Unclaimed Money

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!

In this world geared to instant gratification, patience can be hard to come by. We have the world at our fingertips, and it tells us that we can have what we want now. In most cases exercising patience works to our benefit. Patience, after all, is a virtue, and this is especially true when it comes to our finances.

When I look back at our financial history I see many purchases that were made impulsively. Most of those impulsive buys were made with credit cards. Some of those items seemed like deals to good to pass on at the time. When we were unable to pay the balance of the credit card at the end of the month, the interest charges made those good deals quite expensive.

Some of our impulse purchases were things we convinced ourselves we deserved. We worked hard, and lived frugally most of the year. Didn’t we deserved that three day cruise that we got the good price on? The plain and simple fact was that these items were beyond our means.

Some of these impulse purchases were things we really did need, but maybe did not need right this minute. These purchases were not planned for, nor were they well researched. Taking the time to plan (and save) ahead, and to find the best deal could have saved us a lot of money.

Over the years we have learned to be patient when it comes to our finances and purchases. Things still come up, and we still are tempted to buy impulsively, but where we have exercised patience we have consistently seen three results.

The desire goes away.
Sometimes in the heat of a moment you can convince yourself that you really need something or that a particular item is too good of a deal to pass up. Waiting often shows you that you truly do not need the item, or that the deal really isn’t that good.

One example from our life is our computer. Our computer is old, and a few months ago I was really frustrated by it. I had myself convinced I needed a new one. I went to a local store, and started picking one out. Then I went home to think about it. I am still using the old one. A new one would be nice, but there really isn’t room in the budget, and this one really is adequate.

You find a better deal.
Knowing that you want (or need) to make a purchase, but choosing to wait gives you time to research, and find the best deal. Often, by waiting, we have found the items we were wanting to buy used at a fraction of the cost. In the best cases we have found free items to fit our needs on Freecycle or from acquaintances.

The latest example of this in our lives is bunk beds for the kids. We have four kids; two boys and two girls. They share rooms. We had one set of bunk beds. The youngest two were in a crib and toddler bed. Several months ago we realized that we were going to need another set of bunk beds soon. A few weeks ago my husband’s co-worker mentioned his daughter wanted to give away a set of bunk beds. Score! Now we have a second set, and only need to purchase mattresses.

You find an alternative.
Sometimes when there is a need or want patience breeds creativity, and you find another item that will serve the purpose for less money.

Recently, our microwave died. It was the third one in as many years. I really was ready to go out and buy another one, but wrote about my frustrations at another place. I was surprised by the responses I got from people who do without a microwave. They offered alternatives to some of my most common uses for our microwave. I decided to wait on that purchase. I have found that those alternatives really are almost as convenient, and have decided not to buy a microwave, for now anyway.

Patience really is a frugal virtue, and I hope that the examples above have helped show that. So, how do you develop patience in this world of instant gratification? Here are some things that have worked for us:

Look to the future.
Many times you can see upcoming needs. Prepare for them now by saving money and researching now.

Impose a waiting rule.
If you really want to buy something self impose a three day rule, or whatever time period you feel is sufficient.

Cash only.
Don’t carry your credit cards. Then you can only buy what you can pay for.

Make it a team effort.
If you are married, hopefully, this is something you and your spouse are doing together. If you are single you can partner up with a like minded friend or family to encourage each other in your frugal endeavors, or start a blog. It really does help keep you accountable.

Instant gratification may be the way of the world, but it really is not the best way for your finances. Patience is a frugal virtue. Developing and exercising patience will save you money, and help you to reach the financial goals that are most important to you.

Food waste is a large problem in the developed world. Depending on the country and source of the statistics, it is estimated that one quarter to one half of food produced ends up in the trash. There are huge concerns about the environmental and moral implications of these figures, not to mention the economic impact of this waste. An interesting article on the topic can be found at CNN - All About: Food Waste.

Much of this waste occurs pre-consumer, but we, as consumers, certainly contribute to this problem. Throwing away food is essentially throwing away money. Can we really afford to do that? If you regularly find yourself throwing away food, it is time to take a look and find ways to stop this siphon of your budget. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Buy less
Maybe this seems obvious, but if you buy less you will have to use what you have, and you will be able to use it in a more timely manner.

Get Your Produce Ready
Fresh produce is so appealing in the store, and then it sits in your refrigerator drawer for a week, and it isn’t so appealing any more. Another week, and it is in the trash. Prevent this waste by cutting up the vegetables all at the same time. That way they are ready when you want a quick snack.

