Tips for Frugal Family Living in Charlotte, NC

Living frugally is now more important than ever. With gas prices moving near the $4.00 a gallon mark in Charlotte, families are looking for ways to save money in ways they never have before. As a family, the first thing you need to do to figure out what to cut back on. Take an actual inventory of where all of your money is going. Ask yourself the following questions:

-How often do we eat out?

-How much do we spend on entertainment?

-How many unnecessary trips do we take during the week?

-Are our utility bills reasonable or is there a way we could cut back on the costs?

-Is the amount of money we spend on groceries reasonable or could we cut back?

After asking yourselves the above questions, you will most likely identify some problem areas. You will probably also identify areas that you are not willing to cut back on. That's okay. This is all about becoming real with yourselves. Make positive adjustments where you can. Here are some tips on living frugally that will help to get you started:

-Cut down on the number of times per month that you eat out. When you do eat out, take advantage of some of the great restaurant coupons to be found in your weekly mail flyers or in The Charlotte Observer. It isn't unusual to find "buy one meal, get one meal free" coupons. Some people subscribe to the paper just to take advantage of the coupons they find there.

-With the price of gasoline so high, it is important that you learn to consolidate your trips. This will eliminate going back and forth, wasting time and money. Make your stops along the way while you are already out. For example, if you are taking your kids to Discovery Place or to the Charlotte Nature Museum, plan out what route you will take. If you need to stop at the grocery store, plan to stop while you are already out. Another option is to take advantage of Charlotte public transportation. With CATS, you can either ride the bus or the Lynx light rail. Both are wonderful options that will save you time and money. I used to never venture to uptown Charlotte because I did not want to deal with the hassle of parking. I now go there all the time on the light rail system. It is both fun and affordable.

-Don't leave your motor running if you are waiting in line. Contrary to popular belief, you will waste more gas by sitting still with the engine running than you will by turning it off. Rather than using the drive-thru lane at fast food restaurants, park and go inside. If you are going shopping, go ahead and park a few spots away rather than cruise the parking lot looking for a close spot. You will not only save gas, you will save time. I am always amazed when I see the long lines wrapped around the Chik-Fil-A drive thru on Rea Rd. in Charlotte. So much gasoline and time could be saved by just going inside to eat.

-Go green with your cleaning supplies. Cleaning supplies are a big business. They are all competing to assure you of having the neatest, cleanest home there is. What they don't tell you is that you can get just as clean and do it in an environmentally safe way. All it takes are 3 basic products: vinegar, baking soda, and water. With those 3 ingredients you can clean everything from glass to bathtubs. You won't believe how shiny your windows are! Another plus is that these products are environmentally safe, and Charlotte is making strides toward becoming a greener city.

-Cutting utility bills can be as simple as changing the number on your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat on 78 degrees in the summer will prevent your air conditioner from constantly running. In the winter, keep your thermostat on 68. If you get chilly, you can always put on a sweater or wrap up in a blanket. Something else you can do to cut back on utility costs is to unplug appliances when you are not using them. I have tried doing both of these things for the past few years of living in Charlotte, and my Duke Power bill was considerably less as a result.

Cutting grocery costs can be as simple as paying attention to sales flyers and clipping coupons. Make your menu after looking at the grocery fliers. This way you can ensure that you are spending the least amount on groceries. Some grocery stores actually double coupons on certain days, so be sure to ask the store managers if they have any special days where they do that. Also, buy in bulk when possible. The larger sizes are usually more cost efficient, but only if you will be able to eat the food before it goes bad. When I started following these tips while grocery shopping, I noticed a recognizable decrease in the amount of money I was spending on groceries. All it took was a little research and some mindful effort. Ask the manager at your grocery store and you might be surprised at how cooperative the store will be when it comes to couponing.

Living a bit more frugally in Charlotte is possible for everyone. Even if you just cut back in one or two areas, you will be saving money. Try it and see how it works for you and your family.