Battern Family Tightwadding What is it? It is an art form. It is a way of life. It is saving money. What isn't it? It isn't about denial or deprivation. It is making choices. How do I do it? Bought Tightwad Gazette I and II by Ann Dacyzyn . . . with a two for one coupon. Developed the Price Book she talks about. Never leave home without it! Comparison shop, buy on sale, in bulk and with coupons whenever possible. Stock up on items on sale so that you have enough to last until it comes on sale again. Save 30 cents per gallon by using powdered milk. Try different brands until you find one that tastes like the "real" thing. Save 75 cents to a dollar per loaf by buying bread 4 for a dollar at the bread outlet. Go once or twice a month and freeze it to save on gas and time. Use TVP (texturized vegetable protein) instead of ground beef, at an equivalent cost of 25 cents per pound. Drink water. Buy whole and slice/chop/grate myself (pickles, olives, cheese, etc...) Never pay retail! Go garage "sailing" every weekend. Last weekend I bought jean shorts (3), dress shorts (2), dress slacks, denim jeans, shirts (3), a set of pajamas, a cultery tray, a gallon pitcher, plastic cups (8), books for the boys, dinosaur stickers, and 2 buckets, all for $4. Bought an almost new, sturdy changing table for $10 (retails for $60) and used it for shelving after the boys grew up!. Cut the bottoms from 1/2 gallon plastic milk containers to grow seedlings in. Rent videos instead of going to the theater. Only rent videos when they are 2 for 1. Reuse paper in the printer. Use, reuse and recycle! Bought enough sheets at 50% off to make matching curtains, pillowcases and a bedskirt. Rented videos on special 5 for $5 for 5 days. A great way to catch up on movies that I missed as new releases. My husband went garage "sailing" and picked up a group of books, toys and a video for the boys all for less than $2.00! Canned 22 pints of salsa, some pickles, jalepenos, peppers, and squash from my garden. Bought jeans for the boys and my husband at garage sales this weekend. Bought a pacifier new in the package for 10 cents. Bought 3.5 lbs of sausage for $1.70 at the end of the day at the local market. Bought a world atlas for 25 cents. How can you do it? One absolutely wonderful resource available to you is a book by Jonni McCoy titled MI$ERLY MOMS: Living on One Income in a Two Income Economy. She'll take you step by step through the challenges of making your budget go farther. A cornucopia of tips and techniques for shopping, cooking, and enjoying life without going broke.Whether you have a single or double income family, or are a working or stay-at-home mom, you'll be enriched by what Jonni shares in Miserly Moms. The book retails for $9.99. Look for it at your local bookstore or contact GCB Publishing at (410) 392-5554. When something doesn't work, doesn't taste right, causes too much complaining, don't do it! |
