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Saving Money

The TVClubHouse: General Discussion ARCHIVES: 2006 Mar. ~ 2006 May: Saving Money users admin

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Archive through March 04, 2006Cndeariso25 03-04-06  10:49 am
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Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 6:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
No cell phone. No long distance carrier. Costco phone card. Three cents a minute.

Butrflynet
Member

12-29-2003

Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 8:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Butrflynet a private message Print Post    
One thing that has helped me save an enormous amount of money is to do my grocery shopping online and have it delivered to my apartment. The grocery store offers free delivery (usually $7.95) if your order is $150 or more.

I use that as my budget limit and shop only once a month. I shop by aisle and get all the whims out of my system by browsing each aisle and dumping all the impulse items into my cart along with the necessities. Then, before check out time I go through all the items in my shopping cart and delete all the junk food I impulsively put in there until I'm at the $150 mark and usually end up with mostly produce, meat and frozen vegetables. When I do buy things, I choose the Buy One/Get One Free items as much as possible because the grocery store's computer system hasn't figured out how to calculate the BOGO prices and charges me double the actual cost. This helps me save even more because I'm able to get the grocery total above the $150 mark while actually saving on average $50 off that $150 bill when the actual charges are calculated at delivery. This way I get to save the delivery fee plus the BOGO discounts. Any money I save this way automatically gets put into my savings account rather then spent elsewhere.

Another way I save money is to buy ground beef in 4 lb bulk amounts and then use a patty maker to form quarter-pound hamburger patties out of it before batching it into frozen food bags for the freezer. I do the same with bulk packs of bacon and cheese.

I also bought a meat slicer and save a lot of money by buying whole roast cuts of beef, pork, turkey breast, or ham and slice it thinly for pastas, stir frys and sandwiches.

I find I still get to eat well and limit the amount of processed food in my diet and I'm forced to make choices between an impulsive junk food craving and a food necessity. It's helped with the weight loss too!

Cndeariso
Member

06-28-2004

Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 8:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cndeariso a private message Print Post    
we try to buy all our meat when it is on sale and then use the system when there is a limit. we go to the store together and check out separately. same thing on anything we have pantry space for, such as, toilet paper. and, we have found that things can be stored under the bed.

Ketchuplover
Member

08-30-2000

Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 9:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ketchuplover a private message Print Post    
www.hsbc.com look for their online savings account

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 12:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
I do a lot of shopping at Costco. Anything I have room to store, I buy there, like toilet paper, paper towels, soap. Also anything that freezes (tortillas, breads, buns/rolls.) Lunch foods, cereal, and juice are cheaper if I buy at Costco in bulk rather than at Vons and lasts longer. Usually around 3 times a year we go in and spend $200 on meat. Bring it home and break it down into smaller packages (what we need for a meal) and throw it into the freezer in the garage. I don't have to buy meat the rest of the year unless I see a really awesome sale I can't pass up or want something specific that I don't use a lot of and don't need to buy in a 12 lb pack, lol.

About a year ago, we let our Costco membership lapse. We didn't need to buy in bulk for a family of four. It only took me a couple shopping trips to quickly change my mind. Each one my bill was $100-$200 more than what I was paying when I split groceries between Vons and Costco. Of course the best way to keep my grocery list down is to make menus, make my shopping list based off those, stick to them, and leave Darren and the kids at home. I love my husband but he can single handely put us into debt if I let him out of my sight in Costco. I get to the check out stand and start unloading stuff and don't remember picking up half of cuz I didn't!

