Tips on Saving $$$

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SDMom said:
Hi all!

I am trying to find ways to save some money each week. DH & I have allocated x amount each week, which goes mostly towards food/groceries and whatever the kids might need.

I find that we spend an awful lot on food/groceries. Maybe tips in that area, especially, might help me. All money saving tips would be appreciated, though!

So … what do you do that saves you money?
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Here are some things we do to cut costs:
raise our own chickens for eggs
make bread in the bread machine
I’m fanatic about turing lights off
reinsulated the attic
use a pantry system- stock up on things that we use as they go on sale
buy store brands
learn to cook, don’t eat out very often
wash all laundry in cold water
take lunch to work
make my own coffee, don’t buy fancy brands, Starbucks, etc.
wear clothes until they actually wear out
don’t go shopping at the mall, or put yourself in places that you are tempted to overspend
when making supper, over cook to have leftovers for lunch the next day
don’t buy expensive cleaning supplies- a bit of windex and shampoo are all you need for most cleaning jobs

I’ll add more later as I think of them!
 
Sav-a-lot is an awsome grocery-saves us a fortune. Aldi is ok but has a smaller selection.
Shop the sales at regular grocery stores and stock up, deep freezer is a blessing.

Ramen-a cheap snack for the kids after school-I do it a lot for my lunch, besides being healthier than chips or other snack foods.
Make your own baby food, blenderize fruits and veggies, careful with the family meals if you use a lot of spices.

Since the kids were little I bought the white washcloths in the big pack (like 20 for 5 bucks-walmart/dollar general), wet them at meals and hand them out, they used them as napkins during dinner, to wash their faces/hands after then wipe their places at the table. This has grown into actual dinner napkins, I have found several nice sets at thrift stores. Anyway it completely eliminates paper napkins and paper towels (good on $ and environment). I still use the washcloths in the kitchen and then household cleaning, demoting them until they get to where the bleach is just eating them up.

Cooking from scratch can be a pain, but the money you save will astound you and it tastes a whole lot better.

Get my spices from dollar general (2 for a buck), some things are seasonal (sage, etc) so stock up on those. Latin spices in the bags at sav-a-lot (cumin, various ground peppers).

When we were off post and had a fireplace, used it all winter, cut the winter gas bill in half or more each month.

Surge protectors-turn them off at the power strip when the appliances aren’t being used (tv, computer, stereo). Unplug kitchen appliances when not in use-they still draw current even when they are off.
I also have my curling iron, blow dryer and hot rollers on a power strip and shut them off on the strip-not like they see much action anyway!

the compact fluorescent?sp? bulbs are another saver, watch lowes and walmart sale papers to get them cheap in a multi pack. I have some in lamps that I have had for more than 9 (yes nine) years-besides the electric bill savings.

Got rid of my alarm clock-use my cell phone for my alarm.

Ask your mom, mil and grandmothers (esp grandmas) for old recipies-they know how to make a feast out of nothing, plus you will get a taste of the old country and something to pass down to your kids. Another benefit is that they usually have cool stories to share with these recipies which is free but extremely valuable, much better than any movie.

Don’t eat out, (I don’t mean cancel date night-keep those). I mean don’t run through the drive up on the way home from soccer practice. Double or triple recipies when you do have time to cook and invest in pyrex or another inexpensive (reusable) storage bowls/baking dishes and put the 2nd & 3rd meals in those and freeze=homemade tv dinners. I prefer the glass as it can go to the oven. Saves time and $. Plus eliminate the need for ziplocks.

Start your own circle for recycling clothes for the kids or even yourself. I did this even while moving around just boxed 'em up and shipped 'em, still cheaper than buying new–until my sister stopped the cycle at her and was selling them.

Garage sales, thrift stores and clearance racks…can’t say enough about those. Buy a year out on the kids, after Christmas, after Easter for the holiday dresses for the next year. I know that Dillards will call you when a certain dress you want goes on sale if you request it and let them know the price you want, plus their clothes will last through the recycling rounds.

I am really enjoying this thread-learning a lot!
 
