What did you do today to save money?

[neatokimmo]

Last week I cashed out some credit card points for Exxon gift cards. They came today so I saved $100! That is almost 2 months of gas for me

 

[samanthacatangel]

Well, I think this will save money in the long run. I typically buy 6 boxes of Eggo waffles (my commissary doesn't have generic) per month. I took advantage of the 19.98 Mickey waffle on the other thread. I know it will save me money to make my own, I'm thinking I'll make them on the weekend (I have a recipe that makes 12), then freeze them for the week. Does anyone else do this and do they taste okay like that?

I do this! My DD4 loves her Pooh/Tigger waffles, and I use a great recipe I found on Allrecipes.com:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Whole-Grain-Waffles/Detail.aspx

They are super healthy and very yummy! I make a huge batch, let them cool, wrap in Saran and freeze in a Ziploc. I used to buy organic waffles for my DD, so this does save me $$.

I also keep the flax meal, wheatgerm and whole wheat flour in the fridge, so it lasts a while.

HTH,

Samantha

 

[emdav]

We stayed home today. We were going to go to the children's museum (have membership) but I fell down the stairs last night and did not feel like keeping up with the kids in that atmosphere. I'm too sore. I saved on parking and the inevitable lunch out.

I made a yummy soup for dinner with chicken MIL gave me, packaged squash soup that I got for free with coupons,and sweet corn. My cost was the sweet corn and energy to heat it. It is so good and my kids like it too.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Thanks for all of the replies about the waffles, I can't wait to get it and try this out!

 

[Gillennj]

I bought my texts before my semester started. My professor stated today that only one of the books listed is required.

I walked straight from class to the bookstore and got $85 back!

I just finished school last year. I NEVER bought textbooks before the first class for precisely that reason. One semester, there was a flimsy workbook for $95!! The first day of class he mentioned it really wasn't needed, the college ordered it without checking with him. They were shrinkwrapped and a lot of people bought them and opened them--which were now unable to be returned.

I also checked with the professors to see if a previous edition of the textbook would be OK (new edition textbooks are a racket, IMO) and most times they were fine with it--saving me literally HUNDREDS on textbooks--just get older editions from Half.com. A lot of times I was able to find books at the library. A month's worth of late fees beats paying for the books!

 

[Cindy B]

I just finished school last year. I NEVER bought textbooks before the first class for precisely that reason. One semester, there was a flimsy workbook for $95!! The first day of class he mentioned it really wasn't needed, the college ordered it without checking with him. They were shrinkwrapped and a lot of people bought them and opened them--which were now unable to be returned.

I also checked with the professors to see if a previous edition of the textbook would be OK (new edition textbooks are a racket, IMO) and most times they were fine with it--saving me literally HUNDREDS on textbooks--just get older editions from Half.com. A lot of times I was able to find books at the library. A month's worth of late fees beats paying for the books!

My classes are very tech based and the text changes every semester. (GRR!) Most of the times the older editions work fine and there isn't an issue.

I'm in my senior year--so I know all the ins and outs of finding cheaper books. Unfortunately most of my books are professor written custom sets, so there are no other deals!

In fact, this year the bookstore was cheaper than half, ebay, collegebooksdirect, textbooks.com, bn.com and amazon---yes I created a spread sheet and the bookstore was cheaper!

I have been known to use the interlibrary loan for texts as well! I love that!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well - DH had to go to Wal-Mart to pick up cat food and was going to pick up dinner from the deli since I haven't been 100% and DD was at her pediatrician's office today adding another $20 copay & $10 prescription to mine from last night (too bad it's too late to add to flex the way we have started the year) BUT Wal-Mart had other ideas....the deli was closed so I cooked from what was in the house and saved the cost of the deli. If this ice does not go away I'm going to go crazy - we're supposed to leave for Disney Tuesday DRIVING and they're forecasting 4-6 inches of snow this weekend. This was a spur of the moment CHEAP trip and it's looking like it's not going to happen - I'm glad I didn't tell DD we were going - but boy am I disappointed at the possibility of having to cancel - oh well if we don't get to go I guess I'll have a big savings to post to this thread that day

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well, I tackled my 16yo at the front door and told him no -- he was NOT taking the debit card and going on a snack run to the grocery store.

