Instead of special trips, I wait until there's a bunch o' errands and do one big loop... Really reduces on the gas.
Check the grocery store flyers and buy the best loss-leaders in bulk (i.e. the stuff they advertise to get you into the store). Coupon, coupon, coupon.
My biggest cost saver has been shopping for produce at Hispanic Markets (and some dairy... it can be less expensive for cheese and cream). I was pleasantly surprised to find the quality of produce -- although not polished and waxed -- to be better than your local supermarket and far fresher because it's not warehoused. And if they have a sales day, the deals are unbelievable. A lot of stuff is 3 lbs or so for $.99 It is not unusual to spend under $20 and come out with 27 lbs. of groceries. We're spending less and eating extremely well.
Gave up all but basic cable... TV is such a time suck. For movies, $1 at RedBox is pretty neat.
Give blood! Besides the fact that only 1% of the community donates to benefit all, United Blood Services gives out some pretty neat perks.... Movie tickets, show tickets, food coupons. It's a cheap way to get a freebie date night AND you get all the juice and cookies you can eat when you donate. (I wish somebody would come up with a mani/pedi perk...they'd have half the population spilling into their doors for that!)
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DH didn't realize how much money was leaking until I had him write down EVERY TIME he opened his wallet what was purchased. Amazing.... He wasn't aware how much income was going out as all his receipts were fairly small, but the multiples of small made for a substantial dent.
- - -
Right off the top before I start writing bills I take 10% out of the net deposit. This amount gets applied to one of the credit card bills (we have a bit o' debt that way) to pay down the balance IN ADDITION to what we'd normally pay. Our pay schedules in weekly and bi-monthly, so it really starts to add up fast to reducing the debt.
Pay cash whenever possible. Evaluate "Do you want it; do you need it; must you have it to survive; can you do it cheaper or another way." If low on cash and it's not vital, do without.
Check the grocery store flyers and buy the best loss-leaders in bulk (i.e. the stuff they advertise to get you into the store). Coupon, coupon, coupon.
My biggest cost saver has been shopping for produce at Hispanic Markets (and some dairy... it can be less expensive for cheese and cream). I was pleasantly surprised to find the quality of produce -- although not polished and waxed -- to be better than your local supermarket and far fresher because it's not warehoused. And if they have a sales day, the deals are unbelievable. A lot of stuff is 3 lbs or so for $.99 It is not unusual to spend under $20 and come out with 27 lbs. of groceries. We're spending less and eating extremely well.
Gave up all but basic cable... TV is such a time suck. For movies, $1 at RedBox is pretty neat.
Give blood! Besides the fact that only 1% of the community donates to benefit all, United Blood Services gives out some pretty neat perks.... Movie tickets, show tickets, food coupons. It's a cheap way to get a freebie date night AND you get all the juice and cookies you can eat when you donate. (I wish somebody would come up with a mani/pedi perk...they'd have half the population spilling into their doors for that!)
- - -
DH didn't realize how much money was leaking until I had him write down EVERY TIME he opened his wallet what was purchased. Amazing.... He wasn't aware how much income was going out as all his receipts were fairly small, but the multiples of small made for a substantial dent.
- - -
Right off the top before I start writing bills I take 10% out of the net deposit. This amount gets applied to one of the credit card bills (we have a bit o' debt that way) to pay down the balance IN ADDITION to what we'd normally pay. Our pay schedules in weekly and bi-monthly, so it really starts to add up fast to reducing the debt.
Pay cash whenever possible. Evaluate "Do you want it; do you need it; must you have it to survive; can you do it cheaper or another way." If low on cash and it's not vital, do without.
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