1)  Avoid gift buying guilt.  Make a list and set a spending limit for each gift.  Don’t give in to the temptation of spending more or buying for extra people.  If you need extra gifts, decide to make money on Craigslist, cutting back on other expenses, or make homemade gifts.

2)  Keep your receipts.  Save someone the embarrassment of asking for the receipt by getting a gift receipt.  Be sure to ask for them at the check out before the end of the transaction.  Also, save your receipt because many times items will go on sale before Christmas.  A few dollars may not be worth your time and gas, but if the item gets drastically reduced you’ll need your receipt to get a price adjustment.

3) Budget for extra expenses.  Many people budget for gifts, but they forget to budget for things such as Christmas cards, stamps, shipping, travel, decorations, and entertaining. 

4)  Avoid credit cards.  Don’t be left with buyer’s remorse after Christmas.  Pay cash for your purchases.

5)  Do your research.  Before making expensive purchases, search the internet for product reviews.  Check Consumer Reports as well.  An hour of work can save you hundreds of dollars. 

What Christmas tips can you offer?

image sxc.hu

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

According to a new study, savers are attracted to spenders.  How can this be?  With all of the fussing, arguing, and disagreeing over money, why would spenders and savers be attracted to one another?  Most people say that they would rather marry someone with similar views on money management.  Who wouldn’t? Despite this logical reasoning, people seem to marry their financial opposite.

Could it be that deep down we are longing for someone to bring out a balance in us?  Without realizing it, could I be glad that someone encourages me to buy things and have a free attitude?  Or did all of this just happen by coincidence? 

What are your thoughts on this?  Did you marry your financial opposite?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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, coffee stops, etc.  Or you could find ways to save on everyday purchases such as groceries.  Decide on how much spending you can eliminate.  Put that money aside into a savings account.

2)  Set a budget and stick to it.  Make a list of everyone you would like to shop for and decide on a dollar amount for gifts.  If necessary, you might have to eliminate a few relatives and friends that you don’t talk to much.  Due to the current economy, I think people are going to be more understanding this year.  That’s just my thought.

3)  Shop smart.  Look for clearance sales, coupon codes, and other ways to spend less.  Consider making homemade gifts.  Shop at discounted stores such as Marshalls, Ross, and T-Maxx.  There are many ways to save.

Other helpful tips:

• How to Cut Down Your Christmas Gift List
• Cutting Back on Your Christmas Expenses
• Plan for Your Holiday Budget Now!

Have you planned for Christmas?

image on file

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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 that are in good condition.  You can find these at yard sales and thrift stores. 

2)  Shop for clearanced items.  Believe it or not, the coffee mug and plate were purchased at Marshall’s for only a few dollars.

3)  Use coupons to purchase food items.  You can combine a sale with a coupon to get boxes of tea or other items very inexpensively.

4)  Check out the selection at your local close-out or dollar store.  Sometimes theses stores get in close-out items that you can get at a fraction of the normal cost. 

5)  Use your prescription promotion coupons to receive gift cards which can be used in the gift basket or to purchase items to include the basket.  The card shown here was free because of a prescription promotion.

6)  Purchase clearanced ribbon or reuse ribbon from gifts you have received.  The ribbon shown here was purchased for about 75% off and only a small portion of the roll was used for this gift.

7)  Shred your own filler paper or purchase it at a dollar store.  You can shred colorful paper to go inside the bottom of your basket or you can purchase some for $1.  You will only need about half of the bag.

8)  Purchase the gift bag at the dollar store.  The dollar store where I shopped had two gift bags in a package for $1 which was half the price of the discount store.

9)  Use craft store coupons.  Your gift recipient may enjoy craft items, but you can purchase other items at craft stores.  Notepads, picture frames, flowers, and decorations are just a few examples.

10)  Add some baked goodies.  Just about everyone enjoys homemade treats.  Add some to a basket for an inexpensive personal touch.

What ways do you save money on gifts?

images (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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 Target runs their prescription promotion, my mom gets extra coupons from her friends and family.  She has their prescriptions filled using the coupon, which gives her a $10 gift card for each prescription.  Then she uses the $10 gift cards for other Target purchases or for gifts.  The promotions are a great way to help your dollars go further.

Do you take advantage of prescription promotions?

image from sxc.hu

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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 you only want a few watermelon seeds, and the seeds are usually cheaper than purchasing pre packaged seeds.
• Swap seeds and plants with neighbors. If you have extra tomato plants, or chives trade them with your neighbor for peppers, or thyme.
• Save your own seeds. You can save your own seeds from many plants for next years crop. Before you save a particular seed do a little research to make sure the plant will grow back true from seeds.
• Start a compost pile, and make your own fertilizer for your garden. This is a huge money saver, and you’re also recycling your waste at the same time.
• Make your own potting soil, by mixing about half regular soil, with half compost. You may have to play around with the mixture a little to suit your soil.

If you have tips for saving money in the garden, feel free to share them in the comment section.

Linette shares more gardening advice at Mother Earth’s Garden, and cooking and gardening advice at The Home and Garden Cafe.

Image L Gerlach

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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 budget for every month.  Spend every dollar on paper before the month begins. Give every dollar of your income a name before the month begins.  This is called zero-based budgeting.  Income-outgo=exactly zero.  Match up every income dollar until you have given it an outgo name (this includes savings).

We have learned the importance of saving for rainy days and having an emergency fund.  We are trying to live a debt free life, even with two house payments.  (Yes, it still hasn’t sold!)

How is your budget?

image from daveramsey.com

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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 may take a few pay periods to find the right amount for each category.

No Credit Needed has posted a great envelope tutorial on youtube.  Check it out.

Are any of you using the envelope system?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

All of this information has got me wondering if $550-600 is a normal amount of money to spend on groceries.  What do you think?  How much does your family spend on groceries each month?  Please let us know approximately how much you spend, if you use coupons, shop sales, and how many people are in your family.  I’m looking forward to some good conversation.  In the meantime, please check out 50 Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill.

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy