Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

I have become the coupon queen! I even print them out online...I keep a folder in dd diaper bag so my coupons are always with me. At first it was annoying but now its such a thrill (as pathetic as that is)
Side note BJ's takes coupons and if you use the self check out sometimes you can use expired or other places coupons...hey I try to save any which way

I have also started to get very creative with left overs! I get at least 2 sometime 3 different meals with left overs and freezing them!

Oh and how can I forget I cancelled all movie channels (including HBO dh is devistated) we hardly watch tv and dh hasn't been able to stay awake through an entire movie in years so why bother

Message edited 2/21/2011 4:21:27 PM.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

http://www.kidsmealdeals.com/search/kidseatfree/

I always bring snacks, drinks with us when we go out but if you are out for a meal with kids here's a site where you can check by zip code and day of the week where kids eat free.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

http://www.longislandgasprices.com/

To find the lowest gas prices.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

If you have a relatively new oil burner, can be disciplined about checking your supply every couple of weeks and pay for a separate service contract you can save hundreds a winter buying oil C.O.D at

www.codfuel.com

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

I need to start saving for our Cruise & Maine Trip.

I need to stop buying toys!!

I know it sounds so minor but I really do have a problem. I want them to have everything and it gets out of control

DH is now monitoring what I spend and I am soooo happy!!

I think him doing this is exactly what I need.

Good Luck everyone

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

So far this is what I'm up to

Taking in lunch and a loaf of bread, tea (tazo), butter and mayo. I can either have tuna on toast or my health choice lunch for $1.79 (which never fills me) with some toast on the side. I also bring in oatmeal packets for breakfast and granola bars for lunch. Sounds silly but breakfast, lunch and snack means I can eat that smallish lunch without feeling I'm gipping myself and be semi full until lunch snack so I'm not wasting money.

My office has a health prevent plan (preventionplan.com) and on it if I do certain things like watch a video take tests about my knowledge of health or join an activity (like this month is walk 5mi a week) I get money (gift cards). I'm going to see my dad and right now I have $200 in gift cards which I can use on a hotel, or groceries, etc.

daylight oh sweet daylight. Open a window and shut off the lights (light bill)

Do laundry only once a week (water bill)

As previous poster listed, make a game plan for ALL dinners for the week and buy ONLY what's on that list. No more. Make a trip only once a week at tops! Saves gas money and grocery money.

Pull out cash for the grocery run and even with that list stay on budget. For me its $75 (but its TX) so all of our options must be bought in that limit. $75 for 7 days for 2 adults and a toddler.


(ETA I also list the price of everything I buy and check the receipt. Sometimes your sale item doesn't show up on sale. Or some stuff is on sale you didn't know about. It also shows me where I am wasting the most money and it since I pull cash I see how much I have left to spend or not)

Buy generic

Only use coupons if you need that item don't waste money just cause its a good deal. Case in point. Name brand towels were on sale (savings of $0.75) but generic with a higher count of sheets was already $1 cheaper than name, so what would I waste the quarter? This is a simple example. It works the same in larger amounts too.

Make that one week trip to the grocery a multi trip. If meat is over $1 cheaper close but not at the same place, I'll make two trips. Same for veggies. Yes I'm using gas but that one trip saves me overall.

Use a budget (i use Excel) and stick to it! pay everything off as soon as your check gets in and not wait on stuff. If you really have to wait act as if its already out of your check. Budget in food, gas and extra (small) but all the excess into savings.

Message edited 2/21/2011 7:32:36 PM.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

OK, some more stuff I thought of:

I rarely buy dry clean only clothes. I do one load of my work clothes on Friday night and hang everything up to dry. Just touch up with an iron.
When DH needs his suits dry cleaned I make sure we have a coupon and drop off enough at one time that we qualify for the coupon.

We don't drink soda or use individual water bottles.
We make brewed iced tea or add fruit to filtered water when we are bored of water. I send the kids to daycare w/ a refillable water bottle. No single serve containers.

Wash and reuse zip top baggies. Except for meat and chicken.

Make my own on-the-go snacks and lunches. I buy snacks in bulk and put them in smaller containers for when we are out for the day. No vending machines, no concession stands.

Use mostly vinegar to clean and lemon oil for wood. Bon Ami, cheap cleanser. Saves a lot.

Always ask for a rain-check when on-sale items are sold out. CVS rain checks never expire.

Shop only with a list and appropriate coupons.

Stay out of stores in general, as often as possible.

I accept hand me downs from all of my friends. Toys, books, clothes... I've probably saved thousands over the last 4 years. It's really helped considering DH's two stints on unemployment and insane cut in pay. I do have one closet in the basement with totes organized "boy" or "girl", size and season, "winter" or "summer". Then I pass them along.

Sold extra, no longer needed, furniture on craigslist. Priced it right, didn't get greedy.

Don't buy books anymore, only use the library. My library now has electronic copies for the Kindle, etc.

