How Do You Save?

In this economy, a simple "slip up" can prove detrimental to family finances. That is what we're facing now. Even with my husband working for an amazing company, making amazing pay, we've hit a rock.

We purchased our home last year and though on the high end of our budget, it made sense. Our mortgage payment would only differe $50.00 from the other home available to us in our price range AND the taxes here would be lower. So it seemed like the best idea for our move to the east coast.

The East Coast, where everything is more expensive. Sure, I lived here as a kid however I wasn't in charge of finances. And though I knew my parents were careful, I didn't want for anything. I rode competitively, enjoyed a nice home, private school education and had everything I needed. SURE, I didn't get everything I wanted but such is life.

In October, our home began to leak. It has proved to be disasterous. Long story short, we've hired a company to fix what a well-known "high-end" landscape company messed up. About $16,000 later, we're sitting with mass piles of dirt and I am struggling to cut on food.

When grad school was over, the thing I looked forward to most was fresh food and veggies. I looked forward to being able to grocery shop without a calculator and not continue to eat rice and beans constantly. Its been wonderful. I have loved it.

On to now. We've decided we have to cut. And cut BIG TIME! So, we're taking drastic steps to rebuild our savings again. No more tumbling or art for the big girls. No trips to costly family events (read: hikes here we come), no vacation fund, good bye IRA Savings, good bye "fun money", good bye "dinners out", we're trying to rid ourselves of our phone and cable but we seem to be bound by contract, even though they are raising my rates. YES, we are in talks with the original company and we are hoping to recoup some of the money, but we need to plan how to do it without. So, here we are. Embarrassingly, I had to decline on a first communion party becasue we can't afford a gift. I also had to say "no" to a new mom and meal swap because we can't make extra meals. This has totally drained us. Our last step is to decrease our spending on groceries. So here I am wondering what I can do to scrimp and save. Currently I spend about $100.00 per week on groceries for our famil of 5. This includes produce, dairy, breads, meats and veggies....but how to continue to cut back without cutting health? Any suggestions?