The following is a guest post.
Many people have asked me how our family manages to “make it” on my husband’s salary. It’s not that his salary is low, but more that we have a somewhat large family and survive on only one income.
Here are a few of my tips, for anyone who thinks they might be helpful.
Shop Around
Don’t just comparison shop for groceries. Comparison shop for telephone service, cable or satellite TV, all your insurance, or any major purchase. My husband calls around for car parts and tires. I search online for the best deals for things such as beauty …read more

The following is a guest post. 
This summer we are avoiding day care costs while the kids are out of school by doing some co-op babysitting with a friend in the neighborhood. Between our three kids and their two it can be quite a zoo. Here are some tips for getting the most out of co-op babystting.
Be Flexible
Co-op babysitting is particularly difficult if the parents work part or full time. Work schedules will add to the amount of babysitting schedule changes. But even if neither parent works out of the house, doctor appointments, vacations and more are going to come up. Tell the …read more

The following is a guest post. 
I read in the paper today how some families are cutting down on their expenses by staying home more with their families and buying no name brands, in a sense living simpler. I won’t say that we’ve changed our life completely but we too have stopped eating out as much, but not completely. 
What are some ways you try to save money? Do you buy no name brands? If you do what are they? 
For years we’ve been buying no name or store name cereals, but from time to time we’ve been known to grab the occasional …read more

Each time I turn on the news or open a newspaper, there is information about the rising cost of gas and groceries and people that are struggling to make ends meet.  While there is absolutely nothing I can do about the cost of gas, I can work pretty hard to cut our grocery bill.
Here are some of the biggest and easiest ways to save on groceries:
1)  Look through your cabinet and see what you already have.
2)  Sit down and plan your meals using the sales flyer and considering what you already have in your pantry.
3)  Stock up on items that are …read more

Many of you know that I was a full-time teacher prior to having children.  Cutting out one person’s entire income was an act of faith and determination, which left me pulling out all of my thrifty devices.  Here is a list of the top things that I have done to cut out expenses.
1)  Cut back on the grocery bill.  This is one of the easiest ways that I have cut back on our spending.  I began with my normal tactics of stocking up on great sales and buy 1 get 1 free offers.  Then, I began using The Grocery Game …read more

A few weeks ago, I gave you a list of ways to help you save money on your wedding.  Today I’d like to give you some tools to help you with your budget, expenses, and other wedding plans.  I hope these resources help make things go a little smoother.
RealSimple.com offers a Free Downloadable Wedding Budget Worksheet and some gives some help with Splitting the Wedding Tab.
CostOfWedding.com – Type in your zip code and find out how much couples spend in your area.
WeddingChannel.com – Sign up for free and use their budget calculator to help you track your costs, deposits, and balances …read more

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Here are some thrifty links for your viewing. 
13 Steps to Profitable Auctions from Get Rich Slowly
A Simple Way to Cut Your Monthly Expenses from Christian Business Daily
Shower Monitor Cuts Water Bills.  I wonder if they have these monitors in the United States.  Does anyone know?
The Do-It-Yourself Home Spa Party written by Shelly Ballestero, a licensed esthetician, make-up artist, beauty editor of Lifestyle Magazine, and author.