What do you do with your savings?

[lswheatly]

Well my goal is to be able to put away the extra money that we save from couponing, it's just in the beginning stages at this point, since DH was off work for almost a year. He has since found a job and has been working for about a month. We are going to try to catch up on all of the bills and then try living off of one income, as we had done for almost a year, and put his money in 2 different accounts. 1 for rainy days and the other for vacations, fun stuff.

[PattyCake]

It seems that many of us are like minded about saving money. I have always been careful with money because I was a sahm when my children were small. My husband worked hard and grabbed overtime whenever it was offered. I decided I needed to be a good steward of that hard earned income so saving became a way of life for us. I started couponing when my kids were in school (and I worked outside the home by then) and have never stopped. We had the goal of putting the kids thru college without them or us having debt and we were able to do that. I even payed off our home early while the last one was in nursing school. Couponing has helped us save thousand of dollars and enables us to give freely too. I heard this recently on tv, when someone replies that they don't have time to coupon then their reply was "Well, then you have never been broke enough". My thoughts exactly and thanks for asking this question as most people don't care enough to ask or do it!!

[mckimba]

I am using my savings to get my head back above water. I have been out of work since November 2008 and it took me until January 2009 to recieve any unemployment benefits and any savings I did have is gone from just survivng that period of time. Now with my savings on coupons I can put a little more money toward the bills and try to get caught up again. This is the first time I have ever been 2 months behind on everything !!! With my savings from last month I was able to put a little dent in everything and I hope to do more this month.

[addicted in va]

First of all, Stephanie, thank you for all you do. This site has really changed the way I shop and help me change my attitude about spending. I have always tried to be as thrifty as possible, but apparently didn't really know how to do it right. I can remember months where I didn't know what else I could do to tighten the belt more. The only wiggle room I could possibly find was the grocery budget-but how? Now, thanks to you and this forum of great people, I have literally cut my grocery in half. I now think I can shrink it even more with my ever growing stockpile. My first thing I started using my savings on was catching up on the household bills. Everything was behind. Then I started paying extra to credit card bills and loans. I have paid off two cards already. I am working on saving up for a car for my teenagers, which they will be working to help pay for. I am socking away money in the savings account-just in case. I am also saving for a new freezer, which I hope to have before this summer, for my larger garden I will have this year. Even though the economy isn't looking so good these days, I am happy to say our budget is looking better by the day. And I still have plenty of stuff to give away and donate on a regular basis. Thank you!

[snelson]

You are welcome, although thanks is really due to the ten hard-working "listmakers", expert coupon users who work for this site and make sure its prices are updated every week. We are so glad it's helping some of you save money and allowing room in your budget for other necessities (and fun stuff too!).

[Munjoy Hill]

I am not as precise at figuring my savings as many here on the site. However, each week I review the sales, combine with coupons, and have driven down my grocery bill substantially.

I am a recent widow, so I have to support myself, alone, for the first time in 28 years.

The company I work for has recently had two layoffs, and I am fortunate that I still have a job. But I am nervous, very nervous.

So mostly I am saving every bit that I can, just in case I am laid off. This is where most of my savings are going.

Second, I have a hobby turned little business where I make and sell earrings. To fund this venture I use a little bit of my savings to buy jewelry-making supplies.

[BetterHalf]

I did lose my job due to this economy. That is when I got into coupon clipping. With the help of my sister in law, she showed me the tricks of saving. I was going to try and get another job but my husband said that I save SO much money by clipping coupons, that I do not need to find a job. (where I live, the highest pay is 8$ an hour, by the time you put gas in...makes no sense) so, we are actually ahead of the game with me staying home. I get ALOT of freebies, even if I cannot use them, I still find them. In my spare room I have boxes lined up...one each for my kids that are on their own, one for a family with a down syndrome baby that are having a hard time getting ends to meet and several boxes for the local foodbank. As the freebies come in, I put them in these boxes and when they are full, I deliver. So, with me not working, I have all day to find these freebies (bout 90% actually do come) on the internet and do my coups, and I love it!

[TinaKlein]

I guess mine will go to the 419.00 starter my car decided it needed

[NiksDad]

We all owe you a great debt of gratitude for putting this whole concept in motion! I'm particularly fond of the fact you hail from right here in the Atlanta area.

We've been doing so well at this we bought a long-wanted Dell Mini PC 2 weeks ago. Light as a feather, quick and boy can it print Q's-every one I click! Plus, no sign of Vista-this baby comes with XP.

Thanks again Stephanie.

Oh, and btw, as Dave Ramsey puts it, we too refuse to participate in the recession.

[TinaKlein]

Originally Posted by snelson

You are welcome, although thanks is really due to the ten hard-working "listmakers", expert coupon users who work for this site and make sure its prices are updated every week. We are so glad it's helping some of you save money and allowing room in your budget for other necessities (and fun stuff too!).

Thanks to everyone that works on this site..You guys Rock!