One way to help increase my savings is to increase my earnings.  So I’m going to list a few of the ways I earn some extra who knows one of these might help you out too.

• I sell Thirty-One gifts.  It’s a home party based company with a strong belief in women.  Holding the parties is alot of fun and is profitable for both me and the hostess.  They also have a great product that is sturdy, durable and cleans easily.  If you are interested in hosting a party or becoming part of my team feel free to email me for more info.
• Over a year ago I signed up for Swagbucks and I have redeemed over $200 in Amazon giftcards.  Where else can you earn $200 or more a year just for simply searching the internet (which is what you are already doing)
• I also signed up for YouData.  You can see the widget on the right side of your screen now, this is no get rich scheme but at least you get paid for the ads you view.  They pay weekly (even if you only have .03) to Paypal.
• MyPoints is another great way to earn free Giftcards.  If you’d like me to send you a referral please leave your email in the comments (it won’t be published) and I’ll send it out to you.  I’ve earned several Amazon giftcards and a few Lowes giftcards through them.
• Through this blog I have signed up for Logical Media they coordinate different ad campaigns and I pick the ones I feel are relevant to my readers.  When you guys so graciously click on one of those ads and usually fill in your info I get a small referral fee.  So when you see the ads please click!!!  Don’t worry I’m not upset if you don’t click.
• I deal shop like crazy.  I buy excess but this excess allows me to donate, supply my family and friends, have enough for us and it gives me some extra to sell at yardsales which really helps buy a special gift.
• I’m crafty are you??  I’m going to try and find a few craft shows this year since Shawn is away during the day I should have some more time to work on crafting without distraction.  So if you are in the area and know of any smaller craft shows please let me know.

That’s all I can think of right now.  If you have any other ways you make a little extra money please feel free to share with us.  None of these are ways to get rich but they will help you earn a bit more to cover gifts or a little splurge for yourself.  Obviously you could make much more money and quickly by getting a job but for some that’s not an option and some may want to make additional money.  So let me know what you are doing to earn an extra buck.

I am going to see how much we can cut out of the budget in September and add to our savings.  I’ll be buckling down on savings and no more eating out.  At least I can try to not eat out much.  My mother in law will be visiting and we’ve been saving some restaurant coupons to go out a few times while she is here but we are going to keep to only thought out trips.  I will still be picking up gifts for the 4 birthdays in October and of course for Christmas but we are going to get creative and see how cheaply I can do that.

Here are a few of the things we’ve been doing this week to save

We got Shawn all set up and comfortable with riding the bus to and from school.  This will save me lots of money on gas through the year.  The line is forever long at his school and sitting there for 30-45 minutes twice a day wastes my time and gas.

I managed to turn the A/C down (or is it up) a couple degrees for about 90% of the week.  I’ve been able to keep it at about 78-79 for most of the week but when I had the stove on the other day and when I was cleaning I had to put it at 76.

I’ve only used the dishwasher every other day and washed some dishes by hand in between.  I really hate washing glasses so I only run it when the top rack is full and then I fill the bottom with whatever else is around.

We’ve been cleaning and organizing so I’ve been adding more stuff to the yardsale pile.  As I find things I’ve been pricing it immediately and boxing it up that will save me time and energy the night before the yardsale when we finally decide to have it.

I was offered and accepted the chance to set up a table at a Family Fun Day at an apartment complex out of my normal circle.  This should hopefully allow me to sell a few of my Thirty-One purses and bags and I plan on making some smaller cheap items to make some easy money.  I was offered this as a free event so all I’ll spend is time and gas to get there.

That was about it for the week.  With Shawn gone all day I’ve been staying home more with the TV off so that saves on electric and gas.  I think we had the TV on alot or I was running around to keep us both occupied.  I will be getting back into crafting soon but for this past week I’ve been treating myself to a little rest and relaxation.  I’ve been a stay at home mom for almost 6 years so I took the week (at least from 8-3)  off.  So what have you been doing to save some money?  Who’s with me on this challenge to add to your net worth, put away for holiday spending, or whatever goals you have? 

Today we did alot of shopping since we were out anyway.  Shawn had a Doctor’s appointment for a physical so I made the most out of my gas.

I shopped at Target, Walgreens, Kmart, and Publix today and managed to only spend $16.63 and saved $138.25.  Of course I took Shawn out to breakfast as a treat and that cost me $10 but it was worth it, he starts school in a few days and there won’t be many chances for breakfast at IHOP with mommy.

So how did your quest to save go?

I had big hopes of posting that all of my money stayed put today but it didn’t.

Dave wanted to get an Ace Bandage for his leg (lots of aches involved in running I guess) so we headed to Walgreens after all they have free stuff this week and I have register rewards.  I spent $3.28 and saved $15.70.  I managed to also roll a couple of  $4 RR’s and bought a Softsoap Bodywash and 2 boxes of Bandaids.

So where did your money go today?

So we did quite a bit of shopping today but the good news is I’m done for a bit.  I’ll be hitting Walgreen’s a few more times to get in on the Bandaids, Softsoap and of course to pick up anymore great cheap photo things they have.

First stop Walgreens where I spent $4.77 and saved $17.50

Next to BJ’s where we got lunch $5.42 for the 3 of us to eat.  Then we got gas there $15.  Gas was .10 cheaper there than at the BP across the street.

Then to Target where I spent $2.30, I used a $8 on a gift card that I received free from an online offer.  I saved $12.66

Of course I went to Kmart which I reported earlier. 

My total OOP for today was $60.88 talk about a spendy day.  Luckily I can justify most of it and the lunch spending was much cheaper at BJ’s than anywhere else but home.  Total Savings was $183.08.

This is going to be a daily post to help make me accountable for my spending.  I figure admitting it to the masses will help me shave off more and bulk up my savings faster.

Today I spent $13.67 over all my trips that I posted about earlier.   I saved $147.17!!!  My spending today included 4 newspapers ($6), bread and milk plus lots and lots of extras.  We don’t need the extras right now but to prevent needing them in the future and to help add to the yardsale supply I got them at rock bottom prices.

So where did your money go?  I think it will really help to right down every penny I spend every day.  It might sound silly but in writing you can find the leaks, in your head you ignore the leaks.  And in order to save for our goals faster I need to plug the leaks.