How do you save money!

[Okiebug61]

Originally Posted by Uniqueswtfemm

Oh, I have apps to all my fav stores, so I will always have a coupon.

Now, where do I go, what do I do, to save time?

We save time by having everything thing we need monthly set up on Amazon. I have not shopped for any paper products in over a year. I make sure to check my subscribe and save items the week before the cut off. If any prices have raised to much then I switch the brand. I have only had to do this a couple of times. Amazon has always been spot on with my items and if anything has arrived damaged they replace it without having to return the damaged item at no charge. Now if I could get the drone delivery they showed on 60minutes that would be awesome. We also stock up on non perishable items which saves us time having to shop.

[Smiling]

Okie,

Quick derail: I read about the drone delivery! Is that absolutely crazy or what? I don't find it so surprising that the technology is possible; but that we are so close to it being implemented scrambles my brain. I guess the FAA is skeptical that they will be able to put the necessary controls on it in that amount of time, though. It will be very interesting to see! They are only going to be able to stem the tide of air traffic for so long, in my opinion; with the flying cars, motorcycles, etc. in the works.

Okay, sorry everyone! Just wanted to say that and we aren't allowed enough characters in rep comments to satisfy my big mouth on this issue, lol.

Carry on....

[Rockinonahigh]

Yesterday I was cleaning out the freezer and found I had let a few things stay in there to long,it wasn't much but was a waist of $ to put them in the garbage.So with that being said I now have a chart of what's where and how much,when I use something up I can check the chart and restock..hopefully no more stuff in the garbage.I also get thing in bulk if possable that are non perishable then put then in a air tight container.Another thing I have done is I have a large camp stove that runs on butain or charcole even wood chips if thats all I have,it even has a 21/2X21/2 oven on the side to bake with.We use to camp out a lot so I just put this equipment to contenued use in case the stove has a problem,it's a gas stove but the pilot light works with electricty so if the juice is out it wont light anything..a safety measure built in.
With old man winter having the possablity of being bad this year(we are due one) my son is putting a generator to kick in if the power goes out so we won't lose whats in the fridge or either freezer,replaceing the contents would cost a bundle.

[Okiebug61]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

Yesterday I was cleaning out the freezer and found I had let a few things stay in there to long,it wasn't much but was a waist of $ to put them in the garbage.So with that being said I now have a chart of what's where and how much,when I use something up I can check the chart and restock..hopefully no more stuff in the garbage.I also get thing in bulk if possable that are non perishable then put then in a air tight container.Another thing I have done is I have a large camp stove that runs on butain or charcole even wood chips if thats all I have,it even has a 21/2X21/2 oven on the side to bake with.We use to camp out a lot so I just put this equipment to contenued use in case the stove has a problem,it's a gas stove but the pilot light works with electricty so if the juice is out it wont light anything..a safety measure built in.
With old man winter having the possablity of being bad this year(we are due one) my son is putting a generator to kick in if the power goes out so we won't lose whats in the fridge or either freezer,replaceing the contents would cost a bundle.

We have started menu planning so we do not buy what we do not need or simply because it is on sale and forget about it. I like the list idea for the freezer. Think I'll put the dryer eraser board I am not using on the wall by the freezer and organize everything. That way I can quickly take note before shopping.

Thanks for the great tip.

[Rockinonahigh]

I have always had an herb guarden so I can use them fresh when I need them,I also have a dehydrator that I use to dry the herbs for future use during the winter.As for spices,if they are kept in a tightly sealed container they will last a good while just also keep them in a cool dry place to help it last longer.

[Okiebug61]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

I have always had an herb guarden so I can use them fresh when I need them,I also have a dehydrator that I use to dry the herbs for future use during the winter.As for spices,if they are kept in a tightly sealed container they will last a good while just also keep them in a cool dry place to help it last longer.

We use our fresh herbs year around. I have a small indoor greenhouse I keep going year around. Note: If we lived where you are we would be eating out more than we should at the little restaurant that use to be a gas station. :-)

[Rockinonahigh]

Originally Posted by Okiebug61

We use our fresh herbs year around. I have a small indoor greenhouse I keep going year around. Note: If we lived where you are we would be eating out more than we should at the little restaurant that use to be a gas station. :-)

Going out to eat is something I am careful about,there is a small place I like to go once in a while that has the best Italian food that I have found since eating in my grannies kitchen.The family has owned it for five generations,the atmosphere is as old world as they come,they have known every generations of my family since the great grand folks came from Italy If I ate there as much as I would like I would be as big as a barrel.

[Gráinne]

I find if I plan meals for a week, then load the e-coupons and clip the paper ones for things I know I'll use, I can save much $ at the store.

Since I'm trying to be (ahem) smaller, I've been buying my "in-between" clothes at the Goodwill. I can get away with very basic, neutral colors. I buy for my two sons there, also. Just today I picked up a wooden magazine rack for the living room-$5. Most of my art is thrift store, then reframed if necessary.

I mostly watch for sales, if the store is very close. Too far, and it's not worth the time or gas. I have a Target, Kroger, Walgreen's, and a Kohl's all within 10 minutes. I try my darndest not to shop at the nearby Walmart, though.

Something I've noticed-yes, it's important to save, but I've been trying to get value when I do spend. For instance, the other day I was out and about all darn day and starving. Instead of going to McD's and feeling physically but not emotionally full, I took myself to my favorite deli place where I get a huge sandwich, chips, pickle, a drink, and dessert for the same money. I love it there, the people are nice, and I feel like I spent well. So that's my challenge for 2014; to save, yes, but not cheap myself out.

[Jet]

Custom Italian suits from Darya Trading, an importer in LA. I bought a lined, custom all weather black suit listed for 1500.00 for 99.00 with shipping. The fabric and craftsmanship are beautiful.

