Frugal Freaks! (April 1-7)

[Judegirl]

Hi! I'm so glad there are so many of us!

I'm also relieved that it's April. March was a disaster for us...we were all sick throughout much of the month and had a million things going on. Plus dd's on an elimination diet, so meal planning went out the window. Everything followed from there. New month, new start...

I started cooking and planning yesterday, and stopped myself from backsliding ionto a couple of bad habits in the last two weeks, so I feel good about it all again. (I almost BOUGHT a $35 clothes hamper...felt like I needed to call my sponsor )

Current successes:

My BIL is coming for a few days and when I was meal planning I tried to maximize the cheapest ingredients in the meals...is that terrible? I mean, other things were considered too, but when I had to choose between a pork roast and lentil chili, I went with lentils!

I'm picking up bunches and bunches of paper this week from people on freecycle because dd's going through it like mad and I don't want to buy any more. And...a hamper!!!

My latest love is the libraries and bookstores for free storytime and crafts. We went for the first time last week and it was great.

I'll try to post later - have to clean and run errands! What's everyone else got going on this week? Cheap food? Free fun? Tricks? Tips? Problems?


Jude

[KayleeZoo]

I'm subbing. I have no tips yet (I'm an over-spender on a budget now and looking for every frugal tip I can find)

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[root*children]

Woo-hoo! April!

Something I'm trying to overcome recently is my 6yo's desire to do things that cost money. We have a family day once a week and he always wants to go bowling, go see a movie, go to Fun Depot (arcade/chuck e cheese type place), etc. UGH! We're actually *doing* things like going for bike rides, canoeing, etc. But once a month or so in the Winter, when the outdoors was not so welcoming, we did the spendie things. He's going through withdrawel, I think

So, that's my personal challenge is to help him see that free things are just as fun (if not more so) than pricy ones!

We had a great yardsaling day yesterday -
2 Catimini outfits and 1 Petit Bateau shirt for $1 (total! : )
Completely stylish pillows for out slip-covered couches
A VCR for $5 (we've been needing one for a while, but I refuse to even pay the $20 that the pawn shop wants)

I've got our grocery budget (2 grownups, 2 kids, 2 big dogs, 4 day care kids) to $175/month. YAY! We're still working out kinks, and it really sucked on days like yesterday when the WAY overcharged me at the dent n' scratch store, but it was closing time and bunches of people in line behind me, so I couldn't exactly protest it. I'm trying to justify it, in that I've saved way more there than they ever overcharge, but still...

Off to check out Easter Basket threads. I'm going to cut the big marshmallows into bunny rabbits like Amy D. does in the TWG. My kids will adore that! Gotta think of some other creative stuff, tho. Already have an umbrella I got for DS#2 a while ago, to put in. I think DS#1 needs a sun hat, so maybe I can find one on a good sale or something. Am I lame for putting totally functional things in their Easter baskets?

Glad to see this made into a big thread! I'm completely sick of living in a town where so many families are hurting financially, but it is RARE to find any hardcore frugal freaks!

[root*children]

Oh!!! And I forgot to add...

I just called the bank 800 number and found that the IRS deposited our 3500 tax refund!!! yippee!

In years past, we've spent it on "stuff" buying big presents for each person (fancy wooden toys for the kids, kayak stuff for DH, going out to eat and traveling for me, etc.) In the last few years tho, as we've become wiser with our money - it's been spent on bigger things (paying off debt, dental, etc.).

This is the first year is has no immediate need... sooo... we're going to buy a house!! I'm SO freakin' excited (and the same amount scared!). But it's a good thing... I just couldn't justify doing it with 100% financing, so now we'll have 10K which I think is enough to make a small downpayment, have money to do fixin' up stuff upon moving in, as well as have a small (SMALL) emergency fund still in place.

[meandk0610]

subbing for more ideas...

[sanguine_speed]

Originally Posted by root*children

This is the first year is has no immediate need... sooo... we're going to buy a house!! I'm SO freakin' excited (and the same amount scared!). But it's a good thing... I just couldn't justify doing it with 100% financing, so now we'll have 10K which I think is enough to make a small downpayment, have money to do fixin' up stuff upon moving in, as well as have a small (SMALL) emergency fund still in place.

Here, $10,000 would not really do all this. It costs several thousand dollars to cover closing costs (lawyer's fees, land transfer tax) plus another couple just to move, plus appliances, etc. The downpayment would be aside from that, plus any repairs you're talking about. Do you not have these kinds of buying and moving costs there? I'm in Canada, so maybe it's different here.

