ok i have used all my can goods and plan on restocking more i have gotten hand outs from a food bank and meat at our house is almost non exisitent tv has be downsized, no eatting out no haircuts unless given by me what have u gave up/had to do with out since these bad economic times
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/27.html
1|1|Ive been cooking at home more|Mumzie|luckiestbamboo2@aol.com|14:18:45|10/01/2008|
and try to stock up on canned goods when they are on sale. Shaws had campbells soup on sale 10 for 10. They are the ones that go in the microwave.They are sooo good and for $1 makes them taste even better. They usually go for like $2.50.
Also when I buy sponges I cut them in half so I get double. Ive also been cutting down on paper towel. 2|2|Making less for dinner.....|shelly|shellysue49@gmail.com|15:01:53|10/01/2008|
..DH and I found that lately we've been tossing too much leftover food. While he DOES take whatever is leftove the next day for his work lunch, we had stuff remaining in the fridge at week's end and it ends up in the garbage! I don't particularly like leftovers, but I'm getting better at eating them.
So, we made a pact to make less to begin with, so have just enough leftover for his lunch.
Shelly 3|1|Eat out less, shop one day all stores in the same area to save gas, meat? Whats that lol.. we have cyut down on everything, cant eat healthy in this economy and the crappy stores I have|kandywolf|kandywolf@gmail.com|15:17:50|10/01/2008|
No longer use paper towels unless necessary, cut down on our electrric usage, been stocking and piling up wood for winter in our fireplace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-{--}- ~Please~ leave feedback at this link:
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/78.html
TY!
~Please include RS username in emails. If you do not have a username, I WILL NOT trade
with you. Tired of lurkers taking advantage of people, if you really want to trade, you will
sign up at RS with a username!~
~If we have not traded before and you have no feedback or 5 or less feedback you will
need to send your end first. Sorry but this is my new rule. TY~
~I am now giving 36 hours from the time I email someone about a trade. I am losing too
many trades waiting 3 or 4 days, and then they decide no, or dont let me know at all.
Sorry, but I can't wait longer than 36 hours, I believe that is more than fair~
~ Shipping from Zipcode 18201 ~
~~Thank you everyone for all the wonderful trades~~
~~ You are the BEST!! ~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-{-<@ Have we traded? @>-}- ~Please~ leave feedback at this link:
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/78.html
TY!
~Please include RS username in emails. If you do not have a username, I WILL NOT trade
with you. Tired of lurkers taking advantage of people, if you really want to trade, you will
sign up at RS with a username!~
~If we have not traded before and you have no feedback or 5 or less feedback you will
need to send your end first. Sorry but this is my new rule. TY~
~I am now giving 36 hours from the time I email someone about a trade. I am losing too
many trades waiting 3 or 4 days, and then they decide no, or dont let me know at all.
Sorry, but I can't wait longer than 36 hours, I believe that is more than fair~
~ Shipping from Zipcode 18201 ~
~~Thank you everyone for all the wonderful trades~~
~~ You are the BEST!! ~~
4|1|we are eating out less and.............|pussecat|pu55ecat@aol.com|15:35:20|10/01/2008|
stockpiling more of the items we like all the time when they are at a great price or free with coupons.
also we have started doing more things at home rather than going out such as renting a free redbox movie or using free movie tickets at the theater.
we've also cut out some products we like if there are no coupons, such as eggbeaters.
i'm trying to trade more for coupons rather than "buying" them.
we're doing a lot more rebates so that's helping some.
i'm sure there's more, i'll post when i think of some :)
***** BOYCOTT COUPON CLIPPING SERVICES that don't want YOU trading *****
5|1|had my directv shut off.........|rainj|jrainshgp@centurytel.net|15:38:54|10/01/2008|
Had all the extras on my home phone shut off now just have my internet and regular phone line. Dont do any driving unless i absolutly have too. Meat whats that, LOL. We very rarely have any meat here. I do have a bunch of bacon in the freezer that i got when the Farmland coupons were out. If im lucky enough to catch some meat marked down due to managers special i will get what i can. Its been really tough not just for me but for everyone. And the way things are looking im worried that its only going to get worse. I wish that i had a fireplace or a woodstove for this winter i dont know how im going to manage that high electric bill this winter.
