Need ideas on how to make it on a tight budget

[baxjul]

In the short term:
I do things like water down dish and laundry soap to make it stretch further.
Eat all leftovers, no going out to eat, or getting take out
Use less shampoo, body wash, etc.
drink water, instead of soda's
sell some things you have laying around as clutter

For the long term, or savings you start seeing about next month:
Turn off lights, tv, computer, when not in use.
Put in CFL lightbulbs
Hang dry clothing
Start clipping coupons and combining with sales
use less heat/ac
drive less, combine trips out
start a stockpile, then you have food on hand

[arunkel]

This is something that will be a short term/long term thing, it is kinda both. I am off work for at least 8 weeks could be longer though. We have had 4 things go wrong in the past week, the power steering went out in 1 vehicle and the torsion bar broke in the other, so neither are drivable. The satellite receiver went out, and the laptop died (the hard drive fried). We have no emergency savings, over $10,000 in credit card debt and looking at a long time in paying it back. I am really fustrated right now.

[Holly]

Go to the library and Read Total Money Makerover by
Dave Ramsey
Use coupons with sales
Hang dry clothes
Turn off lights when not in use
Unplug all things not needed
Best Of Luck and lets us know how it goes

[Amanda2008]

If I were you- Since the satellite went out... cancel it if you aren't in a contract. plan your menus. If you have left overs of say chicken one night- make sure the next night is something that you can use that left over chicken in. Cutting out meats for a couple days a week is another good idea. Do a no lights on during the day rule for the weeks you are in financial hardship. Hang out clothes to dry- I have bad allergies so I do not hang mine outside- I hang them in the garage or in the spare bedroom! Good luck!

[rachelMcK]

I just want to point out that if you are cutting TV or internet, make sure that you didn't agree to cancellation charges when you signed up. When I first got the internet, I hated the company I was with and cancelled and they dinged me hard for "cancellation fees"....research it before you jump right into it and cancel.

[ravenmaniac]

I feel your pain. You need to look at some of the expenses that you can cut. I keep telling my husband our cell phones should be at a minimum. He swears it's not cost effective. I think we could get rid of cable or go to the bare minimum. He won't hear of it. I love having the internet but I could go to the library. I hope things work out for you. I'm putting my dd used only once home coming and prom dresses on ebay. She refuses to wear them again so why not. You won't catch me in one of those dresses. I'm also putting my ds like new t-shirts and hoodies, they are Ecko brand. Someone is bound to buy them by the lot. I'm also going to go through the garage and see what's out there. My husband has stock Harley Davidson parts. I think those will sell too. I'm considering getting a part time job but I could only work two nights a week. Anymore than that I would go crazy. Too much to take care of at home. I do wish you the best. I'm not sure is my post helped.

[dolphin]

I'm so sorry all of those bad things have happend to you. When it rains, it pours!

Since both vehicles are broken down, sell what you can to afford the repairs on one of them. Then, cancel the insurance on the other vehicle and turn in the tags so you won't be tempted to drive it and you won't get into trouble with the DMV.

Consider what insurance coverage you have on the other vehicle. Cut it to bare bones, liability only, but only do this if the vehicle is older than 4 years old and is not being financed. (check with your insurance company and they will advise you if you're actually just wasteing your money by having multiple coverage.)

You can always increase your coverage and re-register your other vehicle once it is running and your financial state is better.

Try your best to pay the minimum on your credit card debt. If you were to go 2 months being late or not paying at all, you're heading for a nightmare with your credidt card company.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[staciah]

I don't know if this will help in the food area, But I have seen a few people on freecycle ask for some help with food and they have received alot of help. I have even seen where some of the people have delivered the food to the person's house. It may be worth a shot if the food bank doesn't work out but a food bank really will help you. My DH works the the Scouts and this year while they were doing their yearly food drive at the food bank, a gentlemen drove up and asked for some food and they were more than happy to help him.No question asked.

[FrugalWitch]

I agree on cancelling the satellite unless you get hit with huge fees. Cancel the internet service and use the library. (even our tiny town has free computer use, you have to sign in, wait your turn and you can only be online for 1 hour at a time....better than nothing)

No eating out or ordering food delivered. No going to movies or paying a movie rental, get them free at the library.

If you can get rid of the cell phones do so. Get an el-cheapo $20 TracPhone at WalMart. Conserve your minutes by only using it when absolutely necessary.

If you have cell phones why not get rid of your landline?

If you've bought anything recently that you do not absolutely need for life itself return it if you still have the receipt. If you can't return it, sell or pawn what you can.

Quit using cc. When you get that 10k paid off, cut up your cards and never get into that mess again.

If you live where there is a decent public transportation system use that instead of trying to maintain the two cars.

Go meatless at least two days a week. Try to work towards 3-4 meatless days a week until finances improve. (No "meat and potatoes" man has ever died from this. Both of my husbands ex, and current, carped and whined aplenty but they lived and actually prefer less meat now)

That's all I can think of at the moment. Best of luck to you.

[Natalie]

On any prescriptions? Find a pharmacy that charges less. KMart is running a thing where some generics are a 90 day supply for 10 bucks this week, 15 bucks after this week. This week, if you switch to them, they'll give you a $10 KMart gift card, and have some American Fare products that are just $1 (from behind the counter). That Ibuprophen is 50 pills, probably about $3 something on over the counter.

[DonnainME]

I agree with going to the food pantry. I have gone there occasionally within the past year. You guys always have great ideas.

[leezza]

One of the things that have helped me in the food area is:

*Check out the weekly flyers from your neighborhood grocery store, (I used to throw them away with the junk mail). This way you will know what the weekly loss leaders are, what you can combine with coupons and store loyalty cards.

*If you do eat meat??? Be friendly with the store butcher.....that way they will let you know about upcoming sales and specials that aren't always known ahead of time, (recently I saved on pork roast because I was told the following day they went on sale for 50% off).

It takes a while to get into the swing of things so try to have patience with yourself.

Also you need to let everyone in the family know what is going on and what you are trying to do to help the situation.....it will drive you nuts if you are working your butt off and everyone else is wasting stuff.

Good Luck,
leezza

PS. try to take the time to read a lot of the old posts there is a wealth of information on this site.

[mike1w]

My family and I are always struggling it seems, the money never gets here when I need it. I have actually been overdrawn 1 or 2 times in the past year. I have an interview for a part time job, this saturday, to add to my meager salary. I can't find a full time job closer to home, with comparable pay or benefits. I had to borrow from some individuals, don't like it, but what can I do. I think I will try freecycle.