I'm full of questions this morning.

With the price of fuel and the price of groceries and the price of .....you name it...., what measures are you taking to reduce spending and save money where you do need to spend? We could probably all benefit from the wisdom of each other.

I'll start - I am having a contest with myself to see how I can adjust my driving to get more MPG from my car. I have an instant, per-tank MPG readout that I have on all the time now and have found that if I stop being in such a hurry - racing only to have to brake a 1/2 mile later - that I get a minimum of 10% better gas mileage. I also drop it into neutral (I drive a standard) and coast on hills....but I don't think that's technically legal. I will also take the highway instead of local roads with stop signs and traffice lights.

Think about it, if gas was $3.50 a gallon and you could get it for $3.15, you'd be excited - same thing as adjusting driving to save. Not driving is not an option for me - I have to get to work.

cj/

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

Several months ago we installed the Powerworx on our electric breaker box. From our electric company, I requested a printout of our usage (KWH) monthly for the last 2 years so I could see what/or if there was a savings. On month 1, our usage was 11% less, on month 2 the usage was 11% less and the bill we got 2 weeks ago (month 3) was 22% less.

We are just thrilled. Our lifestyle (electric usage-wise) is the same with the exception of now my DH is retired and home all day instead of the house being totally empty for 8-9 hrs a day. So, with him being here all the time he is always running power tools, radios, tv, and has lights on in his workshop. Over the few months since we've installed this and have been tracking this electric usage, he is even watering the lawn and shrubs alot which constantly runs the well pump.

I am glad cold weather is almost here cause we heat and cook in the winter time on our wood stove so that will help alot. I also do not use my dryer and hang cloths either outside or in the extra bathroom to dry. with gas, i too coast down hill ( straigh drive car) but I dont know if that really helps or not. we just cant even get gas here ! lots of stations still have bags on the tanks. i drive alot of work so its a big problem.
we grow a garden and freeze, can what we get out of it. use the crock pot alot, make extra when cooking and freeze it for later meals.buy breads at the day old bakery. turn of eveything when not in use. carry my drinks with me while i work instead of buying them. and my biggest saving is using COUPONS!!!!!!

__________________
·´`·.(*·.¸(`·.¸ ¸.·´)¸.·*).·´`·
«·´¨*·.¸¸. Jo ¸¸.·*¨`·»
«·´`·.(¸.·´(¸.·* *·.¸)`·.¸).·´`·»


Please leave feedback for me here.
http://www.mycoupons.com/boards/g-l/...-littlejo.html



gretchengirl@gmail.com

http://lifewithlittlejo.blogspot.com/

My suggestion is to be vigilant about the prices of drugs. I recently had to start buying my own insulin because the samples have run out at the doctor's office. I had been buying Humulin insulin at the price of approx. $50.00 a vial until one pharmacist at WalMart asked me "why do you buy Humulin"? He explained that WalMart has an insulin club where when you buy 10 vials of Novolin insulin WalMart will give you one vial free. So, of course, I said "sign me up". The Novolin brand is $21.xx a vial. Why the other techs had never mentioned this to me I don't know. I purchased a vial last week, paid at the main check out after getting groceries and noticed that my total was more than I thought it should be. After checking my receipt I noticed that my insulin was $48.xx. WHOA. Now that's a huge increase in a 3 week period. I went back to the pharmacy and after waiting for their lunch break to be over the pharmicist asked to help me. As soon as I told her about the price difference she knew what had happened. The brand they use has ReliOn on the vial. The vial I was given didn't have ReliOn on it. She exchanged it with no problem.

If you're still with me here (I got a little long winded) the point I'm making is Insulin is Insulin. No matter the brand. So now I'll be sure to ask with ANY medication "is this the most economical (cheap) brand I can get?"

My daughter in law had to take Magnesium during her last pregnancy. The prescription cost was $90.xx a month. The druggist asked my son after 4 months of filling the script "why don't you just get it off the shelf"? Apparently, it's sold where the vitamins are sold for $5.00 a bottle.

So, be a smart patient and don't be afraid to express your alarm at the cost of drugs.

__________________

Any little thing we can. We turned off our satellite service (did that about a year ago) and shut off our landline phone. We just use our cell phones now.
I have been more diligent about planning more simple meals that require less ingredients. DH has quit driving over the speed limit on the highway. LOL We've cut back on leisure activities, such as going to the movies or carnivals or whatever. I'm glad it's starting to cool off so we can spend more time at the parks. Along with that, we've cut back on buying things that just aren't necessary, such as computer games...and I'm learning to use the scrapbooking stuff I already have instead of ogling over all the new stuff out there.
We've always used the public library but we do so even more now. We still buy the kids books here and there because it's nice to have some of your own, but they check out a lot more books at the library now. We also take books and magazines we no longer want to half-price books to sell. You don't get much but every bit helps. I've also stopped renewing a lot of magazines.
We have also tried to cut back on electricity as best we can. It gets HOT here in Texas during the summer so we have to use the a/c sometimes. But we've tried to run it a little higher and run the ceiling fans. Our winter electric bills are usually better. It's easier to bundle up and get warm.

