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My wife and I used to have a housekeeper. We paid her $100/month to clean the house. But we've given her up and now have a weekly cleaning session to keep the house in order, and we keep that $100 in our vacation fund. |
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| Posted by
jimc on March 26, 2009 2:09 PM |
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I cut my kids' hair and my husband's too. We have 4 boys ranging in age from 15 to 5 and one 8 year old girl. We have saved hundreds of dollars since we started with our first when he was about 2 years old. I trim my own to get by. |
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| Posted by
JenE on March 26, 2009 2:28 PM |
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These are things I DIY to save $$:
*Groom pets (brush, bath, trim nails & bought electric shears from Walmart to shave them down in warmer weather)
*Manicures/Pedicures
*Facials
*Clean home
*Make cleaning products
*Wash vehicles
*Cut family's hair
*Landscape yard
*Paint house
*Car repairs/maintenance
*Travel arrangements
*If I knew how to sew, I'd make my own clothes! |
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| Posted by
Viki on March 26, 2009 2:47 PM |
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Here are just a few DIY things my husband and I do to save money:
1) wash the dog rather than take him to a dog washing place
2) wash our own cars and detail them if necessary,even in the winter
3) clean our own carpets
4) mow our own lawn, granted it's small
5) borrow movies and books from the library for free rather than renting movies and buying books
6) babysit for our grandchildren since it saves their parents money by not having to pay a sitter and also gives us time with the grandchildren
7) do small household repairs and painting when we can, rather than hiring someone to do them
8) clean our own home rather than hire someone to do it for us
9) make our own entertainment either by attending free performances locally or by doing simple things at home (cards, games, etc) rather
than paying high prices for concerts, etc. These
can be saved for special occasions rather than weekly or monthly expenses.
10) exercise outside or in our home (tapes from library, tv exercise shows, books, etc) rather than paying for a health club.
This all adds up and really makes a difference in our budget. |
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| Posted by
P L A on March 26, 2009 2:48 PM |
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There are a few things we do: This list is NOT all inclusive:
1. Buy store brands~~ some are better than the name brands.
2. Wear most clothing more than once (obviously you dont do this if dirty)
3. Reuse newspaper to line the guinea pig cage
4. Guinea pig is hours of entertainment
5. Limit going out to eat to special occasions
6. Recyle... and make what trash you do throw away as small as possible.
7. only wash full loads of laundry in cold water
8. Regular upkeep on my car will prevent bigger problems down the road
9. Take leftovers for lunch instead of buying
10. Buy used and save the difference |
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| Posted by
karen on March 26, 2009 4:26 PM |
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My girlfriend gives me a haircut about once a month. We both do all the chores around the house so we save on not having to hiring someone else.
She makes homemade meals better than you can get in the resturants, so we save not having to eat out too often. We help friends like painting there house and they in return fix our cars when they break down. What we know we share with others. We are always happy to learn from other peoples' advice. Bartering for things you want or need is coming back again. |
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| Posted by
on March 26, 2009 4:32 PM |
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I have remodeled a bathroom in my house. I hired a plumber friend to install the tub and plumb the shower. We negotiated for an hourly rate. He came in the evenings or weekends as able.
I am tiling the tub/shower surround myself. It is turning out to be quite simple. There are great tutorials online to walk you through it.
My total cost (take out walk in shower and put in new tub and shower and flooring) will be under $2000. That's supplies and labor.
I would encourage DIY for lots of house stuff. It's not rocket science. |
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| Posted by
Sal Knoll on March 26, 2009 4:43 PM |
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We do several things that have already been mentioned as well as grow our own crops. It saves a huge amount of grocery store prices! This is the biggest way I can contribute to the family without working outside the home. No babysitter is needed, no gas to run to the store or to work every day, and everything is organicly grown and very fresh, which is also the healthiest for you. |
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| Posted by
anonymous
on March 26, 2009 4:49 PM |
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I only buy grocery items on sale and usually with a coupon unless I need it and stock up.
Use rewards programs, CVS Walgreens etc.
