Yesterday as I sat in my car studying my grocery store receipt to make sure all of the member discount and sale item prices were correct, I realized... it's time to make a plan. Sure I do my best to find discounts while grocery shopping and I only buy myself new clothes when I absolutely have to, but there's a lot more I could be doing to save money. So, I decided to make a list and I'm going to do my absolute best to stick to it.
I know that most of these seem obvious but I think it's important to remind myself sometimes what I could be doing to save more. When I look at this list I'm almost a little ashamed. Do I need to go to Starbucks? No! I can buy a 32 oz. can of coffee for what it costs to buy TWO coffees at Starbucks. That can of coffee lasts months. It's important to put that into perspective once in a while.
Eating out less often, clipping coupons, and planning meals is also extremely important. My new plan is to make large dinners a few times a week so I have leftovers for lunch and possibly the following night.
As far as my car goes... I DO NOT need to be using the air conditioner so much! I could save some gas if I just suck it up and roll down the windows instead.
As far as cutting back on fun little purchases... Etsy makes it really difficult! I don't buy much on Etsy but when I do, it's usually always an impulse buy. It's time to limit those impulse buys to once a month!
Lastly, I love making gifts, I really do. My problem is, I don't plan ahead. For example, I'll know I have a birthday party to attend in two weeks and what do I do? Wait until a day or two before to figure out a gift. By that time, buying it is just easier. So... close friends and family, get ready for more handmade goodies from yours truly!
Drag on the car produced from rolling down the windows can waste more gas than using the AC at speeds above 35 MPH.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
DeleteI so agree with all the above, and totally need to do the same! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, Keely!
DeleteI love this! I need to be more conscious about money saving too! Especially with my move. I have never had a car with working AC so as much as it sucks I am totally used to rolling down the windows.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your plan girl!
Thanks, Moe!
DeleteGood ideas. I'm generally really good with money, but I went through a spell of buying Costa hot chocolates every day... until I figured out how much it was costing me each month!
ReplyDeleteAs for Etsy, I never let myself impulse buy on Etsy (it's hard, I know!); I favourite things and, if I can't remember what they were a couple of days later, I figure I must not need them. If I'm still pining for them, I'll think about buying.
Good luck!
Good idea, Sarah. I'll definitely start waiting a few days before purchasing something, even if it is something small.
DeleteSo funny and true i had to get a huge wake-up call too and now i am doing similar things like this, also the fiance and i just go out to dinner when friends invite us and every other night we just cook, saves tons of money, because we would eat out randomly at restaurants and fast foods when we were just wasting money on the food plus tip! When with that 50.00 bill you could of got breakfast for the whole week!
ReplyDeleteSo true! My problem is pure laziness. I'll walk to the burger place down the street or order a pizza rather than make something. No more of that!
Deleteahhh, yes. Right there with you! My husband and I recently realized we really needed to get serious and budget (for the millionth time)... it feels like "OH poop, we can't have ANY fun" at first.. but once its under control, its really FREEING in the end. Money, such a necessary evil eh?! ;o) Good luck, and hope the Starbucks 'shakes' don't harass you for too long!
ReplyDeleteMel
needle and nest design
Thanks, Mel! My new plan is to drive different routes to avoid as many coffee places as possible. ;)
DeleteThese are great! Along the same line as making dinner, I've gotten in the habit of bringing my lunch to work instead of buying lunch every day. It's saving me a boat load! I also always order water instead of special drinks when I got out for dinner.
ReplyDeleteYesss! That's why I'm going to start making big dinners. Leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day!
Deletefantastic goals. I have been inventing new ways to save lately too. It's so hard when starbucks and yummy coffee shops are everywhere. I try to plan meals as well and hardly ever use the heater (its winter here, it resulted in a chest infection so not a good plan)
ReplyDeleteSo i think save money where it counts, but you have to enjoy life and be well in the process.
"So i think save money where it counts, but you have to enjoy life and be well in the process." ...so true!
DeleteThese are all things I should be doing as well.. maybe I'll make my own list!
ReplyDeleteYou should! Writing this stuff down is definitely helping me stick to it.
DeleteI've started saving more too and I'm a horrible money-saver. My plan is to cook more at home as well and to use leftovers for lunch. I've also started a "5 dollar bill jar" and I set aside 10% of each paycheck. I've been doing so much better the past couple of weeks. It's amazing to look back and see how much I was spending on...STUFF! Good luck! I also started a weekly feature called Frugal Friday that you might be interested in checking out :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mindi! I just checked out your blog. I'll definitely be following those Frugal Friday posts. Great ideas! Also, I wanted to see Moonrise Kingdom but wasn't dead set on it. You've officially made up my mind for me. I HAVE to see it! :)
DeleteI'm curious about this 5 dollar bill jar... More details?
DeleteAlso, Elizabeth, if you can't find a date, I'd love to go... Creep. Sorry.
P.S. I realllllly need to be tighter with the money I have, as well. All these little purchases add up.. next thing you know, you've spent a pretty little penny. (Hello, dollar tree purchases! Hello, books I keep buying for Violet + I!! Hello, craft store purchases!) I'd mention how it doesn't really help getting ripped off when ordering a side of rice and/or beans at a restaurant, but then that might be too much. Oh oops.. Did I just say that? *smirk* Lesson learned.
DeleteLesson COMPLETELY learned! Forget the expensive food... how about the following 48 hours?! Uuuugh!
DeleteAlso, here's a link that explains the $5 jar. Basically, whenever a $5 bill comes into your possession, you put it in the jar instead of spending it. http://www.mommysavers.com/c/t/197913/the-5-savings-plan-have-you-tried-it