Image via Wikipedia
One way we can definitely save money is by not ordering out as much. I am so, so guilty of this. Even though I work at home, it seems that I barely have time to sleep with all the other projects I have going on, let alone cook. But it's so costly eating out several times a week. I have scolded myself and decided to only order out once a week (likely Saturdays since that's my longest work day). We can also save a bit on our electric bill and cut down our cell phone bill a bit by getting a package with fewer minutes.
It sucks. But it has to be done. I want to be rid of the credit card debt before we try to have kids. Are you tightening the purse strings, too? Give me some money saving tips! Seriously, I need them. :) Hope you all had a wonderful Easter.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=f7527c46-77f3-4ee4-9293-a91a4c8c5bea)
Posts
8 comments:
Actually I'm saving money this summer by working at a place that provides housing. That means I have no bills, and no rent. Hopefully by the time that job is done (it runs through July) I'll have saved up a little bit! I also shop in bulk for food and freeze what I can for later. And I'm not sure if you know this or not, but just unplugging things like a hair dryer and your cell phone charger from the wall when you aren't using them will actually help to cut down on your electric bill. :) I'm an awful compulsive shopper and tend to live beyond my means as well, so if you get any really awesome tips let me know! Good luck! Hope you had a Happy Easter. :D
Oh I am right here with you. No CC debt but enough debt every month that I kick myself really hard. I am now walking to my job that is outside of the house instead of driving down the block. The eating out thing kills us as well. We have TONS of food in the house and plenty for me to cook for the next month without hitting the grocery store but I still find us hitting Noodles & Company or Chipotle or somewhere else 2-3 times a week because I am so busy cooking doesnt sound fun not to mention the mess. I have decided recently that it has to stop! We made it last week without leaving the house for meals at all so that was a huge step. Good luck and keep us updated on how it goes.
Lauren - I did know that actually, but had forgotten, so thanks for the reminder. If I come across any earth shattering tips, I'll let you know. I just need to calm down with the internet shopping and actually cook! :)
Undermedicated - I'll keep everyone updated. Hopefully I'll be able to pay off a lot this year. *Crossing fingers*
Something I've been doing--because money is way tight around here--is making a menu for a few weeks ahead. For example, at the beginning of the month, I sat down and planned out a menu using the same ingredients. My basics were chicken and beef. I planned it out so that all I needed to buy for about 3 weeks worth of dinners was 1 bag of chicken tenderloins (frozen) and a 5 lb thing of ground beef, as well as a few other little things. It amounted to about 240 bucks between Sam's Club and Wal Mart. I'm trying to keep track of how much I spend on groceries this month, and we're at like 280 bucks at the moment.
I'm rotating the ingredients--for example, one night we'll have homemade chicken soup, and the next chicken alfredo. Using all the same things, basically. I'm sure this is making absolutely no sense. Sorry...lololol
I make a menu for the entire month. (I do most of our shopping at the beginning of the month). I do not follow it exactly but when I need to make something for dinner I can look on there. As I make a meal I cross it off.
Also, I have a 3 ring binder where I keep all of my best, tried-and-true recipes. After I try a recipe and like it, it goes in there if it is something that I will make once a month. I also have a list of the meals from the binder on the inside of my cupboard. It helps to know what meals I can make.
When you make something like mac n cheese or tuna casserole, make a double batch and freeze the extra one. Then when you have a night where you don't have a lot of time to cook, you can just throw it in the oven.
We have also stopped using our credit cards. Even though dh is laid off we still want to get them paid off as soon as we can. Dh has one that will no longer be 0% apr in November. So, we would like to pay this off by then. I figured if we paid an extra $40 a month we could do it. SO we are trying to find a way to either make that amount or save that amount.
Our cell phone contract expired in November, so when he got laid off, we switched to prepaid phones with Net10. We will save about $40 a month and were able to transfer our phone lines.
My blog has TONS of good tips on saving money... come visit me at www.couponqueenofcorning.com
Hi!
I have been compiling a list of money saving tips at http://debtfreeliving.synthasite.com/money-saving-tips.php. I think I'm up to 24 so far.
Also, if you need some free forms to help you get organized, here is a link to my other site http://www.overflowliving.com/Simplify_Organize_FreeForms.html.
Hope you have a great day!
Christy
That's a noble goal. I think some of our habits have to do with how we were raised. Going to restaurants was not a regular thing for me as a kid and it isn't today either.
Many of the casual dining restaurants serve food that I believe is comparable to today's TV dinners. It usually isn't worth $10 to $15 to me.
My tip is to look at where you spend, consider what it took to earn that money and decide if your purchase choices are really worth the cost.
I also save tons of money with meal planning. In fact, I've saved quite a bit of sanity too!
My husband and I take frugal vacations- like camping. We have just as much fun, if not more, and can take longer ones! Recently, we went on a backpacking trip by Lake Superior for 10 days, including two days of driving, and we only paid $400!
Post a Comment