When dating, Cool Mum and I had a running joke about who was more frugal. Somehow, she still married me when, in efforts to save money, I didn’t get her a birthday present one year and our dates involved encouraging her to order ANYTHING her heart desired (from the value menu).
Now that the boy’s moved in, we’re on the same page with saving money. There are a tonne of “How to Save Money” articles out there, but I bet none of them are written by anyone named “Cool Dad”. That name oozes financial authority.
Instead of telling you what to do, I’ll just mention what works for us.
When eating out, go for the cheap
We try to limit eating out, but we enjoy it. So, we go for two reasons:
- no cooking
- time together without computers or phones
We don’t have to eat at a place like Friday’s, Chili’s, or Bennigan’s to achieve those goals. They are just as easily met at Moe’s, Chick Fil-A, or a cheap local place (our preference).
Our goal is to spend around $10.00 for the two of us. I think the ultimate was when we split a Moo-Moo Mr. Cow, the kids’ meal from Moe’s. 2 people, $4.00, and lots of free chips. And many places are struck off the list when we think, “Oh, but you have to pay a tip.”
Split meals at more expensive places
I grumble at times about this, but it often makes sense. This is America, so our meal will be at least double the portion of what we should eat anyway. So when we hit up a place with service, we go for the split. And there’s always that moment when the server’s demeanor changes when we start our order with, “We’d like to split the…”
Cheap cable
We can’t claim the cheap crown on this because we have several friends who have no cable. But we are on the limited basic plan: $12/month for the networks, local and PBS stuff, and QVC just in case the local mall falls into a sinkhole. That’s enough for us to watch any shows we like and for me to catch some good sports.
Save diapers by sitting nude baby on a tarp or equivalent
OK, we actually don’t do this, but we seriously considered it. We have a large vinyl roller shade that we took down, so when the baby couldn’t crawl yet, we figured it would be a perfect way to save diapers. I’ll stop here.
Pre-paid wireless plan
This is not for the faint of heart. Instead of regular plans, we each have a pre-paid plan that’s 18 cents/min. For long-distance at home, we use an online calling card that’s 3 cents/min. It’s cheap enough to make calls whenever convenient.
If there’s a landline available, we return incoming calls on that, much to the annoyance of loved ones. We don’t like to chat while driving or shopping, so we’re not missing out there. We spend about $20/month for wireless for the two of us. Not for everyone, but it works for us.
We have more ideas, but we’d love to hear yours. What are you doing to stretch those dollars?
(photo: mhaithaca)
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Well, I don’t have a baby, but I do know how to work a budget. (I am my father’s daughter in that very sense.)
Here are a few of my tricks:
-I employ the “cheap cable” tactic, also packaged with cheap internet that is plenty fast enough for me.
I shop at IKEA whenever I can. Need I say more?
I recently put some STP (fuel injector treatment) in my gas tank. Supposedly it cleans things up and helps fuel efficiency. I’ll let you know if that really works when I fill up again.
I buy Target brand stuff (Market Pantry). Because Wal-Mart sucks.
I save ahead for insurance and such and will hopefully be able to pay the 10-months ahead option and save a few months’ premiums.
Tax returns? Ummm…fingers crossed!
And finally…I put my own artwork/inventions on the wall, or employ one of my many artsy-fartsy and/or carpentry savvy friends to help me out. Our next project is building a wall shelf that will be glorious once it’s finished.
p.s. I meant to note that, judging by the way you spelled “tonnes” and a few other things…one, or both, of you are originally from Aussie land or the UK. Or you’re just trying to be hip.
I’ll have you know that I’m an honorary Aussie, dubbed by a former roommate. I relish the title, really.
Great Post! The tarp thing is genius… I really think there would be some people out there who would buy something like that. You should come up with a cleaver name, Throw some cutesy picture on it and market that bad boy!
Rachel–you guessed it! Simply trying to be cool again. I can’t fault him though. Look at me, trying to get my kid to call me something cool like “mum.” I may not have an awesome honorary status (or real status, for that matter), but I do have an Official Swedish IKEA Changing Table! woo hoo!
