How have you modified the spending freeze to work for you? Here are some ideas I've seen members post, but are there more?

• No eating out unless planned 24 hours in advance
• No clothing that isn’t on pre-approved list
• No buying groceries that aren’t on sale
• Doing a complete spending freeze the first week of every month
• Doing a 3-week freeze four times a year

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Those are good Kim and I think easy enough to follow! The best thing we have done is NOT eat out since December the longest EVER! To make up for that I do one new recipe a week seems to satisfy everyone

Thanks for the tips! I plan on repeating the spending freeze, since this was very successful. (Granted the no money part was a great help LOL ) But I think I did really good on telling myself I don't need it, rationalizing everything, and having the needs and Wants disscussion with myself quite often. It does get easier, and it does become habit after a bit.

I got fantastic use of my coupons this past month as well, and I found myself only shopping for the needed igrocery tems, or the sale items, rather than just buying to 'have' it.

Now that I don't work, I have been cooking supper everynight and I'm finding a new joy with being in the kitchen, trying out new recipes I come across.

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Meghan9.Samantha7,Cameron5

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We eat out on Saturday nights, but it's Costco pizza. $10.33 to feel all 6 of us and give me a night out of the kitchen! It's part of the grocery budget so doesn't whack out the budget or savings at all.

Even my kids know that if it's not on sale and/or we have a good coupon, then don't even ask!

We are in a use it up mode around here. Everything from craft supplies to groceries to toothpaste (EVEN if it's not the kind they like!)

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I'm finding that I'm tired of forking my money over to a restaurant and not being satisfied with the quality of my meal. If the quality of the meal was spectacular, it may have been worth it.

For some time, I have maintained a full pantry of both food, toiletries and paper products. While we have had threats in the past, this is the first time DH's employer has had a mandatory pay cut. Currently for January and likely a few other months this year (UGH). However, we were just talking about it this morning and being we've only spent what we truly need to, it hasn't been THAT bad. In the beginning of the month, I have to admit that I felt a bit more anxious.

For Rx and groceries combined, we've only spent $232. Our son is going to a winter camp this week with his class and several sister congregation's students of the same grades, which had to be paid for last week. I'm very much at peace and thankful that we have not felt jipped by this experience. There was only one dinner outing after a game that we were invited to that we didn't attend. The boys were very hurt that we didn't join them. They got over their grumpy evening.

DH is picking up a few clothing items for DS to take to the winter camp because of the frigid temps.

This is a wonderful thread! Thank you!

Actually, what worked best was to make up a list of as many meals that I could make with what we already had on hand. Then look at the weekly ads and make a list of sale items that would complete other meals.

I guess each household has to find what works for them.

I agree. We tend to eat so much healthier when eating at home, too. It seems like most of the restaurants in our town are typical burgers, pizza, wings, bar food - which is good once in a while but not good to eat on a regular basis.

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To help us we have started this

list, if it isn't on it we do without it
use it up, we don't throw as much away anymore
eat out every two weeks, so weeks it is once but we were doing much more than that
using crockpot for dinner so we aren't tempted not to eat out

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Dh still thinks we're on a spending freeze lol! I'm just waiting for him to ask when it ends but if he's fine still being on it I am too. He did go to Costco yesterday and one of the things not on the "approved list" was chai tea for me and beer for him. But we were out and I can't live w/o my tea so he got them both but then said "what about the spending freeze". I think his thinking has changed a lot, mine sure has.
I also was wanting something the other night and he mentioned the freeze, not that I was going to run out and buy it, but now I don't even remember what it was! I'm really looking harder at my needs vs. wants.

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We owe about $1500 in taxes, so we are staying on the spending freeze until we get that saved up. Thanks to FTJ we won't have to take any out of our CDs or savings. If we stay focused, it should just take another week or two. I am so thankful for this project. Just knowing other people are working on the same thing, helps.