We live in UK so there are some differences but:
We have a fuel efficient car (diesel) (in Europe the most expensive fuel is in UK:eek: ) with cheap insurance and road tax and consider buying an electric car when they become available.(By the way, has anybody seen a film “Who killed an electric car?” by Mel Gibson? Great film!)
We switch from one gas/electricity provider to another whatever is cheaper at the time.
We buy groceries at Asda (Wal Mart).
Other things like clothes, toys etc. we buy on e-bay. I have just paid 7 pounds for a rocking crib!
We don’t go on holidays abroad (apart from visiting our family). I think there is a lot of wonderful things to see in Britain, especially Scotland, before we go somewhere else.
Last winter we put insulation on the door as it was freezing in the corridor.
When we go out for a day (mountains, forest) we make our own sandwiches, coffee or tea, take sweets so we don’t have to buy anything in the local shops or motorway service station where prices are much higher).
We buy quality things that last longer.
My husband can make furniture and do some DIY jobs so we don’t often need to call anybody to repair things.
We try not to buy too much groceries. It,s better to do shopping more often than throwing food away.
 
Hey Anna,
I’m going to be living in the U.K. so I was especially interested in your insights.

For anyone:
Freezer meals are awesome. When I was saving up money for grad school, I would cook and freeze on a Saturday, twice a month. Big casseroles, lasagnas, stews. Freeze them in baggies or tupperware and have those for lunches and dinners. Saved money and cut down on cooking time, too.

Hmm… which reminds me, I think my fiance and I should invest in a deep freezer. I’ve noticed that U.K. fridges and freezers are pretty small. 😛
 
I don’t really fancy English (British) food so making your own meals is not only going to save your money but will taste better. 🙂
Someone mentioned about baking bread. It is a good idea as I cannot eat bread from the supermarket…
 
I agree, U.K. food generally sucks and eating in is usually better. 😃
 
Has anyone had any luck saving money with grocery delivery service? I have a tendency to impulse-buy (though I stick to only the outside aisles now and that helps!) and I’ve heard a lot of people save money buy buying groceries online (Peapod.com). Any thoughts?
 
This idea is probably only good for organized types. I buy my kids’ clothes at the overstock section of landsend, and my own from the outlets at talbots.com or coldwatercreek.com. The prices are ridiculous, less than walmart at times, and they are better quality clothes, so they last through a few of my kids. Buy now at those outlets for next winter, obviously changing sizes accordingly.
If you’re not organized about it, though, you could end up spending more if you can’t find where the heck you stored the clothes between now and then:o
 
If your husband plays golf…sell his clubs and tell him to quit…

What a financial black hole that game is…
 
CHCatholic said:
If your husband plays golf…sell his clubs and tell him to quit…

What a financial black hole that game is…
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:rotfl:

I learned to play golf as a business tool. I hate it. I only like the beverage cart. 😉 My husband learned to play golf because it was his father’s favorite game. Since Dad died over two years ago, I’ve been told it’s OK to sell the clubs.

My uncle is a very frugal man. He also deeply, madly loves golf. This is how he saves money at the golf course:
  • He saves for his membership at the golf club he enjoys and where his “regulars” meet a year in advance. We all give him money for his birthday toward his pass (at least, we try to remember).
  • He plays on local park district courses during the week if he has time, during free (as in no money) periods.
  • He collects other people’s used balls, making sure said balls are indeed unclaimed. He keeps egg cartons in his trunk to secure the balls.
  • He brings his own snacks and beverages with him, even with his regular 4-some.
  • He buys his clubs used when he needs new ones. He starts at estate sales, because usually there’s a widow or adult kids who want the clubs gone and gone quickly.
 
Another tip that really makes the food budget small is, if you learn how to, start canning foods. During spring-fall you can go to farms, join a Farm co-op deal, glean, etc., whatever you feel, and then canning everything from fruits like peaches, strawberries, pears, to beans, tomato sauce, carrots, sauer kraut, etc. It is really not that hard to do. It does take a little effort on your part, but the benefits to health and budget are enormous!

I also do the freezer, buying a half a pig, and 1/4 - 1/2 beef per year. This way I know the meat is fresh, raised in a good environment, and heck, saves on shopping! Everything I could need for a meal is in my pantry!

Good luck, and I hope you try out some of the great ideas people are suggesting!
 
Have been away for a week, so, late in my response.

I love the Taste of Home magazines, cookbooks. I recently bought a Taste of Home Crock Pot special edition at Wal Mart. It is great!

tasteofhome.com/
 
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