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You must be accountable to your partner.still life with calculator image by Astroid from Fotolia.com
Make yourself and your partner accountable for sticking to your budget. This is vital. The right attitude toward sticking with a budget will help you succeed. If both of you are not committed to sticking with your budget, you won't be able to make staying at home work. - 2
Try checking out a movie from your local library instead of going to the movies.The retro movie camera in a museum image by Arkady Chubykin from Fotolia.com
Get creative with entertainment. If you want to have lunch with your friends, have them bring over a dish. There will likely be leftovers, and you don't have to pay money for going out. Visit thrift stores to get your shopping fix and find used clothes that are trendy and still in good shape. Visit garage sales or join the Freecycle group in your community to get like-new toys for your kids. Freecycle is an online group that allows members to exchange items they no longer want for things they need. You can post for things you want or need on Freecycle, too. Find free activities, such as story time at your local library, free summer concerts in your city or activities for children at your local museum. - 3
You will save a lot of money over time by using coupons.money money money image by Arman Zhenikeyev from Fotolia.com
Start clipping coupons. CouponMom.com sends you weekly coupon updates to your email inbox. Check your Sunday newspaper for coupons. Double your coupons when you have a store and a manufacturer's coupon for the same product. However, don't buy something just because it is on sale; be sure your family will use it. This is especially true for groceries. Only go out to eat when you have restaurant coupons. - 4
Make your own laundry detergent.Cleaning materials image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
Think outside the box for household needs. You can make your own laundry detergent, baby wipes and a host of other household items. Use vinegar or baking soda to clean just about anything. - 5
Save money by hanging up your clothes to dry.Hands and dollars on clothesline image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com
Think green for utilities. Let your clothes dry on a drying rack, or hang them up on a clothesline. Even a few loads of laundry a week dried this way can cut down electricity costs. Plug up holes around doors with new weather stripping, and caulk. If you can, keep your air conditioner off in the spring and fall. Open your blinds to let the sunshine into your house in the winter. Insulate your water heater and pipes, and turn your water heater's temperature down. Realtor Magazine reports that, on average, you can save 3 to 5 percent on energy bills each year by turning your water heater down 10 degrees.
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