I thought it would be fun to see how other people make their dollars stretch and share a few of my tips! Feel free to comment with your ideas or link a blog entry to mine :)
Meal planning- it is hard cooking for one person because I get really sick of eating the same thing for a week and I usually end up wasting some of it- but I am trying to plan out what I'll eat for a week and only by groceries for those meals. For me I have to have variety so I will do a similiar theme in a week...like Mexican food (so I can use up the tortillas, chips, salsa and guac) or sandwhiches, etc.
Recycle, reduce, reuse- as any good Oregonian I recycle :) I have actually "upped" my recycling habits the past 2 years by only having my garbage picked up once a month. I have found most months I can recycle enough that even with 2 people living in my home it works! I recycle anything and everything I can! I also try to avoid paper products (well I use toilet paper- good thing! and some paper towels)...but I don't use paper plates, cups and rarely paper napkins.
Clothing exchanges- seriously most of my "new" clothes are free these days! I LOVE going to clothing exchanges- also known as "Naked Lady Parties".
Coupons- nope I don't use coupons on food. I don't have the patience for it and I shop at Trader Joe's for most my food...but I do use coupons for restaurants, clothing stores, oil changes, car wash, etc. I hate buying things full price so I tend to either hit the clearance rack or use a coupon! Just use this rule of thumb: "If I wouldn't buy it full price, I probably shouldn't buy it". I used to buy cheap clothes just because they were cheap...and if I didn't really like it- or even love it I ended up wearing it a few times at most. Now I try to buy only things I love!
Keep your ear open for free stuff or just ask- I wanted to plant a flower garden this year but don't have much spending money these days. A co-worker of mine was talking about extra dahlia tubars she had...I jumped at taking some and ended up getting starts for all kinds of flowers! Then I asked my grandma if she had any extra stuff (avid gardeners usually do!). Sure enough she had bulbs that needed to be planted. So I have a much prettier yard this year and most of it was free!
Garage Sales- I am getting more into garage sales. You can find a lot better deals than at most thrift stores and you get some fresh air! No stuffy, smelly thrift stores to deal with :) I went to sales with some friends and didn't pay the asking price for almost everything. Just offer a lower price and see if they'll take it- everyone I asked did! I was amazed at how much baby stuff there was...when I have kids someday I will be getting most their stuff at garage sales!
Well those are some of my ideas- not super creative so I'd like to hear yours!
1 comment:
Hi friend!!
I think that those are GREAT ideas!!
The biggest thing that I do, you mentioned. I use coupons...and then try to double them. Sometimes I go to multiple stores to find the best deal..it helps!
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