Matt–yes, I think there would be a market for that diaper-saving tarp. The same sorts of folks that eat their kids’ leftover baby food. =)
Just that it would be fun to throw in tonnes instead of boring old tons. Keeping it lively: one of my favourite things to do.
Thanks for the clarification, guys.
Glad you like to mix it up with uber hip lingo. I hear it’s all the rage with the kids these days…or something.
Rachel – not that this particularly money-saving, but we love the Archer Farms Chocolate Cranberry trail mix at Target! I think it kept CM going during some rough patches of the pregnancy.
A few of our best tries:
1) No cable. We’re in a metropolis where our rabbit ears can bring us all networks (including 3 NBCs, 2 Foxes and several en espanol.)
1.a) Netflix over Blockbuster, and better yet, library over Netflix, when we have our act together.
2) Only one cell phone. Not as cheap as you guys.
3) We use half a dryer sheet per load of laundry, plus we use store brand everything, and I cut coupons.
4) I paint my own nails. (This is nearly unheard-of in SoFla!)
5) Credit Cards with points – everything possible goes on the card, and the points pay for our extravagant Disney vacations. This only works if you pay off the card, of course.
I’m sure there are more…
To add to Amy’s List:
- Always use 1/2 price or buy 1/get 1 at fav. local mexican dive
- Take in-laws to dinner with you so they will pick up the tab… KIDDING…kinda… no really I am : )
Amy – I’m not brave enough to go for the rabbit ears yet. CM’s mom gets great movies from her local library. We don’t have one nearby unfortunately. We have a rewards card and it’s been working quite nicely for us!
Matt – Yes, most every place we eat, we have a coupon for. Coupons are holy, blessed things.
YES!! Go out to eat with the in-laws! That’s what my man and I did today! Yay us!
Great tips here guys! We’re in the process of restructuring our budget. Which means restructuring our lives…THIS should be fun =o
Yes, both sets of parents have treated us very well. We thank God for them!
Tam, let us know how your restructuring goes!
i don’t know why this post excites me. figuring out ways to be cheap really shouldn’t but here i go…
1. i cloth diaper the boy. it’s not that bad, really. or if in a laundry rut, i save tremendously on diapers when not using them as much. my next plan for saving on diapers…early potty training.
2. thrift stores? hmmm?
3. i make my own cleaning supplies. also some of my own body cleaning stuff. usually these things involve lots of baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils to make things smell good. i just found recipes online.
4. man, i’m trying out the vegetarian thing lately, and the cheapness prospects are lookin real good. lots of vegetables, lot of beans, buy grains in bulk…cheapey weapey! oh gosh, why do i type things like that?
5. i buy my produce from a co-op where a bunch of people go in and buy them bulk from farmers. it’s fresh and cheaper.
6. i use skype to call people a lot.
7. i just don’t have friends anymore. that way, i don’t go out to dinner anymore, spend gas money seeing them, or ever have to buy presents. it’s great. not…totally kidding. everybody needs friends.
also, most importantly, so wait, you guys aren’t british? are you just plain americans, like me? this is something i’ve been wondering for awhile, besides what you guys look like…so mysterious!
Lauren–I am so impressed that you cloth diaper! Wow. My excuse is that our cheapo washer would never be able to handle it, thus canceling out the savings. Probably not that good of an excuse though.
I too am a fan of beans, vegetables, and farmers markets! =)
Yep, plain old Americans. Don’t tell anyone. Although, some Europeans we met on our recent trip said we weren’t “ordinary Americans” when they heard about how we didn’t check any baggage (see the Europe tag). That made us mighty proud.
Mystery…yes, that brings me to another way that we save money. We get to eat at the fanciest places in town for free because we are Super-Secret Mystery Shoppers! Yesterday we had omelettes and pancakes at an exclusive place around here called Perkins.
Put yer nice dress on, Maw. We goin’ to a tippin’ place!!
Thank God for mystery shopping.