3 things to save money

**mikibracken** · 11-05-2006, 08:54 PM

Name three things you could start doing today to save money right now.

My family and I did this challenge at the dinner table tonight, my girls had some good ideas. I'll share what I think were our top three were, and you share your three, and hopefully this will spark all of us to make some small changes to save on our budget.

1. We will pack lunches every night for the whole family.(5) This will save us about $100.00 per week, we normally spend about $140.00 right now minus out what I will spend on groceries.

2. Instead of washing our clothes every time we wear them we will hang them back and wear a few times in between washing. This should save me at least 5 loads a week.

3. I have gotten away from clipping my coupons, so I will start using coupons again and watch the sales flyers better to start stockpiling on most used items when they are cheapest to buy.

I hope to get a lot of ideas from all of you, we all could use a new tip or two.

**FrugalMomof3** · 11-05-2006, 09:10 PM

Those are awesome points, what we do here is:

1. Turn off the lights or appliances that are not in use

2. Re-wear clothing once or twice more if no stains present (or they dont stink, lol) This means, shirts and pants.

3. No eating out of the house and eat leftovers (I always think things taste better the 2nd or 3rd time around)

We try to follow these except the kids and DH have a hard time with #1.

**autumnlynn** · 11-05-2006, 09:52 PM

My three would be:

1) Prepare meals at home
2) No impulse shopping
3) Don't leave the t.v. on just as background noise

**sunshine** · 11-05-2006, 10:05 PM

1) utilize supplies I have on hand , rather than purchase new. ie: making black walnut cookie bars, instead of chocolate chip cookies because I have free black walnuts in my yard, vs purchasing chocolate chips. . . or scrounging my yarn/fabric stash and making gifts based on my stash, rather than finding a pattern first, and then having to purchase materials to make it.

2) Creative use of all foods-- saving the potato peels for bacon/cheese/peeling appetizer dish, dehyrstating and powdering carrot tops, celery tops, etc. Pureeing leftover mac/cheese and using as the base of a cheese soup, etc.

3) taking "navy" showers , rather than full showers or baths, then saving the shower water to flush the toliet.

**suzysaver** · 11-05-2006, 10:10 PM

No heat for me in the morning, instead I jump on the treadmill and feel the warm glow until I leave for work.

Only use dryer for softening up line dryed clothes

work on making just enough for dinner, plus maybe one small serving for a lunch.

**nwmissourigal** · 11-05-2006, 10:19 PM

My 3 things are:

1. No impluse shopping...I am getting really good at this.

2. Stop buying so many books..but I get them soooo cheap.

3. Stop getting my nails done and having pedicures...this will be a really hard one for me...but I am going to try.

**MrsClaus** · 11-05-2006, 10:34 PM

Starting today we could:

1. Dump the soda habit (need to for health reasons anyway)

2. Don't let food go to waste

3. Really pay attention to what we are spending money on.

**bumplett** · 11-05-2006, 11:24 PM

okay - first I have to ask what a 'navy' shower is ???

my three in no certain order of importance *cough*

1- stop smoking --- I tried, I failed, I tried again, I failed again, guess it's time to try again

2- kill the soda habit -- I tried, I fai -- oh, you get the point

3- not have internet service, but that won't really happen! -- so, I'll try -- saving bath water for the washing machine.

**sunshine** · 11-05-2006, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by bumplett

okay - first I have to ask what a 'navy' shower is ???

A navy shower is simply: get in the shower and get wet, turn off the water, soap up from head to toe, turn on the water and rinse off. . . .very little water used.

**Valerie in WA** · 11-06-2006, 12:46 AM

What a great idea for a thread!!

My three - things that we could do right now (but aren't already doing) to save money - are:

1. Stop eating out.

2. Combine more errands to cut driving by ... maybe 30%.

3. Eat less (and lose some weight)

**Scattymum** · 11-06-2006, 03:04 AM

my three

1. bring washing inside to dry instead of using the dryer ( it getting cold for outside)
2. keep curtains pulled and doors closed in rooms not in use and in the evenings - hopefully this will get things abit warmer and not need to put heating on as quickly
3.Finish a couple of handmade presents needed for this week otherwise i will end up having to buy insted.

**yankeegal** · 11-06-2006, 07:49 AM

All great tips...
Mine are:
Stop impulse buying...today I am organizing my craft stuff and I am amazed at how much stuff I have because of impulse buying...(old habits die hard)
Plan my meals for the week-eliminates the need to eat out because I know exactly what I need to prepare
And only use cash-once the money is gone, its gone...

**mikibracken** · 11-06-2006, 08:11 AM

Wow! Thanks for all the great ideas! Keep them coming! I can't wait until my girls get home from school today so I can sit down with them and show them all these great tips you all have shared. I'm trying to get them started at a early age (Twins are 11 and my youngest is 8) to be frugal and get the most out of thier money. Have a great day everyone!