Money Saving Challenge This Past Week

These are the things we have done the last few days to save money:

- Took the Suave Professionals Quiz and scored two free products

- I continue to sign up for free samples and products on facebook when time permits. I don't want to go over my one hour per day computer time.

- Still exercising 30-60 minutes per day on the treadmill which is easier for me. I don't have to spend the time, gasoline, and monthly fees to drive to a gym. 

-  Submitted my meter readings to the utility company( it is an estimated month) so that I wouldn't be overbilled. Bill is online today and is for $ 235.76. That is down $ 53.57 from last month. I suspect most of the drop is because it has been a little warmer so the heat hasn't had to run quite as often. I will be trying to cut everything that I can because I suspect that with everything going on in the mideast that the oil prices will affect our rates by this summer.

- Filled our van up with gasoline using the $ .10 off a gallon that I earned at Tops. I am not shopping there as often so not earning as many gasoline points but every little bit off helps. 

- DH put in 8 outlets, the wiring, and more breakers in the basement. He also put in an outlet for me at the bottom of the stairs so  that I have a place to plug in the vacuum cleaner to vacuum the stairs. He saved us a lot of money in labor costs.

- We are starting today to get estimates on having our patio put in this spring. By getting a few, we will have an idea of what the right price for the work we want done will cost. We have a fund for this so we will pay cash.

- My free subscription to Money Magazine arrived in the mail. I ordered 13 free magazine subscriptions using airline miles. DH and I had a lot of miles but we are not flying like we used to so the miles would have expired. This was a good way not to let that happen.

- The 2010 census showed that our county lost 1.53% in population. However the area of the town where we have built gained over 20% in population. That tells us that we built in the right place pricewise. If we ever need to sell this house, we should have no problem at this growth rate. However, after 3 moves and 4 houses, I hope we never to have to move again.  

- I continue to shut off lights, watch washer and dryer, oven and stove use to keep our utility bills down. The 23 hours that I am not on the computer a day, I either put the  computer in sleep mode or turn it off. DH and I have learned to live with the heat at 68 degrees instead of 70. I can't wait until the snow is gone for good so that we can grill outside every night.  

- DH put in a closet pole under the stairs in the basement for us so that we can store the winter coats, etc. I researched and found the best price on heavy duty zippered bags at Amazon. I was able to use gift certificates earned by using Swagbucks to pay for them.  

- We have stopped drinking diet soda in this household. So not only are we healthier but we are saving a fortune by not buying it. We drink iced tea and water instead.

- The mail today brought $21.00 in rebate checks. I just love rebate checks!

- Guess who we babysat today?  Playing with West is just PRICELESS!

- Worked on making another Christmas Gift.

- Doing all of the spring cleaning ourselves including steam cleaning the carpets. My steam cleaner that I purchased 14 years ago was one of the best purchases we ever made. It has saved us a lot of money hiring someone to do it or renting a machine.  We have always had white or light carpeting and it keeps them looking brand new.

- DH wanted Anchor Bar wings for dinner. So I made boneless chicken wings with Anchor Bar sauce. They are much healthier.  

Please feel free to leave a comment and share with all of us what you did this week to save money.