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!

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!

Ah February, and the cabin fever has set in. The holidays are well behind us, and even the groundhogs can’t decide if spring will be here soon or not. It is the perfect scenario for the winter doldrums. A break in the routine is called for, but you don’t want to break your budget. Here are some ideas:

1. Head to the library.
Check out a juicy book, or a movie. It is free!

2. Look for free days at the museum.
If they don’t have free days, consider a membership. They usually pay for themselves in a couple of visits, and you will have an activity to do year round!

3. Go play outside.
Really! Pick a sunny day, and go play, even if there is snow. Go sledding with the kids, take a walk, or go ice skating. The fresh air and sunshine will be truly invigorating!

4. Do it yourself spa.
Take some time alone, or maybe with a friend, and do your nails, color your hair, or something else that makes you feel pampered and pretty.

5. Learn something new.
Always wanted to learn a craft or a skill. Take the time now, when life tends to be a little slower.

6. Don’t go window shopping.
Unless you have a lot of will power, don’t tempt yourself. At worst you’ll come home with a lot of stuff you don’t need. At the least you will find things you wish you could buy, and be frustrated because you can’t.

7. Enjoy nature, from the house.
Put out a bird feeder near a window. Get a field guide from the library, and keep track of how many birds come to your feeder.

8. Turn off the T.V.
Resist the temptation to just veg in front of the tube in the winter. There isn’t much good on anyhow. Break out the cards or a board game, and enjoy something that makes you use your brain.

9. Connect with family and friends.
Pick up the phone, type an email, or write a letter to someone you haven’t connected with for a long time. If possible you could even go visit. Nothing beats the doldrums like rehashing the good old days with an old friend.

10. De-clutter.
It may not sound like the most exciting option, but you will feel good when it is done. Clean out that closet. Rearrange a room. Organize your desk. Sell things you don’t need anymore on eBay, or donate them to charity. It is a win-win!

Don’t let February leave you with the winter doldrums. Spring really will be here soon, and until then you have plenty of things to keep you active while keeping to your budget.

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.

Are you hosting the Thanksgiving dinner? The family Christmas party?  A New Years party for friends? Or maybe just having a few friends over during the holiday?  There are so many preparations to make, but the one that seems just hover over you like  a cloud (of dust that is) is cleaning the house.

Few of us actually enjoy cleaning, and the cost of all those cleaning products just adds insult to injury. I am here to to tell you don’t do it! No, not the cleaning, that needs to be done, but don’t spend a fortune on a bunch of different products for every task.  A few basic, and cheap, ingredients are all you need to make the house shine before your friends and family arrive.

White Vinegar - Vinegar is an extremely versatile and powerful cleaning agent. A cup of vinegar in a gallon of water is a wonderful floor cleaner. It is also great for washing down walls and other painted surfaces. Vinegar also takes care of mineral deposits from water. It can be used to clean the coffee pot, the bathroom, and the dishwasher. Use it on your windows. Use it as a substitute for fabric softener in the laundry. Wipe down the bathroom surfaces, and even clean the toilet with vinegar. Its uses for cleaning are almost with out limit. Find more ideas at Vinegar: (Almost) the Only Cleaner You’ll Ever Need.

Baking Soda - A paste of baking soda and water is good for scrubbing your counters,  stove top and  sinks. If you need a little more muscle to it add some salt. The salt will act as a mild abrasive. It can also be used to clean floor, but you will have to rinse after mopping. Baking soda can get the black scuff marks off the floor, and  remove coffee and tea stains from surfaces.

Borax - This a great alternative to bleach. Use it for cleaning and deodorizing. Use it in the laundry. Bleach itself is cheap, but can be harsh. If you want the power of bleach, but not the chemical and the smell, Borax is wonderful. And it will not bleach out your colors.

If you are hosting any holiday gatherings this season, a thorough cleaning of the house is probably something that you want to do. Spending a lot on cleaning products is not something you have to do. Use basic and natural cleaning products to make the house shine, and spend your money on more interesting things, like the food and wine.

