How do you save money!

[Rockinonahigh]

We all can think of ways to be safe in our homes,with all the thing that we use an accidental fire or short can happen to anyone.In my kitchen I have two fire extinguishers (one was hear when I got the place) in case it's needed,I also have one in the laundry room,also I have fire & gas detectors in nearly every room.When I was in culinary school we had an issue with the large industrail mixer when it shorted out and the kitchen near went up in flames,there were several of us working there at the time so when it happened we called the fire department but also tried to put out the fire,one student ran to get a bucket of water to put it out,I stopped her then use the fire extengusher to put it out.After it was all over I made shure every student we had a safety class so everyone was up on kitchen safety.This is something we all should think about,first aid is another thing we all should be able to use if needed. Hear at home I have a placard on every front window so the fire department will know I have fur kids in the house so they can help them if they can.In doing all the safety step I have done has dropped my house inshurance to a lower rate.Many years ago I took a EMT class and have stayed current on any new training,one never knows when knowing how to save a life or the need for first aid.

[Jet]

Stocking my fridge and freezer monthly. I freeze milk, meats, and fresh veggies. I blanch and freeze vegetables and stock my freezer. But it also helps to be into culinary arts. I love to cook and prepare soups and dishes in advance for freezing. There's always plenty on hand to eat and I save an incredible amount of money by knowing how to cook. I eat like a king by preparing everything in advance and I pay far less for fresh foods than pre-packaged or prepared frozen foods. My grocer is a global supermarket that offers spices and foods from around the world. I shop for everything I need and stockpile.

I invested in a stainless steel 12-piece cookware from Cuisenart, retailed for 500.00 for 99.00 and free shipping. I also received discounts on J.A. Henckles cutlery. Once you have the basics you're on your way.

[Okiebug61]

There are some things I refuse to give up. I do not buy very many generic things. I like choices so I am frugal with what brand names I do buy. If I want a Rib-eye steak I wait to find one that is marked down for clearance and have it that night.

I have learned over the years to not deny myself things I like. It only makes me resentful and I will not live like that.

[Soft*Silver]

I am wondering if anyone else but I have gone grocery store dumpster diving. I did it before it was fashionable and it was a source of shame for me for many years.
When I was pregnant w my daughter I was forbidden by my husband to apply for welfare or food stamps. He worked at Taco Bell part time and I could not work because the pregnancy was a very stressful one. I would go to grocery stores and dig thru their dumpsters. I got veggies and some meats, some expired boxed goods, canned goods, etc. I would clean them and cut off all the wilted or bad parts and make soups and stews out of them to feed my pregnant body.

Now everyone seems to want to do it or think its great. I kinda laughed when i saw the first documentary about it. No more shame! LOL

[Rockinonahigh]

Today I hit a small jack pot at the grocery store,they had a bargain bin of veggies for $2.00 a bag of assorted produce.I got 4 bags of bell peppers,1 bag of onions then an assorted bag of cucks /zukini's (sp?).Some of the peppers I am going to pickle some i'm chopping with some onions and celery for seasoning so all I need to do is get some from the freezer when I need it,the zukes are going to be stuffed then indeviduly wrapped so if I want one to eat all I need to do is get one out of the freezer,my son wont eat one to save his life but I like them baked with tomato sause then topped with my choice of cheese,not a bad buy for the price.

[Rockinonahigh]

Originally Posted by Soft*Silver

I am wondering if anyone else but I have gone grocery store dumpster diving. I did it before it was fashionable and it was a source of shame for me for many years.
When I was pregnant w my daughter I was forbidden by my husband to apply for welfare or food stamps. He worked at Taco Bell part time and I could not work because the pregnancy was a very stressful one. I would go to grocery stores and dig thru their dumpsters. I got veggies and some meats, some expired boxed goods, canned goods, etc. I would clean them and cut off all the wilted or bad parts and make soups and stews out of them to feed my pregnant body.

Now everyone seems to want to do it or think its great. I kinda laughed when i saw the first documentary about it. No more shame! LOL

This has become fashionably with the college kids hear,a spot on the local news showed the things they got that looked as fresh as in the store.I hope they are careful with the choices they have some things may look good but are on the edge of spoiling.

