Next week starts Spring Break for my kids.  One full week of no school and if we're lucky maybe a trip for a night or two a few hours away. What to do with all that free time so there is no blood shed by the following Monday? Here is some ideas that I will be implementing during next week. Keeping my fingers crossed the kids will be as excited about them as I am.

• Movie Day:  With Netflix, Hulu, and Redbox there is no excuse not to enjoy a day filled with nothing but PJs, popcorn and movies. If you want to get out to see a movie, check to see if there are any dollar theaters in your area or any Spring Break specials.

• Game Day:  Break out the board games  and deck of cards. Have a friendly marathon and competition with the winner either getting to pick what's for supper or the next day's frugal activity.

• Craft Day: This one will require lots of glue, markers, Popsicle sticks, fuzzy pom poms, googly eyes, old t-shirts, clay, etc.  All of which can be purchased at a Dollar Store. Let your kids' creative juices run wild for the day. Display their artwork through the rest of Spring Break for all to see.

• Park/Museum Day: Spend a day at the park if weather permits. Have a picnic lunch, kick back and relax while the kids burn off some energy playing and exploring. If the weather is yucky take the fun inside to either an inside play area or check out your local museums.

• Cooking Day: Let each kid pick out a recipe or two and spend the day baking.  Great teaching moment as well for smaller ones to learn fractions and kitchen safety.

• Water Day: If it's nice weather, spend the day running through sprinkler and having water balloon fights.

• Day Trips: If your budget permits, check out some of the neat attractions 2-3 hours from your home.  You might be surprised what you will find.

I hope that at least some of the ideas can save someone their sanity during the Spring Break vacation.

Brought to you by: Lifeway Personal Financial Coaching

No matter what a financial guru you are, these mistakes can happen to anyone. I even have to watch falling prey to a couple of them still.

1. Impulse Buying: We all have done it from the candy bar at the check out counter to even a car (yes that's why I drive a Fuchsia Challenger). The best way to keep this from happening is to make a list when you go shopping, then make yourself a promise to stick to the list.  Some of you may even need a shopping buddy (and I'm not talking about the kind that will tell you how cute you look in that sweater that's on sale). Take along a partner that will help you keep your shopping in check.  Still can't do it? Then stay out of the problem store and either shop somewhere else or enlist someone to do the shopping for you. If you are using the cash envelope system then just put enough cash in the envelope to cover the needed items and leave your debit cards & checkbook at home.
2. Not Doing Research: When you make big purchases, you should always research the product before you buy it. I'm not talking about walking around the showroom floor looking at the other items on display, but rather in depth research on the computer, books, magazines, friends, etc. Even though my Challenger was an impulse buy, I had actually been researching them for a couple of years.  It just happened that the dealer got a rare color in I had been dreaming of owning and before I knew it, I was driving it off of the lot.
3. Going into debt: When you have to go into debt to purchase an item (house excluded) then chances are you probably don't need the item.  If it's something you do need, then that's a perfect example of why you should have an emergency fund in place. We live in a society of "hurry up and have it". Most of people's money problems could be lessened if they would practice a little self control (me included).
4. Not Having A Plan: When you don't have a plan, a budget, you have no idea how much money you have, how much you need, or how much you've spent.  When you have a plan, then you know where you were, where you are, and where you need to be. A budget will tell you where you need to cut back or spend more. It will show you where your problems areas are and where you are doing good. If you don't already do a budget every month, you need to start.  Visit me over at Lifeway Personal Financial Coaching and I can show you how.
5. Cosigning On A Loan: Think about this for a minute.  If the bank doesn't think that this person is worthy of the loan on their own, it's because they don't think they will get their money. What makes you think they will pay if you cosign for them? Because it is your child? Your parents? If anything, that will make them even more likely to default and leave you holding the bag for the payments. By cosigning you are telling the lender when (not if) this person doesn't pay on the loan, you will pay off the loan for them. Do you really want another bill to pay?
6. Not Having an EF: If you don't have an emergency fund then you need to start one NOW!!  Ready, Set, Go!!!!  Almost all debt for middle class America could be eliminated with just a simple $1000-2000 emergency fund. This would cover most car repairs, most household repairs, medical emergencies, etc. I'm not talking about a total overhaul of the engine, a new roof, or a heart transplant.  I'm talking about every day stuff like, the fuel pump, water heater, or broken arm. Think about how many times you've laid plastic down to pay for these types of items and how long it took you to pay it off.  I've used my EF many times.  If I have to use it, I stop all debt repayment until it's built back up again and then restart debt reduction.  Doesn't have to be anything fancy.  Even hiding $1000 somewhere in your house will work......so long as you don't consider the pizza delivery an emergency!!

