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mommy4ever
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Location: Canada
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| Posted: Feb 17 2012 at 12:35pm | IP Logged
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We are facing potential pay cut. I'm looking at ways to save.
Things we can do:
cut out or down grade internet
cancel satellite
cancel cell phones, we only have bare minimum on these - have 1 year contract time to go.
Those are the obvious.
We heat with wood, so our heating bill is minimal. Wood is free. I think we can bring down our electric bill more. If we eliminate satellite, means the tv would be on less.
What are the more subtle things? I'm doing a bare bones groceries right now. Using up what we have. Cutting out junk to manage the waistlines..lol.
I am starting to declutter and sell things, or give away or toss. I can start teaching at karate next semester which will lower the cost even further(I'm currently free, and it would bring one child down to $25/semester). So 3 of us for $125/semester. I can volunteer to work bingos to pay hockey fees.
I'm not really sure what else. I'd love to hear everyone's best cut back tips :) I'm hoping to beat this recession yet.... it is late here, we're in Canada, but dh company is US owned, and we're feeling it, especially with the Dollars being at near parity.
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JodieLyn
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Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Feb 17 2012 at 12:50pm | IP Logged
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not quite the season yet but..
do you have room to have a garden? it takes some money to start but saves in the long run.
use clothesline at least part of the time.
do things to reduce water useage? are you on metered city water? oh but with well that would mean you'd save electric too.
any errands/appts/etc you can walk to? or even though it's a pain can you combine all errands to one day so that you're not making lots of trips (gas$$)
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: Feb 17 2012 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
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We have room for a garden, however the mature trees deplete the soil. I'm looking at an alternate from of gardening for this season. Sad though, we don't eat much of what grows locally.
Clothesline, will work on getting dh to set one up.
We are on city water. We use minimal, HE appliances. Working on getting oldest 2 to shorten their showers.
We do drive a fair amount, due to sports. However, I try to double duty. Ie. tomorrow there is a practice on other side of city, but while she is at practice in a 2 block vicinity there are a few stores i can pick up the loss leaders at.
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Erin
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| Posted: Feb 17 2012 at 2:55pm | IP Logged
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mommy4ever wrote:
| Working on getting oldest 2 to shorten their showers. |
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We're on tank water, so we have only 3 min showers here. Have a sand timer in the shower and for those who need more clock watching we put the oven timer on to remind us to 'hammer on the door'.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: Feb 17 2012 at 3:05pm | IP Logged
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Erin wrote:
mommy4ever wrote:
| Working on getting oldest 2 to shorten their showers. |
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We're on tank water, so we have only 3 min showers here. Have a sand timer in the shower and for those who need more clock watching we put the oven timer on to remind us to 'hammer on the door'. |
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Oh like the sand timer! Will look to see if we can find one of those.
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Donna Marie
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| Posted: Feb 17 2012 at 11:21pm | IP Logged
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We shut off the water while we soap up....We have this switch on the showerhead that allows us to shut off the flow without turning any knobs. After we get wet and while we soap up/shampoo/shave, the water stays off but it is still at the right temp in the wall so you don't get blasted with hot or cold when you put it back on. In a pinch, we can get all 11 of us through the shower without running out of hot water now... 
We have lived without cell phones for 3 years and we are still alive and well...
We pay cash for everything so we can keep track of our spending better. We have to think deliberately about how much we want for food, gas, etc and it works a little better for us.
We make all of our foods homemade and make our own convenience foods (freezer!)
We make our own no-knead bread (artisan bread in 5 minutes a day and make it by the big bowlful. Pizza, rolls, bread, etc are easy and cheap to make....
We get our milk, eggs and meat from a farmer and buy in bulk. We freecycled an extra fridge and freezer so we could take advantage of lower prices.
Extras like toothbrushes, towels, razors can be purchased with coupons and if you watch the flyers you can pair them with good deals. So we keep a running tally of prices we spend for items so we know when the cost is lower, we purchase extras...ooh, like school supplies...we get good deals in August and take advantage of teacher discounts, too!!
Don't forget bartering for things. Babysitting and housecleaning for some kinds of lessons, for example are worth the effort!! Ask us how we know... 
if you only have the computer on at certain times of the day or days of the week can help, too...
Make sure you are not paying more than you need to for insurance, like auto, homeowners, etc. If you or dh is a veteran, you might be eligible for a property tax discount...
Use thrift and consignment stores...you would be AMAZED what you can find....but discipline yourself not to bring every lovely thing home..just what you need.
Oh there is more but I need to sleeeeppp....
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Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
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KackyK
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| Posted: Feb 17 2012 at 11:23pm | IP Logged
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So glad we are not the only ones who have to hammer on the bathroom door
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KackyK
Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven
Beginning With the Assumption
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: Feb 20 2012 at 5:45pm | IP Logged
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We sold some old/broken gold jewelry.
Commit to not buying new and use thrift shops and freecycle type groups.
Refinance before the pay cut it that will cut your mortgage bills.
Lots of meatless meals (soups).
Watch and cut back on car trips to save gasoline. I consolidate trips and attempt to stay home as much as possible (car pools, asking neighbors to pick up milk if they are going out anyway ).
No eating out. I was a fast food junkie - it's just so darn easy  - and staying home to save gas has also helped keep the temptations of fast food at bay.
HTH!
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Speaking of money shortcuts
