What is cheaper than you thought it was

[Deleted]

Now that I have myself kind of organized I am realising that it really doesn't cost that much to feed myself. Now that I am on portion control and have the freezer stocked up when things are on special it averages about $3/day to eat 3 meals a day at home. I used to think it cost at least $200/month to eat the way I like.

What has worked out like that for you?

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I've found that if I actually follow the portions listed on packages of food, even pricier foods are actually not bad (per serving) as an occasional treat. (I'm thinking of things like cereal and crackers that I now carefully count and measure out ... as well as things like seafood and steak!)

[coffeegrl]

Same here. If I actually follow the portions, food lasts much, much longer. A girl in my grad school class last night was arguing that it's sooooo much cheaper to just go out for every meal and eat off the dollar menu. Mmmmm....not really. Even if you JUST use the dollar menu (and that can get really old after awhile), you're still probably going to pay between $10 and $12 per day. Multiply that by the number of days in a month and you're looking at anywhere from $250 to $300 for not-good-for-you food.

I can grocery shop for the month for much less than that and get much better quality food and it's healthier for me!

[rubyslippers]

Buying toiletries, canned goods, laundry supplies, batteries, lightbulbs, office supplies and other household goods is a lot cheaper since I've been using coupons. Most of these items I pay only the tax and that has surely helped decrease our grocery bill. I am amazed at what I can get for very little. The ladies on the Grocery Challenge thread have been a great source of inspiration and information.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Diapers. Between coupons and DH's Walgreens card we don't spend near as much as I thought we would on diapers before DD was born. Same with wipes.

I found out wipes go A LOT further than wiping baby bottoms. I have used them to polish the sink faucets, take stains out of clothing and remove spit-up odor from furniture!

[gailbon]

Laundry detergent! With store sales and coupons, I can easily pick up a 40-50oz. bottle of laundry detergent for less than 50 cents.

[dancinmama]

Feb 9, 2011 16:20:18 GMT -5 rubyslippers said:

Buying toiletries, canned goods, laundry supplies, batteries, lightbulbs, office supplies and other household goods is a lot cheaper since I've been using coupons. Most of these items I pay only the tax and that has surely helped decrease our grocery bill. I am amazed at what I can get for very little. The ladies on the Grocery Challenge thread have been a great source of inspiration and information.

You go gal!! The Grocery Challenge rocks!! (but I'm probably a little biased).

[dancinmama]

I have found that by combining coupons and drug chain rewards that I can get almost anything that a drug store carries for free or close to it (except Rx). It is really shocking all the things that you can get for free: aluminum foil, ziplocs, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, OTC meds, make-up, any and all hygiene items that you can think of from saline solution to deodorant to toothbrushes, coffee, creamer, tea, soups, peanut butter, jam, nuts, condiments, eggs, dairy products, any cleaning or soap product that you can think of, both women's and men's cologne (the good stuff), etc. And everything has been name brands purchased with the use of coupons in combination with sales and drug chain rewards.

[hopetoberich]

I jumped up and down with this one.
This week i booked 4 nights at Hooters in Las Vegas in May, i paid $42 for all 4 nights. I nearly fell over when i saw it. Its a BOGO so I am happy.
Plus all the things Dancin mentioned, I need some things and am on the lookout for them either free or real cheap.

[Deleted]

$42 for 4 nights??? No way!

[hopetoberich]

WAY. I will try and copy my confirmation for u to see!

[hopetoberich]

Travel Confirmation
Thank you for booking your trip with Expedia. This email is your receipt for the travel item(s) you just booked.
Remember that you can always view your itinerary online for the most up-to-date information.

Hotel: Hooters Casino Hotel
Room reservation: - 1 adult
Total room cost: $40.24
Taxes & Service Fees
(where applicable): $1.16 /night
Lodging total: $44.84

Hooters Casino Hotel
115 E. Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89109
United States of America
Phone: [phone]

Check in: Mon 05/0/11 Check out: Fri 05/0/11 Nights: 4
Hotel Rules and Regulations

[hopetoberich]

I took out my name and exact day but there you go. Now i see it is $44 i guess tax. I got it Monday night and thought it was a con but whipped out my CC so quick they had to give it to me!

[Deleted]

Hoy Cow! Is Hooters a dive or something?

[hopetoberich]

LOL i hope not. I went to Vegas last month and loved it. I saw alot of the hotels and Hooters looked ok. I got lucky. They are doing huge deals right now for that city. They have alot of rooms to fill.
Touch wood, i seem to have been lucky over the years at booking great deals. I got $19 night in Orlando for extended stay a couple of years back. If i find a huge deal i base the whole Vacation around that. I also found lately that if i wait until 3 weeks before i fly, the price is lower than booking 3 months ahead. The airlines want you to book ahead so have the money up front. I have never panicked about not being able to get a seat. I will wait it out until its the right price. Last month i paid $287.00 from NY to LAS.
Yes i have been told i should have been a Travel Agent.

[Deleted]

How do you find these deals?

[ambellamy]

ya, please let us know... im looking for honeymoon ideas

[hopetoberich]

Its a hobbie of mine.

Who know's maybe i can help with your honeymoon!

[Deleted]

hopetoberich I just exalted you. I have more where that came from if you can tell me how to find cheap flights from Toronto to Brussels. I have a place to stay once I get there.

[hopetoberich]

Well, what airport and are you flexible with dates?

[Deleted]

I think there is only one airport in each place. I can be flexible in June.

[rubyslippers]

Hopetoberich: Before Hooters, it was the San Remo. Two of my girlfriends and I stayed there several years ago but I have heard that they remodeled it since it became Hooters. We basically slept there but we had fun at the Nine Fine Irishmen pub at the NewYork, which is a short walking distance away. They had an awesome band and the crowd was a mixed crowd of all ages. Good luck on your trip; I wish I was going with you.

[hopetoberich]

I can't wait. I am on the lookout for a cheap flight. What i do is put in all sorts of dates over the next coming months, they don't know which one i will jump on I also look up hotels for the different dates. Cookies... i don't know if its all tracked. Anyway, i will hit the jackpot sooner or later, shame i don't hit it (jackpot) on the SLOTS though!!!