Anonymous wrote:Don't cut the pool. That $500 probably gives your children a full summer of entertainment. I bet you spend less on activities for them in the summer because you can just pack up and go to the pool. This is why all families in my neighborhood LOVE the pool. We don't even have kids yet, but I find I spend less in the summer because I go to the pool nearly every afternoon. the families do potluck and we join them very often.

People who actually don't have $500 find some way to entertain themselves and their kids. If you have a serious need to cut this money, the kids will just have to find some other, less expensive option.

Basically the OP is just looking for us to validate what she already wants to do -- which is not to stop spending money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:well, what's your breakdown?

Easy things to do:

Kill Cable
Cell phones to smaller plans
Plan all meals and economize
Change thermostat settings
Look at commute expenses, try to save on gas mileage

OP here. Kill cable is the one we haven't done - DH really loves his sports. It's on the chopping block, though.
Cell phones- I can't figure out a way to get data on the cheap, which is what I really use- any ideas?
Commuting - DH and I carpool together. Parking is expensive, but there's not an alternative I can see.
Thermostat - pretty low as is. 70.

My DH is a former sportscaster and we did it, but of course he was sad to lose ESPN for the 1st 6 months. We use Roku with the Amazon Prime Channel. our Cox bill is $45/mo internet only.

Try to buy and make cheaper dinners. Buy lots of cereal, bread, potatos, carrots, beans (dry) and rice, pasta, chicken, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, turkey bologna, and onions and garlic. These items are sort of universal (you can mix and match). We never buy beef or checken breasts. We spend maybe $150/week for 3 people. I shop at Traders and Giant. Giant has "Guaranteed Value" items with orange labels that are $1 to $3.

I also make my own laundry detergent - 1/2 bar Zote laundry soap grated (spanish store), and 1 cup each of Borax, Washing Soda, and Baking Soda. Use only 2 tablespoons max directly on clothes.

Anonymous wrote:Don't cut the pool. That $500 probably gives your children a full summer of entertainment. I bet you spend less on activities for them in the summer because you can just pack up and go to the pool. This is why all families in my neighborhood LOVE the pool. We don't even have kids yet, but I find I spend less in the summer because I go to the pool nearly every afternoon. the families do potluck and we join them very often.

Thank you. Yes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sell the car(s) and buy a beater with cash.

Start tracking ALL your expenses. I like the YNAB software. You may be surprised how much you spend in various categories.

I disagree
If your car is reliable, then keep it. Cheap cars are a money pit

YNAB- I am on it.

The car is a 2009 Rav4. I can't imagine we would net enough from selling and rebuying to make it worth it. It is also the car our Au Pair uses during the day with the kids - Don't want her to wind up stranded with something that breaks easily.

Don't cut the pool. That $500 probably gives your children a full summer of entertainment. I bet you spend less on activities for them in the summer because you can just pack up and go to the pool. This is why all families in my neighborhood LOVE the pool. We don't even have kids yet, but I find I spend less in the summer because I go to the pool nearly every afternoon. the families do potluck and we join them very often.

Anonymous wrote:Sell the car(s) and buy a beater with cash.

Start tracking ALL your expenses. I like the YNAB software. You may be surprised how much you spend in various categories.

I disagree
If your car is reliable, then keep it. Cheap cars are a money pit

Anonymous wrote:You can't cut cable and you can't cut the pool?

YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT SAVING MONEY.

I'm willing to cut cable. Just need to warm DH up to it. Pool is a non-starter. So perhaps I am not as serious as you would like. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:I have unlimited data on my Virginmobile phone plan for $30/month.

Really!???? Is it prepaid? And can you do that online?

I have unlimited data on my Virginmobile phone plan for $30/month.

I could probably cut $1k/month from our food budget by cooking from scratch and having a lot of our meals be simple oatmeal (you get a huge tub that makes 30 bowls worth for $3-5), rice & beans with a little cheese & tomato as toppings, quesadillas, grilled cheese, egg scrambles, etc. You say you already cut your take out menu, so cutting down from there would probably not get you the full 1k, but it could make a dent to switch to simpler, from scratch meals.

Cable will definitely make a dent - $200 or so right? Have you made sure you're getting a cheap phone plan? We're on t-mobile which is $100/month but it's not the cheapest option.

For me, the biggest way to cut $1k would be to change housing and put my kid in an even cheaper in-home. Sometimes it's hard to downsize your costs without downsizing your home.

Sell the car(s) and buy a beater with cash.

Start tracking ALL your expenses. I like the YNAB software. You may be surprised how much you spend in various categories.

70 is NOT low. That is my treat, when I'm feeling extravagant!

You can't cut cable and you can't cut the pool?

YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT SAVING MONEY.

70 is not low. Get programmable thermostat and keep at 63 in the day and turn down at night.

Never buy lunch at work. Bring left overs or PB&J.
No Starbucks.

First thing I would do is identify a realistic amount to save and take it right off the top, so you make it priority instead of trying to save what's leftover.

We just cut cable. We use Netflix. Also found out that we can get some limited stations just hooking up TV to cable connection because we have cable internet.

Use an cash envelope system for expenditures like groceries and gas. Set a budget amount and stick to it. I find it harder to spend cash than to swipe a card. Makes me think about if I really need what I'm buying.

I also recommend calling any service companies you deal with (utilities, cell phone, etc.) and see if they will negotiate a better rate. I was able to do this for cell phone, home phone, and trash collection and saved us at least $100/month.