Your way of cutting back spending

[Kate]

What ways do you have of cutting back your spending or spending less on stuff? I try to buy generic named products at the grocery store, especially if I don't have a particular brand that I buy. Certain things I like to buy certain brands. Since I try to eat at home and cook more than enough for one person, I take the leftovers with me to work. Even though lunch at my work is really inexpensive, it's not the kind of food I really like to eat, it's not all that healthy and it could save me $3/day. It adds up!

What is your secret to reducing your expenses?

[Ms Big Butt]

Kate, did you know that the store brands are almost always made by a national brand? For instance: the store brand paper towels may actually be made by the Bounty manufacturer! You can get the same quality with a less-fancy label, at a lower cost to you!

Be sure to try out the store brands to see if it fits into your standards. You may be surprised :bliss:

[Luvmabug]

I like to shop at a warehouse type store. The food is fresh and they have a great selection. We have shopped there for years. You have to bag your own groceries, so while I'm unloading the basket and paying, hubby is bagging. We really do save a lot of money. When I run into a regular grocery store to pick up a couple of things, I'm so shocked at the prices!
For clothes, we buy at our favorite dept store. There is a great clearance sale a couple times a year, that we watch for. We purchase name brands like Dockers, Chaps, and Lee. We will spend about $150 to $200, and end up with about $800 to $1000 worth of quality merchandise.
I love to bargain shop! :thumbsup:

[YellowRoseTex]

I buy store brands when it is cheaper than the regular brands. I also clip coupons and check prices and sales when I am grocery shopping. I really need to get back to making a list before going to the grocery store. Having a list and sticking to it really does save money. At least for me it does. When I don't have a list I end up buying stuff that I already have.

I rarely go out to lunch, I always pack a lunch for work. We have also started to limit our going out to dinner and I try to find coupons when we do. I use to insist on going out every Friday, but realized that the bucks spent really add up. We do splurge every few months and treat ourselves to something really nice. My husband says I deserve it. :D

[blondgrl]

I try to stick with a list when I go grocery shopping. I seem to spend quite a bit more when I have no list in my hand. I also clip coupons and purchase the store brands when I can. I've also noticed that prices can really vary when you are shopping for groceries. Taking the time to look at the prices & finding the best bargains all help as at times the same item in two brands may be significantly cheaper in one brand.

I also love to find bargains on clothing. I would rather purchase my clothing and my DH's clothing at the brand name outlets as you can get such prices on the same clothing there without sacrificing quality. I also never purchase items b/c they are a great price if I don't have anything that I can wear with them. Even though I might find a great shirt that's a unique color with a very good price, if I don't have anything that would match with it, I just don't get it so it does not end up sitting in my closet.

[Ginger Coots]

Great idea's. We do similar with taking a list, shopping bulk during sales, using coupons were possible. We try to buy clothes during the "off season" (like winter parka's in the spring when they are as much as 75% off). we also try to grow as much of our own produce as possible, pick wild berries in the summer and freeze them, make our own jam/jelly. We heat our home with an outdoor wood boiler system (costs next to nothing to use) which also heats our hot water in the winter (no cost). We hunt and fish for meat so we have little to no meat in our shopping cart each month. I think in someways being so far in the north and in such a small town we dont have the opportunity to spend money like you may be tempted to in the city?

[Kate]

Y'all have given such great ideas! I will have to try more 'off' brand products. :D

[Naturehike]

I bundle services...internet/phone, I do basic on my satelite dish, and am shopping at a discount store in my area for groceries. They don't carry all the same things every trip which can be irritating, but I've cut about $40 of my bi-weekly grocery bill.

The other thing I've had to do is just stay out of the store, I can't be tempted to buy a bargain if I never saw it...sounds something like a tree in the forest.

[jcme]

I buy at Costco for the things I use a lot of, otherwise it is too wasteful. Trader Joe's is another favorite, I just wish it was closer. For department and discount stores I watch for sales. I also shop at closeout places. :shop:

As for groceries, I am spending more now because I am trying to eat healthier. For me, that means cooking more rather than dining out. Because I am cooking more I am also buying better quality ingredients instead of the quick to fix box or frozen stuff. However if I compare my grocery spending to what I used to pay to eat out, it is so much cheaper.
:woohoo:

[sagespot]

Similar to Naturehike, I also bundle my phone, cable, and internet to save money each month.

Sage

[mezzo soprano]

Let's see.....

I shop less often. (Sounds silly, doesn't it? Well, I always feel "compelled to spend" when I shop.)

I have started making some gifts. I'm a knitter and this last Christmas, I gave several scarves away. The yarn usually costs between $5 and $20 per scarf, and you can't really get a "good gift" for $20 anymore... so it's just my time as the real commitment. And you end up with stuff that's much prettier than what you can buy in the stores!

