New Year's Challenge

[Eureka]

I'm trying to cut back on my Starbucks tab. Unfortunately, there's no instantly cheap way to do this. Cutting back means a heafty up front cost. It's so hard for me to make cuts like that when I won't see any actual savings for about a year give or take. Sigh.

Do you use grocery savings things like Ibotta, savingstar, target cartwheel and checkout51? I ask because some of them offer Starbucks as a cash out option. I'm not a coffee drinker, but there are a lot of Starbucks near my office so once in awhile I'll get a hot chocolate or frappucino, but my rule is I won't spend real money for it. I will only get it if I have a gift card.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Have you tried switching to a less expensive Starbucks drink? I get a decaf Americano (hot or iced) in their refill cup for $1.07. Feels like a splurge but relatively low impact both in terms of cost and calories.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Do you use grocery savings things like Ibotta, savingstar, target cartwheel and checkout51? I ask because some of them offer Starbucks as a cash out option. I'm not a coffee drinker, but there are a lot of Starbucks near my office so once in awhile I'll get a hot chocolate or frappucino, but my rule is I won't spend real money for it. I will only get it if I have a gift card.

Wow, I appreciate all the suggestions!

I don't use any grocery apps, I don't actually buy all the much from the grocery store. I use a lot of food delivery services lol my food budget is pretty obscene. I always say I'm going to cut back (as I've said for this year) but in all reality I have zero desire to start cooking or figuring out recipes/shopping for one so it never lasts long. I will definitely look into those apps while I'm more motivated!

Have you tried switching to a less expensive Starbucks drink? I get a decaf Americano (hot or iced) in their refill cup for $1.07. Feels like a splurge but relatively low impact both in terms of cost and calories.

This is a great tip. I'm about 50/50 on straight espresso and lattes or cappuccinos. Lattes and cappuccinos definitely carry a heavtier price tag. I could always just get the espresso and add my own milk at home.

 

[MarshDude]

I'm doing the Frugalwoods (http://www.frugalwoods.com/) Uber Frugal challenge. Last year we saved 54% of our net income, and I want to keep that number the same or higher even adding in another daycare payment, so we are trying to cut anything we can (though not much low hanging fruit is left).

Was a bit sad this morning when I realized it meant I couldn't get the Target beauty boxes, as they looked great.

That's some amazing savings! Congrats! And thanks for the link, I will definitely check it out!!!

 

[MarshDude]

After an Aldi run this weekend, I came in at $26.15 for groceries this week...BUT...some of that was for some meat that was super on sale, so I bought it and froze it, so it will even out for next week.

Today is my first day back to work after the holidays and the temptation to buy things is strong! There's a starbucks in my office building on the same floor as my office, so I've been staring at it all day wanting coffee and pastries...this is going to be a whole lot of will power. I feel like I've been eating healthier just as a byproduct of doing this challenge, so that's a great positive!

 

[KarenAylwood]

I've cut our budget a lot by couponing and I used to be better about using apps, so I want to get back into using that more. Life has gotten hectic and I haven't been as good about printing coupons and cleaning out my expired ones. My main "resolution" this year in terms of budget is really getting a handle on what I have in our stockpile and deep freeze before I buy more. I made a list of everything in our deep freeze and separated it so we've got meats there and other frozen items/veggies in the freezer part of the fridge. I think I can cut our food budget even more and throw out less.

I'm also going to take the "do I really need this?" more to heart and more often. Baby #2 is coming in late May/early June so we've got a second daycare charge to swallow come August