Day 6- On day 5, we listed all of our lifestyle expenses such as subscriptions, entertainment, morning coffee runs, gym memberships, childcare, clothing, etc. Today, we are supposed to see how we can cut back on these.
I started with my Stitch Fix subscription. I got them monthly for a year and really enjoyed them. I added some new pieces to my wardrobe, and SF really worked well for me as I HATE trying on clothes in the store. I got super-busy last summer/fall and on a few occasions the SF package sat for two weeks before I decided if I was going to keep anything. I'd get behind on sending it in on time, and end up just keeping one item or just returning the whole box. By November, I switched to every other month, and that worked for a couple of shipments, until I got this month's box. I didn't love anything in the box!! This helped me re-examine if I really needed to spend this money. The stylist fee is $20 per box (which is deducted from any purchase), but the months I send everything back, I've wasted $20. So, I switched once again, this time to seasonal---4x a year. If I don't see that Stitch Fix still suits by needs by the end of the year, I will cancel for awhile. My spring box will arrive in May so we will see how it goes! I am saving $160 a year though in fees, by switching from monthly to seasonally. :O)
The other way I cut a few dollars a month from the budget was my morning coffee. Last month, I switched from buying k-cups and started using my refillable pod. I bought a bag of Starbucks ground coffee for $5.99 at Home Goods and I'm still using that same bag, so I've saved about $30-$35 in two months. It's a small amount, but for the year, that's about $180--just in coffee! LOL
We also started using a water filter instead of buying bottled water.
Bottled water $10+ a month vs. FREE!
savings---> $120 /yr
Bottled water $10+ a month vs. FREE!
savings---> $120 /yr
I'm sure there are other ways I am saving or could save, but these were three areas I actively did something to save money.
Total saved on [3] lifestyle expenses= $460/yr or almost $40 /month
Day 7 - Gas/ Car
This one isn't so bad for us and not a whole lot could be cut here. We mainly use the SUV for work which is pretty much the same amount each month. And, we just got the SUV, so hopefully nothing extra will need to be spent on that.
Day 8 - FOOD
Oh my...FOOD....the biggest pitfall of our budget!!!
We are supposed to track food expenses for a month---this includes groceries, eating out, extra food purchases like subscription boxes and the monthly pizza bake.
Day 9 - Cut food costs!!
Find ways to save money on food.....buy generic....pack lunches....always have a list....plan meals....
I think meal planning and using from what I have in the pantry or fridge/freezer is my biggest way to save money on food. I already buy on sale or the best prices, I don't need to pack lunches because I am home and Peter gets meals at work. I do find that if I make a list and stick to it I do less impulse buying. I also shop once a month and stock up rather than making several runs to the grocery store.
But having a meal plan and set grocery list is what saves me the most money!!
I did a huge stock up at Food Lion in January so I only needed to do a small grocery shopping trip in February along with misc shopping at our grocery store.
Here is how my February grocery budget looked.
Groceries: $170
Ordering out, PTA sub sale, SR pizza bake: $80
Subscription Box (with discount): $32
+
Valentine's Dinner + all other get-away eating: $210
(which isn't a normal monthly expenses)
February Food Budget= $492
(or $282 if not including trip eating)
That is wayyyyy low for food for us!! We spend much more than that normally, but I have been more organized with menu planning and shopping once a month and I can see where it has helped!
I'm not adding any saved money here, but am using a meal plan and doing less impulse buying. I'm using things from the panty and freezer to make meals, and feel like I'm doing better on the grocery budget. We have been doing a big once a month shopping trip to Food Lion or Walmart, and this has helped as well.
Day 10 - Treat yourself!
Use the $20 you set aside earlier and spend on yourself.
I bought a couple of pieces of Rae Dunn....Andrea picked up the butter dish for me ($10) and Mom found 2 mugs that have been on my wishlist!! ($10) :O) :O)
This one isn't so bad for us and not a whole lot could be cut here. We mainly use the SUV for work which is pretty much the same amount each month. And, we just got the SUV, so hopefully nothing extra will need to be spent on that.
Day 8 - FOOD
Oh my...FOOD....the biggest pitfall of our budget!!!
We are supposed to track food expenses for a month---this includes groceries, eating out, extra food purchases like subscription boxes and the monthly pizza bake.
Day 9 - Cut food costs!!
Find ways to save money on food.....buy generic....pack lunches....always have a list....plan meals....
I think meal planning and using from what I have in the pantry or fridge/freezer is my biggest way to save money on food. I already buy on sale or the best prices, I don't need to pack lunches because I am home and Peter gets meals at work. I do find that if I make a list and stick to it I do less impulse buying. I also shop once a month and stock up rather than making several runs to the grocery store.
But having a meal plan and set grocery list is what saves me the most money!!
I did a huge stock up at Food Lion in January so I only needed to do a small grocery shopping trip in February along with misc shopping at our grocery store.
Here is how my February grocery budget looked.
Groceries: $170
Ordering out, PTA sub sale, SR pizza bake: $80
Subscription Box (with discount): $32
Valentine's Dinner + all other get-away eating: $210
(which isn't a normal monthly expenses)
(or $282 if not including trip eating)
That is wayyyyy low for food for us!! We spend much more than that normally, but I have been more organized with menu planning and shopping once a month and I can see where it has helped!
I'm not adding any saved money here, but am using a meal plan and doing less impulse buying. I'm using things from the panty and freezer to make meals, and feel like I'm doing better on the grocery budget. We have been doing a big once a month shopping trip to Food Lion or Walmart, and this has helped as well.
Day 10 - Treat yourself!
Use the $20 you set aside earlier and spend on yourself.
I bought a couple of pieces of Rae Dunn....Andrea picked up the butter dish for me ($10) and Mom found 2 mugs that have been on my wishlist!! ($10) :O) :O)
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