I called and at first they said there was nothing they could do other than give me free HBO for a month. So, I was persistent and told them there's got to be something they can do...so, they transferred me to a customer relations person. He was then able to waive our High Definition (HD) each month (we pay an extra $10 for HD channels) and they also gave me a $5 discount on our internet. It's only a $15 savings each month, but that's $180 over a year. I'll take it.
Now that I know I can do this, I'm going to call back every couple of months because apparently they have specials and promotions every month!
In addition to this (since we've started couponing in April), we have been more aware of what we're spending...so, we have cut down in other areas....
1. Grocery shopping:
Before: ~$400 a month
Now: ~$120 a month
2. Husband going out for lunch during the week:
Before: ~$100 a month
Now: $0! (He takes leftovers or sandwiches)
3. Sams trips
Before: ~$100 every 4-6 weeks + $30 a year fee
Now: We don't shop at Sams anymore, but we probably spend about an average of $20 out of pocket each month at Walgreens or CVS for the same stuff we would buy at Sams (toilet paper, baby wipes, paper towels, body wash, trash bags, cleaner, etc...). I think the total may even go down now that we're pretty much stocked up on most of the essentials (body wash, toothpaste, etc...)
4. Refinanced both cars
We saved almost $80.00/month
(one car, we have the same payments as before, but our interest rate went way down, which cut down our remaining payments by 5 months!!--woohoo!!)
5. Saving on Gas
During the summer, I don't have to drive back and forth and back and forth everyday to take my daughter to preschool, so I have noticed that instead of getting gas once a week, we are now going every other week (for my SUV).
It saves us a minimum of $100.00/month (but this savings will only last until the end of August)
...we do have one or two short road trips planned this summer so it may even end up evening out...we'll see...
**Additions we've added to our monthly spending**
Sunday Papers: We probably spend about $25 a month on papers (it costs $2.00 for the Sunday paper here, $1.50 for the local one (but they don't always have all the coupons in those). Although, on those weeks where we don't need the Sunday paper for sales Sunday morning...we'll just buy 1 paper on Saturday (the early edition), and wait until Monday or Tuesday and buy additional ones at a discount (for about $1.00 a paper).
This is a savings of almost $500 a month or $6,000/year!!!
When I look at how we've changed our spending habits, it is crazy that we would spend that much each month without even really thinking about it. I really didn't realize that I was wasting so much money--and that I could save so much by just making a few minor adjustments. It has really become addicting!
My next idea is to shop around for new car insurance to see if we can save money there??? Hmmm.....
In addition to this (since we've started couponing in April), we have been more aware of what we're spending...so, we have cut down in other areas....
1. Grocery shopping:
Before: ~$400 a month
Now: ~$120 a month
2. Husband going out for lunch during the week:
Before: ~$100 a month
Now: $0! (He takes leftovers or sandwiches)
3. Sams trips
Before: ~$100 every 4-6 weeks + $30 a year fee
Now: We don't shop at Sams anymore, but we probably spend about an average of $20 out of pocket each month at Walgreens or CVS for the same stuff we would buy at Sams (toilet paper, baby wipes, paper towels, body wash, trash bags, cleaner, etc...). I think the total may even go down now that we're pretty much stocked up on most of the essentials (body wash, toothpaste, etc...)
4. Refinanced both cars
We saved almost $80.00/month
(one car, we have the same payments as before, but our interest rate went way down, which cut down our remaining payments by 5 months!!--woohoo!!)
5. Saving on Gas
During the summer, I don't have to drive back and forth and back and forth everyday to take my daughter to preschool, so I have noticed that instead of getting gas once a week, we are now going every other week (for my SUV).
It saves us a minimum of $100.00/month (but this savings will only last until the end of August)
...we do have one or two short road trips planned this summer so it may even end up evening out...we'll see...
**Additions we've added to our monthly spending**
Sunday Papers: We probably spend about $25 a month on papers (it costs $2.00 for the Sunday paper here, $1.50 for the local one (but they don't always have all the coupons in those). Although, on those weeks where we don't need the Sunday paper for sales Sunday morning...we'll just buy 1 paper on Saturday (the early edition), and wait until Monday or Tuesday and buy additional ones at a discount (for about $1.00 a paper).
This is a savings of almost $500 a month or $6,000/year!!!
When I look at how we've changed our spending habits, it is crazy that we would spend that much each month without even really thinking about it. I really didn't realize that I was wasting so much money--and that I could save so much by just making a few minor adjustments. It has really become addicting!
My next idea is to shop around for new car insurance to see if we can save money there??? Hmmm.....
No comments:
Post a Comment