With all the rising prices, How are you adjusting your budget? What I mean is, can you adjust it? or do you have to scrimp in some areas to make do in other?


I was going over our budget last night. I budget $160.00 for gas in a month. We usually fill up out 4 times in a month so that is what that amount has to be. WELL- we've already filled up 3 times its only the 9th!! Gas prices are so frustrating!!


How are you dealing with rising prices?

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DH and I decided we're going to start riding our bikes to yoga again on good weather days. I also told him I'll walk to the grocery if he goes with me, so we get our exercise in.

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I wish we could walk places! We just don't live in a walkable area and it would be usafe for me to push my stroller on the highway w/o sidewalks to get to the grocery store. I have just been saying no more. No to going places, no to unnessary groceries. I have also been trying to get more creative with our meals to not waste anything.

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So far we've had a little wiggle room in our budget to allow for the increase in food and gas prices. And with school almost over, that'll cut back on our gas bill for a few months so things won't be so tight for awhile. If prices continue to creep up, I don't know what we'll do. The only thing we can cut out is our satellite service. There's nothing else we splurge on.

Between the rising gas and food prices, we are really struggling! Honestly, I haven't figured out how to adjust the budget yet to try and stay afloat. I'll keep an eye on this post for tips anyone else has!

I have started to combine trips out to save money -- plan meals and leftovers then stick to a grocery list -- turned up the air conditioner a few degrees at night -- switched out the light bulbs that go dead with the compact florecents -- really been more observant about use of energy and resources.

I have even started to put together a box of stuff to take to the consignment store for sale!!

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Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8), Hannah (6.5), and John(4.5)

So far, we are doing okay, I have just always combined as many stops into one trip that I can do. I no longer run uptown if I forget one item, it just has to wait until next time.

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I am trying to combine trips and do several at one time, I am also shopping closer to home and cooking from scratch more than I used to. We don't eat out very much at all anymore, but other than that I don't feel like there's much more we can do as far as gas/grocery prices.

We're considering moving closer to dh's job. It's an hour each way. We spend like $600 a month in gas! Sometimes more if I have business out of town.

Adjusting my Tax Withholdings will give us an extra $40 a week. The IRS Has a Withholding Calculator. It told us to Claim 8 withholding instead of the 3. We have already paid almost all the taxes we will owe in 2008. Why let the goverment keep that money until next Feb when we could use it now.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006