Advice ! Saving for surgery

Thank you Laura! You've been an inspiration here so I really appreciate your tips.

I don't know your habits..so don't know what can you save - limit or eliminate to help saving.  I saved for years before my RNY - so I had savings.  But ...during time after RNY - I tried to save some more. 

There are a few things I did

• When I finally decided to cut my hair short - I still stretched the cuts to every 6 weeks instead of every 4 weeks. I do my own hair color. 
• I do my own nails. 
• Had monthly budget for clothes - very small - and shopped in thrift stores/salvation army. I would buy things that I could wear for 1-2 months. I would have just enough to last me a week. Wash, match differently... Next week... 
• Couponing - Every little bit helped. But - I would buy things I did not use - even when it was on sale.  
• Budget Food. I can eat cheaply - if I had to. Buying things in bulk - portion and freeze.  Eggs are pure proteins and they can help strech the budget and still get enough proteins.  Green tea and fruit infused water - are cheaper that flavorings. 
• Vitamins and minerals - I bought mine in CVS - their brand - while on sale BOGO. I would stop once or 2 x a week to check on sales.  Even chewable - their multi would cost me less than $5 for monthly supply. 
• Of you are getting any gifts from family or friends - either ask for small specific item you really need to buy anyway - or ask them to "donate" to the small find.
• Instead of gym membership - get some used tapes - weights and use that at home. There are a lot of free items on the web. Plus there is always the outdoors or mall to walk. 
• Turning up (or down in winter) termostat may save a few $$$
• When going out with friends - either just getting coffee or tea while they eat - and still be social...you can have good time while they are eating.  BTW: I am 8 years post op and sometimes I just dontbwant to eat. (my gut is upset) but I still go out and spend time with my friends... Once they got used to that I don't always eat food - they are more than OK with that. Coffee or decaff is just fine...(just don't steal their food and make sure you eat before the meal)
• Theater - movies - I realized that eventually things are going to be on TV - I could wait.  
• Music - in my area there are a lot of free concerts - specially during spring - summer. Find out where are free entertainment in your area.

Things like evaluation your TV - internet - and cell phone is given. Are there cheaper plans that you can use? I.e my frinds gave up the DTV - they have internet - and they have Netflix for movies - and local digital antenna for local 8-12 chanels.  They saved $70 per month.. 

Last but not least - find part time job. Summer time - people got on vacation - someone needs to look after their pets.  When I travel - I can have a profesional pet sitter to look after our cats but I rather pay that to a friend of mine *****ally loves my critters... I trust her.. 

Tell family and friends that you can help for money... Or get a weekend job... Or evening job. 

Sell things... Find out what you have - don't need - and get rid if it. Even books or tapes, cd's...etc. 

Amazing advice thanks Hala. Tons of good tips here. I never thought of that, but I have so much stuff I could sell to make money.

Thank you! 

I sell a lot of stuff on facebook "Beg Barter Buy Sell" groups. I usually meet them at a gas station or Walgreens. It can be a pain (people change their mind, don't show up, etc), but most of the time I have a good experience.

I'm kicking myself for not thinking of this before donating 6 trash bags of beautiful plus-sized clothing to Goodwill! 

I sold my piano, used some retirement funds that I decided I could forfeit and charged some of it on a no-interest card.  A year later I still feel it was worth every penny!