Buy all the christmas and bday presents when target goes 75% off with toys(we only shop for kids, 11 of them)
Adult bdays and such I only buy whats on clearance or yardsale
make my own cleansers
use library
I pay myself for chores and such for my savings
My own manicures,pedicures
I buy all major purchases used, electonics,cars, clothes, almost anything that I can from craigslist
I buy next years clothes this year when they go on clearance same with school supplies |
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| Posted by
nicodo19 on March 26, 2009 5:42 PM |
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Here are a few ideas that have really cut our expenses.
we buy all our clothes except underwear and socks from the thrift store or deep discount places
we grow and can as we are able or purchase at the bump and dent grocery or on sale at the regular store, in the discount bins, or dollar stores, and use coupons
I cut all our hair
we have a small discretionary fund to cover a monthly family fun outing, thus avoiding the "can I have?..." or "can I get a bigger allowance?..."
we love the library for it's interlibrary loans and free video loaners
we use grey water in the garden and make compost for it, thus reducing our trash output
we reuse items as much as possible for other purposes, mesh onion bags gathered and tied become potscrubbers, shot rubber gloves slice into "rubber bands"...
I cook from scratch, using cheaper ingredients
we unplug appliances when not in use, lower the thermostat, turn off lights
we buy used cars, we save for them and pay cash (thus avoiding interest)
we collect aluminum cans on our walks and cash them in at the recyclers
these are just a few, off the top of my head |
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| Posted by
oddfox on March 26, 2009 10:54 PM |
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We drive 10 yr old cars,no depreciation,I do some repairs.I cut my & handycap sons hair last 25yrs,Do my denal repairs last 3 yrs,buy most wants used or in need of repair, for instance,[bought a 20ft. bass boat & 200hp outboard for $2700, did small repairs [Used it 10 yrs] it sold for $4200] Eating out McDonalds or senior menue at a sitdown, do all home repairs, I look down find pennies,quarters,dollers,droped in parcking lots. At the morning coffee the guys call me the penny pincher |
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| Posted by
Rich 76 on March 26, 2009 11:20 PM |
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Develop a budget and spending log. The best way to track your spending is the limit the amount of cash you carry. Give yourself and spouse a small cash allowance each week.
I have reduced my garbage pickup from once a week to once a month by composting and recycling.
Netflix is a great alternative to going to the movies or driving to the rental place. My neighbor and I split the cost of a membership; we have probably saved more than a few dollars on late fees and not to mention the gas.
Do errands wisely when using a car. The wear and tear on a car can be as much as the cost of fuel per mile. I reduced the average mileage on my car 30% with very little effort. This means my car will last 30% longer and cost me 30% less to own and operate. Ask a neighbor to join you and combine errands.
Change your automobiles oil often and check the tire pressures.
Buy inexpensive locally grown food that is in season. I stock up on root vegetables like potatoes, onions, turnips and carrots etc when they are in season. They keep nice in the basement.
Buy a freezer and keep it full. If there is room in the freezer, freeze milk cartons of water to fill the space. They make nice ice blocks for the cooler in the summer too. A full freeze is much less costly to operate.
Try to shop only once a month and buy in bulk when possible. Larger sizes are usually cheaper than smaller sizes ounce for ounce. Next time you shop look at ketchup and compare the prices between the sizes and you will be surprised.
Dry your clothes on a clothes line either inside or outside.
Use coupons only for items you use. Try the store brands, you just might find you like them as well or better then the name brand. Swap coupons with neighbors.
Pay your bills online through your bank. It saves stamps, envelops, gas and late payment fees.
Secondhand stores and garage sales are great places to buy clothes even if it is just play clothes for the kids.
Replacing incandescent light bulbs Compact florescent lights will save between 10 and 20% on your electric bill. (More if you have kids)
If your furnace is more than 15 years old replacing it today could reduce your heating and cooling enough to return the replacement cost in 5 years. Your local utility company may have incentives to upgrade your heating and cooling systems not to mention the possible tax credits or deductions. I was shocked at the savings when I replaced by heating and cooling system.
Get a digital programmable thermostat and program it to turn down the heat and air when you are working or not typically home.
