How to Cut Cost in Tough Times

[WorldsBestMom]

Here are some tips in which can cut cost and save. Now is not the time to pretend that you are not affected by the recession, or for keeping up with the Jones next Door.

Make a Budget
I am sure you all have heard this over and over but the fact is it really does help. Listing your income and your expenditure each month can really help you to know what you can afford and what you should let pass you by, if its even for a month.


Hire Less People
Do you pay some one to to cut the grass, wash your hair,wash your car, shop for your groceries. You can look at your list carefully to see if there is anyway you get some of those things done without hired help.

Look Before you Cook
Each time before you are about to prepare a meal, take a look in the refrigerator to see what leftovers you have. Food that is stored as leftover is often wasted. If you know that you are not going to use leftover food, then cook only what you need for each meal.

Follow the Shopping Rule
The shopping rule says that you should never buy on impulse. Write a shopping list and carry it with you. Before you buy an item there are some questions that you should ask yourself. Can I really afford this item? Am I buying this item at the most affordable price?


At the end of the day even if you can afford to survive on your present lifestyle you can still learn to economize. That little that you save can ago along way in the future in the case of emergencies.

[Hannah32]

Cool topic, some of my favorite tips are:

1) Move down to one car and juggle schedules if at all possible. This is especially doable if one parent cannot find work!

2) Figure out how much your car is actually worth. When I figured out that my 12 year old car was only worth about $1050, I cancelled my collision and comprehensive insurance. There's a $500 deductible and they only pay to the actual cash value of the vehicle. I was paying hundreds of dollars a year for $500 in coverage. Now, I have that money back and a less dreadful bill to look forward to next fall. Kelly's Blue Book will tell you for free what your car is worth.

3) Pay yourself first. Your savings account is the most important bill you have, after the rent or mortgage. ING Direct is very easy to use, free and used to pay decent interest. It probably will again someday.

4) Fewer bills per month = More money in the account.

5) Give yourself and your partner an allowance for spending. Take it out at the beginning of the month. No frivolous spending outside that amount.

6) Make your own cleaners, hack your Brita filters, drink mostly water and don't buy soda.

8) Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

[velochic]

While these are great points, you are preaching to the choir here. You should see what the ladies and gentlemen around here do to cut costs!

[zebra15]

Learn to use coupons. It takes time and patience but it does pay off in the end.
Combine your trips. (grocery, mailbox, bank) all at once, not 3 seperate trips out.

Join an MDC challenge ( declutter, no spend, craft , get outta debt)

[Magelet]

subbing. we could probably use to make a better budget, though we're down to pretty few expenses etc. I'd love to learn more tips though.

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by velochic

While these are great points, you are preaching to the choir here. You should see what the ladies and gentlemen around here do to cut costs!

Exactly-I've learned so much in my 2 years on MDC that most of those points are just a given.

Actually we have less money by far, but so much more stable of a financial situation in many aspects. Our house is stockpiled, we have less bills.

The biggest thing for me diligence in reducing our debt and seeing that the so called "American dream" of being in debt is a total scam. Those are the biggest "rules" for me right now.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

hey! How do you hack a brita filter?! off to google...

[leavemealone]

Stay out of stores unless you specifically need something. That goes for grocery, clothing, craft, big box, even thrift stores. It's a lot harder to spend money if you aren't in a store. Shopping online is usually way less tempting that shopping in person.

[Hannah32]

Originally Posted by Knittin' in the Shade

hey! How do you hack a brita filter?! off to google...

Aquarium charcoal, a drill and a 20 cent rubber stopper......works like a charm.

[sunnysandiegan]

The regulars around here have "frugality" down pat and are incredible!!!

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by Hannah32

Aquarium charcoal, a drill and a 20 cent rubber stopper......works like a charm.

Hmmmm, that is cool!

We get our drinking water (RO) from across the road. For free. My dh is our neighbor's boss, and the neighbor insists on giving us all our drinking water. They ride together and he says he wants my dh to have a good cup of coffee before work, lol.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

Originally Posted by Hannah32

Aquarium charcoal, a drill and a 20 cent rubber stopper......works like a charm.

Is it sad that I am totally excited to try this?!?

[dawningmama]

I hope not, Knittin' in the Shade, because I'm totally excited too!

[WorldsBestMom]

Hey ladies please feel free to share other ways in which you can cut cost.