There ya go! Are you guilty of any of these? If so, just recognizing you need to work in that area is a major step. Think about what action steps are needed in order for you to correct the problems and then just start doing it. Don't expect to be perfect all the time because nobody is, but if you slip up pick yourself up and start at it again!



Brought to you by Lifeway Personal Financial Coaching

Nothing makes a house feel like a home more than putting your personal touch on it.  I was so excited when we purchased a brand new home last fall because it gave me a chance to put our mark on it right from the start.  The challenge? Trying to do it without going into debt or emptying out our bank account.  You see, we had a 3000+ sq ft modular home placed on an acre of land that was a mess (putting it kindly) and had to be cleared first.

We still have major landscaping to do, but that's all in time & with cash.  We will do the majority of the work ourselves.

 How I was able to decorate stylishly and keep it cheap while we also had the costs of cleaning up the land?

We moved from a 1400 sq ft home to one that was over 3000 sq ft PLUS we were blending our families together by having my husband's three kids come live with us as well.  Can you say "freaking out"?

I had to take what I already had and make do or update but I also had to find new furniture as well.  I put my Sherlock Holmes attire on and set to work.

Here is the living room before:

Remember when everyone paid with cash and very few had credit cards?  Me neither. My parents actually paid cash for everything & not once did I ever see them use a credit card until after I graduated high school.  Sure they had the mandatory car & home loan, but other than that; it was cash.


In today's society it's the norm to pay with plastic. Since 2008 more people have started paying closer attention to their finances and spending habits. Unfortunately, most people are still spending more than they are bringing home and those pesky plastic cards are most of the problem.


It's not entirely the credit cards that are at fault, but debit cards can be just as bad for some people.  It's been proven that when you swipe plastic at the checkout, your brain doesn't register the transaction.  In other words, it doesn't hurt to spend money.  On the contrary, you get a high from it.  A feeling of power.  A feeling that you are special.  That is until you get the overdraft notice in the mail.  How special are ya feeling now?



This is why for those who are just starting out taking control of their finances, I suggest using the cash envelope system. Want a real feeling of power and control??  Try handing the cashier cash for your purchase. That right.  Just plop down those greenbacks and enjoy the feeling of power that you have cash to pay for your purchase.  Not only do you know you have the money for the purchase, but so does everyone else standing close to you. Here are some pointers to using a cash envelope system.

Budget:

“Budget” can be a four-letter word for most people, but a budget is really nothing more than deciding  how you’ll spend your income before you actually spend a dime of it. If you’re not sure how much you spend in each budget category, track your expenses for a month and get an idea of the amount you'll need. 

Choose Your Categories:

From your budget, go through and decide what you can pay cash for.  The most common categories are: grocery, gas, personal care, clothing, entertainment, blow money, birthday & Christmas,etc.

These categories can vary and can be personalized to your families needs.  Don't worry about setting up envelopes for bills you normally mail in or pay online.  We are only worried about items that you could potentially overspend on if you use plastic.

Prepare Your Envelopes:

You've got your budget and decided on your envelope categories, now take out some regular paper envelopes and label one envelope per category. At the beginning of the month (or your pay period), withdraw your budgeted cash from the bank and separate it into the appropriate envelopes (i.e. $250 in the “gas” envelope).

As you get the hang of the envelope system, there are some really cool wallets that have envelopes in them.  One such wallet is from Dave Ramsey.  This is the one I use.  Very stylish plus has a place for your checkbook and you can order envelope refills. You can view them here.

Use Your Envelopes

Going shopping? Better take your envelope. Forgot your envelope? Better drive back home!

Whenever you spend money from one of your envelope categories, use the money from that envelope and replace it with your receipt. This will help you keep track of where your money has gone for the month.

Once It’s Gone…It’s Gone

Once you’ve spent all the money in your envelope, that's it.....you're done...no more....don't even think about it. It’s very tempting to pull out your debit card and keep right on spending. Make up your mind beforehand that once you’ve spent all the money in an envelope, you can’t spend any more money in that category until next month. That’s what makes the whole system work. It forces you to follow your budget.

This is why it's important to plan your spending, especially on groceries and gas. It really sucks to have a week left in the month and need groceries, but no more cash in the envelope.  If this happens, it means you probably need to go back and rethink the amount of money you need in that envelope.  It also means that money is gonna have to come out of another category.  You have to BUDGET.  You need more in one category means another category gets less.

(Something our government can't seem to grasp!)