Unplug cell phone and IPod chargers when not being used. Unplug your TV and PC when you are not using them. My electric usage decreased 6%. |
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| Posted by
Michael Coutts on March 27, 2009 12:09 AM |
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We recyle most everything
we grow our own vegetables put the vegetable discards in the worm bed
dig the worms for fishing
put the fish discards back in the garden for fertilzehave 4 chickens that give us 4 eggs a day also use their droppings for fertilze
all coffee grinds, egg shell etc. go back into the garden. got rid of automatic coffee maker which has to be on 24 7 to work, got stove top percolator, needs no filters and coffee is better |
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| Posted by
Pat Rhodes on March 27, 2009 6:22 AM |
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My husband and I built our own home to save alot of money. Before we got married, we bought a piece of land in a town we liked. About a year into our marriage, we started construction. No, my husband is not a builder! He is a machinist and knows how to read plans. His father helped him with the construction. I helped anyway I could. We also received help from friends and family, when they were available.
It took us 1 year to enclose the house and another year to finish the interior enough for us to move in.
What I learned. We can do anything we put our mind to. Our marriage is really strong and we can survive anything.
We would never have the house we currently have without building it ourselves. We saved an enormous amount of money. We have the satisfaction of knowing that our house came about from our own hands.
It was alot of work...but it was so worth it! |
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| Posted by
Linda on March 27, 2009 7:21 AM |
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one big thing that I did was a salesman quoted residing, Armed with that quote as a starting point, I 1) resided my house with a higher grade siding (hardie plank cement siding) 2) replaced all the windows with new construction vinyl windows(energy star rated) 3) replaced both exterior doors(energy star rated) 4) purchased a new carport and 5) had my drive way paved (125 ft x 20 ft. Along with the above projects i also bought the necassary tools that I needed and several DIY books. After all was said and done I still came in about 2K lower that the original quote for just vinyl siding |
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| Posted by
Carl B on March 27, 2009 12:27 PM |
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I have always been a DIY'er and have learned a fair amount over the years, my biggest most ambitious project just started, building my own home. I estimate it will save me over 150k by being my own contractor/builder. I fully relize that there are things that I will have to sub-out. but htere are great savings to realize. Projects of this size are not for everyone. My wife while she generally supports this project has her moments of doubt. |
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| Posted by
anonymous
on March 27, 2009 1:49 PM |
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Instead of replacing my vacuum cleaner I took it apart and figured out how to fix it. In the old days we would have discarded it and bought another one. When I discovered the drain in my daughter's bathroom was clogged, I decided to attempt to unclog it myself rather than call a plumber. 30 minutes and a coat hanger later it was fixed. This saved us at at least a $100.00. This MOM rules! |
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| Posted by
THATGIRL333 on March 28, 2009 2:21 PM |
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We do many of the same things as others here to save money by doing it ourselves:
We live on a small acreage and milk goats, raise rabbits, chickens for laying and broiler chickens for eating, pigs and ducks/geese. We eat everything we raise.
I make my own goat milk soap, goatmilk ice cream
I butcher my own chickens
I sell excess eggs
We raise sweetcorn and freeze the excess
We have a huge garden and can and freeze excess produce.
I push mow the lawn - takes three hours - but its fantastic excercise!
I moonlight- paint interior/exterior for extra $
We sided our own home
We did our own plumbing
I cut my husbands and boys hair
Local school offers free weight lifting equipment
Recycle cans/bottles that I find at work and while walking - they add up fast!!!
We're making our own caskets - may turn into a new business
Do all of our own small auto repairs/oil changes
Make our own kitchen cupboards
Do our own flooring - piece of cake
We just try and do everything - surprising what we can do once we put our heads together!!! |
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| Posted by
Patti on March 29, 2009 7:35 PM |
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My rule is that anything involving water, electric, or the structure of the house is best left to the pros. Most people can paint and learn how to tile. Unfortunately, too many people, in an effort to save money, go it alone with NO experience or guidance - and these people usually end up paying more because someone has to fix their mistakes!
