Tips on where to cut expenses and save?

[mamadodson]

Im looking for any advice on how to cut expenses with utilities, groceries, etc and make ends meet a little easier....
My husband is a full time student right now and I am a stay at home mom, I am watching some children at home for a little extra cash, but we have three kids, and I need some advice on how to stretch a dollar, any advice at all will be greatly appreciated....tia

[dachshund mom]

It's helpful if you post your budget. Something might pop out to us that seems high.

[1growingsprout]

IS it possible for someone to work outside the home. Just because DH is a full time student doenst mean he cant work for income as well.

[Belleweather]

Originally Posted by 1growingsprout

IS it possible for someone to work outside the home. Just because DH is a full time student doenst mean he cant work for income as well.

Yeah this. My DH and I both worked at least part time when we were full-time students. We were both in school at the same time and had a baby and managed it -- and honestly, it was a GOOD thing to do. We got experience in our fields which put us in far more demand when it came time to get our first serious jobs. While I understand that there are a few professional schools that don't allow or seriously control working while you're in school, unless he's a 1L law student or a Med/Vet Med student, he can probably get at least a part time job.

[mamadodson]

He cant work right now because he is getting unemployment which is more then he could make a job right now, and that is also how he is getting his school paid for so right now our income is around 2100 a month for five of us, our rent is 700 our car pmt is 450 insurance is 140 utilities which includes gas at 200/month, electric is 150 phone,cable internet, which we have gone down to the smallest pkg available is 80, wter sewage trash is 140, so it usually leaves us with about 300 for necessities, food and gas for the car. We do get food stamps but only 148 a month and we eat that in less then two weeks, so we are pretty tight ship right now, does that help a little?

[1growingsprout]

Then how about you look for a job outside the home. Sometimes the only answer is more income.

[justamama]

Do you have to have phone/cable/internet? Can you take it down to just internet and use a VOIP service and save money that way? Or keep just the phone and rely on the library for your entertainment needs?

[kijip]

Your car payment and insurance seem high. Any way to downsize the car? Any way to shop for a lower rate on insurance? $450 a month for a car payment is way too much for your income. Way too much- it is almost 1/4 of your income.

I agree about raising income a bit with working. Is there something you could do pt nights to avoid childcare costs?

[mamadodson]

i do watch kids during the day just started monday so that will bring in an extra 225 a week, and i do sell pampered chef, but that is getting really slow, I would like to stay home as much as possible, because my middle child is disabled, and needs help with school work and what not. So I'd rather not get a job outsid of the home if i dont have to, I know our car pmt is high, but we had crappy credit and it was the only thing that was big enough for us that we could get with our credit so we are kind of stuck there, my insurance is the cheapest I have found for both my husband and I, I guess I am looking for more advice on how to grocery shop more productively and things to do to cut expenses on necessities like soap, shampoo etc..

[Yooper]

Don't use shampoo! Baking soda and apple vinegar work just as well if not better and you do not have to wash as often so you can save on hot water. Not sure if you are purchasing cleaning products or anything disposable, but that is also a great savings. All of it is optional and can add up to a big amount every month. I have even found that measuring my dishwasher powder with an actual level tbsp has cut my use by half!

[mamadodson]

Originally Posted by Yooper

Don't use shampoo! Baking soda and apple vinegar work just as well if not better and you do not have to wash as often so you can save on hot water. Not sure if you are purchasing cleaning products or anything disposable, but that is also a great savings. All of it is optional and can add up to a big amount every month. I have even found that measuring my dishwasher powder with an actual level tbsp has cut my use by half!

Thanks that is exactly what i was looking for not really on how to cut the expenses in bills that I already have as that has already been taken down as much as we can, we are stuck in this apt till june, and the car pmt is not going to change etc. but the no shampoo thing sounds doable, question though, how does it make your hair smell good? as far as cleaning products for the most part we use vinegar, but there are some things I could prob do without... just takes some time getting used to, also we dont have a dishwasher i am the dishwasher....LOL, would the same stuff work on washing dishes?
thanks again

[Yooper]

I suggest you look up "no poo" or "no pooing" in the health forums. It takes a little practice and some trial and error, but once you get a system down, your hair should not smell like anything. I found it was much easier to put into practice with dd since she has less hair. But dh and I have also been doing it for almost 3 years and have been very happy with it.

I am pretty die-hard about not buying cleaning products, but I do buy dish soap, laundry soap, and dishwasher powder. Measuring out each use really cuts down. With laundry powder, I started measuring the recommended amount then decreasing a little for each load. I kept this up until I noticed that the clothes were not coming clean, then upped it a little and have stuck to that. My powder recommends a level scoop (1/4 cup) but I can get away fine with half that. I think it would vary depending on your water type, washer, load size, etc.... But you might find you can use far less than is recommended.

We have also found that tooth powder is more economical than paste. Dd does not use it yet mostly because she wastes a lot trying to get it on the brush. But dh and I both prefer it and it seems to last much longer for the same amount of money. An electric toothbrush also cuts down on the amount of powder/paste needed by about half. Yes, there is an up front cost, but it would pay for itself within a year and my dentist has commented that he notices a big difference in people who use an electric brush. So, it could cut down on dental bills too.

