Ok, we have to cut the spending. No more impulse purchases, no more buying books just because we want them, no more non-essential renovations for the time being, no more turning the heating on or off until we're sure more/less clothes won't suffice, no more buying textbooks before checking whether we can get them from the library or for free as an eBook ...

Things I've decided were not going to cut are:-

1. fresh produce (though we will be going to our closest direct from the farm place, and we'll be getting meat in bulk)
2. the gym (would be very short sighted)
3. insurance (again, only a short term saving)
4. one day a week of day care for the DSs (for DH's uni needs and sanity)

Things I've decided we are going to cut are:-

1. unplanned trips to the pool, playcentre
2. unplanned take away of all sorts (coffee, dinner, snacks, etc)
3. buying clothes, books, toys, craft things etc before thoroughly checking we don't have something already that would suit (or be as good as) AND that we can't get something from freecycle.
4. the next round of 12WBT (but I'll keep on the thread here, for support and encouragement ... I'll just repeat the meals and recipes from this round ... there's plenty of variety)
5. reduction in pre-made and partially pre-made meals and snacks... eg: bread is fine, stir through sauce is not ...
6. reduction of use of the tumble dryer ...


I need more ideas though, please! We really need to cut back a lot.


DH going back to work actually only improves our net income by about $100 a week, and I'm convinced we should be able to save $100 a week ... help me see how, please?


I'm up for any great ideas, big or small... I will be getting back into the habit of doing a detailed budget and cashbook journal, so that's a given ... and
I have a deep freezer, if any of your ideas are food related ...


Thanks in advance