Last week I posted the top five things I am doing to save my family money. I thought this Friday I would make the list a perfect '10' and post five more.
- We have been gathering items to sell on Craigslist and Ebay. Trying to rid our home of clutter and unneccesary items, outgrown clothing, tools, etc. Going to list some items this weekend!
- Went on a clothing fast and declared the first quarter of this year as a 'no clothing shopping quarter'. After I posted about Uganda earlier this week and reading many of the blogs of those that are on this blogging trip with Compassion International, I became very convicted that we have more than we need. The poverty level there is unimaginable. We have all we need and then some. We live very modestly but truly we are very rich compared to Uganda. My children certainly have matching shoes that fit. This week the stories and pictures have made me feel very selfish for wanting to save up for a flat screen television. Our old 25 inch will do a while longer...perspective.
- I am trying to be more faithful to use a grocery list and consistent menu planning. Our local grocer, Crest Foods, always has closeouts and bargains that we do not anticipate. They do not advertise so we never know what to expect on sale. I keep a running list in my purse of our needs and what is currently in our pantry.
- Have cut out the quick trips to the store or Wal Mart. I shop now with more purpose than before, even though I have always been a bargain shopper I am now a more purposeful shopper.
- Signed up for the Grocery Game this month.
For more great frugal ideas, head over to Biblical Womanhood and join in the frugal Friday fun!
4 comments:
I could only get Walgreen's and CVS on Grocery Game in our area so I quit. I sure wish they'd carry grocery stores here!
Keep up the good work!
Wonderful ideas... I have been trying to go on a "clothing fast"... I have just started recently, but I began getting extremely convicted about the overwhelming lack of clothes we have! Have you had good success with Craigslist and Ebay? I didn't have the greatest success on Ebay selling adult clothes, but I'm wondering if my methods were off?
Have fun with Grocery Game! I've been doing it for about 3 years now, and have such a good stockpile that there are some weeks I skip going to either one or the other of the stores I have on my list. I'm also at a point where I don't even consider something unless I'm saving at least 50%. (This does not apply to non-coupon items and perishables, like milk and bread. Although I have learned you can freeze bread and half-gallons of Tropicana. I won't freeze milk though, even though 'they' say you can.)
A little hint: whatever you see as your savings at the bottom of your grocery list, round it up and put that into a savings account. For example, if you saved 33.40, put $34 in the account. On-line banking is the easiest way to do this. You will be amazed how fast that account grows. Come to think of it, forget savings...put it in money market. You may only make a tiny bit of interest, but it's better than no interest at all! (Last year, I saved enough in a few months to replace my computer when it kicked the bucket.)
We rarely do ebay or craigs list simply b/c there is someone usually "in need" of our stuff. Plus, when Terry is in the mood to purge, WATCH OUT! It better be gone by the next morning or he is miserable. So, goodwill or earc is where we usually go.
And, if I don't step in Wal-mart, I save a ton of money. I might as well just open my wallet and hand it to the cashier when I walk in. =)
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