A few years ago my husband and I made the decision to pay off all of our debts and pay cash for everything. Our rule quickly became that, if we can't pay cash without dipping into our 6 month emergency fund, we won't be doing it. This decision means we've said "no" to a lot of things, but we also know it's the responsible thing to do.
2016 was a VERY expensive year with $$$$$$$$$ in unexpected expenses, so we had to dip further into our emergency fund than we felt comfortable with so we've been spending the past year or so trying to rebuild it (Slowly. VERY slowly.)
This blog started as my documenting my frugal adventures, even before we made the decision to pay off my student loans and my husband's car. We are now debt free, except for our house, and have even refinanced that into a 15 year mortgage (with 13 left on it). At one point (before 2016 "ate" it all) we had 6 months worth of living expenses saved up.
With our renewed passion for travel, and our desire to travel with our kids, while staying in our budget, I am getting creative in ways to save and/or make money. None of these will buy a plane ticket on their own, but they add up over time.
Little things add up to big things. My little things:
I am not going to the grocery store except for milk and fresh fruit for the foreseeable future as I want to save as much money as possible by eating through our pantry.
I am using Shopkicks to earn gift cards to Target and Starbucks (there are MANY more stores available, but these are the ones I use). I don't make special trips to the store for kicks because I don't want to waste the time or gas, but if I'm there I will take a few minutes to go on a scavenger hunt to scan products. These "kicks" add up quickly and in about a year I have earned $55 in Starbucks gift cards and $100 in Target gift cards! No, this won't get me overseas but it's a nice way to save on things I would already buy at Target (or a way to get a Starbucks treat without spending any money).
I am a using Swagbucks to earn Amazon gift cards. I earn points by searching the internet, doing surveys, watching videos, etc. I can exchange these points for Amazon gift cards. Again, I won't get rich (or be able to buy a plane ticket) but every $5 I earn in Amazon money is $5 I can add to our travel budget.
Because we use cash envelopes for our grocery budget and for our "fun" money (my husband and I each get a set amount each pay period for things like lunches out, coffees, non-budgeted entertainment, etc.) I tend to end up with a lot of spare change. Each day my husband and I empty our spare change into a bowl and then I wrap the coins and deposit them in our travel fund once I have enough. Our credit union doesn't charge me to deposit rolled coin so it's an easy way to build savings without feeling it.
Finally, when I do my online shopping at places like The Children's Place, Target, LOFT, etc. I do it by first going to ShopAtHome.com. I signed up in 2011 and have earned $363.15 back! I'm still able to use promo codes from my favorite retailers AND I get cash back for doing it!
What are creative ways you save money?
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