We've been working at it since I left my full time job in '05 but there's still room for improvement.
Both hubby and I work from home. We're saving a boatload on clothes, gas, parking, and lunches, not to mention the aggravation of commuting. Because of that, we get to write off home improvements, utilities, parts of our taxes and mortgage interest, etc. And, we get to have lunch together every day (well, most of the time).
We also decided to replace our 22 year old furnace for a more efficient one. Originally we were going to try to sell our house and downsize a bit, but we don't want to lose our shirts in this crappy housing market. We're hoping our utility bills will go down significantly. We also plan to replace our storm doors. I got tired of freezing all winter. We're looking at other ways to make our house warmer this winter too.
I shop more at BJs and buy mass quantities. I no longer get my nails done. I get the glue on Broadway Nails that you can get in any drug store and everyone asks me where I get them done. I ran into my former nail guy and he asked me where I'd been, and I told him. I changed hairstylists and highlight my own hair (with help, of course). I shopped around for insurance and got our insurance company to give us a better deal. We saved several hundred dollars a year this way. Because my boys have their own cars, they have their own insurance. And believe it or not, they pay less than $500 a year each. One is 19, the other is 22. We still have our other 19 year old on ours because she doesn't have a car yet, but the savings of having the boys get their own has been significant.
We go out to eat once a week. We cut down on our alcohol consumption. Our kids got jobs and we no longer have to give them money (well, for the most part anyway). My biggest challenge has been trying to save money on groceries. I try to spend time planning meals, but it's something I need to really focus on.
Oh, and I almost forgot...we got a new financial advisor who has given us some sage advice and helped us not to lose our shirts.
__________________
Vicki
RNY 11/04/2008
248/132/138
Pre-op/Current/Goal
Finally made it to goal on 12/18/2009! 114 pounds gone forever.
Last edited by Vikkator; 10-14-2008 at 06:14 AM..
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