Cost cutting Challenge

We all could use more money. I know there are some very thrifty people on this board already.

Last week I knocked dropped the internet access (which I pay for) from my work cell phone = $15/mo.

Today I realized that stop drinking Skim Chai Latte during the week ($3.75/day), the savings $75/mo.

It really is the little things that add up. We can set some goals for ourselves similar to the Weight Loss Challenge.

Anyone interested?

My little goal is to bring my lunch at least 4 days per week.

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I'm in! I do this stuff already, but I am really bad with planning / bringing my lunch to work on the 3 days that I work in the office.

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I am interested although I don't know how much more I can cut back (but I can I am sure!). I've found that cutting costs often equals eating better too so the 2 challenges will compliment each other. Great idea!

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I love the concept, though I know I suk at it (with the exception of internet shopping - I get fantastic deals).

My latest way to "save" money is by shopping and getting cash back through ebates (I have about $50 in my ebates acct, but I had to spend a lot more than that to get it!)

I'd love to hear some good suggestions.

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One major thing that helps me with WW and cutting costs is...

Meal Planning. I plan all the meals for the week (dinners) and I NEVER food shop without a list that I make before I shop. I also eat a snack before I go food shopping. If it is not on the list, I do not buy it. It is amazing how much $$ we saved by doing this small thing. Plus, I eat healthier too! HTH

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I'd be interested in this, as saving money is always good. I am trying not to buy anything for me or Sydney until the summer. I do bring my lunch everyday, too.

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OK so this past weekend I got a cute beige suede fur lined coat for 75% off - it cost me $20, originally $80. So although I spent money, I saved for next year?!?! I was looking for something in this color and happened to find a great end of season sale. Yeah!!

Message edited 3/26/2007 10:49:36 AM.

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So funny that you started this thread - I've been thinking a similar one - Spinoff on the way....

This is a great idea, btw.

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I don't leave the house unless I have to, or else I spend money, whether I buy something or pick up lunch!!

I pack the kids lunch when we are out for the day to save on buying it while we are out.

I try and stay off the computer, because online buying is *so easy*

I cleaned out their closets the other day and put a bunch of brand new items on ebay to sell. They have tags, but I have no receipts and wouldn't get much money if I brought them back.

DD is on formula maybe another month or so. I bought the Target brand instead of Similac and I paid $12 instead of $24

ETA: I have a cell phone I pay about $40 a month for. I NEVER use it. But, I won't give it up because when I travel with 2 kids, I just feel safer knowing I have it. I do have phone calling via On Star in my car, but what if I am not in my car??

Message edited 3/26/2007 11:03:54 AM.

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we eat breakfast at home more. buy bulk, just stuff that doesn't spoil and we know we will use often. my dh takes lunch/dinner with him everday. we cut down our cell phone plan.

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I'm not sure how much more I can cut back...but I'm in. We are in the midst of having my grandma retire down here, so we are setting up her apt (attached to our house).

Instead of getting her an HD DVR for DTV, we got her a regular DVR--she's got no clue what HD is nor will she notice the difference. Only $5 a month compared to $15 a month on our bill.

I swear my cell phone bill needs to be cut....it's $80 a month for both phones....for what? For his job & friends to call him. I hardly use mine.

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Besides grocery shopping with coupons, I try not to go to stores unless I need something b/c I will always find something to waste money on.

I try to buy clothes for the kids at the end of the season for the next year, so I pay a fraction of the price.

We are both on family cell plans with our parents, so that we can call them for free. Since ILs live in Florida it's a nice savings. Plus DH's grandparents are on that plan too, so that's 2 long distance phone calls that are included in our monthly fee.

I've been trying to sell stuff we don't use anymore or stuff from my bridal shower we never used on ebay. It's easy, and then I use that money for stuff like clothes or toys for the kids.

At the end of the day we put our loose change in a jar and take that into Commerce every so often. We split that between the kids savings accounts, you'd be amazed how fast it adds up!

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We also started analysing our spending too.

Big ones:

DH NEEDS to quit smoking - this costs $250 month!!

We now buy items on sale & generic when it is cheaper. In addition we buy the reduced meats. They are reduced b/c they are close to sale date, however if you freeze them right when you get home it does not make a difference. We got angus steaks this week (2lbs) for $4.89.

Bulk when we can to save - especially with the pending baby expenses like diapers & wipes & stuff.

Carpool with Dh to save gas

Next step is bringing lunch & breakfast to work. This I am starting this week. My lunch alone was costing $60 week.

I called verizon today to see what they can offer to get us back from Cablevision. This is without a doubt my most annoying bill since I could care less about most TV (except my Bravo shows
) and the internet we spend $40 a month & barely use it at home. DSL starts at $9 a month & really I do not need speed at home, only at the office.

They are also offering a decent phone plan for national coverage at $40 a month, as opposed to cable (which never friggin works anyway ) which is $55 after the taxes & such.

Message edited 3/26/2007 11:12:39 AM.

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I'm so horrible with cutting costs, I'd love to hear some ideas!

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I check www.slickdeals.net every day for either things I need (the main page lists hot deal, the forums have freebies and coupons) and search for something I'm looking for.

I'll also google for store coupons (children's place, etc) if I need to buy (did that for nephews' b-day and got 20% off the 2 clearance items I bought for him).

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I buy the CVS, Target or Stop & Shop brands whenever possible,

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when I have the time and patience, I do a quick triple coupon shopping (pathmark in commack triples ongoing)
I pick up a few necessities and my coupons.

*Triple coupon results: (double coupons are ok, but just not as exciting, but since I dont go to PM that often, I do the double coupon thing everywhere else). and we have a stash of toothpaste and toothbrushes at all times. deodorant, shampoo, dw detergent, soaps, etc.

many different snacks for the kids and hubby for a fraction of the price.

Ive never paid more than 50cents for toothpaste (colgate, crest, aquafresh) but most of the time its free.

Top brand shampoos from $4 per bottle to under a dollar.

Top brand cereal $1 or 50 cents a box

(and Im talking when theyre on big time sales like 2 for $3 and I have a coupon that triples).

I have yet to pay full price for formula, between the grocery coupons, and checks (used at the same time) I pay much less than half and many many free cans. and I have a huge stash. have never *needed* formula.

same with diapers and wipes. great deals plus coupons and Ive had a stash ongoing since my first was born.

I get many things at the lowest prices and stock up. Ive gotten to know the best deals.

I also ALWAYS have a list before I go shopping. My hubby likes to stroll the store and drop everything in the cart.
my list is sometimes in the order that I walk the store, its jsut second nature to me now. (crazy virgo thing?)

I have a master plan, in and out, save time and money.

With clothes, get great deals and shop ahead of time for bdays, buy for next season, etc. (when I open the boxes to change clothes for the next season, its almost all new with tags and I got it all for hysterically low prices. very exciting for me. got our stash for this summer already, and I got a few boy things last year for Luciano this year already, lots of "3 of the same" outfits.

Usually pack lunch when we go out unless im taking them out as a treat.

Message edited 3/26/2007 11:47:05 AM.

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Stop going to Target out of sheer boredom. That's enough saved for a family vacation at the end of the year! This may sound opposite, but I stopped buying a lot of Jacks clothes at the end of season becasue he changes sizes so drastically. Last year I stocked up on a ton of things for this past winter that still have the tags on because they didn't fit. Next year, I will just buy the sizes I need at the time and buy it on sale.