Cutting $1000/month from our budget

[Anonymous]

My thermo is set at 67...its chilly so we wear socks and hoodies no big deal.

We have no cable but got netflix and ESPN to go or something? (some sports thing, its 8 bucks)

Instead of getting my hair done every 8 weeks I go every 12. This means I take care of my own roots in-between, inconvenient but easy.

I started cutting my boys hair, once again inconvenient but easy.

No pop. No juice.

Instead of pizza every Friday we go pizza once a month with a coupon. This one sucks but whatev!

Classmates birthday parties get something in the 10 dollar range instead of the 20 dollar range...I felt bad about this until I noticed its more the norm than I originally thought.

We are going to cut our pool pass this summer but keep the JCC (I go daily, DH goes 2-3 times a week, its part of our social life/community but would cut if I had to)

[Anonymous]

Amazon subscribe and save or Costco for stuff you can buy bul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids walk to/from school or take bus. I only drive them approx 1X per week.

They walk as it is, but thanks.
Not signing them up for any spring activities. No more extras at school (They are 5, so it's not like I am keeping them from their future college scholarship potential.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My thermo is set at 67...its chilly so we wear socks and hoodies no big deal.

We have no cable but got netflix and ESPN to go or something? (some sports thing, its 8 bucks)

Instead of getting my hair done every 8 weeks I go every 12. This means I take care of my own roots in-between, inconvenient but easy.

I started cutting my boys hair, once again inconvenient but easy.

No pop. No juice.

Instead of pizza every Friday we go pizza once a month with a coupon. This one sucks but whatev!

Classmates birthday parties get something in the 10 dollar range instead of the 20 dollar range...I felt bad about this until I noticed its more the norm than I originally thought.

We are going to cut our pool pass this summer but keep the JCC (I go daily, DH goes 2-3 times a week, its part of our social life/community but would cut if I had to)

OP here. The pool is an extravagance I simply cannot give up.

[Anonymous]

These hints will help you save some money, but I doubt getting rid of cable and buying cheaper food is going to save you $1000 per month

[Anonymous]

OP. Make a spreadsheet of all your expenses during a month, then go from there. I did it and found ways to cut expenses.

[Anonymous]

1. menu planning
2. bring lunch (this is something that is hard for my spouse)
3. spring break / summer camps - using DC Parks and Rec instead of Homerun / Headfirst

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. Make a spreadsheet of all your expenses during a month, then go from there. I did it and found ways to cut expenses.

Will do. What were your surprise expenditures?

[Anonymous]

OP, 1000 a month is a lot to cut. Do you own your house and could you rent out a room in the basement? If you rent, is it possible to downsize to a cheaper apartment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My thermo is set at 67...its chilly so we wear socks and hoodies no big deal.

We have no cable but got netflix and ESPN to go or something? (some sports thing, its 8 bucks)

Instead of getting my hair done every 8 weeks I go every 12. This means I take care of my own roots in-between, inconvenient but easy.

I started cutting my boys hair, once again inconvenient but easy.

No pop. No juice.

Instead of pizza every Friday we go pizza once a month with a coupon. This one sucks but whatev!

Classmates birthday parties get something in the 10 dollar range instead of the 20 dollar range...I felt bad about this until I noticed its more the norm than I originally thought.

We are going to cut our pool pass this summer but keep the JCC (I go daily, DH goes 2-3 times a week, its part of our social life/community but would cut if I had to)

OP here. The pool is an extravagance I simply cannot give up.

Well than don't wonder why you can't find extra money at the end of the month!

[Anonymous]

Kids drink water or seltzer water. I refill water bottles with filtered tap...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My thermo is set at 67...its chilly so we wear socks and hoodies no big deal.

We have no cable but got netflix and ESPN to go or something? (some sports thing, its 8 bucks)

Instead of getting my hair done every 8 weeks I go every 12. This means I take care of my own roots in-between, inconvenient but easy.

I started cutting my boys hair, once again inconvenient but easy.

No pop. No juice.

Instead of pizza every Friday we go pizza once a month with a coupon. This one sucks but whatev!

Classmates birthday parties get something in the 10 dollar range instead of the 20 dollar range...I felt bad about this until I noticed its more the norm than I originally thought.

We are going to cut our pool pass this summer but keep the JCC (I go daily, DH goes 2-3 times a week, its part of our social life/community but would cut if I had to)

OP here. The pool is an extravagance I simply cannot give up.

Well than don't wonder why you can't find extra money at the end of the month!

We all have our line in the sand. Look, we're paying all our bills but just not saving as much as I would like. Spending $500/year for a pool to me is absolutely worth it.

[Anonymous]

If it is just a matter of your savings account not being fat enough, then you need to talk with DH to see if he shares your concerns. If you want to keep the pool, then his desire to keep cable and watch soccer is equally as valid.

You need to decide how much life sacrifice is really worth more money in the bank. You need to enjoy living now too and not just plan to enjoy life sometime in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. Make a spreadsheet of all your expenses during a month, then go from there. I did it and found ways to cut expenses.

Will do. What were your surprise expenditures?

Eating out was the highest of my expenses (lunch, coffee break) and running to the grocery store to get minor things and ending up buying more than I needed. Now I plan meals, including snacks, and don't eat out as much. I go to the grocery store once a week and get points for gas. I also noticed that if I use Peapod/Giant pick-up I spend less than if I go to the store (think $230 versus $160), so I started using Peapod, the problem is that I get no points for gas when using Peapod.

Gas- I would drive everywhere and especially visit out of town family. I still visit family but not as frequent. I said sorry family, but FaceTime is free.

Bundle cable/internet. I barely watch TV but use the internet a lot. I cut cable and kept internet, the bill went from $60 to $30.

Perhaps I'm not saving $1k a month, but definitely saving some money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. Make a spreadsheet of all your expenses during a month, then go from there. I did it and found ways to cut expenses.

Will do. What were your surprise expenditures?

Eating out was the highest of my expenses (lunch, coffee break) and running to the grocery store to get minor things and ending up buying more than I needed. Now I plan meals, including snacks, and don't eat out as much. I go to the grocery store once a week and get points for gas. I also noticed that if I use Peapod/Giant pick-up I spend less than if I go to the store (think $230 versus $160), so I started using Peapod, the problem is that I get no points for gas when using Peapod.

Gas- I would drive everywhere and especially visit out of town family. I still visit family but not as frequent. I said sorry family, but FaceTime is free.

Bundle cable/internet. I barely watch TV but use the internet a lot. I cut cable and kept internet, the bill went from $60 to $30.

Perhaps I'm not saving $1k a month, but definitely saving some money.

This sounds like us - I will take your tips. All good points and places we can shave.