what do you do to save money in your household

[talmitalbot]

I am a coupon queen, always save at least 25% and often up to 50%.

[mgint]

eat at home more often and use coupons at grocery and cut back on vacation this year.

[franlee46]

I hang my clothes up to dry and then run them thru my dryer for ten minutes to soften them Im allergic to fabric softener.

Over the last couple of weeks I have not spent any of my change, I bring it home and put it in the piggybank, yes I do have one, when I get up to a 100 I roll the coins for eventually use the money for Christmass presents.   So never spend your change and see how fast you can get to 100 or whatever you set for a goal. It is kinda fun   Good Luck

[squirrelgirl44]

I am actually really terrible about saving money and budgeting. I need to be more thrifty with my money. I'm going to watch this thread for suggestions.

[mgarmstrong]

Coupon, don't eat out too often.  Our biggie was combining households w/ parents....This helped out financially and it helped out due to family illnesses.

[lmthompson]

I have never been able to figure out coupons. I know it makes me sound like a dimwit, but I get the concept i just never seem to find the right coupons for the right stuff. I cook at home, and right now what is saving me money is not going to the stores at all. I'm only going when my hubby can come. He hates shopping so He only gives me time to get what I need and I cant look around.

[abebout]

I hang my clothes up to dry and then run them thru my dryer for ten minutes to soften them Im allergic to fabric softener.

Over the last couple of weeks I have not spent any of my change, I bring it home and put it in the piggybank, yes I do have one, when I get up to a 100 I roll the coins for eventually use the money for Christmass presents.   So never spend your change and see how fast you can get to 100 or whatever you set for a goal. It is kinda fun   Good Luck

I actually save my change as well! I saved change for almost a year and used what I had 'earned' at the end (almost $100) for toll money during a month-long roadtrip I took last year.

Now that I am basically only working part time and feeling the pain of the bad economy, these are the things that I do to save money:

-I cook and eat at home (which is healthier too!).
-I only drive my car to work or interviews. I walk to the grocery store and bank when I need to go.
-I also skip taking a shower on my day off (who do I need to impress when I'm staying home anyway?).
-I've started selling my old textbooks, DVDs and CDs online.
-I don't turn on lights during the day, instead I open my windows and use the natural sunlight.
-Unplug appliances when they aren't in use (for instance, you can save a lot of money just by unplugging your microwave when not in use).

[apples45]

Simple I just buy the most inexpensive stuff I can find, and try not to buy to meny unnecessary things aside from the very occasionally spurge or treat. I make it a point to look for bargain and occasionally shop at thrift stores or vintage shops and other do other things to save money.

[ace5960]

I use a BUNCH of coupons

[debraleesparks]

Dry clothes on the clothesline.

[karenkpc]

I bucket wash anything I possibly can and line dry (no laundromat money)
coupons, coupons, coupons
only buy what I need
use freecycle.org
barter for services
dumpster dive/curb surf
practice DIY instead of buying whenever possible (usually converting one object into another)
it's amazing what you learn to live without...and without feeling deprived, honestly.  it's a huge relief to not be owned by money.

[hwilliams591]

We have really cut back on eating out and have limited our spending sprees.

[Longoria11]

coupons coupons coupons!!!!! i also bargin shop and go to clearance ALL the time!!! i dont buy things i dont WANT just the things i TRULY NEED... we also do bugets ALL the time to see what we can cut out and not waste money on..

[lynnc35]

I do not buy everything I see, now that I am not working I will not be saving a whole lot of money.

[syntheticbeauty]

I use online promo codes when shopping on web sites ( Just google the name of the store & the words promo codes )

When shopping in stores I check the specials out and use coupons. I tend to bulk up on items like Toilet paper when it goes on sale.

I barter, use craiglist, ebay and feecycle to gather items that I need or want to sell.

I bought a bunch of those energy saving light bulbs.

Disconnected appliances that I rarely use.

Never allow my kids to watch tv while the radio is on in the same room.

Open the blinds during the day so the natural light can shine through.

I cut back eating out and make fresh meals.