What Did You Do To Save Money Today? Jan 25-31

[Pooki]

I have been MIA for a while, but when I used to be on the BB religiously, there was a thread I loved that was called "What did you do to save money today?" Keeping up with that thread would make me reflect on what I did daily to help save money, which is my big goal for the year. I'd like to start doing this thread weekly again

Anywho...

The rules of the game are simple! Every day post what you did to keep your budget on track, whether you saved with coupons, you walked to your destination, kept the lights/heater down, or even if you just stayed home and out of the stores! Every penny saved is another penny to go towards debt payments, savings cushions, or most importantly, a trip to WDW!

 

[Pooki]

My husband and I are aggressively attacking our debt this year, which we have been stupidly allowing to creep up. I am tired of the sick-to-the-stomach feeling of being in debt, and we are possibly planning on buying a house when we move back stateside next year, so time to tighten the purse strings!

So far this month we have not went out to eat. At all. Not even once! That is HUGE for us, where we used to get lunch almost daily because I never would buy anything for lunch at home. Now I have been making extra dinner with the intention of having leftovers everyday for lunch, and its been so liberating!

Also, something I started a week ago - I stopped using dryer sheets. I was out and I dread buying the dang things because they are so expensive, so I googled homemade dryer sheets. I used half hair conditioner (that I hated and was going to throw out anyways) and half water in a spray bottle and mist about 5 times on my wet clothes. I also use a ball of aluminum foil, which apparently is supposed to stop with the static cling. Well, there is no static! But the hair conditioner doesn't leave a scent like I had hoped...and I'm not sure if the spray mix does anything for the static, so I will test that out soon. I'd love any tips on how to have great smelling laundry while cutting back on dryer sheets!

Right now I'm making my menu for the upcoming week since I have to go grocery shopping tomorrow - gathering the coupons I'll use

 

[lisabarr]

I'd love any tips on how to have great smelling laundry while cutting back on dryer sheets!

I know that you can buy a box, cut it in half, or even thirds and get much more out of them I personally just don't use any at all. I don't like how they feel or smell. My husband however, loves them.

As far as what I am doing to save money this week... I haven't booked my weekend at Disney with the GAD tickets. Waiting for a good pin.

 

[secretpantssam]

I brought my lunch to work today...that's saving money!

 

[singnring]

I have a friend who calls me almost every day and keeps me on the cell phone for about 3 hours!

So I saved money today by not charging that phone. Saves on the elec to charge it and the overages on my phone bill for the conversation!!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I have just recently started making it a point to shut off the power strip that my cable modem and laptop are plugged into. By shutting it off when not in use, I expect to see a drop in my electric bill. I am also unplugging any appliances when not in use. Even if you aren't using something, it might still be drawing a bit of power.

 

[minnie1928]

A few days ago a friend of mine invited me to have coffee at Starbucks this morning so we could catch up. I happened to also get a coupon for a free oatmeal at Starbucks in the mail that same day. So, instead of throwing it away I used it this morning for free breakfast. Bought tea using a gift card. No cash outlay!

Dinner tonight is leftover lasagna. Made a big dish of it Sunday, and we'll eat it for 3 days. Saves me time and money!

 

[Swimnoid]

I have slipped and have been picking up lunch out instead of bringing my own. So today I made dinner and used part of that for lunch as well. Savings = about $7.50. I have also stocked our fridge at work with drinks so I dont buy out of the machine. That saves about $1 per bottle of whatever I drink.

 

[tinkarooni]

I used to love this thread, thanks for starting it up again.

Some friends and I used to go out to eat once a month for breakfast, cost $10.00 each or so.

Today instead we went to one person's house instead of going out to eat. Host had coffee and eggs. We all brought a little something, like a breakfast potluck and we chatted for hours. No leaving a tip and no dirty looks from the wait staff because we were at the table too long. It was a win win for everybody. I brought some fresh homemade rolls I had made another friend brought some frozen fruit, somebody else brough zuke bread..... Next month we'll switch to a different person's house.
Even if you're the host the cost is so minimal and we had a great time.

 

[minnie1928]

I used to love this thread, thanks for starting it up again.

Some friends and I used to go out to eat once a month for breakfast, cost $10.00 each or so.

