The evil *B* word..

[yorkiegirl83]

BUDGET

Who here has one? Any tips, tricks or suggestions?

DH and I are trying to put some money aside into savings and we tracked into Quicken how much we were spending monthly. Boy, were we shocked at the numbers on silly things.. like Starbucks, Waters at gas stations, ect ect.

So, we're really working hard to create a doable budget where we aren't completely limiting ourselves financially, but also putting some aside.

So I'm mostly just looking for what has worked for you to keep the shopping bug at bay and to boost your savings

Thanks!!

[Shadow]

Hey, I could use some advice also,bump!

[cheryl000]

Ooooohhh I LOVE saving money ). I'm weird like that. First of all you need to make a plan of your goals and how much you will need for them. Then figure out how much you will want to save every month. As soon as you get paid, pay YOURSELF FIRST. Then pay your bills. Last, I keep a few hundred in "petty cash" for groceries, gas, and whatever. IF there is any extra I put the money towards any debts that I have.

-Go to aldies (sp?) Save-A-LOT, or other discount food stores BEFORE you go to your regular store for food. You will be surprised how much they have that is the same. I don't like buying their fruits or veggies, so I go to the real stores for that. But the boxed food, some soda, and frozen foods are cheap there. Bread, milk, and eggs are almost half the price!
-Shop the dollar store to see if they have what you want.
-Buy clothes ONLY when they're on sale.
-Try to LIMIT your wal-mart shopping and make a list when you do go.
-Don't buy books, get them second hand or borrow them.
-Don't buy magazines or newspapers, read the stuff for free on the internet.
-Rent movies (netflix) instead of buying dvds.
-Buy gifts ONLY on holidays or birthdays. Better yet, try to make homemade gifts and cards.
-Only buy the kids big toys on a holiday or birthday.
-Eat out ONLY ONCE a week. This makes it more special when you DO go out as a family. IF you find that you HAVE to get a fast food bite, use the dollar menu.
-Don't buy yourself nice gifts just whenever. Tell your hubby to buy it for you for the next holiday. This will make things easier for him too! It might SEEM like it's a long wait but think about it... Birthday, Vday, Anniversary, Christmas.... This will also make you APPRECIATE the gift more.
-Women have a hard time with this one... DO NOT spend TOO MUCH on gifts for other people if you can't afford it. The THOUGHT is really what matters.
-Try to slow down or stop smoking, buying soda, drinking coffee, and eating out. Find cheaper and healthier alternatives.
I have more, but that's all for now!

[Xena'smommy]

What works for us is having 4 bank accounts. One for paying just our bills, that we don't have any check cards or credit cards linked to. Then we each have our own checking account for individual spending money to do whatever we want with - and when it's gone, it's gone. Then we have our employers direct deposit our savings money so we never even see it. It has worked great for us.

[Suzy]

With us only being married 16 months, my husband graduating from law school, the two yorkies, the new house, and two new(er) cars, we definitely had to get on a budget. And...this is coming from me, a total shop a holic!

