anyone get where they want to try harder...

**Sara Noel** · 12-31-2003, 10:59 AM

on their budget because it's a new year?

I'm going to start tracking our spending AGAIN. I'm going to do this for at least two months. I already know one of our major "leaks" is in renting movies. We don't go out to eat much or do all that much entertainment wise, but we are definitely movie rental fanatics.

I know many already track their spending, but if anyone would like to jump on, I'll be starting the process again.

Our budget changed when we moved and I really haven't adjusted things since the move and it shows!

I really want to improve in all areas. There are just important things that I'd rather have our money going.

We are pretty frugal and simple, but I know I can find some areas to improve on. I've already cut major things, but want to get back to planning meals better too and getting my pantry stocked better and I have this freezer that isn't even full.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-31-2003, 11:08 AM

Yes we definitely are tracking every penny that goes out of here. I know there are areas I can cut back on as well, such as not going to the store to pick up a loaf of bread when I can bake it at home.

We hardly go out anymore so that isn't our weak area anymore, it use to be though.

We use to be able to get movies from the library. Both libraries that we frequent now don't carry movies.

Our really weak spots are our hobbies. I'm going to take a good hard look at how much we spend there (especially me) and see where I can cut back. Heck, I might have to take a hiatus from purchasing fat quarters!!

But I'm determined to become more frugal during 2004.

**slowtypinwoman** · 12-31-2003, 11:20 AM

http://www.netflix.com/Default?mqso=...111&bfinfo=365

Thought this might help with the movies rentals. A friend does this and loves it. We don't rent movies but it looks like a good deal if you do.
And yes, I want to really tighten the frugal belt this year!

**Sara Noel** · 12-31-2003, 11:38 AM

Our library actually charges for videos and dvd's.

**Mom23boys** · 12-31-2003, 12:11 PM

Walmart.com also has a video rental like Netflix. You can try it free for 30 days. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catal...&path=0%3A5430

Back to the budget, yes, I want to do better in 2004. I have already made plans to start tracking all money being spent so we can see where we need to do better. I know our weak area would be eating out on paydays. Plus when we go to the boys sporting events, they always spend money at the concession which is too high.

**heavensent_7** · 12-31-2003, 12:14 PM

Our Libray charges to rent movies too - I thought they all did?

I could've written this post!

DH now has a job

He starts January 6th and DS's homeless girlfriend is moving into our already overcrowded house as well.

So this year everything will be different.

I already have LOTS of things I want to work on and I have started some - I threw out 6 bin bags of clutter today!

But as far as the new budget goes, I desperately want to save for Disney in 2-3 years and things are very tight.

I have already written out DH's soon to be salary and stuff I know we have to pay like rent, gas, etc.

I'm planning on tracking ALL our spending and cutting back where I can and thinking about everything before we spend.

I want to get rid of our garage which is storing our trailer tent but I want to keep the tent, so I need to buy a trolley to keep it on it's side. This will cost us £95 but the garage is costing £30 a month, so when I can find £95 I think it will be money well spent.

I've thought about lots of things I want to change and I have a real hunger to do it this year, so I could go on boring you with it for ages LOL. But I'll spare you

I'm definately going to be there with you on this one though!

**guest2** · 12-31-2003, 12:32 PM

We are really going to try and tighten our financial belt more this year. DH is getting a raise and we are hoping to use half of it to pay off some bills and put the other half into savings. The income tax return is already earmarked for paying off bills, paying for Driver's Education classes for oldest son and for the yearly testing for the kids. If there is any left over, we may get a new dryer since ours is on it's way out.

I'm going back to planning menus, putting in a larger garden and canning more food than I did this year. One of the big drains in our budget is eating out. I think I'm going to do like Heather (aylasmommy) and figure the eating out money in with the food budget. That should cut things down right there!

Hey, if you only have $200 for food, HBA's and pet needs, that doesn't leave lots of room for meals out.

I figure that should trim at least $100 off the budget right there that can go towards bills.

**Heather** · 12-31-2003, 12:38 PM

Great thread!!!!

First of all

CJ, did you say a hiatus from fq's...............Ok, I'm picking myself up off the floor!!

You are all doing great and have wonderful plans for the new year. I, too, am buckling down and trying to find leaks, some are obvious and some I need to find. Groceries are one biggie that I was doing great on but the last few months haven't been too good! Little impulse purchases lately. Planning is the key for me...I must plan, organize and have things in writing.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-31-2003, 12:48 PM

Heather, roflmbo!!! Shhhh, I'll still keep the fat quarter club I joined!!

I love this thread. You know, its the small things that really add up and cause leaks. Going out for a meal costs us $30 - 45 each time we go. If we do that twice a month, that is almost $100 I could have used on groceries to get me through a full month.

One of our biggest leaks is when we go for a drive or stop for gas for the van. We always end up getting a drink and a snack. So instead of paying $40 for gas alone, we end up paying another $10 or more for snacks. Crazy isn't it. Again though, its the small amount that adds up. We usually fill up with gas 3, sometimes 4 times a month, so theres an extra $40 that has flown out the window, kwim.

Bev, you won't ever bore us!!! And WTG on decluttering. I knew all along you could do it.

**Sara Noel** · 12-31-2003, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by hmsclmom
I'm going back to planning menus, putting in a larger garden and canning more food than I did this year. One of the big drains in our budget is eating out. [/B]

I just posted about this on homesteadgarden. I'm going to do a small veggie garden this year and do some canning. I really want to get my pantry and freezer stocked better this year and plan better with meals.

**Michelle** · 12-31-2003, 01:55 PM

I get this way every year around this time.

