In this horrible economy that is hurting everyone--how do you save money?

What steps have you changed to save money?

What are you doing differently around the house or your buying habits?

THANK YOU---getting desperate in PA.

I am fortunate in the fact my children are grown and have their own children. They are the ones that I feel for even though we have become so spoiled. Every child has their own TV, DS, video game system, cell phone, Ipod, etc. etc. etc. People have to change their spending habits and quit keeping up with the Joneses.

I personally try to run all my errands to and from work (if possible) to save on gas. I am attempting to not even walk in a store so I am not tempted to buy something that I don't need.

I know it's not glamorous but my grandchildren are getting money for their savings accounts for Christmas and Birthdays with either a $5 item to open or cash to spend (for the older ones). They all have enough toys to start a daycare!!

I am going to use my AmEx points for gift cards to give as gifts.

I bring my lunch to work, that hasn't changed. I don't like being rushed going out to lunch and can't see spending at least $5 a day. I can eat cheaper than that.

I have also paid off all of my store credit cards and have put them away. Trying to just have the necessary living expenses to pay monthly. I will not give up my cable or internet (unless I absolutely have to which I don't think I will) because that is the basis of my entertainment.

I will continue to put the same amount of money each payday in my 401K. Employer matches 25% and hope that in 10 years it will pay off.

that's about all I can think of for myself. Interested to hear everyone else's.

The 2 things that I do is to empty my change purse into a jug on my dresser every day and when it is full, I wrape it and put it in a collage account for my granddaughters collage fund and I also take all the singles out of my billfold and save them. They also go into a saving account for something special. I find that I am less likely to "waste' money if I after to break at 5 or 10 dollar bill to buy some small iteam that I really don't need.
HTH,
msmarymac2

i put all my loose silver in a quart canning jar and when it is full i put it in a savings account for emergencies i do not put pennies in the jar i usually put them in the give a penny thing at gas stations since i do get pennies from them every once in awhile i give gift certificates for christmas for my kids and oldest grandson since he is a teenager now i will probably do that for the youngest 2 grandsons this year too along with a present for them to open i give money for birthdays so that they can get what they need my kids are grown and on their own with kids of their own so giving money or gift cards are easiest and they can get what they need or want

This weekend I informed my mother to put the word out that Xmas present buying/giving has been called off AGAIN due to the economy. Last year I called off Xmas present buying/giving for the entire extended family. Parents were responsible for their own children. Only children under 16 received anything. As the teens tell me "Green is Good".

Surprisingly, it went over well. The comments were "so less stressful", "Xmas like it used to be", "nice to not have to worry about the credit cards again", etc. No Xmas tree, just the natural greenery that I clip from outside. Using magnolia leaves and pine for the decorations. My sister has already sent her response "Yes, Yes, Yes".

This year will be the same as last. A large family Thanksgiving dinner at the Grands. A large family dinner Xmas eve or Xmas day at the Grands. Unlike last year, this year both meals will be cooked by me. Last year my mother ordered a fried turkey for Thanksgiving and standing rib roast for Xmas. Good but too expensive. I will be cooking turkey for both meals, but will cook them with different glazes, stuffing, sides, etc.

I have already started checking out new recipes to try with the left over turkey. Dark turkey meat is an excellent substitute for beef. My sister will be sending me what ever fall/winter vegetables that will be growing in her garden. Will be getting the pecans from her old tree. Maybe not the large ones like from the store, but they will make great pecan pies and a white fruit cake (my Dad’s favorite). Have lots of wine from my move stored in the Grand’s cellar.

I am adding a big Xmas cookie baking day for prior to Xmas. All family children are invited. Have the cookie press and cookie cutters ready. Found lots of old cookie tins in the attic. Several cookbooks for new ideas. Also will be cooking some of the old favorites. My adult son has already turned in his choice for cookies. Each child will be sent home with at least one large cookie tin for their family and a small special one for their parents filled with the cookies he/she selected from all of the cookies made.

After much arm twisting, this is the year that I give up most of my secret recipes. My sister is already asking for certain ones ahead of the holiday season.

Our family has taken out commercialism and returned family back into the holiday season.

Home Improvement, I totally agree.

When we had our two children, I told dh that I didn't want to raise them with the "what are we going to get for chri&tmas" attitude. Didn't want to raise them with sugar, either.

