Tid bits from others???


Something I recently did was call the phone company ask what packages there are what I can do differently?

My phone company offered a 3 for one price - For $118.00 I get My phone, my cable, Internet, and unlimited long distance.
Before this plan I was paying $150 for my phone and long distance and my internet ......... Cable was about $80 a month..big savings.


I called the bank ..talked to them about my finances ...my loan person is now the bank president ..so I went straight to him... WE got a lower interest rate .... and saved a bunch!


Paying off credit cards and only charging what I Know I can pay off each month! Christmas we did a few no nos...but were back on track they will be gone! We also do not carry them in our wallets ....thats too tempting..they are locked away!

We had a water leak last year - over 500 in water bills ...... the leak was outside ... well then we found our washing machine was dripping into the tank.......... new washer saved us about $20 a month! .. I did look for a scratch and dent machine but non were available .. I did not spend lots for my machine ..but the 20 a month has paid for itself!

I shop on freecycle - lol go ahead laugh yes I do ..IF i can get it for free darn betcha am right there!
I have found I have better luck requesting items than watching for them.
This weekend I got a free bouncier seat that works and looks like NEW!!
I also got guinea pigs with all the works that go with them ...
In the past I have got - book shelves, toys, Little Tike items, pack n plays, changing tables, entertainment center, stereo, craft supplies, daycare table, .. blocks, legos, I can go on and on ..ohhhhh books how can I not mention the books........ I have over 300 books from freecycle alone ......... children's hard covered books .. a local teacher was moving and was offered a job outside of teaching prek ..she was taking it and wanted this stuff gone .. YEP i was right there!

Freecycle keeps daycare budget down....... you can claim the mileage from the pick up to and from your home! Often I print off the map quest of the directions then I write a note on the back ..why I went there and what its use was
so the date is on the map quest page the mileage is there ..... I would write on the back from this weekends .. bouncier seat for babies .. tax deductible run!

Its official I can now start back to putting my food program check back into savings .. .I had to buy food anyway ... that is my "extra"
So I am averaging about $350 a month into savings maybe more ...
Then if I have a bill that comes up or needs to be paid off ....... I just reach my little ol hand into savings and pay it in full!

I take my FP check and put it back for my estimated taxes, works great for us!

I know this is so late but if/when people get back in here Id like to say I at least posted back

I buy lots in bulk everything and anything I KNOW I use daily and a lot of especially in Daycare
ie: toilet paper, lysol wipes & spray, ketchup, unscented wipes etc.
I usually go to Sam's for it all but lately they have been having some great deals at wal mart so I look around
It helps that I have a big freezer & an extra storage closet too - LOL
I have two teens so even if I didnt have daycare I think I'd still be buying bulk - it just makes $ents ( both ways)

Im just starting again so I have no clue how the $$ from the Food Program will be able to *work* for me.. yet
Im hoping I can put it in savings but we'll see
*fingers crossed*

Good Luck ...