Where to find $2k?

[RobbW]

Based on how you describe your lifestyle (the cost of the cruise, the paleo meals made for you, etc) unless you make life-altering changes and are ready to commit to them, I don't see you saving money. When I met DH 2 years ago he had 11k in credit card debt and lived WAY outside his means. 2 years later, he has 0 debt and his credit score is above 750. What has changed his life (besides me, of course! jk) was www.youneedabudget.com, it is an amazing app for your computer & smart phone. Plus, they talk about how/where you should be cutting costs and saving. If you are truly committed to saving money in the long term, check it out.

Have a wonderful vacation in November!

I will second YNAB as an awesome method for budgeting for anyone who is willing to make the initial time commitment to set it up. Actually, it really doesn't take that much time. It's just SO different from any other budgeting method I've ever tried that it seems like a lot of work, initially. However, YNAB keeps you very intimately in tune with your finances, and after awhile, you find yourself almost automatically spending less money and building up a nice nest-egg in the process. I started using YNAB a couple months ago and now LOVE the method. Two thumbs up from me!

 

[QVCshopper]

Wow! Just the two drinks a day (Starbucks and green juice) is $10/day. I think cutting those out is a great idea--and you might want to make them a once or twice a week thing. $10 /day x 365 days is $3,650--that could go into your IRA or some other savings for the long term.

I would also consider scaling your food service back to maybe the 20 day program. You can make it through the other days just fine--cooking and heating up really isn't hard. I also feed my family of five for far less than what you spend a month in food.

I guess what I'm saving is that I have three kids, and can't spend on myself anywhere near what you spend on you. That's not jealousy or anything--just a fact--and my kids come first. So, if I can live on a couple coffees (not a $4 drink) a month, no manis and pedis, and not many new clothes, then you can, too! Life style is all about deciding where you want to spend your money. I think it's great you want to treat your mom, and I bet you can come up with the extra cash in a short time period if you just scale back what you spend now.

 

[bumbershoot]

Judge Judy always suggests picking up cans and recyclables.

That only works in states/areas that have paid places to turn those things in.

Do you really need the drink package? In a Grand Suite you have suite lounge access. There is a coffee machine in there that makes cappucinos, lattes, and regular coffee all day long.

Terrific point. OP, are you sure you aren't double-paying? If the lounge doesn't also have waters, you could buy an Evian package. Still a lot more than buying Evian at your grocery store, but the bottles are 1liter, which is pretty big. Bring your own water bottle onboard, decant some of the liter bottle into the carryable bottles, wander at will! Get the lattes taken care of in the lounge and you're good to go.

And that's a funny amount for the Replenish package; 109pp? Is it a 5 night cruise?

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Terrific point. OP, are you sure you aren't double-paying? If the lounge doesn't also have waters, you could buy an Evian package. Still a lot more than buying Evian at your grocery store, but the bottles are 1liter, which is pretty big. Bring your own water bottle onboard, decant some of the liter bottle into the carryable bottles, wander at will! Get the lattes taken care of in the lounge and you're good to go.

And that's a funny amount for the Replenish package; 109pp? Is it a 5 night cruise?

It's a 7 night. I made a mistake, it's $154.

I decided to go with the package because we drink a ton of water. If it's 1L bottles each of us can easily drink 4-5/day. I've done the whole refillable water bottle and after getting a free drinks package on a cruise I realized how much I enjoyed just be able to go to any bar, etc. and pick up a bottle of water.

At the end of the week when I got a the printout of all the drinks, I probably had 50 bottles of water (just me).

The coffee thing is something to think about. I know my mom and I both enjoy a cappuccino or espresso at the end of a meal. Outside of after dinner I only drink iced coffee.

I'm guessing the concierge lounge just has one of those press a button machines?

It seemed like a lot of $ but when I did the math, I realized we can both easily drink over $22/day on coffee and water.

I'll definitely check on the Evian package. Ugh, I so wish the water was something other than Evian-my least favorite water.

I may have us see how it goes for the first day or so because I think you can buy a pro-rated package on day 2 or 3.

 

[tvguy]

That only works in states/areas that have paid places to turn those things in.

Are there any states that don't have recycling centers? I know not every state had state underwritten redemption programs, but I think there are recycling places everywhere that buy aluminum.

 

[Eastern]

It's a 7 night. I made a mistake, it's $154.

I decided to go with the package because we drink a ton of water. If it's 1L bottles each of us can easily drink 4-5/day. I've done the whole refillable water bottle and after getting a free drinks package on a cruise I realized how much I enjoyed just be able to go to any bar, etc. and pick up a bottle of water.

$154 pp and you are mainly going to drink water and coffee?

I would bring a case of water onboard for port excursions and drink the ship's water.

 

[teller80]

Ugh, I so wish the water was something other than Evian-my least favorite water.
.

You might be on the wrong message board if you think Evian is a downgrade. Some people here will cook with an iron to save money.

 

[ilovecraigandcooper]

You might be on the wrong message board if you think Evian is a downgrade. Some people here will cook with an iron to save money.

THIS CRACKED ME UP SO MUCH!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!

OP: Good luck on your quest! Cruises are the best and I've never once regretted a dime I've paid to get me on one!!!

 

[dakota5176]

Sign up for mturk through Amazon. They have a lot of mindless tasks you can do from home in your spare time. I've made $400 taking research surveys. Don't get discouraged by the low pay you can search for better paying jobs and as you get more approvals more tasks will unlock. Search for hits worth turning for on reddit and use turkopticon to see which requester has the best ratings. Just remember to be patient.

 

[turtle27]

Also, I don't know how often you have your hair done, but if you go once a month, stretch it to once every 6 weeks, so you would save the cost of one hair appointment in a 3 month time span. It sounds like you have a good plan and already have quite a few things that I would think are not too hard to cut out. I think it is super sweet you want to pay for your mom and are looking for extra ideas to save some $$. She will be thrilled and the no starbucks/juice every day will go by really fast!

As for cooking at home, I am on the fence on this one. If you don't enjoy cooking, then you will go and purchase groceries and how many will end up thrown out, if you just never cook? If you can have eggs on Paleo, I would get happy with eating eggs, even for a month, that would be almost 1/4 of the amount you need to save right there! Or downgrade the plan to the $600 one and then eat eggs the other 10 days.

We love Hello Fresh and Plated (did not have as good of luck with Blue Apron, not saying it is out of the question to go back, but not as good, imho). They are about 70 a week for 3 meals for 2 people (6 meals), however, I don't think any of them offer Paleo as an option. You do get higher quality meats and better grains (couscous, farro, etc.).

You could probably make a bit of money babysitting as has been suggested. Just a few nights a week, at around $10 an hour, would add up pretty quick as well.