Seriously, is there ever any way to get ahead?

[ChikeeMomma]

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I was thinking about stuff like TP and paper towels, meat, stuff I can freeze. I buy produce a couple times a week so Costco would not be good for that stuff. Costco scares me though. All that STUFF!

I don't have a Costco around here, but I do shop at Sam's Club. I make a list and stick to it. TP, paper towels, tea bags, real vanilla, spices, choc. chips, cocoa, yeast, butter, cottage cheese, frozen veggies, light bulbs, sometimes cheese, and sometimes fresh fruit are all cheaper to buy at Sam's Club than at the grocery store sale prices. That's kinda my motto -- it has to be cheaper to buy than the grocery store sale prices. Sometimes I do find goodies - like a large variety box of Quaker Oats granola bars (48ct) for $1.99 because they were a week out from being out of date. Usually, I make all snacks from scratch, but when you run across a deal like that, it's worth it!

My groceries run about $300.00, including Sam's Club, a month for a family of four.

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

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Same thing happened to us, and we don't have credit so we went to rentacenter. The washer/dryer got was only a couple hundred more in the long run and the number of loads has been cut in half and I use less detergent.

I won't discuss our credit.....

Let's just say it could not be helped.......was totally unexpected & we were young and only married 4 years. We discussed what we would do in future situations. BUT when one of those situation arose sooner -wayyyyyyy sooner- than it should have or than was expected...well, crap happens - we made choices and decisions. Let me just say I would give anything to be in debt up to my butt today if it meant my husband's mother was still alive.

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

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I think you have to be a savvy shopper and watch for the good coupons

BUT

I also find the best coupons are often on the foods that are the worst for you. You can get a lot of the basic foods for a great price, but it does mean cooking for your self and not just heating up something packaged.

I have gotten so slack the past year with this stuff!
So I can have pretty chickens as long as I save money in another area

I used to be able to go into Costco or Sam's Club and tell you if it was a better deal there or at a grocery store. I did shop at one of them....not for much, but weekly or biweekly.

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

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Always got spices there! and Garlic heads!

 

[Dar]

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I think you have to be a savvy shopper and watch for the good coupons

BUT

I also find the best coupons are often on the foods that are the worst for you. You can get a lot of the basic foods for a great price, but it does mean cooking for your self and not just heating up something packaged.

You are SOOO right. The healthy foods cost alot more than the crappy ones. Wouldn't it be great if those $.79 banquet dinners were good for you????

I use the coupons for paper goods like TP and womens products... and canned goods

because of my work i can go to 10 different stores without killing the gas budget.... I have noticed that if I go to the farmers market about an hour before close i will get a LOT of freebies

the instant meals dont come into the house no one likes them...

I am not knocking costso by any means.. BUT you have to know your prices...

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

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Both kids are in school now, so for 2011 we can claim them, but that doesn't help week to week. No grandkids live here, Sara's half brother lives here and yes we can claim him.

Like I said, that doesn't really help week to week. The problem with too many mouths to feed is really the people, but how can a parent throw kids out when they are in school and doing their best to find jobs (in an area where unemployment is 27%).

I hear you on the throwing the kids out... I have three grown kids that keep coming back like bouncing balls. I am ok with feeding and housing them while they look for a job. If my folks didn't do this while I was in college I would have found myself deeper in college debt. So far we have two back out into the world and one that came back again. I fully expect the one that went into the army and doesn't like it to find himself back in our home after (so I think in 4 years)

What are you going to do.

 

[debilorrah]

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Both kids are in school now, so for 2011 we can claim them, but that doesn't help week to week. No grandkids live here, Sara's half brother lives here and yes we can claim him.

Like I said, that doesn't really help week to week. The problem with too many mouths to feed is really the people, but how can a parent throw kids out when they are in school and doing their best to find jobs (in an area where unemployment is 27%).

I hear you on the throwing the kids out... I have three grown kids that keep coming back like bouncing balls. I am ok with feeding and housing them while they look for a job. If my folks didn't do this while I was in college I would have found myself deeper in college debt. So far we have two back out into the world and one that came back again. I fully expect the one that went into the army and doesn't like it to find himself back in our home after (so I think in 4 years)

What are you going to do.

What are we gonna do? Realize this is completely different world now than it was 30 years ago.

 

[3goodeggs]

well, I am kind of hoping mine sticks around. We were rather old to start with. It's nice to have a strong helpful back around. He is a nice human. If I had to share my house to split expenses, not having to hire help when we are feeble,then he's the person I would want to share it with. I see nothing wrong with mutualism.

 

[annaraven]

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Actually, I lived for several months with two babies and no fridge, no washerdryer, and no stove. We had a microwave and an electric wok and a toaster oven. The fridge was the first thing we bought when we had the money. Used, it was $100. Craigslist commonly has fridges for $100. If you gave up on the other rental stuff, I bet you could afford a real fridge and then you could save up for a washer and dryer. We lugged stuff to the laundromat until we could afford to buy a washer and dryer. Bet you could do that too. You even have a car to lug it in. We lugged it 6 blocks there and back again with no car.

There are options. Whether you take them is your choice, but they are options.

Dump the car payments and get a used car. Dump the rental crap and buy a used fridge and washer/dryer.

ETA: Don't buy a costco membership if you know someone who has one. Offer to drive and go shop with them, and use their membership for a couple months. It's cheaper.

 

[debilorrah]

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Actually, I lived for several months with two babies and no fridge, no washerdryer, and no stove. We had a microwave and an electric wok and a toaster oven. The fridge was the first thing we bought when we had the money. Used, it was $100. Craigslist commonly has fridges for $100. If you gave up on the other rental stuff, I bet you could afford a real fridge and then you could save up for a washer and dryer. We lugged stuff to the laundromat until we could afford to buy a washer and dryer. Bet you could do that too. You even have a car to lug it in. We lugged it 6 blocks there and back again with no car.

There are options. Whether you take them is your choice, but they are options.

Dump the car payments and get a used car. Dump the rental crap and buy a used fridge and washer/dryer.

With $49.11 in the checking account how does one go BUY something? We do not have car payments. My original post says it all - CASH ONLY except for the rent to own stuff. And the rental stuff is not crap, almost paid for too.