We all need a little relaxation and enjoyment with our loved one or friends every now and then. Just because you are on budget, by choice or by necessity, doesn’t mean you can’t relax and enjoy life. One of the most common ways to relax and enjoy is dinner and a movie, but that can cost a small fortune. Here are some ideas to keep it enjoyable and in your budget.

Enjoy a nice dinner with a nice price:

1. Cook it at home. I know this may not sound like relaxation and enjoyment, but it really can be. Before my husband and I were married, one of our most memorable dates was an evening we cooked at home. We went to the grocery store and picked foods that were delicious, but relatively easy to make. We made shrimp cocktail, steak, baked potatoes, and salad. We picked up rolls and cheesecake from the store’s bakery. It was fun to cook together. We lit some candles and put on some soft jazz. It was a wonderful meal that cost us less than half what we would have spent in a restaurant. Of course, we did have to do the dishes.

2. Don’t eat dinner, or eat it early. If your schedule accommodates go out for breakfast, or lunch. These meals are much cheaper. If going for dinner, sometimes you can find early bird deals by going before the dinner rush.

3. Go midweek. Many restaurants offer specials during the week that you will not find on the weekends.

4. Look for coupons. Look in the newspaper. If you live in the US coupons can be found in Entertainment Books or at Restaurant.com.

5. Become a mystery shopper and get paid for going out to eat. Really! We have just started this, but so far so good. A great source of information about this topic can be found at Mystery Shopping - Mom Advice.

And a movie for less:

1. Rent one from the library. These will be free or nearly so. You may not be able to get the latest titles, but there are plenty of others to choose from. Take home a few and decide once you are there. Be daring and pick some off the wall titles. If you don’t like it, your not out anything. Many libraries will also allow you to view their collection and even reserve your title online.

2. Rent one. If you can’t find what you want at the library, renting is a lot cheaper than going to the theater. Watch for coupons and specials at your favorite rental place.

3. Go to the dollar theater. Many places have theaters that show current movies for a fraction of the cost. They will not have the newest movies, but often have titles that are still in the full price theaters. Check your area for these great deals.

4. Go early. Some movies are just better seen in the theater. (Those with a lot of special effects, in my opinion, are just not as good at home.) If you simply can not wait for a movie to hit the less expensive theaters, go early in the day. Going to the matinée showings can save you a significant amount.

5. Skip the movie. There are so many other things to do; many of them free. Take a walk in the park. Enjoy the starlit sky. Take in a museum exhibit. Take a bike ride. Just sit and talk to each other. Play a board game or cards.

Living within a budget doesn’t mean the end to all fun and enjoyment. Think creatively. Look for new ideas and ways to enjoy the things you love for less money. I think you’ll find easier to enjoy your relaxation and entertainment when it isn’t costing you a fortune.

Going green is the popular thing to do now. Everywhere you look merchandise is promoted as being green, earth friendly, or environmentally responsible.  Politicians, celebrities and government agencies encourage us to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Frugality, however, it isn’t so popular. Have you seen any full sized newspaper ads or TV commercial spots lately promoting frugality? Besides bloggers, who is leading the charge, encouraging people to be frugal with their resources? Frugality gets a bad rap. It seems to imply cheapness, sacrifice and overall scrooge like behavior to many people, but is being frugal really that far from being green?

If you look at two people, one who considers themselves frugal and one who would call themselves green, they very likely would be engaged in many of the same activities. They may both use cloth diapers, ride their bike to work, keep a vegetable garden, use cloth napkins, hang their laundry on a line, recycle their cans, cook from scratch or set their air conditioning a few degrees higher than last year. Their motivations may be different, but the outcome will be the same. They will both save money, and they will both lower their impact on the environment.

Call it what you want. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Make do with the things you have, and conserve your resources. Be fashionable and call it being green. Be practical and call it being frugal. They really go hand in hand. Just do it and help your budget and the earth.

You already know that the end of the season is the time to shop for things like clothing and household items. Did you know that there are days that are better for shopping than others? The Best Time to Buy Everything is an article that discussed this. I’ve seen it the most in my grocery shopping.

