i need ideas on saving money

**marie_squared** · 10-02-2006, 10:55 AM

about a month ago, I got really serious about saving money. I work a decent job and live in an apartment. I have a wonderful boyfriend, and we've been living together for a year and a couple months now (i'll just refer to him as DH). -- well i had been doing ok. id given myself a budget of $100 a week for ALL expenses. groceries, gas, any and all extras must come from the $100 cash i give myself on friday. i give it to myself on friday because that way, i'll get thru the weekend and KNOW that thats all the money that i have for the whole week and wont spend as much because ive still got a whole week ahead of me. -- i had been doing SO well and a few times, i had run out before the week was over, but by then, i had groceries at home and gas in my car and was taking lunch to work so i was ok.

my father was very VERY GENEROUS and bought me a car two years ago. it was used, but thats ok. only had 12k miles on it and was in really good shape.

well. when i finally felt like i had things in order and stuff was going smoothly. severe car crash. i was on the left lane and someone crossed the median coming the opposite direction and WHAM BAM. my car is dead. - i havent heard from the insurance company yet, but i only have liability. -- there is no trying now, i MUST do better with my money. having the car towed from the street was $100 off the bat and getting it out of the city pound was another $70. my month old systematic formulated budget is all out of whack because of the repeated uses of my debit card this weekend. i normally NEVER allow myself to use it. -- it was my stepmom's birthday yesterday and she has ALWAYS been like a mother to me. i almost ran out and bought a cake and balloons, but stopped myself. instead my kid brother and sister and i made home made cards and i had a brand new purse i had never used (still had the tag) and we wrapped it up with christmas paper i had saved from last year.

im not completely broke right now but the little money that i do have, i want to spend it wisely.

i get paid this friday and its going straight for the car. when i stop and think that ive been working for almost a year and have no savings and nothing to fall back on, it just really makes me question my spending.

after reading several posts on here (great resource!!) ive decided i will make it my JOB to save money.

-cook meals at home
-no fast food
-no atm withdrawls at atm's that are not from my bank (fees oh the fees)
-no snacks when i put gas
-must make grocery list
-when shopping, only take coupons that i will use in that trip
-DH loves cookies. no more buying from the store. home baked!
-only eat in-season fruits and veggies
-sunday double paper and clip those coupons
-start stockpiling the staples (toilet paper/maxi pads/shampoo)
-lose my brand loyalty
-take my lunch to work
-wash in cold water
-stop paying for other people RIGHT NOW
-for recreation have a movie night at home
-play more chess with DH (he loves it and its free)

if you can think anymore, please let me know!

**FrugalMomof3** · 10-02-2006, 12:23 PM

You sound like your totally on the right track already but here's a question about the car incident...

Since it was the other parties fault it shouldnt matter what type of coverage you have, the other party should pay for all the expenses to fix the car or the kelley blue book value if it's considered totalled, but not only that they should pay for a car rental until your car is fixed or the money comes in if the car was considered totalled. I would get to calling my insurance company about this and possibly theres since there should have been a accident report filed. See what options they can give you especially a car rental and stuff like that.

Now about the saving, I think your doing terrific and believe me I have totally been there and pinched and saved and I am ok now, still pinching my pennies and cutting costs ... so dont fret I think your totally amazing at what you've accomplished so far and if you need a "saving buddy" just PM me, I am here if you need me.

**Sari** · 10-02-2006, 02:38 PM

Good luck, Marie!

**Lyn5** · 10-02-2006, 04:45 PM

First, thank goodness you survived that crash...wow, I hope that the other person's insurance will replace/fix your car.

Maybe you could pick up movies at a library for a "date" night.

My family loves cookies too. One thing I do is make a bunch of oatmeal cookies and freeze them raw (I put them on a cookie sheet without touching each other in my big freezer for about an hour or so, then I put them in a labled ziplock bags and then store them in the freezer...that way they don't stick to each other) and when I have the oven hot for dinner or something else, I pop a few in

here is the recipe I use http://www.30daygourmet.com/eNewslet...tress_Ball.asp

**Sari** · 10-02-2006, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Lyn5

First, thank goodness you survived that crash...wow, I hope that the other person's insurance will replace/fix your car.

Maybe you could pick up movies at a library for a "date" night.

My family loves cookies too. One thing I do is make a bunch of oatmeal cookies and freeze them raw (I put them on a cookie sheet without touching each other in my big freezer for about an hour or so, then I put them in a labled ziplock bags and then store them in the freezer...that way they don't stick to each other) and when I have the oven hot for dinner or something else, I pop a few in

here is the recipe I use http://www.30daygourmet.com/eNewslet...tress_Ball.asp

Lyn, that recipe sounds so good! Do you know if I can substitute applesauce for some (or all) of the butter? (That's possible right? Or am I thinking of something else?)

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-02-2006, 06:26 PM

I have a no bake cookie recipe that is very cheap and yummy. LMK if you'd like it too.

I work at a library and,if you haven't been there lately, there are MANY cool things in store for you! We not only have mevies to check out, we have movie night once a month and a "matinee" one Saturday a month. The movies are free; snacks cost a little bit (.25 for a soda, .10 for licorice twist). We have all sorts of themed thigns that occur all year. For example, we are having a "The Secret Garden" ( a book) family tea soon. We have craft days, a holiday tree lighting, etc. You get the idea.

**sunshine** · 10-02-2006, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by marie_squared

if you can think anymore, please let me know!

- eat less meat. For dishes that call for 1 lb of meat, use 3/4 or less if you can. Try a few meatless meals if possible.

- take Navy showers. Get in the shower, turn the water on and get wet. Turn the water off, and soap up. Turn the water back on and rinse off.

- drink water, rather than soft drinks , tea or coffee.

- menu plan around the loss leaders

- bicycle or walk when you can

- check the local paper for freebie things to do. Concerts in the park or local schools, fall festivals, etc.

Good luck-- I know you'll get lots of support and ideas here.

**Lyn5** · 10-02-2006, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Sari

Lyn, that recipe sounds so good! Do you know if I can substitute applesauce for some (or all) of the butter? (That's possible right? Or am I thinking of something else?)

I haven't tried it myself, but that is a great idea. I read about those types of substitutions in the Complete Tightwad Gazette. My DMil and DH really like these cookies, they are more of a granola type of cookie than dough type.

**cheappearls** · 10-02-2006, 09:17 PM

Looks like you are doing good. I'm so sorry about your crash, so glad you are okay!

There's a lot of places online you can print coupons from like coolsavings.com. Just google and you'll find a bunch. Also when I make a grocery list where I have things I buy certain brands (like Tide and Cascade) I go to their website and see if there is any printable coupons. It only takes a minute or two to check and could be really worth it. I've found a few sites where I have gotten free samples too.

Good luck!

**marie_squared** · 10-03-2006, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by cheappearls

Looks like you are doing good. I'm so sorry about your crash, so glad you are okay!

There's a lot of places online you can print coupons from like coolsavings.com. Just google and you'll find a bunch. Also when I make a grocery list where I have things I buy certain brands (like Tide and Cascade) I go to their website and see if there is any printable coupons. It only takes a minute or two to check and could be really worth it. I've found a few sites where I have gotten free samples too.

Good luck!

thanks for the tip!!
im definitely going to check out those sites. tide of course being one of them!