With my decision to go back to school to become a Personal Trainer and classes starting tomorrow, Dan and I are officially living life on a budget. No more stopping at the Gap on my way home from work, buying fancy dinner cocktails, splurging on Charmin, or dining out during the week. Starbucks is no longer even a part of my vocabulary.
We now play ‘Price Is Right’ at the grocery store, and try to keep each trip under a certain dollar amount. Call me crazy, but I find it kind of fun to come up with ways to entertain ourselves in inexpensive ways. Hello pool days and game nights!
Reader Questions – What ways do you save money? What are your favorite, inexpensive ways to have fun?
Thanks for all the amazing love and support you offered on my post earlier this week, it means more than you know!
quartercenturysouthernliving 
I’m all about the budget over here lady! Although I must admit, I do sometimes splurge on a sale or lunch or something… it’s not easy though! I still buy brand name toilet paper though haha 🙂 life is too short for unnecessary chafing
Haha, this seriously made me laugh out loud! I buy the Costco equivalent, I hope it is as good! Otherwise, that’s a lifetime supply of chafing 🙂
I’m all about the clearance racks and coupons!
I can definitely see myself becoming a couponer! And the people behind me at the store rolling their eyes, haha! 🙂
I always try to buy things when they’re on sale and plan my meals around the weekly ads 🙂 Other ways I like to save money are looking for cheap/free entertainment. There are bars around here that have cheap nights or restaurants that have date nights so it makes it much more affordable! Good luck with your first day of school tomorrow 🙂
I should see which places have Happy Hour specials during the week! And I am definitely taking a page out of your book with the meal plans! 🙂
gahhh people that play board games. can I become y’all’s friend? I miss board game days. everyone uses electronics now. 😦
Of course!! I absolutely love playing games!! 🙂
yay!! haha
I LOVE using coupons! Seriously, you can’t beat pretty much using free money!
I am definitely jumping into the couponing! It sounds like it is fun!
Andy and I are constantly on a budget! I feel your pain! Hahah 🙂
I am happy that we are not the only ones, haha!
We are totaling budgeting lately too. Movie nights at home, planning meals, buying generic, etc. it is tough at first but saving money makes it worth it 🙂
I love movie nights at home! Give me ‘Father of the Bride’ and popcorn and m&ms and I am happy 🙂 Buying generic is a great idea!!
We are big gamers over here! I actually make Joshua play at least one hand of cards a night even if the boys tired.. I’m quite addicted… to winning 🙂
Bahahaha about the Charmin thing. I’ve had to deal with the generic 1-ply stuff when my checking account dwindles.. Not fun.
Budget tips: cut out unnecessary groceries, which for me includes any kind of “fun” drink (juice, tea, etc), gum, and snacky foods that don’t fill me up.
Trade movies with friends! You get to see new-to-you movies for no extra cost!
Date nights at free museums, parks, etc.
First of all, hooray for you going back to school to be a personal trainer — that’s awesome! I have no doubt that you’re going to kick butt and be an amazing PT. Your future clients will adore you! 🙂
As for saving money, I had to put myself on a budget earlier this year. I gave myself a $20 cash-only spending limit during the week (I withdraw $20 from the ATM and leave my debit card at home), which has helped. I also cut out Starbies, cut waaaaaaaay back on my Whole Foods visits, and only buy discounted movie tickets at Costco. If I had more time on my hands, I’d also coupon-clip like a madwoman! 🙂
Hope you have an awesome Monday, and congrats again on PT school!
Yes for the budget!! I have really enjoyed doing my grocery challenge and working on getting our grocery bill down! It is way more fun than I thought it would be and has really opened my eyes to what we spend on food!! http://www.running4cupcakes.com/grocery-challenge-month-2-week-3/
I agree- it can be a fun challenge to save money. I pack my lunch everyday so I save a ton that way. Also, I make my food last a while and try and buy foods on sale. There are a ton of websites that lists fun things to do that are usually free, so definitely do some Googling!
I am def on a budget right now with eric going back to school! Its def challenging trying to save money and not spend it all at once!
We’ve been on a tight budget since moving in together, planning a wedding and now Andrew deciding to go back to school, as well. We don’t eat out a lot, take leftovers for lunch, lock up the credit cards and try to cut back a little bit everywhere – lowering our cell phone and car insurance. It adds up!
Starbucks isn’t part of your vocabulary?! Oh girl… you are serious about this! Way to be! 🙂
I love living on a budget! Haha okay that was a joke but as I am currently in grad school I do live in a budget ad sometimes think its fun to try to make the most of my money. Coffee made at home, especially with coconut milk, can be even better than Starbucks.
Marty and I are living the same way. We are all about paying down debt and not spending credit. We save money on date nights by having ‘active’ dates – biking, picnics, cooking dinner at home and watching a movie 🙂