[getforfree]

We live in California. The house we live in is too small for us and we need a bigger one. The house is only little over 900 sq feet with 5 people living in it. So we are saving to get a bigger one. The cheapest house you can buy here would be at least $280 K with 1 or 2 bdr and would need serious improvements. The house prices are very high here.

Yes, I do some serious budjeting and track every penny. Thats why I would rather loose $50 twice a year and get about $50 every months. Its obvious.

And I am not trying to pull anything against anyone, I just look for ways to get as much as I can. And I do it legally. If they ask me to report my income, I don't hide anything from them.

We have enoug food, and I don't spend much on it. We have meat every day, grow vegetables (have green onion and garlic all year round), but buy some tomatoes and cucumbers during winter. If you cook everything from scratch, never eat out, use all kinds of coupons rebates and other deals, it won't cost much. And we always have variety, and healthy food. My kids have nice clothes (well, I paid about 5-10% of the regular price) and lots of toys (that I have to keep half of it in the shed, and then bring some in and take some out so they would fit in their bedroom). Well, now we spend more on gas than food, so I have to make some cuts or save less.
My dh always jokes that we save more than we make.

Tomkat, do you think we should downsize to even smaller house? Then I would have to use living room instead of bedroom (just kidding). How do you think I should switch my priorities? If you have better idea, that might help.