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

Dave Ramsey

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

If you’ve been here long, you’ll know I’m wild about Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes.  The classes helped to get our family on track financially and to pay off thousands of dollars in debt in just one year!

I was at Dave’s site today and saw that he is having a tremendous sale on a Starter Special.  The starter special includes:

• The Total Money Makeover Book
• Financial Peace Revisited
• Dumping Debt Video – DVD
• Cash Flow Planning Video – DVD
• Financial Peace Software (available for PC users only – not MAC compatible)
• Starter Envelope System

The Starter Special will show you how to:

• Design a sure-fire plan for paying off all debt – pay off the cars, the house, credit cards, everything!
• Recognize and avoid the 10 most dangerous money myths
• Secure a big fat nest egg for emergencies and retirement!
• Give you the knowledge and tools you need to change your financial behavior and win!
• Change your life, relieve the stress that surrounds money, and empower you with the ability to help others

These tools would normally cost you $125, but right now you can get them for $49.98.  Sorry to sound like an infomercial, but I really believe in what Dave teaches.      We’re living proof that it works!

Order the kit at Dave Ramsey’s site.

image from Dave Ramsey’s site

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Through the past few years, we have been incredibly frugal and it has paid off.  We have paid off large amounts of debt and we are now living debt free.  We have also moved and once our house sells, we will no longer have a house payment.  We will be completely and totally debt free, including our house!  I’m so excited!!!!!!

Now I’m in a place I’ve never been in before.  I’m debt free, we now have two incomes, and I have nothing to spend my money on.  Seriously, I live out in the boonies.  We had to drive around for over 20 minutes trying to find somewhere for us to eat for my birthday.  We finally found a fast food Japanese restaurant and it wasn’t good.  I miss my favorite restaurants, that’s for sure!

I have been spending more than I’d like on buying things for the apartment.  You know how it is when you first move.  You need shower curtains, rugs, and other things that easily add up. 

For now, since we don’t have many expenses I’m catching up on buying socks, underwear, and things like that.  Now it’s time to look into some investment options.

Are you debt free? Trying to be debt free?  What kinds of investments would you recommend?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

The first one is debt/credit.  I have no idea why we haven’t added it sooner because we talk a lot about the effects of debt.  I guess in the past we have just lumped it into financial matters.  No more!  I think debt needs a category for itself.

The other category is product reviews.  To save money, before I buy certain items I find myself surfing the web to find out what others say about the product.  We have tested products too, so why not pass on the helpful information to you? 

Don’t worry.  We plan to keep our integrity in tact.  I do not believe in giving an item a good review just because it was given to me.  In fact, earlier this year a product was given to me and I chose not to do the review because I did not have good things to say about the product. 

Our houses are full of products that we like and don’t like and now we can pass our opinions on to you so that you can make a frugal decision.

What else would you like to see at Thrifty Mommy?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Your new Discover Card credit limit is $14,200.00.

Your increased buying power makes Discover Card the best choice for all your purchases.

They even enclosed another three checks.  Oh geez.  How lucky am I?    :p

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Our first giveaway last week was for the Debt Terminator.  Over the past year, my family has become debt free.  I can’t begin to tell you how liberating it is.  I hope Dan and Marsh from Giveaway City enjoy this useful kit.  I thought it was ironic that someone from a giveaway site won this.  Now it’s her turn to receive.

Stay tuned as we announce more winners from the Bloggy Giveaways.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

With our income and me staying at home, many times it seemed impossible to get out of debt.  I’m here to tell you that it can be done and I’d like to help you get started.

I am giving away a Debt Terminator Kit.  The value of this prize is $99.95.  The kit includes information on:

• getting organized
• cash flow
• automobile and mortgage payoff
• smart shopping
• how to control credit card spending
• what credit card companies tell you
• how to avoid credit card fraud
• your first thirty days
• the transfer of wealth
• the consequences of ignoring bills
• how to deal with collection agencies
• credit restoration
• the best way to keep tax records
• and much, much more!

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment below telling why you’d like to win the Debt Terminator. 

If you’d like two entries for this prize, you can write an article about this giveaway and/or Thrifty Mommy on your blog, leaving a link to Thrifty Mommy.  If you decide to use this route, please leave a separate comment below with the link to your article.

If you are a first time commenter your comment will remain in moderation until it is approved.  Good luck everyone!

Please check out my other giveaway at Little Fun; Little Learning.

Click here to see a complete list of Bloggy Giveaway participants and prizes.  I’m sure there will be hundreds to choose from.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Dave Ramsey’s site has a list of places in your area where his Financial Peace classes are being held.  All you have to do is type in your zip code to find out more information.  Click here for the Class Finder.

These classes are becoming more and more popular, as people are seeing the bondage that debt holds and that they can successfully follow this program.  I was amazed to find two upcoming classes where my parents live and seven in my area.  I hope you’ll see if a class is offered where you live.

Also, some of you have asked about Dave’s books.  Although I haven’t read it, I’ve heard great things about his book Total Money Makeover.  Right now, the book is on sale at his site for $14.99.  My friend also told me that this book is on sale at the Christian bookstore right now. 

I hope you’ll join the many others on the journey to Financial Freedom.  It truly is freedom!  You’ll be amazed at how things flow more smoothly once you’re debt free.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Last year, I told you about the Financial Peace classes my husband and I were taking at church.  These classes helped my husband and I to get on the same page financially.  We both saw the bondage that debt had on our lives and ever since then we have worked hard to get out of debt.

It didn’t take long for my husband and I to start selling some of the things we had accumulated.  We’ve been married for over 10 years, so you can only imagine the hobbies, toys, and things we had collected.  One time a friend of ours said that our basement looked like an ebay store.  lol

In the last year, our family has nearly completed baby steps 1, 2, and 3 for financial freedom.  In case you don’t remember, here are the steps:

1.  Save $1,000 to start an emergency fund
2.  Pay off all debt using debt snowball
3.  Save 3-6 months of expenses (This does not mean 3-6 months of income.)
4.  Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
5.  College funding for children
6.  Build wealth and give!  Continue to invest in mutual funds and real estate.

In the past year, we have paid over $12,000 in debt!  Isn’t that amazing?!?  We have our $1,000 emergency fund and were working on 3-6 months of expenses.  And in case you’re wondering, we don’t make a lot of money.  You can do this too!

Let me tell you a fact that most people don’t know.  Within the past year, my husband has been laid off from his job for more than four months!!!!!!  It wasn’t long ago that something such as that would have sent us scrounging for money, stressing to the limits, and racking up tons of debt to stay afloat.  I can’t honestly say that we’re doing fine.  Some days are hard because thoughts of uncertainty sink in, but we’re ok. 

God has provided by allowing us to sell a bunch of stuff that we no longer needed and through other unexpected ways.  Of course, our tax refund and stimulus check helped out too.  I’m just amazed when I think back to where we were last year and where we are now.  I’m looking forward to where we’ll be in another five years.

Have you heard of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace classes and his book, Total Money Makeover?  What do you think of it?

image from Dave Ramsey

Post from: Thrifty Mommy