Mommy on a Budget

There are a lot of little things we are doing to help us get out of debt faster. Together, all the small changes make a big difference.

• Rounding up the monthly payment as much as we can afford it. For example, from $236.40 to $250. It cuts down on the interest and the few extra dollars don't affect our budget.
• Making extra payments with tax refunds, bonuses and other extra money that comes our way. As soon as we deposit it, we make a payment out. Two consecutive actions. We don't let it sit in the bank.
• Cutting spending. We try out new recipes at home, rent movies from Redbox, use an antenna instead of cable, watch cable shows on the web, share music with friends, and buy things used on Craigslist or ebay. 
• Making use of spare change. Coinstar has coin-counting machines where I can either exchange coins for gift-cards (free) or for cash (small fee). 
• Simplifying and creating income by selling things we don't use or need on Craigslist or ebay. I also use Alibris to sell books. They charge a fee for using their services but I like what they have to offer better than what Amazon does.
• Using social networking to find great deals. I subscribe to Frugal Girls, A Thrifty Mom, and Living Social Deals to find discounts, low-cost family activities, birthday freebies, and more.
• Taking advantage of the library. New books as often as I want them. Bookworm heaven!
• Shopping consignment stores. This has been a new adventure for me and I'm really liking it. Crossroads Trading Company buys and sells gently used clothing that's also in fashion. When I sell my clothes, I can either get cash immediately or store credit for use at a later time. What I like most is that I can update my closet frequently without feeling it in my wallet. 
• Reading the Lifehacker website. Lifehacker is new to me and it's now on the top of my list of favorite things. If you haven't heard of them or just haven't had the interest to visit their site, do it once and you'll won't regret it. They have a "Saving Money" blog, but almost every category has tips and tricks that are practical and money-wise. Just today, while looking over their "Reading" article, I found links to two book-swapping sites: BookMooch and Paper Back Swap. Both are membership sites for swapping my unwanted books for others that I do want. I hope to get Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin, The Atlantic's 1book140 book club June selection.

I hope the things I've learned are helpful to someone who reads this!