| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: [1] 2 |
MM2004
...
Member since 5/05 1854 total posts
Name:
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Since we are down from a two-income to one income household for the foreseeable future I need to drastically slash my spending.
If you use and no frills / store brand items that you feel actually work well (Health, Cleaning, Beauty, Household) or are tasty (Food or Drinks) please list them here.
Every penny counts!
|
Posted 4/21/16 1:11 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
I gotta tell you- almost everything i use is store brand.
To me it's exactly the same on most things.
All OTC drugs like sudafed, mortin etc I buy store brand. It's a chemical compound so it has to be exactly the same. There is no difference in generic OTC drugs
I love Target brand stuff in just about everything!
I love Stop and Shop brand
I love BJ's brand stuff
I only really splurge on skin care, hair care and make up.
Message edited 4/21/2016 1:15:00 PM.
|
| Posted 4/21/16 1:14 PM |
| |
|
Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Definitely go to Dollar Tree for cleaning products and even pantry items (canned goods, pasta, etc).
Store brands at Target (Up and Up and Market Pantry is pretty much identical), use Cartwheel and get the Red Debit to save 5% on everything. Shoprite also is great when items are on sale/coupons.
|
| Posted 4/21/16 1:17 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Use coupons
Cut cell phones
Cut cable/internet
Don't eat out
Don't use housekeepers/lawn people
See about switching car insurance companies
See about refinancing your home
|
| Posted 4/21/16 1:25 PM |
| |
|
Mags1227
Just a mommy ...
Member since 10/10 2665 total posts
Name:
M
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Posted by mommywantsababy
Use coupons
Cut cell phones
Cut cable/internet
Don't eat out
Don't use housekeepers/lawn people
See about switching car insurance companies
See about refinancing your home
all this
i would also add:
meal-plan and shop with a list (buy only what's on the list)
do pantry night(use only what's in your pantry for food that day)
unplug anything you are not using (like the coffee maker, toaster, etc)- this saves me a few dollars each month
rely on natural light as much as possible
walk/bike as much as you can (to save on gas)
|
| Posted 4/21/16 1:51 PM |
| |
|
alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
I use Target brand for all my cleaning/paper goods.
I would also meal plan. I'm horrible at it and waste so much money on food. Also, shop the sales.
I would start with easy things and make more drastic cuts if the strike goes longer.
|
| Posted 4/21/16 2:06 PM |
| |
|
Momma2015
Mommax2
Member since 12/12 6656 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Posted by NervousNell
I gotta tell you- almost everything i use is store brand.
To me it's exactly the same on most things.
All OTC drugs like sudafed, mortin etc I buy store brand. It's a chemical compound so it has to be exactly the same. There is no difference in generic OTC drugs
I love Target brand stuff in just about everything!
I love Stop and Shop brand
I love BJ's brand stuff
I only really splurge on skin care, hair care and make up.
Ditto!! I especially like target's market pantry brand. I buy mostly all that stuff.
|
| Posted 4/21/16 2:38 PM |
| |
|
jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
DH and i recently looked at our budget and noticed a huge chuck of money was spent on food (take out, picking up lunch at work, and even just a morning cup of coffee). We made that one change and noticed a pretty big difference
definitely shop sales - we get a lot of meat/chicken etc when its on sale and freeze it so that our weekly shopping only consist of produce.
|
| Posted 4/21/16 2:41 PM |
| |
|
MM2004
...
Member since 5/05 1854 total posts
Name:
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Thanks for all the ideas so far!
|
| Posted 4/21/16 3:11 PM |
| |
|
stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Posted by jams92
DH and i recently looked at our budget and noticed a huge chuck of money was spent on food (take out, picking up lunch at work, and even just a morning cup of coffee). We made that one change and noticed a pretty big difference
definitely shop sales - we get a lot of meat/chicken etc when its on sale and freeze it so that our weekly shopping only consist of produce.
I agree food is a huge part of my budget! Don't eat out or even get a coffee or bottle of water out. Eat less meat, no cold cuts or packaged convenience foods, eat grains and beans and veggies. Portion your food good for your waistline too! Drink water only.
Get rid of all extras on cable and other subscriptions.
Hang laundry
Cut your own hair
|
| Posted 4/21/16 3:20 PM |
| |
|
SecretlyTTC14
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1770 total posts
Name:
B
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
I've stopped using most chemical cleansers and switched to natural ones for health reasons. I noticed that plain old white vinegar is the main ingredient in every fancy "natural" cleaner I was buying.
Now I just buy the big gallon of store brand vinegar for a few bucks. I use that and a box of store brand baking soda (also only a couple of bucks) and I use it to clean just about everything. I like that it's healthier then using all the chemicals and it's so cheap.
Buying in bulk saves money. Don't waste money on a club membership if you don't have one, just go with a family member or a friend that has one.