When do you normally do your grocery shopping? Friday, because it is payday? Saturday, because you don’t work, or so you don’t have to take all the kids? There are lots of reasons to pick what day we go shopping. Have you ever considered what days could save you money?

Why does a different day of the week save you money? Most people shop on the weekends. The stores know this, and they stock accordingly. What happens to fresh items, like meat, that didn’t get sold? They get marked down as the sell by date approaches, usually around the middle of the week.

Meat can take a large percentage of your grocery budget, even with adjusting your menu to use less. Meat at my local stores is marked down 30% as the sell by date approaches. The meat is perfectly fine to use soon, or stick in the freezer for later. I almost never buy meat that isn’t marked down. I buy what is marked down, stock up the freezer and plan my meals accordingly.

Other departments to look for mark downs midweek: bakery, dairy, and produce. I usually do my own baking, but when items are marked down 40% it is nice to be able to pick something pre-made up. On mark down, a large loaf of French bread is $0.75. I may be able to make it for that, but for $0.75, it is worth the time savings to me. The day old French bread makes great pizzas.

There are less dairy items marked down, but you can sometimes find them. Mostly, I see the higher end (organic and the like) dairy marked down. You can freeze milk just use a little out of the container first to give the milk room to expand when it freezes. Other dairy can be trickier to store. Before you buy, make sure you will be able to use it. It isn’t a bargain if it ends up in the trash.

Produce also doesn’t not get marked down as frequently. Most commonly I find bananas marked down. Great if you want to freeze some for baking later. Cut fruit, like watermelon and mixed fruit, will get marked down. Of course with those items, you’ll want to be sure they will be eaten soon.

We also save big on bread by shopping the right day. Our local bread thrift store runs manager specials on Wednesdays. Selected types of bread are $0.33 a loaf. It is often the whole grain breads, that we prefer. I can’t make bread for $0.33. We typically stock our freezer every other week.

Keep your eyes open for the mark downs. There aren’t big signs for these, like a sale. Our bakery has a special cart for day old items. One store has a small section of the cooler for marked down meat, but often the marked down items are mixed in with the full priced items. Look for stickers (often yellow) on the packaging. Once you see how your store handles the marked down items, they are easy to pick out.  My kids are trained to look for the mark down stickers, and often point them out to me.

What day is the best day to save money? That depends. I find Wednesdays here usually are good, but I have also found deals on Tuesday and Thursday. There is usually a larger selection in the morning. You may need to experiment to find your best day. For a few weeks, try shopping on different days and at different times. Some weeks there are more mark downs than others so don’t get discouraged if you don’t find much the first time. You could ask someone who works in the departments when items typically get marked down.

Groceries are one of the easiest places to trim your expenses.There are lots of ways to trim the grocery budget. Shopping on the right day is one place to start. I encourage you to try it and see.

Yes, it is the end of July, summer is over half through and I am telling you now is the time to hit the stores for your summer items, for next year that is. Take a look at the families closets. How do the summer clothes look? Are they worn out or too small? Will they make it through another season? Start of a list of things that you may need for next summer.

Don’t stop with the closets though. Think about other summer items that you may want to buy for next summer. Maybe patio furniture, pool toys or camping equipment are on your “want” list. This is the time to shop for these items.

Retailers are gearing up to move out the summer merchandise. It is back to school time in the retail world and they need room for that merchandise. They are drastically marking down summer merchandise already. Here is where you can save big by buying for next year.

This is not only true for new merchandise. If you are a thrift or consignment store shopper, like I am, you can also enjoy big savings. 50% off of resale items equals very cheap!

Now that you are all excited to hit the stores, a couple of cautions.

1. Don’t go crazy. Don’t buy something just because it is a good deal. If you don’t use it, you just wasted your money. Make your list, and stick to it!

2. It isn’t a good deal if you have to use credit to pay for it. Don’t ruin your good deals by paying interest on them. Use cash or your checking account. If you don’t have anything but credit, you are better off not buying now.

So go, find those deals. Enjoy the savings, but stick with what you need and what you have the budget for.