What did you do today to save money?

[Cindy B]

Yesterday I shopped from the sales and clearances at Wegmans.

They had veggie burgers for $1.59 a package (Boca burgers--we prefer Gardenburger but we will try them). I had two 75 cent coupons which were true doubles, so we got two packages of Veggie burgers for 9 cents.. yes 9 cents dinner!

I bought things on sale with coupon so my grocery savings (true coupon savings --not just super card/shppers club was over $15)

 

[lillygator]

I brought my lunch to work today....plan to for the whole week!

 

[emdav]

I defrosted my frozen pipes last night! Wow, was I ever lucky on this one. It doesn't appear the pipes cracked or broke. I am watching the basement vigilantly and have a dripping faucet to make sure it doesn't happen again. We've had subzero temperatures and right now, it feels like -12.

I figure I saved myself a $1000 deductible on my insurance and the amount my rates would have increased. Thanks to my kind neighbors and my FIL for helping me. Dh coached us over the phone and we got the job done!

 

[MickeyP]

I went to Old Navy and returned a winter coat that my daughter wouldn't be able to fit in until next winter. She credited my account a little over 26.00 and then asked if I wanted to rebuy it and save it for next winter. She said, "It's only 4.99 now." Sure, I don't mind storing it for a year....for 21.00!!!

 

[MsLeFever]

I guess that saving food = saving money right?

We had bananas that were almost ready to go to Jesus and nobody would eat them - so I made banana bread this morning! Had all of the ingredients on hand and that should be breakfast for the rest of the week!

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a great thread-very helpful-full of great ideas-and right up my alley!

Yesterday went to JC Penny to return some clothing that I got for Christmas from my MIL that didn't fit very well. Ended up getting about $90 total back-but on a gift card. Which was fine, because both DH and I REALLY needed pants. We ended up getting:

2 pairs of slacks for me
1 pair of jeasn for me
2 sweaters for me
2 tops for me
1 pair of Dockers for DH

Spent less than $20 out of pocket and all those items were VERY needed! I resisted in buying anything that wasn't necessary.

Then we went to World Market, with a $25 gift card in hand. Found rugs there that were 20% off of $14.99, plus we got a sugar shaker-something I have wanted, and some white chocolate syrup for homemade lattes (MUCH cheaper than buying out!). We spent a total of $8 out of pocket.

The rugs are EXACTLY what we wanted, and at their non-sale price are still are $5 cheaper each than the ones we liked at Wal*Mart!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I went to Walgreens and did the buy 2 packs of Stayfree pads for $10 and got a $10 rebate. FREE.

edited to add: anytime you can get things like this for FREE and it's not the brand you prefer, please get them and donate them to a women's shelter near you. They are always in need of items such as this and they are usually so expensive.

 

[KELLY]

:This weeked spent 30.00 0n gas for the week. Did go to Gymboree to get items from the new line but had 2 outfits to return DD got 14 outfits from Gymboree for Christmas so I figure returning 2 wouldn't hurt. So after gymbucks total spent 10.00 for 1 bathing suit,shoes,1 dress,2 skirts/skorts and tops and 1 pair of capris and top. Spent 20.00 at Disney store 15.00 on Disney Dollars for Valentines day for DD and a couple of small things for the plane ride. I worked saturday to pay off my Childrens place charge of 100.00 but did spend 100.00 0ver the weeked at chilkdrens place for our trip. I ordered on line so may return if not what i expected. Todau cancled pogo resume a savings of 10.00 a month haven't had to use so cancled.

KElly

 

[annsteere]

Struck up a conversation with the dental assistant who came to the waiting room to let me know that the oral surgeon was running late. Turns out the first thing they planned to do was to take me in for Xrays that were going to cost 90 bucks.

After confirming how long I was likely to be kept waiting, I took a healthy walk over to my regular dentist's office. (Had no car--DH was coming to pick me up after the surgery). Borrowed my Xrays from my file at the regular dentist.

Savings: 90 dollars!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well the ac power thing on my notebook burned up last night.

I found out I had the choice of ordering one from Dell for about $65, driving to Best Buy and getting a different brand over $100 plus whatever else I'd buy at Best Buy because I always find something in there to buy, or ordering an OEM replacement from an online store $30.

I'd really like to go to Best Buy and get one today, but I decided to use the desktop for a couple of days and stay out of the stores.

 

[sk!mom]

:This weeked spent 30.00 0n gas for the week. Did go to Gymboree to get items from the new line but had 2 outfits to return DD got 14 outfits from Gymboree for Christmas so I figure returning 2 wouldn't hurt. So after gymbucks total spent 10.00 for 1 bathing suit,shoes,1 dress,2 skirts/skorts and tops and 1 pair of capris and top. Spent 20.00 at Disney store 15.00 on Disney Dollars for Valentines day for DD and a couple of small things for the plane ride. I worked saturday to pay off my Childrens place charge of 100.00 but did spend 100.00 0ver the weeked at chilkdrens place for our trip. I ordered on line so may return if not what i expected. Todau cancled pogo resume a savings of 10.00 a month haven't had to use so cancled.

KElly

She got 14 outfits for Christmas, plus you bought all that at Gymboree and you still "needed" to spend $100 at Children's Place?

I don't mean to insult you but I've been reading this thread and there seems to be quite a bit of recounting, "how I saved $ when I bought..." Purchasing something you really need on sale is wise but buying things just because they are on sale is spending- not saving.

