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What is the number one (or two) thing you do to save money?
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Anonymous
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Refinanced and saved almost $600 on our monthly mortage payment
Take my lunch most days (3-4 days a week) and we don't eat out that often (date night infrequently and take out maybe once every week or two). Getting pregnant with our second has made me avoid caffeine and my daily Starbucks afternoon latte habit is saving me tons at least for the next several months I renogiated my gym membership since I work out at the office during the week now and only use the gym on weekends. Saving me $15 a month, and I may drop it all together because we have a treadmill, the outside, and I can do free weights at home. By far the #1 thing that has saved me is my parents teaching me about money. I grew up in an upper middle class household, bordering on wealthy at least by the time I started middle school and my dad became a well-paid executive (we also lived in a cheaper part of the country). My mom ALWAYS clipped coupons, we only bought clothes on sale, and she would run to three stores to find the best deal. We ate in most nights and once we were old enough we always balanced school and sports with PT jobs and we were encouraged to save. As a result of my childhood, it is very difficult for me to spend money on clothes without debating and debating, I have very few shoes compared to most women, I don't have expensive tastes etc. Given our HHI I couldn't afford a luxurious lifestyle either way, but my point is that I don't want for much or long for much I can't have which is a nice thing. I do love to spend money on high quality grocery items and don't bat an eye when shopping at Whole Foods for certain things, but other than that I'm very frugal. |
Anonymous
| Mow our own lawn, clean our own house, don't but clothes that need dry cleaning, rarely eat out, pack lunches, dont drink at starbucks, use the library, drive a hybrid, buy kids clothes and toys second hand |
Anonymous
We do this too! This year, our tax refund is enough to fund two 529 accounts for our son for two years. (We just contribute the max each year for the MD tax deduction). It would have required so much more discipline to have saved that money from our paychecks. But this way is nearly automatic. |
Anonymous
| I'm intrigued by the monthly meal plan idea that some posters have mentioned. Anyone mind sharing a sample menu? We aren't cooks by any means - actually kinda hate it -and end up eating variations the same four meals over and over. |
Anonymous
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For all of those who asked about high-yield accounts (and money saving tips) - this is the best website I've come across to help you find all the information you need:
http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/ |
Anonymous
Thanks! |
Anonymous
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12:19 I am the OP, but we do most of our meals based on beans to save cash, so our mean plan may not be up your ally. But for what it's worth, here it is (all dinners for weeknights can be made in 30 min or less and our grocery budget is $130 a week for a family of three):
Note that beans are always made in a crock pot Sunday night and almost always seasoned and cooked in at least some broth. I just adapted this from our meal planner so sorry if it doesn't all make sense. Week 1: black beans Mon: Breakfast: cereal and bananas (+ yogurt for DS) Lunch: black bean burrito, fruit, raw veggie Dinner: southwest shrimp/fish (whatever's on sale) salad with black beans Tues: breakfast: black beans, eggs, avocado, salsa, toast lunch:hummus sandwiches, string cheese, fruit, raw veggie Dinner: black bean, frozen spinach, and cheese enchiladas (jarred enchilada sauce) Wed breakfast: cereal and bananas (+ yogurt for DS) Lunch: black bean burrito, fruit, raw veggie Dinner: black bean soup made with remaining black beans, topped with salsa, yogurt, and cheese Thurs: breakfast: eggs, toast, vegetarian sausage lunch: leftover black bean soup Dinner: Cheese, frozen spinach, and chicken quesadillas with "dip" made from yogurt, salsa, and last bit of black bean soup Fri: breakfast: cream of wheat (mix pnut butter and banana into DS's) lunch: pb&J, yogurt, raw veggie, fruit Dinner: "southwest" veggie burgers (with salsa, avocado, and cheese), tortilla chips Sat: Breakfast: omelets and fruit lunch: sandwiches (whatever people