How can I save MORE money?

[grey56]

I have read all the little suggestions like:

Make your coffee at home vs. Starbucks/Dunkin.
Quit smoking.
Drink water (from the tap) instead of juices, sodas, etc.
Meal plan and make more food at home.
Bring your lunch to work.

But we already DO all these things.



What are some little ways that you all save money?

[definitelyO]

#1 - cut cable
#2 - revisit your cell phone plans and reduce.

but honestly I don't do any of these things. I just know their top on the MM list.

[anna7602]

I am no example to follow at the moment, but back in the U.S., I used to do all my drugstore and most of my grocery shopping on line (drugstore.com or soap.com and freshdirect). This eliminated impulse purchases. I had a list and I stuck to it. No getting side-lined by the display for fancy hair conditioners and no buying too much food because I entered the grocery store while ravenously hungry.

If you have a car and a Costco nearby, this is probably a better option than grocery shopping online. (I had neither.) Depending on your food needs, a CSA might also be a good idea.

Cooking more and buying less pre-packaged/pre-made stuff (or takeout) is another way to cut down on costs.

[my4girls]

I stop buying random crap I don't need. Im really bad with it. My kids have more clothes then they'll ever wear because something was cute. I've been making a concious effort to stop that kind of spending

[dexteroni]

Just on food, or in general?

Turn off lights when you leave a room.
Set the thermostat as low as you can stand it and bundle up.
Conserve water by showering together. lol. Seriously though!
Use the library instead of buying books or CDs or renting DVDs.
Keep a smaller wardrobe and take good care of your clothes.
Shop for clothes at thrift stores, garage sales, trade with a friend.
Line dry your clothes. You'll save on utility costs and it's better for your clothes.
Use white vinegar for cleaning instead of Windex, Fantastic, etc. This is better environmentally too.
Set a very low limit for gift spending. Give food gifts or inexpensive homemade gifts.
Get a haircut that lets you go longer between cuts (maybe 3 months instead of 6 weeks).
Skip hair color or do it yourself at home.

Consider posting your budget here to get advice on areas where you might be able to cut more. It's hard to know what areas you need to address without knowing what your current spending is like.

[emilyinchile]

Oct 16, 2012 12:49:48 GMT -5 definitelyO said:

#1 - cut cable
#2 - revisit your cell phone plans and reduce.

but honestly I don't do any of these things. I just know their top on the MM list.

You don't even have to cut/change your plans. Just call your providers and say you want to cancel because it's gotten too expensive. Most if not all companies will send you to the client retention department once you say you're canceling, and the people there can offer you a discount.

[grey56]

My cable buncle contract ends 12/31/12 and it's in my outlook calendar so I can call and reassess that. Good one!

Our cell phones are $85/mo. with my company's discount. I think that is reasonable.

I know I can get a discount on a BJs membership through my work. I will look into that, thanks!

My LO is the youngest of 5 nieces and all her clothes are hand-me-downs. I swear, ALL.

Great ideas....keep them coming!

[grey56]

Ooh, lights - that's a good one. We are guilty of leaving them on!

DH works from home and I work in a lab (science) so neither of us has "nice" clothes. We save there! We cut our own hair and neither of us dyes. I am making us sound slovenly.

I have to actually go do something in the lab so I might post my budget later on. I use mint to track spending for the last 3 years and my downfalls seem to be grocery store-related. I'm a sucker for organic chicken breasts. (Never thought I'd type that sentence, haha!)

[mbcdefg]

Save your change in a jar - it really adds up pretty quickly.

Jog around the neighborhood or work out at home rather than joining a gym.

Plan meatless meals, or if you must buy meat then get cheaper cuts ... London broil is cheaper than steak, bone-in skin-on chicken thighs are a cheap cut, pork chops are usually inexpensive, buy a whole chicken and stretch it out over a few days (roast chicken, then a pot pie, then sandwiches or chicken salad with the last bits of meat, and then use the bones to make stock).

[ohgillian]

Make sure that you are taking advantage of any benefits you may get thru work, including flex plans for healthcare.

[dexteroni]

Oct 16, 2012 13:04:35 GMT -5 grey56 said:

Ooh, lights - that's a good one. We are guilty of leaving them on!

DH works from home and I work in a lab (science) so neither of us has "nice" clothes. We save there! We cut our own hair and neither of us dyes. I am making us sound slovenly.

I have to actually go do something in the lab so I might post my budget later on. I use mint to track spending for the last 3 years and my downfalls seem to be grocery store-related. I'm a sucker for organic chicken breasts. (Never thought I'd type that sentence, haha!)

Mine are as well. I'm powerless when it comes to impulse buys. Maybe try using a service like Peapod or use a store that will pull and pack an order for you so you aren't tempted.

To save on organic chicken, compare prices at various stores, stock up when you find sales (Whole Foods can have great sales, not very often but you can stock up and freeze), and also check prices at local organic meat suppliers.

[Deleted]

Oct 16, 2012 13:00:00 GMT -5 grey56 said:

My cable buncle contract ends 12/31/12 and it's in my outlook calendar so I can call and reassess that. Good one!

You can get them to lower your rate mid contract. I just got $50 off my FIOS bill each month. I am on a 2 yr agreement and I am only 8 months into my contract.

[Deleted]

Don't use paper products, use cloth napkins, towels instead of paper towels, real dishes, etc. Make hand soap go further by using a foam pump and mix soap to water 1:3. Make your own laundry soap. Switch to vinegar in stead of fabric softener.

[emilyinchile]

Oct 16, 2012 13:00:00 GMT -5 grey56 said:

My cable buncle contract ends 12/31/12 and it's in my outlook calendar so I can call and reassess that. Good one!

You don't have to wait for the end of your contract to call, just do it now and say you're going to need to cancel. They will almost certainly offer you a lower rate rather than completely losing you as a customer.

[lys]

Don't just look at the little things- also look at the fixed expenses. Can you own a car that has better gas mileage, costs less to insure etc. IF you rent - can you find a cheaper apartment/house? Look at clothing - buy at end of the season clearance or at a minimum at a good sale. Consider used clothing at consignment shops or Goodwill. Plan your wardrobe around a few colors, buy quality basics and cheap trendy accessories. Avoid things that need to be dry cleaned.
Personal care - have a simple hairstyle that requires no color/highlights and little upkeep. Do your own manicures/pedicures.
Examine your insurance policies - you will get a discount for multiple policies at the same agency. Increase the deductible.
Heat - use a programable thermostat, lower the temp by 2-4 degrees - and dress warmer (warm socks, sweater or other layer of clothing) , energy efficient furnace and appliances. Do laundry in cold water and with full loads. Hang clothing to dry if you can. Do not put anything on a credit card that you cannot pay in full (don't pay interest needlessly). Do not shop for entertainment. Shop with a list and only buy what is on your list. Take care of your health - keep weight at healthy range, exercise. (You do not need to go to a gym to do this).

[bunnysmom]

Try to limit your pocket money. My DH, for example, used to spend a lot per month in small things like coffee, newspaper, magazines, etc.. and he didn't realize it. When we cut that we started saving a lot almost instantly.

[minzy]

We get a one month discount for paying our life insurance premiums annually instead of monthly.

[thegooser]

Reduce food portions. Eat half your sandwich at lunch, and half two hours later. Reduce your meal size by 1/4. You will also stay thin this way! I was so skinny when I was poor because I broke every eating out meal in half to justify the cost.