Where do you squeeze from?
By Kimberley
@mom210 (9036)
United States
August 14, 2019 6:52am CST
As the new school season starts, I find the need to tweak my budget a bit. So I was wondering where is the fist place you all go when tweaking, squeezing, or adjusting your budgets? I could use some ideas.
My poor food budget seems to be the go to spot when I need to squeeze. We are currently at $500 a month for 11 people. So what is your favorite cheap meal? I would love to get more cheap ideas for meals. Everything is home cooked from scratch.
The second place I look is Electric bill, it runs about $300 a month in the summer. I have it set to 78 in the days and 75 at night. We use LED bulbs. We do have 3 frig's but very necessary due to the family size and one chest freezer.
Third is insurance $342 a month, 5 drivers and 4 vehicles.
Any other ideas? What about online earrings, what have you found to be a great source? I already do Swag & opinion outlook.
Thoughts? Opinions? Ideas?
photo from Pixabay
9 people like this
9 responses
@Juliaacv (48404)
• Canada
14 Aug 19
Budgeting for such a large family must be very challenging.
I think that I would resort to cutting back or down at least on the groceries also.
There are lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in season which should be a savings.
These can also serve as economical meals, toasted tomato sandwiches with a garden salad on the side. That wouldn't be an expensive meal. And casseroles, you can get quite creative with casseroles and they can be reheated.
I'm sure that you already are hanging your clothes out to dry on the warm days, that will help with the hydro bill.
I hope that my suggestions can help you, good luck with it.
3 people like this
@mom210 (9036)
• United States
16 Oct 19
That reminds me of a funny story, a coupe years back I was standing in line at the store and a young lady in her 20's saw my clothes pins. She asked what those are for and I told her. Her faced changed to amazement and she says "Oh Yes! I think I remember my grandma using those!!" suddenly I felt about 100 years old 
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Aug 19
I like survey junkie they pay at $10 and right away when you ask. When my kids were home I made SCIACHIATTA, couple of loves of frozen bread dough, canned or fresh sliced potatoes, stewed tomatoes, Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese. Kids loved it and it is inexpensive and filling. I make homemade baked, beans in the crockpot and with hot dogs they can keep a crowd happy. I also do a hamburger beef stroganoff that my grandsons love that is easy and inexpensive. Some of my recipes are on my food blog. If you are interested, IM me and I will send you the link to my blog.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
17 Oct 19
@mom210 I have some more recipes coming I am always experimenting lol
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9036)
• United States
18 Oct 19
@BelleStarr I look forward to them. thank you
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48926)
• United States
23 Aug 19
We turned our landline off and our satellite a good many years backs. We cut our own hair. We eat inexpensive things that can last a few days. Good luck.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246710)
• United States
20 Aug 19
With such a large family I can only imagine how difficult it is to budget.
It appears that you already are cutting back as much as possible. If I were in your shoes, I’d buy groceries on sale and in bulk. There are many ways to eat healthy without resorting to meat. Casseroles would be good, breakfast for dinner, and large salads with eggs and or canned tuna. Good luck to you.
2 people like this
@just4him (306079)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
14 Aug 19
My first squeeze is food, which I've needed to do this month, but not because it has extra monetary needs. On the contrary, nothing has changed except waiting to know what I'm paying for rent in September. As soon as I know that, I can pay it and get groceries. So far, I've limited myself to grocery essentials.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Aug 19
I also have a receipt app called Fetch rewards. Whenever you go shopping you take a photo of the receipt, add up points and get gift cards for it! =) It adds up and helps.
Usually, we eat cheaper meals as well. Our go to meals are chicken salad, rice, hot dogs, pasta's of different kinds, taco salads, burgers, salads, etc...
I do photography on the side and earn a little bit for that. When we have a bigger place I will also do childcare again which I love doing too. =)
So those are some ways that help around here.
2 people like this
@mom210 (9036)
• United States
16 Oct 19
Yes, love Fetch, I just used my first coupon off at Amazon. I thought it was to good to be true but yes it is amazing.I only recently go a phone that could do such things so I am new to all the things you can do with your phone now days. Who knew they are not just to talk on 
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20261)
•
30 Jan 20
I used to worry about the same thing like you do now, when my children were still with me. They ate and used up a lot of electricity. Every time I pay the bills or to go grocery shopping, I would be anxious. These days, they moved out so I no longer have to face that problem any more. (Would you be sad the day most of your children move out?)
Best wishes in finding a more efficient way re: your budgets. (I shop in Aldi these days, seem as they have a better price than others. But three fridges in your case! Mama mia!!!)
1 person likes this
