When making big or even small purchase decisions you should always use a “should you buy it” flowchart. Right now, Get Rich Slowly has an excellent version of the should you buy it flowchart (seen below) posted with all sorts of tips about how to use said flowchart and ideas that can help you be a more savvy shopper.

I have my own version of the should you buy it flowchart, but I use a basic list of questions to help me decide about purchases. Because I’m big time into green living, my flowchart actually covers some green issue too.My list is overall pretty simple. Before I buy anything – groceries, gear, toys, etc, I ask myself…

1. Do I need it?
2. How badly do I want it?
3. Can I afford it? Really?
4. Can I use something I already have?
5. Can I borrow one?
6. Will I use it? Really?
7. Is it recyclable? OR can it be used for something else?
8. Is it toxic?
9. How long is it’s life span?
10. Do I need it?

You may have noticed that I question 1 and 10 are the same. It’s the most important question IMO so I ask it twice. It looks silly, but it really helps if you say these out loud while at the store.

You can make your own flowchart or list of Q&A to carry around. What matters most is that you find one that works for you. At first I carried mine around on a slip of paper attached to my wallet. After about a year, it became second nature to ask myself the questions, and I was able to do this in my head.

Do you use a flowchart for purchases – and if not have you considered it?

[image via Get Rich Slowly]

Tomorrow is my birthday so I figured we’d look at some cool birthday money saving ideas. I don’t tend to celebrate too hardcore because being a Thanksgiving baby, throwing another holiday party is not usually an option because all your friends are with their families and it can be expensive with the holidays already costing a ton. Lame!
However, IF you’re not a holiday baby or you want to throw a great party for your kids the following round-up of tips and links should help you do so on a budget.

THE PARTY

Crafty Birthday Party Fun & Savings
Green your party – yes …read more

In safety news, which can save you money on medical costs and more importantly maybe save the life of your baby, one of the biggest crib recalls of all time is going down right now.

More than 2.1 million drop-side cribs by Stork Craft Manufacturing of Canada are being recalled following reports of four infant suffocations. This recall involves 1.2 million cribs in the United States and almost 1 million in Canada, where Stork Craft is based. In an insane twist, this recalled crib has been in production since 1993 which I’m sure is thrilling news to all you parents out …read more

You know all those plastic containers that you get with your yogurt, sour cream, pudding, and margarine?  Rather than chunking them into the trash can and sending them to the landfill, consider some of these uses.

1)  Holding leftovers – Let these become your storage containers for leftovers.  Be sure to grab a permanent marker and some tape or something to label them.  Otherwise, you might forget about your leftovers and think it’s yogurt.
2)  Take to a potluck – These are great for sending food home with others.  Be sure to take extras to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.  You don’t have …read more

I always skip Black Friday. Frankly, minus the occasional really good score, Black Friday is an over-hyped experience that’s both stressful and NOT that budget minded in my opinion.I’m not the only one who thinks so either. Take a look at the following 7 reasons to skip Black Friday…
1. All this stuff is not a-ok for the earth: Check out the video below – which by the way, is an older Buy Nothing Day ad (hence them saying Buy Nothing Day is the 26th – it’s really the 27th this year, but the ad is still relevant. Also, this ad …read more

Normally when I get my Real Simple magazine in the mail, I flip through it quickly or I toss it into my magazine basket to look at later when I have more time.  I’m so glad I didn’t do that this month or I might have missed out on this super coupon.  Right between pages 124 and 125 is a coupon that’s good for $5 off a $5 purchase at Hallmark. 

Come to find out, there are several other magazines that have these $5 coupons in their December issues.  Here are a list of magazines to find the coupon:

Real Simple – …read more

This week the Great American Smokeout Challenge took place.  The smokeout is an annual event in the United States to encourage people to stop smoking.  It always takes place the third Thursday of November.  Even though this day has already passed, it’s not too late to quit.

If a person smokes just one pack of cigarettes each day for 20 years, the cost of the unhealthy habit will be at least $25,000.  Think of what you could do with $25,000!  The thing is, smoking just doesn’t cost you money for cigarettes, it also costs you money for other things such as higher premiums on …read more

If you’re shopping around for a new bank or credit union, you should take a few minutes to research your choices at Bankrate. Bankrate offers a Safe & Sound rating service that looks at the relative financial strength and stability of U.S. commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions. The Bankrate system applies 22 tests to each institution to measure the following…

Capital adequacy.
Asset quality.
Profitability.
Liquidity.

Of course you shouldn’t rely on one system when choosing a bank. You should actually head into the nearest branch, look around, talk to some folks, and so on, but getting a basic overview …read more

It’s easy to save money on holiday meals using some basic common sense, sharing in the meal prep, and keeping it green. Shop early: Finding holiday fare on sale means shopping early. You can pick up a budget turkey right after Thanksgiving, and freeze it til Christmas.

When you wait too long, you may be forced to pick up national vs. store brands of items like condensed milk and pie filling, which will cost you.  Save fresh fruits and veggies as day before buys, but get everything else early.
Share the fame: I know folks who want to whip up an entire …read more

Thanksgiving is only a week away.  I know, I can hardly believe it.  To save you some time, I’ve been searching around for great resources for you.  There’s a wide variety to choose from.  Enjoy!

For the kids:

Thankful tree
Thanksgiving coloring pages
Thanksgiving place mat
Planning Thanksgiving for the Kids
Thanksgiving turkey banner craft
Thanksgiving Children’s Activities
Thanksgiving Party Games and Activities for Kids
Thanksgiving word scramble
Fall and Thanksgiving songs
Thanksgiving place mat Craft for Kids
Thankful pumpkins
Rustic vests
Pumpkin song
Thanksgiving baby bibs

Decorating and Entertaining:

Thanksgiving scripture place cards
Pumpkin Serving Dishes
Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner
5 Ways to Save Money on Entertaining
Easy Gourd and Candle Fall Centerpieces
Fall Party Centerpiece Ideas with Gourds
Apple …read more