Tightening Budgets: Tips

[reeses16 8]

I'm sure we're all experiencing increasing cost for food, fuel, etc. I was wondering if anyone has any new tips or budget tactics they would like to share. Something new, something that may not occur to most people.

[David-and-Mae 15]

We only do major grocery shopping when there's a sale. We also clip coupons. Even shopping for clothes, we look out for end of season clearances because items are way cheaper than its regular price.

[reeses16 8]

Thanks David-Mae. A few months ago we started limiting our grocery shopping to every 2 weeks. It cuts down on impulse buys ($) and we eat more of the food that we buy instead of buying more just because we're in the mood to eat something else.

Food in Seattle is much more expensive than other places I've lived. The same bag of birds eye veggies I bought in LA & TN for only 98 cents cost $2.99 here. We usually shop at Sams...sometimes the quantities are a little too much for 2 people, but the prices are much cheaper.

[Steve'sGirl 0]

It's bit of a headache, but it helps recording all your spendings. This shows you on what you can cut down in the future.

At the same time I making a detailed list every time I go grocery shopping and I stick to it. This helps me avoid spending money on 'unecessary' stuff.

[Jesse and Hema 2]

One word:

ramen.

[reeses16 8]

ramen = hypertension. okay so maybe not. Lets just say freshman year of college has made me adverse to ramen and hot dogs. lol.

[Don_Joy's Prince 0]

The way I keep my budget straight is to make sure I earn more than I spend. Usually by working overtime at work. Try working more!

I love Top Ramen Pork Flavor. I must eat at least once a week.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We plant a garden in the summer and grow our own produce. We actually spent money to buy a freezer, but then we freeze the excess produce, can buy bargains on sale at the grocery store and freeze them. It has paid for itself. Compost food leftovers to become fertilizer for the garden. We take lunches to work. Shop in thrift stores and at garage sales - surprising what bargains you can come up with. Haven't paid full price for clothes in I can't remember how many years and am regularly complemented on what I wear. If we find something we want or are interested in at the store, we research it on line to find the best price - often cheaper ordering it on line - no taxes and usually can get free shipping by shopping around. Have only basic cable for TV - no movie extras and still far more available than we ever get to watch. When I lived in Canada I used to visit estate auctions regularly - haven't had much luck finding any here - but excellent way to furnish a home inexpensively.

Edited March 2, 2008 by Kathryn41

[SnowyTater 0]

I second all of Kathryn41's tips

One thing I don't ever want to sacrifice on when it comes to cutting corners is food. I don't mean having expensive fancy food, but I don't want to kill my health with ramen and cans of chef boyardee or anything. Just catching the sales is great. I WOULD say, kind of creative and out of the way, but well do you look at all like kids? xD If you live near a college campus there's events EVERY day and night with free food...it is a way xD Also if you want to go out for a meal or something, finding out what places have what deals certain nights of the week - buy one get one free plates and half price burgers and stuff.

I suggest trying to cut BIG areas. What are your luxuries like? I personally, for example, wouldn't pay out the caboodle for cable television. I mean how much 'quality' TV do you watch, how many hours are you actually home a day, etc.? Just cut out TV altogether or at least down to basic. Check your library! Depending on where you live, some libraries have really awesome multimedia sections now, rent free movies there. Charleston is like...ridiculous. And I'm an english major so I must say, I'd prefer reading over TV anyday. Your taxes pay for free services like the library and also community events - try to get out and involved in this stuff. It's more constructive and fun and rewarding in the end, anyway.

And on that note, it's getting gorgeous outside now, starting to be spring. Instead of going to a bar and paying cover for a music show, or to the cinema, or buying drink, or whatever else, go hiking. Like Kathryn said, start a garden. Go fishing and catch dinner Discover all the parks where you live and take the doggies. Join a baseball team.

Go donate...what is it, plasma? They pay you like $200 a pop for that or something xD Or just donate blood and get free snacks and a chick fil A coupon

Buy the new new hybrid electric car, think it's a Prius, gets like 100 miles to the gallon and runs electric in city under 35 mph or something...and then buy me one Want.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's bit of a headache, but it helps recording all your spendings. This shows you on what you can cut down in the future.

That's exactly what the authors of Your Money Or Your Life said. Great book for anybody who hasn't read it.

As for gas - we try our best not to just hop into the car for a quick run to the store. Instead, we plan what errands need to be done for that day and try to do them all at once.

We continue to eat ready made food way too often even though we've cut back some lately. I know we'd save a big chunk of change if we'd stick to a tighter budget for eating out. It's always a balance for us - wanting to treat ourselves and trying to save money.

For a short term solution, how about adding extra income from a second job (like waiting tables on the weekend)?

Edited March 2, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I second all of Kathryn41's tips

One thing I don't ever want to sacrifice on when it comes to cutting corners is food. I don't mean having expensive fancy food, but I don't want to kill my health with ramen and cans of chef boyardee or anything.

I'm with you on that.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Dine and dash.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Dine and dash.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Cut the cable, remove the extras on the phone, watch the grocery list, stopped the paper, watch the temperature controls in house, use gas wisely doing more in one trip out,

[reeses16 8]

I thought of switching cell phone providers. In LA and TN there were lots of smaller companies with better offers. I had a friend who paid $35/mo for unlimited text and unlimited anytime minutes with long distance (roaming was extra, but included in some of their other plans). Her plan was with Cricket Wireless. I've been looking since we moved, but haven't found any deals like this here.

Edited March 2, 2008 by reeses16