I was watching the Today Show yesterday morning and Suzi Orman was talking about money management during these difficult economic times. It occurred to me that I could probably be a lot more frugal...I'm just always in a rush. I never read a sale paper...I buy toilet paper when we need toilet paper and toothpaste when we need toothpaste, never planning ahead. Apparently, I could do better. I'm going to try to change ONE thing every week and see where that gets me.
Here is what I did this week. I called our local telephone company. They provide our cable TV, telephone service and internet service. Did you know that you can "bundle" services and adjust long distance calling plans? I adjusted a couple of things and we're going to save between $40 and $50 every month, depending on our long distance minutes. Who'd a thunk it???
I'm feeling pretty good about this...
Do you have any ideas or tips to share??
Friday, February 20, 2009
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Restaurants & places like Michael's & Kirkland's will send you weekly coupons, if you sign up. I saw Suz yesterday too!
ReplyDeleteThat is so great! I have been racking my brain too to think about how to save a little...takes a lot of planning!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
That is a really good savings! Wow! Last year we swithced our trash pick up service to a different company...the old company was adding a fuel charge to their bill and I found a new comapany that had the same rates but without the extra fuel charge. Also, if I pay by the year, I get one month free. I think it reduced our trash removal payment by $60 dolllars a year. Time spent: 10 minutes on the phone.
ReplyDeleteI am laughing so hard right now. I JUST got off the phone with Northland Cable, we are getting the "bundle" too. It is going to save us $150 a month!
ReplyDeleteWhy did nobody tell us about this before????
I think Legare needs a bailout!
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved to a much bigger home, we didn't have cable service hooked up and although there are a few Lifetime shows I have missed, I have somehow survived! We also use the fireplace to heat our home. We buy wood from less fortunate people and save on utility bills. I buy tp and a lot of other things at Sam's. I make a grocery budget and stick to it. We have bare minimum home phone service and use our cells for all long distance.
ReplyDeleteThis web site is a great way to save on groceries.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thegrocerygame.com
You need to spend a little time clipping and organizing coupons, (maybe 15-20 mins/week?), but SO worth it! Check it out!
We are in tough times...I'm doing the same thing...keep posting you new ideas and I'll post if I come up with anything...
ReplyDeleteWe already have all of these services together but it would be nice if the rates were lower...I hear they are going up too. I've been doing a lot more coupon cutting and buying ahead when things are on a good sale? It's hard sometimes to get started. I'm like you just buy when I need but trying to change..
I caught a bit of Suze Orman too....i could so be doing better...we already bundle but I think we may cut out some channels to save...I have tried price matching but I am just so new to all this i cant offer advice yet
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much down to the wire when it comes to saving. I try to eat at home and eat a lot of leftovers. Wasting food is a big issue at our house. Hubs will never eat his leftovers. He'll just go to Arby's...
ReplyDeleteI also try not to get coffees at coffee shops as much and instead making it at home.
Good for YOU!! I did know about bundling, but I like to get my internet through my phone provider and they do not provide cable! So, I am still pondering the whole thing...
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for random things in the grocery store and this weakness was costing me way too much money. So I started making a list and writing down only what I absolutely need. Then I go to Publix and buy ONLY what's on my list. It has saved me tons of money.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a shopaholic and that has DEFINITELY caused me problems, so now if I accompany a friend to the mall, I leave my wallet and plastics in the car. :)
Nipping temptation in the bud one day at a time haha.
I agree with you! I've not sone much to start saving, but I am going to do more now. I've always loved a deal, so I'm going to start looking for better gracery deals and pack my lunch everyday.
ReplyDeleteAt least you buy toilet paper when you need it. Not only do I not track the price, but I forget to buy it. We spent four days last week using Kleenex. Two of those days I was in a store that sold toilet paper. Oh, and we ran out milk, too.
ReplyDeleteNext time anyone's husband complains, just direct them my husband's way, and he will tell them how lucky they are.
