This is sort of a spinoff to the high prices of gas thread. A couple of people also put in there what they were doing to save in other areas, besides just gas, since the high price of gas has made everything else go up also. I would love to hear what other people are doing, maybe I can get some new ideas? These are some of the things I am doing"

1. I am barely buying eggs, LOL at $2.13 a dozen, we are NOT just scrambling some eggs for breakfast, it's cheaper to eat cereal or oatmeal or something I have gotten free using coupons. Someone gave me some powdered eggs and I've been using those for cooking.

2. Buying milk only when it's on sale $4.39 a gallon is unbelievable and buying whole milk (used to buy 2%) and mixing it with powdered milk, no one notices the difference.

3. Using more coupons and trying to make meals around the free items I get.

4. Having one meatless meal a week (we used to eat meat at dinner every night) last night we had grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.

5. We are all bringing lunches to work and school, no eating out unless it'a an "emergency" or unless we have been given a gift card as a gift for some reason.

6. No extra driving trips anywhere, all errands done on the way to and from work.

7. Taking advantage of after holiday sales (I think everyone here does that) I have already bought cheap items to use for all birthday gifts, kids birthdays and some of next years Christmas gifts by buying after the markdowns this year.

8. Still shopping at thrift stores and yard sales (although the yard sales have not been very plentiful thoughout the winter.

9. Selling more on Ebay, instead of just buying little things (I'm not a big seller) I am saving up the money and buying large items we need/can use, a couple of weeks ago I bought a chain saw, before that I had bought one of those memory foam pads for the bed. I am thinking that if I use it to buy larger items, I can actually remember what the money was spent on and not just wasted away for something small.

10. Turned my thermostat (natural gas heat) down to 62 when we are at home (used to keep it on 70) and down to 50 when we are at work or gone if it's freezing out, if it's not freezing I turn it off when we're gone.

I'm going to start keeping a diary of my daily expenses. It's so easy to throw away money buying things I don't need. Staying away from the mall will help. I have a closet of clothes so why do I need more? I'm going to start bringing my lunch every day. I hate paying $5 for a skimpy sandwich meal deal at Subway. I'll have to go grocery shopping on Sunday to get the lunch meat, bread, salad, etc. Also, bringing cans or bottles of soda/water will save a lot of money. I need to make my lunch the night before so it will be ready to go. I need to get better about using coupons. It's a shame when I cut out a stack of coupons, only to see that they have all expired!

I usually don't buy garbage bags unless they are super cheap. I just use the store bags that my groceries are in for trash.
Instead buying bags at save-a-lot or aldi's I bring my own. I usually bring a cloth bag or the thick plastic bags I get at the library
I use coupons and stock up on great sales so I don't have to buy when it's not on sale
I thought it was bad that the cheapest eggs here are $1.89 (I remember when the would be on sale a few years back for .89. I haven't seen eggs on sale in a long time) I can get milk for $1.50 a half gallon (they just went up last week they were $1.25). I only have one store that I can get it that cheap.

We have a programable thermastat, which saves quite a bit on fuel.

Also, we installed dual flush toilets within the last year. Our water bill is half of what it was.

What is a dual flush toilet?? That seems interesting, esp. if it can save me water.

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

To replace eggs in baking, use one heaping tablespoon of soy flour and one tablespoon of water - my vegan kids do this and everything turns out great

I am going without a lot of things that I used to enjoy.
I don't buy magazines much anymore.
No more stops for a Coke when we are out. I bring my own or just get water if I am thirsty.
Grocery shop at Kroger on Sr. Citizen day, using coupons (doubled) on items that are on sale.
(Saved over 50% this month!)
I don't go shopping as often and when I do, I don't even look at things for myself.
We are eating out a lot less often and trying to eliminate it altogether.
I'm getting much better at using up leftovers instead of letting them sit till they are green and fuzzy.
I am watching the electriciy and water more.
We try to do all erands in one trip.
My biggest problem is getting DH healthy so he will quit running up so many medical bills!!!!!

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Dual flush toilets are common in Europe and Asia. You can choose whether you need a full flush, or a half flush. Even the full flush uses less water than a conventional toilet. Mine is made by Toto and it has a divided push button on the top of the tank. They were rather pricey, but definately worth the money in the long run. I ordered them on-line.

Cool, thanks for the info. I will pass it along to hubby as we are going to be remodeling the bathroom eventually.

