How to Live Cheap and Save Money

These days every one is all about saving money. With the economy down and prices rising, we really don't have a choice. We have to find ways to save. So, in the spirit of community, as we find ways to save, we share those ideas with one another. Whether it be a great website for coupons, finding a great sale, or a local yard sale, everyone wants to know. As a stay-at-home mom of six, living on one income has forced me to find ways to save, and I am willing to share what I have learned.

One of the biggest expenses for a family is food. Find recipes that use only "from scratch" ingredients. In the winter, soup is one of the cheapest meals you can fix. You can make a big pot of vegetable soup using very little or no meat, and whatever vegetables you have on hand--canned, frozen, or fresh. If you find a sale on milk, make cream soups--potato, broccoli, cauliflower, mushroom--you name it! Pair this with a salad or home baked bread, and you have a cheap but nutritious meal.

Another meal everyone loves is pizza. However, ordering out every week can get pricey. Try making your own . Not only does it save money, but it is a great meal for getting kids in the kitchen, and who doesn't love a great pizza fresh from the oven?

Bread--find a thrift store or make your own. There is no reason to pay $3.50 for a loaf of bread! You can make whole grain, heart-healthy bread way cheaper than that!

Buy vegetables and fruits that are in season--don't try to buy watermelon in February! Or oranges in July. Also, if you have a big family to feed, find out if there is a food coop in your area. You can often find people who will split up cases or bulk items with you--even on produce!

Clip coupons from the Sunday paper and find coupon sites online. This can save you a bunch on the grocery bill. Start today--you won't believe how it adds up.

   If you are still paying high prices for name brand clothes, this is an easy way to start saving now.  Only buy from sales--anything you want will eventually go on sale somewhere.  If you are patient, you will get so much more for so much less.  And this is true for other things besides clothes.  When flat screen TV's first came out, my husband wanted one.  But since they cost $599 and up, it was just a dream, nothing more.  I told him, "Wait.  They will come down--you'll see."  Sure enough, last time we looked at them we found a sale price of $279.  And we are still waiting.

  Another way to save on clothing is to shop second hand and thrift stores.  What I like about this is that I can often find name brands that I could never even dream about buying new.  Who cares if someone wore it twice?  I have a washing machine!  Watch the Goodwill.  We have found some real treasures there--clothes, books, furniture, and so much more! 

  And if you aren't embarrassed to do so, check around with the churches in your area for free clothing pantries and exchanges.  This is where I have found some of our best goodies!

  I'll say that again--Be Satisfied with Less.  Seriously.  You can go without, and it really won't hurt that much.  Do you really need new furniture, or will the old stuff clean up for now?  And those thoughts of a new car--push that to the back of your head.  As long as Old Bessie is still running, keep patching her up.  Your kids don't need every kind of game console on the market--let them spend more time with their imaginations. 

  Buying stuff you don't really need will just spend up money that would be better saved or rack up credit card bills you can't afford.  In fact, just cut those credit cards up--that would save you more money than anything else.  Interest rates, late fees, and over the limit fees are just money spent on nothing.  Instead, start paying those credit card bills off now, then you will be able to save for those "emergency purchases" that you would typically pay for with credit.

  Besides not buying more, think about downsizing what you already have.  Have a yard sale or sell stuff online.  Get rid of anything you don't use or don't need.  Not only can you possibly make a few bucks, but you will have less to take care of, reducing clutter and stress.  Plus you will actually spend less money having to maintain things.

Try to carpool to work. This saves on gas and on car maintenance. And try to do all your shopping and errands in one trip. You would be surprised if you knew how much extra you spend on gas with those extra trips. If you need to take the kids to an event, do your grocery shopping while you are out. And drop the books at the library on your way out, too.

Speaking of the library, get your movies there instead of paying rental fees at the video store. And if you do rent, be sure to get those movies back on time. Late fees rack up fast. Or rent online, that way you pay one monthly price for as many movies as you can get.

Staying home is always cheaper than eating out. But, sometimes the occasion just calls for a dinner out. So, do your homework ahead of time. Go online and find discounted coupons for restaurants in your area.

  If you need to replace something like a big appliance, instead of buying new, check out websites like craigslist.org.  We recently found a washer and dryer on craigslist and paid only $225 for the set!  They both run great and are only 4 yrs. old.  Sure, it would have been great fun to buy one of those new fancy models, but who wants that kind of debt?  Shop smart and save big!!