Anyone taking extra money savings steps??

**momof2joys** · 06-11-2008, 11:06 PM

With the way gas prices are going up and everything else, I was just wondering if anyone was doing some extra money saving things or cutting back on some others!!! Just today, I took inventory of our fridge and freezer and have deceided that I have enough stuff to make about 10 extra meals this month is I plan correctly. We are also cutting out a lot of extra engery usage. We are outside a lot more so we hardly turn on the lights anymore. I have already seen a small decrease in our electric bill.
How about anyone else???

**CarolBee** · 06-11-2008, 11:33 PM

I am trying to feed us strictly out of the pantry and freezer (not counting having to buy milk and eggs) - there are only three of us. I'm trying to rotate my stockpile and use up items close to expiration. We should be good for a while!

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-11-2008, 11:51 PM

We have cut out most of the extras. I'm trying to get DH to bike to work, but he just won't give it a try!

Otherwise, we have cut out all unecessary purchases and are just trying to sock away as much money into savings as possible. We are doing pretty well, putting about $1000 extra dollars in each month, so we are doing something right!

**TheRootedNomad** · 06-12-2008, 06:40 AM

This month and next are hectic months as this is DH's heavy time at work. I'd like to be working on cutting back even more but this is where we are at.

~ For the most part I'm watching the driving more than I normally would.
~ I also very recently implemented makeing my own laundry detergent.
~ I encouraged (help plot) a much bigger family garden this year. We always have plenty of what we plant. I just encouraged lots more variety and a few extra plants of certain things we really weren't getting put up.

**mcphlips** · 06-12-2008, 08:16 AM

~We also put in a bigger garden and planted more vege types that we can freeze. I have a friend that is also going to teach me how to can, so I am hoping that will help.
~We will be attempting to cut down our driving once school is out in a few weeks. DH and I are both teachers in different districts, so 2 cars won't be running daily.
~Our AC will be off unless the temp is going to reach 90
~We also will be eating out of our pantry/freezer once school is out.

**baxjul** · 06-12-2008, 08:17 AM

I'm planning a big grocery shop with some extra money to top off my pantry.

**jean08** · 06-12-2008, 08:25 AM

I've turned the AC up, plus I'm using coupons and driving less. It's so hot this year that the AC bill will be higher for June no matter what I do. It's 95 and humid. Yuck!

I'm also eating out of the freezers. I'm uncomfortable having so much frozen food this time of year because of hurricane season. I try to stock up during the fall, winter and spring. Then, I eat through the stockpile during the summer.

**eyrehead** · 06-12-2008, 09:28 AM

We have the A/C set at a higher temp this summer, and honestly, I haven't really noticed that much difference in comfort. Now that school is out, I'm only driving when absolutely necessary (ball games, & emergencies), and I'm planning ALL of my errands for one day. I drive a diesel pick up truck, so I REALLY have to watch how much I'm driving, etc. I'm planning meals from our freezers & pantry, before I make my store list. Only buying fresh produce & dairy as needed; using coupons on HBA, cleaning, & pet supplies especially if the items are on sale; and using up any leftovers for lunches & quick meals. We finally finished replacing all our light bulbs with CFB's, and I've already noticed a huge difference in the temperature upstairs. Also, any extra money we get or are able to save is immediately put into our savings! Next month is going to be a tight month for us...property taxes will be due, and then in August our auto insurance will be due. *sigh*

**anna021** · 06-12-2008, 09:48 AM

we're driving less, and I ask the girls if their going out, call home and ask if Mom needs anything from the store, take a second to call and can really save me having to make that trip out. Our AC's are not in the windows, we're going to see if we can do without them this year. I'll let ya know how far we get. I almost caved in on tuesday, but the storm came just in time. Like everyone we planted a garden a little bigger than last year. I plant to do a lot of eating out of it this year. All ready warned DH, he said as long as I don't take his pasta wednesday away he'll but happy.