Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

this is a very inspiring post. i want to do everything everyone is talking about. I just dont have teh motivation after working 11 hours and then commuting 1 hour home i collapse on the couch

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I bring my lunch everyday. I also bring a 12 pk of soda and leave it in the fridge at work.
Spending .75 - 1.50 a day can add up. (the cost in the vending machine)

Everyone has given such great ideas, I will definitley be incorporating some of them into my daily routine.

ETA: Thought of another one.
LEAVING DH home when I go food shopping. He kills me with all the junk he throws into the cart!

Message edited 1/2/2008 12:41:22 PM.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

We started writing down all the money we spend in an excel spreadsheet so we can see where it's all going. We just started in November but it's definitely helping!

I bring lunch or eat when I get home everyday. I'm a teacher so I'm usually home by 3. I'll bring an apple or snack to school to get me through the day. I also eat a quick breakfast at home.

I've gone paperless with all my accounts. No need to use extra paper since I do all my banking and bill paying on line. Most of my payments that are the same month to month (car, phone, etc.) are set up to pay automatically.

I also use automatic deposit into our savings account every week so we never forget to put the money there and then accidentaly spend it!

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I set everything for work out the night before and pack my bag.

I get lunch at work, so that's a huge saving. DH finishes at 2:30 and waits until he gets home for his lunch.

I walk to the train in suitable weather to save gas and I drive a car that gets very good mpg.

I also unplug all of our appliances and chargers when not in use, turn off the faucet when brushing my teeth and only use a nightlight in the hallways after dark.

I only use the washer and dryer after 6 pm any day of the week.

I reuse paper - the back of any envelopes, printed material or flyers are used for shopping lists or notes.

DH has started a composte heap. We'll see how successful that is in the Spring.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

-DH brings lunch to work (so did I when I worked)
-We have a water-save on our kitchen faucet
-We unplug most of our appliances when not using them
-We recycle EVERYTHING! We have 3 bins!

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

We recycle a lot. Our apt building has separate bins in the garbage room down the hall, so they make it really easy.

I still use a small inflatable tub (inside the large tub) for bathing DD and will continue until she outgrows it. It uses much less water that way.

I also re-use paper towels. DH thinks that nuts but I think it's a waste to throw it out unless it's super dirty.

DH buys only wrinkle free shirts. I wash them in cold and hang them to dry. No dry-cleaning bill and no electricity used for the dryer.

We never warm our car up. IMO, it's unnecessary unless you live in a very cold climate and even then less than 5 minutes is good. We are from MN so NY is like a heat wave in January compared to there.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Over the weekend I make enough baby food to last the week and I make a big pot of soup to have around for a quick luch and dinner.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

this might seem silly, but after I wash my face at night, I wipe down the counter top and the faucet with the washcloth before I throw it in the laundry. Also, after I get out of the shower, I dust/sweep the floor and baseboards in the bathroom with the pajamas I took off before getting into the shower. Also, when towels are ready for the hamper I quick dust the pictures in the hallway, and the bookshelf....

I keep old socks (ones with holes, or ones with no match) and use them as cleaning rags.

I clean EVERYTHING with white vinegar-it's super cheap, and much safer then bleach. I dilute it and wash the floors-I keep some in a spray bottle and do the windows and mirrors and tiles in the bathroom. It kills any bacteria and it's a deoderizer.

I air-dry pretty much everything, sweaters, shirts, jeans, etc...

I buy things in excess when they're on sale (coffee, soda, pasta, red pack, chicken breasts, toilet paper, soup)

I buy the family pack of chicken when it's on sale and then I break them up into individual ziplocs with some marinade (lemon pepper/teryaki/etc) in them, and then freeze them-this way I can just take out what I need in the morning, and it's ready to cook when I get home from work.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I make our lunches every morning, carpool to work with DH, and keep the heat set at 65. I cook most things from scratch, rather than buy processed stuff and buy in bulk to reduce packaging (and save $$ )

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I am a serious coupon clipper and always take advantage of the king kullen $10 off coupon even when we shop at waldbaums or stop and shop

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I work close to home.

I bought a MINI Cooper to save money on gas and it made a HUGE difference.

I make DH's lunches for the whole week on Sundays and just pack them in tupperware (He doesn't eat sandwiches, those I would think would get really soggy)

I make easy, fast dinners every night – we mostly just eat grilled chicken & veggies

I’m bad with ‘little money savers’, though, I don’t clip coupons or anything

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I cut coupons every Sunday and do the grocery shopping on Monday.
I try to match up the coupons with what's on sale. I also use competitor coupons. I shop mostly at Stop & Shop but use the King Kullen 10.00 off one when I have it.

I unplug most of the appliances that are not in use.

I recycle Newspapers and lug all the empty soda cans and beer bottles to the store, recycle them, and use that money like coupons and knock it off the bill.

We pay pretty much every bill online. Saves a few stamps

I just started using my own grocery bags too. I love them and it makes is a lot easier, especially when I have DS with me.

ETA: With DS I look for "Free" Playgroups. I take him to the library, Barnes & Noble, and when the weather is nicer we head to the park.

Message edited 1/2/2008 3:30:59 PM.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

We bring our own bags to the grocery store.

I keep a list on the refridgerator of things that we need and go grocery shopping on Friday's when the new sales come out.

Instead of drying cleraning DH's shirts I wash them and hang them up right after they come out of the dryer and they don't need to be ironed.

DH & I both work from home, so we save on gas and lunches out.

I plan our weekly menus before I go grocery shopping and try very hard not to stray from the list.

I also do what a previous poster does and seperate my silverware before I put it in the dishwasher.

I set the coffee pot up the night before so my coffee is ready when I get up.


I also reuse enveliopes and flyers for grocery and to do around the house list.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I organize my grocery list and coupons in the order of my supermarket aisles.

I recently started getting the newspaper delivered on the weekends only. I justify the expense of the paper with the coupons I clip!

I try think ahead and buy gifts for people when I see something they would like on sale.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Wow some great ideas here!

I put a stack of garbage bags on the bottom of the kitchen garbage can so that I can change the bags quickly.

Hubby and I got rid of all our dvd covers and put the dvds in dvd portfolios that we keep in the ottoman.