Seems we’re ALL dealing with the economic crisis together.
So many of my friends have found ways to save money. Clipping coupons, downsizing, box color instead of salon love, cutting out Starbucks…
For those who don’t know, I actually consider it my JOB as the CEO of my household to help every dollar my sweet husband & I bring in stretch to it’s fullest potential. We’ve had a bit of an adventure this past month shaving more wasteful dollars off the frivolous list and getting them into savings.
I figured this would be a GREAT time to share what we all do to save money. Many of you are WAY more brilliant than me so I would love to glean new ideas off of you. First, let me share what the Clayville’s have done:
10 AVENUES OF “SHAVING”:
- Envelope System. We basically only take out cash for our weekly/monthly budget and steer clear from using debit cards (we got rid of credit cards a LONG time ago).
- Unbundled our home internet/cable/phone. We now only have internet and a cheap homeline ($9.95 per month). We got rid of cable. No TV at all.
- Cut out our daily coffee runs. But let’s be serious… we still grab a drink maybe a couple of times a week.
- Buy store brand. We still shop at New Seasons & Whole Foods because we are committed to eating mostly organic (we, as a family, have decided we will cut other things before this), but sticking to store brands brings the cost WAY down while still getting great quality, which leads me to…
- Eat at home 95% of the time. Again, if you know me, you know I LOVE to eat. I really appreciate different tastes. We used to eat out maybe 75% of the time. It’s has definitely scaled back to 5% now though. That has now manifested itself into my kitchen skills. Hubs says he likes my cooking better anyway
- Box Color is my friend. No more salon visits every 3-4 months.
- Craigslist. We’re selling EVERYTHING we don’t use. Makes room in my garage too. This is probably easier for me to do since I’m an organizational nazi who is DEFINITELY NOT a hoarder.
- Walking. The weather has been a lot nicer, so we walk with the kids a lot more. Saves a lot of gas money driving to…
- The Library. We get almost all our DVD movies from there right now. We actually don’t borrow books because we LOVE books and mark and write all over them. Pretty sure the library wouldn’t be so happy about that.
- No mani/pedi’s. No spa treatments at all. This is awfully painful for me. I keep my nails and toes clean and polished myself.
So… I wanna know…
Good for you, Jenni!! It IS hard to give up things you are accustomed to! We have been on the “Dave Ramsey” plan for a while. We don’t have any credit card debt, but it sure has helped us see how much we spend on stuff we really don’t need. I think a lot of it is about becoming more “eternally” focused and understanding the difference between “want” and “need”. Keep it up..
We need to shave more, and we’re looking at how to do this.
Nuff to say that this is some of what we posted on the LifeGroup FaceBook page…some big decisions to make
We’re definitely cutting out eating at restaurants… mostly we do that because I get lazy and don’t feel like cooking, anyway. Also I’m packing lunches for Bryce and I. I can’t believe how much money we were spending on food. Crazy.
We’re doing all the same things. Additional things we’ve done is turned down our heat a few degrees. Turn off lights. Use our leftovers & repurpose them into new meals.
A big saver was changing our insurance deductibles. We have a larger emergency fund so we could afford to pay 1k instead of $500 if something happened to our car.
I’ve also started adding cool, patterned patches to my daughters’ pants instead of throwing them away when they get holes. They think it’s cool & they are one of a kind. I’m spending $1 on a patch instead of $15 a new pair of jeans. I can also add ruffles to the bottom when the waist still fits, but the length doesn’t. Helps stretch them a few more months.
We just paid of the credit cards after 2 years of work.
It took cutting back on a lot, Eating out was the biggest. Then only buying for needs not wants. I haven’t bought a new pair of Jeans in 3 years (I Have lost 40 pounds in those 3 years, 20 in the past 6 months. Yes they look baggie but I don’t care…)
Making the commitment to pay cash for everything.
We shop when we have % off savings and comb the clearance racks at the end of seasons for large sizes the kids can wear next year. Sweaters and sweat shirts, and PJ’s mostly. Kohl’s, Target, Wal Mart and Kroger are the only stores we goto regularly.
The one thing that is weird. It is cheaper to buy school lunch than pack a lunch. Go Figure….
Can I tell you that I was horrified when I read the title? I couldn’t think of what you meant other than shaving with a razor!
Eating out is definitely on my list. It’s included being smarter about my grocery list and cooking, which has been fun and annoying all at the same time.
We haven’t had any credit card debt for several years now and pay cash for everything which really helps track your spending. Debit cards are dangerous too, because you don’t physically SEE what you’re handing over (cash-wise).
We have really cut back on eating out. We go out once a week for a nice dinner and that’s it – which is waaaay less than we used to.
Our cost of living here (Hood River) is so much less, simply because there’s no where for me to shop (Target, Costco, mall) so I have to make a planned trip into Portland, and usually sheer laziness is enough to prevent me from doing that on any regular basis.
For clothes, again, due to laziness, I have been going to the Gap and Eddie Bauer outlet stores in Troutdale and won’t buy anything online unless it’s on sale and/or comes with free shipping (I love Amazon Prime).
For meals at home I’ve been trying to make things that allow for leftovers that I can have for lunch or the kids can have as an after-school snack.
It’s funny how once you really start focusing on saving money, how much you’re willing to do without… kinda turns into a game to see how frugal you can be
Steph – absolutely!!!
David – so what are you going to shave off???
Janaki – I wish I could just pack Brian a lunch. He has lunch with clients so that would be awkward. That would save a bunch of money though
Mandy… great tips. I will DEFINITELY use most of those. We actually are changing up our insurance plan as well. Should save us a bundle there too. However, not so sure the lace on the bottom of the jeans is going to work with my boys. Patches though, sound FANTASTIC!!!
ckroboth – congrats on losing the weight. I DO think you should reward yourself with some new pants
bethany – if THAT horrified you, stick around. I say a lot crazy things !!!
Jocelyn – TOTALLY. I think we decided to go on this money saving kick at the same time. We both sold our houses and decided to rent… except you’re out in the middle of nowhere and i miss you!
NO SELLING THE OLYMPIC MASCOTS!! Give them back to me. And you give GREAT manis and pedis.. people should pay you! You like crittal gyell?
Living at home and riding MAX to work. Carpooling when doing group activities and bringing my lunch to work with me.
i prefer waxing.
I want to say “not my legs”…which is true, and parumtish-worthy
The real bits of shaving Diane & I need to sort out more before making it any more public than I did before …
its funny because even though the economy is terrible, i work as a lifeguard/swim instructor, i live at home, i ride a bike instead of drive or riding the bus, all these things seem like luxuries instead of ways to save money for the months i’ve been home. because when i was in boston, i had none of those things and i was on food stamps. after americorps, anything over 170/week is a luxury. but then again, i do live at home and my primary responsibility is to pay my loans. the thing i haven’t given into again is buying books. that is like going off the deep end for me. i can live without eating out, going out with friends, etc.