Eat Your Leftovers!
Take them to work. Eat them for dinner. Use them to make something else. If there are a lot of leftovers freeze them for a quick and easy meal later. Don’t throw them in the trash. Our favorite way to clean up the leftovers is to create a buffet from them. Everyone gets to pick what they want, and the leftovers disappear.

Get Chickens
You’ll never ever have to put food scraps in the trash again. They will eat every last shred of food, and give you fresh eggs in return. Maybe chickens aren’t practical for everyone, but how about the next one?

Make Compost
Meat or greasy foods aren’t good for your compost, but just about all other food scraps are.

Wasting food is a problem. There are concerns about its effect on the environment, and about the people that food could be feeding. Wasting food is also a drain on your finances. Cut back and use up what you have to save money, and maybe help to keep the planet a little cleaner too!

Typically, I tend to do things a little differently. It bothers me when people do something because “That is they way we’ve always done it.” Now maybe the way you’ve always done it is a great way. Maybe it is the best way, but do you know? Have you thought about it? Would you be willing to try to do it differently?

That attitude could be applied to a lot of areas of life, but for the purpose of this post the discussion is about household tasks. I don’t want to go against the grain just for the sake of being different, but I also don’t want to only buy XYZ brand just because that was what mom always bought. In general I think through tasks and try to find more efficient and economical ways to get things done, but the other day I caught myself red handed.

I was given Friendship Bread starter a few months ago.  Dutifully I’ve been caring for my starter, and trying new recipes with it. If you’ve ever had this starter, I’m sure you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, let me quickly explain by saying every ten days you create dough for baking, and four more starters. I’ve been freezing my extra starters for future use, or to give to friends.

The other day I was dutifully separating my starter, putting the new starters in their own ziplock bags when it dawned on me what an incredible waste that was. I know ziplocks aren’t that expensive, but four, every ten days, indefinitely. . . .well it adds up. I also had perfectly suitable reusable containers available. Why was I using all these disposable bags? Because that is what the directions said to do. Busted!

You may think not using ziplock bags is extreme, but there really are many ways to save money while you accomplish household tasks. It just takes a little thought sometimes, and a little experimentation.

Take cleaning products. Cleaning with simple items like vinegar and baking soda can save you a lot of money. (see Frugal Cleaning) If you prefer to buy cleansers, generics often work just as well. Whether you choose to buy generics or name brands, chances are you can use a lot less than the recommended amount and still get the job done. Try using only half the laundry detergent suggested. If the clothes are still clean, cut the detergent back even more. Dryer sheets can be cut in half, and still be very effective.

Frugal minded bloggers are a great place to find a wealth of ideas for thinking outside the box. Memes like Frugal Fridays are a great source as are blog carnivals like the Festival of Frugality. Books like the Tightwad Gazette are wonderful too. There are thousands of simple little tricks that can help save you money. What are some of your favorites?

Many of us have set goals to save money this year. Sometimes saving money requires sacrifice, but other things really are fairly easy and painless. Joining in this week’s Frugal Friday theme here are five painless ways to save $100 this year:

1. This winter throw on a sweater and turn down the heat a few degrees.

2. Eat your leftovers!

3. Grow your own veggies and herbs.

4. Never go grocery shopping while hungry.

5. Pack your meals on family outings.

Be sure to take a look at the other participants in the theme for Frugal Friday. On our main site you may be interested in the following articles:

10 Tips to help you save $200 this month
Make an extra $200 this month to pay off debt - 5 steps to get you started.

Twas almost the night before Christmas and all through the lands people were in a panic for their last minute Christmas gifts.

Time is running out for your Christmas purchases. The traffic is crazy. The stores are packed, and you can see the panic in peoples eyes, “We must find something, and find it now.” If you are feeling sucked in by the panic, stop, take a deep breath, and make a plan.

I personally don’t mind shopping in crowds on days like the day after Thanksgiving, or the day after Christmas, but I avoid the last few days before Christmas like the plague! People are too desperate. It is too crazy. If you don’t mind the craziness, there are deals to be had now. I’ve seen ads for some very popular stores offering 40% off winter clothing items and more. Some are even offering door buster sales this weekend. So, maybe procrastination does pay, and you can finish your shopping and save money.

