Your best tips for pinching pennys.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2007
Your best tips for pinching pennys.
5
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 1:55pm
We all know how tight it can get money wise. I was curious how you all strech that dollar:
My best tips are:
Hang out the laundry in warm weather
One meatless meal a week
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2005
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 2:06pm

Hillary Swank (actress) said "if you open the newspaper and there was $1 bill there, would you take it?"




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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2005
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 2:28pm

We research, research, and research before we make any major purchases.
We only use credit cards that you get airline miles for. In addition my husband travels and he joins the hotel's clubs to gain points. We have been able to fly on various trips using his miles and well as free stays. We are flying to Belize this summer for $10 total!

We use coupons and take advantage of rebate offers. When we do eat out we use coupons from our favorite restaurants. I made all of Sophia's babyfood. I make food and freeze the extra. We have a Sam's card and buy some things in bulk.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 5:45pm

Ohhhhh this is right up my alley LOL! I have been a member of the Shoestring Budgeting board since 1999 and was even the CL there for several years. We have lived on one income (less than 50,000 a year BEFORE taxes and insurance) for 16 years. I babysit now, but the money isn't much so I am really good at stretching the money.

My tips are .......

Hang the laundry all year round! I have a huge clothesline in my backyard, 3 smaller lines on my front porch, 3 lines across our spare room. In bad weather I use the lines in the spare room and I hang laundry on hangers on the two shower rods. I can hang 4 loads inside this way! If you put it up in the morning, it should be dry by the next morning. I will also hang things on hangers and hang it from doorknobs, etc.

Do all your laundry except the towels and sheets in cold water!

Use only 1/4 cup of laundry detergent. Yes, it will get your clothes clean!

Tear your dryer sheets in thirds! They still work!

Watch for sales and stock up on the things that your family uses alot of. Ragu at 1.00 a jar is so much better than paying 2.39 for it. You will be amazed at how much you can save on the grocery bill when you have a good stockup supply at home! Be creative in finding storage space for your extra. I put canned goods under the bed!

Shop thrift stores and garage sales for clothes for you and the kids. Small children outgrow clothes so fast that it's a shame to pay full price for something they will only wear for a few months. Be selective! Buying second hand doesn't have to mean the clothes look cheap or worn! 95% of our clothes are second hand and my 14 yr old dd LOVES to shop for them! Both of my kids are two of the best dressed at school.

I hope this helps!

Sherri

Sherri ~ mom to Brooke and Tyler, wife to Randall and fan of Nascar's Carl Edwards

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2005
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 6:04pm

I guess I'm in agreement with the other posters. Coupons are great! But, only if they are for something you actually normally use. I personally can't tell the difference between most store brand products and the big name products. Therefore I will only use the coupon if it will actually save me more money than buying the store brand item. Also, I shop at a store that has a "double coupon day". That's something to look for...some stores automatically double coupons all of the time, some do it once a week, others have "coupon doublers" in their weekly circulars.

Also, if you have room stock up on sale items and bulk items. IMO it saves money on things like paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, etc.

Finally, try to plan your meals. I do this by looking at the grocery store circulars...and what you already have on hand. I've found that if I have a general idea of what we are eating for the coming week, we'll be much less likely to eat out because that way I don't have to stare into the pantry and freezer and wonder what we could possibly eat! :)

That all I can think of for now...

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The WeatherPixie
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2004
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 10:08pm

I also cut coupons. And I do the "Grocery Game" - www.grocerygame.com.

I save tons that way.

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The WeatherPixie

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