Need a quick $200, $300, $500 or even more? Why not hold a garage sale in the next few months? You’ll clean out your clutter and make some extra cash for the upcoming summer season! It is a win-win situation.
To maximize your garage sale income, you’ll need to make sure ...
Family bonding! Fresh air! Life skills! Fun! No matter why you camp, there is no doubt that you ultimately do it because it is a great activity for your family. And while the expense might be worth the experience, that doesn’t mean that you have to spend more money than ...
Cold cereal can be a quick and easy breakfast, not to mention nutritious, if you select it carefully. With less than a minute to spare, the first meal of the day can be on the table, and your morning can commence. Cereal can also serve as easy-to-eat snacks, packed in ...
Spend less, save more, and make your house a home with the following ten money saving ideas.
1. Buy Less
Most of us have more stuff than we need, and we continually add to it all of the time. Think about borrowing instead of purchasing, and evaluate what you really can’t live ...
Setting up a family budget is one thing, but getting it to stick in the long-term is another. Building a budget is one of those things that many might compare to having a root canal done, but it doesn’t have to be that bad. You can set up a family ...
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Young men and women everywhere are getting ready for what many of them have been looking forward to all year: The Prom. Unfortunately, along with rising expectations come rising prom costs. According to Time Magazine, attending a prom this year, 2013, will cost each student or attendee an average of $1,139. That is a 5 percent increase from last year, when the average cost was $807. Why will it cost more to attend the prom this year? Analysts say that as the economy improves, parents are willing to spend a little more. For teens, the prom is a “social arms … Continue reading →
Debt has a way of sneaking up on us. It seems as though one moment we are free and clear and the next we have a mountain of trouble in the form of money owed. Knowing why we can get into debt is the first step to preventing it from getting worse or from happening at all. Here are some common reasons why we get into debt and how we can minimize out risk of debt in the future. Unexpected Expenses or Loss of Income An unexpected expense or a loss of income can plunge even the most affluent families … Continue reading →
What is the best way to get out of debt? Well, that depends on who you talk to, but the experts and the experienced alike seem to narrow things down to two choices: the snowball method or the avalanche method. There are pros and cons to both the snowball method and the avalanche method. Learn the ins and outs so you’ll know which is right for you. Before paying down debt with either method, you should do two things: stop non-essential spending, and determine how much extra money you can put toward debt. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, … Continue reading →
Summer is coming! Families all over are starting to plan their recreation for the warmest season. Fit in more fun this summer when you include plenty of free activities that won’t affect your family finances. Keeping the kids busy has never been easier or cheaper. Make sure to do your research early, as some of these free events require registration and can fill up quickly. Free Factory Tours All around the country you’ll find free factory tours. Witness the making or potato chip or chocolate or find out how jelly beans are formed. Sniff perfume before it is bottled or … Continue reading →
Looking for the least expensive version of a product is usually a good idea, except for when it isn’t. The following five bargain products may wind up costing you more of your hard-earned money in the end. Paper Towels Usually when you buy cheap paper towels, you wind up using more of them, negating any real savings. A better bet is to bring down the cost of more expensive brands by using coupons and sales and buying in bulk. You can also eliminate most of your paper towel use by substituting greener options. Using inexpensive wash clothes, chamois cloths, or … Continue reading →
Some choices in life we make because we think they are necessary, others because we think we are doing the right thing, but often there is another way of looking at it. While the following major family choices shouldn’t be made solely on the basis of money, in each case, these decisions will have a significant impact on your financial future, maybe more than you might think. It is important to get tough and objective when you are faced with the following life situations, or at least be prepared for the incoming financial impact. Getting Divorced Divorce causes a lot … Continue reading →
Before even thinking about getting out of debt, you should find out your credit scores and your credit reports. Not factoring in this information can affect your get-out-of-debt success. Seeing What You Owe Being armed with your credit scores and your credit reports will give you a good starting point for your debt repayment plan. You will be able to see all that you owe and who you owe it too. Sometimes when we are in major debt, we concentrate so much on just getting the monthly payments in that we underestimate the amount of debt that we have, or … Continue reading →
When trying to get out of debt, does it make sense to save? Absolutely. Not being prepared for an emergency with ready cash could lead to more severe debt. It is possible to both pay back debt and save at the same time. It just takes commitment and a little knowledge. Here are some tips on just how you can save while still keeping your debt payments on track. Setting up Your Savings If you are starting from scratch, meaning lots of debt and no savings, do whatever it takes to put $500-$1,000 aside right now. While this may seem … Continue reading →
