CashBulge had a post last week about “13 Creative & Simple Ways to Save at Least $100 a Week.” We’ve had some lifestyle changes recently that are forcing us to reevaulate the way we spend money, so I was really interested in this article. Basically, with the cost of daycare what it is, and because we spend a lot more on health insurance now (due to a change in my husband’s employment), along with the escalating costs of living in general, we’re feeling more and more strapped for cash. Not in an “oh my God we’re going to lose the house help me help me!” sort of way, but just a lingering discomfort that things are getting tight. So we’ve been looking for ways to economize.
A while ago, we cut out some of the more “luxury” items and services we had been accustomed to – we no longer have a service come to treat our lawn, we cancelled our bi-weekly maids, and I’m growing my hair out so I don’t have to get a $70 haircut every four weeks anymore (so far it’s been almost three months since I had a haircut – May 29 – and I’m about to lose my mind!). I also stopped going to Starbucks (gasp!) and am working more freelance hours. What other ways can we “economize,” according to CashBulge? Here are the suggestions they made that I am implementing or plan to implement. The others…well, maybe not so practical for our house. Read their post and see what you think.
Bag your lunch: I’m on board. In fact, I am lucky in that my employer provides a number of snacks and sandwich making supplies for us free in our kitchen. I make use of it as much as I can stand, and bring in snacks and leftovers from home when I’m able. I still eat lunch out occasionally, but I have definitely cut down.
Save your change: We’ve both been doing this for a while. I dump all of my change into a tray on my dresser, and take it to my bank about once a month to convert it into paper money. I guess if I really wanted to save I could deposit it straight into my savings account instead!
Give yourself a paycheck: Does participating in my 401k count? I have enough pulled out of my paycheck and put into mine to equal what my employer matches.
Buy household products wholesale: We’ve been doing this for a while too. We shop at Costco avidly, especially for baby stuff. A gallon of milk at Costco is more than a dollar cheaper than a gallon at our Super Target! With a toddler drinking upwards of 24 oz. of milk every day, that adds up! The only thing I won’t do is switch to generic, cheap toilet paper or tissues – but with the warehouse prices we can get on name brands at Costco, we don’t really have to.
Cut back on personal services: Yeah, I’ve already cut back on the haircuts (WAY back). I don’t get pedicures anymore either; instead I do my own. The only thing I really miss badly is facials and brow waxing, so I may need to find a way to get those, even if it’s just every six weeks or so.
Use your cell phone: A while ago we switched our home phone line to a very basic calling plan that allows us only a certain number of outgoing calls a month. Why? We almost never call anyone! If we do, we use our cell phones. I have an awesome plan from AT&T/Cingular that gives me free mobile-to-mobile, so my calls to my husband are free. I never use all of my anytime minutes (450 a month) and they roll over. Seriously, I could just about cancel our landline phone all together.
Sell crap on eBay: Perhaps the biggest hassle, but I’m doing it anyway. I just sold a bunch of baby clothes, and I’m getting ready to sell my gigantic collection of denim. A few years ago I sold all of the Coach and other designer purses that I acquired when we were childless; I made over $600!
Saving money can be kind of fun – really! At least it gives you a sense of accomplishment when you pay off that credit card balance or manage to sock away a nice emergency fund or start a nest egg to pay for a child’s college education. Of course, spending money is fun too, but…well, let’s not go there. 
