Things I've changed in the new year!

[disneyofcourse]

I've decided to make this year different so here goes....

I stopped eating out on Dec 28th and so far I've gone from spending about $150-200 a week to about $65!!! I've also started using coupons which has saved me about $5-8 per shopping trip.

I stopped spending money at the mall every weekend. I'm still able to go every weekend and just window shop and get my *Fix*. Every time I don't buy something I'll come home and transfer $50 into a savings account with seems to be the minimum I usually spend at the mall. I've been thinking to maybe up that amount to the actual amount of something I would have bought.

Target trips have stopped after the final Christmas clearance days! I promised not to go to Target until I actually need something like Shampoo. With that said I also promised myself I would buy enough bottles for two months to avoid trips to Target.

I also started to make lists every time I go to the store and won't buy anything that wasn't put on that list. Its amazing how that keeps me from going into other parts of the stores.

 

[disneymama83]

Good for you You should be real proud of yourself!

Dh and I are watching our spending more closely. Just signed up for mint.com.

Just signed up for flylady.com(I'm an official Flybaby) to help with getting routines down and become a little more organized. Mind you, I do have routines, but I could use the method of learning to get them down on paper so it will help make things run more smoothly. I have alot going on with raising 3 boys, working part-time as church secretary(kids get to be with me) and homeschooling so I need this. I love that site and I recommend her books.

Finally signed my two older boys up for martial arts.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I am trying to focus on the grocery angle also. DH hates leftovers, acts like he is too good to eat them . So this year I am trying to cook only what we will eat or cook enough to "reinvent" the main dish leftovers. We had a baked ham the other night for dinner. That was followed by ham and bean soup, ham cabbage and potatoes, and crambled eggs with ham, cheese, and peppers. I've realized we waste way too much food. Trying to minimize that as much as possible.

Also I am going to be packing DHs luch for work everyday. He works at a grocery store and you'd think when he got hungry he'd go get a cheap meal and microwave it in the break room. No he'd rather hit the $6.99/lb salad bar . I was just recently able to convince him into buying a two liter of soda at 70 CENTS to keep in the back with him instead of buying a 20 oz one for $1.49 !

He works 45+ hours a week. That's only one day a week he is able to have off. You'd think he would be more willing to cost wasteful spending but he is not. I don't know what else I can do to convince him of how much he wastes everyday.

 

[disneyofcourse]

I am so guilty of the $8.99 a lb salad bar around here. That's the cost of Jason's Deli all you can eat salad but its harder to get to.

Luckily I've stopped that madness this year

 

[disneymama83]

I am trying to focus on the grocery angle also. DH hates leftovers, acts like he is too good to eat them . So this year I am trying to cook only what we will eat or cook enough to "reinvent" the main dish leftovers. We had a baked ham the other night for dinner. That was followed by ham and bean soup, ham cabbage and potatoes, and crambled eggs with ham, cheese, and peppers. I've realized we waste way too much food. Trying to minimize that as much as possible.

Also I am going to be packing DHs luch for work everyday. He works at a grocery store and you'd think when he got hungry he'd go get a cheap meal and microwave it in the break room. No he'd rather hit the $6.99/lb salad bar . I was just recently able to convince him into buying a two liter of soda at 70 CENTS to keep in the back with him instead of buying a 20 oz one for $1.49 !

He works 45+ hours a week. That's only one day a week he is able to have off. You'd think he would be more willing to cost wasteful spending but he is not. I don't know what else I can do to convince him of how much he wastes everyday.

Maybe if you tallied up what he spends on lunch/snacks at work for one week and show it to him so he can have a visual of what he is spending. If he averages the same amount each week let him see how much he is spending in a month. Maybe after that he will allow you to pack his lunch and agree to eat out only once per week instead of everyday.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

I've tried changing for the new year but my DH is NOT on board with me. So I get to hear the whining and complaining that he works hard and he deserves this and that. Sorry sweetie...we need to reduce our debt until we get out of debt we are gonna have to do without. I ran off track a little on the budget but I'm trying to fix it and get us where we need to be.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

You guys are inspiring!

I too am trying to reduce my spending by reducing access. I am still grocery shopping once per week but would like to expand to every 2 weeks with just a milk and bread stop in the middle. I am not going to Kohls and limiting my Target runs to only when necessary and only with a list.

 

[Sagginit]

im learning to not let things sit in the pantry for ages. i bought canned goods last week and have actually cooked with them in the last week. im also trying to eat thru the stuff i have stashed instead of buying new. thats one way to kick off saving!

 

[disprincessatheart]

I am trying to focus on the grocery angle also. DH hates leftovers, acts like he is too good to eat them . So this year I am trying to cook only what we will eat or cook enough to "reinvent" the main dish leftovers. We had a baked ham the other night for dinner. That was followed by ham and bean soup, ham cabbage and potatoes, and crambled eggs with ham, cheese, and peppers. I've realized we waste way too much food. Trying to minimize that as much as possible.

He works 45+ hours a week. That's only one day a week he is able to have off. You'd think he would be more willing to cost wasteful spending but he is not. I don't know what else I can do to convince him of how much he wastes everyday.

are we both married to the same dh? My husband hasnt eaten anything leftover that wasn't a dessert in the 8 years I've known him - not even a turkey sandwich the day after thanksgiving! And my dh is a grocery store manager too but I'd be thrilled if he worked just 45 hours a week - its more like 60 most weeks. He took his lunch last year for about 2 weeks. I'm sure we didn't even save enough to cover the new lunchbox he bought. Never mind we already had 3 or 4 of them. guess I need to get him back to bringing lunch.

