Get rid of cable and use the internet for TV. Especially if you only want bare bones. ABC, NBC, CBS and other stations will show their shows online with limited commercials. You can also get Netflix for relatively cheap.

Hi Willow, love your money saving ideas.

We have recently got rid of our Cable package ( I mean we are two Adults working during the week, busy at weekends ) We put up an internal Aerial and catch local news, programmes etc, and we now use our Netflix package a lot more too. We're hoping in the long run to see good saving results, plus the Cable companies are sending us crazy offers to rejoin with them but we are staying firm ......

We also both got strict about buying lunches / coffees during the work week, now we make our own to take in , much cheaper !!

We also don't have a Home phone provider, we use MagicJack, and save a fortune, especially for our overseas calls.......

You can make your own fabric softener too:

6 cups water
3 cups white vinegar
2 cups hair conditioner

1. Mix water, vinegar, and hair conditioner in a 1 gallon container; stir. Do not shake it; it will cause foaming.
2. Use the same amount you normally use in a rinse cycle or spritz it on a wash cloth and throw in dryer.

I also hang most of the laundry to dry. I've got garment racks in the basement too (I use those when it rains).

I have the lights we use all the time on timers so we don't forget to turn them off.

We keep the furnace on a 3 degree differential - which means if the heat is set at 75 it has to drop below 72 before the furnace kicks in. We also lower the heat while we're gone during the day and at night before bed.

We dropped cable and use Netflix.

I clip coupons - every week I try to match as many manufacturer coupons to the grocery store specials, it's paying off. I saved $100 last week & $90 the week before. But it takes time which can be a downer.

Hope this helps.

~BettyRay

Here's FDH's list:
- Have Anne pay Netflix for everyone
- Only eat out if kids are here. Otherwise eat at home unless Anne pays
- Don't save up for engagement ring
- Take Anne on business trips
- Let Anne buy me clothes for birthday and holiday

We ditched satellite years ago. We paid $80 for a digital antenna that pulls ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, & even a few Canadian channels.

We don't have internet at home...only because we can't get a decent signal year-round without cutting down the National Forest. LOL!

I hang our laundry on the clothesline. (I was forced to start this when the element went out in our dryer, but it saves us money.)

I'm curious about the free weekends on the electric plan. I've never heard of that!

I haven't made homemade laundry detergent in a long time. But I do use less and add baking soda and vinegar. This seems to really clean and freshen the clothes as well as soften them.

In the dryer, I don't use sheets anymore. I did the Bounce bar but they run out so quickly and SPENDY to refill. I bought the dryer balls. The only thing I don't love about them is how noisy they make the dryer. Otherwise, they are GREAT! They make the clothes SOO soft. They dry quicker and have a ton of lint in the lint catcher (not sure if that is good or bad....).

Otherwise, yes, cable costs drive me crazy too! But my DH is a NASCAR freak and there is nothing online that streams in real time. ::sigh:: I will call and negotiate a lower cost, though.

Otherwise, eating out or grabbing snacks in the a.m. from the gas station are our big unnecessary expenses.

Cable is a big expense but we watch way too much sports to get rid of it.

We shut the air vents and doors to the kids rooms when they are not here.

I use vinegar and dawn as well. i have been wanting a steam cleaner for my hardwood but havent had the money yet. I make my own body scrubs and use vinegar for fabric softner. I have been experimenting with different things but havent liked most of what I have tried. I did try to make my own eye make up remover but it failed.

Willow that is what i tried. I got a recipe but it doesnt take my mascara off at all.

I started cutting back when I got laid off a few months ago. I have saved money in a few ways.

1. Making my own laundry detergent (45 min once a month or so.)
2. Make my own facial/body scrub. This cuts out cost of buying scrubs and moisturizers. (10 min to make a couple of jars.)
3. Coupons! I don't go crazy with these. I clip what comes in the mail, and I add digital coupons to my online Publix account, which I use by typing my phone # in at checkout in the store.
4. Meal planning based on what is on sale for the week. This made a HUGE difference because there were no more extra trips to pick up a few things during the week.
5. DH and kids do not go to the grocery with me anymore.
6. Coconut oil as a hair treatment/personal lubricant/face and boy moisturizer. I swear by the stuff!
7. Use recipes that are for casseroles or one pot meals. Cuts down on meats.
8. A ball of aluminum foil in the dryer instead of dryer sheets.
9. Make all cleaning products. Vinegar/water/dawn works for most anything. I add baking soda to the shower and toilet for an extra kick.

Other ideas that I did when single that DH refuses to be on board with:

1. Turn ac off when weather is nice.
2. Cut down on meats for dinner.
3. No cable

If anyone needs a recipe for anything I mentioned, I'm more than happy to provide it.

Pinterest is a great resource for ideas, too.