Sea, Caleb's easy to get to save money. He hates buying school lunch, they have to stand in line and it cuts into his recess time. And theres the fact that he's a natural tight wad, lol. The other day, I was planning a trip to the bead store. Darren had taken the atm card for gas and I had no cash at hand (I can't get into my stash without breaking the bottle, lol) and they don't take checks. I borrowed $20 out of Kota's piggybank and I told her that as soon as dad got home I'd run to the bank and pull her cash and give it back. No problem mommy, she said. Next day, she wanted to buy lunch. She had a dollar, I told her I thought I had a quarter in the car. Well when I got out there I only had a dime. I knew Caleb had money cuz that was the day of his field trip and I asked him if I could borrow 15 cents that I'd give back when Darren got home and I could grab it out of his ashtray. Nope, he said, pull some cash at the store. I told him I wasn't pulling $20 to give her 15 cents, lol. And the worst part of it was that we were on our way to the freaking Cheveron station cuz I didn't have time to run by Walmart to pick up a disposable camera for him that cost me $12! Caleb holds on to money like no one I've ever seen, even when he's saving for something specific the cashier practically has to pry it out of his hands! So I could get him to donate lunch money no problem, but Dakota is just the opposite. She loves buying lunch and doesn't hold on to money for anything usually. Right now she's doing a wonderful job, she's gone two weeks without spending any because she's saving to buy him a birthday gift and her aunt a babyshower gift. But that's totally out of character for her!

Jagger
Member

08-07-2002

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 1:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jagger a private message Print Post    
Great suggestions everyone, I think I've probably tried them all, but I'm still broke.

I've gotten to the point I now cut my own hair, do most of my laundry in a sink and hang to dry, amazing how much electricity you can save that way.
Buy beef and pork by either a half or whole cow/pig at once (often get together with family or neighbors when I do this)
Shop at Costco but make a list ahead of time so I don't buy things on impulse.
Avoid Target, Walmart or any other retail stores. Only go in there when I absolutily have to and than just buy what I need. Of course I watch the ads to see when it is on sale.

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 6:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Schoolmarm a private message Print Post    
I am still trying to dig out from grad school debt. SO, I choose the debt (my CC) with the highest interest rate and pay a ton extra on it every month. When that one gets paid off, the next gets the same treatment.

Unfortunately I'm living without a savings account right now.

I drive a Cavalier and it is paid off. I hate having car payments. I will drive this one until it dies. My last car went for 8 years. I expect that this one will be similar. I do not need a big or expensive car. Mine is red and looks sporty. Enough style and only 16K. I get GREAT gas mileage.

My paycheck goes in the bank and I cash all the misc. checks that I get (gigs, reimbursements, etc.). I try to just use the CASH when I am running errends. Using CASH really helps limit spending.

I need to do more with my retirement account. I think that next year, I will be able to do that. I need to get $5,000 off of my insanely high CC. Can't change CCs, as my credit rating is probably horrible, due to me forgetting to pay bills. I am going to get the two that I forget to come out directly.

I also live very frugally. I just bought 16 pieces of clothing at the Kasper outlet for $250. That will be my total work wardrobe for the year. It would be cheaper if I just lost weight. Or had a job where I didn't need to dress up.

I buy my books used on ebay, half.com or amazon.com. I also buy my other collectables on ebay. I need to figure out how to sell my excess on ebay.

I am the queen of cheap travel. I sit in the balcony or standing room for shows. (It would be cheaper if I didn't go, though.)

I don't have a home phone, only a cell phone. Can't live without the internet. I don't really go to movies. I don't really rent movies. I just wait until they are on cable.

I don't buy a ton of food at the grocery. I can't believe all of the junk food in people's carts. It looks like they are feeding an army. I try to shop just once per week. It is usually about $30-40 including cat food.

I need to take my lunch to work more often.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 12:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Quit smoking now, and you will save a bazillion dollars a year. I quit when you could still get cigs for under $2 a pack if you bought a carton and shopped carefully. Think of how much I have saved by now at the current $5-6 a pack.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 12:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
I totally agree with that one Juju! Quitting smoking is a huge money saver!

Jagger
Member

08-07-2002

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 3:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jagger a private message Print Post    
Well smoking actually saves me money, I use it as a food substitute, I know not a healthy substitute but it works. I eat once, maybe twice a day, when I get hungry I have a smoke, it subsides my appitite for a few more hours.

I get a lot of cigarette coupons in the mail so I make sure to use several of them on each carton, cutting the cost down to about 2 bucks a pack, smoke less than a pack a day. Now if I were eating instead of smoking I'd be spending more money.

I could probably buy a bag of carrots or something for under 2 bucks a day but I'd be so sick of them I wouldn't eat them and they wouldn't cure my cravings.

