I don't know about you but I am feeling a little worried these days. I am finding it hard to feel hope. I am having a hard time seeing beyond tomorrow. How about you? Are you feeling the crunch too. Our income depends on people spending money. Well, we all know how THAT'S going these days! But so far we have made it through...one day at a time. God has helped us keep our house (this month at least) and I am thankful for that. God is in control and the only thing we can really do is try and be responsible with the income that we do have. Did anyone watch Oprah today? As soon as I heard that it was about budgeting and cutting corners as best you can...I was glued to the tv. It seems that's been obsession of mine these days because its the one thing I have control of in this situation. Doing the best with what I got.
So I want to ask you.....How are you "doing the best with what you have"? Are you trying to cut corners and if so what are you doing?
There was a guest on the show that decided she was going to try and cut her utility bill. Her plan was to unplug everything in the house that wasn't being used. Lights, toasters, tv etc. When you are done with it..unplug it. Seems pretty simple. How much did she save? Her bill went from $260 (which is a astronomical amount if you ask me) to $60. Wow! $200 of savings. Now my bill is no $260 but in the winter it can get to $180 every 2 months. So I have decided to take the challenge of unplugging what I don't need. I am really looking forward to seeing the savings. I'll let you know how it goes. Even though I won't be able to report till maybe December.
I am also looking to reduce our natural gas bill this winter. We are on a budget plan of $50 a month but I am looking to decrease that to $40. We have a new gas fireplace this year and I am really hoping its gonna save us money. Any ideas on saving on your water bill? I can't seem to get mine any lower. Its the same all year no matter what I do. its frustrating because it seems so high.
Does anyone out there use coupons?? I have not been a coupon person because I don't get the paper and so I don't know where to get the coupons. But I want to be a coupon person so I am going to start working on that. Another lady on the show showed how her grocery bill went from $127 to $37 because of coupons. Could you imagine?? I soooo want to be that person! Currently I spend about $400 a month on groceries. Is that alot for a family of 3 1/2? I refuse to be a hamburger helper cook. I don't do anything from a box except Mac & Cheese. I try to be somewhat healthy but still stay on a budget. I can't afford to be the organic queen but I do what I can for my family. So of course I am looking at ways to reduce my grocery budget. I went to Winco today and spent $150. This should last for AT LEAST 2 weeks. We have alot of food in the house and pantry so I am going to have to be good with what I have. I have made menus for the next 2 weeks and I am going to try really hard to stick to it. My goal is to get organized enough to do a monthly menu and shopping plan. I think you can save more money that way.
So I would like to hear your story. How do you try to save money? Got any ideas for me? How are you being affected by all that's going on around us? If there has ever been a time to comment....this is the time folks! Now is your chance. I know that this too shall pass but it seems we have been saying that for a long time! Until then I guess I'll just look at this picture to keep me smiling!

Kadens face is just priceless!
2 comments:
First off, that picture is from a while ago, isn't it?
Second, right now, Josh is feeling the effects of the economy more in the business than in our personal life right now. However, if it continues in the business, that quickly jumps into our personal life! So, we'll see...
But, as far as saving money, we invested in a pellet stove for downstairs and we're hooking it up to our ducting system. Our house is on oil and our bills last year were absolutely rediculous! (We paid about $2200 or $2300 in heating over a course of 5 months last fall/winter.) We're not even planning on turning on our old furnace this winter unless absolutely necessary!
As for grocery shopping, I'm terrible about coupons, but I'm trying to start using them. They're just such a time consuming thing to look and sort through them all! Also, I've gotten a lot better about cooking with what we have instead of wanting to go out to eat or making a special trip to the store for something I want.
I guess that's it for now. We'll see as we get further into the winter months.
-Mel
Yes I am very stressed out about what is going on in the economy. I keep telling myself the same thing - I know who holds the future. At the same time, I too feel the need to try and bring some type of control to what I can in our pocket book. One added thing is the holidays coming up. We have started taking out cash and setting it aside for Christmas. We do this weekly and started this month. Renting, we are not faced with water bills etc. But electricty for us gets high too. We are just going to try and go as long as possible without heat and use the fireplace, stock up on warm clothes. We live on a weekly budget; it works well since David gets paid weekly. We sit down on pay day and figure out what special needs we have for the week - birthday gifts, household items etc and the essentials, gas and food. The goal it to end the week with money left over. What is left over goes directly into savings. So by the next payday we are starting at zero balance line. Sometimes its not much left over, but over 4 weeks it adds up. With food planning - I start with looking through what we have and just try to fill in the wholes on receipes. Our weekly spending is anywhere from 50 - 80.
Kathryn
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