3 Easy Ways To Save Money

Here are my three sure fire ways to cut the budget.

1. Make a menu plan and stick to it. You will save lots of money just by cooking your own food. Even on those busy days like the ones I have when you don't get home until 8:00 at night.

There are a ton of great websites which offer wonderful crockpot recipes. If you don't own a crockpot, invest in one and save time and money. There will be no more excuses for stopping to eat because you are starving and its already past dinnertime.

I also spend one day a week putting together snacks that are easy to grab and eat or take on the road. With all the running around we do lately it's a great way to fight the temptation of grabbing a drink or a burger on the road.

2. Try to do all your errands on one or two days. This will cut down on your gas costs.

And I'll also add in carpooling here. Ask around. There are plenty of people who would love to trade carpooling to save their time and gas as well.

Kalene has volleyball practice three times a week about a half an hour away. I've hooked up with another mom and we take turns driving. I drive in the morning so that she doesn't have to get her babies up and ready so early. And she brings them home so I don't have to interrupt my lessons with Richie.

This is a huge blessing for me and I am being a blessing for her also.

3. Stop going to the theaters. Renting movies is a great way to save money and still have a fun family activity.

Signing up with a rental service like Netflix will save you time and money. You can chose the plan that works for you and never spend money on gas to get to the video store. Plus you'll never have to pay late fees.

You just pick the movies you want to see. They send them to you, you watch them at your leisure, and send them back when you are done. Oh, and the postage is covered by Netflix.

What are some of the ways you've cut back to save money?