Can't say that dh has respected either of those requests but with constant reminders, presents and sugar are kept to a minimum which saves us some money.

I am almost always frugal. I buy most clothing at Walm or Targ. With attractive-looking sweatpants and sweatshirts about $6.50 right now ($3.5 for children), it's a bargain.

We've used only florescent light bulbs in our lamps since they first came out. I fill the tub with less water now for a bath. I turned down the hot water heater. I buy what's on sale at the grocery store with the exception of the staples that I need that might not be on sale. I don't shop the shopping channels any longer.

Dh is frugal, too, in fact, can be downright cheap, but for the life of me I cannot figure out how he racks up so much each month on his credit card. It's just day to day stuff, too, diapers, etc. for the kids, paint and repair items needed from Home Depot, gas, groceries. Maybe that is what they mean by the cost of living.

DH and I were both born in the depression so this is same old same old for us. However some recent "economies". . . cold water for laundry. Throw a dry towel in the drier load and you will be amazed at how it cuts down drying time. Throwing away less food (hard as DH is fussy eater) When second car died we did not replace it. We live on a fixed income so what is changing is cost of things. Oil heat impacts us greatly, only so much we can do about those costs. Happily for us our DSIL does so well we never have to worry about them. I just sent money for DGS' b.d. He needs to learn to budget and it saved me wrapping, mailing, gas etc. etc. expenses. I actually do not mind having second hand furniture and shopping at yard sales, or salvage stores. Kind of enjoy it. I love material things but they do not have to be costly or "in" or new to please me. Oh forgot two other things. We charge almost everything, rarely use cash. Charging allows us to keep close watch and we are not ever foolish with it, have only one card, pay off each month. We each have a weekly allowance and never exceed that. I buy things at store that are on special, even if they are stored for awhile.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lady of shallot,

Lady: I hope you have a credit card that gives you something in return as long as you pay your balance every month. Points for gift cards, etc. They can then also be used as gifts.

I've stopped buying commercially made cleaners, for now.
I'm determined to use the collection of spray bottles I've accumulated under the sink and on my cleaning shelf!
Thanks to Rachel G, I'm making my own laundery detergent - so much cheaper - and stopped using fabric softener in favor of vinegar. It works pretty well, and no, my laundry does not smell like salad.
And I almost never put any kind of cleaner in any of the bathroom sink bowls. I use a wet plastic scrubbie pad and that's all. Maybe it's the accumulated soap and toothpaste drippings...?

I have recently called both cable and phone company to see where I could cut. I got a big surprise from both. Phone I was able to keep most of what I had (and what I actually wanted) and my bill went down by $20. Cable bill also went down and services were increased. Go figure.

We stopped the convenience of having a dumpster for trash and will go back to taking our trash to the transfer station. All small things but they help, especially since I'm on a fixed income. I rather have those ** to play. When I shop the LQS I try to do as much as I can in the sale area. it is usually 50% off.

Like many I am very concerned about what heating will cost here in New England this winter. Though it appears that it will not be as bad as they had orginally projected.

Bunching errands to make the most out of one trip is what I also try to do.

quote:

Originally posted by Charmingsister:
I have recently called both cable and phone company to see where I could cut. I got a big surprise from both. Phone I was able to keep most of what I had (and what I actually wanted) and my bill went down by $20. Cable bill also went down and services were increased. Go figure.

We stopped the convenience of having a dumpster for trash and will go back to taking our trash to the transfer station. All small things but they help, especially since I'm on a fixed income. I rather have those ** to play. When I shop the LQS I try to do as much as I can in the sale area. it is usually 50% off.

Like many I am very concerned about what heating will cost here in New England this winter. Though it appears that it will not be as bad as they had orginally projected.

Bunching errands to make the most out of one trip is what I also try to do.

Last week I paid $3.12 a gallon, down from $4,39 last February, in Maine.

I won't cut back much on food. My husband really appreciates good rounded meals and he will eat leftovers so we seldom waste anything.


One thing I need to do but keep putting off...start gathering up unused items around the house and list them on ebay or craigslist. Even selling for a small amount of cash makes more sense than just storing the stuff forever.