[Rockinonahigh]

At the store today they had paper towel's on sale a 12 pack for $3.98,this will last me a fairly long time,I mostly use them when I fry foods to help the drippings to soak up insted of uesing a cloth towel.

[Okiebug61]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

At the store today they had paper towel's on sale a 12 pack for $3.98,this will last me a fairly long time,I mostly use them when I fry foods to help the drippings to soak up insted of uesing a cloth towel.

We buy our paper towels by the case. It seems to last forever. We are leaning towards going to cloth towels like others have mentioned. Atwoods sells flour sack towels that are great for every day use.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Originally Posted by Okiebug61

We buy our paper towels by the case. It seems to last forever. We are leaning towards going to cloth towels like others have mentioned. Atwoods sells flour sack towels that are great for every day use.

I buy paper goods by the case too, when they're on sale. I'm a total cheapskate. I use cloth towels, too, but sometimes you just need a paper towel.

[Okiebug61]

I don't like admitting that this is part of getting older but the truth be it is. We very seldom go out to eat where we do not share an entrée. We are lucky to have a lot of great places to eat that do not charge a set up fee for sharing a meal. If we do order 2 entrees we usually bring half of each home and have it for dinner or lunch the next day. While eating out is expensive there are times when cooking is just not good or better yet be lazy for a night is more fun.

[ruffryder]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaMa'am

I buy paper goods by the case too, when they're on sale. I'm a total cheapskate. I use cloth towels, too, but sometimes you just need a paper towel.

Zimmeh needs paper towels too. My mom used to cut them in half. I do the same or just don't use them unless I'm eating something really messy. LOL I also stock up when I'm at a fast food place. I'll bring em home and use them. haha.

Toilet paper, Zimmeh has to have 2 ply so I am asinine when it comes to it and I'll buy based on the sq feet vs cost. Usually we go with Scott.

[Okiebug61]

I am really tired of the $90.00 monthly bill to watch only 8 channels. I am seriously thinking about ditching our service and trying a digital antenna.

I found this sight and it is a great resource.

http://www.antennaweb.org/default.aspx

Does anyone here have any insight they would like to share?

[Mopsie]

Originally Posted by Okiebug61

I am really tired of the $90.00 monthly bill to watch only 8 channels. I am seriously thinking about ditching our service and trying a digital antenna.

I found this sight and it is a great resource.

http://www.antennaweb.org/default.aspx

Does anyone here have any insight they would like to share?

I'm really curious about how these work. One of my friends mentioned it the other day and I am thinking of getting one. Did you get one? How is it?

[Okiebug61]

Originally Posted by Mopsie

I'm really curious about how these work. One of my friends mentioned it the other day and I am thinking of getting one. Did you get one? How is it?

I will be having one installed early spring and will keep you updated!

[Okiebug61]

I browsed through this web site and found some pretty cool tools. Let me know if anyone here uses them and give us some feed back.

http://americasaves.org/

[Kelt]

I have posted before about using Mint software for keeping track of things. This morning I tripped over a link from a couple of years ago that is still relevant giving some examples of how to use it and why. *Article*

It focuses on how to set up budgeting easily and some other tools. It is not complete, you can do a lot more with it or not, it's very flexible. Since this is the time of year for having a look at money in general and starting a new year, I thought it might be useful.

[puddin']

i'm jus' very conscientious about what i spend. i put a certain amount each fortnightly pay into me savin's account.

i buy most ever'thang on sale. i watch sale ads and buy accordingly.

when food staples are on sale, i stock up. (canned tomatoes, beans, pasta, etc.)

i buy/fill up on petrol when it's price lowers. (it fluctuates like mad here!)

i use vouchers ever'where!!

i re-use, recycle and re-purpose wherever i can.

[Candelion]

Sometimes I will fly business class instead of taking my private jet. Only sometimes.

[Jar]

I have a supermarket here that has great sales every week and they're good about varying the products. I stock up on things on sale. If there's roast on sale I cook it and split it up into sandwich size meals for lunch and freeze them. Also do the same for dinner portions. I like to cook and it saves money doing it that way.

[boioboi]

I cut my cell phone out of my life. I have GoogleVoice (which works only when I have WiFi, which is 85% of the time). Cut $120 off my budget per month.