Our main way of cutting back is almost no eating out. Our Sunday School class eats lunch together the first Sunday of each month and that's about the only time we go out to eat. We are indulging tonight and having dinner with friends at Cracker Barrel, but I have a $25 gift card. And like you, we're trying to eat more stuff out of our freezer. Should have been doing that a long time ago.

I like to keep my cupboards/freezer well stocked. In order not to lose any foods by them getting 'lost', then having to be tossed due to expiration dates, etc, I mark all frozen foods with date I purchased (I have a Foodsaver). And always, always, always rotate stuff when I bring in new supplies... newer stuff goes to back of cupboard/bottom of freezer.

Buy loss leaders from local places weekly.

Shirley

We should, but we don't penny pinch. My philosophy is "die broke". LOL.

I've gone back to cutting coupons and our local Publix often has "buy one, get one free" items. I can save up to about $20 per shopping trip.

Banner day at the Salvation Army yesterday! Got my gardening pants for this yeartwo pairs of elastic-waist cotton pants (yellow and beige) for $2.10 apiece. And I paid $7.50 for a rather flattering outfit (washable!) to wear to an anniversary dinner this weekend.

For the last two years I've been pinching pennys.

I cook from scratch.
More ground beef and less steak (way less lol)

Don't go out to eat like we used to do.

Haven't had a vacation since 04

Didn't have a car to drive for 9 months.

Now that I have a car it still sits a lot because of cost of fuel.

I've always hated buying off brands...and I still don't like it...but there are a few I buy now.

I buy purex brand laundry which is a cheaper brand but I find I like it better than the others anyway.

I fix broken things instead of buying new..

I'm beginning to feel like "Miss Suzie Frugal Homemaker"

patti

I hang my laundry out to dry, don't use fabric softener, instead us a bit of vinegar to get all the soap out for sure.

I also collect the water that runs till it gets hot at the faucet, and use it either in the washing machine, or to water plants.

Moni

Good ideas here. Thanks for sharing. I'll be 'borrowing' a few.

Another I just thought of. I've been using my Advantium for cooking things I've never cooked in there before. Haven't turned on the 'big' oven in several weeks. That's partly because it's broken, but I've put off buying a new one, and have found that the Advantium is working out just fine. Since it doesn't need to be preheated, and cooks in about 1/3 of the time, I'm saving a lot of energy there.

I have always been frugal, now I am frugal-er. This week, instead of name brands, I bought Kroger brand ingredients for Taco Soup.

Lindakathy, I've told my kids that I plan to die broke. . .and I hope my last check bounces!

The way things are now, and getting worse, that may well come true.

Sue

I used to clip coupons to use at the grocery but they are generally for name brand items. The store brand is still cheaper without a coupon. I've mostly been buying store brand only and have not found a difference in quality but I have noticed a big difference in the bill! I also buy whole chickens when on sale and cook them and put in the freezer. That is a big savings for us both money wise and time wise. I take advantage of the BOGO or any other great sales at the grocery.

I have a small garden and always have fresh tomatos and green peppers - we use a lot of them. I grow my own herbs.

I buy most of my clothes at a consignment shop.

I compost and save grass clippings and leaves to use as mulch.

I don't buy many cleaning products. I use vinegar, ammonia and baking soda for most jobs. I only use cold water in the washing machine and hang most of the clothes to dry. I'm still begging dh for a permanent clothes line in the backyard.

~Betsy

I used my coupons at the grocery store yesterday and saved $16-I did use one of the tips I saw on TV. I bought a sunday paper and it had about $8 worth of coupons I could use-so I went back and bought another paper for $1.50 and used another $8 worth of coupons on things like toothpaste and soap-DS is going off to college in the fall so I have been getting this stuff ready for her too. Every little bit helps.

I was getting the Sunday paper delivered for 75¢/issue, which now is over $2/issue. I called them up when the renewal came and the lowest price was if I renewed for a year for $1.85/issue. When I asked what they can do, they made their best offer of 99¢/issue. I said OK. I do clip some coupons and sometimes make enough to pay for the paper. But the savings results in getting the ads and organizing my buying when I'm out and about. With gas at $4/gal, the savings is growing.

I recently had to buy a different vehicle and it kind of stretched the budget a bit. I decided to buy a much newer than planned and much more expensive than planned vehicle but when I found one for $3k below the trade-in value, I couldn't resist. But I committed to cutting some of my eating out splurging to help offset and save gas to further offset. Which I have.

I bought a boneless chuck roast on sale for $1.77/#. Made that and it's delicious. Been making meals at home now all week, even just (good quality) hot dogs, frozen pizza, beef roast and organizing my work schedule to cut the number of days I have to drive and the driving itself between them.

The stores have had some real bargains lately. I bought some baby back ribs for $2.99/#, boneless country-style ribs for $1.88/# and haven't had room in the freezer for hamburger but it's always on sale at the better grocery store near me for under $2/#. Ice cream sandwiches were on sale so I treated myself to that luxury for being good about eating at home.

The "new" vehicle needed a new wiper blade. Found them on sale for $2.99 so I got that replaced. Otherwise they're ridiculous.

