ngdawg

We are heavily in debt and trying to get out of it. Unforeseen things like needing a new roof when the old one began leaking certainly didn't help. Now we (more like *I* really) have to stretch the money almost to snapping it like a rubber band. So here's some things I do that really help out a lot.
1) Utilities bills are high in NJ for the most part. I hang the clothes rather than dry them fully in a dryer-saves about $200 a year. We also cook on the outside grill all year long, including the occasional roast.
2) We use our cell phones almost exclusively. The house phone account is restricted to the most basic level-no long distance, even to 800 numbers.
3) and this is kind of a hypocritical point-we both are smokers and buy online which saves us about 2/3 of what it'd cost here. (I know all about the 'save 100% and don't smoke at all)
4) Fill your car's gastank-don't do the just $10 thing. Whether it's psychological or not, it just seems to go further on a full tank than on little gas.
5) If I am planning a weekend or even a day trip, I 'stash cash'. A dollar here, a fiver now and then adds up for those times of splurging without really cutting into a budget.
6) Sell everything you don't use. Consignment shops, yard sales, whatever.
7) Curbside garbage pick. Sounds crass, but we have gotten a lawn mower, a desk, an antique egg basket and a serving platter off curbs. And the spouse has garbage picked discarded old windows, which he then converts to wonderful wall mirrors, which we then sold.
8) Let the family and friends get you clothes for Christmas or birthdays. My kids get all their clothes from gift cards-I may have bought maybe 3 things for each in the past 9 months.