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puzzleannie
Guest
don’t buy anything on credit except pre-planned purchases, which are necessary, which are not consumed before the bill comes, and for which you have made provision in the budget.
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CatholicSam
Guest
:bowdown2: I am in awe!
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sjegts
Guest
Movie theaters’ refreshments are outrageously expensive. However, that is how they make their money (my son managed one for a long time). At the risk of sounding like a moralist, taking food in from outside is a little (or a lot) like cheating. Movie tickets cover the cost of the films. Consider wages, overhead, the latest, greatest sound, seats, etc. I would suggest either renting movies, or not snacking during the movie if you don’t want to purchase your snacks there. Other places that don’t allow carry in from outside have an advantage because you are usually in the daylight. Do we follow the rules, however much we may not like them or agree with them, or do we not?
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exiled
Guest
I think, at least for me, the following works. I do shop (for clothes) at the more expensive stores, but only when prices are rock bottom. Some stores are good with this, some are not. As I pointed out in a previous thread, Talbots has an outlet now online and next years summer items are now cheaper than WalMart clothes. I do believe they last longer, and for some reason I am more apt to take care of these items vs. cheapies or Goodwill. I have a dear, dear friend who buys everything at Goodwill, but I think she has some false sense of not spending because the stuff there is so inexpensive. The things are not taken care of and they do not last between kids. She certainly spends more than I do.
Good for you foods and whole grain breads are more expensive, but they seem to stay in the tummy longer and satisfy hunger longer. This same friend breaks out a package of cookies to satisfy her kids’ hunger (Walmart $1/pkg cookies) but it only curbs the hunger for an hour or so. I’m more likely to give a piece of whole grain toast with peanut butter, which just might get little ones all the way through 'til supper.
Assuming one system is better than another goes two ways, depending upon the personalities involved.
If you are someone like me, who is likely to be careless because you only paid $2 at Good will for kid’s shoes (easy to replace) you are probably better off getting the good stuff that will be taken care of, as long as it’s on sale.
Good for you foods and whole grain breads are more expensive, but they seem to stay in the tummy longer and satisfy hunger longer. This same friend breaks out a package of cookies to satisfy her kids’ hunger (Walmart $1/pkg cookies) but it only curbs the hunger for an hour or so. I’m more likely to give a piece of whole grain toast with peanut butter, which just might get little ones all the way through 'til supper.
Assuming one system is better than another goes two ways, depending upon the personalities involved.
If you are someone like me, who is likely to be careless because you only paid $2 at Good will for kid’s shoes (easy to replace) you are probably better off getting the good stuff that will be taken care of, as long as it’s on sale.
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manualman
Guest
Learn basic auto maintenace. Doing your own oil changes, ATF changes, filters, belts, hoses and brakes are EASY to learn to do.
Make a list before going to the store. Don’t buy what isn’t on the list (comes easy to most guys, sheer purgatory for women, it seems).
Get the cheapest cell phone plan and the free phone. Stay within the minutes.
Dump cable/dish. You’ll be a better person for it.
Learn to camp. It makes incredible vacations incredibly cheap.
Don’t use AC until it hits at least 90. You’re still in greater luxury than most of the world. Open windows are good for you (Can’t seem to win this one with my wife, but grew up that way and actually miss it).
Dial-up internet - $10.
Don’t speed. Gas is cheaper and insurance is too!
Buy the most fuel efficient car that meets your needs. Nobody NEEDS a Suburban or Sequoia just for commuting…
Make a list before going to the store. Don’t buy what isn’t on the list (comes easy to most guys, sheer purgatory for women, it seems).
Get the cheapest cell phone plan and the free phone. Stay within the minutes.
Dump cable/dish. You’ll be a better person for it.
Learn to camp. It makes incredible vacations incredibly cheap.
Don’t use AC until it hits at least 90. You’re still in greater luxury than most of the world. Open windows are good for you (Can’t seem to win this one with my wife, but grew up that way and actually miss it).
