Hard financial times

Are you in a location that you can plant vegetables? Maybe even lettuce or the hanging tomato plants?

Don't order take out.
Don't go to restaurants.
Hand make gifts.
No going to the movies, etc. for the time being.

How old is your oldest??? I have 3 kids 3-6yrs... and ran a day care.. I feel very strongly pullups are a waste... I have potty trained 8 kids(all 2yres old) and the ones that the parents used pul-ups took over twice as long and once I convinced the parents it took my one week..... get panties and plastic diaper covers take them first thing in theam.. you wake him/her up and go straight to the potty. then go very 1 1/2 to 2 hours after and immediately after eating... if you can get out of pull ups that would be big saving there. I did use a diaper at night fr a while... but the generic 30pk will last a month....best of luck

HI!
I like looking at the weekly circulars to compare which stores have the best sales on fresh produce and other items I mostly buy and make a list of the things I want, how much of it I can eat realistically within that week without it going bad and make a list before I head out to the winning store! I go to Sunset Harvest, which is a farmers market here in Texas and I generally can get most of my stuff for $15 a week! I plan my grocery list based on items that are on sale that week, whether that is cherry tomatoes for 99 cents, 4 oranges for $1 and so on. and of course bulk rice and beans
Its all about planning and comparing prices as prices in stores can vary greatly!
Hope this helps

it's super gross sometimes, but you'd be AMAZED at how much you can save by switching to cloth diapers. the ones i use for my son were given to me secondhand, but you can find GREAT deals on sites like Craigslist and Freecycle.org. it takes a little time to get the hang of it, but it's SO worthwhile.

if you live in a place where you have to use a laundromat, you might also be able to save a bundle by handwashing some stuff and line-drying on your porch. i handwash the diapers and my t-shirts. according to my husband's math, we save something like 30 bucks a month like that. it's extra work, but 30 bucks is enough to keep buying things like trash bags and toilet paper and shampoo, etc.

All of the above plus....

Shop at a local farmers market! Fruits and veggies (which should be a pretty large portion of your diet anyway) can be found at MUCH cheaper prices. For meat, get in touch with your local butcher. Many of them have weeklys and daily specials. Buy up what you can and create meals from that!

www.supercook.com is a GREAT site. You toss in what ingredients you have on hand and it starting giving you recipes based on those ingredients. If they cant find with only those ingredients, it gives you what else you need to make that recipe. Many times, I find the recipe doesnt need that final ingredient anyway.

Don't know if you have one near you, but I save a TON at the ALDI's grocery store & their products are awesome! Also, if you have any luxury items you could stand to give up, sell them on Craig's list. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get rid of things you don't need anymore. Any clothes, toys, dvds, your kids have outgrown? Old TVs, electronic equipment you can do without? Furniture, exercise equipment you don't use? Good luck, & you'll get through it with some determination, I've been there. The trick is budget, budget, budget, and stick to it!!!

So sorry for your situation. I feel a little bit the same way in the summer as a teacher not getting paid. I use coupon mom. You are able to put in the name of the stores in your area and she will list all the weekly specials and where there are additional coupons available. You can select your items and it will print out with the expected price. I do have to go to more than one store, but have saved a ton this way!

Also, I started buying my toiletries and cleaning supplies at the 99 cent store or Big lots if you have one. They have name brands at 1/4 the price many times.

I agree with the other posts to stay away from take out, eating out etc. We should start a support group just for people like us to share new ideas and get through it together!

I forgot to add, I try and buy my fruits and veggies from the local farmer's markets. They seem to be a lot cheaper than the grocery store. I am not sure where you live, I live in Southern Ca and most communities have a weekly farmer's market.

If you have room plant a vegie garden. I'm limited on space but was able to squeeze 3 types of tomatoes, a red bell pepper and yellow bell pepper, green beans, lemon cucumber , green onions and all of my herbs into a fairly small raised bed. I also went vertical by using a a couple of small shepherds hooks that I picked up at a garage sale for practically nothing. to hang potted strawberries. "Albions" produce all summer. Another thing you might think about is the farmers markets for produce. If you wait till the end of the day many of the vendors are willing to let produce go for much less just so they don't have to reload it. We have "day old" bread stores that offer bread for about half the price. It's still fresh. I have found generic brands are often cheaper than store brands even with a coupon. Another thing I did when my kids were young was start a babysitting coop with the neighbors. It was great, It was done on a point system instead of money. Everyone who joined had to be recommended and their house checked out to make sure it was a safe environment. It was wonderful to have people who could be trusted watching the kids and not have to spend money for a babysitter. Big bonus, almost 20 years later we are all still friends. :-) Once a month we got together and everyone brought a few games or books or toys that the kids were tired of and we would exchange. Use the library for books, movies and plenty of free activities. Hope this helps. :-) You'll be done with school before you know it.