So, my bills are about to increase...DRAMATICALLY! My rent is significantly increasing, I have a car payment now, my auto insurance is double what it was for The Bird, and my student loan payments are significantly increasing as well...I'm having chest pains just typing all of that! So I have to start being frugal...very, very frugal. This is not easy for me because I like to shop...really, really like to shop, and I'm not picky about what I buy. Clothes, jewelry, makeup, hair product, vacations, Kenny tickets, bring it all on, I love it! I'm a natural born consumer, what can I say?
So this is where you all come in...I need your tips & suggestions about saving some money. What products can I buy that are just as good if you go with store brand vs. name brand? (laundry detergent is a MUST buy name brand, not negotiable) I took Married Jen's suggestion of the body wash and I actually like it...I'd still prefer my $9 Olay body wash, but I'm doing good here with the Suave. (I think it helps that it's in an Orange bottle...I LOVE Orange. And by the way Jen, in your post you said it was $1.75...it's $3 here!! Bastards!!) And the new score with the body wash even inspired me to buy Suave Shampoo & Conditioner for blonde highlights (my Mom will be VERY proud, yes Mom, I said SUAVE!) And how about food? I need some good menus of food to make that is delicious, cheap, and will last me a couple of days with leftovers that I can bring to work for lunch. Cause the $8/day for lunch and $3/day for coffee adds up, ya know? Any tips that anyone has for saving money, please leave them in the comments section.
And to show you all how serious I am about saving $$, I might (MIGHT) switch from Target to Walmart to save a few bucks. That's a big deal for me folks, because I HATE WALMART and I LOVE Target...but, it is a bit more expensive (and that's where I bought the body wash, so maybe it's $1.75 at Walmart??)...I don't mind paying for the sheer pleasure that is Target, but I'm just THINKING about switching, just thinking. I'm not above clipping coupons either, so I'll do that too.
So come on fellow internets, help a sister out...show me some love and help me save some $$!! Please, please, please leave me some comments on this one!
6 comments:
You live with a former financial planner dear. I could write you a book if you wished. I'll sit down and make a chart with you that includes nice creative pics to help inspire the savings in you. There is also an article on MSN.com pertaining to this. I think it's frugal something.
One good suggestion is to buy food in bulk. Like rice, frozen veggies, chicken, pasta, cereal, etc so you always have it on hand.
Oh, and maybe a little help with the coffee maker???
And there is a good blog you can read about a girl living in NYC who is trying to save money. I'll email it to you. She has great ideas.
Do you have Trader Joe's where you are? They are my go-to for CHEAP, healthy and easy to prepare meals / lunches. It's kind of a funky place, but tons of variety and good stuff.
When I feel the need for some extra cash, I start selling things on Ebay. It's amazing how many people want to buy your old crap. I bet that Coach purse of yours would get you quite a bit! :-)
Cupcake - I'm determined to figure out how to make coffee at home and save myself AT LEAST $100/month. At this point, it has just become a habit, and it's a habit that needs to be broken!
L Sass - Unfortunately there is no Trader Joe's in Maine. I've never been to one, but I've great things about them.
Allie - Part of being frugal means that I can't touch eBay with a 10-foot pole. I can see it now, I'd go with good intentions of selling things and end up buying new bags and wallets! An NO, none of my Coach bags are going on eBay...every girl deserves her Coach collection!
Sneak liquor into Kenny concerts in plastic baggies! Don't pay for $8 beers :) I am serious.
Also, take l sass' advice about the ING free savings account w/ interest! Save even like $20 a month and before you know it, you'll have your concert funds saved up for next summer!
MJ - I've actually thought about the ING savings account, but I really don't know much about it. I'll have to look into it because I've heard great things...is the interest really that good? And you recommend just a regular savings account?
I'm so with you on sneaking in liquor for the Kenny shows. Last year at Gillette Stadium, the beers were $7-8, parking was $40...ah, but the entertainment was PRICELESS! (Ya, I did just say that!! ~ sorry!)
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