Need crash course in being frugal

[tonilea]

Lots of great ideas. This is one I haven't noticed mentioned. Make a list of all the meals you cook. I have a word file called "dinner list". Then when I check the circulars for what is on sale, I can easily look at my list and find several possible choices to go with it.... plus the deciding factor may be what other ingredients are on sale.

ETA: Learn how to shop at Walgreen's or CVS. Hot Coupon World is a great resource for the best deals. Just be sure you don't fall into the hoarding trap. It is one thing to stock up on a reasonable amount of items, but people do go overboard. It doesn't matter if you got a lifetime supply of body wash, if your cabinets are bare. LOL

 

[jkp464]

Thanks everyone for your input -- it's much appreciated!

 

[bettymae1121]

Well, I do this because it's "green" but it also happens to be cheap, too!

Instead of paper towels I spent $20 on two 10 packs of good quality wash cloths and I use those instead for 99% of most cleaning jobs (from washing dishes to cleaning glass to mopping up spills to dusting furnature). Now I only go through about 1 roll of paper towels a month (used mostly for what I like to call "bio-hazard" messes like from the dog. Somethings I just don't want to wash!). I figure I made back my wash cloth "investment" in about 3 months or so.

In addition I no longer use store bought cleaners. I use a 50/50 mix of water/vinager for most of my cleaning, for tougher jobs I also add in baking soda. You can buy gallon jugs of vinager for a couple of dollars.

Instead of my swiffer mop I switched to the Rubbermaid one (about $20) that has a washable/reusable pad and you can fill it with your own cleaner (in my case, water/vinager!). Now I don't have to buy refills anymore!

I don't do enough launder to bother, but if you have a larger houshold there are receipes for making your own laundry detergent for only pennies per load (also "green" and good for people who are sensitive to chemicals/frangrences).

Get a programable thermostat (if you don't have one) and keep the house only as warm/cold as you can stand.

Start a garden this year to help cut your grocery bill. Also look for farmers markets in your area for better deals on fruite/veggies.

Meatless meals. Meat costs $$$ and we really don't have to have it in every meal.

Don't buy things just because they are cheap. It doesn't matter if you can get a $50 thing for a $1, if you don't need that "thing", you didn't save $49 you wasted $1!

 

[*disgal*]

for coupons I go to thecouponmaster.com

I've done this for years. I only order about once a month(so I'm looking at about 4 weeks worth of coupons) and that way I'm only paying shipping one time. I think it's only about $1.50 but still.

This way, I'm ONLY getting the coupons I actually use and I can get as many as I want.

The norm for me is ordering a bunch of coupons, paying anywhere from $5 to $7 and it gets me at least $70 worth of coupons. It's a no-brainer!

 

[Muushka]

I'm so sorry about the job loss. Hopefully the things you learn at this time will help you throughout life!

Lots of great tips. But I just want to add one. Count EVERY penny. Don't look at something and say 'oh, it's only a dollar or it is only 79 cents'. If you really do not need it, don't buy it. If you can wait until you get home for that drink, wait until you get home. Check out the dollar menu at McD's if you get hungry and can't wait until you get home. Check the different items available at the grocery store. Many times you can get 'additional 20% free!' on the items, but you have to look at all of them. Think of it as a game. Only buy items that are on sale as buy 1 get 1 free. I know that everything does not go on bogo sale but I find that many of the items that I buy, do. I stock up and rarely have to pay much more than half price. Good luck!

 

[tinker&belle]

If you have a whole life insurance policy, shop for term. It is much cheaper and you can get much better coverage for much less money. AFTER you start the term cash out your whole life policy and deposit it in your emergency fund.

 

[disneychrista]

Don't buy things just because they are cheap. It doesn't matter if you can get a $50 thing for a $1, if you don't need that "thing", you didn't save $49 you wasted $1!

This is the biggest thing that people don't understand. Buying something just because it is on sale does not save money IF you do not need the item.

 

[dyna]

Money savers others have not mentioned......

