i don't know about you guys but i am in the mode of saving money. the expenses are increasing but the income just aint. so i was thinking--how much money do i really spend for living this healthy lifestyle?? i work out hard, but then i get hungry so i have little yogurts as my snack. maybe if i workout less, i won't need that snack. i also buy crystal light drink mix for my water bottle for working out. perhaps just plain ole water is fine. i am already recycling old running shoes, so i know running shoes won't be an expense. i have already given up starbucks. what else? anybody have ideas?

it looks like this recession is going to last 2 more years (according to the experts) and i have one kid starting college next year, so the belt is tightening....

i would love to hear your ideas!

thanks denise, i went out and bought a big tub of yogurt. i did the math. you are RIGHT ON

quote:

i have one kid starting college next year, so the belt is tightening

Community college and living and eating at home is less expensive. He is also renting textbooks. (You can rent them online.)

Also, don't let your daughter apply willy-nilly to colleges she has NO intention of attending. I can't remember HOW much the app fee was (ds only applied to San Jose State.) But it is VERY expensive just to apply to colleges.

Many of ds's friends wasted LOTS of money applying to schools that the couldn't afford, had NO chance of getting into... OR they had NO intention of going even if they were accepted. It was more like bragging rights to say that they had applied to 17 schools.

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Yogurt snacks... "premium" yogurts (like Fage are 30 cents an oz. 32 oz tubs of store brand are 9 cents an oz.

If you have 4-6 oz of yogurt a day... you can save about $1 a day buy large tubs of store brand yogurt.

"it looks like this recession is going to last 2 more years".

I do instrument loaners to kids who can't afford to rent an instrument. 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years were BRUTAL. I was slammed with requests. This year is not so bad. At least from my perspective... this year is way better than the last two.

Best wishes figuring it out!

This is one area where I don't skimp. I would rather cut back in other areas that alter my fitness and nutrition.

With that said, I definately shop around for the best values, buy non perishables when they're on sale, buy bulk, etc.....

I try to buy my running shoes at Marshall's or similar store and I recycle them down to walking shoes or gardening shoes after I can't run in them anymore.