In Reply to: Unexpected drop in income.. need hints, ideas, tips, etc. of ways to cut back. posted by I'll start the list... please add so we can all learn! on August 22, 2005 at 11:00:56:
Plan some meatless meals into your budget like beans and cornbread, omelets and potatoes or fruit, breakfast for dinner, etc.
Have hubby and kids pack lunches from home if they can rather than buy at school/work unless you qualify for reduced meals or free.
Grocery shop only once a week or less and shop with a list.
Get rid of subscriptions or cut back to those you really enjoy.
We do a family game night or rent a movie rather than seeing many movies in the theater. When we do see one that just would be better on a big screen, we go to a matinee and skip the popcorn and snacks.
Cook more from scratch if possible. Lots of easy good recipes on the net these days.
Check out places like Aldi's for certain items (if that type of store is available). I buy toilet paper, paper towels, some veges, etc. there and save some money.
Try trading with someone in a like situation for things you would have to pay for. We traded babysitting once a month when our kids were small with another couple so we each had a night out without having to add babysitting to the cost of a date.
Check out sites like dollar stretcher
http://www.stretcher.com/ for ideas you might not have thought of.