What do you do to cut expenses down?

[Annabellam]

I do my own hair most of the times and only get it professionally when it is a must. I also groom my own pets and have not been to the groomers since i got the Booster Bath It saves my back and saves me from numerous trips to the groomers. I also feel i am able to get my dog cleaner with it. Still trying to cut on impulse buying as well.

 

[tortoise]

Annabellam, I'm a former certified master dog groomer. Award-winning competitive groomer too. If you want any tips or advice feel free to ask. I'm happy to help.

I started cutting my hair too. I was frustrated with split ends and paying for so much conditioner and product for my curly hair that I finally cut it back to a pixie / undercut bob last fall. So easy! I cut hubby and my kids' hair too.

 

[tortoise]

Also, Annabellam, impulse shopping has been my downfall. I had been reading about "Decision fatigue" and decided to shop online for staple items. I spend a lot less money this way! (Like cut $1,000 off our average monthly variable expense!). How embarrassing that there was so much to cut out!!

Reducing my exposure to advertising helps me a lot! I have been getting off junk mail lists slowly - been on that project about a year. Cancelling catalogs and magazines. No TV. (Favorite shows on DVD don't have commercials and I can get them free from the library). I stopped listening to radio too. We have music CDs at home and my kids play instruments so there's plenty background noise (too much?).

 

[NH Homesteader]

I am so lucky, my mother was a professional hair dresser so I've never paid for a haircut in my life. And I don't have dogs that need grooming other than a bath when they get gross lol.

I'm the opposite, I spend more money online. I have major issues with Amazon's free shipping for orders over a certain amount. I spend extra money every time! I'm much better when I physically have to hand over cash.

 

[sumi]

I avoid buying things online too. That would just be way, way, way too tempting for me!

Haircuts… hmmm… I'm about 10 years overdue one lol I washed and brushed my curly hair straight and noticed when I tilt my head just slightly, my hair touches the top of my thigh. For some strange and unexplained reason it hit a growth spurt recently and grew about 2-3 inches from the top of my hips to halfway down my bottom.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Wow! When I was much younger I kept my hair long....now when it gets to my shoulders I think it's too much. In fact, I need a hair cut this week!

 

[tortoise]

Oh Sumi, I'm jealous! When I've left my hair be, my curly hair expires into split ends about 3" below my shoulders and then looks so terrible I have to trim it. Hubby loves long hair. I'm not sure I'll ever have patience for long hair again.

 

[sumi]

When I grew up my mom and relatives were forever cutting my hair short and I hated it, so as soon as I could I grew it and let it grow. It is getting a bit much now with the extra bit though…. It's quite thick too, so you can imagine washing and drying this mane is a big production. I usually blow dry it half dry and then let it dry naturally the rest of the way before braiding it to "tame" it again lol

 

[tortoise]

The secret to online shopping is to leave it in your shopping cart for at least 30 days before you buy it. And use an ad blocker so you don't get reminded of whatever you were shopping for by Adsense.

I use walmart.com more than amazon because I can buy generic items for significantly less. I also love that I can get 20# bags of rice, 25# bags of flour and sugar - with free shipping. That saves me from going to the local Mennonite bulk goods store where I'm TERRIBLE with impulse purchases.

 

[comeongetdown]

I usually keep my hair long, I think my last haircut was before my youngest was born (so... almost 2 years lol). My 3 year old just told me she wanted her hair cut, so I bought a pair of scissors and started watching youtube videos. I figured by the time she's old enough to care, maybe I'll be halfway decent!

To satisfy my online shopping urges, I fill up my shopping cart with everything I want then I cull the list to just a few items... then I close the browser and don't buy anything lol I do have an extensive collection of "saved for later" items on Amazon. There's a pressure canner I've held on to for at least 3 years, eventually I will buy it, but for now, there it sits.