How do you save money in your household? I bring my lunch to work, any other suggestions?

Answer 1

well in my area we are waiting to see if Entergy Texas will get approval for another price hike...they say it will go up $4 a month for 15 years...so I went to dillards and got drapes for all the windows.(sucks, I had really pretty sheers draped, but not efficient) my electric bill was $304 last month(last year it was $180), curious to see if this made a difference. I too bring my lunch, my hubby does everyday but friday.

Answer 2

Turn the air conditioner to a higher temperature during the day so it won't run with no one home. Turn off lights in every room except for the one you're in. Don't stand in front of the frig wondering what to eat. It will make it run and use a lot more electricity. Instead of buying drinks at a service station buy a case of drinks on sale and you;ll save lots that way.

Answer 3

I make weekly menus. Every Monday it is the same Every Tues. etc. with 6 people in the family I manage to only spend about 80$ a week. don't buy name Brands. Sometimes the off brand is just as good or better. If you have tried the off brand and did not like it then you buy the name brand.

Answer 4

we only eat out once a week and we do things like hiking and swimming for and going to the drivein cuzz it is free for kids and we have 7 .. so far it has helped us alot our finances were a mess also we lock our bank cards in the safe so we don't use them except sunday when we fill up for gas and take a 20 for the week ... good luck it's so easy to spend what we don't have

Answer 5

Well my kids love chocolate milk its 3 dollas a gallon!!! So i use powdered milk 150 a bag for 5 gallons of milk and make there milk they dont even know the difference

Answer 6

if your fixed costs can't be lowered(rent/car payment/pwer/phone)
the only other way to reduce costs and save money besides getting a better paid job is to stop treating yourself to things you take for granted-like--takeaway food- alcohol-cigarettes-that new dress/shoes
drink water -eat more fruit & veg-go for a walk
allbetter for you and cheap or free-good luck

Answer 7

Live like the Amish - cut back on wasteful items, use candlelight, drive fuel efficient cars sparingly, walk, etc.

Answer 8

I get along with basic cable - just the networks and a few other stations. I don't need HBO, Discovery, History, etc. etc.

Answer 9

I pay us before paying anything. If I can't quite make 10%, I try and pay something to our savings.

Answer 10

I shop at Aldi and Costco for one. Both were quick picks in the latest Consumer Reports by the way.

I cook from scratch most of the time. Prepared foods are typically more expensive by weight and not as good for you.

Mow your own grass,
do your own nails,
find a place like Hair Cuttery to get your hair done (good but not too expensive).
Drink juices, water, and drinks you can buy in large quantities. Sodas and bottled beverages are way over priced.
Shop Wal-mart for toiletries and kids clothes. Target is a good place for kids clothes too (they typically have kids clothes on clearance that are really cute).
Buy diapers in big quantities. I find Huggies to be cheaper but yet still good for keeping all the messy stuff contained.
Nurse instead of bottle feeding. Formula is out of this world
Spend money on a good foundation (I like Wet/Dry Foundation by Beauticontrol because it works well for my combination skin and looks natural)...but go for the inexpensive shadows, lipsticks, blush, eye liners, and mascara like Covergirl (LashExact for mascara is great), Rimmel (has great shadows), Wet-n-Wild (the lipstick lasts a long time and it's cheap)...All can be found at Walmart.
Don't buy expensive cleaners for your stove...just mix a few drops of grease cutting dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle with water..it cuts grease and brings up a nice shine on your stove and counters. Use cheap shampoo for your shower and just a little bleach and water in a spray bottle for the mold in the shower and toilet. A few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of water mops floors well including wood floors. Just a few drops in a whole bucket of warm water though. Wring out the mop real good if doing wood floors.
Only use your lights when you need them.
Keep air at about 75 and heat at about 68 or 69 is you can stand it. (I get cold so easily so I have to keep the furnace at 72)
Keep an eye on sales ads and stock up on meats when you see them on sale.
Shop Payless, Wal-mart, and Target for your shoes. You will find that they last about as long as you want to wear the same shoes. You will be tired of them before they wear out. And you can buy three pair of shoes from those stores (or more) than what you would spend in the mall.
Hunt clearance racks first. Look for items that look like they may fit but have the wrong size. I find lots of clothes that will have a ridiculous size on them, but when I hold them up, I can see that they would fit. Try them on, it pays.
Use Suave products for your hair. I love the knock-off versions of their shampoo and the Professional hairspray and mousse are great. I have fine, thin, flat hair and they work well for me.
Walk to stores, the library, or other frequently visited places if that is possible.

Always set aside a certain amount of money each time you get paid for bills that aren't monthly like property taxes, insurance, car tags, association fees, car maintenance, medical expenses.

Another good thing is to set aside a certain amount of money from your check for Christmas, birthdays, vacations...I set aside a pre-determined amount each paycheck. When it comes time to buy Christmas I never spend more than I've saved.

Never carry a balance on your credit cards. The interest rate on those is out-of-this-world. You are giving money away when you carry a balance. You are paying someone to loan you money for things you need to wait on. Always pay off your balances every month and NEVER put more on your card than you can pay each month.

Always pay your tithes if you go to church. It is a blessing.

Hope those help.