want) and veggies dinner: take out or whatever is in the fridge (no plan) Sunday: Breakfast: granola bars and yogurt Lunch: tomato soup & grilled cheese Dinner: Roast chicken with potatoes and carrots, rolls Week 2: White Beans Mon: Breakfast: cereal and bananas (+ yogurt for DS) Lunch: hummus sandwiches, yogurt, applesauce, veggie Dinner: lemony shrimp with white beans and couscous Tues: breakfast: eggs, frozen waffles, maple yogurt "dip" lunch: leftover shrimp dinner Dinner: Rosemary white beans and chicken sausage with pre-washed greens Wed breakfast: cereal and bananas (+ yogurt for DS) Lunch: pb&J, yogurt, raw veggie, fruit Dinner: White Chicken Chili (crockpot) and cornbread muffins (boxed mix) Thurs: breakfast: eggs, toast, vegetarian sausage lunch: leftover chicken chili & cornbread Dinner: sliced steak, white beans, and cherry tomatoes saute with chili seasoning Fri: breakfast: cream of wheat (mix pnut butter and banana into DS's) lunch: leftover chicken chili and fruit Dinner: vegetarian Chicken Nuggets with peas and TJ's frozen mashed potatoes Sat: Breakfast: waffles and fruit lunch: sandwiches (whatever people want) and veggies dinner: take out or whatever is in the fridge (no plan) Sunday: Breakfast: granola bars and yogurt Lunch: canned lentil soup & grilled cheese Dinner: Leg of lamb with lemony potatoes and salad Week 3: Pinto Beans Mon: Breakfast: cereal and bananas (+ yogurt for DS) Lunch: burrito, raw veggie, fruit Dinner: beans, rice, greens Tues: breakfast: eggs, beans, salsa, avocado lunch: pb&j, yogurt, fruit, veggie Dinner: soft tacos with refried beans (ours) and regular toppings Wed breakfast: cereal and bananas (+ yogurt for DS) Lunch: burrito, raw veggie, fruit Dinner: Turkey pinto bean chili (crockpot) with cheddar biscuits (we put veggies in the chili and use up the rest of the beans) Thurs: breakfast: eggs, toast, vegetarian sausage lunch: leftover chili & fruit Dinner: salad with shrimp/fish Fri: breakfast: cream of wheat (mix pnut butter and banana into DS's) lunch: leftover chili and tortilla chips Dinner: veggie burgers with tomatoes, lettuce, and onion and frozen sweet potato fries Sat: Breakfast: pancakes and eggs lunch: sandwiches (whatever people want) and veggies dinner: take out or whatever is in the fridge (no plan) Sunday: Breakfast: granola bars and yogurt Lunch: chicken noodle soup & grilled cheese Dinner: Grilled Steak, corn, baked potato Week 4: Chick Peas Mon: Breakfast: cereal and bananas (+ yogurt for DS) Lunch: hummus sandwiches (made from chickpeas), raw veggie, fruit, yogurt Dinner: greek shrimp/fish salad with chickpeas Tues: breakfast: frozen waffles, eggs, fruit lunch: hummus, pita, olives, veggies for dipping Dinner: Wed: breakfast: cereal and bananas (+ yogurt for DS) Lunch: pb & J, yogurt, fruit, veggie Dinner: Chickpea, vegetable, noodle soup (Bittman), garlic bread Thurs: breakfast: eggs, toast, vegetarian sausage lunch: leftover soup, fruit, bread Dinner: Indian chicken, chickpea, vegetable curry with rice Fri: breakfast: cream of wheat (mix pnut butter and banana into DS's) lunch: hummus sandwiches, yogurt, raw veggie, fruit Dinner: frozen pizza and salad Sat: Breakfast: banana pancakes and bacon lunch: sandwiches (whatever people want) and veggies dinner: take out or whatever is in the fridge (no plan) Sunday: post church brunch (last Sunday of the month) Dinner: fridge clean out casserole w/ salad |
Anonymous
Disgusting! |
Anonymous
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Wow 15:05.. people on this forum are shockingly rude.
OP, thank you for taking the time to share that. |
Anonymous
| ..and I thought we ate beans a lot! You can freeze cook beans if you want to mix it up, PP (ie have chick peas and black beans the the same week!). |
Anonymous
| Amazed and impressed at the monthly meal planner. Well done! |
Anonymous
| I don't know what 15:05 is talking about. Not enough fast food or Cheetos for ya? Looks good to me. I may incorporate some meat - just in my preference. Thanks!! |
Anonymous
| meal planner here - yeah, we actually love meat, but we've both been gaining weight so tried to cut back on it. That, and I cut out my strawberry ice cream. Sigh. |
Anonymous
You can do this with the trash companies too. I called, said I was switching to a competitor who was offering a great 'new client' deal, old trash company asked for the new price, and then they beat the competitor's price. I did sign a contract for a year though. |
Anonymous
Oops, just did that. But it was on sale for $2 at target, marked down from $14. |