Here's my laundry list of tips:
-Eat less meat. It's expensive, it doesn't go that far in recipes, and it isn't that good for you anyway.
-Ditto for drinking and desserts.
-If you've just gotta have your wine like I do, make it a game-buy the cheap ones or bottles that are on sale, and rate them with your husband. You might find some bad ones along the way, but also some new, cheap favorites! And, it's the journey that's fun.
-Shop for meat at WalMart-it's really the cheapest.
-You don't REALLY need new clothes. (and neither does your yorkie!) Try and make the clothes you have work for another season. Mend them yourself if necessary, and take items to the tailor that need to be taken in, hemmed, etc. It's worth a few bucks to make something older fit well again.
-If you MUST buy a few clothing items, buy only the necessities-a few classic pieces to mix and match, and wear them!!!
-Buy accessories on clearance sales to make old pieces fresher for a fraction of the price of new outfits.
-Have shoes and purses repaired rather than buying new. You know you loved the old ones anyway!
-Nix your health club membership and trade it for one of those 24 hour gyms that just have equipment and no classes. They're half the price.
-Get a digital programmable thermostat and set it and forget it. Why heat/cool your house when you're not there or sleeping?
-Don't redecorate your house. If you're just itching to update, purchase sale toss pillows or make your own to add a splash of color in a new way. Don't redo the bathroom, buy a couple sets of inexpensive towels in a new color or pattern.
-Don't charge anything on your credit cards if you can avoid it. If you don't have the money, don't buy it.
-For the inevitable purchases, if you have to charge something, make sure you have a low interest card that has cashback bonuses-like Discover does.
-Drop your "extras" on cable, internet, phone service, cell phones, the newspaper, etc. You can save a lot. Also, call and see if they're running specials! I'm saving $20 a month for the next year on cable just because I called to see!
-Don't eat out for lunch while you're at work during the week. Pack your lunch from home, or get those inexpensive microwave meals.
-Don't drive anywhere unnecessairily-if you're running errands, run a bunch in the same area, or save the trip until you're going to be out and about anyway.
-Get a library card! I just did this 2 weeks ago-you can borrow books, movies, magazines, and music for FREE!!!
-When you entertain friends, stay IN. It's summer, so why not grill on the deck and have a few margaritas? It'll save you tons, especially on food and drinks-and you get to stay home with your yorkies.
-Entertain potluck style-everyone brings a dish, and everyone saves $. We do this a lot, and it works great!
-If you have a hobby, invest a little in it now for hours and hours of entertainment later. For example, I'm on a budget, but I LOVE to paint, and I promised a friend of mine a few paintings for her new home. I didn't have an easel-I always painted on the floor before-but I really wanted one. I found one on sale, so I bought it. I plan to spend a good amount of my weekends in the yard painting, so it was worth it in the long run. My husband got a new computer game. $40 now will save you hundreds on entertainment.
-Look for FREE entertainment-fireworks, community concerts, walks in the park, art museums, window shopping, movies in the park, picnics for two, etc. We do lots of this-and why not be outdoors since it's summer?
-Another idea for entertainment-bust out the old board games you haven't played in forever. We have a ton in our closet, and they've made for a few hilarious nights in.

That's my list...sorry it's so long, but I'm with you-on that darn B word! Gotta make it work!!! Good luck!

[Erin]

I write down (excel) all of our bills and when they are due. Then I decide what bills get paid with each paycheck and what's left over. Thats how we know how much is left for gas, groceries, savings, etc. That is how I have been paying off debt - if less bills are due that month I send a bigger payment to something.

We also try to be frugal. We don't go to sit-down restaurants. I can spend $5 on soda that will last a week at home (it's $2.50 a glass some places!) We cook or we get sandwiches or pizza. I check the Sunday ads and only buy stuff like paper towels when it's on sale. When you do it enough, you learn what good prices are. I don't pay $4 for a jar of salsa that is $2 somewhere else. I wait until I go to that store. Sometimes stores will try to say something is on sale for 1.79 when it's normally $1.85. When you start to pay attention to prices you will notice those things. I hate grocery coupons because I forget them when I need them or I carry them around forever to save a quarter. So unless it's $1 off, I skip it. This isn't just groceries either. I know if something is cheaper at Target or BB&B with a 20% coupon. You just learn these things.

We also don't usually just casually shop for clothes. I used to LOVE going shopping on the weekends and I stopped when we bought our house a few years ago. I buy fairly nice clothes that fit well and last and I carefully do my laundry (and often). I buy stuff when I literally have nothing appropriate to wear. If clothes don't fit or wear out I pitch them and replace them, but I try very, very hard not to buy things just because. Last year I bought a $50 dress (on sale) that I HAD to have. I have never worn it. I hung it in the middle of the closet so I see every day why I shouldn't spend $50 on a dress I will never wear. I could have gotten a really nice pair of pants that I could wear every week instead. So far it has worked. I also occasionally pull the old Old Navy & Target stuff out of my closet that never fits right and is junky and throw it away. That also reminds me that cheap isn't always a bargain when your $6 shirt lasts through 1 washing. I'd rather have the $25 shirt I can wear 25 times.

