What's your next step?

**NYC Girl** · 08-25-2004, 07:27 PM

What is your next frugal step? What do you plan to work on next? Do you have a plan?

**NYC Girl** · 08-25-2004, 07:31 PM

For me it would be my electric bill. It's really high...about $200 a month! We're in Florida now and the AC is on everyday. Plus everything we have is electric.

My plan is to unplug what is not is use (got that little reminder from this place) and start setting the temperature higher on the AC. Actually I already took the first step...I charge my kids (ages 6, 9 & 11) a dime when they leave the light on. LOL!!

**Shell** · 08-25-2004, 10:19 PM

Well, I want to keep my credit cards at zero and keep adding to my emergency fund!! Some new goals??? I really should learn to cut back on books and clothes.

I have a problem. And now the Sarg. wants some army boots so he can kick some EFC booty!

Having multiple personalities can be expensive. Guido's gold chains alone could break me.

**sunshine** · 08-25-2004, 10:29 PM

My plan is to save enough money to cover my son's graduation costs, a trip to PA (along with bridesmaid dress, accessories, and wedding gifts), and a trip to CA- for my son's boot camp graduation- all next year.

I don't want to have to take out a loan for any of those, and will continue to pay down our current debt.

**dz_blonde_girl** · 08-25-2004, 10:34 PM

I'm looking at baking my own bread and making my own mixes like biscuit mix, instant oatmeal and creamy soup. I'm also looking at using whole grains, more fresh fruits and veggies and less meat. I don't know if that will be more frugal, but it will be healthier.

**britbunny** · 08-26-2004, 07:10 AM

I'm preparing for winter. this year it's been pretty much like winter for the whole of August!

I've had a guy from my local council round to do a free homecheck to see how well insulated my house is. I got a grant too to pay for some insulation in my roof space!

Also we're gradually going greener so we've really cut back on meat which is saving us a fortune, I've finally got round to getting a crockpot (yes to use up the lentils and cannellini beans I've had since last year).

We've applied for a grant to get a solar panel on the roof (which will be a nice surprise for my "lovely" neighbour! I am bad!)

Erm, I'm losing weight so DH and I will both be able to get into a pair of my trousers to keep warm pretty soon. LOL.

**Michele Annette** · 08-26-2004, 01:11 PM

I'm still working on paying of my one credit card. DH has one too and he is paying off his too! In October when I get the new one (it's replaced every year) I will cut it up like I did the last one! If I get a christmas bonus this year, I will be putting half on my credit card and the other half in savings.

**Chea** · 08-26-2004, 01:56 PM

I will be working on the food aspect more. Less meat and less waste. More simple, easy meals should really help us out!

**MANDERS** · 08-26-2004, 02:43 PM

I am starting everything all over.Fell off the frugal wagon a bit there.But hopped right back on.
right now its baking from scratch and Keeping food bill down.

**Goodwin17** · 08-26-2004, 09:45 PM

Well I'm about to get one credit card paid off

. I'm going to be putting money back for my wedding. Also going to be eating more healthy to lose weight. Too expensive being so overweight. Might be a little more expensive now, but I'll be better in the long run.

**Telephus44** · 08-27-2004, 11:05 PM

My first post, but I find this inspiring. I find that I get to a certain level of frugal living, and then just kind of stay there - wondering where I should go next.

My next projects are to get back on our "eating out" plan - my DH and I used to eat out twice a month - no set days, we'd just look at a Calendar and if we wanted to go out, we knew that we could only go twice and then we'd have to wait for next month. In the last 3 or 4 months we've totally fallen off that track and I'd like to get back on.

I'm also looking to do more baking - if I can just get some muffins or something that I can eat for breakfast or a snack, I'll eat less of the expensive prepared food that I buy.

**homesteadmamma** · 08-27-2004, 11:13 PM

Welcome Sara to the village.

**kimmee** · 08-27-2004, 11:51 PM

We need to lower our heating bill - last year our highest month was

$400!!! We are thinking of buying a Trane whole house furnace (our squ. ft. is 3800 and the heater we have is from 1997 for 1700 sq. ft) This will cost about $3000 to install - has anyone out there done this? Have you recovered the expense? I would really like to add a woodstove to the lower floor but DH says it will be a big pain to stoke efficiently. Any thouhts? I would love to hear your ideas.This will be our family Christmas present if we get it - hopefully the gift that keeps on giving!!

**AmyBoz** · 08-28-2004, 04:58 PM

I need to cut back on spending severely. With the new house, there were SO many things that we needed that we didn't plan for, our spending was ridiculous. American Express actually called us to make sure our card hadn't been stolen because the spending pattern had changed so drastically. It's been out of control the past few months and I really want to get it back to normal, especially since I start back to work in two weeks and we'll have 2 children in daycare.