The FashionGrinder Forum

[efraim]

I read a lot about living frugally on websites such as The Dollar Stretcher, but it seems like most of their tips are geared towards stay-at-home moms and/or people living in the country, such as "offer homemade cookies at Christmas" or "grow your own vegetables". How do you live frugally when you are a couple working 45 hours+ per week, live in an apartment in the city, and don't own a car so we have access to only overpriced grocery stores.

[efraim]

Lists can be helpful. Keep track of every cent your family spends for 1 month, perhaps 2 months. Look to see if there is a pattern of impulse spending here and there. Things like that can add up and yet be hidden.

Examine your record and see if costs can be cut or adjusted. You both need to be trying to cut costs or it won't work very well.

Plan out and simplify your holiday spending and stick to the plan. Can you give fewer gifts? If not, where can you cut down the amount you spend. Family gifts instead of individual? Give certificate for baby-sitting or 2 hours of cleaning help or car-wash, etc(and you will do the work)?

Talk over the cost cutting with family. Many of them are trying to cut costs, too. If you entertain, can you cut down on alcohol and switch to the less expensive tea or coffee?
Switch from chips to popcorn.
Play games or work puzzles instead of renting half a dozen movies

Clean with baking soda, vinegar, water where you can instead of more expensive cleaning products.
Use damp dustcloth instead of expensive wipes.

Talk to some old folks who lived during the Great Depression and see how they managed? They will probably be late 70s or older, but they know things.

[bentleigh]

Dollar Stretcher has lots of good advice that is equally helpful for apartment dwellers and those working 45-hour weeks.

Here's an easy tip to save you and your significant other $200 per month: Brown bag to work every day! Take leftovers or a store-bought frozen entree. Each meal you bring from home saves $5. With 2 people and 20+ work days per month, the money adds up incredibly fast.

[cuddle]

In order to save on food costs, buying in bulk is a preferred way, but in the case of just two people it would not be cost effective. But the other extreme of eating in restaurants can be extremely costly. Invest in some books that I know are available for cooking for two. The other large rat hole people throw their money down, is buying new clothes. Shopping thrift stores can be very satisfying.