FRUGALIZE me! :)

[crunchy_mommy]

OK help me find more places to cut back I love being frugal (maybe that's weird?? lol) and I am hoping to save up more $ so I can eventually work part-time (or not at all!) instead of full-time.

We don't have cable or a land line. Work pays for my internet. We don't buy clothing unless we really need something (then we shop thrift stores or mega-clearance racks). We recently went poo-free & switched to family cloth. We consolidate shopping trips as much as possible and occasionally walk (there are only a couple stores within 5-10 miles of us though). We check freecycle or use gift cards we've saved when we really want something. So I think our main expenses each month are:

mortgage, insurance & property taxes
cell phones (cheapest family plan plus a company discount)
electric
oil for heat
water
food
gas
student loans
donations ($ to our church or other causes etc.)

Help me be creative here! Whenever I think I've cut back as much as possible, I find something new (like our switch to family cloth!) to save even more $$.

[jessaroo]

Have you read the complete Tightwad Gazette?

[crunchy_mommy]

LOL no I will have to check that out!

[Hannah32]

Just a couple of things:

1) If you have two cars, consider moving to just one.
2) Drop the cell plan and get pre-paid phones.
3) 5 minute "Navy" showers for the water bill

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by Hannah32

Just a couple of things:

1) If you have two cars, consider moving to just one.
2) Drop the cell plan and get pre-paid phones.
3) 5 minute "Navy" showers for the water bill

Well the second car doesn't cost us more than $100 a year (insurance) and we use it.

I considered switching to prepaid but all the ones I've seen cost around $30/month per phone? Maybe there are other options, I'll have to look into it again!

I gotta work on the short showers (DS is a big help with that, he screams until I get out!!) but boy do I love a good 15-minute shower!!! lol!

[Mrsboyko]

make your own laundry detergent and dish washer soap. google for "recipes".

[maryeliz]

Have you had an energy audit done on your house?

It sounds like you are already living the frugal life, but energy or food might be areas where you could trim-depending on what you are already doing.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by Mrsboyko

make your own laundry detergent and dish washer soap. google for "recipes".

OOOO good idea, we buy in bulk but when I run out of what I have I'll have to try that!

Originally Posted by maryeliz

Have you had an energy audit done on your house?

It sounds like you are already living the frugal life, but energy or food might be areas where you could trim-depending on what you are already doing.

Our house is pretty energy-efficient although if we had some extra $ I'd like to invest in making it even more efficient (& cheaper in the long term!).

Food too... I tend to overspend in that area because I'll be craving a "treat" (i.e. something really yummy that I don't have to spend time preparing)...