Unclaimed Money

Is there any better friend to the frugal person that the library? So many resources and programs are offered for all ages. The services are almost always free; well not exactly free, but funded by your tax dollars, regardless of whether you use the library or not.

Of course at the library you will find books of all kinds. You will also find movies, music, internet access, and much more. The library also offers classes for all ages. There are story times for young children, summer reading programs for school age children, and a vast array of programs for adults with interests in everything from reading fiction to doing family tree research. There truly is something for everyone at the local library.

Here are some tips to help you get the most from your local library.

1. Reserve your items before you go.
This is especially helpful if you have children. They can make it hard to browse. Reserve your items online, and they will be ready and waiting when you get there. In many cases this also allows you access to resources from other branches of the library. The library will transport your items to your local branch for pick up.

2. Check the library calendar.
There are many ongoing and one time programs offered. Free activities for the kids and for you? Can’t beat that!

3. Write the due date on your calendar.
Don’t cancel out the freeness of using the library by racking up a lot of late fees. Write the date items are due on your calendar.

4. Try it before you buy it.
If you are thinking of buying reference book, or maybe even a fictional title why not give it a trial run by borrowing it first from the library? Make sure it is worth your hard earned money.

The library is your friend. It is a wonderful resource for free entertainment and education. Go visit your friend frequently!

The cost of food is going up. There are several factors that are affecting prices, but regardless of the reasons, you will see the difference in your food budget. One way to lessen the impact is to grow your some of your own food.

You don’t have to have a lot of space to grow a garden. Popular methods, such as square foot gardening, allow you to grow your own food in small spaces. Get Rich Slowly has a nice introduction to this method along with a list of other resources. There is some initial expense with starting this type of garden, but if you plan to stay in the same place for awhile it will be worth the investment.

Even if you live in an apartment or other situation where you have no yard to work with, you can grow many things in containers as long as you have a sunny spot for them. If you have a balcony, that is perfect, but even a sunny window can be sufficient. West Virginia University provides a nice article to help you get started. There are also initial costs associated with this, but the containers are portable and will last forever. Consider using some recycled containers such as milk jugs, coffee cans, or ice cream buckets when possible.

Here are some general tips to keep in mind:
1. Grow what you like.
Tomatoes are a garden favorite, but why grow them if you don’t like them?

2. Herbs are practically black thumb proof.
If you are afraid you have a black thumb, start with growing herbs. Most herbs are very tolerant of a neglect. Many, like Rosemary, also make nice houseplants that can be kept year round.

3. Start small.
If you’ve never gardened before, don’t invest a lot of time and money the first year. Even the most experienced gardeners can be overwhelmed by a large garden. Start small, and if all goes well, add more next year.

4. A little here, and a little there.
Don’t ignore your garden. Giving it a quick check everyday, and watering and weeding as needed is much easier than going to your garden after a week and discovering the weeds have taken over.

Gardening can be an enjoyable and rewarding activity. It also can be a source of inexpensive (and organic if you choose) food. So go get some seeds, play in the dirt, and see what you can grow.

Communication is vital to keeping relationships healthy. Keeping both parties informed eliminates uncertainty and doubt in the relationship. It keeps you on the same page, and moving in the same direction. This is true not only in your personal relationships, but in your relationships with your creditors.

Your creditors will keep you informed. They will communicate with you when you’ve missed a payment. They are sure to tell you that there has been a change in terms. They will give you a pat on the back, in the form of a credit increase when they are happy with you. They will offer you access checks and other services to entice you to deepen your relationship with them. They sometimes will communicate with you too much, and just don’t take the hint you’re not interested.

Often though the conversation is a bit one sided, and with your creditors, that is fine if things are going well. If you are happy with the relationship as it is, you are keeping up your end by paying on time, and have no interest in their enticing offers, there is no need to respond to their multitude of communications. If you can’t make your payments, if you’ve missed a payment, or just aren’t happy with the interest rate or other terms make a phone call. In many cases you will be able to come up with a solution that is acceptable to you and to your creditor.

If you are struggling, you need to call your creditors, and make some arrangements. They want to know that you intend to pay them. They are willing to work with you, but they can’t if you don’t first communicate with them, or at least respond when they communicate with you. Opening up the line of communication can save you hundreds of dollars in interest and late fees. It also can help protect your credit rating.

Communication is important in any relationship. The relationship with your creditors is no different. Keep the relationship healthy by letting them know if you are having problems, and taking the opportunity to come up with a solution.

The days are getting longer. The daffodils are starting to come up, and soon it will be time for that annual American ritual; spring break. The kids will be home from school, and we all will have a touch of spring fever. Tired of winter, we will be ready for a change of pace. Many of us will hit the highways to head for some fun in the sun. Here are some ideas to keep spring break in the budget:

1. There is no place like home,
Spring break is a peak travel time. The airlines won’t be discounting their tickets. The gas stations will not be lowering prices either. Travel isn’t cheap. One way to address this is to stay home. Pretend to be a tourist in your own town. Take day trips to go see the sites, the museums, and other things that locals tend to take for granted.

2. Or those places close to home.
If you simply must have more sun than your home location provides, opt for destinations that are closer to home. Staying closer to home means less travel time and cost, and more time and money available to enjoy the destination.

3. If you go, go with friends or family.
Depending on the size of your family, you may be able to share transportation. You can share lodging in the form of cabins or rental houses, and depending on the situation you may be able to share childcare responsibilities so each couple can spend some time alone.

4. You can’t pack the kitchen sink, but you do want one.
Eating out for every meal is expensive! Look for places to stay that have a kitchen or a kitchenette. Cook most of your own meals. You might want opt for more convenience type meals while on vacation, but even those are much cheaper than dining out.

5. Enjoy the local cuisine, frugally.
Of course you probably will want to eat a few meals out. Make those meals less expensive by looking for deals at restaurant.com, in local coupon books, or keeping an eye out for specials such as kids eat free or early birds. In most cases it also is less expensive to eat out for lunch than dinner.

6. Look for free entertainment.
Check with local park systems, museums and other places for free or low cost attractions. Of course you will also want to search for coupons and specials at places that do charge. Don’t schedule every minute either. Just relaxing is an important part of spring break.

7. Sensible souvenirs.
If you want to buy souvenirs don’t just buy some piece of junk to say you bought something. Buy something you will use that reminds you of the vacation. One of my favorite souvenirs is a wind chime we bought in Florida. Seeing it always reminds me of the sun and the beach.

Spring is almost here, and with it spring break. Get out enjoy it, but do so without spending a fortune!