Anyone trying to not spend as much these last couple months?

[imagine]

I have been trying to spend less for months now.

That said I am enjoying spending some now for Christmas presents ( and even the make up on myself) been keeping the spending down on those by looking for and chasing the deal as well as being creative.

I'm looking forward to the holiday baking cooking ( Thanksgiving Christmas, New Years) and buying the ingredients ( except the ones needed fresh) a bit at a time so they sneak into the regular grocery budget.

[Starlight9803]

I usually spend less all year and shop sales/clearances for gifts, but this year things are really tight. With DH starting his own business this year, and several major repairs on his truck (he's a truck driver, so these were necessary and over $1500 each time), I just don't have the money saved up to get things done like I usually do. I'm trying not to let it stress me out. We've paired down the gift list, and I'm shopping for the kids as sales and great deals come up. Guess I'm lucky that my kids no longer believe in santa, and they know the basic situation of our finances. The few things they have asked for are not high in cost - though we have a few more expensive things we know they would enjoy and we plan to get those for them too - so getting there gifts isn't so much of a problem. More people will be getting homemade baking/candy gifts this year too. Seems that goes over better with the people I give to anyway lol.

[Incognito]

My health is worse, and job prospects have been worse since our spring & summer flood, so my work income has dropped to $200 per month or less.
After the truth sank it, and I got over the shock and fear aspect, I re-did my budget to a bare-bones type.
I'm committed to bare-minimum groceries, and cutting out all unnecessary expenses. My Christmas gifts will be handmade, and I worked on a rag-rug yesterday, which I think is looking pretty good.
I've also got some gift-type items stashed away, so I should be able to make up gift-boxes & with a basket of homemade baking, that will suffice, in addition to sending out my Christmas cards.

I refuse to worry or cry about it; this is just the way it is.
I'll be alright; God will help me, and He has given me my stockpile and my emergency fund. I've got resources, and I will be making the most of them. With less employment, I will have more time to cook, bake, sew & mend, make crafts, clean & repair, and repurpose items. I'll use this time well and wisely, and save money. And some R&R will be nice too, after so many hectic years without a change or a vacation. I want to get in touch with Nature again.

[Maine Girl]

I did really good about spending less in September and the first part of October. I chose not to buy any new fall clothes and was only spending money on bills and groceries and gas.

But in the last couple of weeks i have been spending.
New winter boots
Dr appts
Prescriptions

I will be spending a little money for my dad's birthday gift and of course Christmas gifts for the family. Also i will need to make a dish for Thanksgiving. I don't forsee spending that much on Christmas gifts this year.

I am hoping i will have a couple weeks in November to curb spending. Good luck to all

[Momto5RN]

i started a thread where we can help each other find the best deal on an item we are looking for to make it less stressfull .
there is also a thread i started a few weeks ago on deals - advertised or unadvertised we come upon to share that someone may be able too use as a gift .

check them out may be of some help

[Imarachne]

If I get any more frugal, I'll have to pay bills with blank (unsigned) checks !! LOL

[BlissMommy]

We just took in my husband's 17 year old nephew and we are helping out his Dad and that is creating unexpected costs for us. I'm feeling the stress, but I have decided to give it to God. I can't control it all and hubby and I have talked, things will be tight this month. As long as we can provide a great Thanksgiving I will be happy this month. I have been able to purchase some Christmas gifts and we have some stuff on layaway and we will be putting a little more on this month. Hubby had a talk with his nephew that he needs to find a job, we shall see if that happens, we will put a roof over his head and feed him and that is it.

[ShadowMom]

I have actually been trying to build up my stockpile for the last month to get ready for an impending layoff in February, but we had some bills come due this week that means there is no grocery money until next paycheck (bi-weekly), sooooo we will be living off of the stockpile for two weeks. I am very glad we have it, it just means being a little more creative and no complaining from the guys LOL.

[frugalfranny]

This is just not my 'time of year' to cut back....but I also build
up some of my stockpile too.

I am baking for Christmas gifts. So that means hitting some sales.
And............spending more.

I can say I have been very careful with the $ I will pay.

Wellllllllllll...........until I went to our NEW TRADER JOE'S today........ Had a splurge day today........Trader Joe's and Costco in the same day....... disaster!!!!

[Jessesbride]

We are trying to be more frugal with our spending. I've been making more meals at home (which has been hard as I've been horridly sick w/sinuses & will soon be having sinus surgery). But on the days that I feel pretty decent, I make enough to have leftovers & then freeze the leftovers (sometimes individually, sometimes family size). That way on days I don't feel good I can just pop leftovers on & be done with it.

I've been searching out recipes & putting them into "practice" ... things like what to do with old bananas (sick of banana bread & smoothies) so I've been making banana pudding w/nilla wafers & such. Found an awesome recipe & my son, has been requesting that I make certain things. For a Momma who has always been a little reserved that I could make a good home cooked meal, I've been less concerned with how perfect it comes out as to experimenting & seeing if we like it. If we like it, then I keep the recipe, if not, it was a lesson learned. So far, I've had way more "keep" recipes than "not" lol ... I have a full pantry, so that helps! It's just I'm not always certain how to use it to the best of my ability. BUT!!! I'm learning!

Because I've been trying out new recipes & cooking more, I've noticed I stay home more & out of the stores. I've been getting more & more organized, making sure laundry is done, cleaning, redecorating (with what I already have on hand), & spending more time just hanging out with my husband & son. I've really been enjoying it!

We haven't even begun Christmas shopping, however, the more organized I get this house, the more "stuff" I'm finding... several times during the years I would have gifts I'd've bought my niece or nephew & then it "disappeared" on me & I'd have to get another one. So now that I've found those presents, it can either go to them for Christmas (if appropriate) or go to another kid in our family, etc.

I've also been impressing on my dh that he needs to take his lunch to work (instead of getting it from fast food etc) & he's been doing very well at it!!!

Another thing I've been doing is counting my blessings. I don't really NEED anything other the medical stuff going on now, we don't NEED anymore clothes or shoes, etc. Reminding myself that "this new thing" will not make my life better in any way, helps me to see reality rather than to get up on the hype of "what if" ... if that makes any sense lol...

Kim

[peanut]

I notice the fall is always spendy for us. I am stocking up the pantry/freezer, finishing off work on the house to prepare for winter, and we have 3 birthdays and an anniversary before Christmas.

This year we've decided to simplify things. The kids are all getting money on their student loans for Christmas and birthdays. DH and I are alone for Christmas and we've decided to have a 'no gift' Christmas. We were going to go away, but with my new diet I can't eat in restaurants. So we'll be staying home...I think.

The truth is, come January I am going to be housebound while DH has the car at work. It gets mega cold and very icy. I'll probably be housebound till March. Unless it's a dire emergency. We'll see. I will undoubtedly be saving money during those months.

My challenge is to not spend money over the Internet. I don't like shopping in general, but the Net makes it real easy. Especially when I can find things we can't find locally.

I've toyed with the idea of starting a thread here at the Village where I post every single penny spent out of disposable income, with the idea that the accountability would keep me in check. I don't know though. It didn't work on my vacation thread. I'm wondering just what might work for me... I'm open to new ideas too.

[rebecca]

I have no choice but to cut back as much as possible. My main job for the last four weeks have been horrid. Only working three days for five hours when ususally have 40 hour weeks. My other job the pt census has been low so haven't been working as much. I do have a decent EF but trying not to touch it anymore than I have to. Whoever thought this would happen to our economy. I have been very frugal to the bone and just don't know where else to cut. This sucks!