Newbie

[KLina]

Hi everyone!
I am new to Mustachianism, and very excited about it. I just wanted to share the first few things my husband and I are doing to live more simply. First, I called my cell phone carrier and got a simpler plan. It will cost $40 less per month (between my husband and me). Second, I am looking to Craigslist for most of my upcoming baby needs (due in July). Third, my husband is biking to work and I am walking places I need to go, so on some days nobody is using the car at all.

My next step is to severely reduce out grocery/eating out bill to $125 or less per week (We are a family of 4, soon to be 5). Also, despite pressure to get a new car, we are sticking with our paid-off Jetta and just putting all 3 car seats in the back. Lastly, I am inspired to move to a city with a low cost of living when my husband finishes his residency (we are in NYC now).

We will use our savings to pay off student loans and handle inevitable hospital bills after the birth.

I am just really excited and wanted to share!

[Bank]

Congratulations!  That's great progress. 

[CU Tiger]

Craigslist and Freecycle are great resources. Does NYC also have good thrift stores? Ours here in Baltimore always have lots of clothing for kids, strollers, books, etc.

[KLina]

Thrift shops in our area of Queens are almost nonexistent. When I visited a friend in Brooklyn, she was close to a couple of consignment stores. I saw some great winter coats for $20, but shoes were much more (you could pay $75 or $100 for used boots). I didn't get a coat because I didn't need one, but I guess those stores would be good for a few things.

I was on Freecycle in my last city and didn't have much luck with it, but I will check into it again!

I wanted to add that we got rid of our Keurig (sold it on CL!)

[N]

welcome!

[little stache]

Welcome. You and me both! And NYC too :). For the kids clothes and baby things, you should look for local yahoo and gmail family group lists. In my Nab in Queens, there is a family list serve with about 1,500 families on it and people are giving away baby clothes, toys, bikes, appliances you name it all the time. They also sell stuff for really cheap. Mostly, people want a way to free their small spaces and have their baby-kid stuff find a good second home. A little searching and you will find one in your community too I bet.

(I too am biking to work now -- 104 monthly metro pass will get reduced allot -- we should keep a NYC biker log to see how much we actually save by not getting the monthly pass since we may need to take mass transit still...)

two examples of cheap and free stuff from last couple days (you get the idea and there were allot more)

-- free air conditioner: kenmore model 58079053890 5100 btu

I tried to sort and inventory the bags as well as I could, but I was losing steam by the time I got to the third bag. Even though the bags are somewhat mixed with sizes, they contain clothes worn during the same time period. I.e., 2T and 3T leggings aren't too different in size. Everything is in very good to excellent condition. Anything not in good condition went in a "donate" bag instead. $20 each bag. Take 1, 2, or all.

[TrulyStashin]

When I was a kid (living in DC suburbs), once or twice a year my parents took us all to Reading, PA -- the original home of the outlet store.  It was a TRUE outlet with tables holding piles of clothing.  I learned to dig through and always check the seams and look for other flaws.

You might consider hunting for some good thrift stores or true outlets on the outskirts of the city/ in the 'burbs and waiting as long as possible to buy clothing etc.  Keep a list of what everyone needs and once or twice a year make a pilgrimage.  If you can get all the way down to Delaware, it's tax free.

It will be much easier once you are free to move out of NYC.

[MustacheCowboy]

@ truly - I grew up in Reading, PA it's a shame the Outlets aren't true outlet stores anymore.

 Thrift stores, craigslist, and even EBay sometimes have good bargains on kids stuff.