Budgeting

I was wondering if some of you ladies could help me with some suggestions.  My husband's job just like so many others is kind of on the iffy side right now.  They are closing his plant 2 days a month right now and have been to save money.  It is very scary to feel we could be one of those statistics you read about.  So I go about looking over my finances and looking for fat to cut just in case and I don't find alot of fat in my budget.

I don't pay a cable bill.  We have a TV antenna and we just take whatever channels it will give us.  I don't have all the bells and whistles on my telephone, in fact I have the most basic phone service you can get at $21 a month.  I don't even have long distance on my phone.

The only fat I can see in my budget is my cell phone.  I use it for long distance.  So if something happened to hubby's job, I could get of it, and buy a card for long distance.  But other then that I can see no fat.

So does anyone have any suggestions?

Susan

Wife of Greg, Mom to Rick and Rob

Grandma to Sweet Anthony

http://amazingcouponanddiscountdeals.blogspot.com

Former Smoker, Nicotine addict

Hi, kimble2eyes. Glad you could join us :) So, you're pretty much down to bare bones on stuff? Can I ask a couple questions?

-How is your food budget? Could you cut it back?
-Do you use coupons to help with some expenses?
-Could you maybe pad the budget a little with a part time job?
-How about insurance? Cheapest rate there is?

Those are the big three I think of with regards to your post since there isn't a lot of detail on other expenses. I'm trying to think of other categories, I'msure they'll come to me but just a couple thoughts.

Welcome! Simple answer - get more fat! Time to start cleaning houses and delivering pizzas?

I heard Dave Ramsey say something yesterday to the effect of you can't outcheap an income that's too low. I wish I could remember exactly how he said it.

As for savings, look at big expenses like your electric bill and car insurance. There could be savings to be found there. How about a prepaid phone card?

Or, another tip from DR - sell so much of your stuff the kids and dog think they're next.

Thank you fjor your reponse Navy wife.  Yes, I do use coupons.  If you notice my link, I am actually an avid coupon user.  And that is how I cut down my grocery bill.  This week, I saved $17.44 on my grocery bill, by using coupons.  I use my little link to share with others what I have tried to take to a science.  My husband is retired Air Force, so as a Navy wife, I think using coupons is a military tradition don't you?

My car insurance is down to the bare minimum.  Last time I spoke to them, the lady said, look Maam you can't go any lower then that.  I even grow some vegetables and things in the summer and freeze them and put them in my freezer. On my little link (don't want to break any rules, I have some good things posted that will help anyone that is going through hard times.  You see I have mild emphysema, and the little link thing, is good therapy for me, plus it helps me save money and then I share it with others.  I do alot of research by looking in the grocery stores and then making phone calls that way I know what to post that is accurate.  Some days it seems like Christmas when I get a stack of envelopes from all different manufacturers, and I know my grocery bill will be alot cheaper that week. I think I have taken this pretty much to a science., but I enjoy it.

I guess it is just a tough time for alot of people.  Who knows maybe my little hobby will help others and not just myself.  I certainly hope so.

Thanks again for responding.

Susan

Wife of Greg, Mom to Rick and Rob

Grandma to Sweet Anthony

http://amazingcouponanddiscountdeals.blogspot.com

Former Smoker, Nicotine Addict

lol I'm beginning to think it is tradition. I just recently started with coupons and they are useful. So, you've made cuts where you can.

Any possibility for a part time or work from home job?