Crystal over at Biblical Womanhood has posted the newest addition of her menu planning series here.
This is a great read if you're new to menu planning or if you're menu planning challenged (like me). We can all use a little help, right?
Especially me. I know this is a great way to save money and curtail spending, but I am a menu planning flunk out. Really.
Showing posts with label Finances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finances. Show all posts
06 February 2009
21 January 2009
Clothing Savings
How do we save money on clothes in our house?
I buy everything that I can on clearance. This does take a bit of planning on my part as the best deals on clearance clothing generally come in the off season. It also pays off--I was able to buy the boys really nice winter coats for this year during the off season for $8 a piece and shoes for the summer for $4 a piece! My advice is to always check the clearance racks and to plan ahead. Don't limit yourself to clothing for the current season.
I also love, love, love thrift stores! That is where I've always bought the bulk of my own clothing. Part of it is the refusal to spent more than a certain amount on things for myself, but often I am able to get much nicer things than I would have been able to afford brand new. You'd never know where I shop by looking at my clothes. I always score great deals on things at stores like Goodwill. Many stores donate their end of season clearance to Goodwill, so you are able to buy brand-new merchandise for pennies on the dollar!
We also never turn down an offer of hand me downs. I love when my sister cleans out her closet and sends me the goods. We have always been blessed with very nice things for the boys given to us from others.
Freebies 4 Mom has another great Coupons.com tip up with ideas for saving money on clothes. Go check out her ideas here. All of these tips apply to other aspects of household purchasing as well. Think holiday decorations, home decor, linens, etc.
Happy shopping and saving!
I buy everything that I can on clearance. This does take a bit of planning on my part as the best deals on clearance clothing generally come in the off season. It also pays off--I was able to buy the boys really nice winter coats for this year during the off season for $8 a piece and shoes for the summer for $4 a piece! My advice is to always check the clearance racks and to plan ahead. Don't limit yourself to clothing for the current season.
I also love, love, love thrift stores! That is where I've always bought the bulk of my own clothing. Part of it is the refusal to spent more than a certain amount on things for myself, but often I am able to get much nicer things than I would have been able to afford brand new. You'd never know where I shop by looking at my clothes. I always score great deals on things at stores like Goodwill. Many stores donate their end of season clearance to Goodwill, so you are able to buy brand-new merchandise for pennies on the dollar!
We also never turn down an offer of hand me downs. I love when my sister cleans out her closet and sends me the goods. We have always been blessed with very nice things for the boys given to us from others.
Freebies 4 Mom has another great Coupons.com tip up with ideas for saving money on clothes. Go check out her ideas here. All of these tips apply to other aspects of household purchasing as well. Think holiday decorations, home decor, linens, etc.
Happy shopping and saving!
14 January 2009
Eat Out Less
Eating out is one of the biggest financial struggles in our house. $10 here and $10 there can add up very quickly! While it is convenient, eating out can quickly eat a larger than anticipated hole in your budget. In addition, you may be compromising on your health as well depending on where you choose to eat out.
Heather over at Freebies 4 Mom has a great post up here on this very topic. She includes tips on how to avoid an unexpected dinner out. Go check it out!
Heather over at Freebies 4 Mom has a great post up here on this very topic. She includes tips on how to avoid an unexpected dinner out. Go check it out!
11 January 2009
Spending vs. Saving -- as of 1.11.09
I thought a great way to track our spending habits and our savings courtesy of deals and coupons usage would be to post on here each week. I'll be tracking how much we've spent on newspapers etc. for coupons as well as how much we have saved each week, at the end of the month, and year-to-date.
I'm sure it will be interesting for me, and I hope it will helpful and encouraging to you!
Total spent on papers
$0 this week. They were out when I went to check them out. $3.50 YTD
Savings
$36.87 this week. $36.87 YTD.
I'm sure it will be interesting for me, and I hope it will helpful and encouraging to you!
Total spent on papers
$0 this week. They were out when I went to check them out. $3.50 YTD
Savings
$36.87 this week. $36.87 YTD.
09 January 2009
Focusing on Spending Less
Money Saving Mom has a wonderful guest post up right now on this topic.
The author gives a brief story on how she began bargain shopping. She tells how her new hobby has evolved to not just focus on saving more but rather on spending less.
Definitely worth the read!
The author gives a brief story on how she began bargain shopping. She tells how her new hobby has evolved to not just focus on saving more but rather on spending less.
Definitely worth the read!
06 January 2009
2009 Financial Goals
With the beginning of 2009, I thought what better time than now to start building our financial future!
We are beginning the 7 baby steps this month using Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover system, and I am transitioning to an envelope system like this.
I also bought the boys Financial Peace Jr. for Christmas. This Dave Ramsey program is tailored for kids age 3-12. My husband was a little skeptical at first that the kids would get it, but they have been doing well with their commission sheets. They also really enjoy listening to Junior's story on cd.
The first night the 3 year old put plus signs beside each of his duties to show that they had been completed and erased the fines area. Not exactly what we are going for, but it just shows that he does understand.
I invite you to explore Dave Ramsey's site and evaluate if this program is right for your family. If so, feel free to join us on our journey to become debt free as we learn to live like no one else. I'll post each month as we progress along.
We are beginning the 7 baby steps this month using Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover system, and I am transitioning to an envelope system like this.
I also bought the boys Financial Peace Jr. for Christmas. This Dave Ramsey program is tailored for kids age 3-12. My husband was a little skeptical at first that the kids would get it, but they have been doing well with their commission sheets. They also really enjoy listening to Junior's story on cd.
The first night the 3 year old put plus signs beside each of his duties to show that they had been completed and erased the fines area. Not exactly what we are going for, but it just shows that he does understand.
I invite you to explore Dave Ramsey's site and evaluate if this program is right for your family. If so, feel free to join us on our journey to become debt free as we learn to live like no one else. I'll post each month as we progress along.
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