What do you do to save money?

Since I just got married...I was looking for advice on ways to save $$$

Re: What do you do to save money?

I keep a budget. Make a list of bills to see where my money is going.

I stopped eating out so much.

Re: What do you do to save money?

we are in the same boat. we both bring lunch from home, i bring my own coffee. i buy 2 cups at work, but they are only .70 a pop, i can swing that.

we don't eat out as much, and that helps. we also throw our spare change in a jar, and that adds up

Re: What do you do to save money?

What i do is have a certain amt direct deposited into another acct.
I dont see it, it was like it was never there.
It works for me.
Then little things like trying to bring lunch to work andnot shop as often as I used to.

Re: What do you do to save money?

I have a set amount direct deposited from my paycheck right into a savings account. At first, I thought I'd end up taking it out of savings to pay bills, but that hasn't happened. I gradually got used to living on less cash.

Re: What do you do to save money?

DH & I also stopped using the debit cards all the time. We leave $100 for everyday things like gas & luch and use that as the extra. No more ATM 24/7!

Re: What do you do to save money?

no using CC's (if we dont have the $, we dont buy!

we eat out only 1 or 2x per week - and we bring out lunch to work from home.

I figure out my bills - then spending $, and as soon as I get paid I pay my bills and transfer what is for savings into an online savings acct that I dont have a debit card linked to - i never withdraw from it!

we stay in a lot - do puzzles, watch DVDs, etc.

Re: What do you do to save money?

We bring lunch with us about 4 days a week. That saves mucho $$.

We have our savings in a different bank account than our regular checking account. That way it's harder to transfer money between accts, and our savings stays untouched.

We also clip coupons and comparison shop to see which supermarkets have the best sales.

I also pay our bills as soon as we get paid, so that we wont get tempted with spending our bill money.

ETA: We also dont go out to eat as much. We order in, which saves us money on alcohol and tipping.

Message edited 8/15/2006 12:27:58 PM.

Re: What do you do to save money?

I buy my beverages in bulk and bring one on the train with me instead of buying one at the train station.

I dont stop for things like coffee/tea.

I get magazine subscriptions instead of buying off the newstand.

Coupons and internet discounts are good - research can save you a lot of money on some bigger purchases.

I wait for clothes to go on sale instead of paying full price.

I try to cook dinner more instead of getting take out.

Re: What do you do to save money?

I take $100 a week to spend on myself (gas, fruit, dry cleaning & my nails) If that $100 is gone, I don't go to the ATM

We don't eat out with exception to Saturday.

All change & singles go in a jar at the end of the day.

Both DH & I bring breakfast & lunch to work.

Put all but the $100 in the bank every week NO MATTER WHAT.

All bills are paid & nothing left on the CC.

Re: What do you do to save money?

We try to eat at each other's ILs as often as possible.

This way we get the guilt trips out of the way and we can get free meals!

Come on people, dont deny that you do this. SOME of you must.

Re: What do you do to save money?

Posted by Goldi0218

We try to eat at each other's ILs as often as possible.

This way we get the guilt trips out of the way and we can get free meals!

Come on people, dont deny that you do this. SOME of you must.

Re: What do you do to save money?

I agree with everyone about bringing lunch. DH works in the city and there's not much by me, so we save quite a bit on that.

Since meeting DH, who is a huge saver, I have learned the power of the coupon from his mom!!!

We don't eat out a lot, I try to cook as much as possible....

I also shop online with coupons, but not as much....

Re: What do you do to save money?

Nothing....

BUT -
- you could put your cell phones on one plan.
- combine your car insurance under one name, as well as any other memberships like AAA.
- consolidate any cc debt you might have
- use the library for cooking, DIY and handyman books, as well as DVDs
- decide whose car uses the most gas and let the one who does the least driving take that one.
- shop at Marshalls and Home Goods for fancy sauces, olive oils, home goods.

Re: What do you do to save money?

We opened an ING savings account and we have money automatically withdrawn from our checking account every pay period. That way, it's done and money goes in the bank no matter what.
We see less movies in the theaters and more at home.
Less eating out.

ETA: The yield on the ING direct account is excellent. I believe it's about 4.65% now.

Message edited 8/15/2006 1:14:51 PM.

Re: What do you do to save money?

LOVE ING!!

Re: What do you do to save money?

we have a set amount that goes right into savings every month. some months we're able to put away even more, which is always a GREAT thing!!

Message edited 8/15/2006 1:28:02 PM.

Re: What do you do to save money?

I think bringing lunch to work and making the majority of your own meals are the best money savers. Eating out is so expensive!

I also try to put any change we have away instead of spending it to see how it adds up. So far though we're saving it for our daughter, not for a vaca or anthing like that.

Re: What do you do to save money?

Bring my breakfast and lunch to work everyday.
Do alot of cooking home.

and as crazy as it sounds -
pay for everything with my amex card. ofcourse must pay it off at the end of the month but the points add up and can get free movie tickets or even a gift card to give as a gift to someone.

Last year at christmas I had enough points to get 4 of my nephews $25 gift cards. so that was $100 off my gift giving bill.

Re: What do you do to save money?

Coupons

bring lunch/coffee/tea to work

watch our gas milage/run errands on the way home

own very fuel efficient cars

clean my own house

DH does all of the landscaping

go to the library for books/DVD's

cut way down on mani/pedis

cook at home-I'll make several meals at once and freeze them to avoid the "take out" desire

no designer clothes, all clothes bought on sale

cut down on eating out

stock up on staples when there is a sale

automatically deduct money each paycheck that goes straight into savings

pay off credit cards every month

save our change, cash it in and it goes right into savings

stick to a budget

no fancy vacations... we will be visiting family

go to the matinee movie

Re: What do you do to save money?

Re: What do you do to save money?

I don't go shopping as much as I used to. If I don't go, I can't buy. I am not a very good window shopper, so the only thing that helps me is not to go at all!

I also get free lunch at work, so that helps A LOT.

Re: What do you do to save money?

Re: What do you do to save money?

Buy the brands of groceries that are on sale, and I am super cheap with the AC in the summer and the heat in winter.

Re: What do you do to save money?

Another thing I do - clean out my closet and re-organize regularly. So many times i forget about the clothes/shoes I have because my closet is a mess. When its all organized i realize i already have 5 white button-downs and 3 pairs of black sandles, etc.......

And - this may sound cheesey but when people ask me what i want for gifts (holidays, birthdays) I ask for clothes (If I know that they are things I would like) or gift cards..... getting useful presents helps me not want to splurge on certain things....