How do you save money?

Once we move into our home things are going to be tight? How does everyone cut corners? So far we know we'll eat out much less and spend less money on entertainment.

What does everyone else do?

Re: How do you save money?

Come up with a budget and stick to it. You have to determine what's a 'want' and what's a 'need'.

Re: How do you save money?

this may seem silly, but every night before bed, my husband and I take all the $1 bills we have left in our wallets and put them in a jar...some days we have a combined $0, some days up to $10! at the end of each month, we total up and put it right in the bank. it has added up to as much as $200 for a single month.....not that much, but it can potentially be $2400/year

Re: How do you save money?

We are change in a jar savers. We try to stick to limited spending, but its hard because I love to buy things for the new house. I spend a lot for my kids in my class too. I'm TRYING to be more conservative. I stoped getting coffee or tea at 7-11 because that adds up. I make it at home, and I make my lunch everyday too.

Re: How do you save money?

Shop around for your phone service, cable, internet and oil. DH and I became VERY frugal last year when we found out I was pregnant . If you had credit cards call your CC company and asked them to lower your interest rate. Don't pay someone to do something you can do yourself such as the lawn, painting and cleaning. Use coupons when shopping. Pack your own lunch for work. DH use to spend 20-30 a day on lunch, breakfast and coffee! Now I pack him lunch. I also put him on an allowance he gets $100.00 a week to spend on what he wants. I guess the first thing you need to do is evaluate were your money goes. We were both really surprised how much he spent on lunch, breakfast and coffee everyday. I'm so glade we got frugal last year it has enabled me to stay at home with my son for 7 months. I' m returning to work in 2 months (part time) not out of necessity (thank god) but because I need to be productive out of the house. Good Luck!

I forgot to mention we also rarely go out to eat with friends instead we usually host dinner in our house. Everyone brings a dish and it so much fun to be in the comfort in your own home (especially with a baby). We alternate homes too.

Re: How do you save money?

Its really hard to save w/ the mortgage for us for the 1st year at least. We spent our extra $ on house stuff and fixing it up. Just now we are getting back to saving a little. I bring my lunch to work instead of buying it and make my coffee at home. We try not to go out to dinner alot also. We do the change in a jar thing and put a few extra bucks a week into our joint savings. Its hard but you can do it! I am hoping next year we can save more $ once we are done fixing the house.

Re: How do you save money?

Florenze--he gets an allowance of $100 a week? WOW...I get $20 and he gets $20...I'll take your hubby's $100 any week! That is an awesome allowance!

Re: How do you save money?

Thanks for these tips, I have to admit it, I'm nervous about this....

I'm sure everything will be fine, we'll just need time to adjust to all the new expenses.

Thanks again.

Karen

Re: How do you save money?

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Posted by KarenB

Thanks for these tips, I have to admit it, I'm nervous about this....

I'm sure everything will be fine, we'll just need time to adjust to all the new expenses.

Thanks again.

Karen

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No one was more nervous than me. It will all work out!

Re: How do you save money?

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Posted by SandraLynn

Florenze--he gets an allowance of $100 a week? WOW...I get $20 and he gets $20...I'll take your hubby's $100 any week! That is an awesome allowance!

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Wow....I give hubby $180/week and he still complains. Although....he usually buys me dinner 1 night on the weekend with that.

Re: How do you save money?

Wow $180? sh*t!

We put it all in the bank....we have 2 homes and we just bought a new house -so we have 2 sets of utility bills...well, I'll take the $180 and forget the $100!

The $20 is for the work week--

Re: How do you save money?

What does your allowance include? Lunch? Magazines? going out for a drink? Just curious.

We don't have an allowance, my DH doesn't spend money during the week at all unless we go out for dinner, and I just try to spend as little as possible. But of course we spend money on the new house. We still need to buy ALL the furniture, and stuff.

I guess I really need to have the allowance, for snacks, magazines, red bull, etc. I am going to start to give myself an allowance.

ok, I'm talking too much...

Re: How do you save money?

This is what we do to save extra $$.


We have an allowance and stick to it. (no extra trips to the atm machine )

Bring lunch from home. (this helps us stick to our allowance)

Limited our functions. (only go to events hosted by immediate family & closeclose friends. )

Don't eat out as often.

With all of our expenses, we have managed to save plus pay off some of our credit cards by making a few adjustments. It really works.

Re: How do you save money?

Alll of the above and buy in bulk and on sale too!

Re: How do you save money?

On Sale with Coupons!

I love my coupons!

Re: How do you save money?

Saving money? How do you do that-lol!! With 2 kids in care (daycare and after-care), it is very hard to save. Now with prices going up for everything, I am getting worried where I will find the money to pay the bills!
We each have 'spending' money each week, me-$40 and husband-$50, though he will go against my wishes and take out more! It's rough staying within a budget when things cost so much to do!

Re: How do you save money?

coupons, sale comparisons, no eating out....we're down to eating out 1 or 2 times a month!!! Besides, I prefer to be home with my husband. I check out garage sales (got my washer and dryer for $80 together!!! and my Foreman Rotisserie for $15) and also thrift stores for stuff to sell on Ebay!!

FYI: Walmart honors other stores sale ads....any store like CVS, Walgreens, other supermarkets and they take coupons (Walmart is our supermarket down here in GA)....just bring the ad with you to show. The only thing they don't honor is Buy one get one free.

Save all receipts...return it if you haven't used it. DH and I trade in video games and DVD's for credit to Gamestop for new games he wants or systems and other used DVDs.

I haven't bought new clothes in months....don't need to for work, we have polo shirts we have to wear.

Re: How do you save money?

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Posted by kpny622

this may seem silly, but every night before bed, my husband and I take all the $1 bills we have left in our wallets and put them in a jar...some days we have a combined $0, some days up to $10! at the end of each month, we total up and put it right in the bank. it has added up to as much as $200 for a single month.....not that much, but it can potentially be $2400/year

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what a great idea! i have to try this!