Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

A few weeks back Crystal Paine (of Biblical Womanhood and Money Saving Mom) asked her readers what "painless" ways they had used to save money during 2007.  I have been thinking a lot about this lately, as my husband and I implemented a lot of changes last year that proved themselves worthwhile (at least to us).  I've decided to share a few of these ideas with you today because we'll be coming up on Valentine's Day soon - and we all know it's nice to save during part of the year so you can splurge at other times!  (No, husband, that is not a hint.  *chuckle*)

Here goes: 

• Stop buying soda and Frappucinos for at home: I confess I'm not totally caffeine-free, though I'm doing a LOT better with water over the past year.  (When I started writing here at Workerette I was consuming more than a six-pack of Dr. Peppers a day plus a Frap here and there - but then, I was basically living on caffeine, ramen noodles, and adrenaline as a divorced mom back then.)  Anyway, I still have a soda or a Frap here and there, but they are no longer on my grocery list.  Considering I used to stock up on several cases of each at Costco each payday - yes, I'd say we've saved a bunch with me eliminating them!
• Cut down on bookstore trips - and final purchases: maybe this one wasn't entirely painless.  ;-)  I can blow a lot of money at the bookstore though, so I simply stopped going.  And when we did go, I made sure to only choose my absolute "must-reads" from the magazines, instead of just grabbing everything that looked interesting.  Anything that was a "must" several months in a row I saved up and subscribed to - my splurge - because it actually came out much cheaper than buying each issue on the newsstand at cover price.
• Returned to doing my own taxes: I know that the cost of tax preparation is usually deductible, but it doesn't come off until the next year.  I much prefer to save the initial outlay (even if it does "just" come out of the refund) and use my time to do the taxes myself.  If nothing else, it saves me making an appointment and spending gas money to get somewhere. 
  
• Snack less/eat out less: I'm sure you can figure the financial and health gains this change made!  *chuckle*
• Create menu plans: Planning ahead means being able to make a grocery list - which means fewer "oo, that looks good" purchases - and allows me to shop from the sales - and to use coupons - and get rebates.  It's handy in so many ways!