Please leave feedback for me @
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/598.html
~Jennifer~
6|1|no extra snack foods, cut back cell phone packages, cut back on a/c, and making only necessary trips by car.|coltura68|Coltura68@gmail.com|15:59:13|10/01/2008|
Mom 2 Nathan and Keirsten and lovin it
Auction link http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmrscoltura68QQhtZ-1 11|2|We also lowered our cell bill...|shelly|shellysue49@gmail.com|18:16:52|10/01/2008|
we went in and had them cut several different things out of our billing; saved me about $50/mo. alone!!
Another thing we recently did is call our Insur. co's. and get new quotes. We primarily were doing this because my teen son purchased a car and we qualify for a multi-car discount. However, one of the co's. quotes came back so low on EVERYTHING, including our homeowner's insur., that we're making the switch.
Shelly 7|1|Eating out less, less convenience foods at home...making more stuff from scratch. Also, really keeping a closer eye on electricity usage.....cutting out most forms of entertainment that costs money. We do still rent movies but they are 5 movies for 5 days for $5 at a local place, but only do that once a month now. No more On Demand, it has gotten too expensive. Finding new uses for stuff I might normally throw away.|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|16:13:04|10/01/2008|
"Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy." 8|1|We are...|sunriver|lithiasalt@cheerful.com|17:56:01|10/01/2008|
We've been trying to simplify as much as possible. Dh takes the bus to work. The kids and I walk a lot more.
I've been trying to always "make do" with what is on hand rather than thinking I need more. For example I might start thinking of dinner and wish we had ground beef, but I am not running to the store to get some. I'll make pasta and sauce instead.
For cleaning supplies I am using windex (my free stockpiles) for almost everything. I don;t buy paper towels at all but I do have about 20 old wash rags that I use for dishes and other cleaning needs.
I used to let aluminum cans pile up and only take them every few months, but lately I have been bagging them about every 2 weeks and that saves me a few dollars at the grocery store.
My dryer broke and although I miss soft clothes I have been line drying everything. This has cut my electric bill down. When I just can't stand it anymore or I get really behind on drying I will take a few loads to the laundromat. It is still cheaper for me to pay $1 a load to dry than to get a new dryer, especially since I am able to dry most of it outside.
My city offers energy assistance to low income people and I will apply for that this month. That will save me up to $300 and will pay 1/2 of my electric bill for three months up to $300. There is another local charity that uses government funding (can't recall the name LHEAP or something like that) and they will also give out grant money. Last year we got about $250 towards the heating bill. I'm doing that again this year because that will go a long way to keeping us from freezing in a couple months. It is kind of humbling to admit that I am doing all of that, but I mention it so that maybe someone else will be inspired to see what they might qualify for in their area.
Anyway that is a few of my ideas. HTH. vanessa
9|1|A few things I'm trying to do to tighten my belt.....|maraj|maraj64@hotmail.com|18:07:58|10/01/2008|
I cancelled the Voice Mail & Selective Call Rejection options on my phone, I'm trying to save on gas by not making so many trips to the store (trying to do as much biz as possible in 1 trip), cutting back on elect. & water/sewer use, less take-out/eating out or "quick" meals & more homemade meals, only washing full loads of clothes & using my outside clothesline, trying to trade for more coupons for things we use (instead of trying to squeak by w/the pathetic SS coupons the Sun. paper around here has), & even checking the pkgs. of toilet paper to see which has the most sheets for the price (Scott is actually much better deal than Cottonelle. LOL).
Some of these things I've been doing for awhile anyway but am trying to be more diligent about it now. I've also been putting my "loose" change (pennies, nickels & dimes) in my piggy bank. Been doing that for a long time & just since I moved 4 mos. ago, I'd put away $88! Applied that to the principle on my mortgage payment. :)
Tami
"If you pick up a starving dog & make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principle difference between a dog & a man."
Mark Twain
Please identify yourself in 1st email. If I haven't traded w/you before, I will require *legit* trade references & will gladly provide the same.
10|1|Doing a panty challenge....(M)|bluh2oeyes|bluh2oeyes@yahoo.com|18:08:17|10/01/2008|
This means that I'm using things in my pantry/freezer/stockpile first. I'm buying only what I really need like some produce and dairy but only buying those when I can do a grocery mystery shop to pay for them. I have 2 mystery shops next week. I'll stock my produce & milk up then for the next few weeks! You never know what's at the back of the pantry and bottom of the freezer till you do this. Oh boy, I'm finding things and saying to myself..."Why the heck did I buy this!?" Most likely answer is "COUPONS & a sale!" Plus I'm learning to be really creative with stuff I have to make up meals. : )
I was going to go full out and not buy anything for at least 30 days including stockpile frees & stuff like Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS rebate/ECB/Frees but I haven't brought myself to do that yet.
