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I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
I am sure I am not the first to ask this question, but what are people's tips to save money and live frugally in order to keep up with bills, especially during the economic downturn. We are in a situation where we have one income (mine) and I can't support two of us on it. We already stopped going out to eat, try to buy minimal at the grocery store and no shopping otherwise. We do activities that don't cost anything. Any other ideas to save money? Thanks so much in advance.
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Posted 3/17/09 12:28 PM  |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
not buying gucci bags or juicy outfits
salvation army for me! 
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:29 PM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
in all seriousness, the BEST way to control your budget is to keep a list of EVERY PURCHASE you make... and then analyze it.
See where most of your spending is going to and adjust it accordingly.
we cut corners by getting rid of (some) extras on our cable... considering getting rid of the land line since we both have cell phones. If things get really bad, we'll get rid of our gym memberships and satellite radios etc. (I got rid of mine, but DH still has his.)
i never buy lunch and only purchase pizza on fridays instead of going out to eat...
I walk whenever I can instead of using my car to save gas...
Message edited 3/17/2009 12:33:33 PM.
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:32 PM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
We made a big impact on our gas bill by lowering the temperature in the house by 2 degrees at all times.
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:33 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Defnitely #1 - is no excess shopping of things that you don't need. No matter what....even if its just $5. If its not a necessity it doens't need to be bought.
Buying brands in the supermarket that are "no frills" style and aren't necessarily the brand name. When going to the supermarket - use coupons from the paper or online....go for frozen veggies instead of fresh....eat leftovers.
Cutting excess costs, like if you absolutely are struggling, cut your cable and internet. Or any personal maintenance like nails, eyebrows, hair, etc.
No buying gifts for family & friends -- no matter what the occasion. That can be hard, as it maks you feel worse about your situation, but sometimes you just have to be honest and say "sorry I could only get you this card this year -- but know I care!"
These are the few off the top of my head.
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:33 PM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Posted by KeithHernandez
in all seriousness, the BEST way to control your budget is to keep a list of EVERY PURCHASE you make... and then analyze it.
See where most of your spending is going to and adjust it accordingly.
we cut corners by getting rid of (some) extras on our cable... considering getting rid of the land line since we both have cell phones.
i never buy lunch and only purchase pizza on fridays instead of going out to eat...
ITA!
There are most likely places on your cable bill where you can cut some expenses... (even if you just get the minimum package for a few months to help you get back on your feet a little).
Bring lunch everyday and make breakfast/coffee at home! Also, when you're bringing lunch.. be thrifty with what you bring. Frozen meals can be super expensive... try to either stock up when they are having a good sale or bring cheaper alternatives (remember good old PBJ?)
Plan out your meals for the week and only buy what you need to make them.. Also try to use more "pantry items" for meals - like you can easily do a simple chicken francaise with pantry items... or roast whatever leftover veggies you have and throw them in some pasta, etc.
COUPONS! Use them for things you already planned on purchasing (meaning, don't just buy something because there's a coupon) and look through the circulars to help you plan meals based on what is on sale that week...
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:36 PM |
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Thank you everyone! These are all great ideas! Are there any coupon websites for the supermarket?
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:42 PM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
If you go to "grocerygame.com" (you don't have to sign up) there are 2 pages of coupons that are good for the supermarkets.
Do you have Ralphs by you Mich?
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:44 PM |
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MarathonKnitter
HAPPY
Member since 2/07 17374 total posts
Name:
EMBRACING CHANGE
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
these are the things i've done:
* changed my W4 withholdings (got me an extra $100/paycheck)
* bought surge protectors and plugged almost everything into them
* eat out rarely
* use coupons
* budget, budget, budget
* sell everything that isn't nailed down
* sign up for a sewing class
* knit out of necessity and no longer for pleasure
* buy in bulk (just joined costco)
* answer surveys online
* shop for only what i need
* shop second-hand, when possible
* watch depression cooking on youtube... gotta love that grandma
i know there is more, but i'm drawing a blank
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:46 PM |
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Posted by maybeamommy
If you go to "grocerygame.com" (you don't have to sign up) there are 2 pages of coupons that are good for the supermarkets.
Do you have Ralphs by you Mich?
No 
But thanks for the website! I will definitely check it out!
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:50 PM |
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Posted by libby2595
these are the things i've done:
* changed my W4 withholdings (got me an extra $100/paycheck)
* bought surge protectors and plugged almost everything into them
* eat out rarely
* use coupons
* budget, budget, budget
* sell everything that isn't nailed down
* sign up for a sewing class
* knit out of necessity and no longer for pleasure
* buy in bulk (just joined costco)
* answer surveys online
* shop for only what i need
* shop second-hand, when possible
* watch depression cooking on youtube... gotta love that grandma
i know there is more, but i'm drawing a blank
Thank you! These are all great ideas!
