can you help?puleez?

Question

Okay. My last day at my job is this Thursday, and soon I will be a stay at home mom (in a couple of months). We're also moving this weekend for my husband's job. We're in the process of selling our house. Once we do, we'll have a lot more money each month to put into savings.

In any case, I'm trying to think of ways we can think frugally and spend as little as possible. Granted, I should have been doing this all along. We did put most of my money into savings or onto debt, but we could have been a little more aggressive. Anyway here we are - can you guys think of any ways to cut back?

So far I've:
1) Contacted the insurance co. about raising our deductible to $1000, and let them know we're moving (this will hopefully bring our cost down, since it brought it up when we moved here) and that I'll be at home.
2)We've cut our cell phone - only landline.
3)no cable (we never had this).
4) Moved our grocery bill to $200 - too high? Reasonable?
What are some other ways you stay at home moms cut back?

Answer 1

The money from your house is going to be used to purchase a new house, no? Renting is fine, but it's going to cost more in the long run.

Read Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover"--it's a great way to get on the right path for everything from debts to retirement. Seriously with the $13 investment.

What cars do you have? Try trading in your nicer cars for clunkers, for now. A car only needs to be dependable to function, not newest or attractive.

Leave aside some money for a splurge night--either a date night or a night alone. You're going to splurge regardless of how tight you keep the budget, so budget in for it.

Speaking of budget, do you have one? Don't let your money tell you where to go, YOU tell your money where to go!

Answer 2

Never mind the money, think about costs. If you cut them your money will go further. There are thousands of things you can do. Here are a few practical ones and once you get into the swing of it you'll think of many of your own.

Unplug electrical equipment not being used. Things like TV's and video recorders use power just to light up the 'standby lights'. Each appliance can cost $10 a year extra.

Do not leave phone chargers plugged in unless charging.

Re-use anything you can such as paper bags rather than pay for new ones.

When making tea with a tea bag use a teapot rather than one bag per cup. One bag will make two cups and cut your tea cost in half.

Grow your own vegetables. Make your own compost by making a compost heap for all vegetation, discarded bits of vegetables such as potato peelings. Keep a water barrel to water the plants when dry as rain is free and tapwater isn't.

Peel your vegetables with one of those shaver gadgets instead of using a knife. Most of the vitamins are just under the skin and the peelings are thinner so less waste.

Cook meals such as casseroles with cheaper cuts of meat. Make too much so that you can freeze some and eat it during the week.

Eat bread with your meals. It's cheap and filling and you'll eat less expensive meat with your meal.

Use low energy light bulbs.

Turn off lights when you leave the room. There's no point in spending money on electricity to light empty rooms. Turn your central heating down to 20deg C. You'll save a fortune.

Turn off gas fires when you leave the house. They cost a lot to keep the house warm when thee's nobody in. Turn them back on when you return. Don't sit close to the fire to get warm. Otherwise you feel cold when you move away and are tempted to turn the heating up.

Use the toilet when you are out such as in the store. Use their toilet paper rather than yours.

If you can walk instead of using the car or cycle, do so. It's healthier, greener and free.

If you fancy going out for a drink with friends consider staying in. A couple of bottles of wine at home is cheaper than a night out. Also consider making your own wine and beer.

Get into the habit of reading instead of watching daytime TV. It's cheaper , more informative and you won't get hooked on trashy daytime TV.

If your other half doesn't object when he leaves for work stay in bed for a couple of hours on cold days so you keep warm there instead of paying for two hours heating. Pay him back by having his meal ready for him when he gets home.

When making a hot drink pour water from each cup into the kettle and just boil that. No point paying to boil water that you're going to allow to go cold again.

Take a bath or shower together. It's cheaper and more fun. If taking a bath use only 4 inches of water. It really is plenty.

Anyway, there's a few. I'm sure you'll think of plenty more. Good luck.

Answer 3

If you would like to make some money at home sign up for a network marketing business like www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/tiffanylappo. It costs a little initially but you can get some extra income in your spare time. Not to mention you reap the benefits of being a member of the company

Answer 4

Hi there,
As a disabled person who used to be self employed, I can tell you that, as inflated expenditures increase....
It is very difficult to make financial ends meet.

It seems that every-one has his hand out to stick it in your pocket every month and have no reservations in issuing draconian threats to collect a debt.

I have recently been blessed with subsidized housing which, is a God-send.
I learned to shop in bulk and find that packaging myself saves tremendously....
I also have learned to acquire at home entertainment, I love to pop corn and watch a movie or do just what I am right this very minute....
I live alone yet, I am not bored nor extremely lonely.....

Answer 5

It's a good thing to save and think of the future, but just remember the old saying: you can't take it with you. What good is saving and saving if a person can't even enjoy spending once in a while? Sounds like you got a good start for your future though.