Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Quiet: Spending Less


* Photo: sort of unrelated but fun because Rachel said I was wearing "her style" this particular day. She has a real flair for putting unusual combinations together and yet they really work for her!

 When I thought of a list of things I hoped to "quiet" here, spending was one of the ideas that came to mind. I am a pretty thrifty and budget conscious person - but I knew I could be doing better. It has been so fun to {as my Mom says} see it as a game to see how inexpensively I could make our month and I hope to continue this throughout the year!

I've had a number of fun things on this front since around Christmas - I will share a few of them here:

* Penney's buttons: $50 in gift certificates! Did you see the buttons Penney's was giving out in December? My Mom and I had a bunch and when we logged on to check our codes we scored about $50 in free gift certificates to spend in the store. We got jewelery for my Mom and Aunt Mary to wear to their sister's wedding at a great discount, socks for a gift, jeans for me also with a certificate  and best of all we had bought black dress socks for Nathan and Samuel {also for the wedding} and were able to return those and buy them another day with a $10 code - FREE!


* Coke points: my Dad found a code from a 20 pack of Coke out on the bike trail one day. When I logged in to enter the code, I saw they were having their Wednesday special and it was a free 12 pack coupon for only 30 points instead of 250! I snagged four coupons.

* I gave three boys/mens hair cuts in a week to family members!

* I have been using free exercise videos on You Tube occasionally instead of buying a new one.

* And, I've made a number of Christmas gifts for next year for practically nothing!

I don't share this to brag, but with enthusiasm at being diligent in spending less. It feels great and as my Mom also says {she has a lot of wisdom doesn't she!?} success breeds success. I am energized and motivated to continue the thrifty game in the weeks ahead. We both love reading the Prudent Homemaker's weekly posts of frugal things she has done each week. And, I loved this post from Wendi on mending!

8 comments:

Wendi said...

What a great idea to think of being frugal as a game! It isn't always easy being frugal.

I enjoy post like this. It motivates me!

*carrie* said...

That's great, Monica. Mom just told me a couple weeks ago about The Prudent Homemaker, and I've been enjoying her posts as well. Inspiring!

Something I'm going to do later today is make from-scratch brownies. I know you have a recipe you love, but I've only made non-box ones a handful of times ever!

~katie~ said...

Wow, great deals! I love "frugal" posts ~ Mary Ann, Wendi, and your sis are good about sharing great deals too!

Love that you used "youtube" exercise videos ~ I never would've thought to do that!!

Shelby said...

Love it:)

Blissful & Domestic said...

Monica your are doing some amazing things. Keep it up;)


The Frugal Mom
Www.blissfulanddomestic. Com

angie said...

I have always thought of being frugal and saving as a game. (But, in the interest of being sensitive to those who must exercise this discipline, I realize that choosing to do something is far different than having no other choice.) I also feel that I gained financial wisdom from my mother.

I have learned many resourceful tips from bloggers, such as you, along the way. My newest attempts at saving have been to make oatmeal instead of buying the instant packets. Additionally, it is much healthier. I was without a dryer for nearly 2 weeks, and realized how very little I actually need one. I have been walking to do as many errands as possible, combining a daily workout with tasks and vit D exposure.

On my walks, I am always on the lookout for coke lids. Score to your dad for finding a high value code!

terricheney said...

I had NO clue about the mycokerewards 'specials'...Bless you for sharing that. I shall be looking the site over more often! I have loads of Coke points and have generally used them for free food/drinks or magazine subscriptions.

Mom said...

Cute photo :) -- and well done on thriftiness! Thanks for the shout-outs. It makes me happy to share this pursuit of frugality with you and Carrie! :) Love you, Mom