[yorkiegirl83]

Thanks you guys, those were really helpful suggestions!

We definitely fall into the "eat out trap" even though we spend at least 100 dollars on groceries each week. I can't tell you how many times that I have thrown out expired things because I was too lazy to cook. So I am definitely doing careful meal planning lately.

We spent so much redecorating our house and are installing a vinyl fence at the moment (slowly but surely, LOL) that I actually am genuinely happy to be hanging out at home beause it's so pretty!

I think we are definitely going to try the netflix thing because we ALWAYS return movies late, no matter how hard we try not to.

The library is a fabulous idea, but I also always return everything late. This is horrible but DH had a library card and has like 10 books he never returned so that makes me nervous! But, I am getting two subscriptions to magazines I like as I can buy all of them every month. So I'll get two subscriptions, save money, and skip the others.

To redecorate too, I've been scavengering lawn sales and repainting and adding new hardware to old things. It stinks searching forever to find things.. but like today I found a new, old, dining room table and chairs that is a nice shape, solid build, ugly upholstery and needs refinished. But I can do those things cheap and for 75 it was a steal (downn from 125, woohoo)

I really just buy lots of little things that add up, clothes for my pups, clothes for me, books, magazines, candles, ect ect ect. So I am totally trying to limit myself.

I am not working at the moment because of some anxiety issues I'm working on . But, DH might get a second every other week job at Home Depot for the discount and a little extra to put into savings. And hopefully, I'll be back to working somewhere soon

[LuvtheCooper]

Good luck on your budgeting. It's not fun at first, but it gets easier! As far as HD for a 2nd job, that is a great idea, but (and I hate to burst your bubble) there is no employee discount

[yorkiegirl83]

Originally Posted by LuvtheCooper

Good luck on your budgeting. It's not fun at first, but it gets easier! As far as HD for a 2nd job, that is a great idea, but (and I hate to burst your bubble) there is no employee discount

Oh no!! I think DH will cry!! LOL

[jp4m2]

Great tips guys! ...Every time my DH is standing there looking at something to purchase & he keeps debating, all I have to do is say in a very low voice, as if I'm his conscience is..."When in doubt..do without"...& that does it for him.lol

[OLIVIA_KARHIS]

what has worked for me is paying for everything in cash.

I set a side so much money every two weeks for food and shopping and then pay the bills and the rest goes into savings...

If you dont spend all of whatever you put a side those two weeks. You can always go out and get you or your furbaby a little something with the left over money. Or you can be nice and get your hubby something

[cheryl000]

Originally Posted by yorkiegirl83

Thanks you guys, those were really helpful suggestions!
I think we are definitely going to try the netflix thing because we ALWAYS return movies late, no matter how hard we try not to.

The library is a fabulous idea, but I also always return everything late. This is horrible but DH had a library card and has like 10 books he never returned so that makes me nervous! But, I am getting two subscriptions to magazines I like as I can buy all of them every month. So I'll get two subscriptions, save money, and skip the others.

To redecorate too, I've been scavengering lawn sales and repainting and adding new hardware to old things. It stinks searching forever to find things.. but like today I found a new, old, dining room table and chairs that is a nice shape, solid build, ugly upholstery and needs refinished. But I can do those things cheap and for 75 it was a steal (downn from 125, woohoo)

I really just buy lots of little things that add up, clothes for my pups, clothes for me, books, magazines, candles, ect ect ect. So I am totally trying to limit myself.

