- We now only go to the grocery store once a week with a list. Ryan has taken charge of this chore, and I am not allowed to go.
- We shop at Sam's Club for things we can use in bulk. The problem we have found is that they only carry name-brands, so we try to only buy things that we would normally buy (if that makes sense)
- Along the same lines, we buy off-brand as much as possible. This has also helped our grocery bill.
- I cut and use coupons
- We have cut back on pricey diapers-sort of. I was IN LOVE with pampers swaddlers (and if you are familiar...you know!) but even though they were heavenly-soft, they cost a pretty penny. I now use Regular Pampers at night and Luv's during the day. (from what I remember Luv's are 10cents ceaper per diaper. wow.)
- I got a programmable thermostat for Christmas. It has 5 different automatic temperature settings for different times of day. It is also more accurate than the old mercury kind we had.
- I have managed with giving myself pedicures (my guiltyindulgance) and haven't gone to a salon in 6 months!
- Again, along the same lines, I have managed to go 3 months instead of 2 in between hair cuts. Of course, my hair isn't looking too great, but it's nothing some hair spray and a ponytail won't fix. I'm a mom, not a movie star.
- We make dinner at home. A lot.
- As I've mentioned before, I make Corinne's food and still nurse her (no formula cost!)
- I have rekindled my relationship with my wardrobe. I have found pieces I haven't worn in years, and have found new ways to update my go-to outfits.
- Although Ryan says it hasn't made much of a difference, I only "turn-on" our fireplace (yes, it's gas) when guests are over. This has been a huge sacrifice because I love being cozy warm. I am impressed with my discipline.
Let me know what you have done to get through these times! I love new ideas!
5 comments:
Hey Jayme! I finally remembered to check in with your blog!
Here are some of my frugal measures (although I do way too much laundry - and we don't even have a kid!):
1. I cut my dryer sheets in half. I have found that I do not have static cling like I thought I would.
2. I also buy off brands and now am not ashamed of it (just don't look at my pantry).
3. Jeff and Ruth (my mother-in-law) are fanatical garage salers. Instead of buying something I need (obviously not food!), I ask them to look out for it. At least 1 piece of furniture in every room of our house is from an auction or garage sale.
4. I shop for Christmas presents year 'round. I give "My Favorite Things" to 10 people every year...I buy one thing each month, so January's bills are much diminished.
I think that's it for now! I'll think of some more later I'm sure!
Love you girl! Thanks for having us over tonight!
Jayme!
Jeff and I do all those things to and have for about a year since our finacial crisis happened when he moved to Georgia! We obviously don't worry with the diapers! By the way, Sams does do off brands - there own is Member's Mark. We buy lots of stuff in this off brand. We also have not bought any new clothes or house stuff since our furniture in September which we saved for. This may not sound like a money saving idea, but we also have started eating less. We cook one normal sized meal and cut it in half. That way I'm not cooking every day, and Jeff has lost a ton of weight working out while eating a lot less. We are also not traveling at all. We were visiting Jeff's parents a couple of times a month, but we haven't seen them since Christmas. We like going down there, but the gas as well as car maintainace was just too much. Great idea for a blog! If I think of anything else I'll add it.
We acutally go to the grocery store every 2 weeks. I found that I really can find things to make dinner even when we're out of our normal (when I say normal I mean frozen pizza, ravioli, etc.) foods. It makes me cook and definitely saves money! I must say that I need to work on not buying so many dang baby toys!
Good tips! I will add the public library, lend and learn toy library, and never cooking special meals for the child. :) Oh, and we spend $30 on veggie seeds every spring for our garden - major dividends.
I should clarify what I meant in the last post so that I don't sound like a witchy mother. Of course, all of the meals I cook are supremely special. I just don't cook *separate* meals for the boy. :)
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