<p>I’m not perfect at it, but we are not ordering as many drinks, including alcohol, when we go out.
I make my own lattes at home every day. I have a very good machine (actually, it just gave out after many years, so I had to order another).
I try to buy clothes and shoes when they are on sale, especially for me.
I use my American Airlines visa for everyone. I have received 10 trips from the east coast to Hawaii and 5 to Grand Cayman. Even when I buy a car I will put as much as they let me on the card. I actually have received other cards, such as SW airlines and Delta, when they offer 2 free round trip flights.</p>
<p>We do indulge in books and cultural fun travel which could be anywhere from an anthropology hike or a trek across the world with the kids (work and college). I go to my home state and he goes to his to see family (divide and conquer) which then saves our vacation days and travel money to then spend with the kids. Somehow the travel with them has been our best memories and experiences.</p>
<p>We gave up going to expensive plays and concerts. We will still attend local and high school theater and concerts. We cook a lot and have ancient cars. No smartphones and are jumping from cable to satellite to keep costs down.</p>
<p>We have had TWO old cars (over 8 years old) totaled. In both cases we carried collision and in both cases the payout was over $5000. That pays for many years of collision coverage.</p>
<p>Tap water.</p>
<p>We drink tap water, too, and ours tastes better and is healthier than bottled water, because we have a great under-counter filter:</p>
<p>[Multipure</a> Undercounter Water Filter System](<a href=“http://www.bestfilters.com/Multipure-Undercounter-Water-Filter-System_p_571.html]Multipure”>http://www.bestfilters.com/Multipure-Undercounter-Water-Filter-System_p_571.html)</p>
<p>Landline - I am still keen on keeping the landline, mostly with emergencies in mind. But we do our long distance calling on cellphones and will likely decide to ditch the landline in leaner retirement years down the road. </p>
<p>Collision - We carry high deductibles and eventually drop it for very old cars. We have low rates and do self-pay on the small bodywork costs (like the recent scratches, which started to rust - $650.) Thus no need to report to Allstate and risk increased rates. I can’t be certain we are ahead with this method, but it’s the path we choose. </p>
<p>Cars - We keep them a long time. We scrapped our 1997 minivan last year and are in the process of replacing our 1998 sedan. Soon our 2006 minivan won’t be “the new car”. </p>
<p>Camper - With sadness we sold our tent camper a few years ago. We were not using it, so we could no longer justify $300/year to store it. The insurance and registration were cheap, but I’m happy to not have that paperwork.</p>
<p>We dropped our landline a couple of years ago and only d has a smartphone.</p>
<p>Also, I just started ordering our paper and cleaning products from online stores (pick your favorite dollar or mass merchandiser and order from them). Most have free shipping (the one I use has free shipping at $45). I can easily get to that level, just through in an extra toothpaste or 4 pack of TP. That saves gas and time getting to the store and saves on impulse shopping.</p>
<p>We’re downsizing our home. Taking the equity and going from 4,000 SF to 2,500 SF. Our property tax bill drops from $24,000/yr to $7,500/yr. Saves us $1,600 in mortgage payments each month. Oh, and it’s a “green” home which means our utilities will be cut to about 45% of what we currently spent. Woohoo!</p>
<p>Tear up membership cards for wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club. I think most people would benefit dollarwise if they stayed out of those stores. The savings from buying in bulk there are outweighed by unnecessary purchases. It is too easy to go into a Sam’s Club intending to save a couple of bucks buying two small boxes of Velveeta and ending up walking out the door with a $1000 lighter wallet after buying on impulse a new trampoline, a mink snuggy, and a 55 gallon drum of mustard.</p>
<p>Public library.</p>
<p>I also go out of my way to avoid buying clothing that needs to be dry cleaned.</p>
<p>^^Amen #30! Although we’re not quite <em>that</em> bad 
Would also like H to stop receiving all his shopping emails–Kohl’s, fatwallet, Sears, etc. No one will ever convince me these save money. Sure, one or two items might be a good deal, but he buys spends way more by seeing all those great deals…</p>