Baby steps...one challenge at a time....maybe in the next month or 2 I'll give up 30 days of no stockpile buying (unless it's 100% free! LOL!)
Jennifer in North Carolina...the Tar Heel State
12|2|PANTY Challenge? That one had me doing a double take.....ROFL|Beaglesfly|lmllr77@aol.com|18:31:00|10/01/2008|
lauren 14|3|I went straight to this post. I had to giggle at first. hehe |vickijo|vjdesmond@rochester.rr.com|18:35:43|10/01/2008|
Thanks!
Vicki, NY 15|3|Until I opened the message, I was afraid to ask what a Panty challenge was! :O lololol|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|18:36:38|10/01/2008|
"Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy." 16|2|Thanks for the chuckle on "panty challenge" (m)|maraj|maraj64@hotmail.com|18:37:33|10/01/2008|
I'm sorry but it struck my funny bone too, mostly cuz I've "oopsed" a time or 2 myself. LOL
Tami
"If you pick up a starving dog & make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principle difference between a dog & a man."
Mark Twain
Please identify yourself in 1st email. If I haven't traded w/you before, I will require *legit* trade references & will gladly provide the same.
19|2|Glad you all had a laugh at my TYPO! : )|bluh2oeyes|bluh2oeyes@yahoo.com|19:59:36|10/01/2008|
I just saw you all laughing at my typo. Glad I made a few folks laugh.
That what happens when your on a conference call that's a total bore and reading and typing.
Jennifer in North Carolina...the Tar Heel State
13|1|lol me too! hehe|kandywolf|kandywolf@gmail.com|18:35:32|10/01/2008|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-{-<@ Have we traded? @>-}- ~Please~ leave feedback at this link:
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/78.html
TY!
~Please include RS username in emails. If you do not have a username, I WILL NOT trade
with you. Tired of lurkers taking advantage of people, if you really want to trade, you will
sign up at RS with a username!~
~If we have not traded before and you have no feedback or 5 or less feedback you will
need to send your end first. Sorry but this is my new rule. TY~
~I am now giving 36 hours from the time I email someone about a trade. I am losing too
many trades waiting 3 or 4 days, and then they decide no, or dont let me know at all.
Sorry, but I can't wait longer than 36 hours, I believe that is more than fair~
~ Shipping from Zipcode 18201 ~
~~Thank you everyone for all the wonderful trades~~
~~ You are the BEST!! ~~
17|1|we only buy meat and dairy and eat from the pantry not panty ROFL|glennie58|glenn_scott@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu|18:55:06|10/01/2008|
this is working ok for us just wish we didn't have to eat at all... lol 18|2|we also aren't doing any school fundraisers that cost money|glennie58|glenn_scott@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu|18:56:07|10/01/2008|
sorry to say we can't even pretend at this point... 20|3|What we're doing|hudge4|hudge95@yahoo.com|20:00:10|10/01/2008|
We are a family of 5 with 2 small pets. Here's what we're doing:
*Absolutely NOOOOO credit cards!
*I shop at thrift stores and consignment now. Before it was only somewhat necessary, more of a fun thing, like treasure hunting. I have always shopped the clearence. Now clearence is too high. Unfortunately, it's become necessary. I'm only buying shoes and underthings brand new.
*Eating at home more. Using less meat in recipes. Eating whatever is in the pantry/freezer.
Eating more canned fruit instead of fresh. Hot dogs and beans a few times a week-GULP!
*Combining trips out to use less gas.
*Free or almost free fun on the weekends, and things that are close to home because of gas. Mostly going to the park, sometimes with friends, b1g1 free yogurt at a local shop. Sleepovers for the kids with their friends, Redbox movies.
We don't have any savings so if we're in need, like for perscriptions or repairs, we pay the mortgage late. Yes, I know it shows on the credit report, but at this point, we don't have a choice. We pay the late fee and just suck it up. We had an equity line of credit, but since our home's value took a nose-dive, it was suspended. That was the only way we were paying property taxes and big ticket needs.
