Identify 10 new ways for me to save money.

Well, I have been saving all year and have a small budget for spending on Christmas gifts. I have been watching my coupons like a hawk. I got my nephew a book for 60% off and his Star Wars DVD set for $5!

I have also been building my niece’s gift. I didn’t get it finished while on vacation this week but I did make nice progress. It took me a whole day to turn the spindles for this cradle but I felt that a baby cradle needed to have curves and be somewhat ornate. This is from Woodcraft magazine. I used oak instead of maple (oak is what I had on hand).

I still need to make the legs/pendulum support and then stain/seal. When it is done, it will swing. The pattern was for the American doll 15” “bitty baby” but my niece collects the 18” version so I had to modify the length a bit.

Take all the cards that I get given each year and cut them up to make new cards for people for birthdays and Xmas and easter etc.

In fact I am going to find some of last years xmas cards and start doing it now.

I’m just saying – there are no hand-me-downs, and you have to have some items in duplicate.

If you must have twins, look on craigslist for gently used baby stuff. Most baby equipment gets grown out of, not used up. Mr. Terrierhead and I have found some lovely chairs for the boys on craigslist. The chairs are in perfect condition but were less than half the price of new.

Resist the urge to dress your twins in identical clothing. Yes, it’s cute beyond words, but do you really need to buy doubles of their clothes?

Or, you could break those rules and help support a nice cause (HG awareness)

Making your own baby food is surprisingly easy and saves a ton of cash, especially if you already own a food processor. Those tiny jars of store food add up quick, and the homemade stuff tastes a lot better. Check out this link for helpful hints and recipes.

has led me to ride my motorcycle to work more often. At today’s prices, I save almost $3.50 each day I ride my bike. (and having my motorcycle at work means that I can not be the driver when we all head out for lunch.)

Keep those tires inflated. I increased my milage @ 10% simply by keeping the tires properly inflated – and increased the life of the tires at the same time.

change heater filter

use cloth napkins and hand towels instead of paper

get drying rack and clothesline

use coupons

plan a week of meals so i dont keep getting fast food or going back to the store.

another thing is, perhaps only turn on the computer at certain times. I do work at home but …

i was thinking, I could drive halfway to the school to pick up the kids and then walk to meet them. they could walk to my car with me.
that would cut out some miles of driving. we live 4 miles from their school.

1. Stop impulse buying…you’ll save so much cash.

2. Practice redistributive justice…take toilet paper from the bathrooms of places that can completely afford it. I did it at NYU while I was there and still do it when I see a whole stack of rolls at a big fancy restroom.

I’m not crazy, just trying to save up to get to Antarctica.

My husband from inviting his freeloading friends around for BBQs.

1.When we refinance our mortgage get a mortgagae offset account
2.Put extra away into a trust fund for the kids instead of having that slush fund to spend from

so far

I buy what I can in bulk and on sale. I’d like to try using coupons. Also we need to stop eating out. Even take out. This trashes our budget every month. Preplanned meals helped a lot too. Must get back to this.