Finding Ways to Cut Expenses

Are you trying to find areas in your budget where you can cut expenses? When we did Financial Peace University last year we went over all of our expenses with a fine tooth comb. One of the areas that we were able to cut significantly was our auto and home insurance.

Our auto insurance has been outrageous since our kids started driving. All 3 of them started driving in less than 3 years. When we had them so close we anticipated different expenses and planned and prepared but auto insurance wasn't one of them. Last year we were advised to check out an independent agency. I was shocked at how much they were able to save us. We had been insured with a well known agency for many years and had shopped around several times during these years and hadn't been able to find anyone that could touch the rates that they gave us. Boy, was it a surprise when the quotes came back from the independent agency. Every 6 months we are paying what we had been paying for 2 months for the exact same coverage. Check it out and see what you come up with. It's worth the time!!

Our home policy premium remained the same but we increased our coverage for the same price.

Counting the Cost!

Since this is the first month that we have actually set a grocery budget that we ARE going to stick to I have been very conscious of any money that we are spending on food. Last night I didn't feel like cooking so decided to order pizza. We got two mediums with 3 items. Total was $18.01. That's almost 10% of my monthly grocery budget for 1 meal and a lunch the next day with leftovers. While we don't eat out very much, when putting it in perspective like this, it really makes you think about things. I also am a huge fan of having at least 1 20oz diet coke at work each day. I usually get it out of a vending machine and it costs me $1.50/day. If I were to do this 5 days a week for a year it would cost me $390.00. This week coke products are on sale at Family Fare for 4/$11.00 which is $2.75/each for 6 20 oz diet cokes. By buying my diet coke from the store and taking it to work with me I will be saving $271.75. My mind is whirling with such a minor change. That adds up to almost 2 plane tickets to go see my grandson each year just by planning ahead and counting the cost.

Gas Savings

I just stopped at my local gas station to get some gas. I usually just swipe my debit card and fill up. I have always rationalized that I need to have gas because my job requires that I am "on call". I average about 20 trips a week to my workplace which is a 20 mile round trip. When I stopped at the gas station I saw a sign for 3cents off per gallon if you pay for a gas card. I am committed to using cash only so thought I could just run in and pay for a gas card to save a few cents. After I filled up I figured out how much it saved me just this one trip. When I got home I pulled up my checking acct. records to see how much I spent in gas last year. I could have save about $30.00 over the course of the year. I know this doesn't sound like much but we put gas in 3 cars and $30.00 in my pocket is better than in someone else. I am going to continue now that I have figured this out to put my cash on a card so I can save on my gas.

EVERY LITTLE BIT ADDS UP!!!!!

Macy's 80% Savings

I am so excited. I was able to get a great deal on an 8 piece comforter set I've been watching at Macy's for over a month. It was originally priced at $100. It was already marked down 50%($49.99) and then a friend gave me her $10 of $30 coupon. When they rang it up it was even further reduced to 70% off which made it $29.99 so I had to purchase a Godiva chocolate bar to put my purchase above $30 to use my coupon. I paid $23.47 for my comforter, sheets/pillow cases, bedskirt, shams and the chocolate.

Paying Down Debt and Saving in 2010

As I enter 2010 I have a burden for my family to pay off debt and start saving for our future. We have accumulated debt through the past 10 years that make our heads spin. A year ago we went through Dave Ramsey's class Financial Peace University at a local church and have used some of his ideas but because of an international adoption that we attempted we did things that put us way over our heads in debt. We are a middle class family and I think that we are typical of many people our age that have reached their late 40's early 50's and feel out of control with our money situations. I want this to be an honest account of our struggles and successes as we wade through this challenge of getting financially healthy again like we were in our 20's and 30's.

I started couponing a little over a year ago and this has become a hobby of mine. I love being able to save and get bargains and free items. I will be documenting all of my deals and steals. I also am trying to figure out how to use the items that our family doesn't use to start a ministry in our town.