Saving $$$

[DianaB]

We are signed up with a credit card that gives points for each dollar spent. We never have a balance carried over on our credit card but always pay it off each month. This year I have enough points that I can give each of my children's family a $100 gift certificate to what I think they'd use. There's a really wide choice on gift certificates available. I don't like that Wal-mart has gone to directly taking out money from our checking account so I've been putting those purchases on my credit card.

I think that this is a cool idea for a thread especially with our economy in turmoil. I also may be making a few gifts this year or cutting way back. We'll see. I'm also planning on selling some things on e-Bay in a couple of weeks. (Hopefully)

[DianaB]

I signed up for some free stuff from Betty Crocker and I got a link for printable coupons. Here they are.....

http://www.bettycrocker.com/coupons-...F_BETTYCROCKER

[Marilyn]

This is an awesome thread. We're doing okay here, but hubby's home building business is down. He has one home under construction and two cash customers who say they still want to build. He has one other he thinks may be able to build also, but this is way less than ususal. He will probably lay off his superintendent. Hate to do it, but the business is just not there. Our 401k's and IRA's took quite a hit. I almost threw up a couple of times this week. Retirement plans will probably have to be pushed back. My business is still booming, but I was the one who was planning to retire first. Oh, well.

Love the cost saving ideas. We did the no long distance on our land line a long time ago. Don't even subscribe to a long distance service on it.

Will definitely check this all out and post any additional ideas!!!

Hang in there ladies!!!! We can make it & we are here to help each other.

[DianaB]

My husband said that he won't be selling any grain for a while. The grain markets are taking a plunge too. That always worries us because that is our income.

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by DianaB

My husband said that he won't be selling any grain for a while. The grain markets are taking a plunge too. That always worries us because that is our income.

I completely understand - my mom was the manager of a grain elevator in our little town. I remember when the prices would be so low, it wasn't feasible to sell - it was better to pay storage in the elevator. Of course, many people now have their own storage bins and can wait till the prices come up. I hope the grain prices improve!!!

[HALEY]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

This is an awesome thread. We're doing okay here, but hubby's home building business is down. He has one home under construction and two cash customers who say they still want to build. He has one other he thinks may be able to build also, but this is way less than ususal. He will probably lay off his superintendent. Hate to do it, but the business is just not there. Our 401k's and IRA's took quite a hit. I almost threw up a couple of times this week. Retirement plans will probably have to be pushed back. My business is still booming, but I was the one who was planning to retire first. Oh, well.

Love the cost saving ideas. We did the no long distance on our land line a long time ago. Don't even subscribe to a long distance service on it.

Will definitely check this all out and post any additional ideas!!!

Hang in there ladies!!!! We can make it & we are here to help each other.

Marilyn, how is your area doing, i heard the south is doing bad with the economy?
Pa is getting hit pretty bad, around my area.

[DianaB]

Here's a site that you can sign up with to get rebates on what you buy. They have a lot of places to choose from.

www.rebateshare.com

[DianaB]

I just ordered gift certificates from using the points off of my credit card. I got 2-$50 certificates from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, 2-$100 gift certificates from Lowe's, and a $75 gift certificate from Sears. My husband is getting the Sears one and my older kids are getting the other gift certificates for Christmas. I'm really pleased.

[DianaB]

JC Penney's is starting a reward program too. I'm not sure exactly what it involves but here's the site for it. It's a free membership.

www.jcprewards.com