If you want to avoid the retail craziness there still is online shopping. There is still time for express shipping on many items, but it will cost you; plenty! There are some other options that don’t require shipping. Here are some ideas for last minute gifts:

1. Restaurant.com
Buy gift certificates for restaurants that can be printed from home.

2. Video rental membership
Get a subscription from Netflix or Blockbuster Total Access.

3. Museum or zoo memberships.
Buy the membership online. Print out a nice shot of the museum with a note that the membership card is on the way. Put it in a little box to wrap and put under the tree.

4. Subscriptions to online or print magazines.

5. Home baked goods.
Whip up a batch of cookies or a loaf or bread.

6. DIY Gift Certificates
Make your own certificates for services you’re will to provide. You could offer babysitting, cleaning, cooking, car washes, or anything else you think the recipient would appreciate.

You don’t have to get sucked into the panic. Get done what you need to, and then enjoy your holiday with family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

Less than two weeks before Christmas! How are you doing? Hopefully the shopping is complete, and you are putting the finishing touches on your last minute preparations. While you are finishing up and have all your Christmas wrapping supplies out, it a good time to start thinking about the week after Christmas.

Shopping for seasonal items is always cheaper if you shop at the end of the season. Christmas is no exception. The day after Christmas you can find your supplies for next year at 50% off or more. This is the time to buy next year’s Christmas cards, wrapping paper, or gift bags. It is also a wonderful time to add to your decoration collection. Want to change over to LED lights, replace the tree topper, or need a stocking for the new baby? Buying these this year, after Christmas, will save you money.

But the savings doesn’t end there. All those prepackaged gift sets will be marked at least 1/2 off too. I like to pick these up for my gift closest, for upcoming birthdays, or just for things we need. If the packaging is overtly Christmas, simply take it apart and repackage using a gift bag or basket. Many of the packages are suitable to use for other occasions.

You may be surprised at what you find marked down. Just about everything that a store stocks with their Christmas decorations will be marked down. You can find many things that you will use for other seasons, like tape or white tissue paper. You can find things your family needs like underwear, children’s toothbrushes and paste, hair brushes and accessories, and even many clothing items significantly marked down after Christmas simply because they were packaged for Christmas.

So while you are wrapping your presents, keep a pen and paper handy. Make note of any wrapping supplies you may be running low on. Jot down any Christmas decorations you’ve been thinking of replacing, or adding to your collection. List upcoming birthdays or other occasions that you may need a present for.

Then sometime the week after Christmas (the selection will be best the day after) take your list, and head to the store. Remember to stick to your list, and to your budget as you’re shopping. Even the most drastically reduced item is not a good deal if you won’t use it, or don’t have the money for it.

The weather has turned to winter. It has been cold, and there is snow on the ground where I live. The kids have been building snowmen and sled riding. All this cold weather has made hot drinks very attractive. Teas, coffees, and cocoa are delicious ways to take off that winter chill.

Buying those mixes though can be a drain on the grocery budget. Making your own really is very easy, and will save you money. My favorite cocoa recipe is not a mix, but just cocoa made from scratch

2 tsp cocoa
2 scant teaspoons sugar
1 C boiling water
1 C milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Put cocoa, sugar and boiling water into a saucepan. Boil 1 minute, add milk and heat. Do not boil.

Though the above recipe is my favorite for taste, sometimes you just want a mix so all you have to do is boil water. The Hillbilly Housewife has a wide range of tea, coffee, and cocoa mix recipes. My favorite is the hot cocoa mix.

4 C instant nonfat dry milk
1 1/2 - 2 C sugar
1 C powdered non-dairy creamer
2/3 C unsweetened cocoa
1 package instant chocolate or vanilla pudding mix

Put it all in the food processor and process until blended. Add boiling water to 1/3 C of the mix.

I like to make the Rich Vanilla Coffee for myself.
1/3 C instant coffee
1 C instant dry milk
1/2 C powdered coffee creamer
1/3 C sugar
1/4 C instant vanilla pudding

Process in the blender or food processor. Use 1/4 C of mix and add hot water to your cup. Stir and enjoy.

Check out all the other recipes she has on the site. Any of these mixes make great gifts. Put the mix in an airtight container or jar. Make a card with instructions. I like to include the hot cocoa mix in gift baskets at Christmas. I also include some chocolate covered marshmallows in Christmas colors. It make for a very pretty gift.

Enjoy playing in the snow. Then come inside and warm up with a hot drink you made yourself. It will be delicious, and save you some money.

For more frugal tips go to Frugal Fridays.