If you don't already do so start taking a cooler of drinks with you when you go out I got a hard sided cooler that holds like 8 soda cans 20 yrs ago I'm still using it...

Maybe time to become more energy efficent closing drapes to block cold in winter clsoing them in heat of the day when sun is comin in sping an fall open to absorb the heat.

I've made an effort to adopt the habit of only turning on hot water when I need hot water every bit of water that goes thru that water heater has to be heated an costs more money to use than cold.

I started using cold water when boiling water an puttin lid on pot it boils faster uses less energy.

Cook once eat twice or more.

Keep a few pounds of cooked hamburger in 1 lb packages in freezer sandwich bag inside a gallon sized freezer bag will work also diced cooked chicken, maybe a couple meals of ham etc whatever your family likes. It's a great time saver for when you are rushed or just don't really feel like cooking.

Buy a bag of onions on sale chop put them on cookie sheet to freeze once frozen then in gallon sized freezer bag to use when cooking with onion another time saver an saves money over buyin onions when not on sale etc same with celery, peppers.

What talents does DH have? What are his hobbys? Maybe something ther DH can do to pick up a few dollars. Is DH willing to wash windows, siding etc it's the time of year ppl are going to want those jobs done if he can do it a little cheaper than others in the area he'll likely get jobs. Grass cutting another good service to do little cheaper than others it's the ideal time to be out looking for those jobs too.

 

[Purseval]

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

Encouraging? http://www.cnbc.com/id/41911006

Do a search for Clark Howard or go to www.clarkhoward.com Read his articles and subscribe to his forums. It's all about being frugal and you'll learn a lot in a short amount of time.

This is the biggest thing that people don't understand. Buying something just because it is on sale does not save money IF you do not need the item.

Unless you can sell it to someone who does need it for more than you paid.

 

[Virgderon]

Actually the unemployement rate is decieving. Here in Florida it is about 14% I believe, but under 5% for college graduates.

I lost my job on Monday. I have an interview next week, and the recruiter told me I won't last long on the market here because of my business experience. I hope she is right. I do know that I will take a significant pay cut. That is the other problem with this recession- people are losing jobs and are not getting offers close to their previous income.

DH and I will have to make deep cuts, which we just did 2 years when he lost his job. He took a 20% pay cut.

Good luck OP- I know how you feel today!

 

[camikey]

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.

I took Dave Ramsey's course at my church and it was awesome. I have it even seen the money management teacher at my daughter's school show parts of it.

 

[cheshireqt]

OP - sorry for what you are going through
So many great tips, one more is to check your prescriptions with your Dr (for function) and pharmacy (for cost) to see if there is a generic available at a savings to you, and if it will work as well as the non-generic. One of my prescriptions my Dr did not recommend switching to generic, but authorized generic for the other prescription, which happened to be the one that cost me the most over the insurance co-pay . I switched the one with a savings of $400 a year.
Also second the staying out of stores. Stuff seems to jump into my hands and fall into my cart when I browse a store. Even at the grocery store this happens go with a list in hand and don't deviate, unless you really forgot to add something essential, like eggs. And stay out of Costco!! Danger, danger, danger!!!, If you need to go, send the person with the most willpower to stick to a list.

 

[dbarker]

I also lost my job last month. I really cut backon our budget. I htink I will start sending DH to the grocery store. He is not a "shopper" and does not do the impulse shopping that I do.

Right now, we are still eating out of the freezer and pantry. I have only had to buy milk, eggs and bread. I refuse to buy any more meat until our freezer is completely out.

For me, if I can stay out of the stores, I can save a ton of money. I am doing it in baby steps....one week at a time. It doesn't seem so overwhelming that way.

DS12 is on Spring Break this coming week. We will see how we do this next week.

 

[Disneefun]

Get a copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyzn. YOu can get it at most libraries, or cheap at used book stores. Some of her ideas are little extreme and dated (it was written in the early 90's), but there is a wealth of info. in there that is very useful for cutting costs on almost everything.

