Come to think of it, I guess I have been avoiding those runs for that one forgotten item.

We really have been living very spoiled lives.

I bet your neighbors enjoyed your cookies even more then you enjoyed being able to borrow. I think that use to be a good excuse to visit during a busy day.

Hubs and I both work full time, and both of us used to go out to lunch nearly every workday. That adds up! Now we're trying to bring our lunch at least twice a week, and usually it's at least three times. It's a heck of a lot cheaper to bring a sandwich and chips from home than it is to go to a restaurant - even a fast food place!

We've been saving on gas for a looooong time, because we carpool. We both work for the state, and our buildings are only a couple miles apart. We go to his building first, he gets out and I get into the driver's seat... I then go to my building (where I pay for parking). At the end of the day I drive to his building to get him, then we come home. We're now paying $4.30 per gallon for gas, so taking only one car has saved quite a bit!

We used to go out for breakfast a lot on Sundays (Saturday is for sleeping in after having worked a long hard week - LOL!). There are several restaurants that make great Belgian-style waffles (hubs' favorite), so I bought the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Maker... it makes two waffles at the same time, and they are GOOD! So, now we're saving gas and money by having Sunday waffles at home. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: KitchenAid Pro LIne Waffle Maker at Chefs.com

Probably so, Judy. We very seldom ever even go into each other's homes. We stand out in the yard and visit, instead.

My husband has been a shrimper for 42 years. This past winter he went to school to get his 200 ton license and got a job as captain on a tow boat. The pay is very good, and since he is gone for 2 to 3 weeks at a time, that probably saves $400 or more a month in gas spent driving back and forth to work.

I am trying to condense my running down to one trip out a day. We live 12 miles from the edge of the nearest town...so if I forget something, it has to wait until the next day.

I still take care of an elderly man and that is a 40 mile round trip every day, but he pays for my gas.

I wish I didn't have to leave the place more than twice a week. I am very content to just stay home.

I got so used to cooking for 3-4 people and never thought about cutting it back until a few months ago. I realized that even the left overs are not getting eaten very much the next day. We only have out yougest son, 24 years, still home and he works most nights. He used to devour the left overs but he now works at PF Chang's and eat there! I save alot just cooking for 2 now. We also cut back on the DirectTV....I realized we are paying about 80.00 a month for the handful of channels we watch. DH has his favorites and I have mine..the rest go unwatched. So I changed packages and they also gave me a 10.00 a month credit for the next 6 months! I guess they were afraid I was cancelling their service. I also stopped the daily paper. So many times I throw it away still unopened. I read the news online and so does DH after he gets to work. A few changes make a big difference.

Know what you mean, Gwanny. I've been trying to cut down on the amount that I cook, also. Twinkie is pretty good about eating the same thing - twice-and then that's it. If I don't freeze whatever it is, it's to throw out.

We stopped Netflix for the summer. We never take time to watch movies. We're usually outside doing something and they were making a killin' off of us! LOL

Marilyn, I'm usually the one saying, "We'll just wait and do that Tuesday when we go to town, etc."

Of course I took DGD an hour's drive one way today to the dr. (ear infection), paid her co-pay and then took the two kids to eat at Chili's! LOL (Just blew all my saving ways in one little wad today...Sheesh!)

I've mentioned this in other posts. I'm making a stab at cutting down on waste. I'm not cooking as much and we're trying to eat the leftovers. My paper towel usage has gone down this last week since I cut up my old robe to use for spills. I'm trying to go back to the basics of 'make do or do without'.

DH would probably claim that my hobbies/projects have gotten even weirder than usual. I'm supposed to be making a few craft projects for some kids this summer. Instead of purposely buying things, I'm just using what I find around the house like lids from biscuit containers and plastic bottle caps.

Haven't changed much ... maybe a few fewer trips to town.

I was pretty frugal, before.

ole joyful

I've always been frugal and disliked waste of any kind, but recently thrift has become a much more serious issue. I've gotten stricter about combining trips and foregoing certain ones. For instance, I'd like to attend a writers group meeting Thursday night, but I'll stay home instead.

