Recent saving ideas

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2007
Recent saving ideas
23
Mon, 07-21-2008 - 5:13pm

Have you come across a tip lately or discovered a way to make something last or to save money?

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Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 07-21-2008 - 6:00pm

DH and I bought 1/4 organic cow and split it with our neighbor - so we each get 1/8 of a cow.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Mon, 07-21-2008 - 6:11pm

I do the same thing w/my cheese! I never buy it shredded anymore. I always buy the block and shread it myself. I love that!


What do I do to save? I have two kids - a boy and a girl

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2007
Mon, 07-21-2008 - 8:36pm

That is a great idea, but I think it's better for families. I have learned to go ahead and buy precut/preshredded food on most things since I live alone. There is no way I can eat all that food. It mostly goes to waste if I buy the non-pre-prepared.


If I find that I"m consuming more, then I buy the bigger/non-pre-prepared foods.


My tip is for ppl who travel a lot. I bring snacks with me and just drink what's offered on the plane. I almost gave in and spent $6 on a glass of wine, but I resisted!!! =)


prada

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2008
Tue, 07-22-2008 - 12:52am
During the school year, I buy a case of drinks for myself (I'm a soda addict) and put them in the staff fridge.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2006
Tue, 07-22-2008 - 8:32am

I too live alone, so sometimes find that a lot of tips that I come across don't really work.

A couple of things that I came across today
* A friend mentioned that they know someone who freezes the cheese that they have grated themselves so that it doesn't go mouldy.
* Another tip that I found in a magazine was to purchase veges on special and chop them up or grate them (basically prepare them for use in meals) and then freeze them in one serve lots.

Other things that I've saved on
* Solid Shampoo Bars from Lush Cosmetics - although these have a higher up front cost than bottles of shampoo or conditioner at the supermarket (I pay NZ$14.90 for one bar) I've found that they last a LOT longer. I couldn't tell you how much I've saved using these.
* Meal Planning and creating a shopping list - though this doesn't work for everyone I've found the key is starting from what is in the pantry and building from there - and create the shopping list at the same time that I plan the meals so that all the things I'll need are on there.

The other thing that I've found makes me save is to be tracking absolutely all of my spending (Credit Card, Cash, Debit Card, etc; anything that goes out of my accounts in any form) as I then categorize the spending (by highlighting) into necessary/budgeted for(green), acceptable but needs to be watched/discretionary(orange), shouldn't really have been spent but can't do anything about it now(pink). It almost becomes a challenge to eliminate the pink and minimise the orange. Its like a food diary to some degree, if you don't feel comfortable with having to write it down, you tend to have a rethink on spending the money.

Lyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2008
Tue, 07-22-2008 - 9:11am
Lately our grocery budget has been pretty tight, so one thing I have been doing to save money is to quit buying individual serving items for the kids. So now I buy big containers of yogurt, applesauce, make my own pudding and jello and then put them into small containers. I also try to buy frozen juice instead of pre-made, and when they are on sale 5 for $5 I stock up!
One of my biggest savings has come from buying the store brand on just about everything!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2008
Tue, 07-22-2008 - 11:18am

NZ!

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2004
Tue, 07-22-2008 - 12:34pm

I'm lazy when it comes to washing my face at night so I buy those premoisten facial cleanser pads but I

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 07-22-2008 - 2:10pm

zeebee I love that idea!

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-11-2006
Tue, 07-22-2008 - 5:22pm

Spannergal--

I LOVE your highlighting idea! I have been tracking our spending since January, but I think seeing those colors would help my motivation and give me a "game" of sorts to stay on track. Thanks for sharing that tip!!

Anne

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