Posted in Austerity Program 2008
Thanks to Merriam Webster for this definition (don't bother with the links...)
- Main Entry:
- aus·ter·i·ty
- Pronunciation:
- \ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē, -ˈste-rə- also -ˈstir-ə-\
- Function:
- noun
- Inflected Form(s):
- plural aus·ter·i·ties
- Date:
- 14th century
1: the quality or state of being austere
2 a: an austere act, manner, or attitude b: an ascetic practice
3: enforced or extreme economy
See definition number 3.
That's right folks. A new year is approaching and while I am not really one for new year's resolutions (since I am making them everyday), the Who Are These Kids household is tightening its belt. We lived on the "austerity program", as Hub dubbed it, in 2006. And it worked. And you know how you go thinking "OOOH I have money"? Well that's what I did in 2007 and it was dumb. We have 1 year to pay off a bunch of debt because this is the last year of my student loan deferment. So I will be sharing my thrifty tips with you all.
First off, I have just requested The Complete Tightwad Gazette from the library. It's the Bible of cheapness! I love it and I haven't read it for a few years.
Being homeschoolers, I know you are all good at pinching pennies so share your wisdom. I already do not have cable. I use vinegar and baking soda to clean. I buy clothes at the thrift store. What else can I do?
My biggest struggle is the food bill! There are 6 of us and I used to be able to feed us all for $150 a month. Well, there were only 5 of us then, and 3 were MUCH smaller. So that amount is not going to work. I am trying to stick to about $225ish for the month. I know, some of you are shuddering in horror, but others are saying "me too!" We have maybe 1/3 of half a cow left that we bought early this year. So that is our main meat source. I also buy meat when it has the clearance sticker on it. So I don't ever go out specifically to buy some meat, I just use what I have. I know we will need to stretch the meat, which is fine. I am a good stretcher. For example, we have 3 very pathetic little pork chops in the freezer and I am going to have Hub cube them and stir fry them (remember, I am temporarily excused from wife-ing and mothering) with a bunch of leftover vegs from a vegetable tray at Christmas. So, the meat cost me $1.50 because it was on clearance, the vegs were free from my mom, and we'll make some rice, what... 25 cents? That is a cheap dinner.
Anyway, if you have any of your own penny pinching tips to share, please do so.
2 a: an austere act, manner, or attitude b: an ascetic practice
3: enforced or extreme economy
See definition number 3.
That's right folks. A new year is approaching and while I am not really one for new year's resolutions (since I am making them everyday), the Who Are These Kids household is tightening its belt. We lived on the "austerity program", as Hub dubbed it, in 2006. And it worked. And you know how you go thinking "OOOH I have money"? Well that's what I did in 2007 and it was dumb. We have 1 year to pay off a bunch of debt because this is the last year of my student loan deferment. So I will be sharing my thrifty tips with you all.
First off, I have just requested The Complete Tightwad Gazette from the library. It's the Bible of cheapness! I love it and I haven't read it for a few years.
Being homeschoolers, I know you are all good at pinching pennies so share your wisdom. I already do not have cable. I use vinegar and baking soda to clean. I buy clothes at the thrift store. What else can I do?
My biggest struggle is the food bill! There are 6 of us and I used to be able to feed us all for $150 a month. Well, there were only 5 of us then, and 3 were MUCH smaller. So that amount is not going to work. I am trying to stick to about $225ish for the month. I know, some of you are shuddering in horror, but others are saying "me too!" We have maybe 1/3 of half a cow left that we bought early this year. So that is our main meat source. I also buy meat when it has the clearance sticker on it. So I don't ever go out specifically to buy some meat, I just use what I have. I know we will need to stretch the meat, which is fine. I am a good stretcher. For example, we have 3 very pathetic little pork chops in the freezer and I am going to have Hub cube them and stir fry them (remember, I am temporarily excused from wife-ing and mothering) with a bunch of leftover vegs from a vegetable tray at Christmas. So, the meat cost me $1.50 because it was on clearance, the vegs were free from my mom, and we'll make some rice, what... 25 cents? That is a cheap dinner.
Anyway, if you have any of your own penny pinching tips to share, please do so.
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