Moved annuities into safer but stagnant market.
Right now best savings plan is CD's. Holding at 4.25%.
We had big yard problems this year; no savings there. Trees had to come down = +$2000 to arborist, then stump remover, then top soil, seed, etc. When a huge limb scrapes neighbor's garage, it's time for that tree to go and another had three major rotting limbs and another was getting way out of control. Can't wait until major damage happens, can you? Other than some minor landscaping, we've done nothing extravagant because of the way the economy has been going.
Differently around the house? Nothing. I have to buy a new PC but have put that off for a while. Grocery shop only for essentials. We don't do anything extravagant, although this weekend we'll have the young granddaughters and will take them to an animal park and to a specialty shop the next day. But we won't buy, buy, buy them whatever they want. And they know that. They may each want a T-shirt; they may buy some food items for their dollhouse that stays here with us. (They have a Grandpa-made Barbie one at their house.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: M-ma,

When I was at local market, I asked the butcher if he would be stocking beef neck bones, and smoked pork shanks (yes)
An interesting conversation ensued after he said he has doubled ordred hot dogs. Apparently people have yet to realize hot dogs are more expensive than steak or chops!
I'm ready for cooler weather and comfort foods....roast chicken & dressing, meatloaf % smashed taters; one dish meals like beefy veggie soup, beans & ham

I grew up with parents who lived through the Depression and WW2 so we learned how to make every dollar and resource strech.

I've lived somewhat frugally most of my adult life. Not saying I haven't had splurges once in awhile but as a rule, no.

We try to limit our trips into town to 1-2 a week and try to combine as many stops as possible.
I pretty much will not shop without a list regardless what store I am going into at the time.

We've learned to watch sales even at the drugstores; they can have products we use for a better price than the grocery stores sometimes.

I use coupons rarely, there are few that cater to us retired, fixed income folks but if I come across one now and then I will use them.

This past spring I bought a couple extra fans to put in the windows and was able to keep the A/C off longer.Next spring I plan on buying a few more.

We will of course dress in layers this winter to keep the thermostat down. In the winter we try to keep it at 68 unless we hit a spell of cold, rainy weather for several days to a week out here, it just gets so cold and damp in the house that we have to break down and raise it a little.
In the summer I was able to keep the thermostat at 81 with the ceiling fans and box fans running. At times it was a little uncomfortable but then I just went outside for a bit and when I came back in it felt really nice.LOL!
We can be upper 90's to past 110 for spells in the summer so going without A/C is not an option.

We use up almost all leftovers now. In the past we were bad about sometimes forgetting to use up something and it would end up being pitched.

We grew a garden this past season and were able to use a lot of our veggies so that helped a little.

We seldom eat out but when we do we try to use a coupon like buy one entree, get the second at half price.

Pretty much saving for us is a daily process; as each day goes on whenever we see a way we can cut a corner or do something to benefit us we do it.

We try to have something left over at the end of each month to put back into savings but it's getting harder and harder.

I think most Americans can find ways to cut out some of the fluff in their own household if they try.

Becoming a coupon-clipping Queen. Going to stores that offer double up to 55 cent. Go shopping with a list and bundling trips. I've also taken advantage of sells at DSW that offer a free purse with a $50 purchase, along with a $10 coupon. So I get a nice purse & pair of nice shoes for 40 bucks. I'm giving the purse as a gift & keeping the shoes. I love to shop, but now I wait on the coupons & clearances at Neiman's with no shipping and taxes.

Junkie,///will you share your white fruit cake recipe? I have one,but it,s only o.k, I don't love it.
We waste way to much money on food. the grandkids are really picky eaters,and we've allowed it,but it has to stop.I guess if they get hungry enough they'll eat what we give them. I blame the adults not the kids for that. I've noticed cereal is getting really high. My dh and ds have been doing most of the shopping all summer because of my foot, and didn't relize how high things had gotten.I'm going to cut thier cold cereal back to 2 or3 times a week, and make more hot cereal, pancakes, waffels that kind of stuff.I think it's cheaper.
We and the neighbors always check with each other before going down the hill for anything,that helps alot.I've got younger kids here and she has teen-age boys.Alot of my left overs go to her house, at least I'm not tossing it.I cook differant than she does.The boys love it.
It,s going to be hard for awhile we just have to learn new habits.We're strong we're Americans, we can do it. We'll keep coming here to encourage each other. It helps me.
Thanks ya' all.