We used to have our cell phone bill automatically deducted from checking so I wasn't paying attention to the cost. I opened it up last month and found out my daughter had $164 in text charges and son $60 in internet. We had a package that gave her 200 texts a month but we've switched to unlimited and savings over $100 on her and no more internet for son. I think he accidentally clicked on something and didn't disconnect.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have our cell phone bill automatically deducted from checking so I wasn't paying attention to the cost. I opened it up last month and found out my daughter had $164 in text charges and son $60 in internet. We had a package that gave her 200 texts a month but we've switched to unlimited and savings over $100 on her and no more internet for son. I think he accidentally clicked on something and didn't disconnect.
ReplyDeleteSuzi always makes me nervous! ...like I'm not saving enough! (And I'm not!)
ReplyDeleteMenu planning is awesome! You can do it weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Make a shopping list by what is on the menu and make sure you have everything you need so you don't make random stops at the store through the week. You'd be amazed at how much you can save that way, AND you don't end up eating the same things over and over:)
ReplyDeleteI am a sale shopper. We stock up when things go one sale. I think this is a great way to save a lot of money. The time spent looking for sales is small if you search the online sales circulars. Most stores have them now.
ReplyDeleteHappy saving! It always makes me feel really good to make our money go as far as it can.
I saw her on there too and started wondering what small things we could cut back on.
ReplyDeleteI've decided to really start planning before I go to the grocery store - as in have 7+ meals planned out and buy what I need to make those. We usually end up buying a random of assortment of things and then I come home from work and wonder how to make dinner with bacon, pasta and cereal!?!
Also, I wanted to ask if you could recommend a really good photographer in Charleston? We haven't had prof. photos taken since our wedding and I'd love to have some.
Thanks in advance!
Darci
Buffalo Exchange! --google it! It's a resale shop they have in my town(Houston), and many others--maybe they have one near you! You can bring in used name brand or trendy clothes and they'll pay u for them or give u store credit! I save SO much! GREAT for gifts for teens and younger gals since they have DESIGNER handbags for cheap(I got a Luis Vuitton for $85--and it was a big one!! Ahhh!!!)
ReplyDeleteWhat great savings, but I have to admit that when I hear "saving" $40 to $50 a month, I immediately think of what I would SPEND that extra money on. And I guess that's not the point, is it?
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of doing something for your daughter and her friends. In this season, most of my parties are for little ones, but when I read your comment, I thought of the surprise party I gave for a friend's daughter on her 13th birthday. A pink and green fabric actually set the color scheme for me, and it was a great jumping off point. You can see the highlights of that party here:
http://alittleloveliness.blogspot.com/2008/09/for-love-of-kylee.html
I also did some other posts in September related to that party.
If you come up with a specific theme, I would be happy to offer any ideas I have. What a sweet mom you are to think to do this! I hope I can share special times with my children and their friends when they are grown too!
That bundle pack is a good deal. We don't do it because we do not have a landline phone. I am all about pinching a penny! I love to coupon shop.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great deal on your bundle package!
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is to make a lot of your own things. Like make an all purpose cleaning spray with water and vinegar (half and half), make your own air freshener, etc.
And buy things in bulk when you can. Then you will not only save money, but trips to the store.
Thanks for stopping by today!
I'm just going to stop eating. Yep, no more food. Makes for quite the economical grocery trip.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that I am not the only one who has known that she needs to be frugal but is just getting around to it. I need to read all of your comments today ")
ReplyDeleteI know I could do a lot better in the department as well. I'm like you though, busy and just throw it in the cart if I need it. I sometimes read these articles where people actually get money back from buying groceries!
ReplyDeleteYeah for you! Nearly every provider is wheeling and dealing these days, so money can be saved at almost every turn. I am so bad about not maximizing coupons, sales, etc. when buying groceries. The "Coupon Mom" (she appears on GMA and even Oprah) is in our Sunday School class and she's tried to help me....ha! I just need to be more focused and frugal.
ReplyDelete