We have done it when money was extremely tight where we only bought gas and food.

I know Oprah had a woman on her show that did this, but I wasn't impressed with her. She cut out wine with meals and going to the theater in New York. Oh the humanity. (sarcasm)

Yes, we have done this but only for about 3 weeks and it was mainly with food, and entertainment. My husband drove only to and from work and thankfully at that time gas was cheaper and he had already filled up the tank before we started. We had to do this due to overlooking a large bill that was due. we used whatever was in our pantry instead of going to the supermarket. We played games and read books we already had and played puzzles and turned off our cable. I walked the kids to school instead of driving them (it was only 3 blocks). I hung our laundry out instead of using the dryer and I handwashed some of the laundry. We did crafts and I did some mending to use up time too. The only time I went anywhere was when I went to church. I agree that staying out of the stores is the easiest way to stop spending. We pretended we were pioneers like Laura Ingalls and had a blast. At first it was really hard, but we got used to it and even had some fun. But we were glad that we only had to do it for a few weeks!!

We have done it before. We've allowed for things like gas, milk, toilet paper and other things that we deemed "necessary". Usually we can only go for about a month. Mommysavers has done these before - we call them "spending freezes".

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I so hear you on this one! This past year I bought ds Levis and Lee jeans 2 sizes up (4 pairs of size 5 and 4 pairs of size 6) brand new on sale. It turns out that my size 4 little guy when he grew up into size 5 was now a 5 SLIM! Of course I had bought the items a long time ago, I had washed them all because up to that point my system worked fine...and was OUT all that money And jeans!! There was NO WAY those 5/6's were going to fit. By the time he grew into the waist, the pants were too short!! I'll never do that again!!

I always read about people getting great deals for the next season, and I've never been able to figure out what size ds will be by that season. I've been burned many times and now say enough is enough, we'll buy when we need. The problem is finding the stuff. That is the real challenge, and that's why I always bought the pants ahead. But no more of doing that for us.

Had to edit to add I tried to take them to consignment and they wouldn't take them - out of season (Levis out of season?) In the end I garage saled some of them but got so little $ for them. In the end I game most to charity, which I guess is okay, they got some good clothes!!

Thank you for posting this piece of advice. Im a "new" mommy. I have a 17mo. and a 3mo. old, and i would have done the same thing and purchased in advanced.

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Oh don't get me wrong for the pre buying, it worked well for me with Kelsey up until this year and for Thomas. When Kelsey was 2 I purchased 21 outfits and 3 bathing suits July for the next year for 112.00 and she got 2 summers out of that deal. I did great on jackets for the kids last year, I got Thom tow jackets for 14.00. They were each $7 and change.

The problem I'm having now is Kelsey is starting to get particular with her clothes. She's liking the boots with the skirt and tights.

So now I really watch the sales at Kohl's and Children's place. She's liking gymboree, but I really can't afford it, unless I guess I really try to look for the bargains there. I like old navy too. Thomas will really wear what ever I put on him, but this year is going to be really hard since I don't have the extra money. I think my mom and dad will help out alot with getting some clothes for the kids.

Pre buying worked for almost 5 years for me, I just tend to buy to much. My kids could honestly go a month without wearing the same clothes twice. My goal is to cut that in half. So really I don't have to buy anything for the kids until school starts in September. I even got burned with x-mas for the kids this year. What Kelsey liked in March she's out of now. I'm really beleiving less is more.

pre buying has worked for 16 yrs. for me!!

It is the one true way I save money!!

For the older Children - who can be picky , I don't buy as Much , But I still Stock up on the staples , like plain colored tees , basic shorts , Pjs and Sweats.


My boys get Gourgeous Columbia Coats Every other yr. - They are about 80.00 Reg.

I pick em out in late feb. when they are 60 % off plus I use other store coupons !!

2 yrs for about 25 bucks- is Great!!