Lean Budget for Lean Times

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Comment by Tracie Zander on April 9, 2009 at 1:05pm

So far everyone is covering the options pretty well, don't forget coupons and one thing we as moms all to often do without thinking is saying yes for those little dollar treats at the store. If you can't say no, then if possible don't take the kids. Up here in Michigan garage sale season is starting up and the canning of the garden produce, which for me saves a bundle. I have 4 boys and 1 girl, let me tell you those boys can put the food down, honestly they have hollow legs. For the things you can't grow in the garden, find a local you pick farm. Hope this helps, Tracie

Comment by Shannon Morris on April 9, 2009 at 10:46am

Here are a few things that we have done the past few months: got rid of Direct tv, have home phone service with no long distance or any add ons, we use it strictly for internet andthe kids talking to each other, to keep mnutes down on cell phones. We still have the cell phones, ony because we are not hte ones paying the bill. Dh's parents pay it as part of their business, it is his business phone. We don't go out to eat UNLESS we go to the chinese restaurant, where we get 2 combo meals and 2 gts. pf soup for around $25 to feed 5 of us, and we always get 2 meals out of it. So thats like feeding 10 people for $25! That only happens once a month thou. I usually make our pizza instead of buying it, cheaper and better! I buy the kids clothes at Goodwill, I have a hard time finding jeans for dh and me there, so that is one area where we look to for department store sales on.

I do have to say that I don't budget. DH does not get a weekly or bi-weekly paycheck, or any set amount. His mom and dad will just hand him a couple hundred one week, maybe nothing the next, and maybe 400 the following.... gripes me to noooo end.... so i have learned to take it as it comes in, pay the bills first, put gas in the tank, then groceries if we are lucky, and if the kids need anything for school, that comes before the groceries. We have a family of 5 and live on less than 17,000 most years, and still buying a house, that was a foreclosure (needs lots of work,, but bigger than the 2 bedroom mobile home that we were living in)

I hope this helps, Way more than i intended to put in! Sorry...

Comment by Lisa on April 9, 2009 at 12:26am

Stephanie, I'm trying to post stuff on my blog to help with budgeting. HTH, Lisa

Comment by Heather on April 8, 2009 at 10:38pm

Hi Stephanie,
We heard the same thing recently - no overtime, no raises, etc. He's a firefighter and the city is making cuts everywhere. Although, in my humble opinion, the fire department is one of the last places cuts should be made in a city's budget. But I'm not the Mayor, so what do I know? I am very grateful though that he was willing - and able - to get another job.

Anyway, the children and I began saving seeds over the last few months as we were studying botany in science. So, we are planting a garden to raise some of our own food. I've gathered several recipes on this website for making some of my own products - from recipes to cleaning products. In fact, I just made my own laundry and dishwasher soaps this week. I am making as much of my food from scratch as I can.

I turn the thermostat down - I kept it between 62-64 degrees all winter. I got a lot of grief about this one though and I know I will hear it when I do the same over the summer with the AC. I turn lights out constantly and wait as long as possible before turning them on. I switched to those spiral light bulbs - they last longer, cost less and use less electricity.

Our library offers a teacher card, so I signed up for that. As a homesschooler, I can take books from their sale racks for free - I got books (almost brand new) about 10 different states today, as well as two others. I usually check about once a month and we get some great books for school and every day reading. We hold onto and reuse older furniture - a can of paint from the "oops" shelf at a home improvement store can repurpose just about any piece of furniture.

I am sure there's other things, but I need to go right now. Hope something in here helps someone. I am looking forward to hearing others' ideas.