My list:
- Take lunch and soda to work (a 12 pack of cans from the foodstore is cheaper than a 16 oz bottle from the vending machine)
- Limited dining out
- If I get a medical reimbursement checkl, I put that in savings.
- Max amount allowed goes into my 401k.
- Drive slower and decellerate sooner vs. slamming on the brakes
- Removed long distance from land line & use cell phone for long distance calls
- Programmable thermostat drops temps down to 62 when not at home in the winter; at night we close our bedroom door and use a small oil-filled portable heater, but still keep the temps rather low in the bedroom (that way, we have to snuggle close to each other - another benefit!) When we are home and about the house, the temp is set to 68.
- Shower with my wife together. (Hey, it saves money, and leads to more snuggling!!!)
- Use our outdoor propane grill year round
- Cancelled Excellence magazine
- I am able to do most of the smaller home repair stuff.
- Hire day laborers for 'grunt work.' (Saved me over $1500 last fall vs. hiring a landscaper to do debris removal)
- Delay kitchen remodel for 6+ years. (Mrs. Z-man isn't too happy about that)
- Hair cut intervals a little longer than before
- Paid off house.
- Cut my own lawn, don't use a landscaper.
- Don't go to the grocery store when we're hungry. (Less chance of junk winding up in the shopping cart!)
- Use a Pur water filter instead of bottled water
- Eat more vegetables and fresh foods instead of processed ones. (Wife is an excellent cook)
- Don't consume alchohol / don't smoke
- keep my cars for a long time (kept my Subaru for 13 years and 194,000 miles)
- Pay off all CC bills immediately
- On vacation:
-stay in rooms with at least a fridge and microwave - eat in the rooms at least for lunch or dinner, minimizing eating out even on vacation
- Use Orbitz or Priceline to get cheaper tickets
- Limit souvenir items to small, inexpensive items, and the 'pressed penny' thing.
-Z-man.