I really want to revise our budget and this time stick to it!

I'm also trying to convince Dave to cut back on a few things (ie our cable plan). I'm also going to look into a cheaper phone plan and maybe cut out long distance altogether--and use phone cards to call instead.

I say this every year, but I really, really want to learn to can and also have a veggie garden.

One more thing I'd like to do is learn to sew clothing and make my dd's their tops, shorts, and pj's to save on clothing costs come spring.

I hope I'l be able to achieve some of those!

CJ, could you share with us your bread recipe? I'd love to be able to make bread for sandwiches, but it just never turns out like the sandwich bread we buy at the store.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-31-2003, 02:15 PM

Michelle, my bread recipe is in the tutorial section. Its simple and easy to make. I must admit here that making bread you never quite get the same shape or texture as boughten bread. Its an acquired taste, but it saves quite a bit, especially for us. If I purchase bread in our small town, it costs anywheres from $1.59 - 1.79 a loaf. If I go into the city, I can pick up a loaf for 99¢, but I can bake bread for far less, roughly about 45¢ a loaf because I purchase my grain in 50 lb. bags, with a 20% off because of purchasing in that amount. I also purchase my yeast in 2 lb. cans which is cheaper. You just keep your yeast in the fridge, it lasts forever.

Its the same with making cinnamon buns, hamburger buns. It works out cheaper for me to do than to go to the store and purchase them. Crumb for hamburger buns here, they charge $2.79. Superstore charges $1.29 for 8.

Michelle, in regards to sewing. You'll probably find it costs more to sew clothes UNLESS you can find material really cheap. This past fall I found a huge amount of material for 50¢ a piece at a yard sale. BUT I still make all our pj's. I purchase flannelette in 10 yard pieces at a material factory in Winnipeg. They always chuckle when I go in there because they know I'll be asking them to cut a large amount. You can do the exact same thing at Walmart. When it comes to purchasing material for sewing clothes, usually it pays to purchase in larger amounts if you can find a factory/store that will give you discounts for purchasing larger amounts.

Where you'll really find a difference is in a veggie garden. Its amazing what a half dozen tomatoes will yield, a row of carrots, a couple rows of beans. Even if you don't can or freeze, it will supply veggies for most of the summer months. I didn't do a garden this past summer and we really noticed it. I plan on doing one again this summer. They are work, but well worth it. There is nothing like having a pantry filled with rows of tomatoes, pickles, fruit, sauces, etc. It just gives you such a great feeling. If you just plant a salad garden (tomatoes, lettuce, onions, radishes) you'll be amazed at the amount you save.

**AmyBoz** · 12-31-2003, 02:32 PM

Yes, Sara, I also get this way with the start of a new year. We do itemize and track our spending, but dh is the only one who knows how to do the credit card itemization with Microsoft Money. I just im'ed him at work and asked him to teach me how to do that part since I'll be home in the spring. I feel like I am very frugal, but I know that I could be better. I just need to be more vigilant, and I think I need to be more forceful with dh. He's quite frugal himself, but occasionally, he'll want to spend and even if I don't, I go along with it because I don't want him to feel deprived. That's just silly. We live a very comfortable life. He shouldn't feel deprived about anything, so I need to be more firm there.

**Michelle** · 12-31-2003, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by homesteadmamma

Michelle, in regards to sewing. You'll probably find it costs more to sew clothes UNLESS you can find material really cheap. This past fall I found a huge amount of material for 50¢ a piece at a yard sale. BUT I still make all our pj's. I purchase flannelette in 10 yard pieces at a material factory in Winnipeg. They always chuckle when I go in there because they know I'll be asking them to cut a large amount. You can do the exact same thing at Walmart. When it comes to purchasing material for sewing clothes, usually it pays to purchase in larger amounts if you can find a factory/store that will give you discounts for purchasing larger amounts.

I don't know if I agree with that cost--maybe it's different because you live in Canada, or maybe you're taking the time factor into consideration, but I've been able to get fabric for $3/yd for nice knits that will yield 2 tops for my girls. I wouldn't find them tops for $1.50 each anywhere around here, not even on Target clearance LOL

**aylasmommy** · 12-31-2003, 03:07 PM

Yes, I've decided that to try harder for this next year, I'm going to cook more from scratch.

We eat a lot of yogurt, so i'm DETERMINED to try and make my own no matter what!

I also just made my first batch of soft pretzles and DH LOVED THEM! So did dd!!! I'm SOOOo thrilled! We spend about 1$ per box of 6, or 5.50$ for a box of 24. With just one batch, I managed to make about 15? Just some flour, little bit of sugar/salt/yeast and water! VERY cheap alternative! Now I can FINALLY use up that costco sized yeast!!! Dh used to eat those store bought prezels 3 at a time! So this will save us a decent chunk!

I also plan on trying to perfect a homemade pizza crust that dh would like. Until then I'll have to settle with english muffin pizza's and the occasional takeout or frozen...

For myself, I'm going to try and cut down on the 'treats' Too often last year I would tell myself I deserved this treat or that treat...but I think I let it go too far. This year I'm really going to try and make my treats last if I do get them. No more wolfing down a carton of icecream in one or two days!

Oh, and again I'm going to work hard at keeping my clothing spending down. I have told myself I'll limit to 10$ a month. If I go under, I can save that towards something like new tennis shoes which would cost more than 10$...

I'm going to track my personal spending on a file on the computer to keep myself in check.
We are going to probably rent less movies this year...at least I hope so...

I really want to get our cc paid off, I'm VERY determined not to ever use it.