When I grocery shop I buy a lot of generic items, although I've learned to just buy one and try it out to be sure it's edible, some of the generic items are pretty nasty.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 3:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Jagger -- smoking will save you lots of money in the end -- losing 7 years will save electricity, car payments, mortgages, not to mention food!! (hmmm...wish there was a way to convey tone; this is meant in the kindest manner possible with the deepest wish that you're someday able to quit the smoking habit, even w/the added grocery expense!)

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 3:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Whoops -- meant to add that it took my DB over 5 years to finally kick the habit, but he is MUCH healthier now. :-) My dad and both brothers have smoked at one time or another, and given our family's addictive personalities (mine is to oreos!), I've always been afraid to smoke even once because I'd be a 3 pack a day, never able to quit person for sure!

Efilon
Member

09-20-2005

Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 3:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Efilon a private message Print Post    
This is a deal I found out about on another message board. Hope it can help some out!

URL for sites in each state.

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/hosts.php

No income guidelines. You can read all about it at the site. Menu changes monthly but always plenty. It is run through churches but I've not had any trouble with being asked to join the church. You pay early in the month, receive a voucher and take it in on the pickup day, usually the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Hope this can help some people out. I know several of my nieces and nephews who are having a hard time right now have been doing it and love it. Two of my kids and I go together and then split it up between the three of us.

Here is the April Menu: You pay $25.00 for this basic menu and then there are extra things if you want/have the $$ for it etc.

APRIL 2006 Menu (General Only)
(1) 4 lb. Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs
(6) 5.5 oz. Hot Pockets
(1) 3 lb. Brd. Chicken Breast Filets
(1) 1 lb. Fully Cooked Meat Balls
(1) 1 lb. Ground Turkey
(1) 2 lbs. Chicken Wings
(1) 1 lb. Ground Beef
(1) 12 oz. Smoked Sausage
(1) 28 oz. Pasta Sauce
(1) 1 lb. Pasta
(1) 15 oz. Baked Beans
(1) 16 oz. Corn
(1) 16 oz. Peas
(1) 1 lb. Carrots
(1) 1 lb. Rice
(1) Dozen Eggs
(1) Dessert Item
*I.Q.F. - Individually Quick Frozen
ALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST $25.00
**One or more specials available only with the purchase of a regular unit.**
APRIL SPECIAL #1
(1) 4 lb. Box, Sirloin Strip Steaks (8 8-oz. Steaks) - $18.00
APRIL SPECIAL #2

(1) 4.5 lb. Box, Chicken Cordon Bleu - $18.00
APRIL SPECIAL #3

(1) Springtime Special – Grill Box - $17.00
(contains 1 lb. pkg Fresh Italian Sausage, and 4 each: Beef Ribeye Steaks, Boneless Pork Chops,
Chopped Beef Steak Patties, and Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast)

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 6:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
That's a great deal!

A trick I have found that works for me is when I'm out shopping and have the urge to spend money on things I don't really need, I usually put the item in the shopping cart and "own" it while I'm in the store. And by the time I'm finished and ready to check out, I put it back on the shelf, lol. Silly, but it works.

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 3:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ginger1218 a private message Print Post    
Ddr, I do the same thing. LOL, I realize that I don't really need it after all.

Efilon
Member

09-20-2005

Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 4:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Efilon a private message Print Post    
Ddr, LOL, my sister used to do that a lot! She would fill an entire cart and then go around putting it all back and end up with nothing left. Fun way to spend the afternoon. Now, my sisters, nieces and I like to go to Goodwill, especially on quarter day. There is a lot of good stuff there if you have the time to look through. Although, I think sometimes, when 5 or 6 of us get in there with various grandkids, etc the people in the store are glad to see us go. We have a lot of fun. And of course, know all the employees by name. To tell you the truth, I think we make their day when we do come in. We're all pretty goofy and don't mind letting it show sometimes.

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 5:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ginger1218 a private message Print Post    
I should have gone out and shopped this weekend it would have been cheaper. I have been online spending money, like I had some. It is sick. LOL