With the expense, I monitored the money real close and still paid off credit cards completely, scheduling the payments for the last day possible and paying over the internet saving postage costs, check costs and cost of driving to the mailbox. And made it until the paycheck was deposited without even going under $150 balance. I thought that was doing quite well, all things considered.

I picked up a bunch of deodorant, body wash/shampoo for about 50¢/bottle, toilet paper and paper towels on sale and with a coupon saved more and so I'm in good shape for household supplies. Plus I've cut down on my paper product useage. I just checked because I decided to log it and see how much I go through. I'm using the same roll of paper towels in the kitchen that I put on in mid-March. The select-a-size type and I have a lot left of that roll. I used to go through a lot of towels. I'm using dishcloths and dishtowels more. And using regular plates and washing them.

Oh, I bought a bottle of Joy dish soap for 81¢ less a 30¢ coupon so for 51¢ plus tax, I'll put it on the shelf even though I don't need it right now.

I repaired the tire on my mower rather than have it done or buy a new one, or as some would do, buy a new mower!

And I decided not to get broadband or satellite TV since I made the major purchase, but I'll keep my $5/mo dialup and be quite happy.

I definitely didn't pinch pennies, but I did use frugal sense (¢ents?) to save some money in the future with a sensible investment now. You never save money by buying something you don't need.

I also choose not to fight the traffic this weekend and will stay around home and do some things that need to be done. Save gas and sanity!

After weeding out my Pantry (shelves in the garage) I now have things arranged by use by dates. Things that expire in 2008 on one shelf 2009 2010 etc on other shelves. I now check on all the dates and if I don't find one on the item I'm purchasing I check the carton it came in if it is still on the shelf and it might give the date there.
I too use coupons. Sometimes the coupons will pay for the Sunday pape. My Albertson's has a lot of 10/10.00 items that are good to get when I want to stock up.

I bought special hair cutting scissors and used to cut everyone's hair when the kids were at home. Sometimes my own too. Now I have passed them on to DD and taught her how to cut DGSs hair two months ago. He does look cute!

This week, I bought several clothing items for DGS at two nice consignment shops here--must be at 10% of original costs and some were on sale at that. I also spent big bucks for a carpet cleaner by Hoover that I researched here on this site, but in two uses I will have paid for it by not spending to have the professional cleaners come. I cleaned the family room rug at bedtime the other night and put a fan on it when I went to bed. It was dry in the morning; this rug is light and gets dirty soooo easy. Our professional cleaner is not as pricey as many cleaners around here, but his minimum is $125. In two cleanings, I will have paid for the Hoover.

I buy wonderful loose tea by the pound and get more for the $$ than tea bags.

I cook from scratch and don't pay the cost of prepared fancy foods.

I need to join a 10-Step Program for paper towel abuse. The other day I cut up an old robe to use for rags instead of paper towels. It has already helped. If I can find a salad shooter for drying fresh lettuce, I think I can lick the habit.

I've been cleaning out out my freezer so I haven't had to buy as much food lately. The U-Pick farm open up next week o I'll be pulling out the dehydrator.

The kids and I stopped by a grocery store I don't usually shop at yesterday on my way home from an appointment. They had watermelon and fresh corn as loss leaders. I served that along with leftovers and didn't have cook a big meal. Everyone, including the kids, was happy with that deal.

Something I've been doing a lot of lately is stocking up at today prices. Dh and I have decided to keep about six months worth of food on hand for 'just in case'. I've been buying canned goods, rice, and other staples. I don't quite have the toilet paper stores of other KTers, but I'm working on it. I plan to get some detergent and other stuff too. Anyway, I pick up a few extra things on every trip to the store.

Oops, I forgot another savings I made this week. I went to the local auto parts shop and bought a package of a dozen micro fiber cloths, and their special included 3 more in the package and for less than $1 per cloth 14"x15" or thereabouts. I will use these cloths with my Swiffer to save on the disposable dust mop cloths.

By the way, you can wash the Swiffer disposable dust mop cloths a few times before throwing them out.

I decided not to go grocery shopping this week. I am only buying milk,and a few fresh veggies.We are going to eat out of the freezer and cupboards. We will not starve! There is tons of food in this house. We just need a reason to eat it up. I know I buy too much each week so it's good to just not shop once in a while.
I plan to take inventory and see just what we have and then plan the weeks meals from that.

We sold our third vehicle today and with the money we paid off a small bank loan that we had. With the savings of the payment on the bank loan and the insurance we were paying every month on the car we're gonna be about $230 to the good every month! The car was too little for Twinkie to be comfortable in and only got 2 miles to the gallon more than our full-sized Dodge truck gets. Kids had been driving it for a year but they got one of their vehicles fixed so we took the car back.

I've also been buying a lot more store brand canned goods than I used to. Many of my clothes are bought at the "thrift" store and even there the prices are getting higher! I ain't giving $6.00 for a used pair of shorts - even for a name brand!

Trying to make meals more often out of what we already have instead of going and buying more ingredients are something else. Leads to some pretty interesting meals lately...LOL

I tell ya, it's getting scary!

