...I haven't heard as many tips as I hoped. So if you still have some, let's hear them. My friend Kim sent me a great website last night (while her son was having a vomiting marathon no less) called: moneysavingmom.com It looks cool. There is a lot to go through, but I want to share it with you all in case it can be beneficial to you.
I was/am worried that you might be thinking, "I have a solution--quit going on trips!" Well two of the three trips I took this summer were paid for. The trip that Thad and I took was saved for, and to be honest, well worth it. It does stink that we have to shell out a decent chunk of money for a sitter for five nights, but what do you do?
Our next big family trip gives me 20 months to pay off. If I can't, we won't go. I have two free flights right now, a bunch of Disney points I have/am acquired/ing, and so I am really trying to get the most bang for my buck.
For me the biggest challenge is to try and not hit Target so frequently. If I need detergent, I end up buying much more. Thad pointed out that it's not him who is buying crap, even though he relies on my to buy most everything....
8 comments:
I've been thinking about what to say for a "tip." Sometimes the things we think are sort of automatic aren't really to others, so I've been trying to think of what I do that maybe you haven't thought of. Other than the laundry soap, of course! It's funny you mentioned Thad because that was what I thought of to mention! I know of 2 moms of large families where the dad does the shopping. It saves money because he most likely is going to stick to the list! Definitely going to the store less often will help you A LOT. I think we all struggle with that--you go in for just a "few things" and come out $50 or $75 dollars later. I'll keep thinking. On recipes, too.
Thanks Melissa. It's interesting b/c Thad is fully aware that while I do the majority of the spending, he relies on it heavily. If he goes to the store, he buys more crap food. He would have to plan meals, learn where everything in Target is, etc.
So it's a fuzzy area.
I wish I had some helpful tips, but I don't! I'm right there with you. I get on a coupon kick once in awhile, only to forget them at home, leave them in the car, Wrong coupon for the store I am in etc. Don't even feel bad about your trips. Your time for YOU and Thad is priceless. The money sucking part for me is the daily grind. Target is a BIG one. Dear God, I love Target. It's always "well, while I am here.." and swinging by the grocery store after work (when I am hungry) to pick up one item. Best of all....Starbucks. Even though my drink is around $2.00 it adds up. 7 days a week, 4 weeks a month....and so on.
Personally, I am amazed you are able to do as well as you are with a family of six. Try changing just one thing a month, it will be less overwhelming and more likely to stick.
Keep us posted on what does work for you!!
-Stephanie
I can't speak for the others out there, but I haven't offered any tips b/c I don't have any good ones! I have started clipping coupons again, and I tried to follow the guidance for strategic grocery shopping on Couponmom.com, but that's way more effort than I have time for (or interest in). The online coupons are good, though. I print only the ones i think I'll use, but this too takes at least 30-45 minutes per sitting to go through all the pages of coupons. I'm hoping some others will share easy dinner ideas. That's a tough one at our house.
First of all, money spent on travel is money well spent.
I can't save money to save my life so I can't help you. I have an old blog somewhere where you all gave me lots of recipe ideas..I'll try and find it.
We're trying to save to go to Disney first week in November - keep your fingers crossed for us :)
I simply suck at this...we go in streaks where I am very conscious of it and it makes me anxious. Then I go in the I don't care mode and it is all going to work out. Back to to the I simply suck at this. I try to be conscious of all of my purchases-is this a need or a want? Especially in Target, Walmart, etc.
Vacations are a need :).
AJ I know you get free tickets from your brother, but there are also great deals there right now. Forty % off rooms and free dining...don't know if you could use it along with Jimmy's stuff, but it's worth a look.
Bonnie, we are in the same boat. Both "little" girls are in hockey year round. While I have "negotiated" on the hotels during summer hockey, we are forced to spend on winter hockey. What helps when we travel is to have another "hockey family." We have/had the Storms (Bri is playing boys this year so now I'm SOL). If we are out of town for a weekend, they make dinner for our families for one night and I take the next. The usual is BBQ's for the Storms and I make taco in a bag. That saves ALOT when you are two families of 4 each. During the school year, I look ahead to the next week and plan a menu so everyone knows what we are eating and on what day. That saves immensely from just stopping at McDonalds for 4-5 combo meals. I make my menu, write down all the ingredients I need, check what I have at home and then go grocery shopping for the week. I am pretty good about sticking to the list and you can see well in advance what nights you won't be home until 8p or if you might have just an hour to eat dinner. Those days are usually crockpot days........As far as vacations are concerned, we never took any when I was younger and truly enjoy taking my kids on them. It's a great experience and ones they will remember. Not everyone can take their fluent spanish speaking then 8 year old to Puerto Rico where you can relish in what she has learned in the last 4 years. I also used to be a travel agent so I know some of the tricks of the trade for great deals.........Sorry this is so long. Just a "few" of my thoughts.
www.mjoness.blogspot.com
Pam
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