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:51 PM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Posted by munchkinfacemama
Posted by maybeamommy
If you go to "grocerygame.com" (you don't have to sign up) there are 2 pages of coupons that are good for the supermarkets.
Do you have Ralphs by you Mich?
No
But thanks for the website! I will definitely check it out!
Well, join the rewards program at whatever supermarket you go to. I know at mine (Ralphs) it's free and we 1 point for every dollar we spend. We also get bonus points for certain things.. etc and every 2 months or so they send us a rewards check. Last time it was $17! So that was an extra $17 toward our groceries for the next time - KWIM?
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:53 PM |
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IrishLasss334
I'll be there soon!
Member since 1/08 6549 total posts
Name:
Patty
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
1. Pre-planning the lunch and dinners for the week has helped me save a tremendous amount of money at the grocery store.
2. I also called up DirecTV and re-negotiated my package with them. I've been a good customer to them for over 6 years. I called up the Customer Retention Department - (they all have one - OPtonline, DirecTV, Dish, etc.). I told them that Optonline is offering the 3-for deal and what could they do to help me out to stay with them. I ended up with no bill for 2 months, and then after that a $25 per month discount plus some premium movie channels for free for a year.
3. Now that the nice weather is coming, put up a clothes line. Last year I put up a clothes line in the backyard to dry the clothes on instead of using the dryer.
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| Posted 3/17/09 1:03 PM |
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/17/yeager.qanda/index.html
Article on CNN.com
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| Posted 3/17/09 1:07 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Posted by IrishLass
3. Now that the nice weather is coming, put up a clothes line. Last year I put up a clothes line in the backyard to dry the clothes on instead of using the dryer.
I have every intention of doing this! I can't wait!
while we are not suffering from hardship right now, per se, I am a VERY cheap person by nature lol.
the only think I won't "cut back" on is FRESH food at the supermarket. but anything else, I buy on sale. but even with fresh ingredients, I know how to cook poor.
I also don't have many items that I have "more than one" of for the home.
every bed we have has ONE sheet set each, that I wash after about 5 nights worth of use (I was guest sheets after each guests stay ends)
we have ONE body lotion, one shampoo for each bath, etc. you won't open my cabinets and have the contents fall out on you. we keep the heat in our house at 64 degrees while we are there. it's at 52 while we aint. we have a pared down satelitte package...which is fine b/c we are not big tv watchers for the most part.
I don't think I buy ANYTHING that is not on sale...and though I haven't clipped coupons, I may start doing that too.
I also don't do too much "upkeep" personally. I don't have much clothes, wear the same stupid outfits all the time (I don't like this too much, but I don't like spending money either so ) I don't dye my hair or get mani's/pedis regularly (though I will do my own pedis come next week for sandal wearing) I only buy make up when I am down to the dregs etc. you will very rarely see me post a purchase on the fashion board...I'd be more inclined to post a pic of the asparagus I scored for $1.99 a pound 
for me, I make this trade off so I can have other things in life...but it also enables us to live a certain way on a budget that others may find difficult to maintain.
the idea is to REALLY determine what you WANT vs. what you NEED (or sometimes, just WANT MORE) and use your pennies accordingly.
I grew up very poor so I still have that outlook. it's great to have nice things, but you don't need them to have a nice life.
I hope things get better for everyone. it's hard not to be bummed when money is tight.
ETA: I would also like to add, from a cooking standpoint, that you can save a TON by making your own bread stuffs....even if you can't make bread bread...making waffles, pancakes, brownies, cookies etc from scratch can save you money over the long haul.
and, become friends with eggs. they may have gone up in price, but they are still a great source of protein and waaayyy cheaper than steak. you can make a gourmet meal on for less than $10 with some eggs, pancetta and some great fresh veggies.
Message edited 3/17/2009 1:46:30 PM.
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| Posted 3/17/09 1:41 PM |
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bluebelle
LIF Infant
Member since 2/09 75 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
We keep track of every penny we spend in Quicken, and tag it by category so we can track our budget (it tells you how much you have left to spend in each category) and it also helps see where your money is going.
grocery shop with a list, and never while hungry.
borrow clothes from friends, or swap old clothes rather than buying new.
consider selling old/unwanted things on ebay, craigslist, or to local thrift stores that pay cash for clothes.
carpool/walk places whenever possible
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| Posted 3/17/09 1:47 PM |
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bluebelle
LIF Infant
Member since 2/09 75 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
we also started grating our own cheese rather than buying pre-shredded cheese. you get a lot more for your money, it tastes better and it's really easy.