I try to buy fewer convenience foods -- heads of lettuce, not bags of lettuce already torn up, for instance. I make pudding rather than buying the pudding cups. Ditto with Jell-O.

(I wish I could get my DH to realize that off-brands are acceptable. If I ever tried to substitute off-brands for his precious Kellog's cereal or Prego spaghetti sauce, WATCH OUT!! :lol: )

[My3girls]

I do a lot of the things posted. I really try to limit my trips to the store. I try to buy groceriers twice a month. The more often I go, the more likely I'll pick up impulse items or see things that I CAN live without but might think I can't. :) I try not to go the the mall, just to "look around" or kill time. Like someone else posted, if I don't see it, I don't know I'm missing it. Because once I go, I see all kinds of cute things that I want.

The biggest thing lately that has really helped with limiting our spending has been creating a spending plan aka budget. We came up with averages for each category of items that we spend money on throughout the year. Once I've spent the amount we've listed on clothes for the month, then I'm done. It's not like we can't have it, but we need to wait until the next month. I find that I watch my driving more so that I always fall into the amount we have listed for gas. I don't make as many fast food stops with the kids because I'm paying attention to the amount we've listed on our spending plan. It really adds up and we've been able to save so much more money for things we really need/want.

Another huge help has been internet banking and online bill paying services. It's so easy, it saves my time and money on gas and stamps and it ensures that the bills are paid on time and no late charges.

I also shop online and watch "bargain" forums for deals. It helps tremendously around Christmas and birthdays. I usually have a few things put back in my gift closet for those birthday parties that always pop up when you least expect it.

[NeNe]

I do alot of things already posted. I try to cook regularly too since eating out costs bunches sometimes. It's cheaper to cook.

[YellowRoseTex]

I resisted the urge to go to Wal Mart today. That saved me at least $50 ;)

[Kathy]

LOL, I resisted going to Target today. That saved me a bunch of money.

[Poochie]

Ms Big Butt---I am new to this website...thanks for the laugh
at your picture and info...it appears you have a wonderful
sense of humor...something essential in life, I say!!!

Poochie

[palmasy2002]

I buy off-brand for most products, unless the brand costs less (sometimes with double coupons and a sale, you can get products for almost free!)...The majority of my family's clothing is bought secondhand or on clearance, the exception being shoes. I used to buy movies and books for Bobby all the time, but now we take them out of our local library instead. I save on gas by heading out and running all of my errands as efficiently as possible. I also try to brownbag as much as I can. :)

[wingriderprincess]

I leave my dear husband at home! He is a born shopper. Worse then any woman on this planet. Fun, but expensive! :)
I love thrift stores, antique malls, ALDI's for groceries and garage sale season is just around the corner :bliss:

[Luvnfun]

When I see a sale on products that I use that are non-perishable, I stock up. My brand of coffee was changing their packaging (and pricing I might add) so my local store put their existing stock on sale for $1 each. I bought more than 50 of them and put them in my cold room. They are vacuum sealed so will last for a year at least. I haven't bought coffee since last summer. Other dry goods that I buy in bulk when on sale I put in my coolers to make sure that they don't get "buggy".

I have also found some great deals on ebay. I tend to look there first before heading to the stores (depending on the item of course).

Luvnfun

[Autumn Moon]

I always cook too much for dinner so that I have lunches. I splurged and bought sectioned reheatables from T-ware. When we are finished with dinner, I put away the leftovers and throw them into the freezer. In the morning, I just grab one (don't usually know what's in it) and go. It's thawed by lunch and it's a balanced meal with no fuss.
I am planning my meals more so there is less wastage of things spoiling in the fridge.
Internet/cell/cable are all bundled and I have a $20 long distance plan on my land line.
I take the bus to work to save on gas and insurance.
To save on my electricity bill, I also hang as much of my clothing as possible to dry (saves on running the dryer) and only put the washer and dishwasher on when it's full. I also don't own a microwave at home. I turn off the computer when I am finished with it, instead of leaving it running all the time.
When grocery shopping, I not only compare the cost of an item but the contents of the item. Sometimes, the store brand has a little more in the container than the name brand (I noticed that pasta was sold in a 1 KG package of the store brand but the "namebrand" was only 900 grams.
One conversation that we had a work a while back was regarding dog food. Someone asked me what brand I fed my dog and I told them. Another person said "well, it must be nice to be able to afford such expensive food for your dog". It costs me $70 for a 30 pound bag which will last me 5 weeks. I feed my 110 pound dog 4 1/2 cups a day. There is no 'filler' in it. My co-worker spends $15 for a 5 pound bag each week and feeds her 10 pound dog 1 1/2 cups per day.
First - (I think she overfeeds her dog but that's a whole other issue.) She spends more than I do in a 5 week period.
Second - as there is no filler in the food and my dog digests the bulk of it, there is VERY LITTLE to clean up after her in the yard. (her dog eliminates as much as my dog does!)
Bottom line on that is compare the quality of what you are buying too.