Always ask if there is a AAA discount when we go to a museum, amusement park, etc.

If your have Cablevision sign up for Optimum rewards.

If you use fresh herbs for cooking, grow your own on the windowsill.

Plant a garden, even if it's just a small container garden or just a few tomato plants.

We lowered the temp on our hot water heater.

Programmable thermostats- we lowered the heat a couple of more degrees. We keep the upstairs low during the day, even on weekend days.

Rarely get the car washed and never w/o a coupon. My car is silver and hides the dirt really well.

Avoid the mall. I'm lucky in that I just don't have the shopping gene.

Always cook on Sunday, at least two meals for the week, with some extra for a day of leftovers. If I make pancakes or muffins I always make a ton and freeze them.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

I have Geico car insurance. I emailed our State Farm broker today where we have our homeowners policy, life insurance and DH business insurances under----he was able to save us $40.00 a month on my car insurance, and he is saving DH another $10.00 a month on his work truck insurance since I am transferring my policy.

I should've done this long ago-----I was just being lazy about transferring my policy over because I didn't think it would amount to be THAT much.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

any AT&T Iphone users - look at your data usage. Most people think they use a lot of data, but you really dont.

If you still have the unlimited data, you can probably switch it to one of the 2 new plans.
DH & I switched to the $15/ea phone plan and our bill went down $58!!!

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

It does matter what grocery store you go to...

Just came back from the new Greenfield's Shop Rite in Commack... total $84.57

To compare, went on peapod.com, same grocery cart... Stop and Shop total $103.35

Savings of $18.78!!!!!

I grew up with Greenfield's Shoprite in Plainview, even worked there for 3 years. When DH and I were dating we'd go to S & S and I'd walk around the aisles like a 90 year old man saying (insert DH's grandfather's Yiddish accent), "What?? How much? That's at least 50 cents cheaper at Shoprite. OY"
Now, it's been confirmed

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

I made my shopping list for next week. I am cooking to cook all of next week's meals with stuff I have already!! I'm only buying the stuff we need!

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

I just got a quote for a new jewelry insurance policy that is HALF of what I'm paying now with the rider on my renter's insurance. The downside is that I need a new appraisal and that's going to be expensive, but in the long run, we'll be saving about $250/year.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

It does matter what grocery store you go to...

Just came back from the new Greenfield's Shop Rite in Commack... total $84.57

To compare, went on peapod.com, same grocery cart... Stop and Shop total $103.35

Savings of $18.78!!!!!

I grew up with Greenfield's Shoprite in Plainview, even worked there for 3 years. When DH and I were dating we'd go to S & S and I'd walk around the aisles like a 90 year old man saying (insert DH's grandfather's Yiddish accent), "What?? How much? That's at least 50 cents cheaper at Shoprite. OY"
Now, it's been confirmed

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

It does matter what grocery store you go to...

Just came back from the new Greenfield's Shop Rite in Commack... total $84.57

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Ugh, Target, I hate you so!


I did decide to go in there last night with a specific list that I was able to stick too.


HOWEVER.............


I was just looking at the receipt and I SWEAR, at least TWO items that were priced a dollar less on the shelf (Folger's coffee and Debbie cakes-snack for DH) came up a dollar more on my receipt.

I was in a rush to get out last night because I have a bad cold.........$2.00 is $2.00 though.

Speaking of Target, I have run into issues with them in the past that I caught right away, like ringing me up for the same item twice.

It happens frequently so you need to watch them like a hawk.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Posted by maybeamommy

Posted by MrsSpring

Posted by mzsocialworker1

I usually make my own pizza on Friday nights instead of buying it from the pizzeria.

It's so much cheaper. DH and DS love it too and there's so many ways you can change it up.

I bought a pizza and salad a couple weeks ago and yeah, it tasted great, but it also cost close to $30.00.

Fresh dough is like $1.25 at my grocery, or you can get the frozen 2 pack for a couple of bucks.

Mozzarella cheese seems to always be on sale at the grocery store.

i love that idea. im totally stealing it.

I'm not so great at budgeting in general, but I know some good food ways!

You can actually make your own dough REALLY cheaply! All you'll need to is olive oil, flour, yeast and water! Just put 2 tsp of dry yeast into 1/2 cup of warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until yeast has dissolved. Mix 2 cups flour with 1 tsp salt. You can do it in a food processor to make it really easy. Blend in 3 tbsp olive oil. Then add in the yeast mixture and process until it becomes a big ball. Stick it in a bowl coated with olive oil (covered with plastic wrap) and let rise for 1 hour.

Also, buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself (especially in a food processor) it super easy, much cheaper and WAY tastier!

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

I have also had them charge me full price on sale meat but caught it right away. I also agree that it's often a PITA to drive there to get the couple bucks back.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

DH and I turn off the lights if I'm not in the room, and we also turn off surge protectors if things are not in use.