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

We too are eating out less. When we do stop to pick something up, we normally bring it home and add our own sides and drinks(like tonight we picked up BBQ and normally would get baked beans and cole slaw but tonight just got the meat and came home and had chips and corn with it). Also we try to choose items that aren't terribly expensive when we do eat out.
We try to limit errands, do those while we're already out.
We try to grab a water to take with us when we're going out. If not, I always have at least one child who, according to them, will die if they don't get a drink, lol!
My kids almost always take their lunch to school. NOt only is it cheaper but they don't like the cafeteria food very much.
We try to keep lights off in rooms we're not in. I know for some people this is just normal anyway but I find that we have every light in the house on if we don't really pay attention.
My girls love to take a bath and then shower but that's limited to once a week now. (they shower every day but only get the bath and shower once a week)
I do use coupons but live in a land of no doubles/triples so it's not great. Kroger does double but their prices, unless something is on sale, makes it more expensive even with double coupons normally.
My kids are notorious for wearing a shirt for 30 minutes, taking it off and throwing it in the dirty clothes. I'm trying to break that habit, especially since my washing machine is broken. They are improving.

I guess most of my cut backs are simple but every little bit helps.

We - both adults and kids - do not order soft drinks when eating out. We drink water only. Probably doesn't make the waiters very happy but no sense spending $6-8 on soda at one meal...

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

This has saved us quite a bit too and it's much healthier. I do let my kids get soda if it's included with the kids meal, however, since I am paying for it anyway.

Sarah......mom to Jason & Devin

You know if I suggested this to my family they would all look at me like I was the devil?

I believe it or not am spending less letting my kids buy lunch at school. They have great lunches, a choice of 5-6 entrees and three sides out of about 8 choices. It is less than 2.00 per day.

I found that I was buying more trying to make their lunches interesting when they were taking their lunch.

I go to the library more and check out magazines to read. (you cannot check out the current month but they have back issues for like 2 years)

We have a programable thermostat and that has helped a bunch with our heat bills.

We try to always pack a cooler with drinks and snacks if we are going to be out running around for a while

We too bring bottled water when we are out in the car. Dd brings her own lunch everyday due to food allergies. At least I know she's getting stuff she'll actually eat. For us buying in bulk from Sam's club helps us out. We get most of dd's food there, plus diapers, wipes, meds, etc. It works for us.

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I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

I cut a lot of things back.

IE:
Dish Network we had all the channels I swapped to 200 channels. (around $40 something saved/month)
Phone I have Bellsouth DSL I cut back to one pkg less. (saved $5/month)
I had unlimited texting on our phones, witch run around $15. I switched to 400 texts a month for $4.99. (saved $10/month)
We cut back eating out. We were eating out about 4 times a week, including lunches and dinners (saved approx. $120/month)
I am weaning myself off of Cokes. I drink a 2 liter a day, very bad for me I know. At this point I'm to 2 - 3 cans a day. (approx. $20/month)


I am considering completely ending my landline since we all have cells anyway. That would save me an additional ($85 - $100/ month.

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When we want to have "girl's time" we go to breakfast instead dinner - much cheaper! When the weather allows, I ride my bike to work, there have been weeks when I didn't sit in a car until Sunday (groceries), my 2nd job is also only 2 ml away.
Other thing same as above: brown bagging, no sodas, Aldi shopping, ignoring the posts that tell me that Target went 90% - I probably don't need it if I don't already have it, and those 10 or 20 $$$ add up!

We're definitely not eating out often. I am really trying to buy on sale, and reduce the weekly impulse buying at the market.

I do try to plan my errands and avoid unnecessary trips, but I haven't drastically changed my driving.

Trying to do more at home activities instead of heading out with the kids. Less driving, less expenses for admissions, tickets, etc. One of my sons works at the local movie theater, which is great since one of the perks is free admission for your family, unless it is opening day or expected to be a sellout. We all bring water (no argument since 2 of my kids can't stand soda, and the other 2 rarely have it), stop at CVS to choose a candy, and if we get popcorn it is shared. Saves me a fortune since the movies have gotten to be a $100 trip for the whole family! Geez I'm old--I remember going to the local $1 theater!

I bought the kids coin jars which display how much they have collected. They love watching that spare change grow and using the cash to buy their own special treats.

I am not shopping for luxuries at all. D/h is much freer with spending than I am, so am trying to encourage him to join the parade!