What have you done to cut your budget?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
What have you done to cut your budget?
29
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 1:43pm

I know we have all given up one thing or another this year to cut our budgets.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2003
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 2:29pm

1. Using community resources more -- library, rec center, etc. Our library has a great selection of books, movies, music and computer games, plus fun activities once a month that keep the kids entertained all day. Plus our rec center's indoor track is free and I walk there while DH and kids play basketball (also free).


2. Planning menu and checking pantry before I shop. It's made a huge difference to my grocery bill.


3. Drive less. Our gas prices are down to $2.48 a gallon now, but we still aren't upping our driving. The money I had budgeted for gas is now going to Christmas.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 3:02pm

1. Cancelled our bottled water service. Hinckly springs which was auto linked to my c/c anyway which we did NOT need. Saved us about $50 / month. We still have the base machine which we bought at Sams but we just stuck it in our basement.


2. Started doing "outing" night at a friends house. Whenever we crave getting out or being out we head to a friends house. They do the same. Makes Friday night a lot more fun and interesting. No more hassling with bars or crowded places. We just grab some wine and head on over.


3. BEGAN BEING HONEST WITH OTHERS. Began saying, "Sorry, can't afford that right now." It's actually been the biggest change for us. No more lies. No more pretending we can go do that and go see that play and feel pressure or obligation to do stuff. We've lost touch with one or two people along the way. But my feeling is that those people were not good or healthy for us. If they wanted to be our friend because we could go to a concert - then I guess they were the kind of friends we needed.


4. Carpooling to my second job with a friend on days we both are scheduled to work.


5. RETURN THINGS. I used to buy something (even food) and realize it was the wrong thing or I didn't need it (picked up too much canned pumpkin) and now I actually RETURN stuff instead of just let it sit in the pantry for a year and a half.


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2007
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 3:59pm

I've been cooking up stuff in my pantry/fridge/freezer before I shop. I was actually able to make a yam bake with brown sugar, coconut, walnuts, and marshmallows from stuff I had. Turned out pretty well if I do say so myself!


Only going to the store when I am in dire need. Y'all would really be proud at how I've been staying out of the grocery store, esp. Fresh market.


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 4:11pm

Thanks for the input.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 4:14pm

Love it!

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 4:18pm
I love #5.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 4:50pm

Country,


Sorry that happened to you at Walmart. My superwalmart is the best! I return stuff when needed and have never had an issue. Most places are fine if you mention that something was left out of the bag. Especially since it wasn't a $50 item. It was fish food! Who scams for free fish food?


Either way,

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2006
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 4:59pm


I have given up expensive specialty foods (trips to the antipasti bar, good cuts of meat, expensive seafood, pizza, etc.). I have put my kitchen renovation on hold. I cancelled netflix. We are not eating out as often or as lavishly.

I truly just didn't realize how far we were going in the hole each month!

Recreating Myself

Community Leader
Registered: 07-26-1999
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 5:01pm

1.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 5:59pm

1. I called the phone company and stopped paying line insurance because I found out that they will not go into the walls if the line breaks anyway. 11.66


2 I returned one of the cable boxes I rarely go over channel 99 on the living room tv so I sent that box back. 10.95


3. I got a discount for Raymond reading readers digest on our homeowners. 35.00 a year Even with the raise in taxes this year I will be saving 2.50 a month on my mortgage payment a month. 30.00 a year net.


4. We joined

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