I am not working at the moment because of some anxiety issues I'm working on . But, DH might get a second every other week job at Home Depot for the discount and a little extra to put into savings. And hopefully, I'll be back to working somewhere soon

I like blockbuster.com better than netflix. If you have a blockbuster store that isn't very far away you can trade the movies you get in the mail with the store while you're waiting on them to come in the mail. That means more movies, but be careful because any movies not returned to the store a week after it's due you have to pay full price on, but they do call you and let you know they're late.
As for the books and magazines I have friends that I trade off books with. We send or hand them to each other when we're done. It's cool because we tell each other if it's worth reading or not.
If you still have a shopping bug, try garage sales. I have found like new or NIP books, dvds, and candles at half of the price.
I agree with the person who said use your credit cards less. Only really use them if you can pay them completely off every money. Double your payments until they are paid off. NEVER buy restaurant food, furniture, or clothes on a credit card. If you can't afford to pay for that stuff in cash, then go with cheaper alternatives.
The key to saving money is to kind of look at everything from a different perspective. Our government WANTS consumer spending. Our society has made us feel like we HAVE to purchase some things. Try to look at things thinking "Do I really need this? or is this something I want?" If it falls under want, then it can wait.
I hope that your hubby doesn't have to get a second job. By the way, cash doesn't work for me. I try not to have any of it because I tend to spend it faster on little things. If my money is stuck in a checking account, it's harder for me to get the money out!

[RLC12345678]

I track ALL of my expenses. We never carry cash. Everything is paid for on check card and written down in a spreadsheet. That way we know where all our money has gone and what we spent it on so we can cut out unnecessary spending. Some of my budgeting tips include:
1. Turn the AC on a higher temp (and during the winter, the heat on a lower temp) when you aren't home.
2. Unplug appliances (like coffeemaker, hairdryer, lamps) when they aren't being used. Most people don't know that they expend energy and hike up your electric bill even if they are off but still plugged up.
3. The dogs really don't need anymore clothes than they already have.
4. We only go out to dinner about 3 times a month. It really does make a special "date night" for us and we save SO MUCH MONEY!
5. We make a grocery list on Sunday of all the breakfasts/lunches/dinners we will have that week and on Sunday we go to the grocery store and only buy things needed for those meals. Then, no money is wasted buying groceries you don't need that will eventually go bad when not used.
6. Don't drink bottled water. We fill a pitcher up with tap water and put it in the fridge. It tastes just as good.
7. Only go to the mall/shopping for specific items. If you have a function coming up that requires you to buy a new dress, go to the mall and buy only a dress for that function.
8. Do your yorkie's grooming yourself. You may botch it a few times before you get the hang of it, but remember it always grows back! You would be SO SURPRISED how much money you will save doing your own grooming.
9. Don't buy expensive meats for meals. Pork chops, chicken breasts, ground beef should suffice. Steaks, ribs, tenderloins are all very expensive.
10. We also save big ticket items for special occassions ONLY! It does make it more special when your husband buys you something expensive for an anniversary/Christmas/Birthday, than you just going out and buying it for yourself. You'll treasure it more.
11. Before renting a movie for the night, see what free ones are on TV.
12. Clean out your closet and take what clothes you don't want anymore to a consignment shop. They'll buy gently used clothes for resale.
13. Buy cheap beer and wine.
14. when having guests over for dinner, have everyone bring something.
15. And last but not least, before I buy anything, and I mean ANYTHING, I think to myself, "Do I REALLY need this?" if the answer is no, I put it back. You'll thank yourself in the morning.

[Suzy]

When you do have friends and family over, I love RLC's point about having them each bring something, and about buying cheap beer and wine.

Someone told me this when I was planning my wedding reception: If you serve it, the guests will eat it or drink it. Period. They don't care what the label is on the wine or the chips. They're there to spend time with you! But, I know how it kind of feels bad when someone notices that you're serving an off brand of something-here's my solution to that: put that item into another container before the guests arrive, and/or change up that thing by adding something new and different to it to make it stretch.

For example, buy the store brand chips for your next BBQ, and put them in colorful bowls ahead of time. I'm having a little get together with the gals this week that was already planned, but money's tight right now, so instead of providing beer, wine, and mixed drinks for everyone, I'm making champagne punch! One bottle of cheap champagne goes REALLY far when mixed with juice and ginger ale, and they're more impressed that I put the effort into making it! Instead of a whole fruit platter, we're having fruit salsa with cinnamon sugar tortilla chips-way cheaper, but it looks nicer!

[browniesmom622]

i love all these tips i need to start saving money im going to use them all !