Then I cooked up some veggies in Olive Oil and put them in a PITA pocket for him --- and that kept him happy until dinner.

 

[bookgirl]

One more thing, my tickets for Rockstar Supernova tonight were free, courtesy of their publicist--no strings attached--as a thank you for being very accomodating during a difficult interview I did for an article I wrote on another of his artists, for which I was paid by the magazine I write for.

Also I got a free CD in the mail yesterday from a publicist/friend who was hoping I'd like it and write a positive review--which I'll get paid for if I do. My editor told me I need to get into the office this week because my mailbox there is overflowing with unsolicited material, although most of it will probably be craptacular. Last month's tally: 28 unsolicited CD's in my box, 23 saw the garbage can, two were given away to another writer, three were keepers.

Anne

Hey a free concert is a great budget saver.

I so loved that show last year (RockStar SuperNova)....until Lucas the Rooster won. They picked the one singer that I would not go see if they paid me. It's that weird rooster strut, or maybe the hair, or the way his eyebrows move like he's passing a stone when he sings, or maybe just the fact that I don't like his voice....nope it's the strut. Mick Jagger struts, because he's Mick freakin Jagger. Lucas is not Mick. However I hope you like the show, I really liked the music that the band was working on, some of the songs sounded really great. Sadly I won't be listening to them. Have fun.

 

[Echo queen]

I clipped coupons tonight for my food shopping tomorow.

 

[ohiominnie]

I convinced dh that we don't need three vacations this year.
#1 is to WDW in May with DVC and annual passes which we already have.
#2 is to CA in September for the Podcast Expo and we'll see the USS Midway, San Diego Zoo, Disneyland while we're there.

Also convinced him that we can let our WDW AP's lapse and rebuy them just before we go to WDW the next time. Thinking of writing a letter to Disney to say it's a crime to not at least get a DISCOUNT at Disneyland if you have WDW annual passes!! Silly!

I'd say "no vacations" this year but dh's job is very high stress and the only way he gets through it sometimes is knowing there is a vacation on the horizon.

 

[calie_j]

I said no to free air to Florida. My sister was buying so I could help her with something but it would have cost me gas to the airport 3 hrs away, parking while I'm gone, wages for the work I miss, food eating out in FL. I had a prior commitment for when she needed me so it was somewhat easy to say no.

Dug out the receipt for some slippers I got for Xmas and put them in a bag for H to return. The ones I have are starting to fall apart but they'll last for quite a while yet.

Tried cleaning the shower door tracks with vinegar, wow that stuff works great on our hard water deposits. Need to get a spray bottle to mix up vinegar/water cleaner to use for everything in the bathroom, windows, and floors.

calie

 

[sulleyfan]

I filled out and mailed in the rebate forms for our new cell phones. Got the phones for free after shopping around and getting them online through a 3rd party reseller and after rebates will get $419 back, plus just got the phone bill for the new service and it's $22 off our previous plan

 

[Cindy B]

I used my 20% off teacher card to save money on books that my kids wanted.
My kids had Christmas gift cards, so that worked out well for them.

 

[Bearvet]

Right after Christmas I began writing my check for groceries for $20 over the actual amount. I'm putting this away as a "Christmas Club" account and will have a nice amount of cash to spend by Christmas 2007. I should have about $1000 cash to spend and won't have to use credit cards! I did this last year and it worked out really well.

So, I guess technically I didn't "save" money, but in the long run it will be beneficial - I read about this idea on this board. We really don't miss the extra $20 per week right now, especially if I'm cautious with my grocery budget.

 

[ducklite]

Hey a free concert is a great budget saver.

I so loved that show last year (RockStar SuperNova)....until Lucas the Rooster won. They picked the one singer that I would not go see if they paid me. It's that weird rooster strut, or maybe the hair, or the way his eyebrows move like he's passing a stone when he sings, or maybe just the fact that I don't like his voice....nope it's the strut. Mick Jagger struts, because he's Mick freakin Jagger. Lucas is not Mick. However I hope you like the show, I really liked the music that the band was working on, some of the songs sounded really great. Sadly I won't be listening to them. Have fun.

