Layout:
Home > Hmm--What to Trim?

Hmm--What to Trim?

November 17th, 2011 at 05:34 am

I'm starting my "what to cut, shave, trim, snip, and other hair analogies" list.
Our goal will be cash preservation.
So, I think I'll pare down the retirement plan contributions since we have no match, increase the insurance deductible on DH's car which we should've done months ago, stop the mortgage principal prepayment, but what else?

We have no cable, but we're keeping Netflix streaming. I've considered giving up the Sunday NYT, but not yet. Kumon also stays. The grocery bill and the energy bill both need some scrutinizing. The prepaid phone is about as cheap as it gets.

Today I used the Mattel vouchers to buy toys for the Christmas donations at church with a little left for DD's stocking stuffer and some upcoming baby gifts.
I thought I might have a hard time using the voucher at Target, but checked with the service desk first, and they were happy to help. Between that and the coupon for free milk, it was a cheap day.

DH got the official news today. He'll be done at the end of the year. Tomorrow's list will be on more income generation and job search stuff. I'm a little daunted and welcome any advice you want to throw my way!

12 Responses to “Hmm--What to Trim?”

  1. Shiela Says:
    1321509938

    I really can't think of anything else to add to your list already. Those are great.

    All I can say is apply for as many jobs no matter how crazy the job might be. When DH quit his previous job just over a year ago he applied for 25 jobs in that first weekend. And applied for 2-3 jobs every night on week nights and called any job agency he knew. It takes a lot of time but he got another job just before he officially left the previous job (just a month into the new job search).

    There was a lot of rejections but that's what happened when you apply for a lot. Some of the job he went for was way above to what he thought he could get. Some of them flat out rejected him but some actually short listed him and few he managed to get an interview. The one he got was a perfect match.

    Good luck to you and your DH.

  2. baselle Says:
    1321511346

    I'd keep my eyes open and hone. For example, I'd double check to see if the Sunday NYT on the newsstand is cheaper than the subscription, or conversely, if you have that subscription, what freebies can you get out of it?

    I'd also hone my and DHs routines. If you love x, is there a free way to do x?

    I'd shut off his 401K contributions entirely at this stage. And if you are with a big bank, this is the time to switch to a credit union - getting screwed over by them at your weakest moment is not fun.

  3. jennieer21 Says:
    1321519151

    Info e curiosita' sulla
    Text is dieta and Link is http://dietaeasy.blogspot.com
    dieta per dimagrire tutto sul nostro sito dedicato alle diete dimagranti
    Sul nostro sito le milgiori
    Text is ricette and Link is http://ricettetop.blogspot.com
    ricette per i tuoi piatti dall'antipasto al dolce, ricette sempre nuove e gustose

  4. littlegopher Says:
    1321534634

    Sorry that it's official. You are such a great money manager having so little to cut in the first place, and that skill/instinct will serve you well in knowing what and when to trim as you go along. Best wishes to you and your family!!

  5. CB in the City Says:
    1321536957

    If it were me, I would pare down to bare bones; cover the needs, but drop the wants. Walk instead of drive. Shop in my closet and pantry. Buy only the basics. Keep decluttering, too, you may find some forgotten treasures.

  6. laura Says:
    1321538861


    I am sorry that it didn't turn out better. Frown
    BUT, I think it definitely helps to have a plan in place and even the small things like being more diligent about coupons can help add up to bigger savings.

    The only suggestion that I can personally make is in regards to Kumon. My son receives "academic therapy" at a private agency and the cost is $40 per hour. We've run out of funds for the HSA (not a true HSA, but what the company sponsored money) with the HDHP and are paying out of pocket $250 for older daughter's asthma meds (that is monthly). I talked with the office manager at the tutoring place and they were able to have DS go every other week, giving me what I should do on the off weeks. This saved us $80 per month and once January rolls around and our medical funds are replenished, he'll go back to once a week. I was honest about our situation, stating that if they couldn't accomodate us, we'd find a way or else would have to leave and return. Just my $0.02.

    Take care!

  7. scrappytappy Says:
    1321540559

    I don't have much advice aside from start looking now and keep applying for anything...as many jobs as possible. And, I wanted to wish you good luck!

  8. My English Castle Says:
    1321542737

    Thanks for the good ideas. You've given me some things to think about. I use the NYT subscription a lot for school articles, and the library's searchable list doesn't seem to work as well as our subscription. If only it came with coupons... But I've been thinking of offering our copy after we read it to folks at school. Maybe they'll chip in? But they can't have my puzzle or book review section. Hmm--given those caveats, perhaps no one in the English department would want it.

    Thanks, Laura, for the Kumon advice. We're going tonight and perhaps I'll talk with them. It's done miracle for DD's math. When her teacher and I were discussing her progress at her conference, they expected her to go up 7 levels this past year, but she's gone up 23 levels. The teacher was amazed.

    DH's 401K contributions are shut down now, and I'm looking at the Roth IRA reduction. But I've got soup started in the crockpot, so I feel warm and happy-ish!



  9. Amber Says:
    1321568608

    Sorry to hear about DH, but I'm sure you'll be fine. I get the news paper a day late from a friend, you may want to try that

  10. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1321582968

    I'm sorry to hear that it is official. Frown
    Do any of the public libraries or the university library subscribe to the NYT?

    Does your DH cook? Maybe you could cut down on your grocery bill by him doing things that you don't have time for that would save money.

  11. My English Castle Says:
    1321583477

    Hey Frugal--they both do, but the search capability is limited with online. DH makes a mean curry, but isn't a terrific day-to-day cook. He wants exotic ingredients and makes a huge mess. But it would indeed help me if he can do some of the errands and kid driving I do.

  12. LuxLivingFrugalis Says:
    1321891841

    Sorry to hear about the job.

    We've been there, Hubster was looking to work at least 8 more years but his plant shut down and there were no more jobs in the offing so we went with early SS.

    On the homefront...I'd look to do (possibly even) more from scratch home cooking. Make a plan - inexpensive rice, pasta, beans, soup, leftovers becoming a weekly thing if they aren't already. Also we did weekly themed cooking as it makes leftovers easier to combine...Italian week, Mexican week, Chinese week, etc. Hope this helps a bit.



Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]