I spent today looking at our budget. Our spending, our debt, and our income. This fueled me to not only become thrifty, but frugal.
We can make ends meet now- but only just. What happens if an "if" happens, like the car breaking down.
What will we do? We certainly don't have a savings! And we can't really budget for one with our current circumstances.
So frugality is my option. Sure we could work more. We already do. We jump at every opportunity to put a little extra cash in our pockets.
Studies have also shown that being physically healthy is linked to being financially healthy. You can also guess whether or not you will keep your weight off, based on your credit report. If you're credits a mess, you can almost guarantee that you're going to be one yourself.
The Game Plan looks a little something like this:
1. Call all creditors and negotiate a lower interest rate. I have one thats 25%!!! Eek...
2. Print out coupons. Use them at the store.
3. Only shop on sale days. I found my store's weekly circular on-line and can see if there's a sale going on in my store the day I want to go shopping or not.
4. When I go shopping, use said coupons. Whatever it says I saved- I am writing a check for that amount and putting it in my savings account. Because, I figure, I'd spend the money anyway, and this will help pad my savings account. Which is thread-bare at the moment.
5. Use the library more. Not only can you get books, but you can get movies too.
6. We canceled our cable sometime ago, and have gone back to Netflix. At $9 and some change a month, I get unlimited instant viewing and 1 dvd, traded out as many times as I like. This is down from $90 for cable/internet.
7. Canceling my Curves membership. I don't go. I do incur a cancellation fee, but it's an extra $34 I'd be saving a month. One month of Curves=Two months of Weight Watchers online. I think I know which I prefer!
8. Any extra income after our "base amount" ie bonus, overtime, etc, will immediately be put to use to pay down our debt. Sure it sucks... but its better than living week to week.
9. Hubby has a habit of wanting every new video game (let's face it, I like them too) but it's expensive. Especially if you want two or three a month and you only play through them once. The solution for this is Gamefly. Gamefly is a lot like Netflix, but for games. Its different than say, Blockbuster, because there are never any late fees. And you can buy the games discounted through their website. But there's also places like Half.com for that.
10. You can make your own cleaning supplies, as well as laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets using- what else? Vinegar and baking soda! (as well as a few other things mentioned here)
11. Sweepstakes! Hey, most cost nothing more than a minute to enter, and you can win lots of really cool things- anywhere from gift cards to phones, skis to houses! The possibilities are endless. And yes, I know most are legit on Online Sweepstakes because my mom's won gift cards, a phone, and some skis, as well as a few things. I haven't won anything yet :( She's really lucky though lol
Hey, if I can barely take care of me and hubby, what happens when puppy becomes 3? I need to get this under control now, so its not a problem later!
Did you know that you can freeze eggs? Milk? Cheese? Bread? How about tortillas? Here's a list of other things you can freeze.
I will try this for a month and let you all know how it goes. I plan on doing a spread sheet too, for comparison reasons. Yay! Let the frugality begin!
Post any other tips or suggestions you have, and we can all help each other out :)
He took my last name when we got married. I took on the challenge of motherhood and losing the 80 lbs I gained
Love it! I can't even begin to tell you how GOOD it feels to be debt free. We pay a mortgage - that's it. Everything else is cash. And we're building our savings and planning for retirement. Financial bumps (our dog died, unexpected medical etc) don't completely stress me out - we take them in stride. It's fabulous and it can be done. You're totally on the right track!! Good luck!
ReplyDeletewhew ! glad to see this post. When you were posting you were having hunger pains and were out of money, I wished I could reach through the internets and hand you some can goods and coupons.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you are on the right track.
I've volunteered for a food bank and we give a box with certain items that can be combined to make long lasting meals. Rice and beans with veggies...peanut butter and jelly with bread. So planning a frugal diet can can be helpful. there are lots of blogs and websites out there to learn from too. I see so many people buying food at the $1 stores these days..a loaf of bread or a pouch of tuna for $1 sure beats 2.99 at a regular grocery.
When I was in college I was very poor at times and had to scrounge for pennies and change to make up spending money for the coke machines between classes and work . I lived on pbjs for several days one week.
Hang in there..you'll be surprised when you get through this phase and find yourself with a little extra money in your pocket.
For me frugal living is not living to sacrifice your all desires. And also doesn't mean you full fill all of them.
ReplyDeleteIts about adjusting in the kind of income you have. Saving plays a major role. One can always find substitutes.
What is frugal living