One thing I'm doing differently is that I'm continuing to do a freelance job I dislike because I'm reluctant to give up the money. It pays enough to cover my dog's arthritis medsÂa $125 bill every month. Before expenses rose so steeply, I would have quit the job and not worried about how long it would take to find another.

As to cooking for 2, I generally cook something one night, then use that as the basis for something different the next night. A great example is: Last weekend we had bbq chicken sandwiches one night. Next night, I had just a little leftover BBQ, pulled some cheese sauce out of the fridge (I generally make at least 2 quarts, when I need it and freeze what's left), and we had a big bag of potatoes that DH got on sale, so I made scalloped potatoes topped with the bbq'd chicken. Made a WONDERFUL casserole. I do something similar with creamed dried beef--the leftovers are made into a pasta casserole the next night. Since I bake casseroles in the Advantium (only about 12 minutes, no preheating)--I save a lot of energy the night I make my 'reheated' meals. And because they look a little different, no one feels like they're really eating leftovers.

I'd definitely call that a lifestyle change. It's become something I plan ahead of time, and it's been fun coming up with creative ways to adapt one recipe into something else.

As to the baking soda? I'd probably have just left that out. The cookies would have worked just fine. As it is, I always cut back the amount called for by 1/2--because I don't like the strong taste it gives CChip cookies when used 'full-strength'.

I've always found out that, the fewer trips to the supermarket..the less we spend.
We go no less than once a week, with coupons and look over the specials. With a large freezer, I can take advantage of things like last weeks "buy one, get one free" on Oscar Meyer center slice bacon - bought 6 packs and saved $12.

I now have the time to cook and bake almost everything from scratch, fresh meats and vegetables- better taste, fresher, and cheaper in the long run.

We eat what's in the house...no running out for 1 or 2 things. Amazing how many extra things you pick up when you run to the store for 1 item.

I was raised with the good old New England frugal attitude. And we had to be with living off of one salary in CA for almost 24 years. But I have really cut back on running errands till I need to and I combine several in one trip.

No more running to the video store for rentals. We either watch something on TV or nothing. Last night I found a new version of The Andromeda Strain on A & E. It was 4 hours, 2 nights combined, so we watched the first half last night and will watch the rest tonight.

We eat out only for special occasions and I grow a lot of our food, especially stuff for salads all year long.
Clare

Does anyone know of a 'frugal' type forum to share tips? Years ago there was "The tightwad gazette" . Anyone remember that?

My DH retired about a year ago and I do look at things differently. We have a terrific retirement and we are grateful for this but we also could live a long time yet. We are and have been debt free for many years. I really think this is the secret to retirement. We have adjusted well but I do watch some things. My goal for this summer is to buy all my cleaning supplies, extra can goods, and such ahead so I do not have to buy any during the winter months when the heating goes up. I, also, cut up some old towels to use for cleanup instead of using so many paper towels. I buy alot when it is buy one get one free. We like soda but only buy it when it is $5.00 or less a case. It is kinda fun sometimes just seeing how we can save.. My hobbies are way cheaper then my hubbies. His is "big" tools. He just purchased a lathe for $3,000.00. Myself, I would not do this.. This should be the last of the big purchases. I know a person does not have to stop living but we do have to look for the future. We have 4 grandkids and I put a little back here and there to get them things... The 3 grandaughters have birthdays within a week of each other. Two on the same day.. OUCH!!!!!!! We just have to enjoy life as it is because we never know when something can happen.. Enjoy!!!

Susie

G2Three, I just cut my Dish Network from 200 to 100 channels. I may stop NetFlix too, soon.
Leslie

I have always been a penny-pincher. My brother used to tease me by telling people that when I opened my pocketbook, moths flew out!

With the current situation I am trying to find more ways to save; kinda making a game of it.

I love sweet potatoes. Now I buy 3 large ones and bake them all at the same time in the convection oven. I'm not a big eater, so I never eat more than half at a time. They are easily warmed up and mashed with butter and cinnamon.