Pretty much the only thing we haven't cut back on is our kids extracurricular activities (son in soccer and daughter in Tae Kwon Do & Girl Scouts). We treat those as part of our bills because we feel they're important for them. Our daughter earned her black belt last week - brag, brag.

peapie

My husband drives a 97 honda to his work, which is roughly 17 miles one way, he drives 55 mph instead of the posted 65 mph and said it added 35 miles to what he gets out of a tank of gas! Back years ago, when gas hit 85 cents a gallon (what I wouldn't give for those days back!) they made it a law the speed limit was to be 55 mph. I have often wondered why noone has done this yet?? Made it a law that is. We've been driving 55 since gas hit 2.00, and we always giggle at the old folks who pass us and give us the stink eye.

Peapie had great suggestions also, almost all of which we follow. I feel like we've cut back on everything humanly possible!! Yet, we still struggle. Sigh.

I only grocery shop once a month. If I want something and don't have it, tough for me... I put it on the list for next month.
I got rid of my landline and only use my cell, and I don't watch much tv, so I also got rid of cable...I only have interent.
I burn very few lights... since it's getting cooler, my electric bill is steadily decreasing.... YAY! I aslo stopped eating out... if I do, it's once a month at Subway for a $5 sub.

__________________
Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

I'm still couponing heavily as always, but on the lookout now more-so for things I can get totally free. I am actually looking at the prices in the store of items I don't normally buy that I have coupons for or see coupons in the paper for, and am shocked to find that a lot of these items are pretty much free afer the coupon (I'm talking about things I don't normally use/buy because of prices/etc. hope that makes sense).

I am considering shutting off the land line also, but my Internet is through them and much cheaper than through cable (we only have one cable choice and they are high). Trying to figure a deal on that one. I drive very little now as I stay home with my kids anyway, so no more just going just because really. I am packing kids' lunches for school about 95% of the time. School lunch here is almost $3 per day. Geez. Using less meat in meals or making it go farther anyway. Looking for more free samples, it's always been a hobby to save money, but now it's a necessity and becoming a compulsion (as I think it is for everyone right now).

I am dreading winter. We heat with gas and we have already received a flyer from the gas company about how gas has tripled, etc. I personally think that this winter will be the 'make or break' for a lot of people out there that are already struggling. I plan to go and purchase another good, efficient electric space heater (and possibly two even) to get us through the winter. During the day, I can pretty much stay in one or two rooms with my toddler. We have the option of using our large family room as the hangout during the day also when everyone is home so that will help; we can turn the thermostat down and just use a space heater back there. I plan on putting several blankets on each bed this winter also (I normally just do one vellux and that burns us out, but will be using the heat set much lower this year). Did I mention I dread the winter? I wish I could have convinced my DH 4 years ago to go all electric when we built this house--but he is old school still believing that natural gas is cheaper to heat with than electric. Lets just say he has been proven wrong in the past 4 years. Our electric bill total is not more than $150 ever (and that's with the air on about 72 or 73 in the summer in hot hot Arkansas--it's still hot here in October). Don't even ask me what our gas bill in the winter months is, ugggg. Still a little bit upset with him about that whole debate before we built this house.

Am I the only one that thinks this winter will be a serious turning point in a lot of people's situations? I sure do hope I'm wrong. Maybe it will be a much milder winter, ugg.

hubby rides his bike to work a lot more now but with winter coming, that will stop. It will be nice once it gets colder because I can make more *economical* dinners like soup and salad. DH can't stand soup in warm weather. I will be able to bake more bread too (too hot to turn the oven on in the summer). I don't like breadmaker bread...can't get the texture right.

I have cut back my traveling a lot. I used to go to Denver (50 mile drive or more) at least once a week to window shop, walk around, do whatever. Now, it's once a month and only to go to Costco (it's the closest one). They did build a new one so it's 20 min. closer so that's good. I am bored a lot more because I love to get out and go. I bought a pogo membership for $25 so I could play games. It's a lot cheaper than buyer new computer games or renting movies or driving around.

I'm trying to convince my family to stop buying holiday gifts for the adults and just buy for the kids but I am the only one that wants to do it So, it will be gift card swap time soon and I hope I get one I can use instead of one I can't.