[Guinevere]

So do you homeschool your kiddos or are they at school during the daytime? If they are in school, you could look for part-time employment that is during their schooltime, so you could be home to help out with homework, etc. when they are there.

Guin

[StormySar]

Originally Posted by mamadodson

He cant work right now because he is getting unemployment which is more then he could make a job right now, and that is also how he is getting his school paid for so right now our income is around 2100 a month for five of us, our rent is 700 our car pmt is 450 insurance is 140 utilities which includes gas at 200/month, electric is 150 phone,cable internet, which we have gone down to the smallest pkg available is 80, wter sewage trash is 140, so it usually leaves us with about 300 for necessities, food and gas for the car. We do get food stamps but only 148 a month and we eat that in less then two weeks, so we are pretty tight ship right now, does that help a little?

Can you sell the car and get one without payments or with a lower payment? That seems awful high for one car. Shop around for insurance, if you have a Farmers Bureau near you, try them - our van was $40/month and everyone else was quoting us over $100/month. If you need to, raise deductibles to get a lower monthly payment for the time being.

What about moving to an area that has a lower cost of living? I guess that depends on when your lease agreement is due for renewal so you can move. Check cities close to you and determine if you're living in the best area for your income. I was shocked to find we coudl move from a 2 bedroom apartmentt o a 4 bedroom house (a big house, with backyard, basement, etc.) for over $100 less than what we were paying at the apartment and we only had to move 20 minutes away.

If you can, drop the cable and go to DSL and a regular home phone (or dial up if speed isn't an absolute necessity for work or school). or if you use cell phones, see about wireless broadband and drop home phones and cable.

Are you cooking from scratch and making low cost meals? It seems kind of high that you're going through almost $150 in food in less than a 2 week period. When we were a family of 4 I made us go $50/month for a few months. Now as a family of 5 (soon to be 6) and we can stick around $100/month if we need to. Maybe even less, depending on things. Are you on WIC for help with eggs/dairy/cereal, things like that?

Also little things like hanging laundry to dry, using family cloth (not having to buy TP), avoiding paper towel and using cloth, making your own cleaning solutions, save only a little bit at a time but the more you do, the more it adds up.

[mammastar2]

The babysitting sounds like a good income supplement. I'm not sure that getting some other job instead for school hours only would put you ahead at all.

I agree the car costs seem really high!

The gas and electric seem high too. I would look at conservation there. Do you have windows or doors that need extra insulation going into winter? What about extra rugs on the floor or blankets on the walls/doors/windows, as needed? Can you keep the heat higher in the rooms you're in and lower in the others? Fluourescent bulbs?

Food-wise, try to avoid the convenience foods and stick to things you can buy in bulk (other than the fresh stuff). Rice and beans are your friend!

[mamadodson]

Originally Posted by StormySar

Can you sell the car and get one without payments or with a lower payment? That seems awful high for one car. Shop around for insurance, if you have a Farmers Bureau near you, try them - our van was $40/month and everyone else was quoting us over $100/month. If you need to, raise deductibles to get a lower monthly payment for the time being.

What about moving to an area that has a lower cost of living? I guess that depends on when your lease agreement is due for renewal so you can move. Check cities close to you and determine if you're living in the best area for your income. I was shocked to find we coudl move from a 2 bedroom apartmentt o a 4 bedroom house (a big house, with backyard, basement, etc.) for over $100 less than what we were paying at the apartment and we only had to move 20 minutes away.

If you can, drop the cable and go to DSL and a regular home phone (or dial up if speed isn't an absolute necessity for work or school). or if you use cell phones, see about wireless broadband and drop home phones and cable.

Are you cooking from scratch and making low cost meals? It seems kind of high that you're going through almost $150 in food in less than a 2 week period. When we were a family of 4 I made us go $50/month for a few months. Now as a family of 5 (soon to be 6) and we can stick around $100/month if we need to. Maybe even less, depending on things. Are you on WIC for help with eggs/dairy/cereal, things like that?

Also little things like hanging laundry to dry, using family cloth (not having to buy TP), avoiding paper towel and using cloth, making your own cleaning solutions, save only a little bit at a time but the more you do, the more it adds up.

See thats what i dont understand how the heck can you feed 4 people for a month for 50 bucks? we have two boys and a girl and they are all good eaters, we are lucky to get it done in 150 for two weeks here...LOL, as far as the car it ijust isnt an option right now we just bought the van a year ago, and we need the room like i said i have three of my own kids plus i watch kids during the day, and getting a part time job during the day while my boys are in school wouldnt work either, cuz my daughter is still home, so i would have to find childcare for her, plus i wouldnt even make what i do at babysitting which isnt much, but it is also tax free. So the work situation is where it has to be right now, that is why I am looking for ways to cut mainly food, necessities and stuff and ways to reuse and recycle some things. the phone and cable are down to the bare miniumums already