Dial-up internet - $10.
Don’t speed. Gas is cheaper and insurance is too!
Buy the most fuel efficient car that meets your needs. Nobody NEEDS a Suburban or Sequoia just for commuting…
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eliza3b
Guest
Stop going to Target, Costco, BJs, Walmart and the like.
Buy what you need, replace what you need when you need it. I used to go to Costco to buy Tide Powder, then I would walk out with $200 full of ****. Giant sized portions of cereal. Who needs it? It just caused waste in my house.
Now I just buy my detergent when I run out. I don’t stock up or store anything. I buy fresh food every week. I buy meat on sale, chicken on sale and ground beef every week. I feed a family of six on $120 per week. I don’t buy bottled water, juice, soda or gatorade. If it’s not on sale in the store I don’t buy it. If I don’t run out of something (like shampoo, soap or band aids) I don’t buy them. I wait until I’m out and then I replace it.
I know this sounds crazy. I spent 6 mos in France when I was in college and lived with a family. This is how they did it and it seemed to work for them. I figured I could do the same.
My husband and I entertain a lot, we go out to dinner a few times a month. I’d rather spend my money on that stuff then junk food and large portions of stuff that I don’t really need.
Buy what you need, replace what you need when you need it. I used to go to Costco to buy Tide Powder, then I would walk out with $200 full of ****. Giant sized portions of cereal. Who needs it? It just caused waste in my house.
Now I just buy my detergent when I run out. I don’t stock up or store anything. I buy fresh food every week. I buy meat on sale, chicken on sale and ground beef every week. I feed a family of six on $120 per week. I don’t buy bottled water, juice, soda or gatorade. If it’s not on sale in the store I don’t buy it. If I don’t run out of something (like shampoo, soap or band aids) I don’t buy them. I wait until I’m out and then I replace it.
I know this sounds crazy. I spent 6 mos in France when I was in college and lived with a family. This is how they did it and it seemed to work for them. I figured I could do the same.
My husband and I entertain a lot, we go out to dinner a few times a month. I’d rather spend my money on that stuff then junk food and large portions of stuff that I don’t really need.
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PoliSciProf
Guest
Many good tips here. Try the new fluorescent bulbs–they really help with the electric bill and they last a long time. And, try the **Clark Howard radio show **for many more tips. Finally, remember that every want is not a need.
clarkhoward.com/
Almost forgot–buy the Bonus Books available in many cities. These often raise money for charities and they contain many discount coupons for many goods and services and they incllude two-for-offers for dining out that save a lot of money and provide some affordable treats.
clarkhoward.com/
Almost forgot–buy the Bonus Books available in many cities. These often raise money for charities and they contain many discount coupons for many goods and services and they incllude two-for-offers for dining out that save a lot of money and provide some affordable treats.
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Ridgerunner
Guest
My wife buys all the little stuff and I buy most of the big stuff. But notwithstanding my ignorance, I can say the following:
- It sounds crazy, but in my mind used cars that are expensive when new are the best buy. There really can be a quality difference; the age discount is enormous; the mileage is usually low (rich people buy new cars a lot) and most people can’t tell whether you’re driving a used one or a new one. The best thing is to keep in contact with dealers of expensive cars. Every once in awhile, they get a trade-in that’s “off” somehow and they’ll slash the price just to get rid of it. My last one didn’t have a CD player when all the other models of that year did, and the color looked funny in internet photographs. (but not in reality) Nobody wanted it but me.
- Make friends with people who work in production plants. They get ridiculously low prices on production overruns. I buy meat in large quantities, fresh frozen, at one of three production facilities. The best price I ever got was six cents a pound on chicken hindquarters (leg and thigh). Bought a lot of those in 30 lb boxes, and shared them with two other families. The best quality possible, and if I said the name you would agree. Food production plants never want to fail to fill customer orders and consider overruns just a part of the cost of doing business, so they overproduce all the time; even the very best stuff. They don’t want to store any more of it than they have to, and some commercial customers won’t buy it frozen at all, so they have no choice but to freeze it and sell it in bulk for very low prices just to get rid of it.
