If you think you can move to a brand new city and do it cheaply…you’re wrong. Wrong I tell you! We tried every possible trick in the book…sweet talked the U-Haul person (it worked), got our furniture necessities from Ikea/Cheap local spots, and all glassware/cooking utensils from Big Lots.
Well… we probably did it cheaper than most people would, but nonetheless expenses come up out of the woodworks, or all of a sudden you discover you NEED something you didn’t have before.
I have had to dip into my savings much more than I would like to and we are finding it cheaper to eat out than to go grocery shopping.
Remember my coupon obsession? It still exists.
I’ve discovered http://valpak.com/ and it has been a dream. Simply type in your zip code, and up pop restaurants in your area that are offering buy one get one free and other sorts of deals. All you have to do is print it off your computer and it’s FREE.
Also be sure to check your Sunday papers…they ALWAYS have inserts for places like El Pollo Loco, Wing Stop, etc.
In addition to my food coupons, I have come up with a budgeting idea. I am going to limit myself to spending $10 A DAY.
This can be on food, a movie, whatever but it can be NO more than $10. I can choose to not spend anything that day, and have $20 for the next day, so on and so forth. So let’s say I want to go to dinner and a movie this weekend, I will probably want to forgo my $10 a day for 3 days. Perhaps I should look into some energy comparison site could add even more money to my savings? My friend was telling me that he saved a bunch on his bills through using this.
I’ve worked it out in the budget and as long as I stick to it, it will leave me with lots of savings at the end of the month to replinish my supply!
What do you guys think? Do YOU have any budgeting tips?
Lastly, I leave you with my current obsession of a living room:
Nice! Best of luck with the budgeting I know you can do it! 🙂
-wHiT
I am so bad at budgeting. I hope you have better luck than me!
I've looked into the cost of moving out of the area and was SHOCKED! I recently got into the whole coupon thing to after watching Extreme Counponers on TLC! Good luck on your budgeting though!
http://confessionsofabeauty-holic.blogspot.com/
Food is so expensive, it's our main killer in our budget.
I am jealous you can do $10 a day!! Shawn and I are only allowed $60 every two weeks. Mortgage, life insurance, insurance on the harley is more than both of our vehicles combined, etc. Grrr. being an adult stinks sometimes.
for going out to eat…we go to byob places all the time. so then there is no corkage fee…and we will take a 2.99 bottle of wine from whole foods. pretty good for nyc! also, have you ever used restuarant.com? they sell gift certificates for $10 for $25 gift card. then they have coupon codes where they are on sale for $1 or 2. they do have restrictions, like min spend $35 and mon-thurs, but you can go out to eat to a nice place, spend 35 bucks on a great dinner…give the coupon code (that cost $1) and then you only pay $10 for the $35 meal. fun ideas if you ever want to go out for a treat!
sorry, i meant give the restaurant the coupon..not the coupon code!
I want to learn how to use coupons and be like those people who don't spend a dime in the grocery store and get money back.
I will have to check out ValPack, sounds amazing. We defiantly stick to a budget, we always "play the numbers game" as we call it and write down all our expenses so we know what we can and cannot afford. Ever heard of Dave Ramsey? He is a financial guru that we love! I highly recommend him to anyone. No scam to get money fast just teaches you how to be smart with your money and pay off debt.
p.s. I just stalked your blog and u and the bf are so precious together! where do you guys live? nice to "meet" you!
xoxo,
Taylor
i love this budgeting idea. and i definitely have to be better at using coupons! that's for sure!
xo TJ
great advice! i love coupons too. 😉
I need to start budgeting. I'm the worst at saving money, so I may have to steal this idea. 🙂
Good luck! Its nice getting to your late 20's and having a better budget- I do not envy those immediate post-college days! But great suggestions, wish I knew them my first year out of school!
We are silly with our change–all loose change goes into big coffee cans and before we go on a vacation, we take it in and get dollars! I also like setting aside the money we would spend at a restaurant, and now we just cook at home all the time. New follower!
I SO agree with using coupons/groupons and deals when you go out to eat.
My best money saving solution for food budgets? Shop at the Farmers' Market! It's cheap, it's local and it's in season, so you're getting amazing food (not to mention supporting your locals) at a wonderful price. I will say, not all Farmers' Markets are created equal, so find a GOOD one.
I am a Farmers' Market addict.
Good luck with the $10/day budget. I also say I want to do my decor one way and then I see something totally different that I suddenly want to try!
I only moved across town and it was quite an expense/hassle. Good luck in your new city!
great post!
http://thechicclassmate.blogspot.com/
FABULOUS LIVING ROOM. I love that color combo!!!!
Yes, Restaurant service is very helpful to earn lot of money.
Rajendra Nagar Restaurant | chowringhee online food menu
This is such favorite blog looking too much option for food lovers, visit here.
Rajendra Nagar Restaurant | online food menu