 

[deezeealum]

im learning to not let things sit in the pantry for ages. i bought canned goods last week and have actually cooked with them in the last week. im also trying to eat thru the stuff i have stashed instead of buying new. thats one way to kick off saving!

I also am trying to do this. We also are keeping a spreadsheet on spending. WE don't count bills but gass, eating out, groceries, etc all go on the sheet. It's amazing how much we are more aware of our extra spending. Another note for you newbies to coupons, many grocery stores give back up to 5 cents if you bring in a canvas bag. I have 6 bags that I use weekly, it's ,like saving with an additional 30 cent coupon! Also great for the enviroment

 

[StitchBuddy]

My DH use to be the same way about leftovers. Then, when I started teaching and didn't get home until late and still had papers to grade, I didn't cook very often and he had to eat PB&J for dinner quite often. He got tired of that fast and decided that if I cooked 2-3 evenings he could eat leftovers the other nights.It's worked for over 20 years. He still has to eat PB&J every so often.

 

[sbpebbles]

My 2 kids and I currently are staying with my parents and for MONTHS I"ve been trying to get my mother to agree to eat what we have in the cabinets and in our downstairs freezer...We have SO MUCH food here..but she grew up going without so now she's become a food hoarder, we found food on shelves downstairs hidden, a lot of which had gone bad..Finally a few days ago she said we would ONLY eat from what we have here at the house..We only go to the store if we need milk, bread or something that's a must have like juice boxes for my daughter's or step father's lunches.I've gotten creative making meals for my kids so it's been fun...I've even started just going to the gas station if all I need is bread and milk, Kwik Trip is cheaper than most grocery stores in my area..that way I'm in and out and not tempted to buy other things..

Another thing I have changed is my mother and I use to go Walmart just about every day..I've stopped going to the store unless we ABSOLUTELY need something. I figure the more I stay at home, the more I can save..I'm trying to put more money into savings every month..hoping to move of my parents place by summer so I'm trying to save enough to do so..

 

[susieb16]

We're trying to get our finances under control in our house as well. We are writing down everything we buy in order to come up with a liveable, realistic budget. We used to be big drive thru people, and have not gone to a fast food restaurant since December 30. We've set the goal to eat breakfast at home and brown bag it for lunch. We are planning dinner menus in advance to ensure we have all the ingredients handy when we get home from work. We have decided that we want to have money to spend on doing things not on getting things.
This board has been a real inspiration to me. I love that so many people are willing to share their ideas and experiences. It's great to know that so many others are working toward the same goals. Good luck everyone!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We declared January a major savings month. Our next Disney trip is early Feb so up until then (actually beyond that but haven't told DD that!)

- we're not eating out at all
- I'm writing down every penny we spend
- we're only buying things we really need.

So far so good!!

 

[bam1004]

We are trying the same. Dining out takes up alot of our extra money that we could put up in savings towards our upcoming WDW trip. I did slip today and order pizza, but I used a coupon and saved a little.
Back on track tomorrow!!!

 

[Beezle2]

Congratulations!! Are you saving for something in particular or just cutting down? Come join us on the January no Buy thread if your not there, everyone is very encouraging!

 

[swilshire]

He got tired of that fast and decided that if I cooked 2-3 evenings he could eat leftovers the other nights.

You could also point him in the direction of the kitchen and suggest HE make dinner. I'm just saying .....

Sheila

 

[disneyofcourse]

Congratulations!! Are you saving for something in particular or just cutting down? Come join us on the January no Buy thread if your not there, everyone is very encouraging!

I think I might! I tried it for about a week last year but felt bad because I don't think I went a day without spending something.

All the money I'm saving is going to go towards a new spring/summer wardrobe. Well not all of it.... So I can put a couple outfits together and buy things that match. I'm horrible when It comes to buying clothing since I put almost no thought into what the new item will match with. This way I can go into the store and buy 3-4 complete outfits and do the same during the next season. So I can't say "I have nothing to wear"

 

[Virgderon]

I have been doing No buy on the Dis since last May, so I have already developed some good habits.

The only thing I have changed so far is adding the tiny amount I got from the social security tax rate cut to my online savings account. It will be direct deposited so that I don't have to even think about it, it just will happen.

 

[MinnieLove]

So many of the threads compliment one another on the DIS. Eat at Home, Things I've changed, Budget Stretching that doesnt hurt....

I am cutting back on everything. Trying to find the secret to making one income cover two incomes. Suggestions welcome.

One tip I would like to share that involve all the topics. When I felt I needed to go to the store, for anything other than TP, shampoo or milk (or absolute neccessities...) I would write it on the list and date it. My rule was I had to wait for 14 days. It was just amazing what I could do without, or after 14 days I didnt really need it. And I concentrate more on finding coupons and sales and stocking up. It also makes you think - dont use as much shampoo, detergent,tissues and cut down on food consumption. Dont eat extras and you might squeeze an extra meal out of the chicken you made for dinner.

I wish you all fiscal stregnth!