- Read books. Very good books can be bought for ludicrously low prices in second-hand stores and on Ebay. Much more entertaining than TV or most movies, and no commercials to tempt you to spend!
- Remember, all good movies eventually end up on TV. If you’re patient, you’ll watch them for free.
- I suspect my wife’s ideas are better than mine, but I don’t know what they are. Sorry! Well, here’s one. She makes a lot of very flavorful soups, and bulks them up with inexpensive things like regular mill wheat, soybeans, rice or millet. If you know how to season things (and she does) it’s wonderful! Fresh baked bread is inexpensive too. Fresh bread and one of those soups. My friend, you haven’t lived until you have had it!
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Ridgerunner
Guest
Oh, one last, then I have exhausted my memory. Guys, DON’T buy shaving cream in cans. Buy those little round things of shaving soap and a shaving brush. Any cup will do for a shaving cup because the soap will “relax” to fit it. One cake of shaving soap will last a year. You can even use the tag ends of your wife’s face soap if you’re really cheap. If your face is sensitive, buy a little bottle of glycerine at a drug store and put a little into the cup with the soap. Make a really wet lather and let it sit on your face for 15 seconds before you shave. You’ll be amazed at how smooth it is. Also, dry off your razor after you use it (wash it and blow). My beard is pretty tough, but if you do that, you can make a razor blade last for weeks and weeks. A decent shaving brush will last for years. The badger fur ones are the best.
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puzzleannie
Guest
take care of and maintain what you do own, expecially appliances and big ticket items, amazing how many people fail to change their oil and do basic auto maint and are always whining about car repairs and breakdowns. or won’t replace an A/C filter of vacuum cleaner bag until the entire thing starts smoking.
clean and repair clothing when it needs it. most of us have at least 5 items of wearable clothing right now that just needs a spot removed, hemline sewn up, or buttons replaced. that is 5 new outfits not purchased. I just took several dresses and slacks that I had been unable to wear in to the tailor at our local dry cleaner to be hemmed and taken in. If I had given them to goodwill and bought new it would have cost 10 times what I spent at the tailor.
don’t by junk when you are buying something to last, like appliances, you never save that way.
don’t pay money to store things you will not use for a year or longer.
get out of expensive collectibles habits, they are dust catchers, and seldom worth anything when all is said and done. put the money into more conventional investments where you can track growth.
if you have kids in HS start when they are freshman working with your financial advisor to find out how to position yourself for completing financial aid applications to best advantage–where to save money, when not to put money in a child’s name, how to structure debt etc. do not wait until he is a senior to learn about the financial aid process and research scholarships, too late then.
clean and repair clothing when it needs it. most of us have at least 5 items of wearable clothing right now that just needs a spot removed, hemline sewn up, or buttons replaced. that is 5 new outfits not purchased. I just took several dresses and slacks that I had been unable to wear in to the tailor at our local dry cleaner to be hemmed and taken in. If I had given them to goodwill and bought new it would have cost 10 times what I spent at the tailor.
don’t by junk when you are buying something to last, like appliances, you never save that way.
don’t pay money to store things you will not use for a year or longer.
get out of expensive collectibles habits, they are dust catchers, and seldom worth anything when all is said and done. put the money into more conventional investments where you can track growth.
if you have kids in HS start when they are freshman working with your financial advisor to find out how to position yourself for completing financial aid applications to best advantage–where to save money, when not to put money in a child’s name, how to structure debt etc. do not wait until he is a senior to learn about the financial aid process and research scholarships, too late then.
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EsclavoDeCristo
Guest
I haven’t read the entire thread so someone may have already said this:
In my house we use plastic grocery bags as both trash bags and lunch bags. Anyone else do this?
As for entertainment, there are always outdoor festivals, nice parks, and free art exhibts for us to go to (when we have free time).
