Category Archives: money saving

Things ARE Returning to Normal

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The husband is back from far away ville (for now). My little ones Birthday party went off without a hitch and our family has since left. The home is turned upside down from unending commotion but we enjoyed ourselves. Now back to real life. After the unending family time with my husband I am sad to return to routine. It is always “feast or famine” when it comes to time together, just like the civilian world I am sure, though our “famines” are quite a bit different.

This past bit we were able to hear the new little one’s heartbeat. It sounded strong! The baby also sounded very active. I could hear him or her swishing about as we listened. Such a blessing to have been able to hear the little one growing inside me. I feel renewed even through this worsening morning sickness and what I fear may be strep throat. Eep!

 

But onto the week ahead and my lingering goals!

I have decided after taking stock of my pantry that I could be making so many of the things I normally purchase. My goals this week will reflect a new sense of wanted domestic goodness.

Home Goals:

1. Go through pantry and outline things to make by hand.

2. Spend 2 hours “freezer cooking”.  My new devotion to weekly meal preparation!

3. Menu plan for the weeks ahead.

4. Have a baking session to replace at least 3 pantry staples with from scratch options.

Family Goals:

5. Start on my husband’s requested blanket

6. Mail Grandparents Birthday pictures

Mothering Goals:

7. Attempt to wean, again.

8. Find a Mommy and Me class locally.

Self Goals:

9. Read “Life on Planet Mom”

10. Make an Ultra Sound appointment!

 

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What I Bought Today…

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In the interest of saving money here is another great deal I scored!

Went to Kroger for the first time ever (we have only lived here a few months so not familiar with them) since I received a $10 gift card from my newspaper company. Found out they

double any coupon $.50 and under so I scored some good deals. Now that I know how they work I will be back more.

Here is what I bought:

Quaker Quakes rice snacks on sale for $1.00 x 7 = $7.00

Steamfresh vegetables on sale $1.00 used (2)$.50 off of 1 coupons and (1)$.50 off 2 coupon (all doubled to $1.00)=4 for $1.00

Oranges $.74 a lb x 2.2lbs= $1.63

Jello $.79 x 2 used (1) $.50 off 1 coupon (doubled)= $.29 each

Snickers on sale 2/$1.00 used $1.50 off 2 coupon = $.50 profit ( for the neighbors kids on Easter)

Betty Crocker food coloring $3.85

Nuby No Spill sippy $1.99

Comfort Baby rice puffs 2/$3.00

Cranraisins on sale $1.50 used (1) $1.00 off 1 coupon = $.50

Originally $38.97 with sales and coupons $20.97 used $10.00 gift card =$10.97!

Remember it only saves you money if you buy things you actually use and need. Junk food and a lot of premade meals are not usually used in our house so my savings are not as impressive as someone who is willing to buy anything to save money. Just an example of how you can coupon with a different mindset.

Happy savings friends!

A Great Step Towards Total Finance Control -The Money Saving Mom’s Budget

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The Money Saving Mom’s Budget Audiobook Review

I have to preface this review by saying I am a fan. I am a fan of Crystal’s money guidance, her faith, everyday tips that help turn an upside down home into a well working machine and especially what she chose to do with the profits of this book which you can read about here.

My take:

When I hear “money saving advice” I think of being bombarded with terms such as portfolio and ROTH IRA. Things that enter into the world of finance that one feels they need a degree to understand. Getting control of your finances and telling your money where to go always seemed like an overdeveloped process. Until I read Crystal’s blog and book I felt so overwhelmed by everyday life that I never felt I would get on handle on the day to day let alone mastering money saving. Seeing home and money management broken down into the “bread and butter” of it all (quite literally) has changed my approach to life. With the practical tools contained in the book you will be able to better save, spend and give. All things we all hope to get a handle on.

Crystal shows you how to create a workable budget beginning with the simple step of getting your food spending under control. Such a simple thing I kept saying while listening “why didn’t I think of that”. This practical book/audiobook goes further to help you by teaching you the ins and outs of couponing, 9 places to score free coupons and how to organize them without letting them take over your life. Other useful tools contained within these chapters: how to get your home in great working order, allowing yourself occasional splurges and why and the greatest bit of advice- how to get your life into working order.

Imagine life without the worry of if your money will make it until the end of the month. For many people this is a very real worry. In these uncertain economic times the last this we need is another overloaded how to plan that leaves us with more on our shoulders than we started with. The Money Saving Mom’s Budget will help you from day one all you have to do is read the book and FOLLOW THE ADVICE. Trust me this journey is worth it!

