Saving money tips?
 

Just found out I'll be in the accelerated nursing program in January. I'll have to cut my work hours by half and am trying to get ahead of the game in saving money. Any tips? I know about coupons. What about things to save money around the house or save on bills? I was savvy on this stuff when my kids were little but haven't really worked at saving for years. Thanks!

What about shampoo/conditioner? My hair actually does better if I use only conditioner on it (should not have silicones). I buy White Rain conditioner at the dollar store and use that every day; no shampoo. Saves me quite a bit because I used to use pricey, good-quality shampoo/conditioner.

Vinegar replaces a lot of cleaners. It is the best thing I have found for shining up surfaces in the kitchen.

I don't have color on my hair and sometimes just use Dish soap. Yes I said dish soap. I don't use conditioner on my hair because it is so fine. If I use conditioner it looks like a greasy mess. All depends on your type of hair. You don't need a lot and I only use dish soap if I'm at the sink and decide to do it right then and there. I was a hairdresser for over 3 decades. If you want to do a quick wash of your hair and not in the shower, just do it at the sink if it's big enough for your length and just scrub with warm water. You would be surprised how dirty hair gets with body perspiration and just being in the elements on a daily basis. Conditioner on a regular basis with out shampooing builds up on the hair. A good vinegar rinse will help remove body oils and remove build-up from the scalp.

Stay home, don't go out "for the day". You will save on gas, spending on lunch, whims, etc. If you have to get out of the house, take a walk around the neighborhood.

Cook from scratch ... purchase less of the pre-made foods.
Money saver ... plus healthier.

Make a shopping list, and only shop weekly (or less often, if you can manage!) and from the list.
Less trips to the store will mean less spontaneous purchases and a lower grocery bill overall.

THINK before $pending $$$$ ... I think many of us are guilty of just buying, but not really thinking it thru as to whether it is a necessity, whether it is the best price, whether we will get value for our dollars spent .... etc.

As a good quilter you probably have a stash. So do all your sewing from your stash! :)

Another possibility to "make" $ ... look around for any scholarships/bursaries etc. for which you may qualify. Apply, even if you think you don't have a chance. Sometimes these go unawarded due to lack of applications.

Good Luck!

Turn down heat during the day. Start a budget plan with utility companies. Buy only groceries you'll need for the week but stock up on family packs of chx, pork and freeze serving portions. Buy larger toilet paper and paper towel packs as will cost less. Stay home on the weekends and don't shop online. If it's under $10 and you have to have it, buy it. If $10.01-$25 take an hour and come back. $25.01-$50 take a day and $50+ take a week. If you buy clothing don't remove the tags immediately and if you haven't worn them in 7 days return them. Oh, the best one, pretend you're broke. :)

Simplify Christmas this year !!!

Use A/C and central heat less. Turn on fans or put on a sweater.

Shop sales only, for gift giving. You'd be amazed how much money you can save.

Before buying the 'economy' size of something, do the math and see if it's really a bargain. Many times, that 'economy' size costs as much or more than the same quantity, from several of the smaller sized containers.

Buy store brands, IF the quality is just as good.
Sometime it is, sometimes it isn't. In my experience, store brand shampoo is often watered down, causing you to use more. There are inexpensive brands, like Suave, that are good (Suave was even recommended by my hairstylist).
Some store brand foods are made with lower quality ingredients (ran into this, with cake mixes). Just compare labels, to make sure the ingredients are the same.
Most store brand or generic drugs are the same as name brands, so you can save a bundle there.

Shop the dollar stores, it is amazing how much stuff they carry, including groceries and fresh produce. I have found though that the produce needs to be used quickly, but it is good. Shop for clothing, linens, books, etc. at thrift stores and garage sales. Great bargains and you get your shopping fix without breaking the bank. Rent movies instead of going to a theater, cheaper and you can make your own popcorn/snacks.

Save on gas by combining errands/shopping all in one trip. While out for some other reason, gas up then instead of having to pay money just to get to the gas station and back.

Go for groceries after you have eaten ... not before (when you are hungry!)

Plan your menu for the week ahead, and only buy according to the plan.

