Lynnae at BeingFrugal.net is hosting Tightwad Tuesday this week. I've never done it before, but I was intrigued with the theme this week, which is frugal goals for 2008. I don't normally make New Year's resolutions, because I believe you can start change anytime. In fact, I normally don't like New Year's resolutions, because the gym gets really busy for a month or so :-). Anyway, I've been thinking over the last couple of days if there was anything that I wanted to change about my spending this year, so here goes.
- Spend less money on the "little" things - Sometimes when I'm out and about, I like to get a Coke...but those drinks add up over time. I'm thinking that I might go to a cash-only basis on "fun" money since then I'll have to think harder about handing over my money and when it runs out, I'm done for the month.
- Spend less money on eating out - I don't think that we do a bad job as a family, since I plan our dinners (and who wants to go out to eat with 2 kids hiding out under the table??), but I do have a weakness when it comes to lunches. If we get too busy running errands in the morning, I find it easy to go through the drive-thru on the way to dropping my older son off at school. I think that a solution to that problem is like the above one...a cash-only basis on "fun" money and planning ahead when we are running errands, etc, in the morning. I could pack a lunch or snacks to bring with us to resist the temptation.
- Get more organized at home - I feel like I'm pretty organized, but there's always room for improvement. I plan on purchasing this system at Motivated Moms to help me this year. I want to try to figure out the best (fastest) system for me for couponing, sending in rebates, and blogging, so I can spend the most time with my family. If you're not organized, you could run out of items from your stockpile (and have to purchase at high prices), stock up on too much of one item because you don't know what you have, lose coupons, miss out on sending in rebates, etc.
- Tweak my budget to pay ourselves first - It was easy to save money when I was working from home (I would split my earnings out by percentage for IRA, 529 plan, and "fun" money/emergency fund). But, since I was laid off last May, we don't have the extra money to do that. I need to find it in our budget this year.
Wow...for not normally setting resolutions, I was able to come up with a few :-). For more frugal goals for the new year, see BeingFrugal.net or the Happy Housewife.
Felicia
spend less money on little things is an excellent tip to live by!
No more Starbucks.. sniff.. sniff
Tia
I can definitely say Amen to your NY's Resolutions Corrie! Many of my own are the same. Maybe we can check in and see how we are doing in March! LOL! Thank you for your advice and support this year. Blog on!
Corrie at "Cents"able Momma
Good idea, Tia. Maybe we could start an accountability group :-).
momstheword
I loved your comment about the coke because I did a whole post once on the money I was throwing away by buying bottles of diet pepsi when I was away from home (I have a whole case of it at home and it's cheaper that way).
I belong to the "two boy" club too, although mine are older.
I totally agree with you on resolutions. I enjoyed your post and am looking forward to reading more of your blog!
Mom2fur
I'm the same as you on the New Year's resolutions. But I do find that I get new 'ideas' around this time of the year, which I posted about. Getting organized is always a great idea, so good luck with your improvements!
Lynnae
I prefer "goals" to resolutions, because you can tweak goals, but you only break resolutions! 🙂
You have some very good goals for the year, and I wish you much success with them! Thanks for participating in Tightwad Tuesday!
The Happy Housewife
Great goals! We use cash only for fun money. It is a great way to be accountable for all the little things.
They can add up!
Toni
Melissa
You have some great goals! I enjoyed reading your goals. You have alot of good ideas!