Ways to save money

amother

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 6:49 pm

I'm trying to cut down on the budget a bit, but every time I think not to buy something, I feel like the $5 is not really going to make it or break it.

Where are some areas that I can really save money? I'm not referring to fixed expenses like my mortgage or tuition.

amother

Caramel

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 6:51 pm

Do you want general tips or specific ones to your budget?
Shop in the cheapest stores
Don’t buy items that are more expensive when you can buy a cheaper version elsewhere
Get used to not having certain things, like yogurts/cheese sticks

amother

Peachpuff

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 6:51 pm

Don't use any disposables (cutlery/dishes/cups)
Don't buy packaged snacks
Do your own landscaping
No take-out or restaurants
Don't shop local for clothing/shoes if possible
No manicure/pedicure
Plan meals around what's on sale

amother

IndianRed

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 6:52 pm

One thing is to never buy baked goods, always bake yourself.

amother

Charcoal

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 6:53 pm

Check your on your car insurance, phone bill, utilities etc and see if you could be getting a better price.

amother

Seafoam

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 6:56 pm

For clothing: gemachs, hand me downs, second-hand stores, free whatsapp groups, Shein

No cleaning lady; teach kids to do chores or tolerate a little more mess (it gets messy again anyway)

Chol hamoed trips: free museums, parks. Kids have fun or don't have fun either way, it doesn't correspond to how much money you spend.

Keep yourself busy with work so you don't spend lots of time shopping or looking for deals

Cheap cell phone plan

Get books from the library, or buy second hand

amother

Poinsettia

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 6:57 pm

Don’t be discouraged. $5 is a great place to start and will add up over time.

amother

Olive

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:08 pm

Really depends how much extra time you have...
Baking, running to multiple stores etc takes time. I for example work full time and time is money, so conveniences that sometimes cost more are worth it for me...

amother

SandyBrown

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:09 pm

Saving a few dollars here and there adds up.

amother

Daffodil

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:09 pm

We save around $200 a year because I give my husband haircuts
We save between $300-$500 a year because I do my own sheitels
We save $100 a year because I do my own eyebrows

amother

Lavender

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:12 pm

I got rid of my cleaning lady that I had 2x a week. Save $180 a week.

amother

Lemonchiffon

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:15 pm

I didn't renew my subscriptions to Jewish publications and wait to get it from family and neighbors after they read it.

oakandfig19

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:17 pm

I cut down cleaning help down to once a month. Once summer starts hopefully we’ll do more of the outside work and pool maintenance ourselves as we’ve been hiring till now. And I’m going to learn to cut my sons hair should be pretty easy.

relaxation

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:18 pm

Home made things

Not splurging on unnecessary Yom tov items
So no need to get pesach baguettes or pesach pizza

No need to buy 10 MM .. (for next year)

If donuts are 5 dollars in the store no need to get them for chanukah..

Eating out is a real cost , I don't do it anymore but rather make good delicious suppers ..

Make your own pizza

There is a post a while ago about home Meade ideas.. type homemade in the search bar..

amother

Lightcyan

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:22 pm

Aim for 2 x a week more frugal meals.
Use all leftovers
If you have a savings account make sure you have the highest interest rate in your area
Find a side hustle and put that money straight to savings
Open a mutual fund or something similar

relaxation

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:24 pm

amother Lightcyan wrote:

unfortunately sav is nfs don't give high rates these days...

amother

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:42 pm

Wow! Great food for thought!
Some of these I would never do even though it can save me money - like washing my own wig, not having cleaning help, or not using papergoods.
Washing my wig costs about $200 per year.
Cleaning help is $20 weekly.
Papergoods I don't want to know!! Btw - is there any way to buy cheaper papergoods?

amother

Topaz

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 7:44 pm

amother OP wrote:

Costco , dollar tree , amazing savings , rosner ....
These are the best I found...

amother

Carnation

Thu, Mar 09 2023, 8:11 pm

Use an online savings account. Mine has a 4% annual interest rate. CIT bank. It is FDIC insured up to $250,000.