HOW IT ALL STARTED .....

Since we found out that I was expecting in 2006, we realised then & there ... that we HAD 2 change our lifestyle ... we had 2 be extra thrifty, cut costs, etc. Thus our austerity drive started, albeit unofficially. There were times when we fall off the bandwagon & allow ourselves small "treats" but we always manage 2 shake off the "evil-spendthrift-ways", & continue 2 be prudent again.

I won't say its been easy ... we are definitely guilty of not keeping track of our expenses & we dun have a proper budget, but I dare say that we are trying our darnest. Its hard sometimes when you know that you NEED to buy something but you just dun have the funds to purchase it. I keep reminding myself that we have to strike a balance between a NEED & a WANT, now thats doubly hard!.

I still struggle wif it everyday, especially when it comes 2 stuff that Ryan wants - be it a toy, a book or things I wanna buy for him - clothes, supplements, enrichment stuff, etc. Its hard when you want 2 give your child more than you had ... but finances are so lacking. As a stay-at-home-mum (SAHM), its even harder when we have 2 struggle & make do, wif 1 income. Though there's only the 3 of us in this household (used 2 be 4 of us, wif our cat, Baby), its still very tough ... every month, its a struggle 2 stretch what little we have after paying the tonnes of bills that await us. There's no room for extravagances like birthday gifts for each other, nice dinners for the 2 of us, year-end holidays overseas, heck! even a movie is a luxury these days.

We are guilty of eating out though ... coz sometimes its just more practical 2 eat out or I'm just soo damn tired by the end of the day, that the last thing I want 2 do is slave over a stove, & make dinner for us. I dunno how some mums do it ... I wish I had their energy & drive. I do wanna do more ... I think I need 2 push & motivate myself. All I know is that, I want 2 provide for my family, delicious home-cooked meals but I know I am NOT a fantastic cook (wif a limited repertoire), I just know HOW 2 cook. No one has "died" from my "talentless" cooking but I do wish I could be a better chef. Well, I try ...

Well, during our austerity drive, I realised that I started 2 change my ways - in my thoughts, in my shopping, in my cooking, in my purchases, in my gift-giving, etc. Everything boiled down 2 how I can cut down on frivolous spending & unnecessary purchases. I am STILL guilty of that ... its still a struggle, but I keep on trying.

So I decided to start off a section of sorts, to note down things I have learnt thoughout the years - ways 2 save money & cut costs, where 2 find the cheapest stuff that we consume (esp. daily), cheap & new products that I have tried, on-going promotions that saves money, etc.

Comments & opinions on these products & services are mine alone & they are by no means a free "advertisement" for the items or company. Its just my way of helping everyone save. What little money we can save in the little things, can be well used for other important things in our lives. Its just my little humble way of giving back. I do hope it helps ...

I am lucky that hubby is a keen supporter of my "little-savings-drive" - he drives me to these sometimes "out-of-the-way-places", dutifully carries the loads of groceries, & entertains Ryan when I need to do the family shopping (read labels, compare prices, etc).

OK, lets start off with the obvious :

Check the Straits Times every Thursday for the weekly specials from NTUC Fairprice, Shop N Save, Guardian Pharmacy & Giant Supermarket. Their specials & promotions are well worth the effort, especially if you are able 2 buy in bulk (when finances & spaces permits). We have bought tonnes of stuff from these promotions, that change weekly, things like chicken nuggets, wet wipes (for baby), infant formula, baby diapers, Magnum Premium Ice Cream, etc.

The Purchase-with-purchase (PWP) at NTUC are also quite worth it, esp. if you tend to spend more than a certain amount ($30?). The also have a buy-2-but-pay-lesser specials, which are good deals. Whenever they have a special on frozen chicken wings (that we eat very often), I buy a few packs, they really do work our cheaper in the long run.

Another tip : If I am keen to try a certain or new product, I wait for it to go on sale. That way, I get to "taste" the product at a lower price.

The promotions also last till the following Wednesday, whereas on Thursday they will reveal a new set of specials.