What have you had to give up?

Vacations, a new camera for Christmas, a new computer (the old one is six years old!) And it’s all stupid, because we are still making the same money we did before. Ok, we don’t have as much worth in investments now, so it’ll be harder to pay for important things, like the kids’ education, but still, vacation makes sense, but the smaller items?

We gave up maid service months ago. Christmas was very slim. Grocery shopping is now an exercise in frugality. Now that my husband has been laid off, we cut down the cable to the lowest level package we can stand. It will go altogether if this lasts much longer. Netflix is on the chopping block as well.

@daloon Everyone needs a vacation, I agree. That is one of the hardest to give up.

I haven’t gone on vacation in over a year
I don’t go to Starbucks as much as I used to
Fewer movies out (we have new release DVDs at the library – just wait a few months)
probably will get rid of cable next month
more utility cooking, less recreational cooking (it’s one of my hobbies)

I bring my lunch to work instead of going out except for 1 day a week, which is a social thing.

I refrain from buying fun electronic gadgets or software or computer add ons, or network stuff. Though we are going to splurge on a Wii Fit™, and since my desktop monitor will go to that console, I think I need to buy dual screen monitors to make up for it. Gotta do our part to help the economy. .

Switched from buying $8–10 bottle of wine each day to buying a case of 2(.99)-buck-Chuck by the case. Of course then I drink more, so maybe that doesn’t balance out.

So I’m definitely cutting back… yeah.

Nothing. I’ve always spent within my means, and it’s only been this recent year that I’ve “grown up” and have a full time job with a big salary and an apartment I pay for myself (my partner supported us previously on a very meager salary). So I haven’t had the time to develop habits such as taking vacations (too busy being a student). I’m still eating the same cuts of meat (well some new ones too, but that’s more thanks to Gordon Ramsay showing how to cook them than needing to buy cheaper cuts), still buying the same things at my grocery store (actual food and ingredients, not food-in-a-box/can/microwave pack).

If anything, I’m eating out a bit less, and not using my credit card for anything.

@Grisson you drink a bottle of wine a day?

I haven’t really quit buying anything, I’ve just quit using my credit cards to make my purchases. I’m getting the cards paid off and using cash for everything.

haven’t gone to the movies in forever. Haven’t bought the latest-and-greatest gadgets like I normally would (HDTV, Blu-Ray, HDTiVo, iPhone, etc).

Just found out I’m losing my second job next semester (or rather, “not being rehired”, which is the same thing). So I’m sure more cutbacks are in the works.

@eponymoushipster Sometimes. Though my wife and I usually split a bottle.

@eponymoushipster For reference 1 bottle of wine = (roughly) a six-pack of beers. 1/2 bottle =~ 3 beers. And yes, I usually regret drinking a whole bottle myself, as I would drinking a while six-pack.

@Grisson no i understand. but, for one thing, wine has more beneficial qualities than beer, and two, most people don’t drink a 6pack every day (or 3 beers). it’s all good though.

We’ve cut back on the extras from the grocery store. Pizza night used to be every Friday night – take out pizza, that is – but now, it’s frozen or homemade – I think it shocked my husband with the amount that saved. My husband’s need for gadgets – and outdoor toys, like new 4wheelers and things like that has been curbed.

Magazine subscriptions. I swear, the amount of magazines coming is was obscene. I was up to 3, now 1. My daughter had two, now 1. My husband, had 6 – now 2.

@cak yeah, magazines are super-expensive – and a lot of the content you can read online at the same time, if not shortly after publishing.

@cak Ours was pizza Thursday. Now it is frozen pizza for us too. :(

@eponymoushipster – exactly. The one I still get – it’s relevant to my work – I prefer to have the magazine. The one my daughter asked for, was a gift, but she’ll be responsible for it’s renewal, if she wants to get it next year. My husband’s one for fun and the other, work related.

as a side note, we do recycle our magazines. They are donated to schools, shelters and libraries

@jonsblond – ooohhh!! I smell a question!! What is the best frozen pizza! Now, to not be a slacker and post it!

Somehow, it’s just not the same, but we still have fun. (notice, I didn’t say we gave up beer!) ;)

@cak lol, give up beer? Never.

