Managing in a Recession

I read on MSN yesterday that we are officially in a recession, which actually began in December 2007. I think I knew that, but it's just a little creepy to hear it made official. The recession in our house actually began in August 2004. That's when I had to stop working to go on bedrest during my first pregnancy. I haven't been back since (except for a few odd jobs here and there, proofreading and working at Mother's Day Out). I didn't realize how spoiled I was, but we have learned a few tips for cutting back. I would love to hear your ideas too!

1. My husband purchased a nice set of clippers and gives himself (and Little Buddy) free haircuts. This is offset, of course, by the crazy number of dollars I spend to get my hair cut, colored, and my eyebrows done. But I've cut this from 4 or 5 times a year to only 2. You might notice my hair has gotten progressively longer and darker (as have my eyebrows).

2. We buy as much as we can in bulk from Sam's Club. I sometimes brown a whole bunch of ground beef and freeze the extra for another meal later. I shop at Aldi's when I can. (This is a bare-bones, warehouse-type of grocery store. No frills. Not many brand names. Bring your own bags.)

3. We don't go out to eat as much as we used to. I would like to say we never do, but we still do. We just try to make it a treat, and we try to go places that have a "kids eat free" night.

4. I buy a local entertainment coupon book. Their grocery store coupons alone make it worth the price of the book, but then they have tons of bogo (buy one get one) coupons and some "don't buy anything but still get one free" coupons--like McDonalds coffee. (Their coffee has gotten better over the years.)

5. I save the bulk of my grocery shopping for "no coupon Thursday" at Shop 'n Save. You get $10 off automatically when you spend $50.

6. We don't get babysitters very often, but when we do, we try to make it work where they can stay with family. Or we trade off babysitting with friends.

7. We pack lunches for picnics instead of picking up lunch on the way. Sometimes we pack lunches even for a day at the mall instead of eating at the food court.

8. We LOVE hand-me-downs. The kids aren't old enough to care yet, and it is so much better than having to buy all new wardrobes every season for growing children.

9. We have a coat and costume exchange in my MOPS program. Bring a coat/costume you're done with, take home one someone else is done with. I already have a nice coat for Big Sissy to wear next year.

10. Garage sale/ebay/Craig's List.

11. We got rid of all the extras on our home phone line. We only have one at all because of internet, but we don't even have long distance. We use our cell phones for long distance calls.

12. For fun get-togethers with friends, we meet at someone's house and bring snacks instead of meeting at a restaurant. This works better with kids anyway.

12. We drive used cars.

13. My husband changes our oil or uses a coupon that makes it cheaper than changing our oil.

14. We find all the free fun stuff around town. For example, the library has great kids' programs--story times, crafts, movie nights, etc. The Magic House is free one Friday night a month. The zoo is free. The science center is free. Grandma's house is free.

15. Redbox instead of Blockbuster, and we rarely pay full price at an actual theater.

16. Good coffee and creamer at home (with to-go cups from Sam's) instead of Starbuck's.

17. I buy our kids' clothes for the next year when they are being clearanced.

18. I try to keep lights off in the rooms we're not using. (This sounds dumb, but I really can't stand it to be dark anywhere close to where I am.)

19. We are currently trying to refinance our house and maybe pay off a vehicle. I'm really excited about that possibility!

20. I love to trade services with people. For example, I used to tutor a family's children in exchange for the dad laying carpet in our house. Everyone gets something they need, and no money is exchanged.

21. We try to arrange our errands in clusters so we're not driving all over town every day. It saves on time and gas.

22. We recycle paper. Today's mapquest directions becomes tomorrow's to-do list paper.

23. We recycle random things for crafts (toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, baby food jars, etc.)

24. Preschool choir at the church down the street instead of Kindermuzik.

25. Learning at home instead of preschool this year.

I would love to hear your ideas for managing in a recession. I think most of us can still have fun. We just have to be a little more creative! I also think it's important to help each other out. If you have extra, share with someone in need. If you're in need, I hope you have a place you can go to for help (church, family, mission, etc.). This is the time to help out your brother!