Amy's Random thoughts: Question for the readers

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Question for the readers

I had some people worried so I had to change this post.

I am just looking for ways to save money and to live a bit more basic than we do. DO you have any hints or suggestion on how to live on a tight budget? I know some of you have some great tips out there!

7 comments:

Dawn S. said...: Amy, what happened?

Lemme give this some thought...I am beat from the trip(just got home) but I know I can come up with some stuff...oooh! Check out the Tightwad Gazette books! There! One idea so far!

Prayers and thought with you...; 7:38 PM
Melanie said...: I love the quote at the top of your blog- I have the same one on mine.

Since we went from 2 incomes to 1 last year (I'm staying home with our baby) we have made a lot changes. Some simple things- like I cut all my dryer sheets and baby wipes in half. You don't really need a whole one. I also use way less laundry detergent and dishwasher soap than is recommended and things still come out clean.

Another thing I do is at the beginning of each month I have envelopes that I put money in for groceries, incidentals (shampoo, soap, etc), entertainment and so on. I've been using only cash because it's hard for me to stick to my budget with credit cards. So, once the cash is gone we don't spend any more until the next month when I fill up the envelopes again.

I get a lot of coupons online and in the Sunday paper for our groceries and incidentals.

When we decided that I would stay home I did a lot of research on the internet for money saving ideas. One website where I got a lot of good ideas was this one: http://mommysavers.com/boards/spending-less-saving-more/

It's amazing to me how much money we used to waste. All these years we could have been putting my entire paycheck into our savings account. Sorry I wrote so much!! But, hope some of my ideas help.; 5:14 AM
Debi said...: Thrift stores. Seriously. We buy nearly every item of clothing, including coats, shoes, boots, etc. from thrift stores. It's simply amazing the great stuff you can find at a good thrift store. We simply can't afford to buy clothes even from Walmart or Target.; 5:33 AM
gail@more than a song said...: Looks like you got some good ideas! Coupons are probably good, eating out gets expensive so at times we had to cut that out. I also heard a money expert say one time that paper products could be cut, like paper plates and maybe use cloth napkins more. Cash in the envelopes is an excellent idea! We've used that too. My kids cut cable out when they had to, and look for free things to do rather than movie theater or rentals.; 5:52 AM
jeanette said...: Amy -lots of good ideas have already been shared...but if you want to email me jethalt@yahoo.com I can give you more -easier to do it that way than write them all out as a comment! We've always lived on my hubby's income, even when I worked..and my sis and her hubby live on his quite small salary with 5 bio kids AND they're adopting 2 boys from Zambia-got LOTS of my ideas from my sister! :); 7:41 AM
Joyful Days said...: Frugal...hmmm...We rarely go to movies. We wait for the DVD. If we do go to the theatre we do matinees.

Eating out has gone by the wayside. We go out once a month. Menus and stick to them. (I struggle with that, but it helps.)

I've heard, but not done a spending diary to see where the $$ are going. Hidden costs, little things really add up.

Prayers for everything to come together in this.

I tagged you for a Four Fav's meme, if you are able to play.; 12:57 PM
Michelle said...: I don't know if you guys eat out a lot, but if you cut back on that it will save money. Or even when you do eat out try splitting a main course (they usually give such large serving size anyways - enough to feed 2 people!) order water (no charge) instead of soda and skip the appetizer (unless you're splitting a meal and think it might not be enough).; 9:40 AM