PERSONAL BUDGET STORIES - WHAT EXPENSES HAVE YOU CUT OUT OR CHANGED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS????

It is indeed bought it when I was 19 at the time ( 35 now ) and sold it and bought outright again.
Up until four weeks ago I never had property taxes ( Lived in Ireland ) the rest of my bills have gone down compared to what I used to pay, the property tax I pay now balanced itself out with all the government levy's I had before I moved.

So I'm in the plus

LOL, run extension cord from neighbor's house to get free electricity, same with garden hose...

Crock Pot ... Seems to be a Favorite Now!!!
Interesting !!!

hahaha that's funny

You're so near to cooking, that you might as well stop buying the shit in the can and make it all from scratch. Cheaper and healthier. Campbell soup= MSG

Good ...glad to hear you have been able to balance and have some plus!!!

CROCKPOT is in your future!!

i do sometimes but i think it is a little cheaper using the cans as a base since the cheapest cans are 15p each and i do also use a crock pot quite a lot, the good thing about it is you can use cheaper tougher meat and it makes it softer.

Cut back cable, keeping it made my internet that my wife needs for school cheaper than internet alone was.
Use netflix as main source of movies, etc. Stopped going to movies years ago, now stopped buying dvd's also.
Buy toiletries and many other items at dollar store.
Cut out any unnecessary driving, if I crank the car I have a reason and combine errands into one trip.
Eat less expensive foods and utilize the leftovers until used up. A chicken casserole is good for several night's supper.
Will not accept any prescriptions that are not on the $4 generic list.
Cut out Christmas gift exchange in my family years ago, no need to spend $X on something and the other person spends $X on your gift and you don't even know if the recipient will really use it or want it.
Buy my sodas in bulk and store them at home and office, buy them when they are on sale only.

#1 Cut electricity usage
#2 Only drive to the store and back
#3 Now I cut my own hair

yes I can see where collectors will be hurt in that area

I'm using them too and so are others recognizing the savings.

From today's headlines.

[link to www.marketwatch.com]

Sounds like more of us are or have already taken the steps needed to be thrifty and have made the sacrifices needed to roll with the punches

I also utilize Family Dollar as well

You are Correct!!!

I went on a mission to cut our electric and water bills.
We didn't have to but I did it as an experiment and cut both bill almost in half.

I unplugged everything not being used.
Unplugged our deep freeze and now use it for our water storage, of course all the water is in containers.
I don't use the dryer, I use a clothes line.
I turn the ac way up when hubby isn't home.
I use rain water to water our plants.
I put a bucket in the shower to use that water to rinse dishes or clean.
I only run the washer and dish washer when completely full.
We take shorter showers. I shave in the tub before I shower.
When it's yellow let it mellow when it's brown flush it down is our saying for the toilet.

My hubby buys the cheapest foods, I however buy better quality produce and meats.

We shop for staple items at the dollar store.

I started exercising at home or walk with the neighbor lady no more gym for me.

We don't drive unless we have to and try to do all our shopping then to save gas.

We don't eat out and I started packing hubbys lunch, that saves a lot and he lost weight.

We pay cash for everything, if we don't have cash we don't need it.

We didn't need to do all of this but I like saving money.

Now that I am so very well stocked with groceries, I only buy what's on sale each week. Last trip my bill was $250 with savings of $75 (no coupons so I think that's really good).

I make our bread, grow and can our veggies and found a local farmer that discounts organic meat if I buy in bulk.

No more pedicures either.

We down sized a lot.

Moved from a 2300' home on 5 acres to 1300' home on 1 acre.

Went to 1 car instead of 1 car & a pick up truck.

No more cable TV.


I will add though, our children are grown and we would have probably down sized some anyway. We don't eat out much and stay on a tight budget.

Drop the canned goods on the floor at the grocery if they offer a discount because they are dented...buy the generic cereal like "Apple Rings" and pour it in your empty "Apple Jacks" box so your kids won't know they are eating generic...

Good Way To Start As Well ... On The Mission- Purpose.

I am Guilty of That !!!!!

Write to the manufacturers of the products you like and tell them you got sick from using their shit, they will send you coupons and discounts and even free samples.

Good Girl ... Pedicures I still get mine done at the Local Beauty College... once a month for $5.00.

With the coupons on Tuesday's you might have got that for $190-200 -It would be fun to see how low you can get it down to. Stick that $50-60 in the Emergency Funds

That is a Great Idea Brief!!!!

Perhaps we should come up with a GLP Community "I'm Sick Of Your Shit" complaint letter template.

Always ask for discounts for paying with cash...buy wholesale, never shop at the mall...go to a scratch and dent store for appliances...get a clotheshorse for inside when you can't hang laundry outside to dry.

Buy a price gun and reprice the products to what you feel is fair...

Ever since losing my job, I now live in the woods and spend my money on beer, a wireless internet card for glp, and cigarettes

When making large purchases at the grocery, throw in all the coupons you can find and then act impatient...this will make the cashier hurry and give you credit for coupons for shit that's not even in your cart...

Yes .. This Is 1 of The Golden Rules!!!!

Bought my Fridge and Washer& Dryer That way !!!! CASH & SCRATCH n DENT

I saved $1800 for all 3 that way
I paid $500 for fridge, $800 for the pair of wash& dry (That deal was like Buy 1 get 1 Free)

That would be a GLP Price War !!!