My husband is a spender and I am a saver.  I think I’ve worn off on him a bit over the years.  He looks for bargains,  searches for product reviews,  and shops online and in the stores for the best deal he can find before laying out the hard earned dough.  He’s even known to haggle in the stores.  Still, he is a spender and I try to clinch hang on to our money so that we can be financially secure for our future and emergencies.

According to a new study, savers are attracted to spenders.  How can this be?  With …read more

While I’m sure mentioning this topic is going to bring some eye rolls and heavy sighs, we can’t deny that Christmas will be here soon.  So rather than avoiding the issue, let’s take it on and discuss some ways to plan and stay out of debt.  As Dave Ramsey says, “Children do what feels good.  Adults make a plan and follow it.”  I propose that we make a plan to stay out of debt this Christmas.

1)  Audit your spending.  See if there is anything that you’re willing to cut out.  I’m thinking things like lunch out with coworkers, movie rentals, …read more

Many times we want to give someone a special gift, but our budgets are limited.  Gift baskets can make nice gifts without costing a lot of money.  Of course, you will need to make them yourself.

Here is a gift basket that I recently helped my mom make for a birthday present. Included in this gift basket is a mug with matching plate, two boxes of tea, a devotional book, $10 Target gift card, and some peppermints.

Even making this gift basket yourself, you could easily spend $50 or more on these items. Here are some tips on spending less:
1)  Look for used baskets …read more

For those of you who have prescriptions filled regularly, you should be aware of special prescription promotions.  There are many stores that promote extra savings and gift cards for having your new or transferred prescriptions filled at their store. 

Stores such as Target and Rite Aid frequently run prescription promotions.  A typical deal is that the store would offer the customer a $10 gift card for a new or transferred prescription that is filled in their store.  Most promotions usually require a coupon so it is a good idea to keep an eye out for these coupons in your local paper.
Whenever …read more

Guest post by Linette Gerlach
You can plant a garden even on a shoestring budget. For very little money you can grow enough food to help feed your family through the winter.

Here are a few tips to help get you started:

Start your plants in recycled pots, or containers you make yourself. You can make your own plant pots out of newspaper, or egg cartons.
Buy your seeds at the local farm store. There you can buy as much or as little of each type of seed as you want, and you’re paying by the weight. You don’t have to buy extra if …read more

Yesterday I told you about Dave Ramsey’s envelope system which helps budget your money so that you don’t overspend.  I’ve been thinking more about budgets and realize this is a subject that needs to be addressed and it’s also an area in which I need improvement.
A study of Harvard graduates showed that those with with written goals achieve more than others.  Some words from Dave Ramsey:
Your budget is a written goal for your money.  People who win at anything have written goals.  Goals are what you are aiming at.  Your money won’t behave unless you tame it.  You need to have a …read more

As I’ve mentioned before, my husband and I have attended Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes at our church.  These classes were very beneficial to our finances, as well as our marriage.  Finally, we were on the same page financially and were both working toward paying off debt and saving.
One of Dave Ramsey’s tips for budgeting is to use an envelope system.  You simply make an envelope for every area spending which can include: groceries, gas, childcare, entertainment/eating out, clothing, and more.  The envelope system is a great way to keep you from spending more than you had allotted.  It …read more

All Little Man did over the holiday was eat.  Turkey Butt still can’t hold a candle to him and she is 27 months older.
So last night, Little Man chowed down for dinner.  Granted, he will turn 18 months on the 16th but still …

1 cup, 8oz, of spaghetti,
2 strawberry fruit bars,
a hand full of Mac – N – Cheese crackers
8 oz of milk

He will eat me out of house and home when he gets older!

As I write this, I’m sitting in a doctor’s office surfing the net.  (Yes, they have internet.  Awesome, huh?)  I came across an article which states the monthly food stamp allowance is making the largest jump in two decades.  I clicked on the article.  I’m expecting them to say that now they’re giving a family of four $385 instead of $350.  Nope.  Now the benefits for a family of four is going from $542 to $588.  Wow!  Really?  Maybe I am just too much of a penny pincher, but I think $588 a month is a lot of money.  I’m not saying …read more

Guest post by Heather Johnson. 
Who doesn’t love to go out to eat?  Everyone needs a break from slaving over the stove and then worrying about doing the dishes.  But it seems, just like anything else these days, going out to dinner costs too much.  But there are ways to make sure that you and your family get to a restaurant every now and then.  Follow these tips and you’ll start enjoying those nights out again:
1)  Join the club.  Find out if your town or region has a dining club you can join.  Many dining clubs are affiliated with restaurants and they’ll offer special deals …read more