Two weeks ago I shared with you some of the things we choose not to spend money on…therefore giving us the option of eating healthier. (Because we’ve decided that eating healthier…is NOT an option….but something we must do.)
I mentioned that we do not have cable TV or pets…and that we do not eat out or go out to movies and the like except for on rare occasions (or with gift certificates).
And that is where my list stopped, because I’d been sick and had no energy left to think.
But I’ve been thinking more…and I’ve come up with a longer list. (Now, that’s something exciting…I’ve been thinking and I came up with a long list. Bet you’re ready to snooze already.)
Okay, more of the list of ways we save so that we can put our money toward good, real food:
*I cut our hair myself.
That includes all four boys, Matt and myself. I’m excited about that because that’s a lot of haircuts in one year…therefore saving us hundreds of dollars. However, I’m no expert at it..so don’t look too close. We aren’t fancy by any means. (Okay, but I do think the boys are awfully cute.)
*Clothes
Almost every bit of clothing our boys wear is a hand me down. We’ve been blessed so much to be given some very nice clothing from friends. The boys love this and so do we. Matt and I don’t buy new clothes very often, and when we do, that’s when I get to have lots of fun shopping clearance sales. I LOVE finding awesome deals!
*Travel/Motels
We don’t travel much, but when we do we stay with family if at all possible. It saves money, and has been wonderful for our relationships with our family members. (And thankfully none of them so far has been afraid of us bringing four boys into their home for the night!)
*Stuff
We just don’t buy stuff. We try to just spend money on what we need, and that’s it.
*Magazine Subscriptions
I’m not sure when we’d find the time to read them anyway! And, if we really want to read one, we can go to the library.
*Gifts
Gifts for birthdays and Christmas are usually simple and almost always practical. And guess what? Our boys still love birthdays and Christmas. How about that?
*Junk Food
It’s amazing how spending nothing on junk food and “snacky foods” really makes room for real food.
Well, there must be more things that we don’t spend money on that I’m not thinking of…but since I don’t spend money on it…I don’t know what it is! :)
Please join me here as I continue with the Getting Real With Food series. You CAN afford to eat healthy!! Coming up next in the series….Figuring out Where to Start.
Visit Biblical Womanhood for more Frugal Fridays.
Sonshine says
Interesting!
I do the summer cuts for my four boys but if we need pics done, hubby thinks it is best to have their hair done professionally because it will look better. LOL Hubby’s hair is really curly so I don’t touch his…that is one of the splurges for us. As for mine, I only get my cut about 2-3 year so I classify it as a splurge for me, cause it gives me some “me time”.
The junk food I am working on eliminating around here.
All the rest of things we do too. So far we haven’t had our family and friends holler too much about 7 people “invading” them for a night or two. :)
Thank for sharing! :)
Chelf says
DH has only been to a salon three times that he is aware of. Ever. He is 31. His mom used to cut his hair, and now I do it. Saves us bundles of money. His mom cuts my hair, too. I can’t seem to get the back straight by myself. (If I could take it off and put it on a head in front of me, I would cut my own too.)
I love knowing how to save money on stuff. I need to get back on a budget, a la Dave Ramsey. I love that pattern. Give to God, give to yourself, pay your obligations, play with the excess. Pretty simple, and so many people don’t get it.
Audra Krell says
Sorry to hear that you have been sick. I think you have a really great blog, and I have been to it several times in the past couple of weeks. You really do well for not feeling well!
lindsay edmonds says
Love to hear some of your birthday gift ideas. Always looking for help in this area because we have a large family! I have 7 siblings and Aaron has 6, and as more get married and more children, it is getting more complicated.
Once again, your list sounds awfully familiar!
Donna says
Sounds familiar here too!
I can’t cut hair worth 2cents but we bought a Flow-bee years ago and it was some of the best money ever spent!
But before that, we had at least one emergency trip to the barber after I got done with one little guy—they asked who did that to his hair and his father replied, while rolling his eyes; “His mother”. I became somewhat famous around there that day…… :-)
Kim says
I spent $28 on a set of hair clippers a few years ago. We earned the money back after my husband’s first haircut. My husband and son both wear the flat top type cut, so you definitely don’t need to be a professional stylist to do this. Great savings idea!
Sally says
Good thing The Colonel cuts his own hair (about every night). I could never do it. As for me?? Well, that little trip to the salon every other month is my treat, and I love it. I will sacrifice to keep that. =)
Tracy says
I started cutting my “boys” hair a few weeks ago. Saves a lot of money and I must say, I am pretty good…hehe. I whip out the shears and everything!
Linds says
I cut my husband and son’s hair as well. I’ve contemplated cutting my own but it baffles me as to how. Care to share some tips?
Linds
Teresa says
I am totally impressed. I cut husband and kids hair, but I have not ventured into cutting my own hair. Oh…please do share how you do this! I would love to not have to pay a hairdresser to do my hair!
http://www.handmadedaily.blogspot.com
Catherine says
I’m with Teresa on this one – I cut my girls’ hair, and my husband does his own and our son’s hair, but PLEASE tell me how you cut your own hair!!
As for your other points, they are all great ideas. But what about when your children are invited to a birthday party? I find that it is becoming so expensive (I have 6 children) especially when the older ones are invited to a party and the birthday child is being given $30 in cash plus a gift plus a card!! We end up looking ver cheap in the eyes of the other families attending with our offering of one small gift (although well thought-out) and a lovingly homemade card.
mom2fur says
You sure are doing a great job. I have to say, though, that for me having pets is a good thing. The joy my fur babies brings to me far outweighs any cost. They truly are stress-relievers. I have a dog, two cats and two ferrets. And a semi-tame squirrel who will come when I call her, LOL! My youngest two-legged kid is 18, so I guess you could say the furry ones really are my second set of kids!
Now, as far as staying in motels: if you have to, here’s a little trick that will save you a few bucks. Pick up a bottle or two of juice (or soda if you allow it for a treat) that does not have to be refrigerated. Then chill it with the free ice from the ice machine! Better than paying over a dollar a can for soda, right?