This time I decided to use the last two for a sweet potato pie. (I have to admit to using store-bought crusts in the last several years.) Yesterday at the grocery store crusts were $2 for two. I decided I would bake the filling without the crust; it will be sweet potato custard. I rarely make pies any more and the second crust would just take up space in the freezer. Don't need those extra calories anyway.

I'm enjoying all these "frugalities". Keep them coming.

Sue

We canceled our NetFlix too and I am planning to cut back our Direct Tv, both for at least the summer. We try and have a clean the pantry dinner every now and then, and also try and save our running around until we HAVE to.
My neighbor and I have been sending eggs and baking supplies across the street to each other for years.

I've always tried to be frugal when I can, but now with gas being so ridiculous, I am trying harder! Gas on our corner was $4.03 today!!!! Was able to get it at Costco for $3.81, but I still spent $49 for 13 gallons!

Well, having a newborn baby really cuts down on my car driving. We do most of our travelling by stroller. We are sticking pretty close to home in the early days, so that's one benefit. And I'm breastfeeding-that's free!

I either combine errands or skip them all together. Like the other day, I went to the grocery store that was near the post office (not my first choice of store, but it was just simple stuff-bread/milk etc) and while we were there I went to the drugstore, so I combined 3 errands to one trip! I parked my car centrally and walked to all three stores.

Plus, we've been having more visitors then normal, and if they ask if we need anything, I'm not shy.

We are thinking about NetFlix, but not until winter time. DH LOVES warm weather, so he's happiest outside after work, going to the pool, taking a walk etc, so no time to watch movies.

I'm trying to just eat all the leftovers in the house to limit waste. Tonight I think I'll do the turkey cassarole, DH eating BBQ pork from last night and DD ravioli from the night before. Easy way to clean up the fridge.

And then using stuff in the pantry, like cookie mixes, instead of buying cookies. Or making things from scratch instead of buying. Although, I had to splurge the other day and get grapes for DD. She had asked for them for a few days. I'd been skipping them until they were on sale, but I figured I could treat her with healthy snacks. And she'll definitely eat them all, so no waste! And I water down DD's juice. Partially to save money, but more to cut down on sugar!!

Never been a penny pincher, and being as I'll be 69 soon, ain't gonna start now.

No really penny pinching by choice but I work in a very small town. I never used to bring my lunch to work with me and would go to the grocery store in town where they had a deli with some type of special of the day. Well, that grocery store closed. There is no other store in town that sells any food and so now I'm forced into bringing my lunch from home. I have saved a ton of money and have lost a little bit of weight also.

My neighbour and I were just talking about this over the fence earlier this evening. She will be 80 this year and has decided to give up driving and give her car to her son. We are lucky to live in an area where we are just 2 blocks from everything we really need. Grocery stores, bank, restaurants, drug store etc. We both said we are going to start walking the two blocks and using our local businesses more often. Good for us and good for the community to support the local businesses.
I don't really penny pinch but I think it's a good idea to drive less, walk more and cut down on "stuff" that we don't really need. Now I ask myself before I buy "Do I really need this or do I just want it"

Thanks for all your comments. I found them interesting!

I just bought 2 fans, so now we have three, and will run them this summer to cut on the AC bill. I plan to turn the air up as high as we can stand it, but low enough so that the house doesn't become humid. I'm putting one in the den, the kitchen, and our bedroom.

We recently changed our way of eating to a much healthier, whole food diet. It is very expensive to buy organic produce and grass-fed beef, etc. But we are no longer buying snack items or convenience foods, and drink only water and tea, so that is a savings. And we are cutting down on the portion size of meats and fish. We can get adequate protein in a 4-oz serving.

Alisande, our dog has had arthritis, and our vet suggested changing her over to Hill's prescription diet j/d. He said he has seen some spectacular results with it. So we tried it, and sure enough, she is moving around like a puppy. I can tell when she goes up steps that her hind legs are way more mobile, and she appears to be pain-free. So glad that she doesn't need to be on meds. You might consider giving it a try, if it works it sure would save you some money. It is available dry and canned.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hill's j/d

I gave up buying pop and buy Crystal Light mix instead. I am trying not to buy convenience foods at the grocery store. I am going to cancel Netflix again. I periodically cancel and then renew after several months.

