Comments on: Living on Less ~ Ways to Cut Expenses http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/ Living Well on Less Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:29:39 -0400 hourly 1 By: Rachel http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14768 Rachel Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:09:10 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14768 We already do all of that and much more. Almost all of the kids clothes are hand me arounds - we don't even buy much secong hand, we still buy shoes, socks, and underware since they are rarely passed around, except the sunday shoes. We haven't had any hint of a vacation in 10 years. We live in the country so avoid outings other than church on Wednesday and Sundays to save gas, we couple that with big shopping trips and library. Most of the food is prepared at home - but we cannot avoid Sunday lunch eating out - our clunker car is small and the trunk won't open, so there is no room to bring food along, but we found a tiny Chinese place that we can feed us all for $30, just a tiny bit more than fast food - and we get brocoli, beans, chicken, and fruit - buffet style. We avoid this expense when we can - but have not found a working solution to avoid it all the time and not have us hungry again in an hour. We've got to figure out some way to get a bigger car, as there is no room for our new addition in the old one. Extra's are usually craft supplies that are used to couple with recycled items to make gifts - like flowers from egg cartons. Dh has been out of work (and looking hard) since March 2008 - he had a job during April, but was denied security clearence. It was just enough to pay the midwife, schoolbooks, and cover some expenses that we had been putting off but needed handled, as well as our AC and heater blowing yet another fuse. We make our own laundry soap and most cleaning supplies. We are a family of 5, plus since my mom died last month, we also have one of my nieces full time that they were raising. So far we have avoided getting on very many of the government programs, like food stamps, but we do have unemployment and WIC. We try to keep Medicaid to pay for my daughter's asthma meds, but we seldome use the rest of the benefits. My biggest problem in controlling our budget is my lack of creative talent - I'm all thumbs when it comes to crafts, sewing, mending, ironing. But I'm a good teacher - and fortunately, my daughters seem to be much more talented and the oldest is able to read and follow directions easily. After 19 years of struggling to make ends meet at poverty level income (dh does computers - programming - he's a good programmer, but not a good scholar - does poorly on tests, so often gets passed over because there are so many to choose from) ... anyway, I don't see things getting any better around here. We put $70 into a garden this spring, I think we've saved maybe $8 on groceries so far - hoping the garden will at least pay for itself eventually, there are tons of tomatoes, very green ones. :) We always have our basic needs met - just never anything extra. I can't complain the kids have clothes and toys and a huge yard - we live on my parents "farm". And there is plenty of love to go around. We already do all of that and much more. Almost all of the kids clothes are hand me arounds – we don’t even buy much secong hand, we still buy shoes, socks, and underware since they are rarely passed around, except the sunday shoes. We haven’t had any hint of a vacation in 10 years. We live in the country so avoid outings other than church on Wednesday and Sundays to save gas, we couple that with big shopping trips and library. Most of the food is prepared at home – but we cannot avoid Sunday lunch eating out – our clunker car is small and the trunk won’t open, so there is no room to bring food along, but we found a tiny Chinese place that we can feed us all for $30, just a tiny bit more than fast food – and we get brocoli, beans, chicken, and fruit – buffet style. We avoid this expense when we can – but have not found a working solution to avoid it all the time and not have us hungry again in an hour. We’ve got to figure out some way to get a bigger car, as there is no room for our new addition in the old one. Extra’s are usually craft supplies that are used to couple with recycled items to make gifts – like flowers from egg cartons. Dh has been out of work (and looking hard) since March 2008 – he had a job during April, but was denied security clearence. It was just enough to pay the midwife, schoolbooks, and cover some expenses that we had been putting off but needed handled, as well as our AC and heater blowing yet another fuse. We make our own laundry soap and most cleaning supplies.

We are a family of 5, plus since my mom died last month, we also have one of my nieces full time that they were raising. So far we have avoided getting on very many of the government programs, like food stamps, but we do have unemployment and WIC. We try to keep Medicaid to pay for my daughter’s asthma meds, but we seldome use the rest of the benefits.

My biggest problem in controlling our budget is my lack of creative talent – I’m all thumbs when it comes to crafts, sewing, mending, ironing. But I’m a good teacher – and fortunately, my daughters seem to be much more talented and the oldest is able to read and follow directions easily.

After 19 years of struggling to make ends meet at poverty level income (dh does computers – programming – he’s a good programmer, but not a good scholar – does poorly on tests, so often gets passed over because there are so many to choose from) … anyway, I don’t see things getting any better around here. We put $70 into a garden this spring, I think we’ve saved maybe $8 on groceries so far – hoping the garden will at least pay for itself eventually, there are tons of tomatoes, very green ones. :)

We always have our basic needs met – just never anything extra. I can’t complain the kids have clothes and toys and a huge yard – we live on my parents “farm”. And there is plenty of love to go around.

]]> By: paula http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14473 paula Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:49:11 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14473 no have not thought of that....it has only been a few years that we have had prime remote (we moved to vermont 4 years ago) in florida we lived right beside patrick airforce base and had the best care and no cost for anything. I might look into that to help with medical cost....thank you.. no have not thought of that….it has only been a few years that we have had prime remote (we moved to vermont 4 years ago) in florida we lived right beside patrick airforce base and had the best care and no cost for anything. I might look into that to help with medical cost….thank you..

