Jump Starting Your Budget

Does anybody need to jump start their budget?  Have you slipped off the frugal highway?
We all do it at times.  Stuff happens, and we just start taking short cuts that cost us money.

There are so many ways to get back on track and stay on budget.  There are ways to live on one income or a limited income and live WELL!

DON'T WASTE anything!  Use leftovers and re-invent into new meals.  Feed chickens or other animals food scraps.  Compost.  Recycle.  Limit electricity use - lower/raise thermostats, line dry laundry, keep lights off, use a fan, etc.  Catch water and use for plants or toilets.  The list goes on and on.

GARDEN - which is basically free food.  Even if in an apartment you can grow something in a pot or window sill.  Whatever you grow, is something you don't have to buy.

USE LESS.  Eat less meat.  Use less utilities.  Eat smaller portions (more healthy).  Plan your running around and use less gas.

MAKE THINGS FROM SCRATCH - learn to make pizza, bread, tortillas, etc.  Make your own special coffee and teas and sports drinks.  Make your own cleaning supplies from natural things.  Make gifts.  Learn to can or freeze or dehydrate inexpensive foods for later.

STOP BAD HABITS - quit smoking, eating out, shopping for wants versus needs, going out for coffee, impulse buying, etc.

TAKE ADVANTAGE of point programs - for gas or free gift cards or gifts. 
EXAMPLE - buying GC's as Christmas gifts?  Buy them at Kroger/affiliates on the weekends and get 4X their value in points to use for gas.  Shop on days that you can get double points.  Take surveys to earn extra points.  If you have charge cards that give points - use them - and pay off monthly!  I use those points to get GC's to use at the grocery or for gifts.  LEARN TO USE THE SYSTEM!  They take advantage of you - so learn the tricks to help yourself. (Do nothing unethical)

SAVE the first 10% - 15% of every pay.  PAY YOURSELF first!!!!!

Watch for DEALS and MARKDOWNS - don't pay full price if at all possible.

Make your own ENTERTAINMENT - Learn to do things in your area that are free.

There are so many ways to stretch, enhance, or jump start your budget.  It takes a little time getting used to doing these things - but you will be richer in so many ways for it!
There are blogs, You Tube, library, etc., to watch and read to give you ideas. 
Places like here and other blogs - where we can all share ideas, have fun, and learn, and teach!

It seems that thrifty, frugal, backyard homesteading, home schooling, one income, and ENJOYING LIFE if becoming popular again!  It is a new movement again.  It used to be a way of life - then things became too easy.  I think people are finally realizing AGAIN, there is more to life than making money. 
It's called LIVING A SIMPLER LIFE  AND ENJOYING IT!!!!!!