N.M.
When I had my son 3.5 yrs ago I ended up quitting a job that paid really well and went immediately into shock at the loss of income. Over time we realized all the things we had that we could live without -- here's a brief list:
a1) We NEVER USE CREDIT CARDS unless we really must! We also have a 15yo TV... :) it works, it doesn't look fancy, but it works!!
a) Extended cable -- now we get the package above basic that includes Sprout and Noggin. We get this package in conjunction with:
b) Phone and Internet, for $129 per month for all 3. We are saving about $70 (using Wowway) than we were when using Comcast. I think Comcast has pretty much the same package now.
c) We have a rule only to eat out once a month (right now), it saves us prob $200 a month.
d) We do cook a lot w/ hamburger and chicken, I do miss my salmon and steak nights but if we can save $30 in grocery bills a week, that money can go to the kids in some other way, and they don't eat salmon anyway :)
e) I'll go through my grocery cart at the end of trip and look at what i really need and what i just want, and usually put back 1/2 of what i want (sayonara, cookies).
f) I've spent the last 6 months learning about the stock market and bonds and mutual funds and have taken control of my own 401k (which i actually transferred to an IRA, which is AWESOME in that you don't pay taxes when you cash it in at retirement -- so I put in tax-free 401k money and turned it into tax-free retirement draw!) Since i've been controlling it (Fidelity is still account manager), I've made $8000 more than I would have had i just left it in mutual funds alone. Because it's not just about saving the money you have, but about being smart w/ the money you've saved!
g) Find a stylist at a salon that cuts hair for $15, you'll save $30 and get the same (pretty much) hair style from Marios.
h) Color your own hair, if you color it. I look at it like it's only temporary color, and it's only temporary that I'll be doing it (i'll go back to work someday, not sure when). You will save at least $40 by coloring your own hair -- go to Sally Beauty and buy a mixing dish, a brush/wand, the colorant and the fixative, mix it yourself and you've got the same thing your salon is using. The fix is i think $12, lasts about 20 hair colorings, and the color is $3.99. CHEEP! :)
i) I work out at home/around neighborhood now, instead of Ballys. Save huge $.
j) Coupons, i cut them but always forget to bring them, drat. When i don't forget,i usually can save about $5.
k) Dupage County ParentSwap site, you can get rid of the thngs you don't need and usually find what it is you are looking for on this site. W/ my first son we pretty much bought everything because we had "first child syndrome", where nothing but the best for our child!! Now i don't fall for the advertising or the pressure or the feeling that I'm a bad parent if we don't have name brands, realize that life is short and things really aren't necessary, but the necessary things (winter clothes for example) are easy to come by on Parent Swap! It's a gem of a site, run by a gem of a lady.
?) There are also Freecycle sites in every community out there, similar to ParentSwap.
??) Online Garage Sales, Craigslist, you can find anything on these sites too.
???) Sell your old stuff that's still saleable on ebay, you get most $$ for it there. Otherwise, give it back if you got it from Freecycle or the p-Swap, it's good karma.
That's bout it, have to say we have saved tons and are able to get by w/ our $2000/month mortgage and bills on just one moderate income. Thanks for the question, I do sometimes forget what we have here as money continues to trip us up. GOOD luck to you, hope you can find ways the work for you.