I am trying to be more frugal. I will admit that I am not as good as two of my sisters, they are insanely frugal. I have my moments. Could I do better, sure, but I am not trying to torture myself.
So, here are some tips from me:
1. Starbucks coffee offers a free cup of coffee with every 12 oz bag of coffee you get in the supermarket. So if you brew at home, and you like Starbuck's, save the bag and use it in any Starbuck's for a free cup of coffee. My local Starbucks even allows me a Venti Misto for free. So, I brew at home and when I am done with a bag, I save it for when I really need a cup of coffee and I am not home. This is semi-frugal since Starbuck's coffee is still more expensive than Folders. (My mom saved me her bags and gave me five; I'm saving them for a really special occasion!)
2. Great Clips is a new haircutting place near my grocery store. Right now they have $4.99 haircuts. Sure you could cut your own hair, but for $5 plus tip, why mess up your hair? It does cost more for shampooing and for styling afterwards, but if you are like me, you go home and change the style anyway, just pay the extra $4 for a shampoo and let them blow it dry. They will put product in, so you do get the gels or mousses you like, and then go home and style the way you like it. For a total of $9 the other day, I walked out with a haircut I liked.
3. BJ's wholesale club. If you do not belong to a Costco, a BJ's or a Sam's club, do it now! Diapers by the case are cheaper than buying them at WalMart. I priced out diapers for my newborn and if you buy a case, you pay about 10 cents, but if you buy them at Walmart, you are paying 18 cents a diaper. Trust me, I use a case! Also, BJ's will accept manufacturing coupons as well as their own. Since they sell diapers by the case, you can clip two coupons for the Sunday paper and use both coupons for the case! I have been able to get baby clothes for as cheap as $6.99 for an entire outfit. Do avoid the three gallon container of mayo, but for baby/ toddler stuff, get a membership!
4. Cloister's car wash and lube shop. Take care of your car every 3,000 to 4,000 miles and you will have less maintenance later. Cloister sends out a coupon for a free inside and out car wash and 50% off tire rotation when you get your oil changed. Trust me, it is worth the car wash because you don't have to crawl around the inside of your car finding the two week old french fries, some else does it for you!
5. Clipping coupons and shopping sales. Now, I am not going to be able to get $100 of groceries for 25 cents, but I was able to buy $140 worth of groceries for $106 because I tried to buy only items that I had coupons for and/or were on sale. I got a Brita water pitcher that was on sale for 25% off plus it had a $3 instant coupon plus I had a $4 coupon. So, a $32.00 pitcher and filter was only $18. I also got a baby carrying harness at Target for $15 (normally $98) because I was looking through clearance items only. At JCPenneys I got a $30 skirt for $3 because it was sized wrong. Oh, and shop Goodwill and the Salvation Army stores. I have been able to score nice professional clothing for pennies on the dollar, plus it is for a good cause.
6. I have not eaten out since the middle of November. This statement is significant since prior to my marriage the statement "I cooked a meal at home" would have caused my mother to do a double take! I pack my lunch each day and I have not bought a soda in the teacher's lounge either. I drink water all day and for a treat, I drink my Mother's Milk tea at night.
Could I do more, sure, but baby steps are needed. When you are an older mom, giving up some things are just hard to do when you have become accustomed to them. I have given up my trips to the movies and my trips abroad, please allow me my Starbuck's!
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