I think its time to start a friends and family blog where we can list money saving ways. The way the costs of everything is going up I think all of us are looking for ways to cut the costs.
I think I have always been pretty frugal. I'm sure not a high maintenance kind of gal. I usually go to the beauty shop maybe twice, but usually once a year. I never have had a professional manicure/pedicure. No I'm not complaining, I just have always had different priorities. I cut my husbands hair and when the kids were home I usually cut theirs too!
We have always had a medium income, but we have been able to do and create a better lifestyle than people who made a lot more money than we did. I think we were able to do this because I always had a budget and of course we had our priorities set. We would rather have a very nice home than take luxurious vacations. We would rather stay home and watch a movie than go out.
I have always loved garage sales and have bought many of our antique pieces at sales and auctions. It sure beats shopping at a high end furniture stores and a lot more fun! I still shop at second hand stores for most everything, from clothes to household. You really can't beat their prices and no one knows where you bought it anyway. I still get more compliments on our antique furniture than I would from any piece of furniture from a high end store. The more unique the better!
We live pretty simple and it is a little easier here in Utah to live on less. Our utilities and housing costs are lower and so is food. No matter where you live you can cut costs. I'm going to try to add an money saving tip each day and hope you will add yours too in the comment board!
Some topics I plan to cover:
1) Energy
2) Food/Household
3) Clothing
4) Eating Out
5) Vacations
6) School/College
I hope you all add your Money Saving Tips below in the comment board.
Freeze It!
February 27
If you do not have a freezer now maybe the time to invest in one. With the cost of groceries going up its time to just buy when its on sale and freeze freeze freeze. When you see broccoli/cauliflower or whatever vegetables you like buy it and then freeze some till the next sale. It is easy to freeze. Get some freezer bags at you local dollar store and then freeze freeze freeze. Here is an example how easy;
Broccoli: Cut off brocoli florets and wash well. Place in boiling water and blanch for 3-5 minutes depending on size. Immerse in cold water and drain. Pack in plastic containers or freezer bags.
Cauliflower: Cut off florets and wash! Blanch for 3 minutes in water containing lemon juice of one lemon. Immerse in cold water, drain and pack in plastic containers or freezer bags.
Meat: Always buy the family pack and break it down and freeze it into smaller portions to fit your families needs. I can go and buy a roast and cut it at least in half and make 2 or 3 meals from one roast. I use leftovers for hot roast beef sandwich. If there is still more meat I will grind it up and mix with mayo and some pickles for the most delicious sandwich!
Weekly Menu
February 28
Another way to save on groceries is to get the flyer and make your weekly menu from whats onsale. This is a great way to buy whats in season and what meats are onsale that week. It only takes a few extra minutes to make out a weekly menu. You can also make some meals ahead of time and just pull it out of the freezer. This also is a money saver because sometimes you just don't feel like cooking and like most of us we go out on those nights. But if you have something already in the freezer it saves time and Money!
Free counters provided by Vendio.
I think I have always been pretty frugal. I'm sure not a high maintenance kind of gal. I usually go to the beauty shop maybe twice, but usually once a year. I never have had a professional manicure/pedicure. No I'm not complaining, I just have always had different priorities. I cut my husbands hair and when the kids were home I usually cut theirs too!
We have always had a medium income, but we have been able to do and create a better lifestyle than people who made a lot more money than we did. I think we were able to do this because I always had a budget and of course we had our priorities set. We would rather have a very nice home than take luxurious vacations. We would rather stay home and watch a movie than go out.
I have always loved garage sales and have bought many of our antique pieces at sales and auctions. It sure beats shopping at a high end furniture stores and a lot more fun! I still shop at second hand stores for most everything, from clothes to household. You really can't beat their prices and no one knows where you bought it anyway. I still get more compliments on our antique furniture than I would from any piece of furniture from a high end store. The more unique the better!
We live pretty simple and it is a little easier here in Utah to live on less. Our utilities and housing costs are lower and so is food. No matter where you live you can cut costs. I'm going to try to add an money saving tip each day and hope you will add yours too in the comment board!
Some topics I plan to cover:
1) Energy
2) Food/Household
3) Clothing
4) Eating Out
5) Vacations
6) School/College
I hope you all add your Money Saving Tips below in the comment board.
Freeze It!
February 27
If you do not have a freezer now maybe the time to invest in one. With the cost of groceries going up its time to just buy when its on sale and freeze freeze freeze. When you see broccoli/cauliflower or whatever vegetables you like buy it and then freeze some till the next sale. It is easy to freeze. Get some freezer bags at you local dollar store and then freeze freeze freeze. Here is an example how easy;
Broccoli: Cut off brocoli florets and wash well. Place in boiling water and blanch for 3-5 minutes depending on size. Immerse in cold water and drain. Pack in plastic containers or freezer bags.
Cauliflower: Cut off florets and wash! Blanch for 3 minutes in water containing lemon juice of one lemon. Immerse in cold water, drain and pack in plastic containers or freezer bags.
Meat: Always buy the family pack and break it down and freeze it into smaller portions to fit your families needs. I can go and buy a roast and cut it at least in half and make 2 or 3 meals from one roast. I use leftovers for hot roast beef sandwich. If there is still more meat I will grind it up and mix with mayo and some pickles for the most delicious sandwich!
Weekly Menu
February 28
Another way to save on groceries is to get the flyer and make your weekly menu from whats onsale. This is a great way to buy whats in season and what meats are onsale that week. It only takes a few extra minutes to make out a weekly menu. You can also make some meals ahead of time and just pull it out of the freezer. This also is a money saver because sometimes you just don't feel like cooking and like most of us we go out on those nights. But if you have something already in the freezer it saves time and Money!
Free counters provided by Vendio.