I use my Amazon credit card a lot...as much as I can. Then pay it off in full every month and use the rewards to buy gifts and grocery items. This only works if you pay off in full....I never pay interest. I put all my business stuff on my Amex card and get a big check from Costco at the end of the year. I get 5% back on gas with that card so we always use it for gas on both vehicles. I take advantage of all the freebies I can. We still eat out and try to stimulate our local economy but go on kids eat free nights, use a coupon or share meals.

We will turn our heat down even more this year. Last year it was set at 68 but we will probably set it down to 66 or 67 this year and see if there is a difference cost wise.

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

About winter... I just remembered...DUH I had my natural gas turned OFF! No way was I going to go through that! I have 1 gas heater and it's in a room I rarely use. I decided it'd be cheaper if I bought one or two ceramic heaters.... I don't mind being a litttle on the cold side.. as I am naturally hot blooded..plus I live in South Carolina, which had pretty mild winters.... and I have 3 cats who sleep me with me and keep me warm and toasty in the winter and hot and sweaty in the summer hahaha

__________________
Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

Sounds like my light bill here on the coast of sc.

I think people on this website are going to be fine. Saving money is something we do all the time and it comes natural for us. It is all the other people in our country that will have problems.

I have lived through a recession before, just get rid of the things you do not need.

We have a limited cell use. I need 911 so I will not get rid of my landline.

I am using less of everything. Dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo, whatever just use a little less.

We use plug in heaters in the house that saved us over $100 a month in heating last year from the year before.

I don't buy groceries as often we eat what's in the house.

Our number one money saving tip is: DON'T USE CREDIT!!!
If we can't pay for something then we don't need it.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

We put in a Pellet Stove over the summer, so we are hoping that might help with our heating bill this winter. I hang laundry out (will do it as long as I can), then I will use my rack and hang laundry inside once the snow hits! I use coupons on groceries, cut down on trips to town, and try to better plan our meals. Christmas is going to be a challange this year. I am starting my shopping this week. I am hoping to do a little every week.

Fall and winter always means lower food bills for us because of the cooler temps. In the summer we like to grill a lot and therefore, eat more expensive meats. It is cheaper to cook in the winter because we will eat more spaghetti, casseroles, soup, etc. We also go out to eat less in the winter - I hate to leave the house when it is cold and dark so I am more willing to cook.

We haven't cut back much yet, but know how to when/if we need to. I am self employed and have the option of working more hours, so that is what I am doing. The worse the economy becomes, the more hours I work.

We will see what happens when they fill the home heating oil tank for the first time this season ....... as some of you have mentioned, I am also thinking space heaters.

I might go work at a retail store for The holiday season just to make some oil money to help the family

Also wanted to add that Craigslist has helped a lot with Toys my daughter has outgrown. Everything was in excellent shape so sold right away and I now have 190.00 toward that new WII she wanst for xmas.

__________________

Without Health you have no Wealth!

I have become a little more motivated to cut back, since reading this thread! Today, I cancelled my gym membership because I haven't been using it enough to justify the expense. I also returned an unused item to the store after rethinking the purchase, and cooked up an experimental dinner with things that I had on hand. We had leftover chicken and black bean enchiladas - they were a success!

I think in times like these it is good to be proactive. There are so many things that we have no control over, but it is empowering to do whatever you are able to better your situation.

I strongly suggest that you folks find out if you have an Aldis near you and use it. I can't tell you the money you'll save.

__________________
bite me and get a brain!

Does everyone agree that space heaters truly save money?

I'm considering getting one or two this year, but I'm skeptical that they actually save money.

Kellyjef, I guess it would depend on the cost of your electricity and the size of your home and the area you want to heat, the type of winter you have. There are so many variables, it is hard to give a general answer to this.

For us, the best is using our propane furnace. We have a small house and we live in southern MI. Our temps in the winter run from the mid teens at night to about 30 above.

Our winter bill was up to $250 electricity alone from keeping the house heaters on all the time. Last year we bought two space heaters. We have a very small house one stays on in the bathroom and on in the living/dining room. That is enough to keep the whole house warm and the highest bill was around $130.
So that is quite a substantial savings. They "exude" heat rather than blowing it out. They are very safe you could put a piece of paper or a blanket on it (not that I would LOL) and it will not catch fire.

Also you can move them they are on wheels so if for example you are home alone you can turn one down the other off and put one right by you in the room.

Safe for pets too. They have some oil in them that heats up and makes the heater work. You don't have to ever change the oil. When it wears out years down the line you put it in your metal scraps container (I hope you all have metal scraps containers at home the price of metal is very high).

