I just saved at least $80...

Great thinking!   I'm constantly trying to think of ways to save money daily.    I've been combining errands a lot more than I used to, looking for cheaper alternatives to things or way of doing things.   It all adds up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addimom 

How does it happen that you get so far off, so fast???

It happens to us too.  Usually when we're really busy.  We start eating out more, relying on convenience foods, and buying things as a "Quick Fix" instead of making do with what we have.  This is a great reminder that a little bit of planning and consideration is all it takes to get back on the frugal living bandwagon.

At the end of each pay period I go through and add up all the extras. Sometimes I find that we did really well, and other times I'm like  and .   

Good for you for putting a stop to those extras! $80 is a lot!

Convenience mode is one of my major downfalls too.  After seeing your post, I'm going to try to get back on the bandwagon too.  We've wasted a lot of money over the last few months, particularly on dining.  I agree with Kim, it's much easier to fall into those types of traps when you're busy. 

great job! It's true, the easiest way to save money is to plan ahead.  You made time to wash your own car and saved.

For me it's things like menu planning so we don't eat out, or making time to walk to school so I don't say "oh, I'm late, I'll just drive." It's only a mile, but 10x week is like $5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addimom 

by THINKING.  DH and I have been really busy and gotten into major "convenience mode".  I know that is no excuse.  I woke up last night, at about 3:00 am, thinking about our spending, and couldn't go back to sleep for about an hour and a half.  We have GOT to stop our thoughtless, convenient spending, and starting being smart, again.

 

DH just asked me when I was going to head out this morning, because I told him I needed to run errands, while we were talking last night.  I said, "I'm not.  I just need to get my eyebrows done, and I can do that myself."  (Savings = ~$15)  Dh responded, "Well, I guess I could wahs my truck myself, then."  (Savings = at least $35)  I said, "Yeah.  We could do my van, too."  (Savings = at least $30).

 

All of those "spendy" things were going to happen this morning.  If I had not made the decision last night, and talked with DH this morning, that would be $80, bare minimum, out of the account, by noon. 

Wow, you and I must have been up at the same time worrying about the same thing.  I have checking our spending all morning looking for where we can stop some of the useless stuff.  We do a lot of stuff ourselves now anyway, but there are some areas we need to just cut back in (shopping for clothes and household things not really needed).

Great job!  And thanks for the reminder.