When life hands you lemons add alcohol and stir!

[MichelleLT]

Making your own cleaning products and such is a GREAT money saver. And the recipes are super easy.

I am such a coupon novice, I won't even touch that subject.

$500 does seem a LOT for 3 people's groceries though. I know Gabe has his own bills, but since he is eating there, asking for him to pick up groceries more often doesn't seem unreasonable. Is he helping with the mortgage? If not, maybe asking him to do all the grocery shopping would help spread things out a bit. Plus planning around what's on sale / cheap cuz it's in season. I know your produce is expensive since most of it is shipped from Cali or the mid-West, but even so...LOL. I second the Costco idea (won't do Sam's Club personally since it's owned by Wal-Mart). The $50 membership fee can be made back several times over.

As for utilities and such, definitely turn up the setting on the a/c and turn down the heat. A couple degrees makes a noticeable difference on the bill. I set my a/c for 85 when I'm gone and 80-82 when I'm home.

Coming up with a budget is hard. I know you feel like you've already cut out everything you could. Especially with those contracts tying you down. But those can be future cuts if nothing else. Every little $5 helps. It adds up.

If you have data on your phone, you may be able to just use that and drop internet at the house. Or you can cut the data from the phones. Does Marc have a phone you could get rid of? Cut down the texting on the plans?

Also, I know Gabe's car has been having lots of issues. Would it be possible to cut back to one car? That would save a ton on insurance and repairs even though it would be horrendously inconvenient.