Give It Time

It will take a few months to get your envelope system down. Don’t give up after a month or two if it’s still not working just right. You’ll get the hang of it and it will be so worth it once you see your debt go down and your go up…not to mention the peace of mind you’ll experience knowing you are controlling your money!



Brought to by Lifeway Personal Financial Coaching.

I started cleaning up my desk this morning and as I was organizing everything into piles (yes I'm a pile person), I realized I had TONS of debit card receipts, invoices, my tax documents, etc just sprawling all over my desk.  It was like attack of the Blob, but with paper and tons of numbers!

In deciding what to keep and what to shred, I did some research. I figured with Spring Cleaning just around the corner, what better time to clean up your financial pile (or drawer......you know you have one or the other).

(Remember whatever papers you get rid of be sure to shred them and don't just throw them in the trash.  That's a sure fire invitation for identity theft!!)

This is what I discovered (taken from Suze Orman site):

"Keep till warranty expires or can no longer return or exchange

• Sales Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then keep for 3 years)

What to keep for 1 month

• ATM Printouts (When you balance your checkbook each month throw out the ATM receipts)

What to keep for 1 year

• Paycheck Stubs (You can get rid of once you have compared to your W2 & annual social security statement)
• Utility Bills (You can throw out after one year, unless you're using these as a deduction like a home office --then you need to keep them for 3 years after you've filed that tax return)
• Cancelled Checks (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
• Credit Card Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
• Bank Statements (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
• Quarterly Investment Statements (Hold on to until you get your annual statement)

What to keep for 3 years

• Income Tax Returns (Please keep in mind that you can be audited by the IRS for no reason up to three years after you filed a tax return. If you omit 25% of your gross income that goes up to 6 years and if you don't file a tax return at all, there is no statute of limitations.)
• Medical Bills and Cancelled Insurance Policies
• Records of Selling a House (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)
• Records of Selling a Stock (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)
• Receipts, Cancelled Checks and other Documents that Support Income or a Deduction on your Tax Return (Keep 3 years from the date the return was filed or 2 years from the date the tax was paid -- which ever is later)
  
• Annual Investment Statement (Hold onto 3 years after you sell your investment.)

What to keep for 7 years

• Records of Satisfied Loans

What to hold while active

• Contracts
• Insurance Documents
• Stock Certificates
• Property Records
• Stock Records
• Records of Pensions and Retirement Plans
• Property Tax Records Disputed Bills (Keep the bill until the dispute is resolved)
• Home Improvement Records (Hold for at least 3 years after the due date for the tax return that includes the income or loss on the asset when it's sold)

Keep Forever

• Marriage Licenses
• Birth Certificates
• Wills
• Adoption Papers
• Death Certificates
• Records of Paid Mortgages

* These documents should be kept in a very safe place, like a safety deposit box."

Let me add this point: When you totally pay off a debt, keep the canceled check along with the letter from the company stating the debt has been settled FOREVER!!  If you don't, you can be sure that it will come back and bite you.  Trust me cause I've been there and done that. I had to pay a $600 credit card bill because I didn't keep the original paperwork showing the card had been settled and was canceled. Only took me one time to learn that lesson!!

For this reason, I invested in a small 2 drawer filing cabinet. So much easier......now if I'll just start using it more.

I also keep IRS returns longer than 3 years.  I'm pretty sure I have all the returns I've filed since about 97.  I know for fact I have them since 2000.  In 2000 I started filing using TurboTax.  Because I don't trust little electronic disks to keep track of all my information, I still keep the hard records just in case.  The IRS is one organization I'd rather not but heads with.

I have found a small fireproof safe is perfect to keep warrantied and copies of Marriage Licenses, Birth Certificates, etc.  Plus in an emergency, it's easy to grab and take with you.

So there you have it.  Now you know what should be shredded and what should be kept! 

Happy Sorting!!

This blog is brought to you by: Lifeway Personal Financial Coaching

What is compound interest and why do I need to be taking advantage of it's power?

Yes, I'm talking about the same type of interest in which every credit card company uses to rob you blind.  Every auto & home loan also use compound interest to squeeze every last penny out of your pockets. What a lot of people don't realize is, you can also use compound interest in your favor.  Banks use compound interest on most savings accounts.  That means you can apply the same principals the loan sharks use and use it to help build your personal wealth!

Here We Go!
For example, you open a savings account that pays 5% interest. You in put $1,000 and let it sit for future emergencies. (AKA: THE EMERGENCY FUND)  To keep it simple, we’ll say it compounds annually (meaning you only figure up the interest on it once a year).
At the end of the first year, that account has $1,050 in it. You have your original $1,000, plus you have 5% interest on it – $50. You just earned $50 for just keeping your hands off your Emergency Fund!!

