Has anyone lived bare bones for a number of months?

[kellieetter]

I am living that way right now. All though hard at times it is so worth it. For grocerys I use my local Angel Food Ministries and love it!!! There are also other share networks for food as wekk. I have cut out everything I possibly could, the only thing I have not cut is my alarm and the house phone (needed for the alarm). I have started making all my own cleaning supplies, cut down on use electricity by unplugging and hanging clothes to dry. I have made my own sponges and napkins out of old towels. We never go out and spend money on anything besides food (which I have a budget for) and gas.

It can be done and at first it is hard but you start learning how to do things in a way you never thought of before.

[CrazyCat]

when my kids were small~that's exactly what I did was drive 'beater' cars. that alone is a HUGE savings. Not only the price of the vehicle, but your insurance will also be much less. For a long time...I only had liabiltiy on my car. At home entertainment....(No $8 movies/person)~Ate frugal meals....accepted clothing donations..you do what you have to do to survive. I also think that since you have small kids..there is only so much you can cut back on.

[itlw8]

I have never had to go bare bones but I could if I had to.

We will be cutting back as much as we can this summer. Thank goodness all my CC debt is almost paid off.

I Will be using my stockpile that is what it is there for. I buy bargains and replace with more bargains as they come around again.

hopefully I will find some cereal soon it is getting rather low.

We are eating out of our freezer now to pay everything I can ahead of time. heck I have to defrost anyway. And food needs to be rotated. so use and replace stockpiles don't hoard and waste.

Barter for what you need.. I buy fresh eggs from a friend but I started too many tomato plants so I will trade some for eggs.. win win for both of us.

[frugalwarrior]

I would suggest never running your stockpile down to zero. It is your security blanket in times of true crisis. Always eat out of it to rotate food though. My husband began working from home this year and we have shared one car in order to pay down the last of our c.c. debt. This saved us money on car payments,repairs,ins. oil changes. It has forced us to plan and work together. We never thought we could do it but have for over 3 months.
Could you set up a barter exchange with friends or relatives. Share large bags of onions,potatoes,garlic,flour? Large sizes are usually cheaper. Saving takes thinking out of the box When I garage sale I have a list from other people. They pay me to look for things for them (a small amt.) and they save too. They cannot go thurs. because their working. I thought of starting a dinner service for homecooked food/desserts. Pet walking done by your kids? Checking on empty homes for real estate agencies (50.x 6=300. per week.) Report if their occupied,walk thru if their not-report leaks,no fixing? Make Easter basket to order for internet or just busy friends? Many temporary businesses for quick tx free cash. Shopping for them? Run Errands-get dry cleaning for $5-10... Can you grow veg. for farm market (share booth)? You know what your skill/availability is. Good Luck. Involve everyone in the family. Make a chart in your house like a charity drive would.