Okay, we just bit the bullet and signed up for Christian Healthcare Ministries version of medical bill sharing (fits 0care's definition for healthcare). Now we have to figure out how to carve the $255 monthly fee out of our meager budget.
Those of you who have been around a while may (or may not, lol) remember that we've done these threads before, but I always need new ideas of ways to save money, so I'm hoping we can help each other with this and keep the thread ongoing.
Personally, we already shop almost entirely at thrift stores for clothing, housewares, etc, unless we find something on sale at a greatly reduced price. We also make use of all discounts, coupons, etc that we can get our hands on. If we eat out somewhere, its because we either have a very good coupon or we've bought the half-price cards on Dealsavers. For instance, we've had a Del Taco open up in town and Dealsaver offered two $5 cards for $5. We bought several. They also have a $1 discount on your next purchase, if you do their survey online. So we go, order $6 worth of food and use the coupon as well as the card and end up paying only the tax.
We also use coupons and sales at grocery stores and spend much less than most people there. One thing I'm going to go back to doing is baking our bread. Its much cheaper to bake it myself than buy it, and much healthier as well since I grind the wheat berries and bake it fresh.
We've talked here before about using rubbing alcohol as a cheap alternative to deodorants. I personally prefer a crystal block, but am having a hard time finding them around here now. Guess I need to check online. The crystal lasts me about a year, so is very economical.
I also found this idea to extend the usage of your stick deodorant - When you can no longer use the sticks because the deodorant is below the plastic line, set the container aside. When you have several near-empty containers, microwave them for about 10 seconds until the remaining deodorant liquifies. Pour the liquid deodorant into a plastic container and let harden, then you can use it again.
Please add any and all ideas you may have!
Those of you who have been around a while may (or may not, lol) remember that we've done these threads before, but I always need new ideas of ways to save money, so I'm hoping we can help each other with this and keep the thread ongoing.
Personally, we already shop almost entirely at thrift stores for clothing, housewares, etc, unless we find something on sale at a greatly reduced price. We also make use of all discounts, coupons, etc that we can get our hands on. If we eat out somewhere, its because we either have a very good coupon or we've bought the half-price cards on Dealsavers. For instance, we've had a Del Taco open up in town and Dealsaver offered two $5 cards for $5. We bought several. They also have a $1 discount on your next purchase, if you do their survey online. So we go, order $6 worth of food and use the coupon as well as the card and end up paying only the tax.
We also use coupons and sales at grocery stores and spend much less than most people there. One thing I'm going to go back to doing is baking our bread. Its much cheaper to bake it myself than buy it, and much healthier as well since I grind the wheat berries and bake it fresh.
We've talked here before about using rubbing alcohol as a cheap alternative to deodorants. I personally prefer a crystal block, but am having a hard time finding them around here now. Guess I need to check online. The crystal lasts me about a year, so is very economical.
I also found this idea to extend the usage of your stick deodorant - When you can no longer use the sticks because the deodorant is below the plastic line, set the container aside. When you have several near-empty containers, microwave them for about 10 seconds until the remaining deodorant liquifies. Pour the liquid deodorant into a plastic container and let harden, then you can use it again.
Please add any and all ideas you may have!