Well, it ended up costing me $8 for water because I was wicked thirsty. My friend is a security guard there, and he gave me a free bottle, and an old friend is the lighting director for SuperNova, and he gave me a bottle as well, so it could have cost a lot more. It was great being able to spend a little time with my friend, we e-mail and AIM, but only actually see each other every few years.

The show was OK. The first band, Juke Kartel was very good, I'm going to get hold of their label to get a copy of thier CD.

Dilana was kind of boring. She opened with "Roxanne," and it was just her and a guy with an acoustic guitar, and after three songs it really all sounded the same. She's got a great voice, but I think the "look" kind of overpowers the voice, and the music she was singing wasn't really the best choices for her.

Tha Panic Channel, Dave Navarro's new band, was really tight and I loved their music, but their singer left me cold. He sounds a lot like Jared Leto, it's a hot sound right now--and where I predict the industry is headed over the next two years or so, but I'm not terribly fond of it, and I don't think his voice fit well with the songs. I would rather have heard someone who sounded more like Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, or even Lajon Witherspoon singing the material.

When SuperNove came out, I had no idea what to expect. I was bummed that Jason Newstead wasn't playing bass due to breaking both wrists about a month ago in a freak accident. Lucas Rossi began the show looking like Boy George meets Axl Rose, circa 1987. Very bizarre. I don't particularly care for his stage prescence or his voice. The band was tight, the material was generic, and the lighting effects were stunning. In fact I'd say that the lighting was what kept the show interesting, and I'm not saying that because the LD is a friend. Gilby Clark was solid, Tommy Lee is...well Tommy Lee, a good drummer, a great entertainer, but it almost seemed forced last night. The whole thing was pretty over the top, but then I guess that's what they are going for. And I was bummed that Tommy didn't take at least a quick drum solo. He's one of two drummers whose solo's are always entertaining as opposed to an excuse to use the ladies room.

Anyhow, decent show for $11, glad I didn't pay for a ticket, I would have been disappointed.

***DISCLAIMER*** Please take that mini-review as my opinion only. I see hundreds of bands perform every year, and am pretty jaded. There's got to be some real magic happening before I get excited--even my favorite bands live performances leave me saying, "yeah, so?" most of the time. For the average person, you'll probably enjoy the show!

Anyhow,

gas and tolls..........................................$3
water...................................................$8
catching up with an old friend.........priceless!

Anne

 

[neatokimmo]

I am doing this too! I find it's much easier if I buy my groceries at Walgreens instead of a regular store. They have milk (always on sale, cheaper than WM) bread (50 cents more, I call that my "I don't have to go to Walmart fee") and now eggs (same price as WM). My budget brain won't let me buy any of their other overpriced stuff so I walk out with just what I came in for.

I still have to make my weekly trip for produce. But I just go into that section and stay out of everything else. I think I have enough freezer/pantry stuff to go well into mid Feb. It's crazy what we stockpile huh?

We haven't been in the stores this week at all. I bought produce on Saturday, and that's it. (DH had done the milk run on Friday). We're are eating strictly from the cupboards and freezer.

 

[Minnie824]

Well, DH & I have been planning our vacation for May and needed to book our car rental. Originally, DH wanted to get a lincoln navigator which I could not find less than $650. BUT I convinced him we could go w/ a Jeep Cherokee, and with a rate code I found on the transportation board today, I got it for $227! So, I saved over $400 that would have been wasted to have a bigger car, and we'll still have a big car.

The christmas money suggestion above...I started that as well. Last year I started late, and had $500 which was SO helpful, so I'm doing the $20/wk this year too. And I added to that. I have a separate fund which will be $10/wk in my 'spending' fund. This will be for next year for all the birthdays and gifts thruout the year, to further cut down credit card spending.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

One from over Christmas

Finding a DVD set I've been wanting for half price(Supernatural season 1)

 

[HenDuck]

brought home lunch, leftover teri-cheeseburger from last night. even brought the chips and soda too. made my own coffee.

will not leave the office at lunchtime either - too many temptations out there.

I've also subscribed to the grocerygame, thanks to posters on these boards. wish me luck!

have a great day everyone!