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| Posted 3/17/09 1:48 PM |
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babymakes3
Almost there!
Member since 7/06 7376 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
We have started incorporating more vegetarian meals in our diets for health reasons. Buying less meat can have an impact on your grocery bill.
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| Posted 3/17/09 1:55 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
a few things I am doing....
I don't buy anything not on sale
I sell everything I don't need or want
I only have a cell phone- no house phone
instead of leasing a new SUV when my lease is up- I am buying mine off lease- I was told car companies do NOT want these cars/trucks back and I plan to use that to my advantage to get a better price (they even went so far as to tell me what they were getting at auction for the same SUV I have)
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| Posted 3/17/09 2:01 PM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
I've been trying to cut down on spending.
My biggest weekly savings has been at the food store.
- I bring breakfast
-We both bring our lunch.
-I plan dinners around what is on sale, it's amazing what you can actually save on meats when you pay attention!
- use coupons/buy what is on sale.
- compare the supermarket ads. See who has more items on sale that you need.
If I have gas in the car, meals for the week I don't need much spending money for the week.
Also check your pennysaver for coupons for services you need (haircuts, car repairs, etc) You'd be surprised what you can save.
I also stopped using credit cards. I spend a lot less when it is actually my money  Plus it's one less bill to pay next month.
Message edited 3/17/2009 2:12:01 PM.
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| Posted 3/17/09 2:07 PM |
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Sassyz75
Turning a new page
Member since 5/05 9731 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
BEANS!
Another very inexpensive, super-good-for-you food!
I made a pot of Brazilian black beans with beets- can't imagine the whole thing cost me more that $3 and it's enough for lunch for whole week.
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| Posted 3/17/09 2:51 PM |
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EmmaNick
*
Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
Name:
*
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Downgrade cable and cell phone bill.
www.coupons.com is a great site for coupons.
www.hotcouponworld.com is a great forum to discuss deals on groceries, etc.
Stop eating out, or limit to once a week
Utilize the library for books and DVD rentals or Redbox ($1 a night).
Invest in a warehouse club membership if you use a lot of milk, eggs, bread, packaged cold cuts, meat.
Raise deductibles on insurance (many will say not to do this though)
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| Posted 3/17/09 3:16 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
- Go through the grocery stores circulars. DH makes a list and we stick to it. No candy, not junk.
- Cook more and with fresh produce. It cost a lot less than premade meals in the frozen section.
- chips, cookies are very expensive. Switch to an apple.
- Cook meals for several portions. You can bring your own food at work. It's cheaper than food at the cafeteria or going our for lunch.
- No take out. Take out is now Pizza for us.
- Buy clothes that you can wash and don't have to dry clean
- I shop rarely for clothes and shoes. If I do, it's always thinking about my wardrobe at home and it has to be mix and match. I got for "classic" look. That way I can wear more than 1 year. I wear "timeless" jewerly. Once in a while I get "cheap" jewerly to follow the current trend (color, etc..). It's cheaper than buying clothes.
- Sell all the junk you don't need at home. It's a great way to decluter too. Do a yardsale, use craigslist or ebay for the more valuable.
- No big vacation. We only went for a 3 day trip to the Hamptons last year. It was great.
- For DS, I buy clothes on sale for the next season. Nothing I buy is full price.
- No present sharing with family members and friends. MUCH smaller budget for DH and me. I bought all toys for DS on sale during the Holiday for his birthday this year, etc...
We live a "simplier" life. We learned to enjoy our "pizza night". It's like a treat.
We don't resent it. We learned to embrace it. It much easier that way.
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| Posted 3/17/09 5:31 PM |
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aliwnec10
mom of 3 boys
Member since 4/06 11426 total posts
Name:
Ali
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Posted by maybeamommy
COUPONS! Use them for things you already planned on purchasing (meaning, don't just buy something because there's a coupon) and look through the circulars to help you plan meals based on what is on sale that week...
I agree 100%!!!! Coupons have saved me tons off my grocery bills and especially at stores like cvs. I get stuff at cvs for next to nothing.
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| Posted 3/17/09 8:45 PM |
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aliwnec10
mom of 3 boys
Member since 4/06 11426 total posts
Name:
Ali
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Re: I am sure this has been done before-Tips on Saving Money during economic hardship
Posted by sleepie76
I also stopped using credit cards. I spend a lot less when it is actually my money Plus it's one less bill to pay next month.
Same here.
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| Posted 3/17/09 8:47 PM |
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