You have to start thinking S-M-A-R-T. What kind of cutbacks can you make? For example: I drink bottled water. Now at $1 a bottle on something that covers over 65% of our planet is not smart. So I bought one of those water filters that screw into your faucet. I have bottles that I refil over and over again. I take them to work. Do you have a lot of small appliances around that house that are always on? I cut my electronic bill almost in half by unplugging all the clock radios and night lights. I also bought some of those florescent bulbs that look a lot like a regular bulb. These things use 80% less electricity than regular bulbs. You would be surprised, but these small things add up. I know I was spending money on the water filter and energy efficient bulbs but these things will pay for themselves in a month providing they pertain to you. If you really need the money right away start cutting back on your food costs. Romain noodles cost a dime and they taste just as good as campbells chicken noodle that costs $130 a can. Ok no chicken in romain noodles, but you are probably just missing about 4 tiny pieces of chicken. Put a brick inside your toilet ‘chamber’. You will use a little lesser water each time you flush..Before you know it you will be ahead. Wanna be creative? Find yourself leaving lights on? Buy a motion sensor switch, the lights will turn on when you enter the room and will turn off (by a set amount of time) when you leave the room. I have one, they cost $15 at HomeDepot. Need new windshield wipers for your car? Who says you have to buy 2? You only need the new one on the drivers side, leave the old wiper on the passenger side. So remember you have to start thinking S-M-A-R-T! Yours truly seahorsehawrey.

You will sure save a lot. But I think you are going too far when it comes to the dishes and clothes.

Take your shower by yourself and wash the dishes by hand in the sink and your clothes… need to be washed in cold water in the wash machine with half the usual detergent load. Dry them on the line in the back yard.

Before you go shopping have a snack, write down what you need on a list, make sure you have all the coupons you will need for this shopping trip and stick with the basics. (it is cheaper to invest in a good cookbook – check the thrift stores – instead of buying a lot of pre-cooked junk food.
Kool-Aid instead of juices and soda… saves a lot of money.

Always make sure you aren’t hungry before you go shopping and take along a calculator to keep track of what you are putting into your basket… Shopping at the Dollar store will definitely save you a lot. But you can also buy dish detergent and laundry soap for a buck… use it before you ruin your dishes, clothes and your health… or end up with a big plumper bill because you clogged the drains in the shower.

I feel like you’re going WAY overboard.

Remember, money’s important – but you can’t take it with you in the end. Happiness is important, too.