Vegetarian mom saves money on food

Toby Singer, 39, of Edgebrook, is a stay-at-home mom with two daughters, Emma, 8, and Anna 5. Her husband, Jeff, is a project manager for Chicago's 311 service. She tells how she saves money:

•      •      I am a vegetarian, so I do not buy meat. Veggies are a lot cheaper and healthier.

•      •      I don't drink alcohol or coffee, so I do not buy either.

•      •      Except for rare occasions, I only buy groceries that are on sale.

•      •      I don't go to movie theaters. I prefer to wait till movies come out on cable/DVD/pay-per-view. Watching them at home with my family is a far more pleasant viewing experience to me than watching them at a crowded, noisy, sticky theater.

•      •      I buy most of my children's toys, clothes and books at garage sales or consignment shops. When they outgrow them, I sell them back.

•      •      I use the public library constantly for my whole family for both books and movies.

•      •      I comparison shop online and look for online coupons before I make a major purchase.

What are you doing to make ends meet? Write to psmith@suntimes.com.•      •