What do YOU do that saves $10 a month?

[Blessed]

I got myself in a situation. I'm suppose to create a list of things you can do to save $10 a month. Either my brain's broke, or I've been a tightwad so long all those things seem "normal" to me.

Here's what we've got so far:

1. Turn your thermostat up (or down, depending on the season) 2º
during the day and 5º at night. You won't notice the difference and
your energy bill will be reduced.

2. Serve a meatless supper 1 or 2 days a month.

3. Do your laundry in cold water. (I've got my "hot" faucet turned
off)

4. Clip and use $10 worth of coupons a month.

5. Only run your diswasher when it's full. If you only use it for
plates, cup and silverware by handwashing your pots and pans, you
may be able to go 2 or 3 days.

6. Use meal planning to avoid extra trips to the store will cut
gasoline costs and help you avoid paying convenience store prices.

7. Save even more by meal planning around the weekly sales.

8. Plant a garden and grow your own vegetables.

and

1. Hang your bath towels up to dry and re-use them when drying off from coming out of the tub! Saves on having to do so much laundry.
2. Eat left overs! We always have left overs so most of the time thats our lunch for the next day! The kids and I love it!
3. When you cook spaghetti, put the water in the pan and then the spaghetti and put a lid on it. When it boils, turn it off and time for 10 minutes, keeping the lid on it. This saves energy and money by not keeping the stove on the whole time the spaghetti boils. Also, it minimizes mess, since you watch it for when it is boiling and not let it boil over a time or 2 while rushing to get dinner on the table.
4. Shop in bulk with a list.
5. Have yard sales whenever you have things you no longer want and need! One persons junk is another persons treasure!
6. To save money on garbage bags for the bathroom or a little wastebasket use your plastic grocery bag you get at the store. The handles on the bag can be tied up and tossed out in the garbage can.
7. If you drink many sodas, name brand or generic, recycle the cans. We have been recylcing and have made some great splurge money. It's really great for kids to earn some extra money.
8. I use small containers for leftover vegetables and meat. I use them to make soups, pot pies, stews and stir fries. I think you will amazed at how quickly the food adds up and this is food most people throw away.
9. Hit the freebie pages on the internet...we have gotten everything from free food and household items to free clothes.
10. A cheap and easy way to clean your mirrors is to use newspaper and alcohol. Just fill a spray bottle with 1/2 alcohol and 1/2 water. Spray them mirror then wipe with the newspaper. You will have shiny, clean mirrors.

I know you all can help me come up with more! Appreciate it! Oh, this is geared to SAHMs, not ladies going out to work everyday.

[MOMMYDEAREST]

wow you have alot of it covered. selling on e-bay is a good one (hopefully i didn't overlook that on your ideas).

[Nada.Leona]

I go out to work every day and still do most of those things!

~ bake 2 loaves of bread a week
~ use your crockpot, rice cooker or grill for cooking as much as possible
~ freeze everything that's leftover!
~ get creative with your leftovers -- stews, soups, casseroles, homemade TV dinners, etc. are all great ways to use up the last bits of your meals
~ clean with vinegar and baking soda -- that's all I ever clean anything with
~ don't be afraid to experiment. had a big black mark on his wall and was worried that he'd have to paint over it to get rid of it when he moves out of this apartment. I looked at it for a while, then took some baking soda toothpaste to it with a tissue. Came right off with a little elbow work, and you'd never know there was a problem.
~ wash your face every night with a bar of good, pure soap. This will save you a lot of money on cosmetics and anti-wrinkle cream
~ pay attention to flyers. Notice when the good sales come along and stockpile then.
~ drink water.

Lots more to come, I'm sure.

[Droppedonmyhead]

I refrain from buying unnecessary items at the store and eat a few cheap dinners in a month. Actually saves more that $10 a month and doesn't hurt at all.

[Blessed]

You guys are good! Thanks!

[Lady Jennelle]

What I did this month to save was to:

Take the unlisted number off from my phone [save $2.50 a month]

Change DSL service from $29.95 a month plan to $17.95 a month plan

Cancel blog extra for comments - $2.00 a month

Learned that I can get cheap cat litter to mix with my more expensive stuff and make it stretch farther.

Dilute laundry soap with water

Love,

Jennelle

[Jenna]

- use a pre paid cell plan for those who rarely use their phone - I went from $45 a month to about $10 a month.

- go longer between hair cuts

- bathe your dog at home

- give yourself mani's and pedi's

- save all your change

- hit the stores that double coupons & buy loss leaders

- call c/c's to negotiate lower APR's.

[autumnlynn]

Wow, those are some great ideas.

I limit myself to one soda a day and drink water the rest of the time.
I try to keep the t.v. turned off as much as possible.
I run my appliances (like washer and dryer, etc) during the evening on off-peak hours.

[Daisygirl]

These are great ideas. It makes me feel good to know that htere are others of you, who, like me, are making complete lifestyle changes to get ahold of their finances. None of my friends would even dream of taking all these steps.

I always wash in cold and I haven't used my dryer in 2 months.
I take my lunch nearly every day - splurge once every two weeks, as opposed to every day.
I use my change jar for incidentals like pizza day at school or book orders.
I use the crockpot often to cook myself a nice dinner while I am at work.
I have organized my children's activities to be on the same nights in the same general area, not as much running around.
We eat meatless at least once a week, usually 2-3 times

[frugalfarmwife]

Drink water instead of soft drinks
Turn it off, anything and everything you're not using.
use crock pot for a LOT of meals
full loads of laundry and cold water
hang ALL laundry out
walk to get the mail daily (LOOOOOOOOOONG driveway)
combine all errands to one day a week
grow own veggies/raise our own beef/eggs

kj

[Early Bird]

use the library!

We check out videos, books on tape, and, of course, books. [right now, I have 62 items out, including some beautiful kids' books -- Egyptology, which has a gold cover with 'jewels' inset.

[Katybird]

I gave up Starbucks and bottled water. They were definately my vices and they cost me much more $$$ than they were worth.

[AmyBoz]

Like Nada, I also work full-time and do all of these things!

I also:
cut everyone's hair myself instead of paying someone else to do it
have leftover nights
send everyone w/homemade lunches
hang as much laundry as possible
sell online
clip and use and trade coupons
play outside w/the kids so we aren't using energy inside

and, so many more!

[Laurie in Bradenton]

STAY HOME!
Its the easiest way not to spend money unless your an ebay junkie, then your in trouble.
I've found the weeks that I stay home I save lots of money. No impluse purchases, no gas money spent and my house is better off because I'll tackle tough jobs I normally avoid. Like clean the oven, sweep out the garage, mend clothes, etc.

Laurie in Bradenton

[DorothyBeverly]

This is what we do:

~Recycle all cans
~Wash all the clothes in cold EXCEPT whites, but I only do 3-4 loads per week for us
~We only eat out maybe 2x a month
~We eat leftovers for lunch
~I cut DH's hair for him and only get my cut about 3x a year
~No cable TV
~Regular internet service from peoplepc online; 10.95/month

I'm sure there are more!!