Saving Diva

Since I got married 2 years ago,  I have become a self proclaimed saving diva. Now, don't expect that I am going to write about how to save hundreds of dollars a year and be one of those crazy extreme couponers. I just like to save money. Perhaps its become more important since the hubs is no longer a full-time employee.

A little background on that... We got married and moved to Maryland with no jobs. I know, looking back it was kind of crazy. Well, I was hired on as a teacher after about a month while the hubs continued to be unemployed. He did temp jobs and some private contracting but no luck finding a full-time permanent gig. Then, he was offered a position on a political campaign in January.  The kicker? The job was in Massachusetts. I know, being newlyweds this sounded.... um... great? Well, not exactly and it didn't make sense for me to relocate with the hubs as this job was temporary, so thus started our 11 month separation.

While we were both unemployed, I got pretty coupon savvy. I mean, to the point where I stock piled toiletries and have not paid full price since we got married. Most of the soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, even laundry detergent, has been free or a few cents. Then the hubs went away to work and I got all the money sent home to me... I got pretty good at spending. This is when I decided to start graduate school. Let the bills start flowing!

When the political hoopla was over, in November, the hubs arrived back home. This is when he started, yet again, his search for full time employment. Well, now we had student loan payments, graduate school, savings, life all happening. Couponing and saving started again.

SO, with ALL of that said, here's how I do it. (Keep in mind I am not a magician nor do I think I do this the best possible way. All I can tell you is that this works for me.)

1. I buy my meat at Costco and freeze it. I only make a trip to Costco about once every 2 to 3 months. But, the quality of meat is worth it for the price.

2. I clip coupons whenever I remember. Really, the best way to do this is to follow Hip2Save. This woman, Collin, posts deals and tells you what coupons you need to get the best deal. I use this for Target trips and when I need to buy toiletries. This is how I get almost free and free stuff.

3. I take advantage of sales at the grocery store and do not buy out of season or processed stuff if at all possible. I have found ways to make homemade english muffins and all kinds of other things, thank you Pintrest!

4. I cook and freeze. This means that yes, I do cook a new meal almost every night (I HATE leftovers). And then we have food to eat either for lunches or I freeze things. I have frozen anything from soup to lasagna. If only I had a deep freezer.... yes, my freezer looks crazy and has things JAMMED in there... it happens though and we make it work.

5. We don't go out... and I mean we don't eat out, or buy fast food, I have even given up Starbucks... I know, for some this sounds crazy but it means having more money to pay the bills.

6. We make a budget. Perhaps this should be number one since it is what dictates where all of our money goes for the month. In January, we did Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. This was eye opening and really taught us some great tips on how to be smart with money. I STRONGLY suggest looking into it. Yes, he is a Christian and yes, he teaches about money with a Christian perspective. BUT (and this is a J-Lo BUT as the hubs would say), he provides really great information about how to handle money from day to day life all the way to saving for retirement. We learned SO much.

I think these are all the money saving tips I've got but I'm sure I will come up with more. I got a sewing machine for Christmas so I am trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to make some clothes of my own and revamp some thrift store finds...