| Topic Review (Newest First) |
| 08-16-2007 05:07 AM | |
| Shutup |
i think this is funny since olive blew her was on a canon rebel. 
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| 08-10-2007 11:35 AM | |
| missus.mint |
Not going out to eat makes a huge difference! I haven't dove in to making a budget yet ... but I know I really need to! But ... eating in, using netflix instead of going to the movies, and soon we'll be cutting our cable package of premium channels to save some $$$. DH does have a decent Army salary but sometimes it doesn't seem like we'll make it 2 whole weeks. I plan on going back to work but no idea just when yet. DH is ok with that, and I like the idea of staying home with DD. At least right now, as little as I'd bring in wouldn't be worth the spending money on daycare. I'm a pharmacy tech licensed in CA but living in VA. There are some steps I have to take before I can work here ... and I'm not ready to go there just yet. |
| 07-30-2007 01:15 AM | |
| Olive |
thanks guys. i *think* we're managing okay now...4 years later.
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| 07-20-2007 11:09 PM | |
| bakdebbie | We are a family of 4 on 1 income. We have a car payment & all the reg bills. I save money by making my dh lunch for work every night, I make everything from scratch that I can. Even though I still need help with that. I buy alot of what is on sale. I do cook alot with ground beef & chicken. I will go to my church for food help. I buy the cheaper hot dogs & my kids love them. We cut our car payment so that we pay it twice a month so that helps. I buy alot of bulk food & then freeze most of it in smaller containers. |
| 07-16-2007 01:55 PM | |
| cookofdeath |
I do a monthly menu planner. DH NEVER eats lunch out, i make it daily i treat meat as a side, not a main course, i coupon i don't buy soda i'm not too proud to scour the food pantry at church |
| 07-13-2007 01:39 PM | |
| Pudin |
So you are a domestic goddess? 
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| 07-09-2007 07:57 PM | |
| bushidodad |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barbie
I second or third the budget idea. It's great to write down where you spend, you can see exactly where all the money goes and can prioritize what gets cut!
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| 07-06-2007 10:43 AM | |
| lambchops76 |
We do it--but I'm not entirely sure how. We still have DirecTV but cancelled HBO and do not get payperview. We do not do anything extra as far as entertainment (like go to the movies, rent movies, etc.) we do however have Netflix which allows for some fun. Our grocery spending (overall including diapers and baby stuff) is limited to under $100 a week. I spent $55 this week. We limit our out-to-eat to once-a-week at a baby-friendly (aka CHEAP) place. My DH eats leftovers for his work lunches. I do not buy snack food. We go to Costco, but are very careful to watch prices. We spend maybe $100 every two months on meat, toiletries, softener salt, cat litter, and bulk food we actually eat. When I go food shopping, I make a list. I make sure that stuff is purchased within my budget and occasionally pick up other things but only after I'm sure I can afford the rest. I am very, very aware of the price of food. I keep track of the price of food and buy when it is truly a good deal, not necessarily when it is just "on sale." |
| 07-06-2007 10:36 AM | |
| Harlot |
 I'm a dork.
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| 07-06-2007 09:59 AM | |
| sexymomma |
Quote:
Originally Posted by DirtyBirdy
Look at the date of the op, I think she has it figured out by now
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| 07-06-2007 09:57 AM | |
| sexymomma |
My first post  We're air force too...shop at the commisary! they let you use coupons from other stores. Make a menu, weekly works best for me ... stick to it! Where will you be stationed? |
| 07-05-2007 03:25 PM | |
| Shade |
Look at the date of the op, I think she has it figured out by now
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| 07-05-2007 01:48 PM | |
| Harlot |
Hester, You need to total you income for the month or bi-monthly, however you want to do it, and then break it down into categories. rent/mortgage, food, gas, utilities, clothes, etc. Set dollar amounts for each category and do everything you can to stay within that amount. |
| 07-05-2007 01:40 PM | |
| alice |
If you know how to use them coupons can save you a lot of money, especially when combined with rebates, either from a store program or the manufacturer. There are boards out there that discuss the best deals, & often post the ads in advance. Dollar stores don't always offer the best deals, especially because most don't accept coupons. If you have small children it may be worth it to join a childrens' museum in your town, if you can afford the initial outlay. These can be a good place to take the kids out, especially if you are on your own. DH is not in the military, but when my kids were little he was often away on weekends & our children's museum was great for outings. |
| 07-04-2007 10:28 PM | |
| funkytown | Aside from internet, look at other bills that you can lessen. Find a better deal on good car insurance. Get a better interest rate on credit cards. |
| 07-04-2007 01:00 PM | |
| NrmlsXtnct |
Always find a way to use your leftovers. Make good use of the dollar store(s). |
| 07-02-2003 08:18 AM | |
| drea |
We have at least two meatless meals a week (pretty easy since dh works late a couple nights a week anyway). My mom bought us one of those vacuum sealers so that when we buy meat in bulk or cook in bulk we can keep the food longer in the freezer without freezer burn. There is a great consignment store in my area with children's clothes and toys. I wash my freezer and sandwich bags so that I can use them a second and third time. Making a grocery list and sticking to it (no extra purchases) has helped a lot. If it's not on the list, I don't buy it. |
| 07-02-2003 08:17 AM | |
| Hester |
Quote:
Originally posted by GoatFucker
Budget, and budget everything. When I say everything, I mean everything. We budget our rent, utilities, food, as well as gas for the car, personal money, hair cut money, clothing money, etc. |
| 07-01-2003 09:08 PM | |
| calumet |
The best investment you can make is a deep freezer. When you see a good bargain at the store, stock up and freeze it if necessary. Look around in the want ads for one. We picked up one about 5 years ago for $150, and it has more than paid for itself. When you have to go out on errands, budget your time so you can do them all in one day, and route it out so you aren't criss-crossing around town. Saves gas and wear and tear on your vehicle, not to mention time. Make a list for the grocery store, and stick to it! Get blinders if you have to so you don't pick up impulse items. I used to be a meat cutter, and I can tell you that Sam's Club has high quality meat for much less than grocery stores do. Buy some freezer wrap, and divide the meat into portions big enough for one meal at a time. The freezer wrap will help prevent freezer burn, so you won't have to throw out. Also, save up the cash and only go there once every 2-3 months. They have way too many tempting goodies. Make 2 day meals. Spaghetti, chili, meat loaf all taste better the second day. Leftover ham and ham bones make great seasonings for beans. If you have any all-in-one stores near you, like Meijer's or Wal-Mart's that sell groceries, buy your toiletries there. Much, much cheaper than going to a drug store, or even a regular grocery store. Remember, the more items a retailer stocks, the less they have to depend on one line of goods to make a profit. Therefore, the prices are lower on everything. Here's a biggie. While you are budgeting, take a notebook and pen with you to the grocery store. On the shelf tag for items, you'll see a price per unit. For example, laundry detergent that goes for $13.99, will be  down into how much it costs per ounce. Start writing that info down. Sometimes, it's cheaper to buy in bulk or larger packages, but sometimes it's not.
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| 06-25-2003 06:28 PM | |
| Phishgal |
I do not know if you have kids in diapers but if you do, you might want to check out cloth diapers. It is a small investment, but saves so much money in the long run! I even use cloth wipes. It really is not much more work. Check out www.orangestarfish.com for great deals on cloth as well as Ebay. I also buy clothes for next season for my kids when it goes on clearance. For example, Lands End is having a kick ass sale for kids. I bought my dd several cute sundresses for only $5.99 a piece for next summer. Walmart and Target isn't even that cheap! |
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