Monday, June 2, 2008
Re-arranging the Budget
I guess we're probably all trying to figure out how to spend less on other things as gasoline and food prices rise. I'm determined that I'll not give in to the frenzy and panic that $4/gallon of gas can cause in one's "security gland" (that goes out to all you Dave Ramsey fans!), but I'm also aware of the fact that the budget and/or our lives have to be somewhat adjusted to accommodate more expensive food and travel.
Right now, I'm pretty glad I got on board the cloth diaper bandwagon when I did. That alone will help reduce many trips to the store. Not to mention that we've eliminated a $60/month line in the budget caused by diapering 2 children with disposable diapers.
I've been figuring out ways to stretch foods, like by making lentil & rice tacos instead of beef or chicken. And eating less salad and more frozen veggies with our dinners. This week I'm hoping to sit down and figure out how to make the most of our grocery $$$ without increasing the monthly budget too much. I've not been ordering in bulk because my kitchen doesn't have great storage, but I'm about ready to say it doesn't matter.
We're also really hoping to get our car sold soon. We don't really don't need 2 vehicles in this season of life. Selling it will reduce our insurance cost, of course, but it will also force us to cut down on the amount of driving we do. Daniel figured it out and even though the car gets about 27mpg and our van only gets about 22mpg, we'll still save money in the long run.
What are some things you're doing to make room in your budget for increasing food and gasoline costs? I would love to hear your thoughts and get some tips! [Edit: I'd also love any recipes that are inexpensive, nutricious, and yummy!]
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Inspiring Brietta! I don't have any wonderful tips right now, but I am eager to see what others have to say. The only thing I've started is a small garden....that should help a little with the cost of veggies and herbs!
ReplyDeleteI am doing a similar thing. With a vegetarian in the house, we don't eat much meat but I am always looking for ways to reduce the grocery budget. (Keeping our garage door locked will help in that. Now that we've figured out all that is missing, it was quite a bit of $$.) We are part of a buying club and I joined a CSA this year. Since I am not quite ready to get rid of our primarily organic diet, those two things help a lot. (I would plant a garden but I have no room and a very prosperous rabbit community under the neighbor's play house.)
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of car? I know someone who is planning on moving to the North Country soon and will be in need of one.
Hi Brietta,
ReplyDeleteGood post. Caleb and I don't have kids (well at least out of the womb yet!) but we've been working A LOT on budgeting due to the rising cost of living and we want to pay off school debt as soon as possible. I know Potsdam doesn't have nearly as many bulk stores as Richmond but that's one way we save. I'm also learning a lot about saving on our electric bill. When we moved in to our place, we changed all of our lighting to efficiency bulbs. That saved a lot on electricity and the lighting is just as bright. Like you, we decided to live with one car. It takes some sacrifice but it can be done. Growing up my parents had a 5 min shower rule to help save in energy costs (but I can't say that Caleb and I have established that for ourselves). I'm curious to see what other people say too. I want to practice this now before our family grows more and living prices go up.
There are soooo many ways we have cut back. Maybe none of them will apply to you, but here are a few I can think off the top of my head...
ReplyDeleteFrozen veggies- great idea!
Less meat- us, too!
50 cents for lettuce seeds and $10 for potting soil= can't wait to start harvesting that Romaine!!!
We are staying home ALL THE TIME NOW!
Not making my own bread so I love the bread outlet in Canton. 100% whole wheat, double fiber, 12 grain, whatever you like- buy 5 or six loaves and throw them in the freezer! 100% whole wheat bagels, too-
I don't FILL the bathtub anymore.
We also replaced all our lightbulbs. Our National Grid bill dropped $25.00.
Hanging clothes. The kids help with this one- it's pretty fun.
Cut many things off my grocery list that weren't really neccessary (ie. Dixie cups, flushable wipes, various cleaners, mouthwash, snack items, etc.)
Called around for cheaper home owners and auto ins. We are currently getting the best deals for the best coverage that is available. Nice to know-
Of course- homemade cards and goodies for birthdays & anniversaries.
3 minute showers for the boys.
Our hot water is now propane-fueled instant-on. What a BLESSING! No big tank to store hot water when it isn't being used!
Oh, there are many more ways we're saving, but I'll have to think more on it.
I know I'm especially forgetting grocery tips-
but I think you're probably already doing most of those.
P.S. We have a BJ's memebership if you ever want to take a run with me! They welcome sharing trips with "guest shoppers" since they are convinced you'll go ahead and splurge for your own membership...
