We live within our means, but those means will shrink next month as The Husband's financial package has been cut. These things go up and down and get rearranged in his line of work, so we try not to let a lower income get us down. It will, however, mean some changes. As we go through this first year of our decreased financial resources I'll post a few of the methods we've used and the resources we've been encouraged by in the past.
The first thing I did when we found out was to give up wine. Ever since wine was made available in grocery stores here I've been enjoying a glass with supper most nights. The cost of that mounts up, and it'll be easy enough to just not buy it any more.
The second thing we did was to drastically cut back on eating out. We love eating out and do it often, and by often I mean two or three times a week. We're going to aim at eating out once a month. That'll make our choices more meaningful, surely, and we've already decided where we'll go in June.
The third thing has been to look at other areas where there's room for cutting back. For example, I've discovered that our local library no longer requires a social security number to get or renew a library card. I will use the library's books instead of buying, and I'll ask for series books I like to own as birthday and Christmas presents.
It will be a challenge not to eat into the savings we've been building up, but I'm hopeful.
I'm so glad we're not in debt. Debt's a killer!
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This is such an interesting & timely post. It is amazing when you keep tract of how you spend your money where it goes. I am a library user & a few years back decided I no longer had the room for bought books, since using the library I have developed a wonderful relationship with the ladies at the library & then now keep me informed of books coming in. It's how I was introduced to my most favourite book ever - The Thirteenth Tale. We don't eat out often as the cost is so high & there's so little I can eat without adverse affects. Yes please share more frugal methods & ideas. You have a great attitude about it.
ReplyDeleteWe've been through periods before where belt-tightening was necessary. It was nice to have a period of plenty for a while :) We'll miss some things, but it could always be worse, right?
DeleteWe need to be more frugal too CJ and i will be eagerly looking forward to your posts... We like to eat out too and can easily fall into eating out too often...lol But going from 3 times a week to once a month is very drastic to me... maybe start out with once a week and go from there..
ReplyDeleteI'm sure i could cut down on my Cherry Coke Zero addition.. I may look into that.. :) and books... i only buy from the Friendly Book Store who sells hard covers for $1-2 Ocassionally i will buy a second hand book online if its a good deal.. When libraries started charging for a library card i quit going.. Hugs! deb
Most of our eating out is pizza and burgers, which we can easily do at home. Our available resources have been cut pretty severely, and we've decided we'd rather keep cable than eat out that often. At least it looks like we'll be able to afford to keep cable. That's a luxury, but we love sports.
DeleteYour book store sounds like a treasure!
I LOVE your frugality post. It is so relevant. I try very, very hard to live within my means, and don't believe in having ant debt. It seems even the credit card companies are cutting back on their perks these days. I look forward to reading more of your frugal tips. I'm trying to cut back on my $60.00 annual craft supply allowance, so would welcome any tips there.
ReplyDeleteYour craft budget sounds reasonable to me.... I know I'll be looking at my patio garden expenses.
DeleteI think you have a good plan. When you're used to eating out that will take a bit of getting used to, but I am sure you can do it. The main thing is if you go out 2-3 times a month in the beginning--don't give up. Your one time a month will be such a special treat! I'd make it a date night. ;)
ReplyDeleteLeah signed me up for answering google surveys on my cell phone and I earn a little each survey that I can use on google play for a year. It builds up and I've been able to purchase a few ebooks and audio books! Basically for free for just answering questions on short surveys...and you don't have to answer if you don't want to. Could buy movies, games, or anything else they have on google play--but when I have enough google money I buy books! I can get audio or enlarge the font on ebooks so it's easier for me to read.
Myself--I rarely go anywhere but over to visit McFamily, I have no car, I never order take out food, spend as little as possible on groceries once a month (lots of rice, soups, pasta, oatmeal), and Leah even cuts my hair for me. So whatever money I have left over after bills is spent on art and craft stuff...and now grandsons. ;) Being housebound has actually helped me be wiser with my money (although people who don't craft might disagree--but they keep this lady sane inside these four walls--LOL!). I am never walking through stores (so easy to add this or that to the cart), am on a very strict budget, do comparison shopping online, and only order once a month--even groceries--and that's it. Whatever I didn't get I have to do without for a whole month so I learned quickly to plan ahead for meals and necessities--and to prioritize.
I am lucky that Leah has offered to pick things up for me at Costco or Target and pay her back later. I try not to take advantage of her kindness. And Dagan, too--who picks up bird seed for me at Fleet Farm. :) I am very lucky. A lot of people in my situation are not as blessed.
I'm sure we'll yield to temptation at first, but really I have simple tastes and a picnic suits me more than a restaurant most times. Recreational shopping (even window shopping) is something I gave up long ago. It's just best I wait til I need something and _then_ shop for it lol I think we could eat together and be happy, you and I. I like rice, oatmeal, pasta... I like beans, bean soups, etc. I grocery shop once a week or so for fruit mainly. I like avocados and bananas, etc. that just don't keep. There are always things I pick up that I don't actually need, so I see where once a month would be better. Hobbies keep us sane! :)
DeleteI think you are very wise and that your money saving tips will help save the pennies! Being frugal makes you look differently at spending and what's important too 😁. I plan to grow seeds next year for the garden rather than buying plants and one of the best savings we have made is by writing menus for the week, it cut our food costs substancially and I love that we never waste any food 😁. Happy Friday and wishing you a wonderful weekend! J 😊 x
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try to over-winter my lantana and my pentas rather than buying new every year. It'd be great if that would work :) I try to plan meals so I have the makings for each week ready in pantry or freezer. It does help, and it'll help with the temptation to eat out more.
DeleteHopefully your financial set back will be short lived, good luck saving.
ReplyDeleteWe don't plan on it getting much better. We're hoping it doesn't get worse. It's happened before, that's true, but as the years 'til retirement lessen the time available for financial improvement also lessens.
DeleteIt must be challenge to see your income change frequently, but then I guess we all do in different forms, whether it is taxes going up of months with extra bills. I say that because it would be good if we all could be so flexible and make adjustments. Kudos to you! Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteMy daddy's favorite expression was, "Let's be flexible," and I've always tried to keep that in mind :)
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