Where My Money At?

It’s April 15th, do you know where your money is?

I DO.  I just sent it off to the post office (not with the mail carrier, of course) in a tear-stained envelope where someone will stamp it with today’s date.  I am certain that the people who receive it on the other end will do a little victory dance on their desks and order a round of lattes, paid for out of the tax payer’s ever-shrinking wallet.  Handing Uncle Sam that kind of cash would be enough to turn a girl Republican, if a girl wasn’t already quite firm in her political beliefs.

2007 was a stellar year for us.  But, tempted as we were to put our money somewhere fun, (the newly fantabulous BMW X-5 got more than a few looks from us) we held it close to our collective bosom.  Sure we splurged here and there, but for the most part we were sensible.  We’re just cheap smart like that.  When we started our new business at the end of last year, we were lucky enough to have some capital to get off the ground and be able to live off of our savings.  Well, technically we’re still living off of our savings, but today that little nest egg magically transformed from a dinosaur to a robin’s egg.  Ouch!

In honor of all those who are hurtin’ today, I’m going to list a few tricks we’ve employed to reduce our spending over the past six months.  A lot of these earn bonus points for both helping the environment and dropping your poundage.

* Trade services with the Preschool.  Dude, we’re paid up till Kindergarten

* Eat out less.  We love to eat with friends, but we trade dinner nights at each other’s homes, instead.  Then the kids can play instead of squirm and we still get the occasional night-off from the kitchen.

* Plant a garden.  Produce is expensive, especially if you buy organic.

* Drive a fuel-efficient car, and drive only when necessary.  We live on a ranch, so walking/cycling anywhere is impossible.  But we try to consolidate our trips “into town”.

* Hand-me-downs are THE BOMB, as are buy-sell-trade children’s clothing stores.

* Go brunette.  *sob*

* Home-make gifts.  They require thought and time, but doesn’t that make them more special?  I tell myself that, anyway.

* Use up those gift cards that are stashed in a drawer somewhere.

* Cash in credit card miles for gift cards and travel vouchers.

* Put only $20 onto a coffee card, and make it last all month.

* Borrow books from the library or friends instead of buying.

* Share a subscription to favorite magazine(s).

Here are a few money saving tips that you ought to avoid:

* Using duct tape for hair removal instead of waxing.

* Re-using any kind of feminine hygiene product.

* Washing clothes in your kids’ bathwater.

* Letting the dog “wash” the dishes.

Feel free to share your money saving tips!