 

[Pigeon]

Get a copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyzn. YOu can get it at most libraries, or cheap at used book stores. Some of her ideas are little extreme and dated (it was written in the early 90's), but there is a wealth of info. in there that is very useful for cutting costs on almost everything.

I was just about to post this. Some of her ideas are great, and some I agree are a little extreme for me. But her mindset and approach to cutting costs is priceless.

 

[jgreco]

Get a copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyzn. YOu can get it at most libraries, or cheap at used book stores. Some of her ideas are little extreme and dated (it was written in the early 90's), but there is a wealth of info. in there that is very useful for cutting costs on almost everything.

I read that book in 1994 and I still use some of her ideas. It's actually very "green" most of her ideas. Nothing goes to waste, but I figure if I had followed all of her ideas the last 17 years, you'd have to dig me out of my house.

 

[Fjobe]

I took Dave Ramsey's course at my church and it was awesome. I have it even seen the money management teacher at my daughter's school show parts of it.

We do Dave Ramsey. We are not gazelle intense, but we firmly stick to our zero based budget and do not create new debt. His book "Total Money Makeover" helped me a lot!

Two major things that helped us cut back are 1) a zero based budget and 2) a very strict grocery list

A zero based budget is a budget in which you spend every penny on paper before the money comes in. You have each dollar delegated to where it's gonna go (including paying off debt and/or saving). Then comes the tricky part where you have to actually stick to that budget. That is where the super strict shopping list comes in. Each week I make a shopping list with everything I need on it. Beside the item I put the amount I think it will cost (whole dollar amount rounding up). When I shop, I mark through the item and put the amount I picked the item up for and add everything up before I check out to make sure I am under budget. If it's not on the list it doesn't go in the shopping cart. If my kids ask for something, I say,"it's not on the list." My oldest has even gotten to where he just asks if we can put xyz on the list next week when he sees something he wants!

A great resource for budgeting is Dave Ramsey's message boards. Some of the stuff can be crazy overwhelming there because some people cut out everything - things most of us can't imagine giving up, but I just try to overlook the posts that are too far out there for me. There is a free 2 week trial at his total money makeover website and the budgeting software that is included in that is extremely helpful in creating a budget.

 

[btass]

I haven't read all of the reply's so I appologize if someone has already said this one but here goes:

Sit down and figure out what in you life is a "need" and what is a "want".

When my finances went south that was the thing that helped me the most. I came to the realization that I was wasting a lot of money on things I wanted rather than using it on things I needed.

One year for my birthday all I asked for was my favorite Perfume and I got 3 big bottles of it! I used a little less every day than I would have before and those 3 bottles lasted me the whole year

 

[MomToOne]

Whenever you are about to buy something, stop and ask yourself: is there anything I already own that I can use for the intended purpose instead?

This works with all sorts of stuff - household items, clothing, heck, even some grocery items!

I am amazed at how many times I am about to buy something I think I need, but when I stop and think about it I already have an item that will work well enough to get the job done. It's not as much fun in the moment as buying something new that fits my purpose perfectly, but I am always happy after the fact when I stop and think about the money I saved.

And it helps cut down on clutter too

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

We were low on toothpaste. This week at CVS I bought 2 tubes of our brand, using 2-.75¢/1 coupons. Then with my CVS card, I got $6.58 back from them in Extra Care Bucks (ECB). In this instance I "made" $1.50 in the transaction because of the coupons.

Today I used the $6.58 ECB + a 20% off total coupon (comes in emails from signing up at CVS) and paid $15 out of pocket for $25 worth of products. One product had a $7 ECB for a $10 purchase. So in essence, $25 actually costs me $8.

I bought a .99¢ CVS "green bag tag" that gets me $1 ECB on every 4 swipes, when I bring in my own bag.

I'm just getting the hang of CVS, and I don't really stockpile. But I will buy 2 or 3 of something I know we'll need, if I can buy it for cheap or even get it for free.

The best advice I can give is to go into the stores with a plan on what you are going to buy and stick to it. When my husband comes along with me, my out of pocket expense goes up.