Autumn

[madbo]

A good friend of mine (whom I haven't convinced to joing GGG yet) has an interesting method of budgetting.

She sat down with her Hubby and made a budget for everything from groceries to gas to money to pocket money for each of them.

They've broken it down to fit in with their paydays every two weeks. So she takes out X dollars in cash every payday and puts them in envelopes: "gas money - him", "gas money - her", "groceries", "pocket money - him", "pocket money - her", etc.

They do not use their ATM debit cards or credit cards for any purchases that they haven't both agreed upon. All utility, car payment, mortgage, insurance type payments are automatic withdrawal so no late fees.

They each have their envelopes and when the money is gone that's it until the next payday's allowance. It's help both of them cut back on those trips to Starbucks and other small spending amounts that you don't really think of.

They've been doing this for a year now and they managed to save enough to take a cruise with their kids for 10 days (which they are currently enjoy as I type this.)

[Emmy64]

I've been doing The Grocery Game which I found on the 'net. I date and keep the coupon inserts from the Sunday paper. I get a list each week showing what my store has on special. The list tells me when it's the right time to buy. The list also tells me where I can find the coupon. The main point is to buy when the item is at the best price and with a coupon. My store doubles and accepts internet coupons, so I have been able to get some real good deals.

I'm in my 20th week and am showing a 41% savings over what I spend for groceries compared to what I spent during the same period last year. My pantry and my freezer is full.

[Rubi]

Do you have a hobby? I'm a fanatical scrapbooker, and that can get expensive. I've made a new rule for myself, though. I don't buy anything for my hobby at full price. With all of the major craft chains churning out coupons, that helps a lot. If I don't have a coupon, I have to wait to buy it.

[hjhope]

Living in the UK, the costs of living are very different, so it is hard to compare. I think it is fair to say that everything here is much more expensive.

This winter (and we only have temps down to minus 5 at the worst) we are living with no heating except one portable calor/natural gas heater; we survive. Tho it is pretty cold at times.

I realise in the US, you go from being almost part of the arctic circle, to having very mild weather. So I am not complaining. But this year dh and I took the decision to keep our heating off all winter cos last yr it cost far too much, we can't afford it.

In the UK, home energy (electric and gas - I don't mean petrol) prices have gone up 85 per cent in the last yr. Wahhhhhhhh. Guess we're gonna be cold for a while.

Love
H

[Jojo]

I resisted the urge to go to Wal Mart today. That saved me at least $50 ;)

That is so true. To get from my house to any other part of town, I go past Walmart and Target and its a rare day I don't have to run in. Thats when I save big!

I just reconciled the checkbook last night and told dh he gets to have the checkbook and debit card. I just seem to be spending more lately! ARGH

jojo

[Jojo]

Oh, I just thought of a big area we save - our heat. This fall we installed a St. Croix Corn Stove in living room. It heats the whole house (except the basement), we have an upstairs and downstairs. So far we have been 100.00 under budget on our heating bill and will actually get a refund this spring! The stove will have paid for itself in 2 years. The corn cost for a winter here is about 600.00. So that would be our annual cost to heat. Not bad for up here in WI!!

[donna6171]

I shop at Sams a lot. I also bundle the cable, phone, and internet. Also, since I'm a paramedic and in the fire department, I always ask stores, hotels, etc. for any type of EMS/Fire Dept discount. I now save 21% on my cell phone bill because of a fire dept discount I just found out about. Also, when I travel for more than 5 days, I always ask if the hotel has a weekly rate. For instance, I spent $232 on a week at a La
Quinta in Tampa which had free breakfast. The regular rate per night was $79 before taxes. I also try to limit my trips in the car or plan my errands so I don't criss-cross town. Hope these ideas help.

[joyinaz]

We have a budget every two weeks of what we will spend. We make sure we put money into our savings first after the bills are paid and groceries are bought. Then we know we have something to fall back on. But really the budget works great. It allows for everything even misc things and spending money. So you don't feel deprived. I also look for the cheapest places to buy from. I avoid the malls. I am just not going to pay those prices. And I always go to the clearance racks for everything first.

