Let me come clean with you right up front - I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old and my daycare bill is enormous. Like bigger than my mortgage enormous. So even though my hubby and I both work, we still have some pay periods when after all the bills are paid, there isn't a lot left over.
I have gotten pretty creative in ways to save money and also make extra money. You see, I really enjoy shopping, getting my nails done, and going out to dinner. That means that if I want to live in the "lifestyle to which I have become accustomed" as they say, I need to figure out how to live good on the cheap. Remember that book back in the 80's about how to live a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget? That is my goal.
1. Shop thrift stores. I enjoy getting good deals. I buy books at Goodwell, kids clothes and have even found myself a few things.
2. Shop consignment sales and garage sales. My favorite thing to do is buy books for $1 at a garage sale and then sell them on half.com for a tasty bit of extra cash.
3. Cook at home instead of eat out. I am trying my darndest to cook low cost nutritious dinners.
4. I never dry clean anything except rare occasions. I don't buy stuff that needs dry cleaning.
5. I use coupons when I am organized enough.
6. I use sites like fatwallet.com and slickdeals.net to find good deals.
7. I've found so many online shopping deals. Did you know that at zenniopital.com you can buy prescription eyeglasses starting at $8.00? Wow, I had no idea! They even will add tint to any lens for $4.95. So if you wear glasses you could buy yourself a pair of prescription sunglasses for like $13 bucks. These would be great for a spare pair or backup glasses for contact wearers too. As well as for kids, who lets face it really need a spare pair for when they sit on them.
Check out this pair which would be perfect for making into Rx sunglasses. They sell for $19.00 plus cost of lens, etc. This could have been super handy for us before Jin got lasik.
