What did you do today to save money?

[PartyOf5]

Ok guys/girls, OP here. I've seen several mentions that we should start a new thread. How about if we do a weekly thread, like the freebie one? Opinions?

Fine w/me...I think it will be more manageable that way! Thanks for coordinating!

 

[UTgirl]

I wash and iron my kids spring and summer clothes from last year. I take them to a children's resale shop and I can take cash or use it as a credit at the store plus I get a 40% discount by shopping there.

Each season they send me a pink card as a preferred provider because I take the time to wash and dry my clothes before I take them. They usually take 100% of what I bring them and I usually get anywhere from $180 - $210 in cash or credit.

They also take some of their larger toys they no longer play with - I get approximately 50% of what I originally paid for them. Also if I keep the boxes their shoes came in - they give me more for them as well. Especially if they are a name brand - ie Stride Rite.

 

[Misty89]

today I am going to save money, by making grilled ham and cheese at home instead of Going out to eat or buy tak-out.

( btw, i wanted to point out that this is my motto everyday, i just insert a new food item each day , and it has been working 99% of the time, )

saves a ton of $$$$

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well we are going out to eat tonight for our youngest son's birthday dinner. But we're going to Chili's and we're going to use the $5 gift cards we got from the December promotion. My husband bought all of his employees Chili's Gift cards for Christmas and we saved the $5 ones for our family to use.

So it will be one of those kinda-free dinners.

grilled ham and cheese sounds really good though. I might do that for dinner soon with tomato soup.

 

[ticktock]

well we are going out to eat tonight for our youngest son's birthday dinner. But we're going to Chili's and we're going to use the $5 gift cards we got from the December promotion. My husband bought all of his employees Chili's Gift cards for Christmas and we saved the $5 ones for our family to use.

So it will be one of those kinda-free dinners.

grilled ham and cheese sounds really good though. I might do that for dinner soon with tomato soup.

I think I read a thread that said you can only use one $5 gift card per check. Might want to cal before you go.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I think I read a thread that said you can only use one $5 gift card per check. Might want to cal before you go

well that will suck. I guess I'd better check into it because frankly the kid would rather eat at Red Robin. I used my persuasive skill to head him toward Chili's.

 

[ducklite]

I just tried some liquid drain declogger stuff in my shower before I called the plumber DH told me to call. It seemed to work. That probably saved me $200! Keep your fingers crossed!

Anne

 

[Mellie2162]

I avoided going to the grocery store (this is where I spend the most) and instead of calling Dominos I made myself cook.

 

[Chickysmom]

Using up some pototoes for dinner and putting leftover meatloaf in a jar of spaghetti sauce to use as topper.....another meal at home!

 

[ohiominnie]

Ok guys/girls, OP here. I've seen several mentions that we should start a new thread. How about if we do a weekly thread, like the freebie one? Opinions?

I dunno. I kinda like it how it is now. I have one thread to find. I can click on "go to first new post" and know exactly where I am.

I'll go with whatever everyone decides though.....just hope I remember to check a different thread every week.

 

[ohiominnie]

I called the Humane Society and told them to take the kitten we had on hold off of hold. We already have a cat and we were worried that a new kitten would change his personality too much (and we love his personality as is)

So we saved $95 on the cat. Who knows how much on the extra litter box/litter. Who knows how much on extra food. Who knows how much on the series of shots/vet visits he'd need these first couple of months. Who knows how much on worm testing and dewormer. Who knows how much on a declaw surgery or claw caps. Who knows how much on kennel fees for when we're gone (we usually go 2 weeks at a time and that's a long time to leave an animal alone)

Suffice it to say, we will save a LOT of money by NOT getting this kitten.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I really love the thread the way it is now! I also will be happy with the majority vote, though. I am so glad to see all of the posters saving money! whether it be making from scratch, or trying not to eat out, we're all saving!

I just signed on the bottom line for my masters. Definitely NOT a savings day for me, but it will pay in the end. We ate in, so that was a savings!

 

[ohiominnie]

Let me explain more why I like it how it is.....if someone wanted to find out the ways we're saving money, they could, theoretically, start at the beginning and go through all of the pages. That way they'd get lots of ideas. Some of them are so wonderful, it'd be a shame for the new ppl to miss out on them.

For example, I just LOVED the idea someone gave that they went through the house right then and turned off 5 lights (don't quote me on the number) I was inspired to get up RIGHT then and go around my house. I turned off 4 lights in rooms that no one was in. If I was new to the budget board and only read the thread for THIS week, I may have missed that idea and it's a very good one.

I'm very much leaning towards just leaving it. There's lots of good ideas in here.

I could see how the freebie thread would be different....b/c the freebie offers could change from week to week or month to month. But most of these ideas for how to save money are timeless.

 

[ohiominnie]

Another money saver from me today.

My dd had to be to rehearsal at 5:30 so we had to leave here at 5:00.
B/c my dh's car was in the shop, he was going to get home RIGHT at 5:00 and we'd turn around and GO.

I fed the kids dinner at 4:40 because I KNEW by the time we were done with rehearsal and picking up dh's car, they'd both be STARVING and we'd end up eating out.

Dh did get a taco at Taco Bell b/c he wasn't home in time to eat, and I didn't think he'd want to eat spaghetti in the car on the way to rehearsal.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I agree with OhioMinnie on keeping the thread as is. There are many great ideas on this thread. It would be a shame for them all to drop away. Just my .02.

I got some great NY strip steaks that were reg. about $10 for $2.50. Marinated them in some balsamic vinegrette dressing and broiled them for dinner. They were so good. Great savings too.

 

[TyNicJen]

I like the thread where it is. I too like to have an e-mail remind me of new posts or" go to first new post" either way okay.
I think I will do the consignment shop by us too. The kids want to have another garage sale but the time and effort is alot since I work 2 jobs and the kids school and house work etc. I will take them with me and we will use some money for vacation ( We have a vacation fund we contribute to) and some will go directly to them to save and spend. Not to mention all the rom in the closets and basement. Thanks for the idea!!!!
Also stuck to my list of sales at the food store.... Again put away junk that was not on my list! I really should add that up one day.
love this thread!! Really keeps you thinking.
Turned the thermostat down 2 degrees tonight! Lets see if it works!

 

[Cindy B]

I would prefer a weekly theme.. that way we can keep budget topics timely and event related. Say you are saving money for Valentines Day--you can look at the February tips... instead of the entire thread.

I also thought threads were only supposed to be 150 pages long--but that must be an old rule.

 

[singlemomw/3]

used cold water detergent, skipped coffee, haven't bought any wine for a month, and have cooked food for 3 weeks. no mcdonald's for us!

 

[ticktock]

If we're going to have a new thread every week, why not have a link to the previous thread on the first page. That way newbies could go back and read through all the great ideas.

 

[DreaGirl]

Bought chai mix and coffee from costco instead of buying it from Starbucks. That will save us a ton of money.