Jesse is starting a new career on Monday selling Aflac insurance (so if anyone needs that, let us know :). We are very excited about this change and think it will mean great things to come for us. The problem is that for a few months our income will be drastically reduced. Does anyone have tips on how to save money on things like groceries, etc? Any tips on how to get through this time would be appreciated also. I know we are definitely not the only people in America going through this right now and I am sooo grateful we have a home and food.
Thanks for your ideas.
6 comments:
We actually might be interested in the maternity insurance next summer, good to know an agent- last time we had to go to Sandy.
As for surviving on less income- I don't think I have anything super wise. Cut back on things you don't really need obviously. Also, convenience foods are expensive, so if you can eat more things like dry beans, lentils, etc... Making bread is cheaper than buying it. (If you want a bread making lesson, come over sometime, it would be fun.) Meals made out of the less expensive foods take more time and planning, but can really save money.
Also if you buy a ham, or a whole chicken or something, you can make a ton of meals out of it. I can tell you more about that in person sometime if you're interested.
Watch for sales at the grocery store, and plan meals around what is on sale.
You might look into Wic or food stamps if you qualify. I think the website is: http://health.utah.gov/wic/ and you can find more info there.
Our health insurance keeps going up, so I keep having to cut out other things from our budget, so I've been thinking about how I can save money too.
One thing, if you can manage it, is to try to have at least a little bit of fun money. Even if it's just a tiny bit, but that allows you to save up to get your hair done, or buy a book, or go out for lunch, it makes you feel less restricted.
I agree with everything Alice said - espcecially the budget and sticking to it. Another thing I've heard of but never done, but heard it's awesome once you get into it is this super-saver idea. My friend Cindy does this and swears by it. You clip coupons and ads and then look through the specials at various stores and then by combining the coupon value with the in-store deals, you save a ton of money. The backside to all of this is the time invested in looking online, in papers, and through info and organizing it all. I don't have the time, patience, or desire for this. But she has saved hundreds of dollars and comes out sometimes with free groceries. You also might have to purchase things in bulk though and she has a separate freezer to freeze things like meat, milk, and cheese. If you want more info on it I can ask her, just let me know.
I think there's a guy "grocery guru" figures out what coupons and ads and instore specials work together. I think his column was in the tribune- you could look online for it.
The only thing was that I thought the meal he suggested were not very high quality. A lot of prepared foods- I guess they were good for people who don't have any idea about cooking. (some of the ideas were helpful, and it does do all the hard work of couponing- I just would avoid most of the meal suggestions.. :)
Kari- I've recently discovered couponing.
It's hard to explain in a blog post, but if you want me to show you what I've learned, you could come over some time next week.
In the mean time, I recommend reading:
www.moneysavingmom.com
www.pinchingyourpennies.com
utahdealdiva.blogspot.com
www.thenewfrugalmom.com
oh- and my coupon blog
couponallie.blogspot.com
As I said in an earlier post, it seemed like cutting coupons and combining them with in store sales only got you packaged foods and things that we just don't eat, but I've found some blogs that list sales and coupons for things that I actually use.
you are invited to follow my blog
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