Cutting living expenses...

[Jessika]

No lecture, but I do think you should figure out and list what those cigarettes are costing you....just to be fair here.

I don't smoke but my vice is Cherry Coke... 2 - 3 cans a day... one 12 pack lasts me between 4 and six days, at $3.50 a case, that's roughly $17.50 - $26.50 a month, sometimes more. Which isn't much when you think about it but yearly that's anywhere from $210 - $318, which is easily a car and/or truck payment for me lol

[kuhio98]

We both smoke (I don't need any lectures)

Once my sister and her husband sat down and calculated that they spend $3,700 a year on cigarettes.

Unfortunately, they're both so addicted that they haven't even tried to quit.

I am soooooooooooo glad I never started smoking.

[Sevaede]

I am aware that internet is a luxury. HOWEVER, I *HAVE* to have it for school. My school REQUIRES it. It is the ONLY form of communication that they use. It is the way they require you to pay for everything. It is the required way to add and drop classes, etc. etc. I am not willing to sacrifice what I am working so hard to obtain.

I do have a savings and a checking in to which I deposit whatever, whenever. (50-100 every payday was what I used to do).

[Emeraldgreen]

I think keeping the internet and finding other items to cut that are in the entertainment category makes sense. We spend quite a bit of time online and though we pay 45.00 per month for the service we don't go out much and save alot that way. We're homebodies anyway.

We used to spend lots of money on coffees when we were out grocery shopping and running errands but we've limited that to a few a month now.

We plan out our meals for 2 weeks the day before we go to the store and then we end up making less spontaneous purchases which usually cost alot.

We buy meat and cheese in bulk and then cut it into small portions and vacuum pack it and freeze it. Save some real money there.
I also make larger meals and freeze half for another night.

We've been unplugging stuff like our toaster and lamps and turning off our power bar that our computer is connected to at night. Apparently energy is being used with them just being plugged in. Our electric bill has gone down.

Cats have been getting wet food every other day instead of every day. They don't seem to mind. It's just a treat anyway and I use one can of cat tuna for 9 cats. I pour one can into a bowl and add about 1/2 a cup of water and mix really well. They love the juice. One can costs less than .60 cents at the petstore so three times a week for 9 cats is 1.80. That doesn't include their dry food though which is ridiculously expensive. They are on Wellness holistic Healthwise which is 39.99 for 8 pounds or so. Crazy.

We rent movies sometimes from the library. They often have english sitcoms on tape as well.

And to make some extra money, I've been selling clothes and shoes that I hardly ever wear to a few different consignment shops. I usually collect about 100.00 a month with this.

[Suki Wingy]

I just found out my county now has the #1 highest sales tax in the country, thanks to a recent tax hike! Good thing I'm moving soon!

[Medusa]

This thread has really opened my eyes. I've learned a lot of good ways to save money and cut back, whether or not I feel the necessity. Thank you for all your good comments, everyone.