Someone mentioned dumpster diving. I read a book on dumspter diving once. We had a guy from our old church who dumpster dove too. He got some great stuff! He brought me some roses from a dumpster once and a nice plant. LOL! I will save that as a last resort.
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
For grocery shopping, I shop at four different places. I make sure I am heading that way anyway for some of the places to save on gas. Otherwise it can be a catch 22. But every week I get out the flyers and see who has the best deals. I then get the best deals and stock up. I try to buy things on sale and with a coupon to boot, if possible. I've lived this way for so long, I have to think about this as I write it. I saw on the net a woman who was supposed to spend only $400.00 a month for groceries and she called it a tiny budget. I used to keep track of what I spend but haven't for a while so for August I decided to save my reciepts. I have $316.17 spent for the month (family of four) and I see a pair of jeans and some school supplies in there. This also includes paper goods. Some months will be a little more and some months less. Our shelves are brimming with food. I try to buy healthy too even though sometimes it costs a little more. I have to not stock up so much because I have too much on my shelves and in my freezer. I clip coupons regularly but I only use the ones that really save me money (sometimes that can be a catch 22 too) or ones that are for healthier foods or things I simply think look good. It's always been a satisfying game to me to see how little I can spend. It's like a tax-free raise. For a while, I worked more hours (I work 20 now) but for what I make it is better for me to shave off that other 10 and save and make money the way I want to.
It's a good idea, if you are discplined enough, to keep a price book. Because sometimes the sale price at one store is still more expensive then another store.
There is a store in my town, that overall is the most expensive grocery store. But they have the best Buy one, Get one deals. When something that I use alot of goes on sale, I buy a ton. (If they have a limit, I go back every day of the sale, lol). When my favorite spaghetti sauce went on sale BOGO last year, I went home with 20 jars.
There is another store, that marks down it's meat in the morning on the last day that they can sell it. I buy a bunch and put it in my big freezer.
I also make my own "Frozen Dinners". Especially now that I am only cooking for one. I spent 3 or 4 hours on a weekend, and can cook up most of my dinners for the month. This past weekend I made Beef Stew, White Chicken Chili, Chicken & Rice, and Spaghetti & Meatballs.
It's a good idea, if you are discplined enough, to keep a price book. Because sometimes the sale price at one store is still more expensive then another store.
There is a store in my town, that overall is the most expensive grocery store. But they have the best Buy one, Get one deals. When something that I use alot of goes on sale, I buy a ton. (If they have a limit, I go back every day of the sale, lol). When my favorite spaghetti sauce went on sale BOGO last year, I went home with 20 jars.
There is another store, that marks down it's meat in the morning on the last day that they can sell it. I buy a bunch and put it in my big freezer.
I also make my own "Frozen Dinners". Especially now that I am only cooking for one. I spent 3 or 4 hours on a weekend, and can cook up most of my dinners for the month. This past weekend I made Beef Stew, White Chicken Chili, Chicken & Rice, and Spaghetti & Meatballs.
That's great! I don't personally keep a price book because, even with my failing memory in more recent years, I usually remmeber the prices of things well enough not to need one. I hope I don't ever need a price book because I would be annoyed trying to keep one. But for those who need one it is a good idea.
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
Check out http://www.gasbuddy.com/. Lets people report gas prices, so you can look for the best deals near you.
Good idea. We use a BP card that gives us rebates. So, every so often, even though we pay the same price as neighboring gas stations we get a $25.00 gas card every once in a while. We only buy gas with the card and pay it off every month. Sometimes they will smack you with interest so paying it off monthly is a must. So, this is another option on gas in addition to yours.
__________________
Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
Someone mentioned dumpster diving. I read a book on dumspter diving once. We had a guy from our old church who dumpster dove too. He got some great stuff! He brought me some roses from a dumpster once and a nice plant. LOL! I will save that as a last resort.
LOL
I really believe in doing everything possible to save money, some other things I do:
About a year ago I asked my boss, if he would let me change the plan on my work cell phone, if I would pay the difference between the cost of the old plan and the new. He ok'd it, and I was able to cancel my personal cell. I went from paying $60 a month to paying $5.
I groom my dogs myself. Yes., It is a royal pain in the patootie, and I am sure the other dogs are secretly mocking them. But it would cost $80 at the groomers, for what I can do myself (all be it, badly) in 2 or 3 hours.
When our old lawn mower went kaput, I bought an old-fashioned non-motorized push one. Not only was it a quarter of the price, but it doesn't require gas or oil, or constant repair. (Also, it actually is easier to push because it weighs a lot less)
I constantly sit down with my budget, and ask myself "What can I do to reduce the money going out"?
Also if you currently have any debt, or just want to get a little more organized financially, I recommend Mary Hunts "Debt Proof Living".
Good idea. We use a BP card that gives us rebates. So, every so often, even though we pay the same price as neighboring gas stations we get a $25.00 gas card every once in a while. We only buy gas with the card and pay it off every month. Sometimes they will smack you with interest so paying it off monthly is a must. So, this is another option on gas in addition to yours.
Nice. We use a Discover card that has a 5% rebate for gas, and yeah, definitely gotta pay it off every month.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
It's always been a satisfying game to me to see how little I can spend. It's like a tax-free raise. For a while, I worked more hours (I work 20 now) but for what I make it is better for me to shave off that other 10 and save and make money the way I want to.
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