I have said some of this before, but I am spending time clarifing to myself what is working and what is not... so bare with me. Thanks!

One thing that I have begun doing is to go to all the stores that I need to go to at in one day a week (or two weeks, depending). Then we do not go to stores at all in between. I have been doing this for a little over a month, and it really saves us money. I think it is because I see what I spend better if I have to look at it all at once. You are less apt to calculate your spending wrong this way.

Plus if you get everyone in your family to write the things they need down on a list (insted of just you) then they won't need to go to the store either. Don has gotten really good at this, because I no longer take trips for one thing... so if he wants something "right now" it better be on the list.

I always check second hand stores first for anything that is not underwear, toilet paper, food items, and socks. Even painting supplies, and envelopes I have found at second hand stores. I have 250 recycled paper envelopes for $2.99 at Value Village... what a deal! I will not have to buy envalopes for anything... because I can use them for everything from sending bills to birthday invites they are so pretty!

Love Val

I think that makes a lot of sense. But can I do it? LOL! errrr... I should try huh? Good idea mama! thanks for sharing

One thing that works really well for me is to make a master list for the stores I go to. Once a week I'll print it off. throughout the week if we run out of something or are running low on something I will check it on the master list.

I also leave a lot of blank spaces for things I don't normally buy.

Doing this has really saved a lot of extra trips to the store.

That's a good idea, Val, about the list and checking thrift stores first! :)

I made it two weeks this time in between store trips. I'm shooting for two weeks again. It helps me because it forces me to come up with meals from the pantry, even if they're weird.

I made chili Friday out of whatever I could find and it was a TOTALLY different "mix" that usual - one bag beans, cooked, one can of hormel chili my sister abandoned at my house, a packet of chili seasoning I found in a box (unpacking) and a can of tomato paste. lol It came out really good though! I also discovered corn bread kinda needs the egg in it... haha :o

So anyway... that is working for us, too. It helps me save!

And checking thrift stores more often would help a LOT I am sure. I finally got DH to take me to the one here on Saturday and I found out they give away free bread! :D YAY!! I also found two maternity tops which I was thrilled about!