Tightening My Belt

MeghanWhitmer — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:50:00 GMT

Last week, on our monthly Target trip, my daughter and I ran into an unexpected problem – almost everything we were looking for was missing. Generic diapers and wipes were not on the shelf and the loss leaders we hoped to snare were nowhere to be found either. I found an associate and asked her to run to the back and grab us some diapers (we were almost out at home) but she politely told me it wasn’t a stocking issue. “It’s the economy, ma’am. We just can’t keep these things in stock.” Looking around, I realized she must be right. Name brand diapers were neatly stacked and cute but costly knick knacks crowded the shelves. Fortunately, another local store had our diapers in stock but their supplies were low too. In these troubling times, people are figuring out what a lot of us already knew – every little bit counts.

But reading the paper and surfing blogs, I sometimes get frustrated at the advice and tips I see to help hard working families like mine save money. I don’t have a cable subscription to cancel and my grocery budget, for our family of four (big, hearty) eaters is less then $200. No expensive hobbies or elaborate vacations to scale back or cancel. Just an ordinary, middle class income, average consumer debt, and a true conviction that frugal living helps my family - and my world - to thrive. As we enter a new year that presents exciting new developments and difficult challenges for all of us, I really wanted to reflect on small changes that I could make to help my family save even more. I hope these tips are helpful to anyone who is looking to scale back even further and I would love the comment section to be filled with suggestions from like minded individuals!

Reevaluate my “needs”: This week, I didn’t buy juice. Even though one of my favorite brands was “stock up” at the local supermarket, I realized that we just didn’t need it. Our water filter provides us with endless cold, fresh water and that is good enough for me, at least for now. Sure, I only saved about $5 this week but I transferred that into my savings account and the savings of approximately $260 a year is nothing to sneeze at.

Waste not, want not: One of the problems associated with my desire to stock up on good bargains is waste. A pound of apples for a dollar is no steal when over half the bag spoils! I’ve begun to take stock of what gets eaten in our house and what gets tossed into the trash. Although we consume a minimal amount of meat, I try to freeze realistic portions so when I defrost something, there is enough for a meal (with some lunchtime leftovers) and nothing else. From now on, Friday is Fridge Clean Out Day (Saturday is my grocery shopping day; perhaps another day would work for you). I’m going to attempt to fashion all of Friday’s meals from food that would otherwise spoil or expire before being consumed. This saves money, resources, and will flex my culinary imagination!

No more planning to fail: I’m only human and I forget things all the time. Without fail, the day I forget the diaper bag is the day my daughter has digestive gymnastics and not only needs a fresh diaper but a new change of clothes. Now that she is older, we cannot leave the house without bags of snacks (the girl loves variety), a sippy cup, a lovie, a book… the list goes on and on. I just fashioned an “Oh, Shoot!” bag that I popped into the backseat of my car to help me if and when I find myself in a pinch. Depending on the ages and needs of your children (or yourself), yours might include different items but this is what I packed in mine:

Diapers, wipes, cream, and an old, clean towel to use as an impromptu changing area
Ziplocs of non-perishable snacks (crackers, pretzel sticks, dried fruit)
Sealed water bottle (child and adult sized)
Empty sippy cup
2 stuffed animals
3 age appropriate books
Headache medication (if I forget the diaper bag, I’m not having a good day)
2 full changes of clothing (weather appropriate)

This bag cost me nothing to assemble as I had all of the products in my home and used a reusable tote for packing. Even if I only use it once or twice, it will save my time, money and aggravation knowing that I have my emergency tools on hand.

Reduce by reusing: This year, I’m giving up paper products altogether (okay, I’m still going to by toilet paper – I’m not that frugal!) in an effort to save money and the environment. Although I don’t usually like to spend to save, I purchased cloth napkins for use during meals and have cut up some of Maggie’s more stained and lived in onesies, as well as some old bath towels to reduce our dependence on paper towels. I’m all about changing my life to reduce my consumption of material goods, as well as saving some pennies in the long run, so once my stash of paper products is done, it is not going to be replaced.

