Money Monday- More Lasers

     

     Boosting cash savings is a big goal the next 18 months. As I talked last week, cash savings needs to be king to ride the tide of declining retirement account earnings. I don't want to live my golden years scared our money won't last. But I also want to live a good life now. Little tweaks and actions accumulate. Here's where I'm looking to focus. 

• Defer spending on wants unless we get the best price possible and part of priorities. I've been learning about places like Habitat Restore where we might find items for the bathroom, or even pieces for outdoor space at a fraction of the cost. I hate that Menards rebates are in merchandise credit, but still we can time some buys to make those work for us too. It's really not to cool though that they drive you back over and over to their store, though I guess clever. We can always use rebate credit on grocery items there if we don't need more building related items 
• Set aside for Christmas now strategy. I need to set my budget for what I'll spend leading up to and in December, then tally what that means in cash outlay. Each pay check, and I'll have 7 by November, I'm going to put actual cash in an oldie but goodie cash envelope. Then when I gift shop, the cash will be there. Also, I'll apply all bonus deals and perks towards Christmas as well. It doesn't need to be a savings buster. 
• I also need to recap what I know I'll buy for special treats at Christmas and fall holidays and start looking for loss leaders that will still be good by then. I easily spend $75-$100 extra on groceries in December just on treat items, not counting food for holiday meals.  Examples, the best priced peanut butter and frosting for fudge, Oreo cookies and choclate chips for truffles, canned pumpkin, twist pretzels, red hots, and Rolo candy. If there's a great Halloween treat option, buy early and stick away, and reduce my week of spending.
• Eliminate several streaming in September. The college kid will be gone so one less viewer. Do we really need Netflix, Prime, and HBO Max? Can Britbox or Acorn go? DH was shocked to see Netflix up to $20.  I can always re-up if a series comes back I just have to watch. Cutting just one premium and one UK, will save $75 alone by years end, and if extended to 2023, $900 more is in our pocket.
• Healthy and budget friendly meals. Eating out too much is still the major cause of leaks in our budget. DH and I are equally guilty. Better focus here will help both our wallet and our hearts. Staying healthy keeps those office visit copays and deductibles at bay. I've been bored with cooking, but it's time I make it fun again. New recipes with low cost items, seasonal produce, and packing picnics when we're out and about instead of eating out. 
• Look for quality. We need things to last when our income becomes static. Anything we need to replace, I want to do so at best quality we can afford now. Consumer reviews, reports, and recommendations will be our guide. 
• Look at quality and price, not quantity on things like clothing and other items that see wear and tear. I don't mind thrifted clothes, but I still want them to be nice, and fit well. One good pair of jeans is better for me than three I don't like to wear. I currently have just three, but one is going to be purged as I don't like how they fit now. Another are shorter legged, great for spring, summer, or fall, but look odd in winter. But, so comfortable they'll be kept until they're indecent. I'll still wear them working from home days. I've had at least six years and they're second hand. The last will be casual work or going places jeans.
• Look for value opportunities for entertainment. The girls and I went to a nearby community theater production of  Rent Friday night. $45 for three tickets was a bargain. Reading the biography, over half the cast was semi professional or performing/ music arts college students and talent was oozing off the stage. Of course it could be hit or miss, but this production was definitely a hit. Our local theater group has memberships that give you all their productions for what amounts to 1/2 price so if your thing, that could be an option to explore. Colleges might have pretty high caliber performances as well and I'd always steer you to school productions. 
  

     Nothing adds thousands, but it's the mindset I'm trying to cultivate. None of these are deficit focused, and I think that'll be important. We spent a significant sum this past weekend ( the eating out stuff!!!!) but in comparison to what all we did, we got a lot of Wow's per dollar. I guess that's my laser strategy- in all things, focus money on value and values.