BTW -
not all kids are picky eaters just because their parents allow it. I have a picky eater whose taste buds are so acute, that even as a small child, would vomit if I tried to sneak in a food that he didn't like, could tell if I switched peanut butter brands with his first bite of the sandwich, and could only tolerate chicken nuggets from one particular fast food chain.
He never ate a cheeseburger till the age of 11.
There were no allergic reactions to anything, no stomach aches, he just couldn't stand the taste of so many foods.
I guess he saves me money on pasta night - no sauce, no meatballs, no sausage, no cheese, not even butter. He only likes it plain!

Buying less, but buying better. Like my grandpa used to say, poor people cannot buy cheap things. So I will keep buying from the same stores, but buy less and take good care of my things. I rather get two good new sweaters for the winter than a dozen questionable ones.

Going back to basics, where meals in a restaurant are a treat and a coffee at Starbucks is a treat. Carry a water bottle with filtered tap water from home, not buy water, which is dum anyway for many reasons.

Go for more walks. Borrow books from friends. Only do laundry when I have a full load. Turn off lights and appliances when not needed.

Really cutting down on longer trips and vacations. And when on the road, pack meals and snacks.

My hot water heater keeps water hot for at least 12 hours. I'm in the habit of flipping it on at the breaker an hour before my husband needs the shower in the morning, then run the dishes, and then shut it off till maybe an hour in the evening. If i were handier electrically, I'd put it on a timer that allows for several on/off settings per day.

If you have the time to wait and watch, you can find things you want to buy in online classifieds like craigslist for huge savings off the original price. There are great deals on appliances from folks who just upgraded for their remodels, and also on materials. I recently bought a brand new, still in the box lockset for half price from someone who bought 2 and only needed 1. I don't know why they didn't just return it.. maybe they lost the receipt. But it was exactly what I was looking for. Other times they order things in the wrong size or style..I got a beautiful half-light (3 different types of glass with beveled diamond design with vaning) woodgrain fiberglass front door for $125. From my local Habitat for Humanithy garage sale, $75 bought me an almost new 12 pane single french style door with the pane dividers inside the glass. It was worth over $400. Someone bought a new house and just didn't like that style of door. The savings paid for the contractor who put it in where I used to have a window. I can now get out to my deck from a door near the kitchen instead of hiking thru the house and out the laundry room.
I saw someone selling the same cooktop I installed last year for 2/3rds off the original price I paid.. another person who was remodeling.

I have been making up a monthly menu. Used to do it weekly. Doing this has saved us at least $100.00/ month on our grocery budget. Cutting back on processed foods and going homemade as much as I can what with working full time and driving 40+ minutes each way. DH and I have cut our weekly eating out to just once or twice a month. We have also been staying home more period. No more random trips to Target or the mall and spending just because we were there. Everything is much more planned out. Our mantra has become "Do we NEED it or do we just WANT it?" Has to be a need at the best possible price we can find. I am more conscious of my driving habits. No more jack rabbit starts and using the cruise control when I can to try and save gas. I stay and eat leftovers brought from home at my desk at work. No more getting out of the office, using gas and spending too much money needlessly. Every little bit helps.

Kath

I don't mean to offend anyone, and I apologize if I do, but what has changed for you as individuals in the current economy? I know that some people have lost jobs, but unemployment is still below 6%. I know that the market is tanked, but that should only have a direct effect on people who are close to retirement. I know that some people are having a hard time with increased mortgage interest, but people with fixed rates don't have that issue. So if you are someone who hasn't missed a paycheck, and if you are at least ten years away from retirement, and if you have been responsible about your mortgage, what has changed to make you feel the need to economize more now than before? If anything, it seems to me that people who are not suffering direct effects to their wallets (not 401K's) from the economy shouldn't be withdrawing from participating in it. Frugality is always a good virtue to practce, but why more now than before?

aggiearchi, When I saw this at the top of the list decided to post my feelings which are very similar to yours.

The best thing you can do is turn off the TV and radio. If someone tells you the same thing over and over and over you start to believe it.. even if it is not true.

When you go to the store, any store, look at what people are buying. Most are not necessities. Read these boards. People are still concerned about how fancy a stove they can get, what color granite, what style furniture to buy. Not exactly a sign of a troubled financial person.

Yes, some will have to tighten a bit but how many are going to have to go to soup lines, live in the street? We still have it really good compared to historical happenings. This is just a blip in the road.