I posted this blog at another post on the Money Saving Tips forum, but I'll post it here too. I think it's related. This lady has a lot of interesting ideas for making do and saving money. It may give someone ideas on how to stretch the food budget or what to keep on hand for an emergency. Here's the last entry I've read. You can pull up others.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blog

I don't buy as much fresh produce in one shopping trip because it would go bad before I could eat it. I am lucky I can walk to the grocery store when I run out of something or when I need more fresh produce.

My neighbour cries the blues about not having food to eat or having nothing in the house to cook or no salad fixings so I often end up taking her over dinner or a big dinner salad and cookies and cake when I make it. She eats the food I give her then gets in her car to drive 4 blocks to buy cigarettes for her after dinner smoke. Kind of makes me upset that she would rather spend her money on smoking than food. She also cried about taking a big loan out to do landscaping that she doesn't need done. She has more money than I do so I don't know why I am feeding her. LOL

I find it is cheaper to bake my own cookies than buy store bought unless they are on sale.

One thing I have noticed with the gas prices being as high as they are my brother is not stopping by as much with a coffee for me from Tim Horton's. LOL He used to bring me a coffee everyday and his newspaper but now he does it only on weekends.

I won't be buying flowers for my garden this year but will get tomato plants instead. My one brother did give me 4 pots of geraniums free for my front porch pots from his store.

I use coupons too but our stores don't offer double coupons like they do in the US stores - we just get the face value taken off. There was a coupon though for a free Pledge product in last weekends booklet so I used that and also picked up a few other coupons from relatives that don't use them. I like the coupons for free cleaning products. LOL

I also cancelled my newspaper because I have the internet and I can get the newspaper from my brother or from my neighobur down the street. My SIL a few blocks over always hands me the tv guide and my Saturday New York times puzzle from the weekend paper when I go by their house on my walk. LOL Walking by their house pays off in other ways too. They shop at Costco a lot and my SIL is always giving me toothpaste and rolls of toilet paper to carry home. My brother's favourite thing is to shop at Costco. LOL

Anne

Not only am I pinching pennies but rubbing them together so hopefully they'll make babies LOL!

We are not broke-broke is a state of mind we are "poor" at the moment(from Dave Ramsey-love him!)

Some things we have been doing:

We were on our last couple of scoops of coffee so we mixed a blend that we had gotten and didn't care for too much with the regular Folgers-Not too bad....but glad we got more coffee now. The grocery store is 17 miles away and I didn't HAVE to go and we made do.

We have ate out of the freezer and pantry all this week only bought milk, eggs,wheat sandwich bread, lunch supplies for DH,coffee and toilet tissue.

DD asked to go to band camp and church camp. We told her that we have to clamp down on expenses and had her choose which one she wanted to go to most. Church camp won.

Usually pay to get oil changed on my car-DH did it and saved almost half the amount.

All basic expenses(phone, electric,satellite) are slashed to bare minimums but we still keep a close eye on the bills just to make sure we are being charged the right amount.

We have talked about cancelling Directv for a while but none of us are willing to do that yet....LOL

Haven't used AC yet this summer- last weekend was pretty bad and we stayed outside alot in the shade.

DH and I are planning to sell some "big"things we have around the house. He has an extra boat and an extra car we could sell and we have some other acreage in the town next to us we really would like to sell.Houses are not selling well but maybe land will sell?

The biggest thing for us I guess is:
* to follow our budget(which we were doing all along)and take a calculator and grocery list to the store. I told DD about that one and she is doing it religiously now because she was going over every week on her food budget.
*needs before wants- DD wants a new pair of flip flops every week but she doesn't get them........LOL

I threw away my Blockbuster card. I haven't rented a movie in years. I watch DirecTV a lot. My favorite channels are TVLand (old TV shows) and TCM (old movies).