6 Extreme Saving Tips You Can Use Now

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I am a full time student and my husband lost his job several months ago and has gone back to school also. We have 4 growing boys to feed, clothe, and give a decent life to (our finances are not their problem!) I have learned a lot of great tricks! First, you can find things amazingly cheap or free on sites like craigslist and freecycle. I also shop our Goodwill stores the last weekend of the month, their clothes are all $.99! I coupon a lot, and never buy without reading reviews and comparison shopping, even for things like a potty chair. We don't eat out more than once a month either. It can cost almost $35 to feed all 6 of us at McDonald's and isn't that good. Shopping sales at the grocery store and using coupons, I can usually make us a meal for about $10, with leftovers! I never throw away food either, I just get creative how to use leftovers in other dishes. I also swap clothes with my sister for us and our kids. I also trade toys, and buy a lot of our toys used at garage sales. I am always scouting the local paper for free events for the kids, things like fire station open houses, carnivals at local schools or hospitals, and things like that. It takes a little work, but we are able to live very cheap and still have fun as a family!

Lyndsay of NE 11:04PM May 29, 2011

Every other month I spend $800 on groceries for 4 people. That makes it $100 a month for two months. I buy bulk meat, bulk cheese, etc. I then go to the bread store and spend another $20 on bread, buns and lunch snacks. The only thing that I do not freeze is milk. I also cut down on the number of times I go to town with gas prices the way they are. We have three freezers that pretty much stay full. We have a third granddaughter on the way and I have been buying clothes on Ebay, great deals, but have to watch the shipping charges. We are a one car family, my husband was injured in Iraq so he does not drive anymore. With our income we are able to save $2000 a month as long as I stick to the plan. I have not yet started using coupons but that is my next task.

Debbie Hixon of CA 5:36PM May 25, 2011

Goodwill.
I started going to Goodwill to buy clothing for Halloween costumes. (That can save you tons of money).
More recently, I have been going back to look for nicer, dress clothes for work and I am truly surprised with what I manage to find. Shirts by Club Room, Stafford, Brooks Brothers, Izod, and more can be had for less than $10. Not only are these prices comparable to what you would find at Old Navy or other discount stores, you are getting a much better product. Plus, when you buy more expensive brands at Goodwill, they seem to be in really good condition. They probably came from a businessman with a desk job who is "outgrowing" his shirts instead of wearing them out.

MyNameIsWhat of MN 2:10PM May 04, 2011

I have been doing all of these wonderfull tips, but yet still strugglinh to save just a "bit" of money. Any advices???

melanie of CA 9:17AM April 12, 2011

Thank you so much for posting this saving tips!I have learned some important things to do in budgeting in order to save money without really sacrificing at all, especially right now that I, and my partner have been struggling alot just to save our incomes, and yet, at the end, nothing is left in our savings account. I'm glad I have read your blogs. Thanks once again! :)

Marie Vic Blanco 3:14PM November 03, 2010

I was spending over $100/mo on phone and internet, two services that i cannot live without. I started shopping around and found TeleBlend (www.teleblend.com). Instead of paying a monthly phone bill, i decided to purchase their annual phone subscription. I got unlimited calling for $99.99/yr (before taxes and fees) The service includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada and i haven't seen a phone bill in months. I'm estimating that i'll save $400 this year because of the switch.

allan maple of VT 12:06PM November 03, 2010

hi, just curious about the prepaid phone savings, if i only have a cell, not a land line, and weekly hour long chats with 2 - 5 people, then would it still be a savings?

jacke of CA 1:04AM November 03, 2010

One of the best tips is to cut down on bills a few months prior so you have a nice little build up of savings. Easiest way to do it I found - switch over to prepaid cell service. Its super easy to find and is very affordable and you can bank on at least $50 a month saved. I've done even better than that with Tracfone since I signed up 6 months ago - I've saved nearly $500 and that's all savings for Christmas.I put my family on a family plan for $30 and I got a phone for $40 with no contract - the savings are great and Tracfone is awesome when you are travelling.

Maura of FL 2:27PM October 31, 2010

That Americans will spend $2 billion on Halloween costumes (largely made in other countries, although he did not mention that part). Do you suppose we might save some money if we all stopped buying anything to "decorate" and
"celebrate" commercialized holidays . The money we individually and nationally spend on Chinese fireworks (4th of July), Halloween, Santa Claus "stuff", and the Easter "bunny" is astronomical. Most folks never really could "afford" it, but only now may be seeing that they shouldn't have been blowing money out of their savings (and out of their country) in such ways.

Muser of NM 12:59PM October 30, 2010

I am seriously a coupon FREAK! I use coupons for like everything but the savings really do add up and make a difference. Another tip I recently discovered which can help you instantly save is switching to prepaid wireless. You won't pay an overcharged monthly cell phone bill anymore and it will make a huge impact on your budget. I have been using Tracfone personally and so far it has been absolutely wonderful. From the savings each month to the great nationwide coverage to the great quality of the phones, I am very impressed. I calculated this years savings by switching to Tracfone and it comes out to be about $800! Def reccommend looking into switching over to prepaid - just a little tip :)

Mighty Mom of FL 12:36AM October 30, 2010