<p>My garden, and the local Farm Stand. Enrolled in their CSA program this summer, and spent $25 per week on a bushel of vegetables. Frash veggies, and variety we would never try otherwise. In my garden I have fresh tomatoes (hate having to eat grocery store tomatoes during the winter), cucumbers, squash, and basil - made lots of pesto! Tried a few other herbs, as well (chocolate mint really does smell like chocolate).</p>
<p>As for Warehouse Clubs - only join if you know local prices. I go almost weekly, but I know what is a good deal there vs. other local stores. We save the membership price on milk alone. I have a budget for impulse purchases - no money in the budget, no impulse purchase. It works for us, but I know it wouldn’t work for many people. Same with credit cards - In 20+years of marriage, I think we’ve had maybe 2 months when we didn’t pay everything off (that’s a significant chunk of “savings” itself).</p>
<p>Can’t wait until I make D’s last tuition payment in April. That will save about $1500/mo.</p>
<p>Other than that I shop at Aldi and Walmart. I don’t look at ads. I hate shopping, so I just don’t go except for food/toiletries–not buying stuff is the easiest way to save. Don’t drink soda or alcohol–just tea/tap water. H and I could go a whole year or more without buying any new clothes for ourselves–I was just thinking I might try that as a challenge. We don’t eat out, but we could also stop bringing fast food in. I cut my own hair and don’t wear makeup or jewelry. Keeping old vehicles since they’re paid for and insurance is cheap. </p>
<p>JTH: OMG–$24K for property taxes! I thought mine was a lot at $4K/year!</p>
<p>
LOL</p>
<p>One year I told DD how much we made that year and all was spent. She could not believe we spent that much a year. So I made a list of all the expenses and asked her where she would save. Other than the cable, my hobby, and the once a year vacation, she could not find any expenses to cut. </p>
<p>In other words, we don’t spent on any thing other than basic necessary things. I went crazy this past year and purchased two pairs of running shoes - including a pair of Brooks at $12. However, those expenses are much less than the doctors’ bill if I don’t do the exercise.</p>
<p>4 more quarters tuition to pay. After those, we might have some extra cash to save.</p>
<p>No way would I stop shopping at Sam’s Club. They have the BEST meat at our Sam’s club–better than our butcher. I can get 4 REALLY NICE Prime Rib Eye steaks there, 1 1/2" thick cut for $24 or get crappy, thin cut ones at the butcher for $48+. </p>
<p>As for deciding when to drop the collision coverage on a car–do the math–how much are you paying for that collision coverage? How about comprehensive coverage? Dropping down to liability only, if your state allows will dramatically cut your car insurance payment–BUT, only do that if you can afford not to get anything for the car in an accident, hail damage, etc. (other then liability coverage). If your car is worth say $2000 and your comp/collision coverage runs you $800/year–I’d drop it. If your car is worth $4000 and you are paying $800, probably worth it to keep it for another year or two. I WOULD add an umbrella policy for extra liability coverage with teen drivers though.</p>
<p>atomom, we’re in Texas and our property taxes are high because (I’m told) we have no state income taxes.</p>
<p>But I shop at Walmart and Aldi too. Also not a fan of jewelry. Just don’t see the big deal. Makeup sometimes.</p>
<p>We also manage our electricity provider here. Just switched to a new company and lowered our average monthly by about $30.00/month.</p>
<p>Entertainment with the family is often card or board games. We have fun.</p>
<p>Yea, I agree there are a lot of temptations at Costco. </p>
<p>$24,000/yr or $7,500 property tax - Yikes! I guess we save money by being in a lower cost area… I think our 2400 sf house is about $2400/yr, not much more than our 1200 sf house was when we left a semi-rural area of NY in 1993.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What kind of emergency? Cell phones can all be located when you call 911 now… I have my cell phone in reach almost all the time. Just saying, be sure you are not holding on just to hold on. It is a pricey choice.</p>
<p>If you don’t have GEICO for auto insurance, and you have teen/young drivers, consider getting a quote from them. According to our previous insurer, USAA, the reason why GEICO’s auto insurance was about 2K less yearly than what we were paying with USAA was because GEICO doesn’t price up for young drivers. They are the only ones I’ve heard of that doesn’t raise your rates because of the young ones.</p>
<p>Needless to say, we are with GEICO now, have had two minor accidents with them (kid and spouse), they have barely raised the rates. And we are 2K/yr richer!</p>