I buy everything organic which can get pricey so having a BJs membership really helps me save $ but I'm amazed at how cheap the conventionally farmed produce is at sams club and bjs.
Meal plan and cook everything from scratch. I really don't buy anything processed (unless it's bread which I'm not going to bother baking it myself lol). I have a small herb garden with parsley, cilantro, basil, oregano, rosemary, scallions and thyme.
You can buy the plants for like $1.99 instead of spending $4 on a couple sprigs and then you have it every time you need it. It's amazing how cheap a meal can be (not to mention delicious and healthy) when you make everything yourself.
|
| Posted 4/21/16 3:21 PM |
| |
|
Nickles01
LIF Infant
Member since 3/16 165 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Posted by stinger
Posted by jams92
DH and i recently looked at our budget and noticed a huge chuck of money was spent on food (take out, picking up lunch at work, and even just a morning cup of coffee). We made that one change and noticed a pretty big difference
definitely shop sales - we get a lot of meat/chicken etc when its on sale and freeze it so that our weekly shopping only consist of produce.
I agree food is a huge part of my budget! Don't eat out or even get a coffee or bottle of water out. Eat less meat, no cold cuts or packaged convenience foods, eat grains and beans and veggies. Portion your food good for your waistline too! Drink water only.
Get rid of all extras on cable and other subscriptions.
Hang laundry
Cut your own hair
Cut your own hair??? Now that's just crazy talk :P But it would save a ton of money.
|
| Posted 4/21/16 4:21 PM |
| |
|
Momof3boys
LIF Infant
Member since 6/15 306 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Our childcare costs were astronomical so that is my savings so far! I usually only buy things that are on sale! Sorry, I have no tips!
|
| Posted 4/21/16 5:09 PM |
| |
|
MrsB12614
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1986 total posts
Name:
Mrs
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Food is the biggest in our budget. I now food shop once a month with a list and I got to 3 stores on my food shopping day- shoprite, trader joes, and Costco. I stick to my list and my meal plan and it saved us $600 last month. I was just spending money whenever on food and it has truly made a difference. I'm a pretty basic person as is DH so we don't have a landscaper or a cleaning lady or anything like that. We wash our own cars, make our coffee (we do get Starbucks every now and then). I don't buy clothes and neither does DH- we shop maybe 2x a year and buy quality over quantity. We don't have crazy cell plans just basic ones. We don't have fancy cars- we have nice cars but not luxury I have a CRV I just got and DH has a civic that's a few years old so it keeps costs gas and insurance down. We don't have kids so I have no advice there, however I use coupons, credit card reward points (we use the Amex for everything) and we really try and find things free to do when we can. Don't literally cut everything off. This is how you sometimes go over budget and splurge because you restricted yourself too much. Hang in there!!! We support you and DH and you and all the families will get through this!
|
| Posted 4/21/16 5:32 PM |
| |
|
stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Posted by Nickles01
Posted by stinger
Posted by jams92
DH and i recently looked at our budget and noticed a huge chuck of money was spent on food (take out, picking up lunch at work, and even just a morning cup of coffee). We made that one change and noticed a pretty big difference
definitely shop sales - we get a lot of meat/chicken etc when its on sale and freeze it so that our weekly shopping only consist of produce.
I agree food is a huge part of my budget! Don't eat out or even get a coffee or bottle of water out. Eat less meat, no cold cuts or packaged convenience foods, eat grains and beans and veggies. Portion your food good for your waistline too! Drink water only.
Get rid of all extras on cable and other subscriptions.
Hang laundry
Cut your own hair
Cut your own hair??? Now that's just crazy talk :P But it would save a ton of money.
Lmao. I don't but I do get a wash and cut for less than $30 every 3 months. No color or blow out.
BF cuts his own hair and I know parents who cut their kids hair
|
| Posted 4/21/16 6:34 PM |
| |
|
BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Posted by stinger
Posted by Nickles01
Posted by stinger
Posted by jams92
DH and i recently looked at our budget and noticed a huge chuck of money was spent on food (take out, picking up lunch at work, and even just a morning cup of coffee). We made that one change and noticed a pretty big difference
definitely shop sales - we get a lot of meat/chicken etc when its on sale and freeze it so that our weekly shopping only consist of produce.
I agree food is a huge part of my budget! Don't eat out or even get a coffee or bottle of water out. Eat less meat, no cold cuts or packaged convenience foods, eat grains and beans and veggies. Portion your food good for your waistline too! Drink water only.
Get rid of all extras on cable and other subscriptions.
Hang laundry
Cut your own hair
Cut your own hair??? Now that's just crazy talk :P But it would save a ton of money.
Lmao. I don't but I do get a wash and cut for less than $30 every 3 months. No color or blow out.
