If you had to cut to the bone?

[Nantahala]

What could you cut?

I may be out of a job soon and DH brings in enough to cover only rent, car, gas, electric, auto gas and a bit of food.

No idea is too crazy for me. Thanks!

[justpeachy92]

If I knew my job might be ending I would start looking for another job now. You just might find one that suits you better than your current job. I have read that some women when preparing to become stay at home moms start the process of having one income before they leave their job by putting their income into savings. If I was to do this I would do it minus the money I would need for gas and what not to go to work.
Beyond that to cut expenses I would get rid of non essential things like cable and consider going to dial up instead of dsl. Right now for me that would be a last resort as I have online classes and the college recommends not to be on dial up when I have to do a timed test. If I had a landline phone and a cell phone I would get rid of one so I only had one phone bill, most likely that would be landline if I was in a contract with the cell.

[staceyy]

I'd get rid of everything but what his job would cover. I would learn everything I could about couponing and refunding. Try www.refundcents.com. Once you join their site, they will send you a monthly magazine filled with photos and stories of coupon queens and how they did it. I would also start doing the drugstore rebates to get free products and send for internet freebies. Also learn to stockpile everything you will need. I started my grocery stockpile by buying one bag of beans every time I went grocery shopping. Then I started buying loss leaders and 10 for $10 deals, as well as the buy one get one free deals. I now have a years supply of almost everything including food, paper products, over the counter meds, toiletries, cleaning supplies and firewood.

[Nantahala]

Thank you both, I really appreciate any in-put right now.

[AmyMCGS]

If needed, I could cut: cable, internet (I'd be at the library a lot, LOL) and reduce our cell plan down to a bare minimum. I might also consider cutting out the home phone (maybe keep a few more cell minutes) and cancelling long-distance at home. I'd start doing some meatless meals and I'd continue to use generic and coupons as often as possible. Oh, and our habit of picking up fast food every week would be gone, too.

Those are just the things that would work in my situation... of course everyone is different. I hope you're able to find a new job soon!

[FrugalMomof3]

If needed, I could cut: cable, internet (I'd be at the library a lot, LOL) and reduce our cell plan down to a bare minimum. I might also consider cutting out the home phone (maybe keep a few more cell minutes) and cancelling long-distance at home. I'd start doing some meatless meals and I'd continue to use generic and coupons as often as possible. Oh, and our habit of picking up fast food every week would be gone, too.!

I agree 100%, I would cut anything I could, even using candles as light and unplugging everything that wasnt being used (a pain to do, yes but pays off in the long run).

Cook from what you have in the house, be creative No eating out, no driving to places you dont have to, no shopping, no frivilous spending what-so-ever... I was in this spot about 6 months ago and I thought it was going to be hard but we made it and so can you.

[ArmyOfFive4God]

become a "light nazi." turn off anything & everything you aren't using. hang dry clothwes, be sure your dishwasher & washer are FUKLL loads before washing, cut back on water- you know the saying in drought stricken areas "if it's yellow, let iy mellow; if it's browen, flush it down." I was a water nazi in Nov. and it shaved $7 off our bill, woulda been more, but the toilet broke, the sprnklers kept comniog on for no reason (I have to unplug them) & eveyne got sick at both ends, IYKWIM, so the toilet was being flushed CONSTANTLY. The next month it went down anout 3 bucks or so IIRC & that was CHRISTmas so lots of baking, washing dishes, company, etc. condense your trips to save on gas. have your hubby pick groceries up on his way home from work. cut long distance from your phione bill. if you have a cell and house phone, cut one off, keep the cheasper deal. go to the lib. for internet use.

ps- i've had my finger in s plint since sat. so plz excuse tyopos

[qtkitty]

While you have your job and cash and can pay extras cut it down so you can Emergency Fund to the Extreme and back stock food you use most often.

Save up the coupons shop at discount stores like Aldies. Also if you do not know where any are look around for smaller Discount Salvage type or bulk type stores that have really nice prices.

Cut out everything but what is covered by his check unless its something like car insurance or something.

Find a little something you can do from home now Avon or some other resales program if you have lots of friends and relatives close by. Start looking now for a job even if the pay is less then what your job makes now, something that will atleast lessen the strain of you loosing your present job.

I know how the job market is here near charlotte and it is hard to find a job. Ashville is an expensive place to live, but pay is wowsa.

[cottageliving]

I agree with all the great ideas already given, and have only one biggie to add:

When you lose your job, IMMEDIATELY sign up for Unemployment benefits. That first week you will not receive benefits, but the second week they'll kick in.

ALSO: Before you lose your job, start stockpiling pantry items. That has already been mentioned, but my doing that has been a lifesaver while needing to rely on the unemployment.

All the best to you!!

[sweetlittle]

I agree with all the posts. I'm sure that you can do it! My only additional suggestion would be to not get too down about it. Frugally enjoy your time away from work. Go on walks play games alone or with friends and family. Make this transition nice for yourself and not all work then you and your family won't feel deprived but feel blessed. I wish you the very best.

[geckoace]

ground beef! and buying meats in the 50% off section of the food store if you have one. I remember growing up i could tell when it was tight because we ate a lot of spaghetti.

definitely cut out dsl (if you have it) one phone and go ahead and get a prepaid cell. if you dont use a cell, cut your landline to the bare minimum features.

if you own your car outright switch to liability only and a higher deductible (provided you dont drive constantly).

Start looking around you house with an eye for what you can sell maybe on craigslist every little bit helps.
unplug everything you can and limit shower time for everyone in the house.

Our city has an energy assistance program in the cold months, i dont know details but check with your provider and see what you can get

[Darlene]

Besides what's been mentioned...
Warmer weather is coming, start a garden or let family & friends know your in the market for their over producing crops.
Use these veggies as the star of your meals and cut back on the meat.

[Marie78]

I was unemployed for several months and my fiance doesn't make enough to afford the both of us. I signed up for unemployment and even though it was a meager amount it helped to pay for my half of living expenses. There wasn't any money left over at the end of the month, but we had food on the table and rent and utilities were paid on time. My mom also gave us produce from her garden and we ate fresh through the summer and then I froze as much as I could to use through the fall/winter. I shredded bags of zucchini to make bread with too.

We stopped eating out unless we were given a gift card for birthday or Christmas. After unemployment ran out I signed up with a temp agency, I only made as much as I did while on unemployment but it was just enough to keep us going financially while I looked for permanent employment. I wish you luck, I know you will make it through and you are already thinking ahead which is great .

[LexTysMommy]

Are you planning to work again in future? If so then I think cutting back on everything, selling things you dont need should be ok for a few months.

If not going back to work, can you move to a smaller less expensive house, get rid of car, get roommate?

[Mom23boys]

You have received some great advice already. BUT if I had to cut things, I would cut my Directv (cable), drop home phone to just local calls and use phone cards for long distance calls, cut cell phone, stop daily newspaper, and drop internet service to the cheapest dial-up I could find.