mixedsubstance

I'm not a big coupon collector....yet....I usually tend to just watch for and buy items at Safeway when they go on sale. We also have a Cash & Carry nearby (it's like a restaurant supply store that is now open to the public)- but we buy a lot of food (especially frozen food) in bulk to stock up on in the freezer to last us months.

My boyfriend's the cook, but we try to plan our meals out for the week. If we need something at the store for one of the meals, we either get the smallest/exactly what we need or a bulk version depending on how much we'd use it in the future.

Also, here's what i just did-The first step is to look at the big picture. I re-analyzed our bills and expenses to see what I could chip off. 1- Cell phone bill. Any extra services we didn't need, I removed. 2- Auto Insurance. I just went on an online window shopping spree, got some quotes, and found several that would save us around $100/mo. Next step- cancel current insurance, sign up for the other. (PS- I found Nationwide to be the best, Progessive came in 2nd). It never hurts to get quotes. But there were other things I personally was able to cut back on, due to my unemployment status and schedule with school, only having my son in after-school karate 3 days instead of 5 days.

We try to go to the Safeway gas station to get gas there, even though it's a little out of the way- but since we have a Safeway card and have racked up a lot of gas points, it saves us A LOT.

Oh and Ebay & Craigslist are my best friends. I am always on the look-out for great deals- and tend to find a lot of them.

I am also trying to shop for things off-season. Such as the after-Holiday sales. And save the items for the following year.

And if possible, sell the good condition items from the past or that you don't use anymore. People on Craigslist are like rabid squirrels or hungry bears when it comes to cheap, local, used items.

Eating in as much as possible. Only eating out/ordering in when we have coupons/gift cards/discounts. (Except occassional special nights, etc.)

My boyfriend (if you have a man who plays video games, this is for you) gets through his video games once, then either trades it in at the video game store or sells it on eBay/Craigslist depending on its value. He only holds onto just a few 'important' games. The rest he consigns. I tend to do the same with clothes sometimes. I get it, end up not liking it that much but knowing someone else will love it, and sell it.

I only have 1 credit card with a low credit limit ONLY for emergencies, and a Target card for tight times during the holidays, which I prepared for this year. Credit cards, I've always considered dangerous, so I've stayed away from them until recently- but vowed not to touch them unless- say- the car needs repair- or some other unexpected expense pops up and we don't have the available funds and it is mandatory that we pay it right away.

Once a year- go through your entire house and see what you can get rid of. Sell it on eBay/Craigslist or have a garage sale. Have seasonal items out for the upcoming season.

RESEARCH. Plan ahead and research for big purchases and trips. When you take your time, you will find a great deal.

Turn lights off when you're not in a room! Leave lights off when it's light enough- and open your shades. Turn off your computer at night. Turn off heaters when not at home. Get a programmable heater. Unplug small appliances & power strips when going on a trip or being gone for more than 1 day.

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Well, isn't that just kick-you-in-the-crotch, spit-on-your-neck fantastic?!?

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