We buy bulk at BJ’s and only buy what we need- I tell DH all the time that just because there is a coupon for it doesn’t mean we need to buy it. With regards to meats and other stuff that is perishable we buy as necessary. We also found out that organic milk has a longer expiration date as opposed to regular milk which is great.

We have the BJ’s membership that accumulates points- which turns into $20 checks. We also applied for the BJ’s credit card to double the points we accumulate each time we go to BJ’s (even though it’s a VISA card we only use it to shop at BJ’s)

Taking advantage of coupons on things that I use around the house and getting rain checks on items that they’re out of stock on.

DH and I go out to eat once a week at places that offer dinner specials (like a full meal for two for $30.00 and the portions are big so we have leftovers the next day for lunch- these dinners include dessert too!)

I only shop for myself as necessary. Same goes for DH. For me it’s the mix and match type of clothing or if it’s sets it’s really inexpensive. You’d be surprised how much nice clothing you can get in Walmart/Target/K-Mart/Sears and places like that.

With regards to clothing, I wait until we head to an area (like visiting the in-laws in PA or in NJ visiting family) that has no tax on items and nicer selections.

We each get $100.00 to spend per week on gas, Metrocards, and lunch while we’re both at work (and him at work/school). Another $100.00 per week gets automatically put in our savings account that we only use for trips and vacations, unless there is an emergency.

With regards to gas I recently applied to the Sunoco Card (we only use Sunoco gas in our car) and they have reward points- also another benefit is that you get the “cash” rate at the pump even though you’re using a credit card. The points are almost at an area where I can redeem them for gift cards or a check.

We’re both debt free- which is a blessing since I just got completely out of debt in September 2010- right before we moved.

For cellular service we have Sprint and since I’m a city employee I get a nice 25% off discount- never knew that until I got married and had DH and I started to share minutes. Also we get free cell phone upgrades every two years- if something happens in those two years, we hold on to the last cell phone we had just in case. Most cell companies offer employee discounts so you might want to ask your HR or Benefits person about it.

Also with cell phones, Sprint offers a credit with recycling their old cell phones that they refurbish and use elsewhere. I can get $5-$50 depending on the phone so that helps sometimes on the bill. E-statements also save us $5.00 on the bill per month.

I started to redeem my Capital One rewards for cash….these take a while but considering each time I do a transaction I get at least 5-10 miles it does add up.

We use a Brita pitcher instead of bottled water.

If you have Cablevision- Optimum Rewards is a great thing to sign up for.

Consolidate your insurances- we have consolidated with GEICO our renters and car policies- on top of this (since I’m a city employee) we also get a nice discount too on both. I always say never hurts to ask if they offer any type of discount!

Selling old items on Ebay/Craigslist- I can’t stress this enough as I wanted a laptop for the longest time – I sold over $400.00 worth of stuff and that was my laptop money. I’m starting to do this again so I can get an IPad for myself.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Posted by MrsSpring

Posted by mzsocialworker1

I usually make my own pizza on Friday nights instead of buying it from the pizzeria.

It's so much cheaper. DH and DS love it too and there's so many ways you can change it up.

I bought a pizza and salad a couple weeks ago and yeah, it tasted great, but it also cost close to $30.00.

Fresh dough is like $1.25 at my grocery, or you can get the frozen 2 pack for a couple of bucks.

Mozzarella cheese seems to always be on sale at the grocery store.

i love that idea. im totally stealing it.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Posted by Melmel821

Posted by MrsSpring

Posted by mzsocialworker1

I usually make my own pizza on Friday nights instead of buying it from the pizzeria.

It's so much cheaper. DH and DS love it too and there's so many ways you can change it up.

I bought a pizza and salad a couple weeks ago and yeah, it tasted great, but it also cost close to $30.00.

Fresh dough is like $1.25 at my grocery, or you can get the frozen 2 pack for a couple of bucks.

Mozzarella cheese seems to always be on sale at the grocery store.

i love that idea. im totally stealing it.

Dh and I actually used to do this when we were dating. Not to save money but because it was fun. It's healthier too because you control the salt and oils your put on. We used a lot of veggies for toppings.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

Have a feeling this thread will be moved over to the new financial board.

Anyways, how's everyone doing this week?

OK here I guess. I did feel like I overspent yesterday. I didn't bring my lunch to work and ended up spending close to $10.00 on takeout.



Will cut back this week!

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

wow, thanks for all of the ideas ladies. DH & I have a hefty amount of debt that we are trying to deal with. I've been so bad lately with paying attention to what I spent money on. Here I am at almost the middle of the month and I will just squeak by with paying the minimums on my bills. I hate feeling like this! I really need to get my head in the game again.

Re: Official Budgeting Challenge Thread

My agency is going to purchase me a new Blackberry to use. It will cost $105.00 to cancel my contract with AT&T, but my bill each month is that much.

It makes absolutely no sense to pay that if I can use my work phone as my primary now!