We bought them for around $35 on sale at Jerry's which is local home improvement store similar to Lowe's or Home Depot.

Oh I forgot to say after I told my sister about this she and her husband bought one for their cabin in the mountains and it works much more efficiently than the house heater saving them hundreds every winter on their propane bill.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I can honestly say that space heaters help us a lot. We heat with gas though, which is very expensive. If we heated with electricity, I wouldn't bother unless your electric bill is out of control in the winter (I've had both gas & electric but you can't really compare the two unless all the variables are the same I suppose). If you spend a lot of time in one room, a space heater can save you a lot because you don't have to keep your heat set high enough to heat the entire house constantly. It will also help your thermostat from kicking on all the time if you have one or two rooms that stay colder, etc. Also will help if you have two thermostats for seperate parts of the house, you can just leave it low and use a space heater when you're in there. Does that make sense? I also like them because they can really get the room toasty warm quickly. I am afraid to leave them running overnight though, but I'm up late at night and then I turn them off (my heat is still on--I'll just bump it up then). Depends on the type of space heater you get too I guess. I am looking for another one for this winter and there are a zillion types. There are a lot of house fires linked in the winter though to space heaters so be very careful with them if you do decide to use them. They are a lot safer now than they used to be however; the new ones have auto shut-offs when they overheat and alarms, etc. (look for these features). HTH.

Just wanted to add that our normal heating bill with natural gas is about $300 in the winter per month. That's high. I can't imagine what it would be without space heaters, but I've just been using the one. (And according to others in this area, $300 is pretty good for our size house, ugg.) We have a 2400 sq. ft. house, 4 kids that are small--last two years we've had a baby (now he's 2 does that makes sense?) so I keep the house about 73/74 which isn't helping our bill any, but I don't want my small kids breathing cold air as it makes them sick (me too) which in turn adds more to the budget (doctor bills). I'm going to get another space heater to see if I can knock that bill down drastically this winter. I'm in NW Arkansas and we get cold cold and snow/ice.

A big saver for us is saving on energy costs , such as weatherstripping.

Then again we've been making all other cuts we possibly could and yet it still wasn't enough. I ended up just working more to make ends meet and then some.

__________________
"Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness."
~ Earl of Derby

Oh yea! That's a big one we've changed, too. We allow ourselves to eat out once per paycheck and it's something fairly inexpensive...like you said. There is no plopping down $40 or so for the 5 of us to eat at a sit down restraunt anymore.
This is for the better, anyway. By preparing meals at home we eat much healthier.

peapie

I've stopped buying "fun stuff".

I'm single and make more than enough to support myself so I've developed the habit of buying fun stuff that I see. Nothing big or expensive but a few $1 items here and there really add up. 99% of the time it's stuff I really don't need, it's just stuff that's fun to have.

I made my last fun purchase this week-a video game that I had my eye on for a long time that finally got marked down to $5. Now I'm just going to do without fun stuff until Christmas when I know Santa will bring me a few fun things, lol!

__________________
Jesus SAVES by shopping smartly and using double coupons!

My DH doesn't use the a/c in his car on the way to work in the morning. He goes to work at 5am and its not hot out yet. This has saved him quite a bit on gas.
I search out coupons and sales for items we use all the time. When I find them I stock up as much as possible. Otherwise, I don't use coupons because I found I was buying a lot of stuff we didn't really 'need', just because it was a good price. I'm actually saving more now NOT using so many coupons.
I make a grocery list and stick to it as much as possible. I try to leave the kids & DH at home -- otherwise they are adding all kinds of stuff I hadn't planned to buy.
We are eating at home more often and when we do go out, it's more of a 'casual' restaurant where you order and take it to your table, rather than a full-service restaurant all the time. We also order water to drink, unless its included with the meal (mostly kids meals). That saves us up to $5/meal or more. It's amazing how much beverages cost at restaurants. Water is much healthier anyway.
I called the cable company and negotiated a lower rate for the same service I already ahave. It's only for 12 months, but once it expires, I'll call back and renegotiate again.
Everywhere I go, I'm asking for discounts. The vet gave me a discount on vaccinations if I paid for all of them at once (I have four cats who required two vaccinations each plus one booster each three weeks later).

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

Does anyone worry about their pipes freezing because your heat isnt turned on or is very low because you are using space heaters. nancy

__________________

When you don`t know what to do-Walk fast and look worried.

I actually don't use space heaters, but we will be using our new pellet stove this winter. We will also be heating with oil, but keeping it very low. We were advised to have anitfreeze put in the pipes to keep them for freezing up. Because they can still freeze on cold days, even with the furnace running...