Dh hasn't had a raise in 4 years so we have learned to live with it. Granted, he gets a nice paycheck BUT it does not go near as far as it used too and our expenses are higher due to rising costs of everything. We have a pretty energy efficient house so we save a lot there but here are things we do to keep costs down

keep curtains pulled shut at night and open if it's sunny to warm the house. We keep the winter temp at 67 and the summer temp at 77 to save energy.

I buy in bulk on items I use everyday. I buy lots of stuff on Amazon like rice, toilet paper...stuff like that. It's normally cheaper than the local store and I don't have to drive down there to get it.

I am trying to build up my online business as best as I can. With shipping rates rising, customers want a better deal to compensate for shipping but all prices are rising. I am trying to find new things to sell and/or customize my products to fit a better niche. So far...knock on wood...it's doing okay.

I buy several things at the dollar store: gift bags, easter basket stuff but never food or dental care (too scary)

I stay home more. I used to go out and drive around the mall, etc. I stay at home a lot more with gas higher.

With kids your age, I used to do consignment stores or yard sales to buy clothes (unless I got them on sale for cheaper which was often). A toddler doesn't care if their jeans or new or not (or at least they shouldn't).

Reuse what you can: clothes for kids, clothes swap in the neighborhood perhaps?

Find free things to do: we go to wine tastings every Saturday which are free, art shows downtown once a month (free plus many of the galleries have food and/or drink), free concerts downtown and at library...

good luck!

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003