At the end of the second year, the account now has $1,102.50 in it. You have the $1,050 you had in it after the first year ($1000 deposit + $50 interest earned), but this year it earned more interest – $52.50.

Why?
The interest earned during the first year is now earning interest. WHAT????  You didn’t just earn interest on the first $1,000. You also earned it on the $50 in interest from the first year – an extra $2.50! THAT'S AWESOME!!!

Confused?  Let's try it one more time!
At the end of the third year, the account now has $1,157.63 in it. You have the $1,102.50 ($1000 original deposit + $50 first year interest+$52.50 second year interest), but this year it earned $55.13 in interest.
Now, from the first year to the second year, your interest grew from $50 to $52.50 – an increase of $2.50. From the second year to the third year, your interest actually grew even more – jumping from $52.50 to $55.13 is a $2.63 increase in interest!!!  All this for just leaving your money in the savings account and not taking it out to buy useless stuff!

At the five year mark, you’d have $1,276.28 in the account.
At the ten year mark, you’d have $1,628.90 in the account.
At the twenty year mark, you’d have $2,653.30 in the account. Your money has more than doubled without you lifting a finger, and every single year, the money has grown more than it did the year before.  That’s the power of compound interest!!!


Just imagine what could happen if you keep depositing money in the account or have a larger initial deposit???


Compound Interest Is Great, But There’s a Catch
What’s the catch?
In order to really enjoy the power of compound interest, you have to let your money sit for a long time.
In the example, the money has doubled, but it took fourteen years for it to happen. That’s a long time....  BUT!! 


This is where the tortoise outsmarts the hare! Good things come to those who wait!  Patience is a virtue! 
All the other sayings on waiting apply here.  Those who are smart with money, not just "book smart", know that there is no sure bet.  There is no magic plan.  There is no quick fix.  Building true wealth takes time and you have to stick with it!

There it is!! 
Compound Interest in a nutshell.  Not too bad really once you get the hang of it.  This is one of the reason's God made Financial Calculators!!!!! Here is a link to an online calculator that will figure it for you.  Go on and start playing with some numbers!

This blog is brought to you by:
Lifeway Personal Financial Coaching

Just because you are trying to cut down on expenses, doesn't mean you have to go without on Valentine's Day.  Below is a collection of different ideas for an inexpensive, yet magical night with the one you love.

Have a picnic in front of a fire &some champagne. For an extra touch, serve strawberries to bring out the champagne's flavor. If you don't like to cook or don't have the time, you can order out from your favorite place. Be sure to replate the meal on nice plates. Put some great music on the stereo or watch a romantic movie after the meal!


When your sweetie gets home, draw a hot bath filled with rose petals. (Roses are expensive around Valentines Day, so you can ask your florist for a package of plain rose petals, short stemmed roses, or for "seconds" -- ones that are slightly bruised since you won't be giving them in a traditional way.) Have a glass of wine and some chocolates to nibble on by the side of the tub.

Meanwhile, prepare the bedroom. Line the bed with towels fresh out of the dryer so that they're warm.  Massage the stress away with a sensual smelling massage oil or your sweetie's favorite lotion. There are several videos on YouTube that can show you how to give a great massage. Afterwards the two of you can enjoy takeout in bed while you watch a romantic movie.

Want a little extra sexy effect in the atmosphere. Turn the lights down low or set the mood with several candles placed around the path from the door to the bedroom. Sprinkle rose petals & chocolate kisses like a trail of bread crumbs leading from the front door and into the bedroom. Put on something sexy and lay out a sexy outfit for your partner.  Prepare some sexy foods that you can feed each other, such as almonds, chocolates, dates, raspberries, strawberries and wine. (For that extra touch, a few hours before your date, dip the strawberries in melted chocolate and chill in the fridge.) Fill the bedroom with tons of candles and turn the lights out. Then just wait for your sweetheart.

Whatever you do, I hope you have a very special Valentine's Day!!

Part of cutting expenses in a family's budge is trying to find ways to cut the grocery bill.  This can be the most expense part of the budget for some families.  With our family of 6, it's not uncommon some months to spend $600-700. Needless to say, this is the first place we look to when we need to pinch our pennies.

It's become like a game for me to accomplish two things while in the kitchen.  My first game is trying to see how healthy & low-fat I can make our favorites.  To my surprise, it really hasn't been that difficult.  I've had a few moments when I thought the kids might start chunky stuff at me.

My next game, is how cheap can I make a meal. 


