Re: How do you save $?

When I had CV I dropped their internet, landline phone and premium channels and I still had a $90 a month bill...

Re: How do you save $?

I personally wouldn't get rid of the security system - I just got one actually and I am so excited. If you don't use your landline much, you should get rid of that. Or get a trac phone or pre paid cell phone.

I personally am a coupon guru and love finding a good deal. Also always check retailmenot.com. Good luck

Re: How do you save $?

Cut coupons,
Got rid of HBO, SHO, Cinemax all that good stuff
cut out the landline use your cell phones
no eating out
coffee from home
workout at home to not have a gym membership
car insurance - up your deductible so your monthly payment will go down.
buy generic groceries - same as the name brand!

Re: How do you save $?

switched netflix from $9 unlimited a month to $5 2x a month....

drop the thermostat.

shut the christmas lights off earlier at night this year...

Re: How do you save $?

Call your alarm co and explain that you are having financial difficulties (if you are) and see what they can do. I called and we went from $45 per month to $15 per month.

Call your cable/direct tv/etc provider and ask if they will give you a discount. We got $5 off just for asking.

Clip coupons from the paper
go to retailmenot.com for on line coupon codes
go to the brand manufacturers you use and sign up for their emails and they will send you coupons.
go to coupons.com and download grocery coupons

purchase things you know you will use not just something because it is on sale or a good deal. If you don't need it and would never purchase it if it were regular price just because it is on sale does not mean it is a good deal for you.

Make a grocery list and stick to it.
Plan your meals for the week.
See what you have in your pantry so you don't purchase to many duplicates of perishable things - even canned goods expire.

Re: How do you save $?

Re: How do you save $?

we stopped buying coffee, breakfast & lunch out 6 years ago. I swear it changed our lives.
coupon clipping & planning a weekly menu around the sale items is a huge money saver. We eat at home about 95% of the time.
Be careful with the wholesale clubs, not everything is a bargain. Lots of stuff is cheaper at target or on sale at the supermarket. I shop at BJs for specific items.

I never buy clothing, shoes or accessories unless it is on sale. I buy lots of work clothes that work well together for multiple outfits.
I don't shop for sport anymore.

I sell things we don't need or use at a consignment shop, donate everything that isn't worth selling.
We don't get lured into needing all the bells & whistles, we buy what we like regardless of what the trend is -my new car has cloth seats, we bought white appliances instead of SS, we have formica counters instead of granite.
I drive a hybrid.
We installed a pellet stove in our house to reduce our oil cost.
We buy oil COD instead of a contract.
We have programable thermostats.
We use very little A/C
We monitor our electric use, use all CFBs & unplug unused items.

we only have one cablebox & it doesn't have every channel. We don't do tivo or netflix.
We rarely buy books or DVDs, always borrow from the library.
No satelite radio, no subscription for GPS or onstar.
We only get new phones when eligible for free upgrades.
We cancelled magazine subscriptions.
We have a high deductible health insurance policy & an HSA & flex account.
high deductibles on our other insurances as well.
I'm greiving the taxes on our primary residence for the second time.
I grow a large organic garden & raise chickens that lay eggs.
We use a non-powered push mower to cut our grass, we do all of our own home repairs & upkeep.
No pricey, toxic lawn treatments, Clovers mixed with grass are fine with me.
We enjoy doing things that are 'free', like hiking in the state park near our house, kayaking & fishing.

Re: How do you save $?

-higher deductibles
-stopped buying water
-let sirius contract run out
-pre-program thermostat
-in nice weather i'll walk to the grocery store
-eat at home
-trying to use coupons more

Re: How do you save $?

These are all great tips.
Take the Defensive Driving course to reduce your car insurance.

Re: How do you save $?

-Clip coupons
-Both DH and I bring coffee from home as well as our breakfast and lunch
-Limit the number of times we order take-out
-Work out at home
-Got a cheaper cell phone plan

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff...

Re: How do you save $?