My :twocents:
In my house we use plastic grocery bags as both trash bags and lunch bags. Anyone else do this?
As for entertainment, there are always outdoor festivals, nice parks, and free art exhibts for us to go to (when we have free time).
My :twocents:
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jmcrae
Guest
Yes, we recycle plastic bags many times over. They’re also great for sealing up leftovers in the fridge, and you can double them up to freeze stuff.
Artist-run galleries are normally free of charge, and make a nice, educational outing, in many cases. (Call ahead to see what’s showing before bringing the kids, though.)
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chrislife
Guest
I don’t recommend sneaking food into the theater, because it is against most theaters’ rules, and is therefore less than completely honest. If it’s really a financial issue, you can save the same money by going to the theater less often, or by skipping the snacks. Eating before going lowers temptation.
Gardening can be very expensive, or a very good source of savings, depending how you do it. If possible, harvest seeds from this year’s garden for next year. Keep a compost heap for mulch and improved soil. You may even find you get some free produce from it! This year, we got pumpkins, onions, and potatoes from our compost, without any cultivating or work!
Where I live, confiscated poached meat goes to food banks. I don’t know about other places.
Be careful about coupons. More often than not, they are for items/brands that you would not ordinarily buy on a budget. You’re usually better off buying at a discount store like Grocery Outlet, if you have it available. Have a set price for frequently purchased items memorized, like 25 cents a roll for toilet paper, and 10 cents an ounce for cereal. It saves you from having to do constant calculations or from getting lazy and accidentally spending too much.
Buy school supplies in quantity in August at the back to school sales. Buy enough of the 10 cent spiral notebooks to last all year, so you don’t have to go back in February and buy more for a dollar a piece.
Have a bedroom date with your spouse. Rent a mushy movie to put on, with a bottle of the sparkling cider you bought on sale just before New Years, and get the room all clean and nice looking. Light a few candles and let the kids know not to disturb you for the evening. It costs a LOT less than going out, and can be a really nice way of spending some romantic time together.
For going out, find events at local schools. High school plays can be a lot of fun, and pretty affordable. Some high school events may even be free to the public. Check Google calendars to see if any local schools or community organizations have a calendar online.
—Christina
Gardening can be very expensive, or a very good source of savings, depending how you do it. If possible, harvest seeds from this year’s garden for next year. Keep a compost heap for mulch and improved soil. You may even find you get some free produce from it! This year, we got pumpkins, onions, and potatoes from our compost, without any cultivating or work!
Where I live, confiscated poached meat goes to food banks. I don’t know about other places.
Be careful about coupons. More often than not, they are for items/brands that you would not ordinarily buy on a budget. You’re usually better off buying at a discount store like Grocery Outlet, if you have it available. Have a set price for frequently purchased items memorized, like 25 cents a roll for toilet paper, and 10 cents an ounce for cereal. It saves you from having to do constant calculations or from getting lazy and accidentally spending too much.
Buy school supplies in quantity in August at the back to school sales. Buy enough of the 10 cent spiral notebooks to last all year, so you don’t have to go back in February and buy more for a dollar a piece.
Have a bedroom date with your spouse. Rent a mushy movie to put on, with a bottle of the sparkling cider you bought on sale just before New Years, and get the room all clean and nice looking. Light a few candles and let the kids know not to disturb you for the evening. It costs a LOT less than going out, and can be a really nice way of spending some romantic time together.
For going out, find events at local schools. High school plays can be a lot of fun, and pretty affordable. Some high school events may even be free to the public. Check Google calendars to see if any local schools or community organizations have a calendar online.
—Christina
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puzzleannie
Guest
winter Texans here have a method of making hats out of plastic grocery bags, which look like straw but are good for our pool exercises and paddling (need a hat in this sun). the yellow from dollar general and blue (formerly from walmart) are especially valued, as is the grey and red bag of a local grocery chain. I think the bags are somehow rolled into cord that is woven or crocheted, I am not sure how they do it.