From meeting musk ox to sampling your favorite chocolate or jelly beans, factory tours can be a frugal way to fit in some extra activities this summer. Both fun and educational, their low-cost (in many cases, these factory tours are free!) makes them ideal for keeping the kids busy without negatively affecting your family finances. Here are some of the best and most interesting factory tours that are available across the country. Visit factorytourusa.com for additional available tours. Alabama Blue Bell Creameries “Folks of all ages seem to like our plant tour, but it may be ’cause they get to … Continue reading →
Whether your child is two or 18, there are valuable lessons about money that need to be taught. Education about money is often neglected in families. Many times this is because parents just don’t know where to begin. Toddlers to Preschoolers At this age, the money lessons are pretty simple. Your child should know that you need money to buy things, and you can get this money by doing a job. When you are out shopping and your child is with you, you can pay with cash, so your child can see the actual money exchange hands. Talk about how … Continue reading →
Organic food is usually more expensive than conventional food. There are a number of factors as to why this is the case. Organic farmers don’t get the government subsidies that most conventional farmers do. This means that the cost of organic food reflects the actual price of growing the food. In addition, organic farming and producing organic products is usually more labor intensive. Despite the higher costs, there are ways to save on organic food. Reduce your food budget and still enjoy the benefits of feeding your family organic with the following five tips. Use Coupons and Sales Manufacturers and … Continue reading →
Affording a great family vacation may not be as far off as you think! Use the following four steps and start saving now. Here is how. Estimate Your Vacation Costs Take the time to sit down and do some research to determine exactly how much your family vacation is going to cost. Include air fare or travel expenses, lodging, food, souvenirs or other additional purchases, and tips. You can an idea of your travel costs by visiting travel websites, asking friends and family who have taken similar vacations, or calling a travel agent. Don’t forget to keep in mind your … Continue reading →
There are so many demands coming at us these days, aren’t there? There are the time demands of work, shuffling kids to activities, friends and social activities, and just running a household. There are also all of the financial demands that seem to be increasing, such as escalating gas prices, a rise in food costs, and increase in taxes, and a reduction in home equity. It seems like a tough time to set financial goals, especially the big ones of getting out of debt and being financially independent. No matter what our situations, though, we can all still work toward … Continue reading →
If you have an unexpected bill, want to take care of a new purchase with cash, build up an emergency fund or just get closer to paying off your overall debt, you might want to consider going on a spending break. How much extra money you accumulate will depend on what you normally spend in any given time period plus how long you decide to stay on your spending break. Saving $500 this month is not unthinkable for most families. Before you get started with a spending break, you’ll need to have a plan to ensure the best success and … Continue reading →
Sometimes even the best intentions to save money fail. Are you losing money while trying to be frugal? Here are five frugal practices that may be costing you money. • Stockpiling Do you still have cans of vegetables from 2001? Have the breadcrumbs gone stale? Stockpiling is a great way to save money and to be prepared for rising prices, but when you have half a pantry full of expired food then stockpiling is costing you money. To solve this problem, don’t give up on the stockpiling, just get a little more organized. Rotate your pantry items and keep track … Continue reading →
Forget buying the latest video game or springing for a couple of hours at one of those indoor kids activity places. Instead, try one of the following free family activities that you can do today. Zero cost but lots of fun. 1. Go for a Hike…Literally Being outdoors in nature instantly calms you and raises your spirits. Studies have proven it over and over again. Plus kids really do thrive on fresh air and exercise. A hike, or even just a walk in the park, can be an activity that the whole family can enjoy. Plus, it is free. Bonus … Continue reading →
Why is it so easy to go into debt and so hard to get out of it? I think for modern generations, there has been a culture of taking debt too lightly. Fortunately, for some of us, that culture is changing toward one of getting rid of debt or not getting into it in the first place. Meanwhile, there is still a more corporate culture that encourages debt, and it is one, as individuals, that we have to fight against in order to be solvent and live a good life. Being offered a loan, whether it is a home mortgage, … Continue reading →
An emergency fund is an important part of a healthy family budget, and it should always be established as soon as possible. Having a healthy emergency fund could mean the difference between surviving a financial crisis intact or winding up in serious financial difficulty. It is the law of averages that at some point in your life, you will be faced with a serious financial crisis. This could take the form of a job loss, a medical emergency, or a large and unexpected repair that is needed on your home. How much money should be in an emergency fund? First … Continue reading →
When the pants get too short and the shirts get too tight, you know it is time to invest in a whole new wardrobe for your kids. It can be a tough thing to swallow, spending lots of money on outfits that they will grow out of within a few short months. Things can get costly. Parents on a tight budget should take note of some off the beaten path sources for great kids clothing that will have the kids looking chic while the parents save money. 1. The clearance racks In July, you will find summer clothing marked from … Continue reading →