I know in the case of my DD, who received 4 new pairs of Jeans, 6 shirts, pajamas, a robe, new boots, crocs, slippers, underwear, and likely things that I've forgotten for Xmas, any clothing that I bought on sale now would be spending- not saving because she doesn't need it. She won't need clothes until the arrival of Summer weather and even then only if she's outgrown too much of last year's wardrobe.

I did purchase DD a new winter jacket for 70% off yesterday at Penneys. She has grown 3 inches since school started and the coat that she wore the past two winters was getting too small. Luckily we live in the sunny SW so that she has made do with hoodies, the coat that seemed to be getting smaller every day on her, and lighter jackets until this big winter storm blew in. I had a new coat for her on my list and was just hoping that our 60 degree days would hold until the clearance sales arrived.

 

[katerkat]

I'm not sure this counts because if circumstances were different, I'd be right there! I saved $15, plus gas, plus lunch, by not going tubing with Russ today. But I only didn't go because I have a miserable cold and two hours in 20 degree weather would not help in the recovery process. DH still got to go skiing, but we save the gas since he was able to go in a friends' car.

I also really want a latte, but won't drive with medicine-head. So there's money saved.

I did make DH some chili and will chop the extra veggies and freeze them for fagitas. So some savings there.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

I went to a store called "tin-can pam's" today. They sell grocery items of all kinds that are damaged like dented cans, ripped packaging, etc but are otherwise fine. Then I hit the local farmer's market. Total cost for the week's groceries (including coupons) 45.78.

 

[sk!mom]

Actually, $500 is a lot of shifts at minimum wage. It is not easy. What it is, is one month's rent. That's 10% of her "basic" living costs while she is away at university. She had committed to $700 (her initial quote because of the subsidy), but this almost doubled her costs. She is disappointed, but understands the economics involved, which, as you say, IS a good thing!

I have a 22 year old so I realize that $500 is a lot of low wage shifts.

However, to me it is relatively easy for my DS to earn extra $$ for several reasons. For one, he doesn't have childcare or family obligations that keep him from working extra hours to pay for something that he really wants. In the past, when he needed some extra cash he has worked extra weekend shifts to earn it. He has also worked extra shifts during his school winter break to pay for his Spring Break trip. He works at a grocery store and extra shifts were easy to get during the holidays since most people are looking to take off.

Also without a family, it is easy for him to cut his budget to the bone if he's trying to save. He has been known to go a month or two without spending any unnecessary money if he had a goal in mind. This is easier for a single person than it is for those of us with children.

Most people in this age range also have things that they could sell but they don't typically have garage sales. My son could probably raise a couple of hundred just by selling some of his accumulated stuff.

So sorry if I insulted your DD but I do think that $500 could be earned if it is wanted badly enough.

 

[ducklite]

Today I "brown bagged" breakfast and lunch, and I'm cooking dinner when I get home. Same thing for the rest of the week. I'm going to try to go an entire month without eating out.

Wish me luck! I'm a four night or more a week "eater-outer" so this is going to be challenging. Is there an Eater-Outer's Anonymous? I really need one!!

Hello, I'm Anne and I'm a compulsive Eater-Outer...

 

[barbmouse]

I've saved $$ today by:

taking ds to local park for free, came home and had soup for lunch....this is big for us as usually if we have no school we would do an activity such as a movie and lunch!!

Transfered a cc balance to another card with much lower interest.

Dinner has been in Crock pot since 10 am..smells yummy. Will be our dinner tonight and tomorrow!!

As another poster said I eat out a lot so any time we resist that urge it is money in our pockets. We are trying to eat in much more in 07!!

 

[aero99]

Hello, I'm Anne and I'm a compulsive Eater-Outer...

Hi Anne!! Hello, I'm Melissa and I'm a compulsive Eater-Outer. My husband and I have agreed to only eat 1 lunch and 1 dinner out each week. This has been challenging although I found having stuff like bread and celery at home helps. (can't make a tuna sandwich without them). Ok, now you can tell how bad we are. I bought a slow cooker at target the other day (using a gift card we got for xmas), and am trying to use it once a week. I also got a whole bunch of recipes off of allrecipes.com (free site).

Good luck!

 

[ducklite]

Hi Anne!! Hello, I'm Melissa and I'm a compulsive Eater-Outer. My husband and I have agreed to only eat 1 lunch and 1 dinner out each week. This has been challenging although I found having stuff like bread and celery at home helps. (can't make a tuna sandwich without them). Ok, now you can tell how bad we are. I bought a slow cooker at target the other day (using a gift card we got for xmas), and am trying to use it once a week. I also got a whole bunch of recipes off of allrecipes.com (free site).

Good luck!

I bought a bunch of chicken breasts yesterday. I'm the queen of 100 ways to cook chicken breast on the grill. I've got about 18 different sauces and seasoning combo's.

Anne

 

[kandeebunny]

I saved $1500 today by answering the phone. I (thanks to my ex husband) had an outstanding balance on a credit card. On advice of my CPA I let it go in to collections. The agency called the other day and asked to set up a payment plan, I asked what the cost would be to settle the account. They called back today (a week later) and lowered my balance by $1500 if I paid in full! So now I have 1 card paid off!!!

WOOHOO!

Oh and I also got a call back on a job I interviewed for last week!!!

 

[mommiepoppins]

Today I was in the house all day....no gas or miles on the car and no spending $