If you ever need motivation to reduce spending and increase savings, read any one of the blogs posted by Retired to Win! Wow. I just had shivers run up and down my spine. So, what have I done to join forces with the Great and Wise One (new name for Retired to Win)....well, I have:
Reduced my Satellite TV bill from $60.00/mo to $10.00/mo by electing to go with local TV only and supplementing my viewing pleasure with a $7.99/mo Netflix account - Net savings = $42.00/mo (this is ~84% of my monthly mortgage principal payment of $50.00 right off the bat)!
I have replaced every single incandescent light bulb in my house with with a compact fluorescent replacement! The new rule....if you don't need the light, turn it off!
With three daughters, saving money has always been tough at the grocery store, however, we have an Aldi's type grocer about 4 miles away from us (Save A Lot) that I have been using almost exclusively....I have not taken any steps to do a firm cost comparison, however, I seem to get four cloth bags full of food for about $30.00 less than six plastic bags (each plastic bag holds about 1/3 of what my cloth bags do) worth at one of the big box grocery stores. Outside of a few items I insist on in my personal diet (Greek, Non Fat PlainYogurt, Sardines in Water, Vitamins), I honestly can't think of anything it doesn't offer! Their meat selection is out of this world and the girls have not complained at all.
Finally and most importantly, I do NOT feel as if I am sacrificing happiness, need or want! Thanks Oh Wise One! I consider myself your Jedi mentee!
Talk About Motivation....
March 24th, 2014 at 05:53 pm
March 24th, 2014 at 06:50 pm 1395687029
I confess that it scares me. I can do frugal, but investing makes me nervous.
March 24th, 2014 at 07:05 pm 1395687908
Sav-A-Lot is THE BOMB when it comes to saving on groceries. I discovered them during my recent snowbird trip to Florida. I most certainly wish I had one near me at home.
Keep it up and Good luck!
(And thanks again).
March 24th, 2014 at 07:06 pm 1395688013