Anonymous
03/17/2014 16:53
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
I'm struggling with this too. Good food is incredibly expensive at the grocery store. I don't eat meat as it is, but an apple costs like $2 and I'm not willing to skimp on produce because I have 2 young kids.
we don't have a car and we never eat out. no tv, no magazine or newspaper subscriptions, no memberships, we don't pay heating bills. I am in desperate need of a new wardrobe but will probably hold off a few months. ugh.
I'm only trying to save an extra $400/mo, but we're living pretty lean as it is.
we don't have a car and we never eat out. no tv, no magazine or newspaper subscriptions, no memberships, we don't pay heating bills. I am in desperate need of a new wardrobe but will probably hold off a few months. ugh.
I'm only trying to save an extra $400/mo, but we're living pretty lean as it is.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 16:44
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
Why cut gym membership if you actually use it and go? I think being fit and healthy is a good investment. You could look into a cheaper option I suppose.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 16:42
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
Anonymous wrote: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.
Thermostat should be at 60 or 62 when you're not home and 68 when you are.
I agree (OP here.) But someone is always at home.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 16:41
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Many sports are available streaming online these days. I haven't missed my favorite college basketball team at all this season, and I have no cable.
Trouble is, his sport is Soccer. Hard to find and now there are 2 soccer stations on cable.
I'm sorry OP, but you just need to tell your DH you are cutting cable becuase it is in the best interest of your family. No person should be so attached to something superficial that they are willing to negatively impact their family over it. Time for DH to grow up.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 14:39
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
Your DH should be able to watch soccer live on Internet at home.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 14:35
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
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.
Thermostat should be at 60 or 62 when you're not home and 68 when you are.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 14:09
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
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.
Pay as you go phones will lower cell phones a lot. How much are you paying now?
Anonymous
03/17/2014 14:06
Subject: Re:Cutting $1000/month from our budget
Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you don't need to cut the spending, you want to. So you're only going to accept so much "pain." It's good to know that starting out. So you might make the "big list" which includes all the luxuries, and then pick what works for you. There might be things you're willing to give up that your husband isn't, and vice versa. That's ok. If you "must" have your weekly Starbucks, and your husband "must" have his soccer channel, maybe that works if he gives up his Starbucks habit and you cancel the other premium channels.
Don't use the car when you can avoid it. Walk or bike (where safe) for errands when you can.
Cut the gym membership.
Cut cable.
Cut the cell phone.
Do not eat out.
Do not buy coffee/tea/whatever out.
Don't buy food from machines.
More beans and rice (or equivalent) and less meat.
Cut back thermostat. You can do this gradually - a degree a week has worked for me in acclimating me to the cold in the winter, and my husband to the heat in the summer. Get a programmable thermostat and don't pay to keep the house hot/cold when you're not home.
Cut alcohol.
Cut extra curricular activities.
Use the library for movies and books and CDs.
Don't outsource lawn or house care.
Thrift stores for clothes.
Mend and fix things that break, don't throw out and buy new.
If you used to get new shoes/clothes/hair/glasses on a certain schedule, try to lengthen the time.
Let your friends and family know you're in the market for handmedowns, because you're not buying things. Put things on your birthday/christmas/anniversary list.
OP here. This is helpful.
We are not in debt but want to pump up our savings - so you are correct that I will only accept so much "pain." This isn't a situation where we are getting out from under anything, but rather trying to take a step forward.
The first 6 resonate with me. Will work on those pronto.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 14:02
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
We keep our thermostat at 66. No juice, no dessert, cut out a lot of snacks, only drink water. Birthday party gifts is also one to trim down.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 13:37
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
Not to pile on, but 70 is on the high side.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 13:35
Subject: Re:Cutting $1000/month from our budget
It sounds like you don't need to cut the spending, you want to. So you're only going to accept so much "pain." It's good to know that starting out. So you might make the "big list" which includes all the luxuries, and then pick what works for you. There might be things you're willing to give up that your husband isn't, and vice versa. That's ok. If you "must" have your weekly Starbucks, and your husband "must" have his soccer channel, maybe that works if he gives up his Starbucks habit and you cancel the other premium channels.
Don't use the car when you can avoid it. Walk or bike (where safe) for errands when you can.
Cut the gym membership.
Cut cable.
Cut the cell phone.
Do not eat out.
Do not buy coffee/tea/whatever out.
Don't buy food from machines.
More beans and rice (or equivalent) and less meat.
Cut back thermostat. You can do this gradually - a degree a week has worked for me in acclimating me to the cold in the winter, and my husband to the heat in the summer. Get a programmable thermostat and don't pay to keep the house hot/cold when you're not home.
Cut alcohol.
Cut extra curricular activities.
Use the library for movies and books and CDs.
Don't outsource lawn or house care.
Thrift stores for clothes.
Mend and fix things that break, don't throw out and buy new.
If you used to get new shoes/clothes/hair/glasses on a certain schedule, try to lengthen the time.
Let your friends and family know you're in the market for handmedowns, because you're not buying things. Put things on your birthday/christmas/anniversary list.
Don't use the car when you can avoid it. Walk or bike (where safe) for errands when you can.
Cut the gym membership.
Cut cable.
Cut the cell phone.
Do not eat out.
Do not buy coffee/tea/whatever out.
Don't buy food from machines.
More beans and rice (or equivalent) and less meat.
Cut back thermostat. You can do this gradually - a degree a week has worked for me in acclimating me to the cold in the winter, and my husband to the heat in the summer. Get a programmable thermostat and don't pay to keep the house hot/cold when you're not home.
Cut alcohol.
Cut extra curricular activities.
Use the library for movies and books and CDs.
Don't outsource lawn or house care.
Thrift stores for clothes.
Mend and fix things that break, don't throw out and buy new.
If you used to get new shoes/clothes/hair/glasses on a certain schedule, try to lengthen the time.
Let your friends and family know you're in the market for handmedowns, because you're not buying things. Put things on your birthday/christmas/anniversary list.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 13:33
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
I think we would need to see your budget in order to find this money. What is your monthly income (are you over withholding for taxes?), and current monthly expenses. Since you have an au pair, I assume you both work FT and the kids are in (public) school? Can you or your husband get a higher-paying job?
What do you need the $1000 for? Savings, or an expense? If an expense, is it short term?
What do you need the $1000 for? Savings, or an expense? If an expense, is it short term?
Anonymous
03/17/2014 13:32
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
You are not serious. If you need to cut a $1000, you could, you just want your stuff.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 13:22
Subject: Re:Cutting $1000/month from our budget
Can you refinance your mortgage? That saved us $600/month.
Anonymous
03/17/2014 13:18
Subject: Cutting $1000/month from our budget
Quit drinking alcohol.