Practical and useful ways to save money

Everyone is trying to save money these days. And if you watch TV or listen to the radio, the only way to do it is to switch car insurance companies! I have some other ideas and even useful tips on how to make them work in your family. However, this is a do as I say, not as I do lesson. I waste a lot of money and have a very difficult time stopping!

1. Don't eat out. This sounds easy, but it is probably the most difficult for me. Neither my husband or I can cook as good as your basic family restaurant. Well, Chris can, but it is a LOT of work. And if you've seen either of us, you'd know how much we like to eat. So if you can't do #1, go to number 2! One way to help this one work is to have plenty of easy to cook food on hand at all times. We can't seem to keep up with the shopping either.

2. Only order water when you eat out. I hate water! Yuck! But I do like lemonaide, so order water with lemons and add sweetener and lemon juice! Lemonaide for FREE! Most restaurants charge about $1.79 or more for a drink, even tea, so you do the math. The best way I've found to get the kids on board with this without a lot of whining is to tell them ahead of time, "We want to go out to eat, but in order to afford it, we all have to drink water. Do you want to go out and eat and drink water or go home and eat my cooking and drink milk?" Works like a charm!

3. Generics. Most generics are just as good as the brand name, some are better, some are good enough and some are terrible. Try ALL of them you can before you decide against it. In the same category, I'll put milk and canned veggies. In the better category, I like the powdered drink mixes. I say Sam's choice colas are "good enough" because they aren't as good a real Coke, but they only cost 78 cents for a two liter! Paper towels are in the terrible category.

4. Do the math before shopping at Sams or Costco. If it costs $40 a year, will you really save that much in a year? Consider that you usually can't buy generics there either, so you lose that savings.

5. Don't get ANYTHING to eat or drink at the movies. Tell the kids in advance that this is the only way we can afford it then stick to. You may get a few whines the first couple of times, but they'll get used to it. On the same note as movies, only go to dollar movies if they have them in your town. You still can't get snacks though. To get your kids to go is by inviting them to see the movie you've already picked out, don't let them pick one out. Also, most towns have an older theater that is cheaper than the newer one. For heaven sakes, don't go to the newer one just cuz everyone else does!

That is all I can think of for now. I'm going to look into low cost entertainment options. Cuz it sucks to be broke and bored.