ReplyDeleteWe have been trying to find ways to cut back, too, although since we weren't really at all thrifty before, I don't think I have much for new ideas...though eating more beans in place of meat is a great idea I am planning to work into our menus. Otherwise, I know that in general it pays to be persistent when it comes to insurance costs, medical bills, cell phone bills, and the like...we have literally saved thousands of dollars in doctor's fees because Tim has questioned charges on our bills. We also do some gardening and canning of tomatoes, use the energy efficient light bulbs, and buy in bulk. Our favorite bulk item is organic oats. Here we can get them for $.69/lb...compared to over $1 a pound for quaker oats...but I don't know if you have that available there. Anyway, I am reading the tips you're getting, too, so we can hopefully "trim the fat" so to speak. And I am really excited to hear that the church BBQ is this Sunday! I will be sure to track you down ;).
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Brietta!
ReplyDeleteI love the ideas!!!
We just switched to meat-once-a-week diet. I have been making LOTS of recipes with beans. I'll bring some on Sunday.
I also love to make a big meal with meat and veggies (i.e. pot roast in crock pot, chicken and veggie soup) and then re-use the leftovers in a potpie. My hubby loves these!
I just found at SuperWalmart HUGE bags of leafy greens. I bought a 2lb. bag of kale for under $4 and have used it ALL week for things like lentil soup, extra greens in salad, on sandwiches. I'm going to throw some blanched kale in a lasagna too (maybe tomorrow). Anyway, I noticed Walmart has some larger size quantities of regular grocery items we use like cheese, yogurt, and ground beef. Also, I found some Walmart brand items cost less money and have the exact same ingredients as name brand (just be sure to read labels).
Like Lisa, I cut back on many grocery items I thought were just not necessary anymore. My kids are still learning to be satisfied with just raisins, and NO treats! We're trying to teach them (and us!) to be content with whatever we have or don't have.
Can't wait to hear more tips!!!
Sarah D.
I thought of another way to conserve energy. There are also efficiency showerheads that you can get. They really cut back on hot water and produce good water pressure at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI have not done this yet...but have thought of it often and it is time to act on it....carpooling. I need to find someone willing to carpool to work with and also carpool to church even. I find we need to be much more prepared and organized so that when we make trips to "town" we do everything at once in order to save extra trips. This is hard since my husband helps a lot of people and they seem to call on him at a moments notice. We also took our truck off the road (and it is for sale) and purchaed a van in it's place. The $ we save in filling the truck with gas is paying for the van. The van (plus more actually) also makes it easier to help others with carpooling!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to buy a clothes rack to hang clothes....thanks Lisa. I don't like to hang my clothes outside because all to often they came in with bugs - ick! And we do try to buy the more efficient bulbs, but they too are expensive and we never seem to have that little extra in our budget to buy them. I know we would gain it back quickly....but it's just trying to get it started! I also have a garden that saves tons. It only costed me $28 for all the plants I bought and it will produce until mid Sept.
@LisaMCriscitello - I just stopped by the bread outlet and was floored by the prices! I've often thought I should stop in, but then have talked myself out of the extra errand by assuming the prices aren't that much lower than at Save A Lot. Well, I was wrong. I came home with two huge bags bulging with breads, bagels, and english muffins-- all for under $9!!!!!! Thanks so much for the nudge I needed to make use of such a great store!We're in the process of switching all our light bulbs. I'm excited to see the difference in our electric bill!And I really want to start line drying clothes this summer. Daniel's a little concerned about how much wind we get in our yard, but I think I can pull it off-- I'll just have to make sure I really utilize clothespins.Thanks for all your ideas, Lisa. Really and truly!!!!!
ReplyDelete@diedersm - I love the meat once a week idea! We usually eat chicken/fish about 3x/month and beef about 1x/week, so I'm always on the hunt for great dishes utilizing beans and eggs that will still satisfy Daniel. Vegetarian chili, navy bean soup, taco style lentils & rice, black beans & rice, bean burritos, etc. are some of our favorites around here. Let me know about any wonderful bean recipes you have/come across!
