Unclaimed Money

We haven’t even carved our pumpkins, and the Christmas trees are already up at the local retailers’. Their objective is to have you start thinking about Christmas now, start spending now, and keep on spending until the end of the year. They are counting on you to make their holiday profitable.

There is nothing wrong with thinking about Christmas now. In fact, if you haven’t already, I highly recommend that you do. Christmas, like any other expenditure, is best on your wallet when it is planned for. Set a budget. Determine how much can you save from every per pay period between now and Christmas.  Start putting that money aside now.  Make a list of people you will be buying for. Now using your budget amount determine how much you can spend per person. Make it equal by dividing the budget by the number of people, or allocate by who you’d like to spend more on. Beside their name note any ideas that you have for them. Keep your list in your wallet. Trust me this is the best place for it.

Start spending now. Go ahead! Look for sales on the items on your list. Keep the gifts in your budget range, and don’t forget to mark the name on the list “completed” when you have their gifts.

Keep on spending. . . until you have marked all the names off your list. Then STOP!  This is why it is important to keep your list with you. If you are out shopping and see the most adorable thing for baby Q, stop, pull out your list. Do you still need something for baby Q? Have you spent your budgeted amount there? Don’t buy it if you have!

Let the retailers decorate their trees in October. They may intend for it to make you spend more, but you know that by planning now, and shopping carefully until the holidays, you can have a Merry Christmas without the burden of spending more than you could afford.

We lived in our last house about four years. It had a large basement and lots of storage space. When it came time to move, I could hardly believe the amount of stuff that had accumulated in those storage areas. We had to downsize before moving because the distance of our move would not allow for multiple trips, and because the new house did not have nearly the storage space. The move happened fast. There was no time to sell things. We needed to declutter quickly so Goodwill and Freecycle were the recipients  of our excessive stuff.

We moved two years ago, and I am amazed at the amount of things that have accumulated in that time. It seems every cupboard and closet is stuffed to overflowing. It is time to declutter again.

Having too much stuff can cost you money. When storage areas are packed they tend to be disorganized. You can’t remember what is in there, or see what is in there for that matter. Have you ever cleaned out a closet and found a pair of shoes you’d forgotten about or a printer cartridge  you didn’t know you had? Have you ever found an item just after purchasing something similar? It has happened to me!

When there is less stuff you can organize your storage spaces. Then when you need something it is easy to look into the cupboard to see if you already have it, saving you from running out to the store to buy something you already have.

Decluttering can also make you money. Don’t let stuff just sit in your home and collect dust. If you aren’t using it, why do you need to keep it? Have books you haven’t read in years? Sell them on half.com or Amazon. Clothing that just doesn’t fit anymore? Baby items you don’t need? Take them to your local consignment store.  Sell those items or just about anything else using Craigslist, eBay or your local newspaper classifieds. You could also have a garage sale, but I think the return for your time is better using the other methods mentioned.

Decluttering is a constant process in this house. Decluttering helps you to stay organized. Staying organized saves you money. By selling unused, unwanted items, decluttering can also make some money for you.

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.

Life is busy. There is always something demanding our time and our attention. It is easy to feel like you are spinning your wheels, yet the to do list just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  If you are trying to live a frugal lifestyle, you will find many frugal activities require your time in exchange for their money saving benefits. More things to do! Don’t despair. Rest. It will save you money, really.

I’m not talking about a good night’s sleep, though that is very beneficial. I am referring to a day devoted to doing nothing. No deadlines. No to do list. No pressure. A day just for relaxing, and as we call it, piddling. Relaxing doesn’t mean sitting or sleeping all day, though that is fine, if it is what you need. Relax by reading a book, listening to music or taking a walk through the woods. Those are the things that I find relaxing, but perhaps you craft, drink coffee with friends, or piddle on other projects. The point is you engage in activities you enjoy, and feel no pressure to complete. We need these days to replenish ourselves, both physically and mentally.

How does this save you money? In so many ways.  When you are rested the world just looks better.  You can think better. You can look at options, come up with ideas, and plans, and have the ambition to try new things to solve problems.  All of which will save you time and money in the long run.

When you are rested you are less likely to reach for the convenience foods at the grocery store, to run through the drive through, or take the family out for dinner. You’ll have the energy to pack your lunch and make your dinner from scratch. You won’t be needing all those super charged caffeine drinks or the high carbohydrate snacks that go with them, to keep you going either, so skip the overpriced coffee shop too.

Taking time to rest will also benefit your health, making your body more able to fight of the virus’ waiting for the chance to make you sick. Potential savings there in medicine, doctors visits and time off work.  Not to mention the mental drain of trying to function while you are sick.

