Frugal Living: Saving Money

I have always been a good saver, however, it wasn't until we faced IVF that I really learned to be frugal and save for a purpose.  Personally, I feel that saving and being frugal are two different things, for me I save money because that's what I was brought up to do.  I learned very young to put away at least 10% of my paycheck into a savings account for a raining day, or for me it usually meant that next fun vacation.  To me being frugal is a way a life.

I've been asked by friends, how do you do it?  If there is anything that people know about IVF it's that it's not cheap.  Before deciding on IVF really research the cost, insurance typically does not cover IVF. 

Being frugal is how I am able to save money, be a one income family and still enjoy all that life has to offer.  I've included below some tips to finding savings in your everyday life.

Couponing
Okay, yes I coupon, yes I have a stockpile and YES COUPONING HAS SAVED ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS!  Many people say are you one of those crazy, extreme couponing ladies?  I hesitate sometimes, because although I do not obsess and spend hours and hours couponing I do get beyond excited about good deals and I will buy 12 boxes of cereal if it means they are $.12 each.  I do not spend money unless I have a coupon or I have done my best to find the best deal possible.

Evaluate Your Lifestyle
For my husband and I we are very social people.  We love to go out with friends and family for dinner.   However, that would mean a bill of $35-$50 easily if we both had dinner and a couple of drinks.  Well, when I did the math we were spending at least $200 a month on these dinners and $200 x 12months is $2400.  Look at all of that savings just by making meals at home and inviting friends/family over for dinner instead.  We also would grab fast food or pizza quite often during the week whether that meant at our lunch hours or on the way home from work.  I figured we spent at least another $50 a month or $600 a year because we were too lazy to make our own meal.  Yes, I said it we were just being lazy.  Well so in my eyes that was $3000 that we were able to save easily.  We still go out once in awhile but I will budget that into the month, it also makes those nights special and something to look forward to.

Vacations
This one was extremely hard for me.  I LOVE my Mexico and I love going on vacation there.  I knew that if I was truly going to cut unnecessary things out, big vacations had to be an obvious one.  That put another $3000 at least in our savings per year.  Instead we would take small vacations to Chicago or up to my beloved Traverse City. 

These are 3 of the biggest ways I save money for IVF.  There are so many other little things you can do to save money in your everyday life.

•  Stop buying soda and alcohol, these items are so expensive.  I love Diet Coke so I feel your pain on cutting out this one.
• Cut your dryer sheets in half, you will double your usage.
• Make freezer meals, when items such as meat go on special buy extra and make a few of your favorite freezer friendly meals.  You will love having quick meals already prepared in the freezer, you see how this works now you wont go out to dinner or stop by for that fast food.
• Sell things.  If you aren't using an item but someone else could, why not try to sell it.

I'm sure you can think of many more.  Once you start saving money you will never go back.  Good luck saving.  I would love to hear any of your ideas, I'm always looking to find other ways to save money. :)