What did you do to save money this week?

[mrsbornkuntry]

I'm finding myself getting lazy about being frugal so now that we're getting back into a routine with school I'm looking for some inspiration so I can get back on track.

So far, yesterday I made a big batch of chocolate chip Mickey Mouse waffles and froze them for breakfasts and used some overripe bananas to make banana muffins. I had run out of white flour, but instead of running to the store I used wheat flour and just added extra applesauce to keep them moist.

Today I started unsubscribing from alot of shopping websites. I already know what I'm buying for Christmas so I will keep getting emails from the places I will need to shop from, the other ones are just clutter.

 

[Madison'smommy]

Honestly, lately I have been trying to stay home. That saves me money! The CNN money guy, Clark Howard, was saying that all these deal websites are costing people alot of money! They are buying alot that they dont want (lol, didnt know they wanted) and don't need.

 

[DawnM]

Today I went shopping and didn't buy.

A new Kohl's opened today and I wanted to check it out. I remember now why I don't like Kohl's, but often the best deals are there.

Dawn

 

[Happiest mommy]

only bought what was on my grocery list and deleting emails as well

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Honestly, lately I have been trying to stay home. That saves me money! The CNN money guy, Clark Howard, was saying that all these deal websites are costing people alot of money! They are buying alot that they dont want (lol, didnt know they wanted) and don't need.

I believe it, that's what a lot of the emails I unsubbed from were for, but I'm still keeping the Groupon and other local ones because with those I can afford to take the kids out more instead of saying no so much.

 

[Disney Addicted]

My husband has been home this week, so he has been clearing out the basement and workroom. I have been sorting items into "throw out", "freecycle" and "sell".

Except for a trip to the dump, no extra spending and a little extra money in our pocket.

I agree with Madison's Mommy --> staying home saves money. As long as I stay away from the stores, I don't spend.

 

[mrsklamc]

ETA: I guess I did rescue some 'themed' paper that was never going to be used and was headed for the trash, so I can print coupons on the back instead of using regular printer paper.

I keep a separate email address for store emails, that way, I can go looking for a deal at a certain store if I need to, but my regular email isn't bombarded all day.

This week to save money mostly I've 1)stayed at home and 2)eaten at home so I guess not much for new inspiration!

 

[pigletto]

I've put my focus back on saving too!!
We were kind of on a whirlwind spend fest on vacation. We planned for it, but it was time to get back to business when we got home.
Some things I started again..

Participating in the "Eat at Home" thread. One of our biggest money wasters is if we don't have a meal plan. We eat out too much without one.

I got all the groceries, budgeted for gas and a few small things we needed and moved everything else into savings. The money is easily accessible if we need it, but I have to think before touching it. We survived happily this week on a little over 70 dollars because we didn't need anything!

I am scoping out sales and deals for Christmas right now. Again, if I have a plan I won't overspend.

Like you, I need to make some school snacks and breakfasts from scratch. Making some cookies and muffins will cut down on the prepackaged treats I have been buying for the kids lunch treats.

 

[superme80]

Left the store. I wanted some bread that did not contain any hfcs, but my area had it for way too much money. I already had a dental appintment, so I went to a discount store near by and got it for half the price and that was the only thing I bought. I also have stayed home a lot. I figure I have saved at least $50 by staying home if not more.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Our spending was getting out of hand so I had a sit down with my husband today to reduce some things. In a few hours we found ways to reduce our monthly bills by $178.88 and we decided we were going to do a few things to reduce other spending as well. This is what we did:

Monthly Bills:
1. I am getting rid of my beloved Droid and going back to my old cell phone. This will save us $36.99/month (data plan + insurance on the phone).
2. We researched and switched our gas and electric company and started budget billing. This move will save us 12% on gas and 15% on electricity.
3. Canceled gym memberships which weren't getting used much. DH can use the gym at work and I can do more walks and physical activities with my son.
4. We are getting rid of one of our HD DVR boxes.

Daily Spending:
1. We are giving up soda, yay! We are all very addicted to Diet Coke (I am the worst one). This is a move that will help our health and our wallet.
2. DH will get back in the habit of bringing most meals with him to work. He works 12 hour shifts and we figured he was spending almost $400/month in food/drink/snack purchases while working. That is absurd! Back to packing!
3. His truck gets 11 miles per gallon. He commutes 44 miles per wok day. He is spending approximately $500/month for gas A call has been placed to a friend of ours that works for Nissan. The truck has to go, it's time for a car.

These were just some fairly easy things to do as we have gotten lazy recently and out of hand with spending. I think we both feel good and more in control and we will re-evaluate soon and see what other changes make sense.

 

[budafam]

I've been selling a lot on Ebay lately. Anything that was leftover from my garage sale, I've put it on Ebay and have been pleasantly surprised. For example I had a spiderman costume size 4T in my garage sale for $1 and it didn't sell. I put it on Ebay and the bids reached $20.50!

Today there was a super good deal on a vacuum sealer machine... it was normally almost $70 and on sale for $10. I *almost* bought one but then I thought about the bags... you have to eventually buy refill bags and a pack of those ran anywhere from $10-$20. How was that going to save me any money? My freezing system works fine without having this fancy machine anyways.

