Just Starting Out - Your Best Tips?

[sunshineday]

So, after realizing that I'm having YET ANOTHER month where I'm living paycheck to paycheck, not saving anything, and have no idea where my money goes - I've decided it's time to be serious about getting my life into some kind of frugal shape. I'm so tired of always feeling anxious about finances. What advice can you guys give me as I'm just starting to do this? What are your best frugal living tips? And, how can I retrain my brain to think in terms of a new frugal living lifestyle (which I know will be the hardest part!)

[Candlesue]

Make a list before you go to the food store and stick to the list.

Watch those pre packed foods - try basic meat/chicken/fish and veggies
Those $5 frozen foods make 1 meal - $5 of chicken will feed you for 2-3 meals

Join freecycle.com - you may get some things you need just for asking or other people may want to get rid of something you want.

See really beautiful clothes - wait 30 days to buy it, sometime just waiting a week you may see you really did not need it.

Place all you cc's in a drawer do no use for 30 days. It will be hard the 1st week, but who knows you may stop using them for more than 30 days

Try cleaning with vinegar you can buy 1 gallon cheap and its great for cleaning showers, stainless, the ordo goes away in a few minutes and it kills germs tah cause ordor

Best wishes
Susan

[Beanie]

1. BudgetMom.com - Printable Coupons & Freebies for Moms

2. walk to the store instead of drive.

3. do not write checks, use your ATM, not credit cards.

4. drink tea instead of soda

5. buy generic (store brand) rather than name brand

6. eat left overs rather than throwing food away.

7. bake rather than buy.... cookies, cake, breakfast. ect

8. dont buy alcohol

9. don't smoke

10. dont buy candy, ice cream.

just a start.....

Eileen Mac :-)

[sunshineday]

These are all really great ideas - thanks y'all!

I quite smoking 52 days ago, and already just from that I can see more money in my bank account, I think. (Maybe wishful thinking but it seems like it!)

Have any of you used freecycle? I've heard of it but am not quite sure what it is? Is it like Craigslist?