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aboverubies
Guest
With regards to the food & movies issue there was an interesting debate in this thread…
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=126321&highlight=sneak+movies
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=126321&highlight=sneak+movies
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aboverubies
Guest
An easy and not too painful way to lower the budget is to systematically cut out all disposable items from your household. On their own each item may not be that expensive but it really is surprising how much they add up to collectively.
Examples include switching from/to:
Disposable diapers to cloth
Disposable baby wipes to cloth
Paper towels to cloth rags
Tissues to hankies
Cling wrap to tupperware/plastic containers
disposable feminine products to cloth mamapads/diva cup
( www.divacup.com )
Examples include switching from/to:
Disposable diapers to cloth
Disposable baby wipes to cloth
Paper towels to cloth rags
Tissues to hankies
Cling wrap to tupperware/plastic containers
disposable feminine products to cloth mamapads/diva cup
( www.divacup.com )
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CatholicSam
Guest
Grow your hair out (easier if you’re female 
) and get a free haircut when you donate 10 or more inches to Locks of Love. Check with your hairdresser first to make sure they participate.
) and get a free haircut when you donate 10 or more inches to Locks of Love. Check with your hairdresser first to make sure they participate.
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farmfresh
Guest
when i was working i tried to save money on my work clothes by not buying trendy styles. oh, i would splurge every once in a while, but most of my stuff was ‘classic’ styled i guess is what you would call it. i also would buy pieces that would go with several other outfits, so i could mix and match stuff as i needed. and, i dont mind spending more money on comfortable shoes. ive found that if my shoes hurt my feet, they will sit in the closet. someone suggested only buying things when you run out of them, but for me i find the opposite to be true. (then again, I live 45 minutes from the nearest store) I keep a stash of stuff in our basement and when we run out of toothpaste, we just have to run down and grab some. i stock up when i find stuff on sale or have coupons. i find that it saves me from having to run into walmart for deodorant and spending $60 while im in there.
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mommato6
Guest
Let me preface my answer by saying this is a work in progress. I certainly do not have all the answers. I’m a SAHM (always have been) with six children ranging in age from 17m-17 years. My DH holds a good job (roughly making 50 a year) with adequate benefits. We own our own home. I’ve been in charge of our finances for all of our married life and along the way I have learned some lessons the hard way. The most important lesson I have learned is to have FAITH that the Lord will provide. We have gone through times where our budget did not make sense on paper yet every month we were able to pay our bills and not go hungry (or homeless or naked). Many times we have been told that we have too many children , I need to get a real job, etc…instead of encouraging us to believe that the Lord will bless our efforts to provide for our family. I see so many families nowdays caught up in the vicious cycle of more, more, more. When it catches up to them they suddenly want to pinch pennies as a quick fix. I really believe it has to be a lifestyle (and heart) change. I’m all for being frugal, just ask our kids, and we certainly do without alot of the extras in order to meet our budget, but those are wants not needs. Our focus has to be on having FAITH that God will provide and on being good stewards of the gifts he has given to us (both materially and financially). I continue to ask the Lord daily to help provide for our family, to help me make our $$$ stretch further, to help me know what days to shop and when to stay home. I never enter a store without first asking God to bless my efforts and to provide me with the knowledge to shop wisely. The “gifts” I have found continue to amaze me. Sorry I don’t have any specific answers for your question…you are right in that there is a HUGE amount of information out there on saving money and living frugally. However, I believe until we address the larger issue, like how we got into this mess, we are just slapping a bandaid on the bleeding wound. Blessings, Kim
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lifeisbeautiful
Guest
Lol, I was pretty bad in that department. When I was younger I took in ice cream sundaes, Wendy’s food/salad / frosty, food court pizza, microwave popcorn bag, all sorts of candy, you name it… I’m not sure of the morality of it now though… Do they have rules against bringing in outside food? I know I don’t remember ever seeing one, but that was a while back.
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