I've been stretching our food a lot... we have been eating leftovers and using up pears & plums that the neighbor gave us. Tonight we did go out to eat but it's been awhile since we went out as a family so it was a nice treat. Afterwards we went to Menards... my husband had to buy a blade for a tool he has. My dad offered to pay for the blade since he needed to use it. DH found a pack of blades for $30 instead of buying one blade for $8. Turns out when we checked out, there's a $20 rebate on it... yay!

 

[tavettava]

I have only went out when needed (take the kids to school, scouts, and swimming) to save gas. I also have not eaten out in 2 weeks, I'm really proud of that. I also have only went to the store for milk, bread ect. I am doing a food pantry challenge right now to save some money.

 

[alexensmom]

We have a hard time with eating out in the fall because we are constantly on the go with daughter's soccer. Daughter has to eat before her game or practice, which is way too early for us and everyone is starving if we wait until after, which makes it way too easy to hit the drive thru on the way home. I have finally given in to the crazy schedule and started making dinner in the afternoon after lunch so it is ready whenever.

I ran out of paper towels the other day and decided to use rags or washclothes instead of running to the store. Read this one on another post and decided to try it. Sounds funny to say it, but it is hard when staring down a 3yr old with orange cheese all over his hands and mouth.

I ran out of windex this week and decided to fill the bottle back up with vinegar and water. I will probably do this with my other cleaning products as well.

I also gave up soda about a year ago after seeing a youtube video that scared the bejesus out of me. We saved money and space in my cabinets.

 

[disprincessatheart]

Yesterday I managed to stick to my list at the store, and today dh and I wanted to go out to dinner, so we went somewhere we had a gift card for.

On Friday I went "shopping" with gift cards and freebie coupons. I had to go to petsmart for specific expensive dog food, so then I hit kohls next door with a $10 coupon and got ds 2 pairs of shorts and a tshirt for next year for $.85.
Next we hit the mall. We got dinner at chick fil a for $3.74 - got the sandwich free with fb deal. We went to belk and I got ds two pairs of pants for $.78 with an old gift card. Last stop was vs. Got a pair of uw for $.53 ($10 bday coupon). So I got a little shopping fix, got some stuff we can use, and didn't spend much money - even combined all my trips to one small part of town.

 

[Happy mouse]

I didn’t go shopping this week, except ordered one pair of glasses online. Yesterday DD broke her glasses. We went to the optical store and the staff suggested us replace a new pair. However, the price was too high to bear. Finally we ordered them online today, and that helped us save at least $100.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

These are great, this thread will definitely put me back into the saving mindset

 

[Sagginit]

trying to be more careful in the kitchen. i have gotten way busy at work and finding i don't cook thru everything. i am trying to eat up more of what i have since my stockpile got a bit crazy. the choc. ice cream in the freezer got walnuts and mini marshmallows tonight to make it into rocky road since i was sick of it plain. i made dinner from some leftover veggies and frozen shredded chicken.

 

[WheelCEO]

ate home / pollo tropical

 

[usnuzuloose]

Our spending was getting out of hand so I had a sit down with my husband today to reduce some things. In a few hours we found ways to reduce our monthly bills by $178.88 and we decided we were going to do a few things to reduce other spending as well. This is what we did:

Monthly Bills:
1. I am getting rid of my beloved Droid and going back to my old cell phone. This will save us $36.99/month (data plan + insurance on the phone).
2. We researched and switched our gas and electric company and started budget billing. This move will save us 12% on gas and 15% on electricity.
3. Canceled gym memberships which weren't getting used much. DH can use the gym at work and I can do more walks and physical activities with my son.
4. We are getting rid of one of our HD DVR boxes.

Daily Spending:
1. We are giving up soda, yay! We are all very addicted to Diet Coke (I am the worst one). This is a move that will help our health and our wallet.
2. DH will get back in the habit of bringing most meals with him to work. He works 12 hour shifts and we figured he was spending almost $400/month in food/drink/snack purchases while working. That is absurd! Back to packing!
3. His truck gets 11 miles per gallon. He commutes 44 miles per wok day. He is spending approximately $500/month for gas A call has been placed to a friend of ours that works for Nissan. The truck has to go, it's time for a car.

These were just some fairly easy things to do as we have gotten lazy recently and out of hand with spending. I think we both feel good and more in control and we will re-evaluate soon and see what other changes make sense.

Boy I hear you on the gas. We have a business that requires gas and propane. I think he fills up every few days. We spend close to 1000 a month. It is horrible.

I stay home. The only time I spend money is when I go to the store for our groceries. For 6 weeks of groceries we spent 250.00. Our biggest meal is dinner. So little things through the day are fine for us. I am greatful that we dont have a big family. I dont think I am doing christmas cards this year. I rarely see any come in the mail. I just want to add more in our savings.

 

[mansionmama]

You guys are right about staying home- saves gas and money spent on drive thrus and that "one little thing I need to pick up" at the store that turns into $30 at checkout. My Mom's bday is today, she loves TGIFs, so we're giving her a GC that I earned free on one of the rewards sites. Have been eating at home all week. Finally went back to meal planning and have stuck with it so far.