This is my breakdown: How can I improve?
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Anonymous
+3 |
Anonymous
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I think you're doing great!
You can probably get your grocery/supply spending down a bit, but it require some time and planning, not sure if you have time for that. Anyway, check out http://slickdeals.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38 for some ideas. |
Anonymous
| Do you shop at Aldi? |
Anonymous
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You're doing great, OP. I am impressed with how much you are saving given your income and expenses.
One thing I personally would do, for morale, would be to put any money that you don't use on household expenses or any other leftover cash from anywhere else into a vacation fund. Figure out how to get away as a family (or maybe just as a couple) once a year. We prioritize doing this over other things that might make more financial sense because I find that spending a week on a beach that we drive to with my husband and daughter does worlds for my emotional health. We live in an area where you can get great deals on lodging and travel through Groupon or something without ever setting foot on an airplane. |
Anonymous
I agree. You're doing great! All I'd really encourage you to do something like explore shopping at Aldi and cutting down on meat so that you can treat yourself to takeout or an inexpensive restaurant once a month. You deserve it, and you're doing great! |
Anonymous
| Do you have space in your home for a renter? We tried long-term and it sucked horribly, however, we have a spare room with private bath and find renting temporarily (to interns and such) to be nice bonus cash. |
Anonymous
| I recently just discovered the plethora of services offered through my work's EAP program - childcare subsidy, half off at restaurants and theme parks, subsidized parking in downtown under certain circumstances, free counseling. I'd have your husband contact HR and confirm whether they're an employee assistance program and then get on the phone to get a full list of all the services provided for families in your situation. You may find you qualify for something unexpected. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Thanks all..I will research those programs PP. Also Aldi is the ONLY place we shop with occasional in-between stops at Giant for loss leaders. Also, we don't have room for a renter. We have one bathroom and 2 bedrooms. Any other ideas are welcomed. Thanks!!! |
Anonymous
During Summer I found it cheaper to shop @ Farmers market, especially of you can buy in bulk & split among friends. I get seconds in bulk - 30-60% cheaper that firsts, but still fresh and good quality products. |
Anonymous
| You are doing great! Don't forget shopping at the commissary - not sure where you live but I go to the one in forest glen and most things are much cheaper. |
Anonymous
+fucking 3 |
Anonymous
| Any chance to pick up some side work at home income? I run several websites....when I actually put some work into them back in their hey day...I was making over a thousand a month.... I haven't touched them in years and still make around $600 a month on them. |
Anonymous
| How long till you pay off the car? |
Anonymous
+1 my ILs are military and I always make sure to tag along when my MIL goes to Ft. Belvoir. So much cheaper!! |
Anonymous
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Since you are done having children, how about selling your child's toys, equipment, and diapers as he outgrows them? Craigslist is a great way to sell and get $25 or $50 here and there. For clothes, if you're not already passing them on, you can go through them and sell them at a consignment sale. I regularly do a fall one and spring one and make $100 at each one. It's not a lot, but it's fun and it helps.
I also think you are doing great. One suggestion - try to cut down on the Target runs! They will eat up your budget. Make a list when you shop and stick to it or try to shop somewhere else that isn't as tempting. 
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