Oh sure you eat Roman Noodles for like $0.40/pack or Mac&Cheese for like $0.90/box.  I want variety.  I want choices.  I want flavor.  I want NORMAL food!

The key to this game, is timing & planning.  You have to actually sit down & go through sales ads for the local stores.  Pick out the best sale items and then plan your weekly menu around what is on sale.  Last week United had boneless, skinless chicken breasts on sale for $0.97/lb.  We stocked up.  We now have many packs of chicken in our freezer.  That week I also cooked at least 3 meals with chicken.  Apples were also on sale last week.  One of meals was actually one of my favorite Weight Watchers meals.  Chicken with Apples & Onions!  MMMM...mmmmm.mmmmm!!!!  And because the two main ingredients were on sale,  fed my family this yummy meal for right around $1.00 per person. We also had chicken & broccoli pasta bake.  Box of whole wheat pasta-less than $1.00, chicken from sale, frozen broccoli & cheese-about $1.50, cream of mushroom soup-$0.50, splash of milk, & a cup of shredded cheese. This meal also was about $0.90-1.00/per person.

Here are a few links to some great recipes for meals that are around $1.00/serving.

100 recipes for under $1.00/serving

10 Healthy Meals for under $1.00/serving

Inexpensive Meals

Here's a few of my favorites:

Black beans & rice ( or red beans): 
It doesn't get simpler than this!

Spaghetti & Meatballs:
(I buy whole wheat spaghetti for about $1.25/box, cheap bottle of sauce & doctor it up with my own spices & veggies, & meatballs from a HUGE package that we buy at Sam's Club for about $8-10)


Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken:

3 c + 3/4 c buttermilk
1/3 tbs coarse salt
2 tbs sugar
2 1/2 to 3 lbs chicken pieces (whatever is cheapest)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
peanut oil for frying

1. For brine, in a resealable plastic bag set in a bowl combine 3 cups of buttermilk, coarse salt & sugar. Cut chicken in pieces & add to bag. Chill for 2-4 hrs. Remove chicken from brine & drain.  Pat dry with paper towel & discard brine.
2.  In large bowl, combine flour, 1/4 tsp salt & pepper.  Place the 3/4 c buttermilk in shallow dish.  Coat chicken with flour mixture. Dip in buttermilk & coat again with flour mixture.
3.  Meanwhile, in a deep frying pan or deep fryer, heat 1 1/2 inches oil to 350 F.
4.  Using tongs, carefully add a few pieces of chicken to oil. (Maintain temp at around 325 F) Fry chicken for 12-15 minutes or until chicken is not longer pink (165F) & coating is golden.  Turn at least once.  Drain on paper towels. Keep chicken ward in 300F oven until finished frying all chicken.

6 servings at about $0.90/serving.
549 calories, 30g fat (6sat), 88 mg cholesterol, 1,191 mg sodium, 35 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 34 g protein



Cream-filled Cupcakes (Like Hostess Chocolate ones)

2 c all-purpose flour
1 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c sugar
3 lg eggs
Filling & swirl:
4 tbs unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c confectioners' sugar
2-3 tbs milk
Glaze:
1/2 c heavy cream
1 tbs light corn syrup 1 c semisweet chocolate chips

1.  Heat over to 350F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
2.  Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda & salt n a medium bowl.  Whisk to blend.  Combine the buttermilk & the vanilla in a measuring cup.
3.  Beat the butter & the sugar in a  medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium high speed until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add the flour mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
4.  Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups.  Bake at 350F until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean,  18-20 minutes.  Transfer to wire rack and cool 10 minutes.  Invert & cool completely.
5.  Filling & Swirl.  Beat butter in a medium-sized bowl until light and fluffy.  Gradually add confectioners' sugar.  Add 2 tbs of the milk & beat 5 minutes until almost white and light and fluffy.  Add additional milk if mixture is too thick.   Spoon frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a medium-sized plain round tip.  Remove cakes from pan.  Insert tip of pastry bag into top of cakes, about 1/2 inch deep & squeeze.
6.  Make the Glaze: Heat the cream and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until the mixture just comes to a boil.  Remove from heat & stir in the chocolate chips. Cover & let stand 5 minutes.  Whisk until smooth.
7.  Dip the tops of the filled cupcakes into the chocolate glaze.  Place on a cooling rack to set for 10 minutes.
8.  Change the piping tip to a smaller round one.  Pipe the decorative swirls on top of the glazed cupcakes.