Know when your stores mark down meats/produce/packaged goods. (time of day, day of week)
Sometimes you can reap huge savings on meat and produce by doing so.
While close on BBD, there's no rush on eating the meats, just freeze it for a later use.

If there is a recycling place near you, one can get a lot of cleaning and painting supplies at some of them.

If you need to purchase books for your classes, find out the ISBNs and start looking for used ones on Amazon. Both used and new books are often considerably less expensive on Amazon than in the school bookstore.

Use the barter system and trade goods/services, i.e., haircuts, sewing, cooking, babysitting, cleaning services....

I use VO5 shampoo and conditioner. It's usually less than a dollar a bottle and works very well for me.

Use the smallest amount of shampoo and conditioner that makes your hair look the way you want to. I have short hair, so I usually just put a drop of conditioner on my hands after I wash my hair, then run my hands through my hair two or three times. I do the same for my nieces hair - long, very fine and thin - but start about two inches from her roots because her scalp is very oily. Of course, I have to use a little more conditioner - a drop about the size of a quarter. For her, sometimes I just put it in the teeth of her comb, and that works, too.

The conditioner can be used as a shaving cream when you shave your legs.

We called our phone, internet and cable TV provider and asked how we could reduce our monthly bill. They found some great savings for us.

Stretch out the length of time between haircuts by trimming your own hair.

Congrats on nursing school! Good luck in your studies.

Buying drinks at work or anywhere else during the day is very expensive.

If you need a drink at work, bring it with you to work/school. Hot Coffee or tea in a thermos, Soda purchased at the store in 6, 12, 24 packs of cans is much cheaper than buying from a vending machine. Drink tap water, fill your own bottles with water at home and bring them along. Hopefully, you have a fridge available to you at work and at school.

Bring your lunch to work with you.

If you smoke, quit. Easier said than done, but that will put a lot of $ back in your pocket.

Cut back on cable tv - get the basic package. You'll be studying in your free time anyway! When you can afford it, you can upgrade.

If you have a cell phone and a land line phone, get rid of the land line and use only your cell.

Cancel the newspaper. You can read everything on the Internet. We canceled our land line phone since we always have our cell phones with us.

We simplified years ago!

Sandy

You didn't say if it's a BSN program or Nurse Practitioner, but congratulations! My daughter will graduate in May from a NP program, is working part-time so she can get in her clinical hours. I agree with what everyone has said.

Years ago DH & I started following Dave Ramsey's program. We didn't have a lot of credit cards but enough we didn't like it. He recommends the envelope program. You put aside "X" amount of money for groceries, health/beauty, eating out, utilities, etc. Put cash in the envelope for each category that you will need. Then that's it for the month. DH & I did this specifically for eating out because we ate out too much.

Cooking meals ahead and freeze them ahead. It saves time and money. I very seldom buy name brand anything, it's all generic foods. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, plastic sandwich bags, etc is generic. I use vinegar, water, and peroxide for cleaning. It's cheaper than cleaners and better for the environment.

If you drink soda, stop. It's expensive. I agree about the coffee, drinks, etc. Don't buy them at work, take it with you. Pack your lunch instead of buying it at work.

Once you get into a routine of cutting back, saving money will become second hand.

Actually, I have been an LPN for 26 years (I'm 46) and decided a few years ago it was now or never to get into an RN program. I am beyond excited!

Thanks for the many awesome tips from you great quilters! Some I already do and some I had never thought about. EllieGirl, it is my goal to give up the soda before my classes start. I've done it before and can do it again. I want to be refreshed for my classes, not craving caffeine lol

One more tip...buy some things now, and tuck them away for later. Be it a birthday gift, a just because gift, or whatever. It's nice to have something in reserve when things are tight. I've done that for years, and it's nice to have that "backup" available!