It won't always be this way. The economy has got to get better.
~~Feedback link~~
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/1021.html 21|1|some things I do to cut expenses...|emerald9|brandaseider@yahoo.com|13:02:43|10/02/2008|
We are a family of 4 *2 teenage sons, myself, & dh* and to save money we...
*definitely purchase quality clothing items at thrift stores/yard sales and CHEAP clearance racks...been doing that for years...
*stockpile everything possible w/long shelf life...my family isn't picky on what we eat - we've learned not to be b/c we can't afford to be picky...we're definitely NOT brand loyal...I spend approximately $25-$50/week sometimes less on staples (sugar, flour, bread *from bread store...much cheaper*, milk & juice *trade stockpiles w/friend who has more than she can use* fresh vegs/fruits when cheap enough...etc.)
*"purchase" it if it's FREE, whether or not you think it's something you'll use...if it's not something you can use, you can give it away to someone who will use it and experience the joy of giving...which will be "reciprocated" somehow sooner or later...
*wash/re-use the gallon sz Ziploc baggies (which were, of course, bought w/Qs...)
*find new and interesting ways to use that wonderful cheap/free Farmland Sausage purchased w/coupons in place of pricier meats, and we use lots of chicken which goes on sale quite often...
*buy "marked-down" meats whenever I find them...
*pay most bills online to save on postage, and re-use envelopes that come w/bills that I pay online, junk mail, etc. and just mark out any barcodes/writing...
*only go to my fave stores (WalMart, Walgreens, CVS, Kroger) in town 30 mins away only 1 x/wk or 2x/month :o( (depending on how finances are that week)and take care of all business in one trip...to save on gasoline and extra money being spent...
* (DSs and I) bring our lunches (only made of foods bought w/coupons, of course ;o) ) to school/work because school lunches are too expensive to eat every day...
*when possible, make most things from scratch...it's really much cheaper and healthier...
*each use our bath towel 2-3 times, thus cutting down on laundry related energy costs...
*basically only buy HBAs if they're clearanced or on sale w/coupons...and use what we have on hand regardless of whether or not it's the brand we might be partial to...
*use Netflix instead of renting movies from movie store...much cheaper and no return hassles/deadlines...
*have cut WAAAAAYY down on eating out...
sorry if any of these are repeats, but these are some things we do...
During school hours, for an immediate response, please email me at bseider@comancheisd.net...
If I have not traded with you before OR you don't have a feedback link, I will hold my end until I receive yours...thank you so much for being an honest and reliable trader!
Thank you for all the trades!
Please leave feedback if we've had a good trade!!
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/342.html
emerald9
brandaseider@yahoo.com 23|2|good one|freebiejunkie|joelpoole@msn.com|13:28:47|10/02/2008|
"*wash/re-use the gallon sz Ziploc baggies (which were, of course, bought w/Qs...)"
I do this too. even with smaller ones...
22|1|Eating out less is the ultimate for us..I figure evey time I cook we are saving at least $10 or more...if we do eat out, it is with coupons|freebiejunkie|joelpoole@msn.com|13:26:00|10/02/2008|
Posted on Oct-02-08 at 01:26 PM (Eastern) by 173.7.90.58
A few weeks ago I had $100 cash... I coupon shopped like crazy, rolled tons of cats, and still had $40 after the 2 week period. I sorta played a game to see if we could stretch it...If you can watch every single penny(literally) you will be able to really cut out all the little things you forget that you are spending money on.
I had our cable($151 a month) cut off over 18 months ago, never miss it...we got a digital antenna for the roof and it has lot's of channels; christian, cartoons, and all the local stuff.
Some nights we have smaller meals; sandwich/soup ~ Hot Dog/ chips ~ Mac/cheese, Tv dinners, etc. Cooking less saves time, money and most of the time those extra calories I don't need:)
Stockpiling like crazy here...I have yard sales to sell my overstock, but, mainly just want to stock the items we will use in the future....
If the economy gets worse, everything will continue to rise in cost.
If it gets better, well, we will be ahead of the game....:)
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
- Robert Louis Stevenson
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"Any fool can count the seeds in an apple. Only God can count all the apples in one seed." ~Robert H. Schuller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Live in such a way that those who know you, but don't know God, will
come to know God because they know you"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
~Ronald Reagan
24|1|trying to make more meals that go a long way adding rice or elbow macaroni to casseroles |ASWEENEY|tgif246@aol.com|13:51:03|10/02/2008|
able to have more left overs for lunch that way.
