Saving

Things I do now that I didn't do before this economic crisis:

• Clip Coupons - Yeah, I never did that, but I do it now
• Buy mostly Kroger brand items - Kroger brand bbq sauce, Kroger water, Kroger Splenda (it's called "Apriva" -- huh?), Kroger iced oatmeal cookies (they're yummy actually!), Kroger turkey bacon, Kroger egg beaters, etc., etc., I still can't bring myself to buy Kroger-brand cereal, so I haven't been buying ANY cereal!
• Going to campus events for free food - I'll be attending a department reception with a guest speaker since there's free refreshments. Of course, I'm interested in the talk too! I would've went to the free lunch tomorrow too but my schedule conflicts. *sigh
• Purchase Michelina's Lean Gourmets as opposed to Stouffer's Lean Cuisine - Hey, they're a buck a piece! Can't be that!
• Grocery shopping once a month - at the end of the month, no food, but I'm survivin'

Things I have cut completely:

• Smart Ones desserts - They cost WAY too much for a pack of two
• Manicures and Pedicures - I've been trying to stretch my gel fills from 3 to 4 weeks only to get fussed at by my manicurist; pedis are completely cut from the budget.
• Random trips to Saphora - Didn't ya know that you can get really cheap mascara at the drug store?

Things I need to Cut:

• Weekly hair appointments - but I probably won't!
• Visits to Starbucks - homemade coffee just doesn't taste as good! If you have an easy latte recipe, lemme know!
• Random visits to Stein Mart - yeah, I know.

UPDATE:

My sister sent me this link for pencil skirt spanx. Women, if you've never worn spanx, you should try them! They make all the difference. Will I spend $68? Hmmmmm. *sigh