2010 is all about reducing how much money we spend. Here’s a list of what we’re doing so far, but I’d love additional tips!
- Pay all bills directly from bank account, instead of paying some via PayPal, some via cash, some from the bank account, etc. Having everything going to and coming from one place will help us stay on top of things and remain organized and efficient.
- Transfer $25 from PayPal to savings account (separate from our bank account) every Friday.
- Allow earned freelance income to pile up in PayPal; transfer it to checking account every Friday.
- Use Spending Diary to track all non-bill expenses (groceries, gas, vehicle maintenance, etc.).
- Be more consistent with using leftover foods. Use leftover dinner for lunch two days later, for example, so that it gets used up and it isn’t something that was “just had” — so it isn’t “boring”!
- Make more casseroles and crock pot meals, since they easily generate leftovers.
- Stockpile meat (and make good use of you, gorgeous) — especially when it’s on sale!
- Check Coupons.com and Target coupons before doing any grocery or household essentials shopping.
- Scope out the grocery stores’ local ads to find the best deals.
- Always print out the local pet store’s $3 coupon before buying cat or dog food.
- Print out two pet store coupons and buy cat & dog food separately so as to maximize savings.
- Scoop litter twice daily so it’ll last a bit longer (four cats, eek).
- Conserve on energy usage (aka reduce the electric bill) by being vigilant with keeping lights off when not in use, using my laptop instead of my desktop (and its many electricity-needing peripherals) whenever possible, washing laundry in cold water, etc.
- Consolidate errands so as to save on gas (though honestly, not lending my mom my car and not running 100 miles 1-2 times per week to visit my brothers at their respective shelters (they’re now in foster care) has already shown a drastic improvement in how much we’re spending on gas!).
Sadly, and fortunately, our grocery bill is already reduced by subtracting one adult from it. I literally eat bites of this and that. The “leavings” the kids leave behind on their dinner plates makes a meal for me (not that I eat after them; but I will portion of tiny amounts of their portions for me, so that anything left in the pots/pans/serving dish isn’t contaminated by handling or saliva and can thus be put away for leftovers)… speaking of the kidlets, my three year old son can literally eat at least 2-3 times the amount of food I can at a sitting. It’s crazy and sad at the same time!
So… that’s all I’ve got so far. Please chime in with any tips and ways to save that you have up your sleeve!
“Scoop litter twice daily so it’ll last a bit longer (four cats, eek).” This is something I need to start doing myself with my three cats.
Those are some great things to start with.
Paying bills from different accounts gets too messy and too complicated. People have made direct deposits and automatic payments for reason and if you have all the money posted to one account and then have them directly taken out.
Putting certain amount of money towards your savings is nice way to save some money as long as that money does not get touched for anything other than ” emergency cases ”
Thanks to you Jenn, I might get into spending diary once I start getting some income in since I am currently jobless and on very low income.
Having your kids eat more than you do is something that in your situation is pretty normal. I mean, you are the one that did something to make you feel/look better and healthier.
Good luck with everything.