[CeciMami]

Well, on our first day of April frugality we've started off with baking our very first sourdough bread. DH is actually excited about this idea since it involved him making the "science experiment" of a sourdough starter last week. He really does love to bake so that is in our favor! Tomorrow we're going to make a bunch of personal sized pizzas (topped with sale veggies) and freeze them so that we can have cheap, homemade pizza whenever we want and won't be tempted to buy frozen at the store! I also made a Indian Cauliflower and Kidney Bean Stew with Coconut Milk today in my crock pot and it looks like I'll have LOTS to freeze of that as well. I'm loving this whole "cook in large batches, freeze alot, so that there is less cooking later thing!

[phathui5]

I'm joining in to get myself more frugal. I'm in the no-spend challenge for April because I need to get our budget in order.

[VisionQuest]

I'm trying to do better with money from now on, and cut areas like going out to eat.

One frugal move (if you call shave gel frugal) is one of the grocery stores had super-double coupons, so coupons $1.00 up to $1.99 were worth $2.00. I had two coupons for $1.00 off shave gel and bought two cans - when the coupons were doubled, each can was 49 cents! With three of us shaving, it's so worth it!

[camprunner]

Originally Posted by CeciMami

Well, on our first day of April frugality we've started off with baking our very first sourdough bread. DH is actually excited about this idea since it involved him making the "science experiment" of a sourdough starter last week. He really does love to bake so that is in our favor! Tomorrow we're going to make a bunch of personal sized pizzas (topped with sale veggies) and freeze them so that we can have cheap, homemade pizza whenever we want and won't be tempted to buy frozen at the store! I also made a Indian Cauliflower and Kidney Bean Stew with Coconut Milk today in my crock pot and it looks like I'll have LOTS to freeze of that as well. I'm loving this whole "cook in large batches, freeze alot, so that there is less cooking later thing!

Funny my dh has also started making sourdough starter this past week.

This is my first post in these threads. We are normally fairly frugal anyway due to a lower income than most but dh has never been on board with our finances. I *think* that I finally have him on board. He's even ok with having two no meat days a week and soup on a different day.

I have a goal of getting our student loans paid off by December so we're buckling down and getting serious.

[LilMama23]

April started off beautifully for us - I bought DD three new Gymboree outfits from a yard sale this morning for $7 total. I love yard sales!

MIL and BIL are coming to visit this weekend - I'm sure she will insist on taking us out to eat at least once or twice ... when someone else pays, you get something with large portions and bring home leftovers - a whole separate meal! haha. I'm trying desperately to get my place cleaned up for them - bought some TTO last month when it was on sale and plan to use it in addition to my regular vinegar & baking soda routine.

And it's 84 degrees but we're trying desperately to keep the a/c off as long as possible! It's supposed to be in the 90s this week; I hope we can stick it out!

[witch's mom]

I'm not sure if I qualify as a frugal freak, but I've sure been hanging around this forum lately. Trying to get the grocery bill down, cut costs wherever possible, enjoy our life on less. Might go over and join the no-spend for April, although with Easter and several birthday parties my DD will be attending, I might be doomed to fail. Today I spent $7 on Easter stuff to mail to my niece and nephew: some chocolate, some jellybeans and some watercolors. Could have done it a little cheaper if I'd wanted to DRIVE to a different store, but one of the goals for today was to NOT DRIVE and our mainstream grocery store is within biking distance, so we got stuff there.

The cars are gassed up, the frig and pantry are relatively well-stocked, and I see no reason to buy much beyond milk and produce and Easter basket stuff for the next week.

Root*children, we always do fairly functional Easter baskets. Swimsuits, sidewalk chalk, flipflops or sometimes shorts and t-shirts. Plus a little candy.

[CeciMami]

So we just switched to CD. (As in I just pressed "submit" on the order form at clothdiaper.com ) Up to this point we have been using 7thGen sposies at night : and gDiapers during the day which are SO expensive ($12.99 for a bag of 52 inserts) : I just ordered unbleached prefolds that were factory seconds so I got a dozen for $13 (instead of a dozen for $24) which I felt was a pretty good deal! If there's a seam messed up...so what? I'll fix it! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll still be able to use the same gDiaper covers...we'll see in a couple of days when they get here and we make "the switch". Even if my experiment doesn't work, and I have to order covers...I've figured out that, based on how much we were spending on the gDiapers, I'll break even in about 3 months and then have NO ADDITIONAL COSTS other than a couple extra loads of laundry! Yay!

So I guess if we don't do anything else "newly frugal" this month...I'm happy to be joining the ranks of the CDer's!

