thaks for setting me straight Annie and thanks Spoodler for the idea

Another obvious one but takes a bit of prep at home. If you work outside the home make your lunch to take to work, make the lunches for the children for school.

It stops you going to restaurants and the kiddies buying school lunches which might not be as healthy as you could make yourself with a bit of organization.

take out coffee (Im guilty of this when I work in the Estate Agents) thats a bill that can mount up. If you cant give it up cut it down to one a week as a treat.

Go green in your famiy life, reuse, recycle

Compost your veg peelings, egg shells, grass cuttings this will save you having to buy compost in a year or two.

Awwww...shucks! Thanks Anne, it just seemed silly to keep typing the same ideas week after week whenever someone new would ask for helpful frugal hints.

I totally agree with jaxdaisy, we never leave the house without drinks for us and dd and snacks if we will be gone all day...it saves us a TON of money.:D

Great thread!

I will repeat the eat at home saves tons of money. That was my budget breaker and I am amazed that menu planning saves me so much money. I plan my grocery shopping better and use what is in my pantry more efficently.

Another thing we did for vacation was to order a entertainment coupon book for the area we were going to. I looked on line to see if the amusement parks and museums we were planning on going to were in it (they were) and that saved us almost triple on what I paid for the book (which was of course, on sale!). Plus when we left, I gave it to my cousin who lived in the area, because it had a ton of restaurants he liked to eat at. A win-win for both of us.

Great tips - I always like reading these.

__________________
Debbie

"Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." --Benjamin Franklin

I do the dollar thing ($1.oo) a lot and use to save for my dd. I occasionally cash them in when I get $50 or more for a bigger bill. I have also used them for emergency bills. I also save all my change. I saved so much when I got married I bought my husband's wedding band from my change.

Hi, Small things definitely add up! One of the things that I started doing a few monthes ago was use plain white bandanas as napkins for meals. It's kinda classy (okay, I have low expectations) and reduces the use of paper napkins! They clean up really well, too. I have also been buying in bulk right now (August) for school supplies when cheap because you never know when the kiddies will lose/use up what was bought at the beginning of the year. I also see it as a challenge to make meals as cheaply as possible. I also don't use a recipe if I don't have all of the ingredients, or I might vary it a little to fit whatever I have. I buy alot of our clothes used, either at Goodwill, rummages, or other thrift stores. The library saves us tons on entertainment! Books, magazines, and up to the minute DVD's are available to put on hold on our computer, all I have to do is drop in to pick them up! On big items, I have been known to negotiate a better deal. You just have to ask when no one else is around and also be willing to walk away if they will not dicker. I do alot of the things listed already, so I hope I don't sound too repetitive!

I cook nearly every night, but sometimes by friday or saturday I am wiped out...sooo for those nights I try to grab convience (read precooked, processed) food...like chicken strips and fries, or canned chili for chili fries...it may cost a bit more...but it is still lots less than grabbing a burger for all 4 of us...

~C~

Our family goes on lots of nature trail walks. Out here in CO we have quite a few trails. Hmm imagine that . That is how we spend our quality time together as a family and it costs nothing. We do the park thing all the time. It will be nice to see what ideas come up here. Thanks for the posts!!

-cut dryer sheets in half
-hang clothes up to dry (outside or hang a string in your house, shower rods work too)
-plan meals around sale ads, price match, buy as much of your list at Aldi's
-don't eat out
-use the library (movies, books, magazines, story hour)
-walk to your errands if they are close enough
-shop clearance sales, consignment stores, goodwill, garage sales
-free layaway at walmart
-angelfoodministries.com
-use conditioner as shaving cream
-start a pantry--stock up on items when they are on sale, ie ketchup and condiments around the 4th of july and superbowl times,
-programable thermostat (when we are not going to be home the air is set at 80)
-open up the windows and use ceiling fans if not too hot outside
-free printable coloring sheets on line
-find free entertainment in your area (concerts in park, library activities, play at park)
-shop at discount bread store

-before you head out the door, stop and look at your list, ask yourself do I really need to go buy these things. don't spend money or gas if stay at home

-keep a change jar
-recycle pop cans if option available to you

I love hearing new ideas..

- we bought hair clippers - so my 2yr old son - who has a good head of hair - has never been to a barber!!

Will post more later!

A while ago someone posted the link to this website, which I think is really great. I signed up for the e-mails (which aren't overwhelming in number) and have liked them- they keep me motivated plus have given me some more money saving tips:

http://www.cindysporch.com

__________________
I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them