Oprah’s Debt Diet: Phase Two…Planning a Monthly Budget

This year Oprah Winfrey has been challenging Americans to get out of debt and take control of their spending. She calls this America’s Debt Diet. Phase Two of the debt diet starts with planning a monthly family budget To begin a monthly budget for your family, write down all of your monthly expenses, estimating as best as possible. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking ahead to your expenses: * Take a look at your calendar and note upcoming events that might cost money. * Make sure to account for unexpected or emergency expenses. Perhaps you … Continue reading →

The Financially Confident Woman, Part I

These tips are taken from the book, The Financially Confident Woman: 9 Habits That Build Your Financial Security, by Mary Hunt. Listed below are the 9 habits and a few wise quotes: A financially confident woman is a giver. * Find a way to serve others and your life will have meaning. * There is something about the act of giving that cannot be explained in purely rational terms. I believe with all my heart that the act of giving invites God’s supernatural intervention into our lives and our finances. I don’t know about you, but the idea of opening … Continue reading →

Cheap Eats–What to do with Leftovers

The cheapest meals are those that include ingredients that you’ve already cooked and paid for–otherwise known as leftovers. There are quite a few things that you can make with the leftovers that might otherwise end up in the garbage. Some of the most obvious meals are casseroles, pot pies, soups or stews. The recipes below can all be altered depending on what you have around the house. Easy Pot Pie 1-2 cups leftover meat, diced 1-2 cups gravy or cream of mushroom or chicken soup 2 cups leftover mixed vegetables 1 cup all-purpose baking mix 1/2 cup milk 1 egg … Continue reading →

The Best Time to Buy

Did you know that there is one day of the week that you can get airline tickets for the cheapest price? Or that if you wait for just the right time of year you can get the best bargain on toys? There really is a best time to buy nearly everything, from a new home right down to the television for the family room. According to an article by CNNmoney.com, there are a few tips to getting better deals on some of your biggest purchases: Airline Tickets Surprisingly, Wednesday is the best day of the week to purchase airline tickets. … Continue reading →

The Richest Man in Babylon

There are only a few books that I would suggest as required reading for everyone. One of these is titled The Richest Man in Babylon, by George S. Clason. This book teaches tremendous lessons about finance and saving by telling a humorous story set in ancient Babylon. It is not just another boring book about money. It has become one of the most popular and well-loved books about personal finance the world over. The first chapter of the book is titled, “The Man Who Desired Gold.” It tells the story of a Babylonian man named Bansir who was frustrated that … Continue reading →

Cheaper than Flower Shops

Besides a smiling baby, there is nothing else that can light up a room as much as fresh flowers. When my husband splurges and buys me some, my room seems to take on a more sophisticated and tranquil tone. Even when the colorful flowers seem to grow out of the dirty mess that is left cluttering the dining table, the room still somehow looks much more pleasant. The downside to having fresh flowers in your home is, of course, the cost of buying them from a florist. Fortunately, there are other places that you can get flowers to brighten up … Continue reading →

Too Many Batteries!

Browsing through the toy isles at any store, you might notice a common theme—-buttons, lights, music, and motion. What do these things all translate into? Well, batteries, of course. In my opinion, battery-operated toys have gotten out of control. Half of these toys have the beloved disclaimer, “batteries not included.” The toys that do include batteries have cheap ones that barely last long enough for you to test the toys at the store. Think of battery-operated toys as toys with upkeep costs. They require money every so often to keep them running. I personally have stopped buying these types of … Continue reading →

Party Central: A Month-by-Month Guide to Entertaining on the Cheap

Here’s a book that shows it is possible to throw an awesome party without spending a fortune. Budget Living has produced the book filled Party Central with guides for a fun party each month of the year. The book includes easy recipes, simple decorating tips, and inexpensive shopping lists that make throwing an inexpensive bash easier (and more fun) than ever. If nothing else, this book is a fun read–with lots of pictures of menu items and decorating ideas. Each month has a party with a different theme. Some of the themes are not surprising, like a New Year’s Eve … Continue reading →

Cheap Cleaning Tricks from The Tightwad Gazette

Searching through the pages of Amy Dacyczyn’s The Tightwad Gazette, I found many ways that we all can cut costs on our everyday household cleaning. I have spent too much money and energy trying to find just the right cleaner for various jobs. Then, I realized that you can use simple things like ammonia and vinegar. The funny thing is, I’ve found that expensive cleaning aids really don’t get the job done any better than old-fashioned remedies. Listed below are a few of my favorite tips: Tip #1: No need to buy the latest Wonder Cleaner from the store, just … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Bisquick Mix

Here is a recipe for making your own Bisquick mix. No need to spend money on it at the store, since most of the ingredients you already have on hand. I got the recipe below from my aunt. It includes dry milk, which honestly, I have never added when I’ve made this mix. Without the dry milk it turns out just fine, as long as you add milk to the recipe instead of water. All-Purpose Mix 4 ½ c sifted flour 2 Tbsp sugar 1 Tbsp + 1 ½ tsp baking powder 1 c shortening ½ tsp salt 2/3 c … Continue reading →