Today instead we went to one person's house instead of going out to eat. Host had coffee and eggs. We all brought a little something, like a breakfast potluck and we chatted for hours. No leaving a tip and no dirty looks from the wait staff because we were at the table too long. It was a win win for everybody. I brought some fresh homemade rolls I had made another friend brought some frozen fruit, somebody else brough zuke bread..... Next month we'll switch to a different person's house.
Even if you're the host the cost is so minimal and we had a great time.

I've done that a bunch of times. I agree, it saves everyone money and avoids the evil look for sitting at the table for so long!

 

[Promomx2]

I traded my only ds game in at gamestop for game for my ds's birthday. Also found me a nice pair of flannel pj's on clearance for $4. Gonna wait till we get the snow this weekend to wear them.

 

[J. Galt]

I'll play....

I hit the Old Navy outlet today to hit the clearance racks (now an additional 50% off) looking for spring/summer stuff DD. I found shorts for $2 and leggings and more "spring like" tops for $2.50! Helps out my kid clothing budget a lot!

I also went to the Brownberry breads outlet and picked up two loaves of bread, three packages of buns, two packages of cookies and two packages of pretzels for around $12 (with additional coupon out of their calendar)! Helps out my food budget!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I cleaned DS14's room and found at least $5.00 in change that went directly to the save jar. I also unplugged all his game systems and put a note that if they don't get unplugged when he is not using them, I will remove them.

And his room is CLEAN!!

 

[jessica52877]

This is one of my favorite threads. Thanks for starting it again. I am going to look into the dryer sheet thing. I only use them in the winter to cut down on static and cut them in half but if I can toss aluminum foil in then I might be set to go. The clothes smell good from the wash already.

We got a new heat pump yesterday that is bigger and more appropiate for the house. Hoping that my electric bill will drop some since the other had to work constantly to heat. Not a savings with the cost of it right now but hopefully in the long haul.

I have a free movie rental I'll use tonight. Not really saving money because I wouldn't go to blockbuster and actually pay to rent but it will make my son happy without spending money. Going to be driving right by anyways.

 

[jessica52877]

This is one of my favorite threads. Thanks for starting it again. I am going to look into the dryer sheet thing. I only use them in the winter to cut down on static and cut them in half but if I can toss aluminum foil in then I might be set to go. The clothes smell good from the wash already.

We got a new heat pump yesterday that is bigger and more appropiate for the house. Hoping that my electric bill will drop some since the other had to work constantly to heat. Not a savings with the cost of it right now but hopefully in the long haul.

I have a free movie rental I'll use tonight. Not really saving money because I wouldn't go to blockbuster and actually pay to rent but it will make my son happy without spending money. Going to be driving right by anyways.

 

[QVCshopper]

I filled a prescrip where I spent $8 and got a $20 coupon to the store. Not a bad way to make $12!

 

[MickQuinn]

I went to Shaw's today even though I hate that store.

With the coupon in the flyer I got a 3lb beef roast, 5 lb bag of new potatoes, 2 lb bag of onions and a 1 lb bag of carrots, all for $8.60. This is a supper for the 4 of us plus my dad and leftovers for dh and I to bring for lunch tomorrow. Plus, extra onions and potatoes for future meals!

 

[lisaross]

oh this seems like a fun thread..

on Saturday i bought a pair of jeans for $27 - today while walking through Sear's i saw Landsend had 50% off marked down price so i just saw a rack w/jeans 1 pair in my size and i loved them taking the $27 ones back and now have a pair of Landsend jeans for $9.00!

 

[PaulaSue]

I didn't buy a fire pit on 50% off. (I love Target clearance) We want a bigger deck but now it won't fit now and I'm sure I can find one in a few years when our deck grows.

But I did buy scarfs and mittens on 75% off sale for the Christmas tree at church we decorate that donates to the kids in the church's neighborhood.

 

[Maddie2]

I started Christmas 2010 shopping!! I found giftcard tin boxes for 90% off - the design features the Disney crew and they were only 29 cents each! I will use them for giftcards for our kids in preparation for our May 2011 WDW trip. Normally I would just put a giftcard in an envelope, so technically I may not have actually saved money, but they are darn cute and for 29 cents, why not?

We are hosting a Super Bowl party and I bought several 2 ltr bottles of soda rather than all the smaller ones. Saves money, saves plastic/recycling.

I was in a neighboring town today and love to go to the Hobby Lobby store when I am there ... but today I completely avoided the store, knowing that if I went in there, I most certainly would spend some money. And really, there isn't one thing that I really "need". It wasn't easy .... but I did it.