Turns out the last "don't do" I posted wasn't so unusual. I actually get my hair cut by someone else, but many of you responded that you cut your own hair!! I am so impressed. I've done some trimming occasionally, but never a full cut. I suppose with my curly hair I could actually get away with it. I'll let you know if I try it.
The second thing I don't do is pay for my kids to eat the lunch the school provides. They pack their lunch everyday. The school lunch is $1.80 per day. With two children that is $3.60 per day. If they took their lunch everyday of the school year I would spend about $650 on hot lunches. I would estimate that I spend about $0.85 per child per day. This means I spend just over $300 per year for school lunches. A savings of $350!!
Now, I can't say that this came about just to save money. My oldest just preferred to take her own lunch so she had more time to eat. This all began in kindergarten. She tried the school lunch, but the routine of it was just stressful on her.
My youngest daughter also tried hot lunch, but decided it was cool to have a lunch box with characters on it! So, packing our lunch is just the way we do it. I really think they eat better because they have more time and get a variety of different foods to eat.
My husband also takes his lunch. Turkey sandwich, banana, and granola bar washed down with his favorite diet coke. I won't calculate how much that saves us...but I know that it does. He also helps keep our fridge clear of leftovers.
Things I Don't Do - Number 2
March 25th, 2008 at 11:03 am
March 25th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
March 25th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
March 25th, 2008 at 01:33 pm
March 25th, 2008 at 01:46 pm
March 25th, 2008 at 03:20 pm
March 25th, 2008 at 06:13 pm
My Marine SIL gets his hair cut every week. Yes I should tell YD to get some trimmers and do it herself.
At age 50 I am finally starting to think about coloring my hair. It's irritating to look like the oldest sister when I am actually the youngest, because my 3 and 8 year older sisters color their's! I will do it myself when I start which probably will be soon.
March 26th, 2008 at 05:54 am
My wife says “we could save $8 a day if you brought your own lunch.”
This from my wife who gets $200 haircuts every 3 months. Actually, the cost is more – parking in the city ($15), lunch ($25-$35), and a $200 haircut.
But, budgeting comes down to your priorities. And after lights, food, shelter; everything else becomes what’s important as a family. Some people may splurge on eating out or date night. We splurge on the wife’s haircuts and my $8 lunch.
I do save money on coffee. We have a Keurig at work. Awesome!! Brews one cup of coffee at a time. No more Starbucks or Dunkin’.
March 26th, 2008 at 06:36 am
March 26th, 2008 at 10:18 am
March 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am
March 27th, 2008 at 08:13 pm
Then at work I toast the tortilla while my bean mixture is warming up. In the bean mixture is the 1/2 cup pinto beans, 1/4 cup egg sub, and ~1/2 cup frozen veggies. It's very filling, nutritious and very cheap. I estimate that my lunch comes out to less then $1 a day.
Once in a great while I will get a meal from the deli. The least I can get out of there for (just a sandwich) is $3. But the one I usually get (spinach and swiss chesse pita) + a deviled egg + 2 cookies is $5.86. Definitely not something I can get very often. (Healthwise and Money wise)