Cutting back... where?

So my girlfriend over at Momzoo (amazing gal!) wrote a post about "Cutting Back" and instead of writing a novel, I will share a few tips on things I've done and am doing to cut back...

I knew when we moved out of the parents house, it was going to be tight, but I also knew that cutting back was going to be a necessity. It has been a daily struggle for me, but there are days I find joy in knowing I am not spending money that I shouldn't or money that I don't have.

Here is a few tips, leave me a few of your own!

• Stop going to the gas station for drinks, either buy it on sale, or stop drinking it- I am slowly weining myself off of soda...
• I've made a regimented menu and it is simple, I'll post another time, but we no longer eat MEAT every night, talk about savings...
• Baby-sitting swaps
• Dollar movies
• Thrift stores for kids clothes- this one has really changed me... (I am now a thrift shopper, I will admit it!) I got all 3 of my kids winter coats this year for $24- TOTAL! They are great coats, no flaws, and they were purchased at a local thrift shop (THANKS MICHELLE FOR LOOKING FOR US!)
• Use your food storage. This one is not tough for me, as I do buy what we eat. But do stop buying all the crap processed junk food. I rarely buy any fruit snacks, granola bars, chips, and such, my 9 year old takes school lunch, and my 2 little ones rotate what they eat each day, and they usually have a sandwich with fruit or vegis. Much healthier...
• Bake your goodies. Only by your "must haves" when on sale. They actually taste better when you wait it out...
• Turn your thermostat down. I never could understand why Papa Carp kept his at 69 or below but now I do... mine is at 71 and we will be going to 70 next week...
• Make sure kids take quick showers/baths. Turn off lights, turn water off while brushing..
• Do ALL errands on one day...that means grocery store, post office, shopping, etc... save on time, money and gas.
• make a menu
• get DVD'S, BOOKS, AND OTHER MATERIALS at library...
• Buy in bulk when possible
• Pay bills on time to avoid late fees
• use extra money to pay off debt
• check all services like your cell phone to see where you can cut expenses...
• bottle your own water... don't buy bottled water, buy a brita system.
• cut the cable tv, we haven't had it now for 2 years, and really am I missing much? Not really! We don't have any tv at the moment, may get some bunny ears, but we'll see....
• check craigslist.org, and ksl.com, for things you might need. People sale their "goods" for very reasonable, and sometimes killer prices! (LIKE MY TABLE AND CHAIRS!)
• have a garage sale: declutter, get ride of what you don't need, and go find what you do!
• if you have tons of clothes in your closet that don't fit (like me!), drop the weight and you'll have a whole new wardrobe! ( I am slowly taking my own advice!)
• work out outside, you don't have to have a gym!
• Do your own mani's and pedis. Loads cheaper!

I will continue to post on this matter, it has been a life style change for me, we have implemented a lot of these into our life style, and you know, I am not missing much. Sure there are things that I would like to have, but I really don't care if they are new or not, because the novelty does wear off. We still go out but, we always order water for everyone, and I usually share a meal with my 2 youngest. This save a ton of money, and you can still have fun, I try to enjoy the moments we are sharing-

If I figure out the link thing, I'll link Aimee's post here, but until then just click on Aimee on my side bar, she is an amazing gal! She is no fluff, puts it out there, totally into canning, homemaking, doing her best, and just has a heart of GOLD!