I use "shop" around when it's grocery day.......I buy laundry soap, tp, paper towel and basics at Wal-Mart and then wait for Kroger to have a sale. I then use the sale flyer, my coupons, and Kroger card and go to town to stock up. When I can't do that I shop for the basic we need and use and then go out to buy what we need for dinner that day. For some people that is worse, but for us it helps me not over buy and have waste.
I ONLY buy the staples with a coupon. I don't buy clothes unless they are onsale.
I get my hair done when there is a special or deal going on.
I fill up my gas tank on Wednesdays before work.
I get deals when we vacation and refuse to pay full price for a hotel. When I cook soups, stews, or roast we make TONS freeze half, give some to family, and keep some for lunch.
I weeded out my magazine subscriptions.
If I am not really using my netflix I lower the plan and then if I need to increase it later I can.
I hand laundry out on th eline in the summer.
I buy most of my food in the spring/summer/fall at the farmers market and I try to eat what's in season.

Re: How do you save $?

Save your change. We throw our loose change in a jar and it adds up.

We use a lot of coupons when we go grocery shopping.

Try not to fall for the "10 for $10" sales. Who really needs 10 boxes of cake mix?

Re: How do you save $?

Re: How do you save $?

Re: How do you save $?

no land line (only cells)
we almost never eat out
all clothing comes from outlets/ discount stores
we're in a smaller apartment (so we don't sink too many $ on rent)
we own (not lease) our cars
no credit card debt......

oh yeah... some more
high insurance deductible..
oh, and many 'green' and healthy $ saving things...

we both drive very fuel-efficient cars (compact and a prius)
small apt = small heating bill
no mag/newspaper subscriptions
no dry cleaning
bring lunch/coffee to work every day in re-usable containers
drink a lot of juices diluted in brita water (vs $$ teas/sodas)
and I do my best to not buy more food than we can eat!

Message edited 2/5/2009 2:14:21 PM.

Re: How do you save $?

We do alot of food shopping at Target...its much chepaer than the grovery store for some things.
I shop at Costco and share things with my mom.
Do my own nails, toes. Treat myself once in a while.
Hardly eat out.
Pack lunches.
We even found a cheaper place to gt our Boars Head Cold Cuts. KK was so expensive.
Joined a family cell phone plan.

Re: How do you save $?

- We shop at Walmart which way way cheaper than goign to the regular grocery store. We have super Walmart in PA near to where I live.

- We save our change in the change jar

- We dont eat out

- I dont buy clothes and neither does DH. I go shopping like once every 6 months.

- Bring in our lunch

- Dont go out much on the weekend and stay at home

- Dont have cable (no need for it its a waste of channels anyway)

-We buy diapers at walmart

-We dont go on trips

- Gas is cheap where we live (like 1.79 per gallon)

-We buy our gas in NJ most of the time b/c we work in NY.

Re: How do you save $?

My husband fills his car up going to work where it's waaay cheaper. Plus the food store by my house gives bonus points for gas and I love to redeem those

Try to be frugle with the utilties

Do a bulk of my foodshopping at walmart and buy diapers there

pack the kids lunches instead of the school lunch

Call my satellite tv and see what channels they'll throw in for free (they usually do0

coupons, price shop, unload the clothes the kids grow out of that are in good condition to the consignment shop

There are other corners I probably could cut but some things I pay extra for convience

Re: How do you save $?

Wow. We all could write a book on how to save money!

The only thing I can add is to double check your payroll tax withholdings, ESPECIALLY if your circumstances have changed recently (like a home purchase or the birth of a child). Your much better off getting the extra $20 in your paycheck each week (and, perhaps, throwing it into your ING account or paying down your debt) than waiting for the end of the year for a refund. There's no reason to give Uncle Sam a no interest loan for the year when you can put it into a SAvings or MMA and get some interest of your own!

Re: How do you save $?

Re: How do you save $?

We've been doing a lot less going out with friends, and a lot more game nights where everyone brings something to eat. So much cheaper!

ETA: We're also eating out/ordering out less. Our grocery bill has gone up a bit, but overall we're saving like $100/month.

Message edited 2/7/2009 2:27:23 PM.

Re: How do you save $?

Do the things listed above but whatever your saving put directly in the bank. If you use coupons how much you saved you should deposit into a saving account. Cutting cable deposit the cable bill in your savings account. Cutting expenses but not paying yourself won't help the savings grow.

Re: How do you save $?

Re: How do you save $?

I am cooking dinners more.
DH brings his lunch now.
Only get mani/pedis on special occasions
Trying to space out my highlights and haircuts.

We have to do more since we need to be in a house by summer.

We stopped going to out to resturants. We still do take out but that is going to stop too.

Re: How do you save $?

stopped getting my nails wrapped

I try to see how many days I can get through without spending any $ on brkfs, lunch, coffee , or snacks