Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

we all cut coupons and shop sales....

what else have we given up for our kids?

We only have the basic DTV package and DH just surrendered his baseball package (he wants to get the HD receiver though)

We don't eat out as much as we used to...maybe take out 1x a month IF we're lucky. It's been gift cards lately.

New clothes are a thing of the past for us....luckily DH wears khakis and button downs for work and I can go super casual to my job in my jogging outfits and sneakers.

Food wise: I'll buy the meat that's discounted because it was supposed to be sold by that day (I went first thing in the AM the other day and a whole bunch was discounted!) We buy the bagged cereals which taste the same as the name brands and store brand on MANY things while others we do name brand because it tastes better (ketchup, A1 sauce, soups). I also try to cook stuff on my own (ie: tomato sacue, soups, beans)

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

I always buy on sale and in bulk. I also do the same with the meat, buying it when it is discounted because of sell by date.

I hardly buy any new clothes for myself. We have the basic TV package, I keep my heat at 68 rather than 70. Everytime I get a mail in rebate, I ensure I send it in on time. We don't go out as often as b/4.

Message edited 1/20/2006 4:08:54 PM.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

we keep our heat at 65! Before she was here, we'd put it down to 63 at night (I get SO hot at night!!) Luckily it's been warm during the day so the house goes up to 67 or more with the sun shining and the heat only runs at night.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

we have givin up on saving money to make it unfortunately we've had to dip a little to our savings but to me the time with Bryan is worth any amount because it is irreplaceable.

Oh and I shop sales and bargains only- I dont buy unless its on sale- but I would prob do that anyway thats just the way Ive always been.

Message edited 1/20/2006 4:12:30 PM.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

We don't eat meat anymore (then again, we never really ate meat that often), shop sales, use coupons, during holidays/birthdays we get tons of gift cards and we live off them!

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

Ugggh not much which is why we're not doing so great sticking to our monthly allowance for our credit card. Luckily we have to money to always cover it and I'm going back to work 1 day a week next month so we're not worried but I don't feel like I was a success at our origianl plan. Oh well we'll just keep trying.

Our food budget is even higher now because we are moving toward eating all organic which is $$ and there are never coupons for that stuff.

I do shop sales but I've always done that. I am not one to pay full price for anything.

I shop less and don't need as many clothes since I'm not working. I can wear jeans and stuff now when I couldn't before.

We still eat out a lot but not expensive things but stuff like pizza and take out add up too and I guess probably not as often as we used to.

We do save a lot on gas because I don't have a 60 mile rountrip commute to work anymore in an SUV


We keep our heat higher because of the baby so our utility bill is higher than last year.

Gosh I think I need an Extreme Budget Makeover.....

ETA: I do love thrift shops and Ebay for baby stuff though. I have gotten some amazing deals.

Message edited 1/20/2006 4:48:19 PM.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

I cut coupons and try to stock up on stuff when it's on sale. Like we didn't need TP but Target had 20 rolls for $10 so I bought it.

I rarely buy myself anything anymore. And I used to get a lot of stuff for the house, but not anymore. I have even been going through some of my stuff that I don't have out and selling it on ebay. Then I get to buy something for Sarah with "found" money.

We only have 1 car payment. Our second car is a 1998 Corolla that's been paid off for a while. It's a great station car that we don't plan on getting rid of for a long time. I don't drive too much so we don't use a lot of gas. I also try to plan my driving so I hit multiple stores in one area at a time. I used to just go where I wanted when I wanted.

I try to get all of Sarah's stuff on sale. I'll wait until diapers go on sale and use coupons so that it's cheaper. Same with formula, if I can. Many stores put baby clothes on clearance so fast I can usually get her stuff before I need it. Like H&M had winter stuff on clearance back in October.

DH isn't into video games, so we don't spend money on that. We rarely buy movies or CDs.

We don't really have anyone who can babysit for us right now, so we aren't really tempted to go out to dinner and a movie often. And when we do go it's really special.

DH & I have always been big savers, so it wasn't a big lifestyle change. I just make an even bigger effort now.

ETA: We dont' really do big gifts for each other anymore. This year for Christmas we got each other a snowblower, and I think Valentines day will be a DVR.

Message edited 1/20/2006 5:00:00 PM.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

I always use coupons when I shop. We limit our Costco trips because we always used to spend more than $200 each trip on nothing!!

I don't buy clothes for me any more, its all about Andrew. We gladly accepted many hand-me-downs, which at first I turned my nose up to, but I realized that children's clothes is hardly worn, they were in excellent condition, and it saves us a ton.

We don't buy Andrew toys. I mean he gets enough from family and friends that spoil him.

We got hand-me-down exersaucer and bassinets.

I work PT when I can to bring in a few extra bucks, which helps put food on the table. We still order take-out once a week, but haven't gone out for an expensive dinner in some time. Friendly's is usually where we end up tthese days if we do go out.

I gave up getting my nails wrapped each week, and I hardly get a manicure anymore either. Only if we're going someplace special. I miss them though.

I will say that I am very fortunate, or DH is, that his family owns and operates a dealership, so we do not have car or gas payments. We do pay the insurance on my Envoy though. I think this is one of our biggest money savers.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

I went through every bill we had and downgraded everything. Cell, internet (dial up for me ), DirectTV and so on. 10 dollars here and there adds up.

My husband sold his truck that we had a payment on and bought something cheap for work. Through that, our insurance dropped in half.

I buy meat in bulk at Sams Club and individually wrap everything.

Personally, I use coupons, but a local grocery store has a store brand that I really like for a majority of things and that saves a lot of money without having to pay more to get 1 dollar off 4 items (coupons annoy me lately.) I take full use of rebates as well.

Formula although we don't use much since I BF, I buy the Target brand. LUVS diapers they work and are a lot cheaper so I use them.

DH does not each lunch out every day. He takes food from home for lunch. We don't eat out much or even order out much.

I don't buy myself any clothes, shoes, handbags or anything like that. I also no longer get my hair highlighted. Never have been one to get my nails done. I don't buy my kids anything not on sale and typically only from like Target, Old Navy, and other comparable places.

We don't do any form of Gymboree or anything because a lot of my friends have kids the same ages and we just GTG.

I could probably go on and on.

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

So far, I have done nothing to cut back. I am just finding formula to be quite expensive since jacob needs to be on the nutramigen, but because of all his issues, my insurance company is going to cover the cost of it which is fantastic! I still get my nails done every 2 weeks because I just feel like i deserve it. But i guess although i am returning to work only 3 days a week in March, I am still going to be making the same amount of money that i was making full time. So i dont think I am going to be hurting too bad in the money dept. Plus my mother in law will be watching Jacob those 3 days that i work, so i dont have the added expense of daycare. I guess we'll see as time goes by...

Re: Spinoff to SAHM poll...what did you give up to save $$?

I only really had to give up going on my shopping sprees and running up the credit cards..
I try to pay cash and try to stay away from the malls...
Everything else the other ladies were saying though is great advise!