Tips on Going from 2 Incomes to 1

[motherofmolly]

we just went from 2 incomes to one. luckily we have a savings but we have yet to have to dip in on it in 6mths.

couponing has been a major help in doing this. with 2 kids, there would be no other way. for food, i purchase items that are free or near free and just plan a dinner around that with other items i have. i always stock up on meat in december when i can barter cheaply for winetags. i just got about 40 packages of ground beef, steak, and pork items in my fridge that i paid little or nothing for. my husband also hunts and we use deer meat (this can potentially be free if you can find one freshly hit by a car, not tore up too much and know how to butcher it)

i find that i can still get little snack items for the kids (just stocked up on jello pudding at schnucks!!)

for entertainement, we take the kids to the library, the park (nicer weather) the yard, the zoo on free day, to friends and families houses for game nights or just watch a movie at home.

i do earn a little extra money doing surveys, selling some items on ebay, and i clean a friends house from time to time (maybe once ever two months or so)...

i hang laundry year round, recycle plastic bags, conserve water , wear a sweater in the house, and do at least one DIY weather proofing project a year. if something breaks, we fix it and if possible fil or good friend and dh get it done.

this coming year, i am going to try harder to garage sale and pick up play clothes for my oldest. and boots and such for next winter. i also try and get yard toys on the cheap. i cvs and wags shop on those items that will be free (meters) that are money makers, and then turn around and use that for diapers (i use mostly cotton but when we are out we use disposables), soda , or books and education items for the kids. i used alot of ecb's and RR to purchase game books for oldes dd for christmas and plan on doing this slowly this year too.

also going to plan ahead and work on making a few christmas items for the kids on the cheap (sleeping bag, hopscotch etc)

kids can have fun with little things too. collecting nature items and doing fun projects with them. learn to sew with them. i also have oldest dd in a tumbling class thru the park dist that costs us $20 for each class.

although, i do have to remind dh that certain things are luxuries and he cant just buy something without considering the rest of us. he tends to buy hunting supplies or work clothes that are not necessities and a little expensive...it can be a work in progress