How do you yourself cut or get rid of expenses

[dreamyxo]

I shop at thrift stores.

[yikes77]

Reducing the heat and using "smart" light bulbs have certainly helped our expenses.  Being mindful of what is a "want" and "need" more.  Coupons when I can find one.  Also changing my credit cards with no annual fee.

[kapeh12]

1) With lp prices through the roof, we have shut off the heat in the garage (at least vehicles are out of the snow and ice!) and turned our home temp down 3 degrees. It really is making a difference.
2) We have a plan and are pounding on 1 credit card (the smallest balance) and when that is paid off, we will make large payments on the next smallest one until paid off, etc. Saw this on a money show, instead of trying to make larger payments on all cards, pay minimums on all but 1 card and really pay on that one to get rid of it then, go to the next one and do it again! Almost have the 1st one paid off, hope this works!

I did step 2 after I was in college and this approach does work - you still need to remain very disciplined so you don't keep racking up unnecessary charges.

Then I found step 3 - after all cards are paid off, take the payments you were applying to the last credit card and make that an auto-deposit into a savings account.

How I got step 3 to really work was when I would write my paycheck amount in my checking account, I would log the amount minus what I was depositing into my savings.  That way I would only spend what I saw in my checking.  Example - if I was getting a $900 check and wanted to put $50 into savings, I would write my checking deposit at only $850.  It's amazing how this simple mental trick keeps you from spending that other $50 (or whatever amount you start with...I think I started with $25 per check years ago).

[squirrelgirl44]

The easiest cut that I made was to not leave the house at all on the weekends unless it was for specific grocery items, and then, only bring enough cash to cover what I intend to purchase. Cuts back on impulse purchases a TON. I can't really cut on electric and water, and I'm not, at this point, willing to cut tv expenses, since that is my entertainment.

[aflyingmonkey]

Shop online auctions, you don't have to pay tax most of the time & can find some good bargains

99 cent store, best way to save money on essentials, they get some good stuff in there, surprisingly.

Get a Roku for older tvs & cut the cable box cord....this one I'm working on now.

[nguzman1]

That will help since I always have a new expense and can't get out of the hole.

[msmoneybags48]

I have accounts that I pay by money order.  I paid off one, and I have five more to pay off.  My other accounts are deposited onto my debit card and paid off.  I never order more than I need to pay for.

[crisstar]

Pay off my credit cards.

[6265AT99]

I think cutting anything "unnecessary" is a good thing - like CABLE TV for instance - so many channels but yet NOTHING TO REALLY ENJOY!!!!

[akee318]

Leisure items have been cut.  Less eating out, more eating in. 

[acurtsinger2]

i only go out to eat 1 or 2 times a month..i only buy items like clothes and shoes when they are on sale.  i buy as much grocery items i can at the dollar or family dollar store.

[king4cash]

While it is likely this will not be the largest savings area, it is important and easy. Is the coffee shop on your way to work necessary? How critical are the three sodas or snacks a day you buy from the office vending machine at $1.50 each? A cup of coffee that you made at home is only 25-35 cents, as is a soda you bought in a store as part of a 12-pack. Do you seriously have to rent all those movies (and pay those late fees) each month? Have you checked to see whether your library has movies, or calculated the cost of switching to Netflix and BlockBuster Online? Those ten lottery tickets… the odds against you are astronomical. This is quick and most of it is habit. There will be some psychological pain at first but when you add up the dollars you’ll see a big difference instantly.

[countrygirl12]

I read this as do you cut yourself. lol.  Well not usually but I stay away from sharp objects. 

A few years ago money got tight and I turned my cable off.  Saved me $100 a month.  I never turned it back on.  Turned my cell phone off.  Saved me like $90 a month.  I got on my mom's plan and it was just $10 more a month.  I dont go any where unless I have to.  Saves gas.  I dont eat out.  Turned my home phone and internet off.  Another $100 or so.  Basically if I dont need it to live I cut it out.

[hawkeye3210]

I've started going to the laundromat to wash my clothes, altho I have a washer at home.

How exactly is that saving you money?

[linderlizzie]

How do I save money and cut expenses? Let me count the ways.  I am very careful with using water. I use only a small amount of water for washing dishes. I take short showers. When taking a bath, I only fill it up to about one-third full. I don't run water to let it warm up first. Wasteful. I dry my clothes outside on the clothesline in the summer and sometimes in the basement in winter as well.

I use outlets that I can turn appliances, etc. off at the source so they're not using "vampire" power. I limit my trips by car by incorporating tasks in order to save time and money. Don't buy stuff you don't need, so don't impulse buy.  You can help yourself by not reading and listening to infomercials they have on t.v. and radio, especially late at night when you're tired and more vulnerable to their tactics. Speaking from experience here. Buy things on sale when possible.

I turn off lights when I'm not in that room. I walk when I can instead of driving.  I save every cent I can. I sometimes collect cans to get a few extra dollars. I like to shop at Goodwill, flea markets and resale shops for valuable items.

Keep track of everything you spend and then analyze some things you're doing wrong. Once you get in the groove of saving money, it's not so hard to do. It's kind of a challenge. Nuff said.