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For me, it's changing to a cash card like the Fidelity visa which gives me back 2% cashback. I charge everything to it and the $ then automatically goes into my kids' college fund so I am not tempted to spend it. Great dollar cost averaging idea and if I don't see it, I won't spend it.
Electric company plans, insurance policies, cell phone plans, any other subscription services, etc.
I've minimized as much as I could. Recently just minimized my insurance policies to get rid of bloated coverage limits, saves me $450 a year, why not! Also I'm planning to reduce my temptation for spending by closing 2 out of the 4 credit cards I have. I want to eventually get it down to 1. But I need to get my credit limit higher on the one I use all the time first before I close the 3rd.
This is an oldy, but goody. Menus and planning meals for less waste.
I'm back on the band wagon. I bought a lot of veggies after the new year and I'm attempting to make them into tasty and healthy meals for my family in a timely manner. I have most of it under control. The bananas were made into banana bread. I caught that the cucumbers were going bad within three days of purchase so I made a last minute menu change and used them all up. I'm perusing Pinterest and adding meals to my plan that use what I have on hand and give me a running list for what I don't.
I don't always buy what is cheapest although if I can easily work it into my plan I will. My kids loved the from scratch apple pie I made with excess apples during the holidays. I had to make a quick run to the store yesterday for something my child needed. I bagged up three varieties of $.99/# apples. I will make a pie today or tomorrow. It will be a win win because the kids get something sweet they crave and I won't eat it because I don't eat cinnamon.
Shifting my focus to time vs $s. After reflecting, I’ve come to realize that there is more joy to be had by making sure my family has time to enjoy life. Making sure the cars are full of gas, house cleaned, laundry...we are at a point now where the cash flow is ahead of how we best spend our time. Hence, my decision to hire a maid service to keep our home immaculate. It is worth it!
We have tried various methods of food preservation: freezing, salt/corning, drying [either by dehydrating, jerking, smoking, or pemmican], pickling, canning [None of these methods require electricity], and freeze-drying.
Roast your own coffee beans. Search YouTube videos and you'll find plenty of how-to videos using a $5 thrift-store hot air popcorn popper. You'll get coffee that is better than Starbucks or Peets for less than half the cost.
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