Cutting Costs

Mark · 11-28-2008, 11:34 PM

In this tough economic time we are always looking for ways to save money. We are living comfortably and paying the bills but we know that the chances of one of us losing our jobs is increasing with every negative report we see on the news. One of the things we decided to eliminate was our home phone. My wife and I have cell phones with plenty of minutes and honestly we didn't use the home phone that much anyway (maybe 200-300 minutes a month). We won't save a lot by getting rid of it but every little bit helps.

So have you decided to get rid of the home phone? Maybe a magazine subscription or possibly downgraded your cable service? I want to hear what others are doing to save money.

jenilouise · 11-29-2008, 01:12 PM

Well the cost of the internet without the phone would be more than it is with the phone (weird right?) but I did cut down our cable service from extended basic to basic (2-73 so no more Noggin or BBC America but I can live without them.) Also since my dad works at Albertson's I'd say 99% of our groceries are Albertson's brand. We get an extra 5%- 15% off their brand on top of whatever price cut for having a preferred card which saves us easily $100 + a month. I carpool to work which saves money on gas as well as being better for the environment.We also recycle and the kids get that money for it but it's again better for the environment as well.

Mango · 11-29-2008, 06:58 PM

I make my own pet foods

Fallon · 11-29-2008, 07:07 PM

we haven't really cut out anything but I cloth diaper so we save a ton on wipes and diapers every month

jenilouise · 11-29-2008, 07:15 PM

Cloth diapering definitely helps too. I didn't think about that.

Fallon · 11-29-2008, 07:26 PM

honestly, I buy some pretty expensive diapers but in the end I'm still saving. we will use them for the next baby as well and I can sell them to recoup my costs, that's nopt something you can do with disposables

jenilouise · 11-30-2008, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by Fallon

honestly, I buy some pretty expensive diapers but in the end I'm still saving. we will use them for the next baby as well and I can sell them to recoup my costs, that's nopt something you can do with disposables

The way I see it in the long run I saved money. I just gave my SIL all of the ones Natalia outgrew so they'll save too. Plus as with a lot of the other tips it is good for the environment.

Mango · 11-30-2008, 08:57 AM

For sure, cloth diapers are a HUGE cost cutter! Plus, they are soooo cute

Kaytee · 11-30-2008, 05:59 PM

cloth diaper, (not at them moment though)
buy some generics, some things I can't do generic on, like Katsup lol
We don't have cable tv
no home phone

Dadu2004 · 12-01-2008, 09:59 AM

I haven't done anything much to cut costs right now...I get such good deals on things from my days at Best Buy that if I cut some things (Tivo / Vonage), I'd end up paying more in the future when I re-signed up.

11-28-2008, 11:34 PM	#1
Mark Proud Father Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Age: 34 Posts: 3,563 My Mood: Rep Power: 47 Reputation: 308 Children Alexandra (9), Sean (4)	Cutting Costs In this tough economic time we are always looking for ways to save money. We are living comfortably and paying the bills but we know that the chances of one of us losing our jobs is increasing with every negative report we see on the news. One of the things we decided to eliminate was our home phone. My wife and I have cell phones with plenty of minutes and honestly we didn't use the home phone that much anyway (maybe 200-300 minutes a month). We won't save a lot by getting rid of it but every little bit helps. So have you decided to get rid of the home phone? Maybe a magazine subscription or possibly downgraded your cable service? I want to hear what others are doing to save money. __________________ Are you new to NowParenting? Come and introduce yourself here! Sign up for NowParenting Mail, Chat, Calendar, Documents, and more... Click Here! If someone posts something that is helpful, consider giving them reputation points! Come and join the Computer Users group here at NowParenting. *"Miracles Happen!"*

11-29-2008, 01:12 PM	#2
jenilouise 4 1/2 feet of fury! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oregon Age: 30 Posts: 5,940 My Mood: Rep Power: 70 Reputation: 287 Children Isabella (11), Josephine (10), Hannah (8), Natalia (2), and Sophia (infant)	Well the cost of the internet without the phone would be more than it is with the phone (weird right?) but I did cut down our cable service from extended basic to basic (2-73 so no more Noggin or BBC America but I can live without them.) Also since my dad works at Albertson's I'd say 99% of our groceries are Albertson's brand. We get an extra 5%- 15% off their brand on top of whatever price cut for having a preferred card which saves us easily $100 + a month. I carpool to work which saves money on gas as well as being better for the environment.We also recycle and the kids get that money for it but it's again better for the environment as well. __________________

11-29-2008, 07:07 PM	#4
Fallon who needs sleep.... Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Age: 28 Posts: 5,193 Rep Power: 62 Reputation: 281 Children Debralyn, logan, and Madeline	we haven't really cut out anything but I cloth diaper so we save a ton on wipes and diapers every month __________________ SAH mommy to Debralyn 10-21-02 and Bubba (Logan) 3-19-07 Madeline 07-10-09

11-29-2008, 07:15 PM	#5
jenilouise 4 1/2 feet of fury! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oregon Age: 30 Posts: 5,940 My Mood: Rep Power: 70 Reputation: 287 Children Isabella (11), Josephine (10), Hannah (8), Natalia (2), and Sophia (infant)	Cloth diapering definitely helps too. I didn't think about that. __________________

11-29-2008, 07:26 PM	#6
Fallon who needs sleep.... Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Age: 28 Posts: 5,193 Rep Power: 62 Reputation: 281 Children Debralyn, logan, and Madeline	honestly, I buy some pretty expensive diapers but in the end I'm still saving. we will use them for the next baby as well and I can sell them to recoup my costs, that's nopt something you can do with disposables __________________ SAH mommy to Debralyn 10-21-02 and Bubba (Logan) 3-19-07 Madeline 07-10-09

11-29-2008, 06:58 PM	#3
Mango NowParenting Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Western Quebec, Canada Age: 28 Posts: 1,109 Rep Power: 20 Reputation: 247 Children None yet :)	I make my own pet foods

11-30-2008, 08:57 AM	#8
Mango NowParenting Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Western Quebec, Canada Age: 28 Posts: 1,109 Rep Power: 20 Reputation: 247 Children None yet :)	For sure, cloth diapers are a HUGE cost cutter! Plus, they are soooo cute

11-30-2008, 05:59 PM	#9
Kaytee Leader Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7,123 My Mood: Rep Power: 82 Reputation: 289 Children Nichole and Avery	cloth diaper, (not at them moment though) buy some generics, some things I can't do generic on, like Katsup lol We don't have cable tv no home phone __________________

12-01-2008, 09:59 AM	#10
Dadu2004 NowParenting Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Age: 31 Posts: 1,886 My Mood: Rep Power: 28 Reputation: 332 Children Delaney - 5	I haven't done anything much to cut costs right now...I get such good deals on things from my days at Best Buy that if I cut some things (Tivo / Vonage), I'd end up paying more in the future when I re-signed up.

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