]]> By: TheHappyHousewife http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14454 TheHappyHousewife Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:52:16 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14454 Have you considered getting a supplement? I am not sure what the prices are now, but years ago when we had Tricare Prime Remote I was able to get a supplement for minimal cost and it saved us a ton. We had one child who spent the first 2 years of his life in and out of the hospital and doctor's office. We still had some costs, but nothing compared to what it would have been without the supplement. Toni Have you considered getting a supplement? I am not sure what the prices are now, but years ago when we had Tricare Prime Remote I was able to get a supplement for minimal cost and it saved us a ton. We had one child who spent the first 2 years of his life in and out of the hospital and doctor’s office. We still had some costs, but nothing compared to what it would have been without the supplement.
Toni

]]> By: paula http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14453 paula Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:41:40 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14453 We have tricare prime remote....there are not many doctors or dentists that are a network provider with tricare so what they do not pay we pay....unless I wantt o drive over a hour to get to a doc or dentist that does....i already have to do that for vision which as you know glasses are not covered and we have 4 in the house with them....but I do make up for it in other ways....I sao miss being near a base....you are so lucky... We have tricare prime remote….there are not many doctors or dentists that are a network provider with tricare so what they do not pay we pay….unless I wantt o drive over a hour to get to a doc or dentist that does….i already have to do that for vision which as you know glasses are not covered and we have 4 in the house with them….but I do make up for it in other ways….I sao miss being near a base….you are so lucky…

]]> By: Rachael http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14449 Rachael Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:46:10 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14449 I will have to check out that book! We read [and loved!] Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, and are doing our best at it! We've pretty much cut out everything we can, but we're again in the red every month [because my husband took a 45% pay cut in February!] We're again at the "desperate" level, and doing everything we can to further cut expenses [with 4 kids, homeschool, and one income] I read your blog daily almost, and have found it along with Preschoolers and Peace a GREAT source of encouragement! I do have a question for you: How are you benefiting from Swagbucks so effectively? I use it solely to search and browse, but very rarely win a SB... what is your trick? [Or since you have older children, do they help you in browsing?] I had one more question for you, Do you use any sort of planner like Motivated Moms, or MOTH? I'm looking for someone who's tried and tested them to recommend one for a hectic [large] household! Thanks so much!! I will have to check out that book! We read [and loved!] Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover, and are doing our best at it! We’ve pretty much cut out everything we can, but we’re again in the red every month [because my husband took a 45% pay cut in February!] We’re again at the “desperate” level, and doing everything we can to further cut expenses [with 4 kids, homeschool, and one income] I read your blog daily almost, and have found it along with Preschoolers and Peace a GREAT source of encouragement! I do have a question for you: How are you benefiting from Swagbucks so effectively? I use it solely to search and browse, but very rarely win a SB… what is your trick? [Or since you have older children, do they help you in browsing?] I had one more question for you, Do you use any sort of planner like Motivated Moms, or MOTH? I’m looking for someone who’s tried and tested them to recommend one for a hectic [large] household! Thanks so much!!

]]> By: Andrea http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14448 Andrea Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:11:25 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14448 The Millionaire Next Door is a great book. Our family has been lowering expenses in a lot of the same ways that you mentioned here, and it's definitely working for us! The Millionaire Next Door is a great book. Our family has been lowering expenses in a lot of the same ways that you mentioned here, and it’s definitely working for us!

]]> By: TheHappyHousewife http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14447 TheHappyHousewife Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:53:35 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14447 I am curious about your medical bills. We have not used military providers for over 5 years and our medical bills are extremely small. Are you enrolled in Tricare/ Healthnet/ or what ever they call it these days? Toni I am curious about your medical bills. We have not used military providers for over 5 years and our medical bills are extremely small. Are you enrolled in Tricare/ Healthnet/ or what ever they call it these days?
Toni

]]> By: paula http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14446 paula Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:31:25 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14446 It is not possible for everyone to live on half of income. We also live on military income whihc we all know is not the best...but we do not live on base so we have a house to pay for and all that that goes with it.plus medical bills because again we do not live on base...The best thing for everyone to do is just keep cost down as much as possible but still be able to live...we are able to live (the 8 of us) on my husbands E7 salary and put alittle into savings every pay check but we still do live pay check to pay check... It is not possible for everyone to live on half of income. We also live on military income whihc we all know is not the best…but we do not live on base so we have a house to pay for and all that that goes with it.plus medical bills because again we do not live on base…The best thing for everyone to do is just keep cost down as much as possible but still be able to live…we are able to live (the 8 of us) on my husbands E7 salary and put alittle into savings every pay check but we still do live pay check to pay check…

]]> By: Denise@TogetherWeSave http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14445 Denise@TogetherWeSave Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:31:17 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14445 Thanks for more great ideas. Thanks for more great ideas.

]]> By: Amy http://thehappyhousewife.com/living-on-less-ways-to-cut-expenses/comment-page-1/#comment-14443 Amy Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:48:44 +0000 http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5973#comment-14443 Great ideas. Some of these we do. I need to look more carefully at our budget. Thanks for your openness. Great ideas. Some of these we do. I need to look more carefully at our budget. Thanks for your openness.

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