This is such a good and fun thread. Very interesting to see what we can do to make the best of the situation. Wonder why we haven't been doing these things before now? I guess we just weren't motivated.

Keep on with more savings ideas.

Sue

I like fresh bell peppers. My favourites are the red and yellow, but I also like the orange and green. The price for them is outrageous at the grocery store right now.

There is a grocery wholesaler close to my house that sells dollar bags of clearance produce. Six or seven coloured peppers (or four giant ones) for a dollar. A dozen persian cukes. Bags of tomatoes or three heads of different lettuce. It is only open to the public certain days per week, and this clearance stuff has to be used right away (although it is in good condition - not going bad or anything). I find if I go on Friday I can get enough peppers and a few other things to last the weekend for fresh eating. Any leftovers I prepare (for example, grill zuchini or chop peppers, that sort of thing) and freeze or cook and put aside to use during the week. I have been saving 25.00 per month this way! I couldn't believe it when I did the math.

The best part? I save on gas and get exercise because it is close enough to easily ride my bicycle there and back.

We're eating out a lot less and also doing a lot less home delivery meals. I'm closely watching prices in the grocery store and staying away from a lot of the "I want" stuff. I've done away with expensive laundry detergant in favor of Mule Train and Oxyclean which, not only costs less, but is much better for the environment. Also did away with fabric sheets and bought some dryer balls. And I hang dry a lot of our items. Eliminating a lot of other cleaners as well in favor of baking soda and vinegar. Making less trips in the car and combining errands when we are out. Doing a lot more comparison shopping to get the best deal. Planted some tomatoes today -- much cheaper than buying in the store, and plan to grow some herbs this year too. Once I finish up the last of my swifter pads (which I'll start washing now!) plan to go to homemade pads. Catching "wasted" water whenever possible when heating it up. Using CFLs in nearly every light in the house. When milk is on sale, buying two gallons and freezing one. Doing a "staycation" this year instead of traveling. Didn't renew any of my magazines -- can read most it on the Internet.

One nice side effect of us all trying to be more frugal, is that many of these changes are helping to reduce our carbon footprint and THAT'S a good thing...

This has turned out to be a really interesting thread. Love all the great ideas.

Maybe we should do it once a week, update our successes, and post any new thoughts we have?

One thing I do is always ask for samples of medications I take. The pharmaceutical reps leave tons of samples at the doctors and all you have to do is ask the nurse if she has any. They have kept me in free Vytorin, Actonel, and Evista for so long that I haven't had to pay for them in ages. I ran out of Evista and had to get a script for it and when it came it was $50. It had been a long time since I paid for it. The nurse told me they had closets full of samples. I've got my husband doing it now and it's amazining how much you can save.

Oh, Vannie's post reminded me - Twinkie and I both changed our "squirrel medicine" as he calls it (antidepressants) to a generic of Cylexia - a savings of $100 a month. Yay!
Makes me less depressed and anxious just thinking about the savings! LOL

What we were taking before cost each of us $50 a month for our co-pay. Now we each pay $10!

Man! I didn't realize that I was so good! LOL

I just thought of another one. When we bought our camper I went to the thrift store and bought everything that we needed to "furnish" the camper. I had pots and pans and things from the house, of course, but I needed twin sized sheets, utensils, toaster, bacon rack, etc. With a good wash and dry - we were ready to go.

Also, trade clothes with friends. Friend of mine are built completely differently but can sometimes wear the same sizes. She gave me clothes last week and this week I have five pairs of capris for her that are, uh....well they don't fit me, okay!? LOL

I just saved about $40 on a pair of boots for DH. He found some boots he wanted in a catalog, then I went right to google looking for the cheapest place to buy. The first pair was $119.00 plus shipping, the second was about $92. no shipping, then finally I found them for $79.99 No shipping! It really pays to Google.

I buy all my clothes at thrift shops. I live on Long island, where there are so many rich people (I'm NOT one of them) who donate brand new clothes to thrift shops, Good Will, Sally Army,etc. I can get a whole summer's wardrobe for twenty bucks. All I've had to buy in years was a swimsuit, which I got at TJMaxx.

We probably don't pinch pennies enough. We eat out a couple of times each week. I don't clip coupons, we do use paper towels, and I've never bought anything from a consignment shop that I can think of. We do use redbox to rent movies instead of Blockbuster, but that's maybe once a month or so.

Our plan has always been to stay as debt free as possible. When we were paying a car payment (only one, we never owed on 2 cars at any one time) our rule of thumb is this: If the car takes 48 months to pay off, we drive that car for at least ANOTHER 48 months. My husband is good at maintenance and we chose well when we bought (Hondas).

Our house note was a worry for many years but I always paid extra on the principal each month so we could be done early. Now that it is paid off, I deposit the amount of the house payment into our savings monthly.

Besides being free of debt, probably the biggest thing we do to save $$ is to stay healthy. Some of our friends are spending a small fortune on health-care, and I don't just mean insurance, I mean the bills too. We don't drink, don't smoke, stay away from fast food and try to exercise as much as we can. :)

Susan ~