1. Commit to your local library So, you think your local library is free right? Not exactly. I just looked up my property tax and I pay $262 per year for use (or lack thereof). Do you get your $262 worth of library use per year? You don’t have a choice in your local taxes but you can get your money’s worth. When we moved to Ohio from Texas we committed to using our library to its fullest. With some of the very best libraries in the country, it is very rare that I search for a book/audio/video that isn’t available in the metro area. Rarely I like a book so much that I will buy it and for the most part, a commitment to library use saves my family beau-coup money per year. Just don’t forget to return those videos! They add up!
2. Commit to Cheap Date Nights/Babysitters Haven’t had a date night in a while? There are cheap ways to celebrate your marriage. Often local churches or local clubs have free kids’ nights. Just last week my daughter’s gymnastics club held a free open gym. We dropped off all three kids and went out to dinner. AWANA is our favorite way to carve out some time for just the 2 of us. Every Wednesday night we drop them off at an amazing church for a “Vacation Bible School” type program. Our kids have a blast, learn the Bible and we get time to reconnect. Can’t beat Wednesday nights! Another way to get a cheap babysitter is do a SitSwap! Partner with another couple and trade Friday nights. This allows for a fun playdate for your kids while a nice date night for you! This could save over $100 per month!
3. Commit to Less Restaurant Meals (and use coupons when you go out!) The biggest savings we have seen in our budget is the commitment to eating out less and when we do, we use coupons. We go to dinner (without the kids) most Wednesday nights and 2 years ago we committed to only eating at restaurants that provide coupons. We’ve discovered a myriad of coupons available and we really have our pick of restaurants if we just do a little research. Also, Kids Eat Free restaurant deals abound. Compile a schedule of KEF restaurants in your vicinity. Don’t feel like cooking? You’ve done your research so head out to the nearest KEF! For our family of five, KEF saves us at least $15 per meal!
4. Commit to Lowering Your Gas/Electricty Bill Living in the Midwest, we use our heat quite a bit. And when the heat isn’t on, the air conditioning is…and sometimes in the same day. Go figure, crazy weather. One winter we decided we wouldn’t raise our heat above 62 degrees. Yes, we wore a few extra layers and unexpected guests would shiver until we pumped up the heat for them but we did save substantial money. Not this devoted to saving money? Consider purchasing a programmable thermostat like this one. Dropping the temperature when you’re away (or asleep!) can save without sacrifice. Also consider a heated mattress pad like this one. My best purchase EVER! Training the kids to turn out lights (Wii, TV, fans etc) also effects the monthly bills. My kids are on a tally system. Each light left on earns them a tally. For each tally they owe me a dime. Guess what? It works!
5. Commit to Simplicity Overwhelmed? Do what works for you. Are you new to Couponing? It can feel like drinking out of a fire hose. Pick ONE of these ways to save and incorporate until it becomes a habit. Or, pick a store where you’d like to save. We recommend CVS as a good starting place. At CVS you can save on food, medications, household items etc. You can learn how to save at CVS in our CVS 101 section of 4our2cents. Not ready to save and organize coupons? Start with savings on restaurants and eating out. Before leaving the house for dinner, check out sites like Valpak.com, Restaurant.com and eClub sites for Champps, Chili’s, Friday’s and others. Just today Champp’s sent out a coupon for $10 off $25. You can sign up for Champp’s here! And fyi, Chili’s has KEF January 3rd and 4th with this coupon.
Go here to see Ways to Save in 2012 Part 1
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