Off the top of my head, those are the newest ways I’m saving money in 2009. My husband was laid off in October (hence the blogging hiatus – I’m working brutal hours) and has yet to find a job so, now more then ever, I am committed to saving aggressively and intelligently. I recently took a wonderful, relaxing week off from work and look forward to posting regularly on topics that I feel passionately about and am excited about what this year has to offer all of us! I invite you to stop by again soon, as I'm very excited about some upcoming posts and topics that I look forward to exploring with all of you.

Happy New Year!

Get Em While They're Young

MeghanWhitmer — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:47:00 GMT

Get ‘Em While They’re Young

My daughter’s first birthday was a few weeks ago and although she is still too little to complain, several of my friends were disappointed that her birthday celebration was lacking in fanfare. Even before I was a parent, I was never a big fan of the baby birthday party – large, expensive get-togethers requiring large, expensive gifts, while the guest of honor crawls around, oblivious? It wasn’t for me. While my daughter’s birthday was lacking in “stuff”, it certainly wasn’t lacking in substance. It fell on a Monday this year, serendipitous since I work a 40 in 4 week so we were able to spend the whole day together, doing what she enjoys. Namely, dragging Blue Bear around the apartment 200 times, eating homemade blueberry pancakes, and taking a walk through our local park. For her “party”, my immediate family and her godparents toasted her with a pizza party. Total cost out of pocket? Well, technically, nothing (thanks for the pizza, Mom!) and I was able to come away with several helpful hints to make a birthday less about the presents and more about the occasion.

Make a memory: Ten years from now, the Barbie your daughter absolutely had to get for her birthday will be a 50 cent item at the garage sale. The pictures you took from your trip to the zoo will be well worn from all of their viewings. I know it is easy for me to say, as my daughter cannot yet articulate her wants or desires, but I urge you to focus more on the event then on the spoils; hopefully, your child will learn to follow suit.

Ask and ye shall receive: Our daughter has more toys, clothes, knick knacks and mementos after one year of life then my husband or I combined – and almost none of it was purchased by us. If you have close, generous family and friends, odds are someone will ask what your child wants for their birthday. My first response is always, “Don’t send presents, send love.” But if someone really wants to know, I tell them the truth – take a stand against the clutter, the imported plastic toys, the too small outfits you always mean to return… but never do. This year, our daughter got things that she actual NEEDED – and will enjoy. No gift receipts necessary.

Spend where it matters: As someone who works with children, in addition to being a parent, I have seen the increasing trend of consumerism among America’s youth. If you can – and it’s a big if – make a break from that in your house and take a stand. I’m not saying I’m anti-present, in fact, I’m anything but. However, the most precious gifts I have ever given were not asked for. Family jewelry, get aways with parents, a classic piece of clothing: these are presents I still think of fondly (and wear!) to this day. If you must make a major financial statement for your child’s birthday, drop cash on something that will last forever, not a thousand little things that will just gather dust.

Create a tradition: This year, I asked all those close to my daughter to compose a letter to her, recounting the tremendous impact she has made in all of our lives in one short year. I plan on doing this every year until she reaches 18, compiling everything together in a special memory book, separate from her other photo albums and keepsakes. I also made her cake this year (nothing fancy, but very delicious!) and plan on doing so each and every year. In my family growing up, we got to plan our birthday dinner menu and everyone ate and enjoyed it together. This year my mother made me a full Thanksgiving style feast in honor of my 24^th birthday – this is a tradition I plan on continuing!

Enjoy what you have – your children will, too!: Maybe this whole article is completely irrelevant to your life : you just lost your job, there is no money for a cake, let alone a present, you live paycheck to paycheck, there is no reason to celebrate. Regardless of your circumstances, celebrating a loved one should be a joyous, no stress occasion, and if all you can give is love, please give it in abundance. I would take a hug and kiss from a loved one over a cupcake any day!

The Whole Buffalo : family

Tightening My Belt

Get Em While They're Young