[charliemae]

I clip coupons, and sometimes the item I want is already on sale, plus my double coupon really lowers the cost to almost nothing. I hit sales racks first in department stores. I rarely buy precooked meals, although I will by Stouffer's lasagna for those nights when I'm too tired to cook after a hard day at work. I make my meatballs and sauce in large batches so that I can freeze some for future meals. The ones I freeze taste so much better than when I first made the batch. I get some items in bulk at warehouse stores, but I have to be very careful, because some things aren't a bargain at all. I also hit the Sunbeam bread thrift stores if I'm in that area of town. The items are not yet out of date and I can save 50%, if not more. I will bake rather than go to the bakery, unless a holiday comes and I didn't have time to bake, although I like the taste of home baked much better. Also, I won't make a fresh meal until we finish the leftovers. Otherwise, they get pushed to the back of the fridge.

[Kate]

I've been doing The Grocery Game which I found on the 'net. I date and keep the coupon inserts from the Sunday paper. I get a list each week showing what my store has on special. The list tells me when it's the right time to buy. The list also tells me where I can find the coupon. The main point is to buy when the item is at the best price and with a coupon. My store doubles and accepts internet coupons, so I have been able to get some real good deals.

I'm in my 20th week and am showing a 41% savings over what I spend for groceries compared to what I spent during the same period last year. My pantry and my freezer is full.

What a great idea! I will need to check out this site. :D

[Luvnfun]

Wish they had something like that in Canada. We do have the flyermall.com which lists all the flyers for stores in one area. It is updated weekly so I have been able to find some good deals.

[Carmen]

I live in a climate where one can spend a lot on attire, because we need to buy such a wide range of clothes - to keep us comfortable in temperatures ranging from the 90's in the summer to below zero in the winter. We need heavy coats and light jackets; warm sweaters and lightweight sleeveless tops; lined courderoy pants and flimsy silk shorts.

I try to buy nice-quality, classic-styled clothes in black, taupe, and cream. I never buy "dry clean only" unless it's black or navy. So that people don't notice I have worn the same black pants or skirt for over a decade, I pair them with a variety of cheaper, colorful tops...in white, or a jewel tone, for example.

Same goes with shoes. Although I'm as tempted as anyone to get the cute fuschia pair, I stick with the neutrals. I'm not perfect - I do have a pair of leopard-print Oleg Cassini's that I bought fiteen years ago...waaaaay on sale. :o

[JoRaeMi]

Wow - this is such a great thread!

I love hearing everyone's ideas.
OUr most recent thing has been cutting down on meals out - we were spending WAY too much money there. I'm going to try some off brands too - I've always been reluctant before. The most recent one I have tried is Target's sandwich and snack bags - I actually like them better than the glad variety!
I'm going to look into the Grocery game too - sounds neat!

I also am going to try some of the suggestions the sisters have made regarding setting a budget. It would be interesting to see if I Could do it after not doing it all these years!

Take care everyone!
Jo

[jcme]

... OUr most recent thing has been cutting down on meals out - we were spending WAY too much money there.

Although I didn't cut down on eating meals out specifically to save money (it was done more due to a healthier eating choice goal), by cooking more at home, it does save a lot of money. I've even justified stopping at a small more upscale market on the way home to grab something to cook because I forgot to defrost something. Even if I choose some meat cut not on sale or one of their marinated chickent breasts, it is still cheaper than dining out.

[bonnieclaire]

Lots of good advice given on this site.

I really need to get my credit cards in order. I make less money now than ever and spend more than ever. With 4 years left before I am eligible to retire, I definitelly need to budget as well as find a better paying job before I retire!

I really got spoiled working for the Government, they paid so well!

[LuvMaui]

The way I have been saving money is....

I only go to Starbucks once a week.
I only go grocery shopping once a week.
I make a list of misc. items I need and I only shop for them once a week.

The less I got to the store, the more I save. :)

[ellie0703]

I'm new here and this is the first thread I stumbled upon and love it! :)

I try to pay for cash for everything. I spend way too much money when I pull out a credit (or even debit card). Easier to cut back on spending when using plain ol' cash.

I also try to buy nothing (especially clothes) unless they are on sale. I hate paying full price!

[celtictigeress]

I cut out expensive coffee drinks. You'd be amazed at how economical this is. I realized that I was spending about $4.00 a pop on lattes, mochas, etc., and I went to the coffe house 4-5 times a week! That's $16-$20. I cut down to regular coffee and the number of visits I made. It definitely helped the wallet.

[mommymissy]

glad to see suggestions....
i am trying to cut back on spending on everything...but it is soooooo hard

[jcme]

I have been trying to pack my lunch a lot more. Now that the cafeteria takes credit cards, when I forget my lunch and need to buy I always charge it. That way I can track it and see how much I am actually spending when I eat lunch out (I would always forget to write it down when I paid cash). Ouch -does it add up fast :eek:

The other thing I have been concentrating on is consolidating my errands in order to save gas...and time. With a little investigation, I've found alternate locations of some of the places I visit regularly closer to my new work location. Even though they aren't directly on my way home, going out of my way after work is less milage than doing the errand on the weekend. :)

Take care