24 servings at $0.48 each
256 calories, 12g fat (7g sat), 49mg cholesterol, 156mg sodium, 37g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g protein

General:

1. Make a goal chart to become debt-free and as you pay off debts, mark them off and reward yourself.  Splurge on a dinner out (using a coupon or special or course)
2. I do the “envelope” budgeting system. All spending money I take out at the beginning of each month.  I then pay for everything with that cash, when it is gone there is no more till the next month. This budgeting method works for best for me.  Try this one, or another method that works best for you!
3. Wait at least 24 hours before purchasing any pricey item.  Use that time to research and shop around.  Don't let peer pressure or your emotions get the best of you! Remember the main goal!
4. If something breaks try to fix it or even going without it for a bit before going out and purchasing a replacement. Try not to hire someone to fix things, rather swap services (like craig’s list or even Facebook & Twitter).
5. To curb impulse buys, create a 30-day list. When you want to buy something, other than a true necessity (medicine or food, for example), put it on this list, with the date you added it to the list. And make it a rule that you can’t buy anything for at least 30 days after you put it on the list. Just keep in mind that the more you spend, the less you will have to save or pay off debt!
6. Surround yourself with “frugal-minded” people. If you don’t have any friends who are willing to make a frugal journey with you try looking online, There are some really great sites and blogs online.  A great source of information and support!

Grocery:

7. Use a price sheet so that you can know if a “sale” is really a bargain or if you can find it cheaper elsewhere.
8. Buy meat that is on Manager Special (expiring that day or shortly after). Call the meat department at your local stores and ask when they mark down meat! Look online for freezer recipes to make use of that meat.  It's soooo handy to already have supper in the freezer and all you have to do is stick it in the microwave!
9. Mix ground beef with an egg and several handfuls of quick oats (makes the meat go farther). Use in meatballs, meat loaf, etc.
10. Bake your own bread – let the yeast sit in sugar water till it smells fermented and use half the yeast (the most expensive ingredient in bread). *I have not tried this as of yet
11. If you are big milk drinkers, buy whole milk and a box of dry milk and make your own mock-2% milk by mixing half whole, half non-fat dry reconstituted milk. You have two gallons for a fraction of the cost. You can also use the dry milk in your cooking and save the "regular" milk for drinking.
12. Go meatless 1-2 nights a week. You can substitute dry beans. They are VERY cheap and filling.
13. Meal plan and coordinate so that leftovers can be utilized fully, yet keeping variety. (Ex: Tacos day one, use left over taco meat day 2 for stuffed peppers)
14. Try to stretch as much time between shopping trips. The fewer times you go shopping, the fewer chances you have to “impulse buy”.
15. ONLY shop from a list. If it is not on the list DO NOT BUY IT. It is best to make a check off inventory list of all things you could need and highlight what you’re out or low on.
16. Eat something small before you go. It is harder to resist the temptation to over buy when you have an empty tummy.
17. Keep your change (dollar bills and coins) use this as your “fun fund”
18. Buy generic – many times this is considerably less than the alternative even if you have coupons. I used to work at a grocery store & the store brand was actually "overflow" from most of the name brands! (I'm pretty sure the Mac&Cheese wasn't included in that!)
19. Use coupons if you prefer something name brand and only if you buy that item regularly. Also, ask if your grocery shop has “double days”.
20. Get your coupons online!  There are several sites that offer printable coupons.  You can also sign up for money saving text messages and even smart phone applications that delivers coupons that can be scanned via the phone at the checkout.

Household:

21. Wash your dishes by hand… I have a hard time with this one, I know it saves water/energy, but I love the convenience of my dishwasher! If you must use the dishwasher, don't use the heated dry option and use the normal wash without the hot star option.
22. Wash clothes in cold water and only if you have a full load to do. Dry your clothes on the line and if you don’t like the “crunchy” feel, stick them in the dryer for 5 min with a wet rag after they’ve hung out. Not only does this save money, it also keeps your darks from fading as quickly!
23. Wash your clothes inside out so they will look nicer longer… and only wash if something is truly dirty.
24. If you like fabric softener, put some on a towel and throw it in with the dryer. A quarter size “spill” on the towel can do about 3 loads – a great way to save softener! You can also make your own softener & detergent using one of the recipes from my last post!
25. In the winter, use your dryer and stove during the early evening to help heat your home. In the summer, use them in the very early morning (or not at all) to help keep your home cool.
26. Cook all your meals for a 2-week period (esp. in the summer) so that your oven only has to do the work one time for multiple meals. Keep meals in the freezer and re-heat with the microwave – uses less energy, and you save time. Also, having home-cooked freezer meals cut down on the tendency to order take-out when you’re having an exceptionally busy day.  
27. In the summer take a cold bath/wash rag to help you feel cool before bed, and keep the thermostat as high as possible or the A/C off if possible (we live in TX – its not possible). Each degree change can save up to 3% on your energy costs!
28. In a room that has a tendency to be dark, put a mirror near the light to refract the light around the room. One light bulb has the power of two with this trick! We have tons of mirrors in our master bath and I only need to turn on the lights after the sun has set.
29. Unplug items (toaster, shaver, cell phone charger, TV) when not in use. Small amounts of electricity are still being used even if they are off, but plugged in. (I don't usually practice this, but I should.)
30. Use Craig’s List to purchase used items (furniture, etc.) or freecycle or go to garage sales.  Facebook also can be another source.  Our town has several groups on Facebook to buy, sale, or trade items.
31. Buy paint from the “oops” counter at the hardware store. Also, if the color of your walls allows, add a faux finish over the existing color. This uses a lot less paint and allows you to spruce up more rooms at a fraction of the cost. I used a glaze on three of the walls in my dining room and used a fraction the amount that I used on other walls with normal paint.
32. Cut your cell-phone or house phone, you don’t need both. If possible, become a single-phone family. For long distance, calling cards are great! You can usually find cards with under 2 cents a min! Pay-as-you-go cell phone plans are great if you are not a big phone user. Check out Straight Talk at Walmart for cheap unlimited talk, text, & web. You can now get smart phones from them for about the same price as the big companies.
33. Make your own household cleaners.       Vinegar, baking soda, Hydrogen peroxide, borax & bleach are all really cheap and you can make any and every household cleaner from laundry detergent to the equivalents of Windex and Comet from mixtures of those ingredients. Refer to my last post for some of these recipes.
34. Check your insurance.  You can generally save if you combine auto & home.  You can also get discounts when you haven't had any claims, alarm systems, etc.
35. Get a programmable thermostat for your household heat and water heater. You can turn the temps down an hour or two after you go to bed, or during the warmer times of the day, or the times when you typically don’t use your hot water. No reason to heat what is not being used!

Personal:

36. Cut your family's hair… if possible, have a friend cut your’s… Also, longer hairstyles do not need to be maintained as frequently as shorter ones. (I also do not do this. Just too nervous...lol)
37. Buy clothes for your kids used – they grow out of them so fast new is not worth it! And used usually look just as good! Ebay, and consignment stores are a goldmine when it comes to used clothing!
38. Limit the number of toys your children are able to have in the house. This will lower the clutter, increase the value of the toys you currently own, increase your children’s creativity as they learn to play with less, and also will decrease spending on toys.
39. Try home remedies before Doctor visits. Those co-pays can add up and its amazing how a humidifier, Vitamin C & some good ole’ rest will make the bugs go away!
40. Make gifts for holidays and birthdays, often these mean more than ones purchased at the store as they show you put time and effort into the recipient.
41. Make your own personal hygiene products (or do without). The girls and I just did DIY facials and spa treatments a couple weekends ago.  Went online and found some great recipes.  Our skin never felt so soft or looked so good!
42. Cloth diaper your kiddos. If you use this cloth diapering method your whole stash can cost less than a hundred dollars and can potentially be handed down to future kiddos. Cloth diapering also encourages early potty-training!
43. Make your own baby food by pureeing what the rest of the family is eating, or you can use dehydrated and powdered veggies – if you like the convenience of those pricey jars.

Entertainment:

44. Eat out rarely if ever! If you do eat out, only drink water. Also, check your newspapers for discounts and grand openings; you can usually get more for your buck then.
45. Invite people over to your home & have them bring a dish rather than meeting them at a restaurant. You’ll have more time to chat and get to try some new recipes as well!
46. Get movies for your Friday night from the library rather than Blockbuster or netflix. They are usually free! Also check out Hulu. They have a number of TV shows online for free!
47. Either eliminate or see if you can combine any of the following: Internet, Television, Long-Distance, Cell Phones.
48. Set-up a baby-sitting swap with a friend who has children. You’ll save money and know that someone “experienced” is watching your kids.
49. Find dates that are more events than just “going out to eat”. These can sometimes save your budget and are usually more memorable.
50. See what interesting sites are near where you live & take a day trip for some "get-away" time.  Go online or check with the local travel bureau for local attractions!  You might be surprised what is in your own backyard!

I hope at least some of these tips & tricks may be useful to you. When you are consistent, you will start seeing a change in how thick your wallet is!