See www.frugalvillage.com for lots of information and www.moneysavingexpert.com/ ( allthough it is a UK site lots of useable tips on saving money)
Both sites have forums with lots of good questions advice tips info on saving money.

well done on getting on the program

to save money one of the biggest changes I have made recently is felted dryer balls
I made some from fleece but you can make them from wool yarn that says not to machine wash

I use three and we have cut our drying time by a third to a half - a load of towels or jeans now takes half the time it used to
no more chemicals from sheet or the plastic dryer balls - ask any knitters for left over yarn that will felt- roll it into balls pop into the toe of old socks that would be thrown out or buy the cheapest opaque tights you can find tie off tightly by stretching the tights/socks then add the next one - pop in the washing next time you do a load (do this two or three times if on short wash) then pop into the dryer with clothes - take them out of the tights/socks and then make sure they are felted and then chuck in the dryer with your washing - pop in and dont forget to reduce the time :) happy energy saving and your clothes will be nice and soft without the chemicals :)

have no idea why it posted twice so have edited to delete

I stopped doing coupons, unless its a cash coupon, such as Joann's or Hobby Lobby, Lowes and I only use them if I really need something. I found clipping coupons just made me buy stuff that I did not need. My husband reminded me its not a bargain if you really don't need it in the first place. I find shopping at consignment shops or Goodwill is a great money saver...you can find lots of brand new items for under 10.00 and so much cheaper than walking into any other store. I do not need to shop there and many people I know can't believe I would...for me..I can't believe someone pays 100.00 for a pair of paints or the new sweater I got at GW for 7.99 (with the store price tag) that in the store goes for 228.00 (who on earth would pay that for a sweater) Antiques stores are wonderful to spend the day looking...its like a day at the museum. Keep the heat down, put on a quilt in the morning while drinking your coffee. Shop in your stash when making quilts. Library for DVD's, books, newspapers, internet etc. Dollar store for cleaning products...remember those dollars add up so think...do I really need this, will I use it. Eating out is a huge expense. Pack a few snacks and maybe a sandwich or two in the car for those long trips. A small cooler in the car works well for those who travel a lot during the day. My husband keeps water bottles in his cooler. when you buy some thing - remember to think I had to work ( ) hours for this...is it worth it? Hairdressers are very expensive - cut, tip and all the stuff they talk you into. Its saves money not having a short haircut - lots of maintenance with short style I just cut mine - love the look but its a lot more work. Buy your books second hand if you do not want to get them free at the library. If you must go out to eat....have a water instead of a soda or wine....split the meal with a friend if possible. Most places serve way to much food on the plate. Find a hobby at home, like quilting. You save money on gas, going out to eat, just spending money by walking into a store...just shop from your stash. When cleaning out the closet, cut up material to make a few quilts for the local animal shelter. You would be surprised on how much you save by just learning that there is so much we buy that we never use or really need to use. Tell everyone that you do not buy gifts for birthdays or christmas - I only buy for my kids and my parents (I get them gift cert more to get the out of the house to enjoy a day out) and that is it...oh and now my grand daughter.

Lots of good tips here. You don't have much lead time but I would recommend you cut your pay by half right now. Put half your paycheck into savings beginning now. It will help you "practice" not having that money and it will give you a little nest egg for some of the unexpected things that are bound to happen.

Once you have cut your hours you won't be able to do that, of course, but I would still set aside a small sum into savings. I've done this for years. Every pay increase I get, I put the increase into savings instead of my pocket. My take home pay hasn't varied for years but my savings account has grown a lot. It is amazing how a few extra dollars in your pocket or in your checking account tends to vanish but in savings ... notsomuch. :)

Someone mentioned taking your food and beverages to work which is a good idea. There is a website that I really like that has a lot of tips on making things for the freezer and that really cuts down on the temptation to order pizza or go out for lunch or breakfast. She makes and freezes breakfast sandwiches and oh, so many other things. I think you will find it helpful. http://www.skinnymomskitchen.com/

Good luck and congratulations.

One of my friends who weathered the Great Depression commented that, unless you need to have hot water and will wait for it to come into the faucet, don't use the hot water faucet. Letting even a bit of cold water come into the water heater esp in the winter months, makes it come on to reheat the entire heater. She's gone now but those who went through that era knew how to pinch a penny in every way!

