https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:23:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218349 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:33:37 +0000 Mae 1218349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The biggest way I save money on food is to plan my menu ahead of time and reuse ingredients. Like if I am buying an onion but will only use half of it for the pizza I'm making, I put quesadillas on the list to use the other half. No waste! I also make a lot of stuff where meat is not "the star of the show." And when I have to buy something I can't use all of, I freeze it. Like for example if I buy a jar of pasta sauce for the sauce for pizza, I only use like 1/2 cup of it. Instead of letting it rot in the fridge I either make pasta later that week, or I freeze the leftover sauce in ice cube trays then pop the cubes into a gallon size freezer bag and keep them in the freezer. That way I have sauce for the next 4 times I make pizza and I don't have to spend another 2.99 on sauce again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218344 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:30:29 +0000 sorrycharlie 1218344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually do food shop at target! If I clip manufacturer coupons, print target coupons from coupons.target.com (or, the ones you get in the mail), pair with cartwheel and my red(debit)card, I get groceries for a steal. It's not all organic, natural, etc., but we're alive and surviving. Frozen pizza once a week won't kill us ;)</p> <p>Sorry to hear about your stress! A few months after LO was born, DH's pay was cut 50% too (and hasn't gone back up since) and with me not working then, it got really stressful really fast. We had to cut the budget to almost nothing - basic bills, no fun money whatsoever. At first it sucked - and at times it still does - but, we make do. We're surviving without all the extras! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218314 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:14:15 +0000 Kimberlybee 1218314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: This is so true and great tips! My godfather would always tell his kids, "nothing is better than the zero zero deal" (don't buy therefore don't spend) and it stuck with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218311 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:13:08 +0000 looch 1218311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am also a contractor and my husband and I were having a discussion about what we would do if my hours were reduced.</p> <p>We looked at all of the add ons we were paying for within our health insurance and we cut out our dental coverage. I have already had my wisdom teeth removed and we will pay out of pocket for cleanings, it's cheaper than the monthly plan cost. We did decide to keep our vision coverage, but we will not be getting contact lens fittings in 2014, because those are self pay and we got them this year.</p> <p>As for food, I am not the best shopper in the world, I buy what I like versus what is on sale, but I do plan ahead and make meals that we cook once and eat twice. I like Mrs. Wagon's Balsamic Beef (on the second day, we eat it shredded with udon noodles) and her Italian Lemon Chicken is good the second day in pasta salad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218309 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:11:53 +0000 Kimberlybee 1218309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: on no! Sorry about the unexpected budget cut!! Can you file unemployment for the shortage? Wishing you lots of good luck on finding better opportunities very soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218307 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:10:33 +0000 Cole 1218307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am sorry to hear that, how stressful! Hopefully the daycare shift will save you some money. Can you cut cable or gym memberships? </p> <p>For us the best way to save on food is to be diligent about cooking at home. Coupons might be a good place to save a bit but mostly for us it is just not wasting what we buy.</p> <p>Try calling your local energy utility and see if they offer having someone come out to check your home for easy energy saving switches. Here they ran a program where they would switch out your lightbulbs and help install weather stripping etc and it was free. If things will be super tight they often have programs to help pay for heat.</p> <p>I hope the perfect opportunity pops up quickly for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218306 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:10:33 +0000 mediagirl 1218306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: don't go into stores, don't shop online. Those were my biggest cost savers when I cut down to having just $50/month for play money. If I don't go into the store, I won't see things I want. If I remove my credit card from any of my online shopping sites (amazon) I can't spend money there unless I go through the hassle of setting it up again. I know it sounds silly and simple but it worked so well for me and I'm starting to do it again now, too!</p> <p>ETA: Obviously you have to go food shopping. Make a menu plan every week on Saturday. On Sunday, go food shopping. Buy JUST the things you need for the meals you are eating that week. That includes lunch items and dinner. The best lunches are pb and jelly sandwiches, chips and a fruit item (apples and oranges are cheap right now). Or, do leftovers for lunch, that will save on lunch things if you like hot lunches. Buy chicken and pork, those are normally the cheapest meat items. If you cook them different ways, it doesn't feel like you're "always" eating chicken. Instead of salads, eat frozen veggies. Instead of all fresh fruits, get canned or jarred pears, peaches and pineapple that are packed in juice. If they're packed in light syrup, just rinse them off before eating them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218301 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:08:43 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1218301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Check out my cutting the budget blog post. We scoured just about every aspect of our lives for cuts! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/took-a-huge-pay-cut-help-me-save-money#post-1218285 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:01:04 +0000 Mamaof2 1218285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a govt contractor so I a have always "lived" year to year waiting to see if my contract gets renewed. Just found out that Dec 1st I am cut to 20 hours - that's a 50% pay cut!!! I am soooo stressed!!!</p> <p>The plan is to look for additional hours within the company or find a new job.</p> <p>In the meantime I will be working four 5 hour days and the kids will go to daycare PT.</p> <p>I need to cut money everywhere! Especially food! Can you eat cheap but fairly healthy???</p> <p>Any other ways you can think of? Obviously no more target :sad: </p>