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SF: What are the main ways you save money?
Trying to think outside of our normal box, incorporate new ways to save/not spend as much each week.
Things we do:
1. meal plan. Every Thursday night I pour through the grocery store ads, develop a meal plan based on what's in the freezer and what's on sale. I go to 2 grocery stores on Friday and that's it. Multiple trips to the store usually = excess spending. I plan, go once a week, and that's it. also keeps us from eating out as much.
2. I coupon. Not crazy, but I do. For the things we buy anyway.
3. Since developing my lactose intolerance, I've gone cold turkey on Starbucks. I make my own chais with almond milk and store bought chai concentrate. Or buy the k-cups since we got a kurig. SBux charges an extra $.60 for soy milk, and I refuse to paylike $5 for a freaking chai when I can get an extire carton of chai concentrate for cheaper than that.
anyone else?
Re: SF: What are the main ways you save money?
I mentioned this in one of MB's SF posts last week but I take a $20 out of my account every Monday morning. It's for coffee on the run or lunch out during the work week, what ever I don't spend of that $20 goes into our change jug (we put all of our spare change and small monetary gifts into it) which we use for spending when we go on trips. I've saved a good chunk of money since starting this in September.
I shop at ALDI and aim to only spend $40/week on groceries; our monthly budget is $200 so whatever is left for the month I use to bulk up on staples, frozen veggies and meat. I make 3 meals/week and try and stick to the serving size so that we have leftovers to eat a couple nights a week. We usually eat out one dinner per week.
I try to have on as few lights as possible which is difficult when you live with a husband who would have every light in the house on if I'd let him. Also, we keep our thermostat set pretty low in the winter and stay warm snuggled up in hoodies and blankets.
We've been showering at the gym which saves on our water bill and the electricity it takes to use the water heater.
I try to take lunch 5 days a week with the occasional lunch out and bring them in a reusable lunch bag, bring utensils from home and put things in tupperware as opposed to plastic baggies.
Eat fewer snacks and drink less soda.
Most of these things are done more in an effort to live a healthier life or to be greener but they end up saving us money to boot.
I think my biggest one is that I try to shop around to get the absolute best deals.
For example - this weekend we bought the Shark Navigator vacuum at Target for $149. The next day, I saw the exact same one at Walmart for $129. I purchased the Walmart one and returned the Target one for a full refund. $20 is $20, my friends.
1) Meal planning/ shopping carefully/ couponing. Like Neuner, we go shopping once a week, 2-5 stores, depending on sales and the like.
2) Eat out once a week for dinner and once a week for lunch- sure, we could cut this out, but it is more reasonable to say, do it once, and that way you're not tempted/ can plan the rest of your week.
3) Set savings goals. I'm much less likely to press the "Buy" button for things when I'm getting close to the line of what I'm supposed to save. I like to have a cushion.
4) Look for deals- but only for things you already use. For example: I rotate my oldest bra out every 6 months (bc mine are so exp I need them to last at least 18 mos- 2yrs). I pay $85-100 for my bras normally. BUT zulily had a sale on them- $18 for a $85 bra? Heck yes. So, I'll stash it for the normal rotation but still saved the cash.
Stand up for something you believe in.
I rarely pay for lunches during the week. Maybe once every 2-3 weeks we'll order in for lunch, but other than that, I bring something from home. Same with coffee (DD or Starbucks)....it is a rare treat, maybe once a month.
$200 of every paycheck goes into a savings account. Yes, sometimes we have to dip into that savings account for something, but we try not to unless really necessary. I can't spend the money if I don't "see" it.
I don't get my nails done, and treat myself to a pedicure about once a year. I don't highlight my hair or get my eyebrows waxed anymore (pluck at home).
1. Coupons! I've become a crazy coupon lady.
2. I rarely pay full price for anything. Food, clothes, you name it.
3. Buy generic for most food items.
I meal plan but I don't shop around. We spend about $80 a week on groceries including stuff for Nate. I make all of his food though.
We each get a couple "extra" checks a year due to months with 5 weeks. I immediately put that entire check(s) into savings and act like we never got it.
We put all tax refunds or bonuses into savings as well and don't touch it.
We don't have credit card debt so we save what we were paying for that bill as well.
We don't eat out much. Kevin comes to where I nanny for lunch everyday. We are fortunate that our gas and phone bill is paid for by Kevin's company. We also are able to eat out occasionally on them.
:Blog:
We budget food and Samma monies in our joint account. This includes food shopping and eating out for us, and any items Sam may need for her.
When we food shop, we only buy what's on sale and/or generic. We also will purchase non-perishables and meats we can freeze at BJs
As I mentioned before, I currently allot $20/paycheck for Starbucks, but I think I'm going to take Vanessa's advice and try to stretch that out to $20/month
When I do buy things for myself, it's usually on sale, off the clearance rack, and/or with a coupon -- I never purchase anything full price.
And as it has already been mentioned, we also put our "extra" paychecks directly into savings, as well as any tax refunds we may receive.
updated 10.03.12