Attitude is everything and if you approach this with the right attitude, it will be a fun challenge. You may never go back!
1. Budget everything. Use the envelope system if you have to.
2. Get rid of your cable service. Do you really need it? Repeat NEED???
3. Christmas is coming - and birthdays, too. Buy second hand. Go to estate sales. Lots of people are shopaholics and you'll find lots of stuff that is new with tags
4. Pay cash. Get rid of the credit cards.
5. Turn out the lights. Get in the habit of shutting off lights when you leave the room. Unplug everything you're not using.
6. Keep a change jar. Pay for everything with dollar bills. Keep the change and when the jar is full, put it into your account.
7. Pay your bills on time to avoid late fees.
8. Bring back soda and water bottles for the deposit.
9. Never, not ever, go shopping for groceries without coupons. Shop at stores that double your coupons.
10.Shop on the days your grocer has $1.00 or $2.00 off the meat for fast sale. It's good meat, just cheaper.
11. Shop the loss-leaders at all the stores. That means the 3 days specials that are seriously marked down.
12. If you don't have time for that, shop at Walmart and use their price match policy. It works!
Good luck!

Haven't read all the posts, but get some microfiber cleaning cloths (Dollar Tree has them, Big Lots, most department stores) and use instead of paper towels. Saves a TON of money over the year. Also, forget fancy cleaners...use vinegar and if you need a bit of "scrub" to it, use some baking soda with the damp microfiber towel. Somewhere there's a list of over 100 use for ​used dryer sheets...we use them to polish/clean around our sink spigots and they loosen burnt on crud from frying pans if you put the sheet in and let it soak. The dryer sheet is also good if you let it soak with your casserole dishes...it gets rid of all those ugly little brown spots on the edges. Good luck!

Congratulations on getting in the program. You are going to be busy. We bought a Roku box and added Netflix for $9 a month, then dropped cable ( we have trees, so no dish). TV shows have no commercials. Yeah!
We love to!

Congrats on furthering your education!

Years ago, I couldn't figure out where our money was going, so for a couple weeks, I wrote down every penny we spent. Added up the utilities, too. This was harder than I thought, but what an eye opener! We stopped eating out and started turning off lights when not in use. (To this day, I hate having unnecessary lights on.) I agree Dave Ramsey is very inspirational. Also totally agree with shopping thrift shops and Dollar stores.

GOOD LUCK!

Be careful, when you shop at the Dollar stores. In many cases, you can get the same $1 item for less, somewhere else . . . or twice as much somewhere else, for just a bit more.

Cleaning products can be very expensive. Vinegar and/or bi-carb will take care of any cleaning. Washing soda can be used in a dishwasher in place of expensive powder or power balls. Vinegar is the best air freshener and it's so cheap. You can use it as a fabric softener if you need one. Unlike fabric softeners which can cause havoc with your washing machine Vinegar cleans & deodorizes and is an antiseptic. It is also good for keeping drains free and is an excellent weed killer.
Borax is a must in the laundry. Micro clothes are fabulous too. Just remember to wipe dry. I have been using these things for years and have saved a small fortune. I gave up smoking four years ago and I'm never short of money and have saved and bought 3 machine.

Congratulations on the nursing and I wish you well.

It's possible to save on electricity by putting certain items on a power strip. Things like TV's and DVD players use electricity even when you don't have them turned on. See this article:
http://www.entrustenergy.com/25-ways...our-appliances

Make your own laundry detergent. Google Homemake Laundry Detergent and you will find the recipe. I'll never buy detergent again.

ditto ... the price seems amazing ... but so often, the quantity is less, thus making the per unit price substantially higher.

And yes ... some of the buys are indeed good buys!

Take a good look at your last few months bills and credit card charges. It helps to know where your money is going. Sometimes little things add up quick. Look closely at things you pay for every month, cable and phone bill, newspapers, movie channels. Making changes in these can add up to big savings.

I make huge pots of soup or chili. Then to freeze it, I ladle it into our soup bowls and put bowl and all into the freezer. After a few hours, when the soup is frozen solid, take it out of the freezer and remove the frozen soup from the bowl. Sometimes it takes a minute in the microwave to get it out of the bowl. Put the frozen "bowls" of soup into a plastic bag and label and date the bag. When you need a really fast dinner, take a frozen glob of soup out of the bag, place it in one of your soup bowls and microwave. Healthy and bargain priced!

Another chili hint - use much less ground meat and much, much more beans in your chili! Less expensive and much better for you!