 

* I was provided this audiobook for free by Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the author:

Crystal Paine is a wife and homeschooling mom to three young children who has been writing on topics related to frugality for the last five years—and living a frugal, simple, and debt-free life since she was born. Her blog, MoneySavingMom.com, is one of the top personal finance blogs on the web averaging over four million pageviews per month. Crystal has contributed to articles in Woman’s Day magazine and All You magazine, as well as being mentioned on National Public Radio and CNN.com, in USA Weekend, and Real Simple magazine and numerous other local newspapers and radio and television stations. www.moneysavingmom.com

About the book:

Crystal Paine, who has helped busy women everywhere take control of their finances, presents her most effective strategies designed for families of all sizes and income levels

With hundreds of inspiring “why didn’t I think of that?” TIPS, plus WORKSHEETS, Paine breaks down your goals into easy, manageable steps so you can:

• Achieve a complete financial makeover

• Set up a realistic budget

• Never pay retail

• Slash your grocery bill

• Organize your time & your home

• Use coupons wisely

• Pay with cash only

• Live simply

• Become debt free

• Choose contentment

• Make every dollar count

“What I love about the audio edition of The Money Saving Mom’®s Budget is that I
can listen to it on the go – on my run, in the car, or while I’m folding laundry. AND … I
love that it comes with the downloadable worksheets. I am able to work through those
while listening to Crystal speak. So helpful. Perfect for my busy schedule.” –Anne,
blogger (and reformed budget breaker!)

Celebrate with Crystal by entering her iPad2 Giveaway (a GREAT tool to keep track of
your budget!) and RSVPing to the Live Webcast Event on 4/5!

One savvy winner will receive:

  • A Brand new iPad2
  • The Money Saving Mom‘s Budget by Crystal Paine, audio
    edition

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends
4/4/12. Winner will be announced at The Money Saving Mom’s Live Webcast Event on 4/5.
Crystal will be hosting an evening of chat, laughter and encouragement – bring your
friends! She’ll share tips and advice and her husband will be joining her to share how the
principles Crystal outlines in her book have dramatically impacted their family life.
She’ll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and
much more!

So grab your copy of The Money Saving Mom®’s Budget and join Crystal
and friends on the evening of April 5th for an evening of fun of learning, sharing and
encouragement.

Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to
see you on the 5th!

Want more info about the MSM?

Click here!

Help for Military Families

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We all know that in these tough economic times every penny saved is a blessing. One of my new-found loves is couponing. It is amazing how far a dollar can stretch when you apply a little effort. Here I have the resources and readily available newspaper inserts to get me closer to my slim grocery budget.

What about the families stationed overseas though? How can they save money on the basics?

There is this wonderful program anyone can be a part of that will not cost you anything expect the price of a stamp. It is called Coupons to Troops. An organization that matches overseas military families to ready coupon donors.

Out of country military families can use expired coupons up to 6 months past date so there will be no loss from your budget or coupon supply. If you do want to send still valid coupons though that will work too. I am sure the families will appreciate the extra time to use them.

If you are interested check out this site http://www.couponstotroops.com/. It really could be a blessing to a family trying to make ends meet while living in a foreign country!

My Best Friend In the Kitchen These Days

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Is my food saver vacuum sealer. I love this thing. Bought 2 lbs of ground beef which I usually use in spaghetti or casseroles, things of that nature by the 1/2 lb. So I was able to use one serving and freeze the others. I will have meat for 4 meals for less $1.20 a serving. Awesome!  It has been through the ringer since it is a hand me down but I’ll take a few dings and scrapes for money saved in the kitchen!

Top Savings Tips

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I have so many ways I eliminate excess spending in my day to day life I thought I would share the best ones.

1. Limit shopping time. The more trips to the store the more unneeded items you purchase. My husband will be the first to admit a trip to get milk and eggs for me on his part is an opportunity to cruise the sweets or snack aisle.

2. Do not buy single serving items. That soda at the check out is usually over a dollar while a six pack of the same sodas can be less than $4.00.

3. Do your research before heading to the store. Never head into a store without knowledge of their sales ad and a list of their best deals.

4. If you know you are going to buy something extra for yourself put a limit on it, say $2.00 for a treat. That is enough to get a bag of chips or cereal box you might enjoy. Allowing a little wiggle room prevents big splurges.

5. Use what you have! This is a big one. So many people but an item for one meal. The excess usually sits in the pantry or deep freezer. To get creative you can head to allrecipes.com and enter the ingredients you want to use. A list of recipes will pop up.

6. Try to eliminate as much processed food as possible. I am currently in the process of doing this. Making our own baby food being the first step. By cooking from scratch potatoes, biscuits, treats, even baby food you eliminate a large chunk of spending. A jar of baby food can cost $.49-.72 cents while broccoli fresh is $.89 cents a pound this week. I bought two pounds and will be able to make enough cubes (see baby food making posts) to last at least 15 meals.

What if you are a great grocery budgeter? What if your excess spending is outside the grocery store?

One rule for anything you purchase- ask yourself- “What will life be like with this item?” “How much will I really use it?”
I have to admit I have bought enough clothes in the past to know that funky shirt that you hope will spice up your wardrobe ends up in the back of the closet because it isn’t the right look for any event. Or those cool new dishes that you are too scared to use for fear the kids might break them that are realistically never going to be used.

So much excess spending can be eliminated by living practically and viewing your day to day life realistically.
You do not have to live completely bare bones essentials only. Life was meant to be enjoyed! But if you want to work your way to being debt free these are some ways without increasing your earnings to do so with the money you already have.

What are some of your save money tips? I’d love to hear them!