| Living on One Income | |
|
Even during the best of times it can be difficult trying to make ends meet on one income. Saving a few cents here and there can make a big difference at the end of the month. In previous articles, our readers shared their frugal tips. This week, I would like to share a few more tips that parents have submitted. Thanks to everyone who has sent in their frugal hints!
From Karen:
My Mother-in-law loves to buy the kids ice cream in the little plastic cups and also the little pudding cups. I have started saving those cups and using them for snack time....perfect size for just a little cereal, etc. Also, my little girl loves to paint and I can put just a little in the cup and it goes a long way and she loves it because she can hold it herself.
From Sue:
Instead of using pretty, expensive wrapping paper for birthday gifts, I have my kids (8 & 3) draw and paint on paper that we get our parcels wrapped in. People enjoy seeing the girls artwork. You could also save the artwork they do on other paper and use it for wrapping presents.
From Pam:
I scan through my favorite cookbooks and plan out an entire month's menu in advance. I take inventory of the food I do have in the pantry and freezer and then make a list of what I need to go on one BIG grocery shopping excursion. I scan through my coupons to tag team with the weekly circulars to help with my shopping. This minimizes the amount of trips I need to make in a month, thus saving me on my grocery budget. I only need to go every other week for milk, fruit and deli meat. It has helped us so far -- I'm on my third month with this plan.
From Nancy:
We have a one income family and a 4 year and a 2 year old who loves books. In the summer time, I frequent yard sales and I can buy good quality children's book from 5 to 25 cents a book!! Now my kids have a library of books that didn't even add up to the cost of one book!
From Danielle:
We have 1 income and 4 kids. I cut phone bill by taking long distance off and having basic local service. For long distance I use Vartec which is 5 cents/min with no minimum time requirement or any surcharge per call or month. I cut my electric bill from $146 down to $69 by unplugging all things not in use (microwaves, toaster, TV's). I only plug them in when I am using them, then unplug when done. I live in central Texas so in January the weather got warm enough so I could cut my A/C unit off. I use the fireplace. This summer to cut on using my dryer I plan on drying clothes on a line outside.
From Karima:
I am a stay-at-home mom of four beautiful girls and I homeschool three of them. We always save the plastic containers of food that we eat. When its time to do arts and crafts, we make homemade clay dough and store the dough in the sherbert containers that we collect. They are just the right size to double up the batch. We also use the baby food jars from my seven month old to put paint in. My children love to decorate the containers and jars as another fun project!
I want to thank everyone for their tips and hints, and please keep them coming!
| More Reader's Frugal Tips |
| | Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 | | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16 | | Page 17 | Page 18 | Page 19 | Page 20 | | Page 21 | Page 22 | Page 23 | Page 24 | Page 25 | | Page 26 | Page 27 | |
Do you have a frugal tip you would like to share? Please fill-out the form below, and let us know your tips.
| Last Name: | |
| Email Address: | |
How would you like your byline to read? Display My Full Name | |
|
Enter Your Tip Here: | |
| I certify that I am the author or sole owner of the material I am submitting to About.com. About.com and its licensees may reproduce, distribute, publish, display, edit, modify, create derivative works and otherwise use the material for any purpose in any form and on any media. I agree to indemnify About.com for all damages and expenses that may be incurred in connection with the material. For more information, please see our user agreement. | |