Money Savings Tips

[Eileen K.]

I'd like to start a category where we help each other to save some money.
It doesn't have to be anything big, but we can come together to do this.
I'll start...we're having a veggie garden this year. I'm going to freeze whatever I can for winter consumption.
I'm going to try at least one vegetarian meal each week, saving by not buying so much meat.
What's everybody else doing?
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Great topic, Eileen. Adams, you may go to the one in Newburgh, takes off ten percent of your order on Wednesdays between six and eight. So I make up my menus for the month,especially any meat I need, and I buy it all then along with any other non perishable I may need. This saves me about twenty to twenty five dollars. We also use the slow cooker and pressure cooker more which means we can use cheaper cuts. And like you, we go meatless some nights. We almost never eat out.
Gas is the biggy. We don't live in town so we consolidate trips and use my hybrid most of the time. When my husband goes to his volunteer job on Tuesdays he uses the stop and shop coupon for ten cents off per gallon at their pumps which tend to be on the cheaper side, relatively speaking.
I've rediscovered a whole bunch of kits and projects that I have organized in pouches and will be working on those instead of always buying more.
Haven't used my dryer in almost two months and I wash many loads in cold.
Last, but not least, I'm considering letting my hair just go ahead and turn gray. It's very expensive to keep coloring it and I'm not comfortable with all the chemicals. Just a beginning of some of what we do. And you know what? I'm beginning to grow more of a nest egg.

[Eileen K.]

I got a couple of coupon sites I pull from...

http://www.wow-coupons.com/index.php

http://printable-coupons.blogspot.co...l-coupons.html

The first site seems to be updated on a regular basis.

I have become better at menu planning based on what is on sale.

Also...cash is KING in our house. Yes, we still have our credit cards...however...we try to use cash for not only gas...but for food.
It is amazing the money you can save by having a cash budget for food. We do pay off any credit cards each month...but it is so easy to just throw stuff in the grocery cart when using a credit card to pay.
I cancelled all of my department store cards. We have two credit cards. It is far more efficient and easier to track what we spend on two credit cards.
Also when using them....I use it as a debt card...I write what the amount is in my check book.

We have turned off our landscape lighting...and if you leave a room...turn off the light.

FW

[Sherry B.]

This was a great idea for a topic My tip would be that if you need to replace any appliances or are building a new house, the more energy efficient appliances are well worth the investment. When we built 8 years ago, I chose Asko for my washer, dryer and dishwasher. They use less electricity, less water, and do a great job cleaning. Since then, I know there are several more brands on the market that might be as good or even better, including Bosch.

[Sherry B.]

This is a great forum. I need a new dishwasher any idea's? My DH bought a bicycle to go to local places. Dr's appointments etc. I would probably end up in the ER if I tried that. We have cut down on driving. I try to buy bulk now. We also get milk when its on sale and freeze it.

Wendy in Texas

[Sherry B.]

Sometimes...appliance stores have a 'scratch and dent' area where the appliances are discounted. I actually bought an upgraded dishwasher because it had a scratch on the side. I paid less for the upgraded one then I would have paid for the one I originally was going to purchase. Once it was installed...no one can see the scratch because it is next to the cabinet!!

It does take time to research brands...but it is worth the time to do it. Also...once you find the brand you want...use your fingers...call various places to check prices. I have found I can actually find out more information by calling instead of going to the store.
Another thought...to save money...when you purchase your appliance if you don't have a store credit card...open one...use the discount off your purchase if offered...then PAY OFF the card and close the account. I have done this several times...
AND if you are going to pay cash for the item...ask for a discount because you are paying cash for a big ticket item. Many times the sales person will give a 10% discount for cash (most often it happens in locally owned businesses...hardly happens in chain
stores). The worst that can happen when you ask...is they say no.
Perhaps they will give you free delivery and take away your old appliance instead.

I am not frugal...I live SMART!!

FW

[Lynn K.]

I'm growing most of my own herbs for cooking. Spearmint, cilantro, oregano, basil, thyme, chives, some peppers but we eat too many to grow ALL of them.....don't have enuf sun in my garden to grow tomatoes very well! But the shade certainly helps with the energy bill for a/c. Believe me here in Houston, a/c is a must for me! I'd move up north if I didn't have it!

Oh, yes, forgot! I'm now a 'silver' haired quilter--gave up the highlighting when there was so much gray we were needing to do low-lights to fill into the gray! And everyone tells me my hair is beautiful! Since it's naturally curly, requires NO CARE, I'm a happy camper!

[Lynn K.]

All great ideas. This thread is also a good idea!

