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I've been working on a budget too. And on rules for spending.
No eating out except on vacations. Have easy healthy pantry meals on hand at all times. Take food with when needed. Make food from scratch as often as possible. Offer to bring a meal to IL's rather than winding up eating out when we get there...
Continue Y membership. Use it. Use open gym time for PE for kids. Take fun stuff to play with there (they'll be getting some things for Christmas that will be great to play with during open gym--quite often there's no one in there in the afternoons but us).
continue cable and internet service (I use internet for work). Keep checking periodically to make sure we're getting the best deal possible.
Use library as much as possible. Develop a system to eliminate late fines as much as possible.
Seek out sources for used items, including homeschool supplies. Consider joining a homeschool group.
grow a bigger garden...maybe...
Shovel snow and do yardwork ourselves. Resist the temptation to throw $15 at those neighbor boys standing on the porch with shovels in hand!!! Borrow neighbor's snow blower if needed (it's been offered, we just give a couple bucks for gas).
Buy from farmer's market and local sources as much as possible.
gifts--homemade, photos, foods, services
Get used to the house being colder in the winter and warmer in the summer--reduce use of heating and cooling.
Turn off, unplug, etc.
Line dry when possible.
May go to some movies at the Dove Family Film festival, but pack own snacks and drinks!
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