Italian sport jacket listed at 489.00 for 69.00. Lined and custom fit.

[sofimichi]

*le suscribes to the thread*

[Ginger]

I get a lot of catalogues, and I drop them straight into the recycle bin on my way to my apartment when I get home.

Quinoa in bulk is like the only great deal at Whole Foods. So I stock up every three or four months on it.

[Medusa]

One of the biggest ways I save money is by bringing my lunch to work. Usually it's either leftovers from the previous evening or a Lean Cuisine meal or something like that. I also bring my breakfast (a smoothie or yogurt and fruit) and my afternoon snack.

Just for example, when I eat at the cafeteria at work it looks like this:

Breakfast - Starbucks coffee, scrambled eggs, orange or banana = $5

Lunch - Usually something from the salad bar or the lunch of the day= $7

Afternoon snack - Fruit or something junky = $1

$13 a day multiplied by however many days I go in. I work at home a lot but there are times I go in to work 4 or 5 days.
Just going in 4 days multiplied by $13 - over $50.
Do that every week and it's easily over $200 a month.

Jack and I also try to curtail eating out. We got into a bad habit for a while of eating out 2 - 3 times a week and it was costing hundreds a month.

Just eat at home!! and SAVE!

[Jet]

#3

Never subscribe to cable or Dish. I use my big iMac for everything including streaming on the networks and watching full episodes. I saved around 127.00/mo not having a TV. Oh, and those downloads...

Ha! My aunts want me to write a book on how I got around it all.

[Okiebug61]

Originally Posted by Medusa

One of the biggest ways I save money is by bringing my lunch to work. Usually it's either leftovers from the previous evening or a Lean Cuisine meal or something like that. I also bring my breakfast (a smoothie or yogurt and fruit) and my afternoon snack.

Just for example, when I eat at the cafeteria at work it looks like this:

Breakfast - Starbucks coffee, scrambled eggs, orange or banana = $5

Lunch - Usually something from the salad bar or the lunch of the day= $7

Afternoon snack - Fruit or something junky = $1

$13 a day multiplied by however many days I go in. I work at home a lot but there are times I go in to work 4 or 5 days.
Just going in 4 days multiplied by $13 - over $50.
Do that every week and it's easily over $200 a month.

Jack and I also try to curtail eating out. We got into a bad habit for a while of eating out 2 - 3 times a week and it was costing hundreds a month.

Just eat at home!! and SAVE!

Great points! Eating out is so easy but so expensive. Red being a teacher takes her lunch everyday but one when her team goes out. We make her breakfast sandwiches for the week on Sunday so she can pop one in the microwave while getting ready.

Loving all the great tips. Keep them coming :-)

[girl_dee]

i reuse leftovers until they are all gone

fruit getting too ripe? throw them in the freezer for smoothies.

Throwing out food is something i cannot bring myself to do, i can always *recycle* it into something, lunch the next day or if possible work into my dogs dinner. Leftover potatoes go great in an omelet and i have no problem eating dinner for breakfast.

i despise using paper products, or anything *one use*.. i have a stack of cleaned out to go containers from food brought home and pass leftovers off in them to whomever. i reuse peanut butter jars and other things for storage or whatever, using them just one time makes no sense to me.

For me its not just about saving money but thats a big perk to being resourceful.

Before i buy anything i try to ask if i NEED it or if i just WANT it. Sometimes i do just want it, and that's ok, but i do check in with myself before i buy stuff.

Another tip? Stay out of places like Target and Wal Mart. They are an impulse store, everything you see you need. Stick to a list if you do go.

i needed milk so i stopped at Walgreens, $2.99 and i'm outta there. Can't do that at WalMart.

[TruTexan]

I usually cook all my meals and rarely eat out. I just can't afford it so I try like hell not to do it.
I eat leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day. I don't use a lot of paper towels since I don't fry anything hardly at all. I use cloth towels and wash them.
I buy meats in family packs and freeze them in freezer bags for my portions to cook with. It's cheaper by the pound that way.
When I get the sales papers I look through them and make a list of what's on sale that I need.
I rarely buy myself anything I want. I usually stick to my needs only.

I don't drive a lot during the month, so that saves me on gas money.
And I"m thinking of turning off my land line and internet next month to save up to get some things done I need done for me.

[Okiebug61]

[QUOTE=IslandScout;867214]I get a lot of catalogues, and I drop them straight into the recycle bin on my way to my apartment when I get home.QUOTE]

Here is a fun way to maybe use some of those magazines.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/451...d-box/page/all

[Rockinonahigh]

My aunt would take all the junk mail catalogs,news papers ect then put them into a paper log roller.This gizmo would role them up into a foot and a half to a two foot long paper log then tie it off with heavy string,she use d them for fire starters in her fire place.I have no idea where she got this gizmo but it really did work plus the junk mail was use full.

[Okiebug61]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

My aunt would take all the junk mail catalogs,news papers ect then put them into a paper log roller.This gizmo would role them up into a foot and a half to a two foot long paper log then tie it off with heavy string,she use d them for fire starters in her fire place.I have no idea where she got this gizmo but it really did work plus the junk mail was use full.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Uniflame-C-4301-Newspaper-Log-Roller/dp/B0012M9UZ6"]Amazon.com - Uniflame Newspaper Log Roller[/ame]

[Rockinonahigh]

Originally Posted by Okiebug61

Amazon.com - Uniflame Newspaper Log Roller

Yep,that's it, the very same thing she had.Aunt Jo lived on a farm that had some of the best hard wood around,I should know I cut,chopped and hauled enough of it for fire wood over the years she lived there.