My Frugal Ways

This year, I made a commitment to living a more frugal style. Our economy is in bad shape and as much as we want to, we don't have the luxury to live in luxury. I am stay at home who is continuing her education through Learn on Demand so my motto this year is “live within your means". Here are some of the things I did and will continue to do in order to save:

1).Stop using your cards - Since we paid off our credit card debts early last year, my husband make it a point to NOT use cards IF possible. IF not, then use it less and pay the entire amount of your expenses when you receive the bill. Make a budget and stick to it!  His reasoning is this - If you have a card, the more you are tempted to pick up things because you can slide it! As much as he oppose to it, my husband let me keep one card for emergencies-real emergency only! Sure it is hard to stay on a budget and it takes a lot of self-discipline and courage to stop you from the urge of temptations!

2.) Recycle your milk container - Wash it and fill it with water. Then put it in your toilet water tank. We have two bathrooms, so in every flash, we saved a gallon of water. Not only we are helping the environment, we are also helping our pockets.

3.) Stop ordering books or magazine subscription - I am such a bookworm and I love ordering books. Books are expensive. Even if we get them for a cheaper price, that can still add up. So, go visit your local library. Oh I love ours! They have tons of books, magazine and DVD’s. They even have craft, reading programs from toddlers to tweens even adults! They also have family fun nights!

4.) Eat out less - When Fridays come, I don't take meat out for dinner since we have pizza night. Then we go for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Now, we don't do that anymore. We eat out once a week (even so that is still a lot, but we are learning) and I am using my coupons!

5.) Never shop without a list! - My husband is very good with reminding me that. Once you have a list - STICK TO IT!  You'll spend less money on impulse purchases. This is especially helpful to impulsive buyers like me.  This also applies for the couponers (omg I'm talking like a pro hahaha bear with me people!). With store deals plus coupons, we tend to get carried away so it is best to plan ahead.

6.) Turn it off -Turn off all electronics that are not in use and if possible unplug them. I've been making a routine every night now doing just that. Don't forget to turn vents and doors off to rooms that are not in use. Also, I am bad with turning lights on wherever I go in the house and leaving them on. So I started turning lights off when I leave the room. At night, if the kids’ night lights are on, I turn the TV off. Same goes in our bedroom.

7.) Conserve Water - In the mornings when we all rush to get ready for school or work, we tend to forget and leave the faucet dripping. Turn it off! If you can't, get it fixed! You may pay upfront but you can save in the long run. Also if you are a bath person, don't fill the water all the way full. If you are a shower person, try to make it 5minutes shorter.

8.) Double grocery bags - Double your grocery bags and makes them into trash bags. For the longest time I get annoyed with my husband saving and using these bags because I find it annoying in the kitchen! I look at them as clutter. But now that I am "awake" with frugality, I see his point. Have you even looked at the price of trash bags in stores? Try to multiply how many times you buy them in a month. Afterwards, multiply the total by 12. You'll be surprise to see the result!

9.) Lower the Temperature - I keep the house on 75 the whole day. When Hubz is home, I lower it to 70. Now, we keep the house on 68 degrees and dress warmer. Same thing was done in the shower or bath.

10.) Cut off my phone cards - My family is in the Philippines so I spend 50$ in phone cards to them. Now, we stick to chat.

The month of January alone we saved 10$ in water, 50$ for books, 100$ eating out, 30$ in electricity and 50$ in phone cards. I was shocked to have over 200 dollars in savings! I couldn't be any happier. I change my ways and my husband is proud of me! :)

Let us all live simply and be debt free!

 •♥♥•LUVINMAHBOYZ•♥♥•