Common Cents

It took me 36 years to realize that if I turn off my lights instead of leaving them on that I save money. If I leave them on, it is like throwing money away. It is such a simple idea. My dad has been saying this to me since I was probably three years old. I heard him but I couldn't really grasp it until my husband and I created a budget. I tried to lower our electricity bills each month and it was a challenge. But, it helped me digest this simple idea.

Later this evening, I remembered that I had left the kids in the basement and I didn' t turn anything off. I came upstairs and left the kids downstairs by themselves to play. Usually they come up and leave everything on. TV, radio and all of the lights. But, to my surprise, everything was turned off. Everything! I was in complete shock. I constantly sound just like my dad. "Turn off the lights when you leave a room." Maybe it won't take my kids 31 years to understand why.

This is me at age 2 or 3. Apparently my parents were saving some money by cutting my hair at home.

Shop Your House First

Lotions. Lipstick. Socks. Bubble Bath. Perfume. Food. Nail polish. Tea.

I can't tell you how often I tell myself that I need a new lipstick. I can barely walk past the aisle in Target without taking a peek. But, lately, I have been trying something new. About a month ago, I was listening to someone give tips on how to save money. I heard something that has stuck a nerve and I find that I say it almost daily. She said "Use what you have." It is profound. Use what you have.


I am trying to use what I have before I go and buy more. It is saving me money. It is almost as much fun. This past week, I dug out out lipsticks and have been trying them on. Most haven't been used at all. I made myself put a wild toe nailpolish on because I own it. I am making myself try food that my husband bought and use it up. I thought I was out of lotion until I found a great lotion that I had stuck in a bag. That saved me $20 from buying one from Aveda.


I have also made a point of pitching items that I don't love. If I am not going to use it, I am either donating it so someone else can use it or pitching it if I can't donate it. I am really going to use restraint when bringing new items into my house. I will shop my own house first and use what I have!