How do you cut costs?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
How do you cut costs?
23
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 12:34pm
We are going to have a big cut financially in December and I am worrying myself silly over it. DH says we can make it but I dont see how. How do you guys cut costs on things.I know I spend too much on grocery items but I feel like I am getting by on the minimal. I dont spend on hardly anything. Where can you cut? Tell me how you ladies cut costs. Please detail!

~Mollie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2003
Mon, 07-19-2004 - 1:37pm
Well I don't have kids yet.....BUT I do have a few tips that we use. We have a Super Wal Mart but its a town away...and the stores here where I live are so expensive..So a few weekends a month a plan a trip to the Super WM. Because I save so much more...sure I have to spend a small bit on gas..but that is well worth it. I stock up on all the meats! I can get $200 worth of groceries there that will last almost a month. I buy hamburger and meats in bulk and then wrap them and freeze em..that way they dont ruin. We also have a Sav-A-Lot... That is where I get ALL of my can foods......You can get can foods for like 33 cents a can. We use to eat out alot....But now we only eat out maybe 1 day a week. We usually eat at Subway....I collect the stamps..and when I get so many stamps I can get free subs...so that is always nice. We have started cutting back on the electric too. Our winter bills can sometimes be $300.....so in the summer..I try to cut back drastically. I only leave the lights on that I am using. I usually keep the air conditioner on low. Each month I usually put back some money..in case we need it in the winter. I also shop at church rummage sales and things like that. There is a Christain school that has a sale 2 times a week..and they have some really nice things....Things we tags on them. For example we may get a pair of Tommy Hilfiger Jeans with tags for like $1. That is a GREAT deal. I also go to the Catholic Sale they have first Tuesday of every month. My friend got 25 t-shirts....some with tags on them for $5. My MIL also works at the Mountain Mission Plant....where people donate clothes and she sorts them to be sold in the 2nd hand store. Anyway..she gets us alot of clothes too.......again Calvin Kline and name brands with tags. The other day she got me 3 Victoria Secret bras....not with tags but they look brand new....and with a washing...they are like brand new. You just have to look. The 2nd hand stores have a lot of junk...but if ya look ya can find really good stuff. Also I shop at stores when they are having sells. Like Goodies...has a great sale few times a year......Once I got 5 short outfits for $25.

Hope this helps.

Christy

http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/49c03

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Mon, 07-19-2004 - 9:56pm
It might sound stupid, but I don't go my expensive salon I used to go to pre baby. I highlight my hair myself, and get my hair cut at the places that have coupons. It saves about $80.00 a month.

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Mon, 07-19-2004 - 10:13pm
congratulations on the girl... you have all boys don't you???

Lesley

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2003
Mon, 07-19-2004 - 10:15pm
Thats not stupid, thats called saving a buck. And the good thing is I bet that if you stood up next to an expensive salon highlight, you couldnt tell the difference...

I get my friend or believe it or not dh to do it for me, whoever is aval. at the time...

Cyndi (#6 EDD 9/30)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 8:43am
Thanks! I usually get my hair highlighted once every 8 or 9 weeks. It costs $90 everytime. Can I ask what you use to do the highlights? Do you use a cap? I dont trust myself to do it... I got my neighbor to do it once and it was horrible (my hair is long and thick).

~Mollie

Avatar for lisacolette
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2003
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 9:02am
Regarding Mystery shopping - NEVER pay a company to do it! They should be paying you! Go to http://www.mysteryshop.org and look into their certification program. It's widely accepted by most companies and definitely gives you an edge over other shoppers. They also provide links to companies that may be offering shops in your area.

Good luck!

Avatar for lisacolette
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2003
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 9:11am
You can sell just about anything on eBay. You need to browse through the different areas to see what is selling. If you have anything you were considering selling at a garage sale, research those items on eBay to see how well they sell.

You must have a digital camera for photos. Most all buyers want to see pictures of the items they're considering buying. Practice setting up nice displays for your photos. I use a cleared bed or table and set up a blanket, tablecloth, etc. for background. Keep all nothing but the item and the background in the picture (no junk piles, etc.). Try and take pictures of all sides, angles, etc.

Calculating postage is very easy. You will need a good digital scale so that you can get exact weight. Just take your photos of the item, write your description of the item (don't forget measurements!) then pack the item into a box for shipping. Wrap it and pack it as if you were mailing it immediately. You can weigh it, mark the weight on the box.

eBay has a Turbo Lister program, both a free version and paid version that allows you to create auctions easily. Download the free version and input all information into it, including your package weight. eBay will then calculate mailing for you in your auction when potential buyers plug in their zip code.

Hope this helps!

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2003
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 10:48am
My first 3 are boys ages 12,9,5 and I have 2 girls ages 3, and 20mo. We are so excited about this baby being a girl. Now we are an even family. How perfect is that!!

We havent discussed a tie breaker yet, I think dh is not even considering at this point..lol


Cyndi (#6EDD 9/30)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 1:42pm
I don't use the cap type, I have long hair, and it always got tangled and it hurt!!!

There a few brands that have a comb that you brush on, and some have a thing that you put your hair on and brush it on, then fold the paper around it. I think Herbal Essence has a new one out, but I haven't tried it yet!

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2003
Wed, 07-21-2004 - 8:37am
Hello!

Well, everyone has some great ideas and I am planning on using some of them! This is the same I think--but, I wanted you to know that it works for me too.

We do not have cable--just an antenna that gets the networks--because that is a very frivolous $30+ per month (that pays the water bill). I find that making a menu and making one grocery shopping trip is essential. If you don't then there are several trips with that candy bar or soda thrown in. I keep an envelope in my purse with coupons in it so that they are organized and I don't forget them. My son is 11 weeks old and so diapers are a good part of the budget--but I signed up with Pampers and Huggies online and they send me coupons for $1.50 and $2.00 off every couple of months. I usually have enough coupons to never pay full price. I also buy a lot of generic food--most of it tastes the same and is a lot cheaper (recently I tried the Wal-Mart brand of refried beans that are nearly half price, and they are actually better!).

I NEVER pay full price for any clothing!! I only shop on the clearance racks and I love to shop yard sales and thrift stores. Last week I purchased two dresses for myself, a coat and 4 outfits for my son for $6.00--It was great and everything looks new.

Finally, plant a garden. We have enjoyed vegetables for over a month now for free (I am getting a little tired of zucchini though :). I freeze anything that we aren't needing right away and it will keep for a long time. Then, there is something in the freezer for a good, nutritious side dish.

I wish you the best of luck and I think the best thing to do would be to sit down with your husband and write everything down. That way you will know what you are dealing with and you can rest a little easier.

I hope that the tips help you.

--Gen