One of my very best money saving tips is a question I always ask myself -- "Do I need it or do I just want it?"

[Lynn K.]

In our house, we USE UP before we buy another. We try not to be throw-away people, and are always looking for a way to use something that otherwise might be discarded. We also invert ketchup bottles, salad dressing bottles, mustard, lotions, etc. to get every last drop; then I take a small rubber spatula to it! My kids get annoyed with us but I bet we've gained several bottles over the years! I'm also a mender, and DH is a fixer. And if anyone is throwing something out that he knows about, he wants to bring it home for "parts" that may be needed down the road! (sigh) :roll:
I also tend to bake from scratch rather than buy ready-made, which is USUALLY cheaper, but not necessarily!

[Lynn K.]

I buy large quantities of meats and poultry all summer long. When I know that I am going to cook out. I throw them onto the grill and cook them until they are nearly done. Then I debone them and put them into meal size packages into the freezer. This not only tastes great in the winter but it saves loads of time. Plus you can buy the meat when it is at it's cheapest. I also never throw away veggies. I put them into the freezer this way when the kids are ill I can quickly grab some of the meat some broth and just toss the veggies in. Instant soup! Oh and I quilt this way I am always warm in the winter because everyone else likes the house freezing cold and I like to be able to move :wink: Rachel

[Lynn K.]

What a good idea this topic is! I have gray hair, and stopped getting it cut about 4 years ago--I just wash it, put it up, and put on a hair clamp, and I'm good to go. We both quit smoking many years ago, which has saved a fortune over the years. We never buy soda pop, but drink tap water and an occasional glass of wine. I drink tea, which is very inexpensive, using one tea bag a day per pot of tea. DH teases me about drinking slightly colored water, LOL. We eat whatever is on sale that week. We don't buy any junk food--chips, dip, that sort of thing. For snacks, we have fresh fruit and veggies. I do keep Atkins sweets on hand to keep me out of things that are high-carb. We have been doing much better on planning car use to take care of lots of errands, instead of many trips with one errand each. We get some of our clothing at a local high-end thrift shop. When fabric shopping, I look first in the sale areas. I have taken classes so that I can do my own basic sewing machine maintenance and simple repairs. We are going to make a trip to Georgia to visit our daughter, and I'll go on from there to a gathering of sewing machine collectors in North Carolina, then back to daughter's place, then home, thus combining two trips into one.

I guess I would suggest that when you get to the checkout at the supermarket, you take a look through your cart and see if there's stuff in there that you want, rather than need, since we all spend a lot of our money there. Actually, that's a good thing to do in every shopping situation.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Lynn K.]

This is a great topic. We do a lot of recycling which helps in the long run of saving. I like the saying - use it up, wear it out or reuse it - . I realized that I am saving money just being a member of 'The Quilt Show'. I live about an hours drive away from any populated area. I do not need to drive as much to take classes on quilting!! I am also exposed to great ideas, sharing people and lots of other good things. This web site has been really good for me.
I also take painting classes on the internet sometimes.
Carolyn in Oreogn

[Eileen K.]

I can see I've not been nearly as frugal I should be. These are great ideas-keep 'em coming!!
I think we're going to wean off soda, at least I am. DH drinks about 3 sodas per week, but I've gotten lazy and have been dringking at least one per day. Since we get money back on the recycling of soda cans, I've been justifying it. No more rationalization!!! ops: :roll:
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Okay, I have to cut down the soda. But I had to admit to hubby today that I've been watering down the mouthwash! Oops!
Do you know how expensive listerine is?

[Lynn K.]

for sure recycling, but not for money. Just for hopefully our grandchildren's worlds!

Glass, plastic, cardboard, newspapers. Don't do office paper yet....seems too complicated since it comes with so much throwaway mail these days. You know envelopes with plastic windows etc.

We don't use ANY aluminum cans. Don't do soft drinks. Use a PUR water filter pitcher inside the fridge. vs bottled water and all that plastic that needs re-cycling. Take the glass to the recycle place.

Batteries, will go to our big recycle place, but did you know the phone companies and/or Radio Shack also has a big bin behind their counter for phone, etc. batteries. I wonder if they would take my AA and AAA batteries? Idea!!!! I'll see.

I even Free-Cycled my small pots after planting my summer yard this year. Our native plant store will take them back so I was saving them to take in. A request on FreeCycle came up for 4" pots left over from gardening....seems this woman's mother raises Amarylisis and harvests all the little seeds and starts them in an individual pot! Can you imagine? Well, actually, yes, I can!
Lynn