Leaving lights out in other rooms when no one is there only leaving one light in the whole house when watching tv not leaving outside spot light on till later on at night.
Trying not to use heat yet unless real chilly will put a sweater on first
Washing big batches I read that it takes just as much electricity to do a small batch and a big batch.
One thing that I am going to do on sundays is use my oven to cook nice meal. We have electric heat so I can shut the heat off in the kitchen and leave the oven door open crakced open cook and heat at the same time.
I have a dehumidfier run it but don't leave it on all the time.
I only dry my towels now I have a clothes rack to dry all my other clothes save there.
As you can see I am a big saver.
25|1|to save water you can always shower together remember no coupon needed for this|tollman62|thebossatnight@yahoo.com|15:36:44|10/02/2008|
bad traders GO AWAY!!!
I mail all my trades from the post office and get a receipt.
you always hear noises in the dark when you work at night 26|2|LOL! Wow, the sacrifices you make at your house to save some money....I am impressed, Steve! :D|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|16:03:31|10/02/2008|
"Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy." 27|2|Hey I'm good at those kind of showers ROFL but in 9 mths they cost me way more than the water would have|Kristy|mi3zons1@yahoo.com|16:04:16|10/02/2008|
"Women should not have children after 35. Thirty-five children are enough." - anonymous (Only 28 to GO!) 28|3|i cut bounce sheets in half |karrkamper|jdouglas@omnitelcom.com|19:22:45|10/02/2008|
and theywork just as well my box of 200 will last me a long time
also use 1/2 amount of laundry soap and clothes still come out clean
vickie
29|1|We have been getting movies from our Library, I take the used dryer sheets and use them instead of swiffer sheets and they also do a real good job on the tv screen and computer. I have been making my own scouring pads with the plastic netting that come wrapped around the turkey( which makes about 3 supers and a few lunches)and some fruitThank goodness for all the free dog and cat foods I have been able to get at Kmart they animals wont go with out for some time. We are going to plastic all the windows this winter and we have put one of those heaters that looks like a fire place on layaway at big lots so we will use that in the main room and close the vent there to push the heat into the bed rooms. Bought a few sweaters at goodwill that will get some use also. Lots of stockpile. but most of all LOTS of Prayer and Faith its got to get better.|nancygal|brennansnanna@hotmail.com|09:45:36|10/03/2008|
nancygal 30|1|Im working on trying to find a wood stove for my house for the winter..........|rainj|jrainshgp@centurytel.net|10:48:53|10/03/2008|
There is just no way that i will be able to afford to run the furnace and i can get all the wood i need right behind my house.
I have been cutting my dryer sheets in half forever and using the clothes line to dry clothes.
When we eat hamburger helper instead of using 2 boxes i just add extra noodles to it to make it stretch farther so that i can heat the left overs up for lunch the next day for myself.
my kids get free lunches and breakfast at school so they eat at school instead of me packing them a lunch.
keep all lights off in rooms we are not in. Unplug anything that is not being used. You would be surprised how much electricity something uses when plugged up even when not in use!!!
Have started buying the cheaper shampoo and condition even though i dont like it im not lucky enough to get the doubles some do so i have a hard time stockpiling anything!!!
Please leave feedback for me @
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/598.html
~Jennifer~
31|1|cutting out a lot of paper products (m)|doycosmo|eddie2kevin@tampabay.rr.com|14:07:33|10/03/2008|
We use cloth napkins, use washcloth as dishrags instead of buying sponges, no paper plates or utensils, I re0use tin foil to if it clean and in good enough shape, if I am just coering a dish in the fridge with it there is no reason not to use it again, also started using (MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME!! NO JOKE!!) a diva cup for that time of the month ( http://www.divacup.com/ ), at first it seemed gross but once my stockpile of Kotex ran out I did not want to spend the money on them, if I see them cheap enough or near free I will buy them because the conveneince is so much easier but the diva cup works fine for me, I use the newspaper for wiping mirrors and windows and make a lot of my own cleaners with baking soda and vinegar and am trying round 2 at a garden, the summer killed off mine here in Florida
Joyce
Feedback: http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/234.html