By now you know how to save money on family fun, but are you really taking advantage of all of the fun family free stuff that is out there? There are plenty of things to do, to see and to learn that can be geared toward the different talents and interests of yourself, your kids and the family as a whole. If your family isn’t doing them, you could be losing out on a lot of free fun. 1. Join free classes and clubs. There are a number of free classes and clubs out there, just waiting for someone to … Continue reading →
If you happen to be nearing the end of your pregnancy and you are also in a mood to nest, one great thing that you can do to give yourself a head start for when your baby arrives is making and freezing some nutritious meals. Sure, there’s always the nursery to decorate and all of those adorable onesies to wash, fold, and put away but those may not take up all of your spare time. What’s more, once baby arrives, you are going to need to eat and you may as well have something healthy and easy to prepare on hand. … Continue reading →
The other day I started reading a wonderful parenting book that has already helped me to enjoy being at home with my kids more. I came upon “Playful Parenting” by Lawrence J. Cohen the other day when I remembered that I had seen the book mentioned a while ago on one of the parenting websites that I visit regularly. I wondered whether the book could help me with an issue that I have been having lately. It is an issue that I am sure I am not alone in experiencing, although not that many people talk about it. It can … Continue reading →
Did you know that working part time from home as a freelancer may be beneficial for you even if you are currently employed in work outside of the home? There are several ways that doing freelance work, even if it is just a little bit here and there or for a few hours a week, can be of use to people who are employed outside of the home. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but perhaps it will get you thinking about whether picking up a little freelance work could be beneficial to you. One major reason … Continue reading →
Memorial Day comes with a three day weekend (for many people). This federal holiday often includes family get-togethers and backyard cookouts. Coupons.com realizes that a lot of people will do some extra grocery shopping in preparation for the holiday weekend. If you use all the coupons in this Memorial Day batch you will save a total of $11.05. Hormel has a coupon that will save you $1.00 when you buy 2 Hormel Bacon toppings. Green Giant has a coupon that will save you $0.50 when you buy 1 package of any flavor of Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips. This coupon … Continue reading →
I’m looking forward to school being out for all sorts of reasons, such as having time for daily adventures with the kids. I am also looking forward to school being out so I can get back to my morning walking/running group. Each morning, the group meets at 6am and walks or runs until about 7:30. One my oldest hit middle school (sixth grade here), I had to drop out due to his earlier start time. Once school is out, he can sleep in and I can go work out. Fitness groups are free, and working out with someone else often … Continue reading →
Tantrums are commonly associated with toddlers, and for good reason. It all makes sense, if you consider what is going on as a child transitions from being an infant to being a toddler. Infants almost always get what they ask for, because the things that they request (with cries and other cues) are usually things like food, drink, sleep, and cuddles, which parents are happy to provide. When a child becomes a toddler, they begin to ask for more and more things, including things that they can not have or are not permitted to do because they are dangerous, inappropriate, or … Continue reading →
The other day I had a conversation with my husband about work. He works very hard outside of the home, and he is working towards being able to make the leap to working for himself, from home. As you know, I stay home with our two boys full time and I work from home part time. Anyways, as a part of our conversation I mentioned that in the future when I have more time available to do as I please, I will likely work more. After I said that, I think that my husband and I were thinking the same thing – … Continue reading →
Every so often, I clean out my inbox and share with you all the deals that were hiding there. It’s super easy to miss out sales, deals and special offers simply because you didn’t find out about them until they expired. Check out these deals before you go shopping. Michaels has a ton of coupons right now! Each one is valid through May 25, 2013. They are: Save 40% off any 1 regular item. Save 50% off entire regular price purchase (of 12”x12” Open Stock Speciality & Glitter Paper) Save 40% off entire regular price purchase of artist canvas. Save … Continue reading →
Boredom doesn’t have to be busted by spending a lot of money. Try one of the following fun summer ideas for kids that are creative and frugal. No more “Mommy, I’m bored” this summer. Pick Blueberries …Or raspberries, or strawberries. Find a local pick-your-own farm nearby and enjoy the sunshine. Picking berries is a fun and frugal activity for kids, and you get to take the sweet fruit home with you. Make Baggie Ice Cream Forget the expensive ice cream maker. Instead, grab two inexpensive plastic bags for a cool homemade treat. You’ll need a set for each child. Ingredients: … Continue reading →
Target puts links to special coupons into its weekly online ad. I’m not sure if you can get the same coupons by picking up a copy of their sales paper. Here is a quick look at the coupons that are featured this week, as well as some that are not quite as new (but still good). Nicorette has a coupon that will save you $5.00 when you buy a “select smoking cessation item”. The ad that goes along with this coupon has information about how Nicorette’s smoking cessation program works. Tidy Cats has a coupon that will save you $1.00 … Continue reading →
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