Alcohol.
I bought a bottle every week, and it was gone within a week.
Cigarettes.
I bought a pack every week, gone within the week.
Energy Drinks.
As much as I love them, that $2 can go elsewhere.
Eating out.
Lordy do I miss that, but saves so much money.
Shopping (clothes, electronics, etc.)
It’s been ages since I’ve bought anything other than food or gas for myself.
Going out to the movies.
It’s really not worth the money, especially when you can find the movies online.

Life is so unenjoyable like this.

Oh! And DiGorno’s (probably spelled that wrong) is so delicious for frozen pizza! The Garlic Bread kind is yum yum, the thin crust, Supreme, Flatbread, haha. We have 2/$13 deals at our grocery store which is roughly 6.50 for a pizza when ordering out would be like 10+, yikes.

@onesecondregrets yeah, DiGorno’s is really good. The Red Baron isn’t so bad either, but that DiGorno’s garlic crust is the BOMB! i’ve gotten the California Pizza Kitchen pies when they’re on sale, but i find them like a matzo with stuff on top, and soggy.

keep an eye, at least once a month, Target offers a 2 for 1 deal on frozen pizzas. stock up!

Eating Out: When we do we usually have a warm bowl of guilt for dessert.

Cable/Internet/Phone: Down to basic package/negotiated lower price (threatened to leave for Vonage)

Clothes: Only buy for the munchkin now.

Mobile Phone: Down to tiniest plan available. Only use for emergencies. Luckily my wife and I can call each other for free.

Vacation: Not in three years.

I’ve had to cut back on therapy as I pay for it out of pocket.

@onesecondregrets and eponymoushipster (I hope I just spelled that right…damn, I think I need new glasses/contacts, I can’t see!!)

great suggestions! :)

@aprilsimnel: I forgot about that. I’ve had to cut back from every week to every other week, and couples therapy every third week. I haven’t seen the shrink in over a month. Maybe we’ll do every three months. Therapy is expensive, isn’t it, even if you do have insurance. Our insurance pays for maybe a quarter of the cost. I can’t wait for parity to arrive.

@eponymoushipster Well, 3 beers is almost a requirement after this much Scotch.

@Grisson HA! lurve to you!

Just decided to cancel a vacation to Disney for July 4th. Even though the flight would have been free due to having a Frequent Flier award, and the park entry would have been free due to already having an Annual Pass…. the hotel, food, and souvenirs still would have put an unacceptable dent in my budget.

@MrItty – that stinks! Sorry to hear that.

i have always been a miser. No really it does affect me that much. i did actually, jsut for a couple of weeks. then im back to my normal style tho i still spend below average because of my attitude.

I happen to cut my own hair. it didnt turn out that bad. at least doesnt resemble a coconut.

- No Starbucks—make my lattes at home
– bike whenever possible to work and to errands nearby
– don’t go out to eat as much, maybe 1–2 per month
– borrow DVDs from the library instead of renting from Blockbuster
– no more spontaneous purchases

- New tech gear
– I’ve had to scale back my addiction to books and periodicals – I loaf around bookstores and newsstands and read them there
– Shopping at Whole Foods
– Impulse cosmetic purchases (which add up like crazy)
– Vacations
– The ‘latest’ clothes
– Spendy houseware trinkets
– Eating in restaurants
– Going out for drinks
– I’ve had to scale back on the kinds of gifts I get for birthdays and weddings
– I’ve cut back on household cleaning products
– I got rid of my landline
– I dry clean almost nothing

Nothing, though I probably should. We spend tons of money on eating out.

I’ve been laid off work for two months now. I have had to cancel my car insurance and quit driving my car. My cell phone is prepaid so I havent put any minutes on it in a month. I use the landline. I haven’t had a steak dinner in a long time. I have quit smoking and drinking as much which is a good thing. I haven’t taken my girlfriend out on a nice date in a while either.

recreational *****

Nothing, really; have always lived reasonably. But man, would I like to have a maid every week. Had 2 in 8 months. It’s time….and I am so sick of this old car. I have a feeling it’ll be gone soon.(-: