paper after church, its $3.00, but worth the coupon savings. Also I subscribe to Allyou magazine, which more than pays for itself in coupons. But allyou.com also has free printable coupons too

 

[mariacj]

Everyone else has pretty much covered the good stuff, but one piece of frugal advice that has helped me the most is JUST STAY OUT OF THE STORES. Buy what you need once a week or less and stay out! If you don't see it you won't want it. I had to go into Kohls for my hubbys work pants and found myself drifting over to the kids clothes - and my kids DO NOT need anything. Then even though I didn't buy anything I WANTED to and it made me feel deprived. Where as if I had never gone over there I would never have seen all the cute clothes and lusted after them

I need to follow this. I have a big problem with entering a store and seeing something on sale... that I don't need.

I have started to try instead to wait until I need something and then the ifrts place I look is clearance before hitting the racks.

Another tip: If you must shop, avoid large expensive dept stores, my goodwill and thrift stores carry great product. ( I live in college area and students are always donating.) If you want dept store things, check out pennys (sign up for their text coupons) or go to walmart/target...

Oh and I love Old Navy Clearance Section Sale!

Tip 2 Hubby and I were also in your shoes, but we still needed to go out on date nights. I discovered a bunch of free things to do within walking distance or a short drive/ bus ride. First Thursdays are free in Seattle... there is an outdoor Sculpture park.

If you want to see a movie, check out your local library, buy store brand popcorn and you have a movie night.

My husband lost his job within months of getting married. Luckily I had a great paying job but I needed to step down as I am a student as well. That forced him to get a job and quick... when he went back to school... again we were living off my paycheck which barely covered rent and the credit card went up fast. If you don't have the money... dont let the credit card tempt you. If it is a rewards card... use it like a debti account.

Good luck!

 

[MEM]

Along the lines of staying out of stores, try "shopping in your closets". Unless you are extremely organized or a minimalist, you will be surprised what is tucked in your closets that you forgot about or can put together for a new look.
The same is true for your pantry/fridge/freezer. Your cupboard might look pretty bare but there are websites where you enter the ingredients you have on hand and the site will generate recipes using those items.

 

[crisi]

Go through each one of your bills and cut - look at each one with "do I need this." Reprice your homeowners and auto insurance. Get rid of extras on your phone (maybe even get rid of your phone and move to just cells - or get rid of the cells). Look at your utilities bills - I saved a ton on heat by making fleece curtains (they looked like hell, but the keep the house noticably warmer in winter with a lot less heat). Turn down heat, turn down air, turn off lights. Turn off computers when not in use.

We got rid of cable for 18 months - it was WONDERFUL and I'm rather disappointed that my husband decided to let it return.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Ditto all the above and I may have missed it, but...with gas prices being what they are, really think about when you drive somewhere. Try to do all your errands at once, so as not to waste gas.

We don't have a great transportation system here, but if your town does, use it!