Who doesn't like to save money? Who doesn't want to use safe products for their family? Over the years I've come across many homemade recipes for detergents to tricks of reusing products. These will not only help save you money, but they are also better for your family. Most ingredients are natural & not harsh chemicals that is found in many store bought cleaners.
Homemade Cleaners:

Laundry Detergent

1 cup Fels Naptha or Ivory Soap grated (I use cheese grater)
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (laundry aisle at store)
1/2 cup Borax (laundry aisle at store)
1/2 cup powdered bleach (optional)

Mix & stir in lidded container.1TBSP for lightly soiled loads or 2 TBSP for heavily soiled clothes.
Est. cost $1.00 for 32 TBSPs

(you can also make a big batch using 1 bar of soap, 1 box washing soda, 1 box borax, & 1 box powdered bleach)

Stain Remover

1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup baking soda
2 TBSP ammonia
3 cups water

Add top three to water and stir. Spray stain before washing.  (I've personally never used this, but I have read where it does work pretty well.)

Fabric Softener

1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup vinegar

Fill washer with water (no clothes), add baking soda & stir. Now add clothes.  Add vinegar to final rinse.
I have adapted for HE machine as follows:
I add baking soda to homemade laundry detergent & put vinegar in fabric softener compartment.  Works the same.  (In times of extremely dry weather you will still have static.  In these times, I also use softener sheet in dryer.)

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1 cup Borax
1/2 cup Vinegar

Flush to wet sides.  Sprinkle Borax all along the sides and inside.  Drizzle vinegar over Borax & leave overnight (or as long as you can). Next day, scrub & flush.

All Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant

1 tsp Borax
1/2 tsp Washing Soda
2 TBSP Lemon Juice

Combine in spray bottle.  Add one cup very hot water (do not burn yourself) and shake to dissolve.  Stores a very long time.

Kitchen Disinfectant

White vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in separate spray bottles.  Spray one right after the other for best results. (I have not tried this.)

Weed Killer

Sprinkle weed with baking soda and let sit for 30-45 minutes.  Pour some white vinegar onto weed (until soaked) Rinse with fresh water the next day.

Drain Cleaner

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain.  Follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar.  It will start to foam.  Cover and let sit for about 30 minutes and then flush with cool water.  For stubborn, slow running drains pour one cup baking soda and one cup salt down drain.  Follow with 2 quarts boiling water.  Let sit 30 minutes then flush with cool water.

Oven Cleaner

3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt

Add enough water to make into a paste and spread it around oven.  Leave overnight (8 hrs). Spray with water if it has dried.  Wipe it up.  Spray with white vinegar to get rid of any baking soda residue.

Dishwasher Soap

Equal parts Borax and baking soda.  (I use 2 TBSPs each.) Fill rinse compartment with white vinegar.

Spray Starch

3-4 tsp Cornstarch
2 cups Water

Mix & pour in a spray bottle. (Hint: If you use on dark colored clothes, add 1/2 cup brewed black tea and it will not leave white hazy residue)

I will post part 2 within a few days.  More homemade cleaners and other tips to come.

These are the 5 verses that have changed my financial life. Each one of them has had a strong impact on many decisions in my life. I hope you will let them do the same to you as well.

1. Philippians 4:19: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
God, is always faithful. That is why we should always be trusting Him as our supplier! It doesn’t matter if there is a financial crisis, if you get laid off, or your if your retirement looses 1/2 it’s value – God will still supply your needs just as He promised as long as you trust in Him.

2. Malachi 3:10: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
It is a bold step of faith to start tithing. Some argue that tithing is not required in the New Testament. There is no escaping the truth that tithing opens the door for blessing that can not be opened without doing it. From my own personal tithing experience, I can attest that I am overwhelmingly convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that tithing increases blessing. As Joyce Meyer says, "If they HAD to give 10% under Law in the old testament, what should be giving under Grace now??"

3. 1 Timothy 6:10: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
This verse is so often misquoted that it is almost laughable. Money is not evil. The love of it is. Having a million in your bank account doesn’t mean that you love it. Having $5 in your account doesn’t prove that you don’t. For example, Warren Buffett has billions in his accounts, and he is giving almost all of it away to benefit the lives of others.

4. Acts 20:35: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Giving sets us free, while hoarding entraps us (James 5:2). Giving changes the lives of others (John 3:16). Giving brings blessing back to us (Luke 6:38). Giving allows us to store up treasures in Heaven rather than here on the earth (Matthew 19:21). Giving really can be fun. We also need to be teaching our children at an early age, the joys of giving to others!

5. Proverbs 22:7: The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
The freedom of being debt free has always been so exciting to me that I have been willing to give up tons of material stuff in exchange for it. Getting out of debt is not easy and often requires a fight, but the freedom that comes with it is so worth it!!