New to site...

**aprilrain1024** · 06-24-2009, 05:47 AM

Hello, I'm new and would like to get any tips or inside scoops from some pros. I am located in Iowa if that matters. I got married in January, it is just my husband(Porter), weiner dog(Gretta), and myself in our household. I am trying to become super frugal so that we can get out of debt and buy a house. We only have one income(his) and no savings. I have enforced a strict budget to get everything on track. But now I am ready to start adding more things to my frugal regime! Any info would be great!

Thanks to all who respond!!!

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-24-2009, 07:17 AM

from a neighbor in Illinois! Dh and I were in the same situation when we were first married. We scrimped and saved and were able to pay off our debt and buy a house.

Best advice, is stick to your budget and do what you can to save. If you spend some time just checking out the different forums, you'll find alot of great advice here!

**ilovechocolate** · 06-24-2009, 08:30 AM

Hi and welcome! We're glad you've joined us at the Village. You'll learn lots of great stuff here!

**Saydee** · 06-24-2009, 08:40 AM

Hello and welcome from Missouri.

**Michelle** · 06-24-2009, 09:36 AM

to FV

**Brighid** · 06-24-2009, 09:19 PM

Welcome! I'm new here, too!

**jantana** · 06-24-2009, 10:24 PM

Welcome from Texas. Hope you enjoy this site.

**gapeach** · 06-25-2009, 10:03 PM

Welcome from Atlanta, Georgia

**frugalwarrior** · 06-25-2009, 10:06 PM

Hi and welcome from MIchigan.!!

**Debbie-cat** · 06-25-2009, 10:12 PM

Hi and welcome from Minnesota!

**ruderring** · 06-28-2009, 01:24 PM

Hi, I am from Iowa too and have been trying to be frugal for quite some time. I look for bargains at my favorite stores and use coupons to get some items for really cheap or even free. At Target the other day they had compact light bulbs on clearance for 1.24 and I had two dollar off coupons so I got them for .24 for each pack. I too have a budget and am trying to get out of debt not much left but something always comes up. We have recently paid off a car loan and my student loan but to no avail have an other car loan. We are trying to save money to build a home in the future, so every extra bit of money we use to pay on loans or bills such as our son's ortho bill we are now putting into savings. Hope this helps some and I'd be glad to give you some other tips if you need them. Becky from Colfax

**frugalfranny** · 06-28-2009, 01:29 PM

Welcome aboard. Glad you have joined us.

**hazystargazer** · 07-05-2009, 09:36 AM

Hi, aprilrain! Welcome to the site...you will find so many useful tips here. I definitely have. I'm in the same situation as you...we are living on one income (DH's), with one pet (cat) and no kids. I was laid off almost a year, unemployment ran out in May, and I've had no luck finding another job (I'm working on a medical billing/coding certification online, and I'm getting ready to look for temp work or retail, my last resort). Stupid economy.

We're actually doing alright, even saving some, but another income would definitely be a good thing.

DH and I are childfree by choice, so that's one thing that REALLY helps our budget. I don't know if you plan on having children or not, but no kids will save you a ton, obviously!

Another thing I might suggest is to start a change jar, if you don't already have one. Every little bit helps, and it's a pretty painless way to save. The last time we cashed ours in, it had $300 in it!

**suzin** · 07-08-2009, 08:47 PM

Hi Aprilrain......I'm from Nebraska, you're neighbor.....some of the ways I save money is: hang laundry outside....I use clothes racks and a pole my DH put up so I can use clothes hangers for shirts and things like that to hang out...turn off the TV, computer, and other things that continuously use electricity with power strips....have some meatless meals...one meal I make is bean burgers with my own cooked beans and cooked rice....shop thrift shops and garage sales for clothing and household needs....when there is a sale on foods that we use I stock up as much as I think we will use for a while if I can..especially canned goods....I cut our own hair....the clippers I use for my DH was only $20....and are easy to use...saved the cost of the clippers many times over....I use scissors for my own hair, which is a simple style...bangs and straight around the back and sides....I use the crock pot quite a bit...less electricity and it can be put outside in the garage...it doesn't heat up the house that way....

**Sassyclass** · 07-08-2009, 11:14 PM

Hi and welcome from NE Ohio. My best advice is to just read read read. There is so much info here. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Someone here will most likely have the answer. This is a very friendly bunch who really want to see others achieve their goals.

Cat