BF cuts his own hair and I know parents who cut their kids hair
I cut my son's hair. Easy peasy and saves $$$
|
| Posted 4/21/16 7:11 PM |
| |
|
gina409
TWINS!
Member since 12/09 27635 total posts
Name:
g
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
What if you and a friend go to bj's or somewhere and sit the cost/products. Still a good amount and won't
Pay full
Price
Any stuff a garage sale would do?
Old
Cell
Phones you could
Sell
|
| Posted 4/21/16 9:28 PM |
| |
|
MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Cut cable and get nextflix instead
Drop data plans on cell
Definitely meal plan
Shop car and home insurance
|
| Posted 4/22/16 6:19 AM |
| |
|
clotheshorse
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1294 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Clip lots of coupons. Look online for everyday coupons. Try coupons.com. BJ's accepts vendor coupons so you can double up on vendor & store coupons. If you feel like eating take out, val pak & community coupons have restaurant offers.
Shop discount stores instead of dept stores for you & the kids. I find plenty of deals in Burlington & TJMAXX.
|
| Posted 4/22/16 6:58 AM |
| |
|
MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Definitely meal plan based on sales and stick to the list. Cut down on meat, snacks, and drinks. Clip coupons and use online saving sites like savingstsr. Go outside your comfort zone a little too. This week shoprite has chicken leg quarters for .59/pound so I followed a blog post to turn a $3.50 package into a pack of thighs, one of legs, and a few cups of chicken stock. (http://hubpages.com/money/Those-huge-packages-of-whole-chiken-leg-quarters-are-a-bargain-but-what-to-do-with-them). Use what's in your freezer and pantry, eat leftovers, make your own coffee.
I wouldn't cut my own hair but I only get mine cut once a year! Dh cuts his own with a little help from me. You can do a ton of cleaning with vinegar which is dirt cheap. Cut cable, downsize data plans, shop around for lower insurance rates, cut down on paper goods (I rarely touch paper towels which are $$ and try to use washcloths or towels whenever possible), get rid of landscapers, sell unneeded things online.
|
| Posted 4/22/16 7:56 AM |
| |
|
tagkit
LIF Infant
Member since 10/12 361 total posts
Name:
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Im reading over all these posts and like every family we watch every penny -- and follow most of the tips here. Im just thinking to myself it is such a shame that in this great country we all have to live like this....but thats another board topic!!
|
| Posted 4/22/16 10:00 AM |
| |
|
NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
Posted by Nickles01
Posted by stinger
Posted by jams92
DH and i recently looked at our budget and noticed a huge chuck of money was spent on food (take out, picking up lunch at work, and even just a morning cup of coffee). We made that one change and noticed a pretty big difference
definitely shop sales - we get a lot of meat/chicken etc when its on sale and freeze it so that our weekly shopping only consist of produce.
I agree food is a huge part of my budget! Don't eat out or even get a coffee or bottle of water out. Eat less meat, no cold cuts or packaged convenience foods, eat grains and beans and veggies. Portion your food good for your waistline too! Drink water only.
Get rid of all extras on cable and other subscriptions.
Hang laundry
Cut your own hair
Cut your own hair??? Now that's just crazy talk :P But it would save a ton of money.
LOL. If i had to cut my own hair I might as well shave my head, it would look better than any haircut I can give myself.
I can't even manage to trim bangs straight!
|
| Posted 4/22/16 10:03 AM |
| |
|
PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7635 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
|
Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
We do the following
1. no cable - just basic broadcast
2. rarely eat out or get take out
3. buy all meat on sale only
4. shop around for insurance
5. call internet provider and try to get rates lowered
6. carpool, bike, walk when possible
|
| Posted 4/22/16 11:11 AM |
| |
|
lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
For the kids you can look into free programs at your local library. Ours has tons of stuff that's free. They also have a huge DVD collection that you can borrow from instead of paying for on demand or going out to the movies.
|
| Posted 4/22/16 11:34 AM |
| |
|
Jonsgirl04
Love my two girls! xoxo
Member since 9/08 6079 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
|
Re: Saving $$$ during VZ Strike (No Drama or Optinions on the Strike in this thread please)
We have been trying to save money and spend less. Going to the butcher was actually cheaper for us. We were able to meal plan better. Also using the crockpot to make things like Stew helped us have dinner for 3-4 days. Pasta is something we also make and eat sometimes for 3 days. Don't eat out!
I also don't buy anything for myself unless absolutely necessary. I need my hair cut and dyed soo bad but have put a stop to it for now. Hello Grays! haha! No new make up. I need contacts right now but decided for now I must wear my glasses. I shave my husbands head on a 1 or 2 so he is not spending money on haircuts either. Also which I hate is I am paying the minimum payments on credit cards. Its just temporary until I get me feet on the ground. Last but not least try to keep my lights to save on my electric bill.
|
| Posted 4/22/16 11:37 AM |
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 |
