icon
Home icon

Home

Jobs icon

Jobs

Reviews icon

Reviews

Network icon

Network

Resources icon

Resources

|For Employers icon

For Employers

logo
about
careers
FAQs
privacy policyterms & conditionsfor employers
112k
20k
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
My ProfileMy MessagesMy NetworkMy SettingsGroupsEventsMy PostsLog Out
Mystery Woman
Tell us more for better jobs, advice
and connections
YOUR GROUPS
Discover and join groups with like-minded women who share your interests, profession, and lifestyle.
COMPANIES YOU FOLLOW
Get alerted when there are new employee reviews.
YOUR JOB ALERTS
Get notified when new jobs are posted.
Your post is published!
Anonymous
01/12/20 at 12:50PM UTC
in
Money

Small switches that improve the budget?

Has anyone made any small changes that can improve their monthly budget? I started to bring lunch to work in the new year (ok it’s only been a week or so) and I’m finding I am saving both money by making use of leftovers I used to typically throw away by the end of the week that was cluttering up my fridge. And an added plus is it seems to be saving me time in terms of going out for lunch. I haven’t lost weight yet but I’m hoping it might have that effect too.

Share

Join the conversation...
Francesca Vanderwall
star-svg
610
01/19/20 at 11:16PM UTC
Yes and... (seriously some good suggestions thus far.) Energy efficiency at home. I know my Nest thermostat saves me money. Maybe ask for one as a gift. Talk to your tax preparer about ways to reduce your taxable income. You'd be surprised what happens with an HSA or FSA, not to mention the long-term savings. Buy in bulk shopping with a list. Yeah, its a big hit upfront but again, the savings add up. Play the credit cards rewards game. This assumes you pay your cards off in full every month. And when you shop online, start at Cashback Monitor then stack with the online shopping mall that pays you the most. Easy way to make hundreds a year on money you're already spending.
James Christine Parker
star-svg
34
Aspiring Writer & Editor
01/16/20 at 5:54PM UTC
This may not work for everyone, but my partner and I get together every weekend and look at our spendings. I created my own spreadsheet for tracking things (similar to QB or YNAB). Every weekend, we look at our bank balances, at our spendings, and at our goals. It keeps financial responsibility to the top of our minds for the rest of the week.
Emily Pehl
star-svg
200
Grab a mug - let's chat about life and careers
01/16/20 at 5:03PM UTC
The biggest thing that helped me to save more was to save first. I automate my savings so each payday $X gets auto transferred from my checking account into my savings. That way I don't have to think about it, it happens. And it forces me to pay attention to my bills and impulse buys.
Sam Killingsworth
star-svg
22
Industrial Engineer who loves STEM outreach
01/14/20 at 10:21PM UTC
If you are not ready to give up your Starbucks you can cut your cost in half by ordering smart - like a latte? order a coffee with a couple pumps of your preferred flavor in it then add a little 1/2 and 1/2. End result is very similar and saves you both about 1/2 your money and almost 100 calories (more if you reduce the syrup). Fun bonuses: it's also faster as your drink doesn't queue up on the bar, it's got more caffeine for your buck (and even more if you get the blonde roast), and if you become accustomed to the change you are one step closer to ditching Starbucks altogether for home coffee (anyone can make coffee but latte's are more challenging).
Suzanne Leeson
star-svg
11
Accomplished fashion footwear professional!
01/14/20 at 9:30PM UTC
Switch from traditional light bulbs to LED. They last up to 20 years or more and cost less than $1 per year to run!
Allyson
star-svg
102
Creative Leader seeking Advancement
01/14/20 at 5:20PM UTC
I keep looking for second income stream opportunities, but since you're looking for small changes and not a second job (haha)... 1 - get ruthless about getting rid of excess stuff. If it's something that's in good condition and will fetch more than $15 or $20 - SELL IT (facebook marketplace, poshmark, mercari, etc.). I find that if it's less than $20 in value, it's not worth the time to post and meet up for, so donate it. Having *less* stuff makes it easier to find the stuff you actually need, when you need it and you won't end up buying duplicates. 2 - super simple meal planning. I bought a week dry erase board and put together a simple meal plan for each day starting with a FIFO (first in first out) mentality. I look at things I have in my pantry already (so I don't buy more) to see what I can use up to form the basis of a meal, combine that with proteins purchased in bulk at a warehouse store, and then I usually only need 5-10 things at the grocery store each week for planned meals.
Sam Killingsworth
star-svg
22
Industrial Engineer who loves STEM outreach
01/14/20 at 10:24PM UTC
I also love a meal plan! Have you tried Mealime? It does a lot of the heavy lifting of meal planning for you and I find it really helps us with variety in our diet. You can set it to several different eating plans (paleo, vegetarian, low carb, keto, etc) and it also lets you nix things you are allergic to and things you just plain don't like. It's made a world of difference for us! And it's FREE!
Emily Pehl
star-svg
200
Grab a mug - let's chat about life and careers
01/16/20 at 5:02PM UTC
Just started using Mealime and love it! Shocked how easy it is to follow. I have decent culinary skills but this is taking it up a notch for me for sure. And is helping us try new things
Allyson
star-svg
102
Creative Leader seeking Advancement
01/15/20 at 7:56PM UTC
That's actually really good to know. I've been thinking about designing my own meal plan app because none of the ones I've found satisfy what I'm looking for, but the space is already so crowded, I really don't see how I could get another one off the ground without it almost completely built from day one.
Anonymous
01/14/20 at 4:40PM UTC
When I quit smoking I literally payed myself the amount that I would have spent on cigarettes. I set up an automatic transfer from checking to savings every week and I do give myself raises as prices go up. 13 years and counting and I have a pretty good nest egg built for myself.
Kathy Kavanagh Fencik
star-svg
14
01/14/20 at 4:20PM UTC
I bought everyone in my house Yeti mugs for christmas...we all make our coffee and tea before we leave. No stopping at DD., Starbuckd saves time and money. No impulse buying food.
Crystal Rhineberger
star-svg
2.29k
professional rofl nevermind lets just wing it
01/13/20 at 3:59PM UTC
I go around and shut off anything consuming power, we have solar panels and I want the house as independent as possible. It saves the most in the summer!
Jemia Williams
star-svg
452
DEI Practitioner | Social Media | Writer
01/13/20 at 1:44PM UTC
Pack your lunch. Shop at grocery stores that give you gas points. Go to the movies on discount days, we do AMC $6 Tuesdays. Elect to do Happy Hour (a.k.a early dinner) with friends and family over a normal 7/8pm dinner out - HUGE SAVINGS! Cut the expensive gym membership and sign-up for a lower cost gym OR invest in a few dumbbells ($10-40), exercise bands ($10) and use YouTube videos to work out if you have adequate space in your home.

You're invited.

See what women are sharing on Fairygodboss.
What's new today
wand-button
Personalize your jobs
Get recommendations for recent and relevant jobs.
Employer Reviews
Quest Diagnostics
3.5
Join the Quest Women's Leadership community so you can...
Marsh McLennan
4.6
When you are being interviewed by the hiring manager and...
Recent Content
The Dirty Dozen: The Worst Things You Can Put On a Resume In 2022
Don’t Be Afraid to Live, Dream and Pivot Your Career, According to a Senior People Business Partner
3 Reasons To Ask For a Promotion Prior to Labor Day — And How to Go About Doing So
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
  • about
  • careers
  • FAQs
  • privacy policy
  • terms & conditions
112k
20k