While reading Jen’s post at Muddy Boot Dreams this morning she got me thinking about some things we are changing in our lives soon.
If all goes according to plan we will be in a new home by June 12 or 13. We have made some decisions that will save us money. This is a good thing since my commute to work will be quite long and will consume a lot of fuel for sure.
We are not keeping our home phone. We will be using our cell phones exclusively. For my BB Guy this is nothing new as he is on his phone from morning til night already for work. His is paid for by his work.
For me it will be more of a challenge since I rarely use my phone. I cannot have it on at work so for most of the day it is off. I check for messages on my lunch break. Usually anyone who wants to phone me calls the house.
My cell phone plan includes 10 free long distance numbers. Perfect. I couldn’t even fill the list and soon there will be more people living close by that I will no longer need long distance for anyways.
Monthly savings = about $50.00
Next item is our daily newspaper delivery. When I was at home full time I read the paper every day but since back in the work force I no longer take the time to read it instead getting my news online. My BB Guy does read it though. He agreed that when we move we will no longer get the paper. It is a waste of paper and a messy nuisance.
Monthly savings = $30.00
Since we are moving to a place with very little lawn to care for I will be taking this task on myself. I don’t mind mowing a small yard but could not take care of our 1/4 acre lot we are currently in. With the many garden beds to mow around an electric mower was not an option and with my short little arms I cannot start a regular pull start mower. The electric start mowers never ever work for long and like a barbecue started soon become useless. Since my BB Guy is often not here there was no other choice but to hire a lawn fairy for our big lot. We will get a small, light rechargeable mower. No electrical cords, no pull start cords, no buttons. It will also be a mulching mower so no grass to dispose of either. Good for the environment and for the wallet.
Lawn fairies do not come cheap and with the fertilizing, moss control, mowing, weedwhacking etc. the monthly bill could be in the $250.00 range most months.
We are empty nesters now as well. Our electric and gas bills will be cut in half at least. Showers, laundry and dishwasher runs will be fewer (okay we are still showering regularly but not for half an hour at a time) . I think there are enough savings here alone to justify not switching to those disgusting CFL lightbulbs which for the most part are useless for lighting.
We are also seeing the end of a few other payments that total far more than what I will be spending on gas to go back and forth to work. In the end we are coming out ahead financially even though we are upgrading in our home to a larger, 7 year old one from a home that is about 40 years old.
What have you done to keep more money in your wallets? Share your tips.
