Seriously, is there ever any way to get ahead?

[sheila3935]

If anyone figures out a way let me know. We have always lived paycheck to paycheck, but it could be worse there could be no paycheck. I have always been cheap and DH can fix anything. Nothing in our house is new. We were reuse recycle before it became popular. I always grow a garden we have chickens that I earn a little extra selling chicks and eggs at least it pays for their feed. But you know what I probably wouldnt know how to live if we had lots of money. It has also made our kids very frugal. I bought my DD a suit jacket for her work at Walmart for her birthday. It only cost 3.00 but she wouldnt buy it for herself. She said she couldnt justify spending 3.00 on the jacket.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Buy generic. Buy ONLY necessities. Buy only sales items and loss leaders. Cook everything from scratch. Grow/raise your own food. Make some of your cleaning supplies. Turn lights off when you leave a room. Lots of ways to stretch a dollar, just not many folks willing to go the extra mile to do it. Use CFL's or LED bulbs. Some savings is easy adjustments, then just put the money you save up for emergencies.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Generic yes, necessities yes, sale items usually, scratch mostly (We both work full time), grow/raise food not so much. Our soil here is hard as concrete, called colicci, we need a jack hammer to make a hole. Make cleaning supplies gotta look into that one. Lights off, as much as possible, but we do have a 3 year old.

I appreciate everyons comments and suggestions.

 

[Scoop]

I just bought a bunch of 15 watt and 40 watt light bulbs to see if that helps lower the darn electric bill. Our rates just went up so I have switched energy companies. Next it will be bye-bye to cable!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I use those CFL bulbs. The ones that cost too much but last 10 years.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
Generic yes, necessities yes, sale items usually, scratch mostly (We both work full time), grow/raise food not so much. Our soil here is hard as concrete, called colicci, we need a jack hammer to make a hole. Make cleaning supplies gotta look into that one. Lights off, as much as possible, but we do have a 3 year old.

I appreciate everyons comments and suggestions.

Deb cleaning supplies are easy peasy sis! And save a TON of money...that junk is overpriced. Example:Store laundry soap $8 gallon versus homemade $2 gallon! That is cutting it back 75% just on laundry soap. Glass cleaner: generic $1 bottle homemade glass cleaner 50 cents a bottle. don't use paper towels for cleaning, use handkerchiefs or old t-shirts or holey socks are still great for dusting. Do you have a clothesline? You might could use it on the weekends if you can't during the workweek. Go to Sufficient Self and check out some of the Roll-Your-Own Homemade Products threads. LOTS of great ideas there!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
I use those CFL bulbs. The ones that cost too much but last 10 years.

I just bought a few LED's to try out...they suck don't waste your money..stick to those CFL's

There see I saved ya some moneys

 

[Tala]

As the song goes, "I'm gettin really good at barely gettin by!" . . . . and it's true.

 

[redhen]

No Deb..i dont think there IS a way to get ahead today... *sigh*

 

[Beekissed]

I think it all depends on what you are willing to live without. Can you live without cell phones, cable or sat TV, cars bought on payments, credit card purchases, too many pets?

Making my own detergents, growing my own foods, limit purchasing of all kinds, doing without, heating with wood, paying cash for cars, staying at home more, eating out less, no cell phones, no cable or sat, recycling old items, repurposing things, dumpster diving for neat things to repurpose or repair and use, not buying processed foods, living where I don't have to pay for water and sewage, living healthier so medical costs stay down, etc.

All these things can make it so one can get by easier, if not actually get ahead. Last but by no means least, I give all my financial problems to God and let Him sort them out for me. Ever since I did that, I no longer have that desparate feeling and I don't struggle to make ends meet. I also started looking for ways to help other people who need money....God loves a cheerful giver and will give it back to you tenfold, shaken down and running over. All one needs if faith!