I don't know about you, but money is tighter. It's crazy how times have changed in recent years. Everyone I know keeps hoping things will change. And the economy is always being discussed.We definitely are cutting back. How about you?
I think twice about spending now. Stopping by $tarbuck$ is a treat instead of a routine. We eat out a lot less, which honestly is kinda nice. I stopped going for manicures and pedicures as often as I used to. It started after our daughter's wedding when I decided to give my nails a "rest" and had my acrylic nails removed. I thought my nails would be awful, but they actually are stronger than ever and I like not having to go so often. I decided today to wash my own car. I haven't done that in f-o-r-e-v-e-r (seriously). And you know what? It was fun and not really that hard....and it didn't cost a thing. My car looked better than when I take it to the carwash. I was quite proud of myself. Plus, I got some good exercise. Squats, stretches, bending.
What are you doing to cut back?
"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."
18 comments:
Little things add up...Now I am not ready to give up my nails (I would have no nail underneath) and probably not wash my car...My husband is so good to run it through the car wash and if I happen to be in his area, my son will always get it cleaned up at the dealership...BUT, we don't go to the movies as often, I stop and think about buying things I would have never given any thought to before...and I am actually thinking about what my kids do and dropping my land line..That would save 100 a month..and we rarely use it. We even spend less at Christmas because who needs more stuff...And normally we take 2 good vacations and we are going to going to just do one a year. ...I think in all that I have saved a lot of money...putting it down in writing makes it a little more real....We have to face the fact the we have no idea what is going to happen..and that's an entirely different post.
Good for you! I've been using coupons and really watching the sales more.
Now that I am back to work and busy I do not clothes shop as often! However, I am sooooo busy that I do not use coupons. I wish I did. Yes, Starbucks is a treat! I make my own coffee and take to work. I scrimped for so long while the kids were in college that now I am spending a little on me. How in the world did you give up your acrylics... yes it would be nice to not go that often. We only eat out once or twice and we watch what we purchase. Have a great day! Another cool post! Nancy from OHIO
We are doing much the same as you, Kat. Dinner out is something special these days.
We kept our Fall trip in the schedule. We are staying at a beautiful hotel, but we're not doing as many of the activities we've done in the past while on our annual Fall trip. Sort of just staying around the hotel and enjoying that.
Not making as many shopping runs as I used to either. Now it's more on a "need" than "want" basis.
PS: I have finally figured out how to get the Google Friend Connect gadget on the sidebar of the new blog. Hope to see you there.:-)
I think everyone is feeling the crunch. My hubby is very frugal and that's good for me as I am very much the spender in the family. Thanks to his "way with money" we will be debt free next year (house paid for) and that's our biggest debt. We'll always have car payments (he likes to trade cars quite frequently) but other than that, no real debt to speak of. We are able to help out our grown children (if needed) and do a lot for my mom, so we are blessed in that regard. I do my own manis but not pedis and make myself stop and think before I buy something I really don't need. And you know what? I don't feel like I'm really missing anything by cutting back. We are still blessed beyond so many others.
Judy
Good for you! I have been trying to do better too! We are trying to eat at home more. Eating out is expensive and not near as healthy!
Great post! I loved your comment on trip to Starbuck's "routine".
I find myself often saying "whatever happen to dinner out being a treat; special; cause of a celebration?" It is routine and it loses the appeal.
We are trying to live a much simpler life ... re-learning need vs. want. XO HHL
We feel the crunch too....living on half since I'm not working. We don't eat out much at all. Once in a while we will order a pizza. I don't need clothes for work anymore, so there's a savings! It would be such a savings if I would color my own hair....but just can't seem to go there =/
Happy Days are here....even if we need to struggle a bit =)
Loved your post today, Kat! I think everyone is feeling the crunch! I have come to the realization that I have too much STUFF! So in order to quit collecting more STUFF, I have quit shopping, after all I don't need anything else.
We downsized to one vehicle - a Tahoe that surprisingly gets good gas mileage. We maintain it to the max to keep it in great working order. Paid cash for it.
We have cut back on eating out so much - our former 'Hobby of Choice.'
I don't get my hair done as often.
I watch the power usage by turning off lights in empty rooms, etc.
We are downsizing to a smaller house payment by selling our current home and moving to a VERY nice home that happens to cost less. Plus, it is 9 hours closer to our daughter and grandchildren, thereby requiring much less travel to see the grandkids. :) (Yippee)
That's all I can think of now... we are packing, but I took a BLOG BREAK. Yea, me!!
Betty in Oklahoma (until in move)
Love is always the answer.
I think most can relate to this post Kat...although we have been very lucky (I am knocking wood) I just don't feel good about this economy, if we are cutting back why isn't DC, that's why it's so important to vote this Nov....I think we have to clean house on both sides, term limits are a MUST...it will keep people from corruption I feel. Sorry for injecting politics but how can we not??? As Thelma asked Obama is this our reality, I pray it isn't ???
Thanks for this post,
All the best and all the best to everyone in this great country of ours :)
xo Kathy :)
ps if you think this will cause a problem by all means don't publish Kat, your post just struck a nerve !!
I don't know if I posted about it or not, but our daughter recently won $15K in merchandise from an on-line store. She spent about 3k of it and told us we could pick out what we wanted. We couldn't find a thing. Mainly because we are at the place in life that we want to get rid of stuff. We don't need another chair, sofa, or grill. My closet is stuffed full. It is a cry'n shame that there are people in the world who don't have a shirt on their back. Our daughter is a humanitarian. I am sure she will find a way to give it away.
Although we have been so very blessed in life, we are cutting way back too. I am giving up, for the most part, online shopping! Chicos and Coldwater Creek must have a missing person report out on me now.
The place I see the economy hurting worst is with a couple of our children. The sad thing is they don't understand what it means to not be able to do what they used to do! They're learning the hard way!
My biggest savings is to "stay out of the stores"! I won't give up my manicures or hair highlights but I'll watch where I spend my money more carefully. How many pair of shoes does one woman really need!
I'm not spending as much on my classroom and students as I used to. We are just making do with less. I'm trying to be more careful about turning things off to save electricity, too. And, I've stopped several magazine subscriptions.
I am careful about my spending too. I look for things on sale, I use coupons and I am a huge "thrift shopper". I love shopping at Goodwill and other thrift stores for great bargains and treasures. I have found some wonderful things! My husband and I eat out a good bit, but we share our meals. The servings are so huge, you can do that easily in most restaurants. We all need to be aware of our spending, for sure. Love & blessings from NC!
You already know I live on a small paycheck every two weeks, so there's not much I can cut out. My only splurges are a haircut every 4 or 5 months with a visit to the GoodWill Superstore while I'm there. Didn't find anything this time though. xxoo
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