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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Coupons can be a wonderful way to reduce your grocery bill. The cost of food can be high these days, and cents-off coupons make sense. Just make sure that when you use coupons, you use them carefully. Otherwise, you may actually see your grocery bill balloon to new heights. How can coupons raise your grocery bill? The basic answer is that coupons are actually calculated to get you to spend money by enticing you to purchase a product. They work really well at doing this, which is why manufacturers continue to offer them. If you aren’t careful, you could get … Continue reading →
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 →
Guess who didn’t win last week’s $590.5 million Powerball jackpot? That’s right. I also didn’t win the subsequent jackpot worth a mere $20 million despite there being a zillion fewer people buying tickets. Because why play when the prize is only 20 million? Clearly, I don’t subscribe to that line of thinking, but I highly encourage the rest of the world to do so, as I need all the help I can get to bolster my odds of winning. I’m a working parent, after all. A very not rich mom who will likely die without ever being able to afford … Continue reading →
There’s no better way to cool off this Memorial Day weekend than hanging poolside with your friends and family. Fortunately, you don’t have to drain your wallet to keep your clan entertained in the water. If you are tight on cash, skip the fancy pool toys and try these splashtastic games instead: Fish, Fish, Whale: This simple yet fun game puts a spin on the classic “Duck, Duck, Goose.” To play, have kids stand in a circle in the shallow end of the pool. Select one person to be “it.” That player then goes around the circle and taps each … Continue reading →
This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer; a time when most families hit the road in search of sun and fun. Whether you are heading to the Jersey Shore, making tracks to Florida’s coastal communities or cruising to California, you can experience sun, sand, and surf without sacrificing your entire summer travel budget. The trick is to take advantage of the free activities and amenities offered at your vacation destination. For example, if you are planning to travel to San Diego this summer, there are a slew of family-friendly options that won’t cost you a dime to enjoy, including: … Continue reading →
Looking for an inexpensive way to keep the little ones entertained over the Memorial Day weekend? Try some of these Memorial Day coloring pages. You can download them and print them out for free! Even “big kids” can have fun with these. Crayola.com has a coloring page that is called “Memorial Day”. It shows a picture of an American flag and an eagle, with mountains in the background. Crayola.com has a coloring page called “Color the flag of the USA”. As you may have expected, the coloring sheet has an image of an American flag for kids to color. Crayola.com … Continue reading →
One of the interesting things about pregnancy is that each woman has a slightly different set of symptoms that eventually lead her to realize that perhaps it might be time to go to the pharmacy and pick up a package of pregnancy tests. For example, with my first son, the defining moment when I had the actual thought that I could be pregnant was one morning when I was eating breakfast with my husband. For some reason, my coffee tasted absolutely revolting. I love, love, love the taste of coffee so that immediately got me to thinking that something was … Continue reading →
When you are the parent of small children, it may seem like you spend a lot of time giving and giving, while receiving little in return. If this happens often, especially if you are with the children a lot of the time with few or no breaks in the action, you may find yourself becoming resentful and cranky, and even yelling at the kids sometimes. Of course, this topic is not something that many parents enjoy talking about, so even in conversation with your spouse or your friends who are parents; you may not feel like it is something that … Continue reading →
Memorial Day has become a three day weekend that a lot of people associate with shopping and sales. The federal holiday was originally created as a day of remembrance for those who died while serving their country. Perhaps the “middle ground” between these two concepts would be represented in these deals for members of the military. Home Depot offers a 10% discount for Veterans. They also offer a 10% discount all year round for Active Duty and immediate family members of people who are in the military. The Home Depot Foundation helps address the housing needs of veterans. More information … Continue reading →
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff A delightful story that you will surely be asked to read nightly. Children will giggle with all the funny requests while learning sequencing. Summary: If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk. When you give him the milk, he’s going to ask you for a straw. When he’s finished, he’ll ask for a napkin… The Tiny Seed by Eric Carl A lovely story that teaches endurance and nature from a tiny seed as it embarks on a adventure. Summary: It … Continue reading →
Apple Wireless Keyboard: My New iLove Obsession I purchased an iPad for my homeschool about a year ago. I cannot say enough amazing things about it and neither can my children. I bring it everywhere making every drive, waiting room, or park a classroom. We also conduct school on our porch and backyard. My smaller kids use apps most of the time and hardly noticed the need for a keyboard. Yet, my older kids and I often found ourselves wishing the iPad came with a small keyboard. I tried to fill the need by purchasing a case that had a … Continue reading →
Working from home is wonderful for many reasons. If living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle is important to you, working from home can enable you to combine your career ambitions with your personal values. At the most basic level, imagine all of the gasoline and greenhouse gas emissions that you would save by cutting out your commute, not to mention the time that you would save. In both the United States and elsewhere, the average commute to work is about a half hour each way. Some people have even longer commutes, driving an hour or more each day to and from … Continue reading →
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