[root*children]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed

Here, $10,000 would not really do all this. It costs several thousand dollars to cover closing costs (lawyer's fees, land transfer tax) plus another couple just to move, plus appliances, etc. The downpayment would be aside from that, plus any repairs you're talking about. Do you not have these kinds of buying and moving costs there? I'm in Canada, so maybe it's different here.

I thought this was the frugal freak thread We will spend a couple thousand on closing cost (in our price range, it should be in the 2K range). And we're aloting around 3K to do repairs that are of immediate need. Other than that, there's no cost! There's no cost to actually move locally. Everything in our house, we got here with our own hands and sweat, and hauled in my van or DH's shortbed truck. Appliances we can get for free through Freecycle... or if need be, we can go to one of those fix-up stores that sells used/refurbished ones for a couple hundred or less. All we need to buy is a fridge, if the house doesn't have it already. I can't think of any other appliances we would need? We own a washing machine... and I don't think the seller would remove a range (they could I guess ). Anyhow, no, we've moved enough times that we're not willing to shell out much money for anything other than just the house

[Ruthiegirl]

Ahhhh...fellow frugal mammas. I love having company on this frugal journey.

This month is kind of weird since the kids and I are flying home to see family. The tickets are paid for and my folks will probably want to reimburse me for them. I rented a teeny little car for the time we are out there, will only be $263 for the whole 12 day trip. We are staying with family who will feed us, so really this should be a cheap trip. Not frugal really, but on the cheap side of travel.

Problem is that I have no clothes to wear. And I mean none. I have been wearing maternity/nursing wear for so long and finally ditched a lot of the old worn out stuff. I have one pair of shoes (yes, one pair) and they are really ratty. So, this frugal gal needs to go shopping. I have gotten so used to not shopping, that actually buying myself something is slightly foriegn. Dh is coming home a little early so I can go tonight without the kiddos.

I am hitting the consignment shop this morning to see what I can dig up. The Salvation army is tomorrow and I think I'll splurge on a new pair of shoes tonight.

So, my frugal mission for this month is to outfit myself with a better wardrobe. I figure $30 for new shoes and maybe another $40-50 for shirts, shorts and a skirt or two.

Wish me luck!

[quirkylayne]

I'm a semi frugal freak.

On buying clothes - I always try to hit goodwill first but I don't have alot of luck there. Since I've been in maternity and between sizes 16-10 this last year I don't have alot that fits. Last week I finally gave in. I scored - $8 pair of jeans at Kohls, 2 $15 nice shirts at TJMaxx. Oh, and I went through the bag of stuff I made for GW a few months ago and never took - most of the things in there fit now!

[phathui5]

Frugal victory today- I got four free pairs of Hanes underwear from one of the online survey companies I do stuff for. They want me to test them and complete a survey about them. After I do the survey, I get $10 (plus keeping the underwear).

[Stone Fence]

Subbing. I'm just taking notes now.

[velcromom]

I'm getting more freaky-frugal every day so I thought I better sub here, lol. I have always been freakishly frugal about certain things, but with a recent slash in our family budget, frugality is on my mind daily and I'm doing more to help reduce our spending wherever I can.

This week I stocked the freezer with single portions of cooked black beans - we make lunches and snacks around the beans instead of using more expensive convenience foods. I've also gotten back into making broth with chicken carcasses so we have that for sauces and gravies instead of buying gravy mixes, bouillon or canned broth. Even convinced dh to "try" buying some bone-in meats instead of our usual boneless skinless cuts.

I'm getting even more into using cheap natural cleaners and did my bathroom today with baking soda and vinegar (ds loved all the fizzing, and was an enthusiastic helper, a bonus of the method I suppose!)

And as of last week, we are engaged in the great Paper Towel Challenge - my family cannot fathom NOT using them, so I've baby-stepped them into drying hands on cloth and having a designated cleaning towel for the kitchen each day.

I'm contemplating ways to save pennies on doing laundry - do you think it's feasable to cut down on detergent (half or less the amount the container says) AND use cold water & still get clean clothes?

[gargirl]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed

Here, $10,000 would not really do all this. It costs several thousand dollars to cover closing costs (lawyer's fees, land transfer tax) plus another couple just to move, plus appliances, etc. The downpayment would be aside from that, plus any repairs you're talking about. Do you not have these kinds of buying and moving costs there? I'm in Canada, so maybe it's different here.

Wow, we got into our house for about $3,000 in closing costs/lawyer fees and with a $3,000 deposit. We still had $2,000 in the bank for emergencies too. Canada must be hella-expensive.