I do real estate on the side, so I've seen plenty of disasters. My favorite was a place rehabbed by a guy who took the "kitchen and bathrooms sell houses!" saying too far - he put a $10k high-tech shower pod in the bathrooms and Viking in the kitchen, but all three staircases were so crooked we got dizzy by the third floor. |
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| Posted by
on March 30, 2009 1:17 AM |
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I quit my job when I gave birth to our first child four months ago. Now my "job" is to find creative ways to save as much money as I can. I have actually found that life would be more expensive for us now if I WAS working!
Editor's Note To read the rest of this comment in full go to: http://www.tiphero.com/tips_1477_a-frugal-moms-8-ways-to-curb-expenses.html
We downsized to 1 vehicle. This saves us the cost of a car payment, insurance, gas that I would have used to "run around" when I got bored, and all of the incidental expenses of picking up impulse items that I would be bound to pick up if I was in stores a few days a week...I stay in my house instead, and it saves us tons of money!
I prepare food that can be frozen well, so that when we are in a hurry or feeling lazy we can just pop that in the oven instead of being tempted to eat out or order pizza.
I use cloth diapers on my baby. The modern cloth diapers are completely different than what your mother or grandmother used, so check them out! We have figured out that our stash of one-size-fits-all diapers will pay for themselves by the time our first child is 6 months old!
I hang our laundry out to dry to save on the electric bill. Also the sun does amazing things for getting stains out and keeping whites WHITE!
I open all of our blinds during the day instead of turning on lights to help keep our electric bill low.
I make my own laundry detergent. We save about 90% in laundry detergent costs. And it's only about 20 minutes worth of work for 52 loads worth of laundry detergent.
I cut my husband's hair. We considered it an investment to purchase a nice pair of clippers and then put an ad on craigslist for a professional hairdresser to come out to our house and teach us how. We got some friends in on the fun, and then were able to split the cost of what we paid the hairdresser and they all got to learn how to cut hair too! It worked great.
We have friends over for dinner several nights per week. Since I don't have a car to be able to leave the house during the day, this is my social interaction. I'm happy to cook for our friends and then watch TV or play games afterwards and the cost of cooking for lots of people is far less expensive then going out to eat just one evening a week would be. We get several nights worth of entertainment for probably about the cost of my husband and I to go to the movies once. |
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| Posted by
Amanda on April 04, 2009 1:46 PM |
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If I can find a recipe for something online, I make it rather than buy it. I am making tortillas, bread, all baked goods and bread, dog treats, etc. I am going to be making dog food, tofu, yogurt, and cheese.
I save a certain amount of time each week for cooking, and make several things at the same time.
I only buy the basic things at the food store, as I make everything myself. This has cut our food bill drastically more than half. We simply do not need as much as we once thought we did.
I make dried beans every week, which serves as two meals with rice. This cuts the meat bill a lot, and is healthy for us.
We buy our food from Angel Food and save another ton of money. I used to spend roughly $200./wk on food, but now find that less than $100./wk works. And that is only because we are still filling our pantry with bulk buying from sales.
If there is a sale on anything, we buy a lot of it. We just bought a freezer (10% off, manual defrosting to save on electric, and six months same as cash - Home Depot) so that I can make breads, tortillas, cookies, pies, etc. in bulk and store them. That way we are not lacking anything and I can bake when I have the time.
I stopped buying cleaning products, of course, and rely on baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and vinegar to clean everything. I will be making my own laundry soap when my supply of laundry detergent is used up.
We installed a clothes line so I can hang the clothes and save on the electric. We bought a box fan to put on the dresser in the bedroom, in front of a window, and an oscillating fan on a stand for the kitchen area. These two items alone (less than $50.) are saving us tons of electric bill money already.
I lived in Phoenix without air conditioning for almost four years, so I am adept at tricks to keep cool. (Once I found an air conditioning company who financed same as cash, I bought a fabulous Carrier unit, which made it possible for me to sell that home at a wonderful gain monetarily!)
When we had electric water heater, we used a timer which saved over $30./mo. on the power bill. I put empty milk/juice cartons full of water in the freezer to maintain the cold temperature there, and that saves on electric, also. I make a list before I open the freezer door, so I get everything out all at once, without gazing around to explore...
I leave the lights off during the day and everything I can turn off, I do so. This cuts the electric bill, also.
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| Posted by
Joy Marshall on April 16, 2009 10:50 PM |
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