We need a day to relax. Ideally, it should happen once a week. Though that is not always possible in reality. For my family, days devoted to rest probably happen once every other week on average. If you haven’t had a day to rest in a long while, schedule yourself one now. Yes, put it on your calendar, in big bold letters RELAX! You’ll find it beneficial, mentally, physically and financially.

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.

What To Consider Before Filing

Some people think of bankruptcy as an easy way to offload a crushing debt burden, and it’s sometimes the first method they reach for. Well, it may well relieve the burden, but it’s far from easy and should be the very last thing you use to do so.

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.

Food can be a huge area of the family budget. After all, we all have to eat right? While food is a necessity, spending a lot of money on it is not. Here are a few quick tips to help trim the food budget.

1. Limit dining - Even the least expensive restaurants cost significantly more than you would pay to make the same food at home.

2. Put grocery shopping on a schedule - You will spend less if you only go to the store once or even every other week. The “quick trips for just one thing” usually turn into costly endeavors.

3. Make a shopping list - Keep a list of the things you keep on hand as you run low on them. Plan for the meals you will need between shopping trips, and add those things to your list.

4. Cook from scratch - Buying convenience food at the grocery store is certainly cheaper than going out to eat, but cooking from scratch will save you even more. You may be surprised at how easy some things you are accustomed to buying in the convenience form are to make from scratch. A few that come to mind; pancakes, macaroni and cheese, brownies, cornbread, and sloppy joes. Others may take a bit more time, but usually the taste is worth the effort.

5. Cut back on meat consumption - Meat often takes a lion’s share of the grocery budget. One of the best ways to help cut this cost is to use meat as an ingredient, not a stand alone dish. Make casseroles and stir fries that include sliced chicken instead of serving chicken breasts. Watch for sales on meat and stock up!

When looking to trim your budget, food is often one of the easiest places to start. Implement one or two changes at a time and soon you will notice the difference in the amount of your hard earned cash being consumed.

Summer is here, and with it lots of activities. It seems as though once summer arrives we all want to get out and go. Be careful though, those summer activities can take a toll on your budget. Here are some tips to help keep the costs down.
Research.
This doesn’t have to be a lot of work. Check the event calendars on your local park and library websites. The parks and libraries offer many free or low cost events for all ages. Check the newspapers too. Look for local festivals and events. Many local businesses offer free craft and do it your self classes. Keep your eyes open for free events.

If there is someplace you want to go check their website first. You can find coupons or times that are discounted. For example, by checking the website I found our local art museum is free on Tuesdays and offers free kids classes on Saturday. Another museum near us is free on Thursday nights.

Sometimes the website will have deals you can’t find anywhere else. I learned of a local theater’s free movie camp (children’s movies in the morning) from their web page. I hadn’t seen this advertised anywhere else, not even at the theater itself.

Go early. Go late. Don’t go on the weekends!
In other words go when it isn’t busy. Not only is it more enjoyable, (in my opinion!) it is cheaper. Movies offer matinees, restaurants early bird specials, some museums and amusement parks offer after 5 specials.

Many restaurants and amusements offer great specials during the week. They are busy on the weekends and trying to fill the place during the week. Check for weekday deals!
Buy the Membership.
To the museum, to the zoo or other places your family loves. The cost of the membership is often paid for with two visits. Buy the membership once and use it all year long.

When we lived near a zoo the family membership was $55. What a deal! For $55 we could go to our zoo anytime and as often as we wanted for a year. We could also go to lots of zoos all over the US for free or discounted admission. At the time we lived close enough to five zoos we could visit for a day trip. Other museums, like science museums, offer similar reciprical memberships.

What I really love about the memberships is that we can pick up and go whenever. We don’t have to plan it in the budget, or even plan to spend a whole day to get our money’s worth. We can go for an hour. We can go when the budget is tight, and there is no cash. By the way, memberships are great family gifts to give and receive!

Pack a lunch!
Now that you’ve found free or low cost entertainment, don’t ruin the savings by spending a fortune on food. The food at places like the zoo or amusement parks is so over priced! Save yourself a ton of cash, and pack your lunch and drinks! (or find a cheap place to eat later.)

Stay local.
Travel costs can add up quickly. Most of us don’t fully utilize the treasures found in our own local areas. Think like a tourist. If you were a visitor to the area where would you go? What would you want to see? Discover the gems that are right under your nose.

Enjoy your summer, but keep it in your budget. Research. Stay close to home. Go early or late, and go during the week. Buy the membership and pack your lunch! Fun to be had. Money to be saved.