ReplyDeleteI keep checking back here to see what else others have to say and what other tips I can use. Great post! A lot of what we do others have already said, like the efficiency bulbs, recently a lot less water for someone's bath time, and using a clothes line which I absolutely love and couldn't imagine doing without, but even in the winter or if it's raining, drying racks. I never use the dryer that was here when we moved in!And this I wouldn't recommend with fuzzi bunz or all wash necessarily but I do alot if not all of our wash in cold water! Yikes, some people might not agree, but when you have an electric hot water heater run on oil you do what you can! I also saw advertised recently TIDE now makes a laundry soap designed to do this better (wash in cold water). I have yet to try it. Lights on only when needed and only in the room you are actually in. Gabe is terrible at this one! I am always shutting lights off and 'reminding' about this one.This I do just to make it last longer which it totally does, otherwise I burn through it with having no dish washer, but even just for pots and pans if you do have a dishwasher; a spray bottle with 1 part dish soap to 2 parts water to dilute it a little, and the spray bottle helps monitor over using or wasting soap. This tip came from a B&B I worked at for summer jobs and a huge container of soap lasts forever it seems. I love it!All that and just staying home ALL THE TIME! Walmart is saved for once a month to get everything in the line of toilet paper, shampoo, diapers, dog food etc.. those kinds of things, and most all things I get off brand.We have a dog, so I mix good better name brand food with cheaper stuff. It lasts so much longer and isn't quite so rich for him which is better for him too. Around here I shop at Save a Lot first and whatever I can't find there (because although the prices are great it is lacking in having things you need for certain recipes) I then go to P&C. It is just too ridiculous to do it all at P&C. It's an extra stop but worth it in my mind.I love everyone's input, and will be checking back for more ideas if they come in. If I can think of more I'll post them later.
ReplyDeletewhat a great post. You have good ideas. I don't have many ideas but, recently we were blessed with a large amount of meat so that saves us alot. I also cook at least 3-4 meatless meals per week, including pasta, and that helps as well. Making a meal plan also helps as well, which you already do. I also find, making my own snacks and treats is huge...its healthier and more cost efficient. Thanks for all of your great tips. I just printed out the lentil and rice taco recipe, can't wait to try it. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are such great ideas! I'm definitely going to look into the light bulb thing and I also just printed out the lentil & rice tacos. Another idea that I had is the whole baby food issue. We just started playing around with feeding Eleora solid food - water drenched Cheerios and it's a riot! But, a lot of Moms have suggested to me to stay away from buying canned baby food, "Gerber Graduates" puffs and such, along with the juice, etc. by just mashing up whatever we're eating. My Mom even told me about hand held mashers that we can take wherever you go and grind up food at the dinner table. And there's also the ice cube tray idea for freezing separate portions. For now, we're content with only have to deal with soggy Cheerios, and we will probably continue on this route for a while, but I know the world of real food is right around the bend!
ReplyDeleteAs I just changed Eleora's diaper, I thought of 2 more ideas! For the disposable diaper people out there - I like to buy mostly the store brand diapers and then just a few of the good Huggies or Pampers brand diapers. I use the store brand when Eleora's just had a poopy and she won't have another one for a while. Then I use the good ones because there's nothing like a good diaper to keep a big poopy from going everywhere! Also, we have a BabiesRUs near us and when we use their $5 off coupons, on their Huggies, Pampers, and Store brand, I find we save a lot!
ReplyDeleteAlso, we've been trying this: http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/
It was working really well and saving us tons of diapers, but then we went away for a week and were unable to use a toilet with her due to sanitary purposes and now have to get back into the swing of things. It's a challenge but worth it in the savings of diapers, wipes, or energy used with washing if you go cloth.
Also, as far as the grocery store goes, I always bring a calculator with me and it helps a lot! I know that our goal is to spend $x amount on groceries so what I do first is I buy everything on my Aldi's list. Say it comes to $60. So then I say, OK, I have only $x left to spend when I go to Walmart. While at Walmart, I only spend so much money and put off on buying the things that aren't really important (like fabric to make a table cloth, bows for Eleora's hair, etc.). Sometimes these items get put off for weeks and sometimes I end up crossing them off in realization that I don't really need them after all. It works out so well and Eric loves being able to count on how much we're going to spend each week. Hope this helps! We love you and your family so much!
@Gina - A tip for the lentil & rice recipe: I don't use bouillon because I've not found any that is MSG-free. Instead, I just added some salt & pepper and a little bit more chili powder along with all the spices and let those flavors soak into the lentils & rice. It worked just fine!
ReplyDelete@EJTrelease - One great thing about the delayed feeding schedule you're taking with Eleora is that you really don't need "baby food," per se. She'll be able to pick up and chew bits of bread, fruits, etc, whenever you want to start. In fact, the varying textures will be good for her! I suppose you could say that exclusive breastfeeding for so long has been a money-saver, right???
ReplyDelete