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

Penny Saving Household Helper: Five Hundred Little Ways to Save Big by Rebecca DiLiberto, Chronicle Books (2009), will make a great tiny stocking stuffer this year for any pal or family member who needs some tips about saving and budgeting.

Penny Saving Household Helper: Five Hundred Little Ways to Save Big is just a tiny little hardcover book;  4-1/2 x 6 in (it’ll fit right in a stocking!) but is packed full with over 500 tips for saving money throughout the home and garden all year long. There are many nice tips for saving money when cooking, stocking the pantry, cleaning, …read more

People waste money each and every day, and all those seemingly small wastes add up to a big old amount of cash that could be used for other more necessary items. Here are some typical ways people waste money:

Not revisiting plans you sign up for: Example – I don’t send that many text messages on my phone. I’m just not a big text person. However, for a while, before I complained, my friends were sending me LOTS of texts that I felt compelled to answer. It ran my bill up so I signed up for a larger text plan size …read more

Nothing is more frustrating to me than a person or family who says they can’t trim their budget any further. Well, ok, maybe people not going green – both frustrate me, however, the money issue is more important it seems to more people, yet still I hear excuses. I have a feeling that there are people and families out there who have cut EVERY possible extra from the budget, but honestly, I think it’s rarer than people and families who have not. In every case where a pal has asked me to help them with a budget, I see the …read more

Cutting your money worries can be tough. Especially in the current economy. Some of us do have major money worries – maybe we’ve been laid off or had hours cut. Maybe we shop too much or gamble. However, even people without actual hardcore money worries do spend time worrying about cash flow. With some of the following ideas you can cut your money worries and maybe sleep a little better at night.

First two extremes – don’t budget the checkbook OR budget to an excess. I’m a budget to an excess type. I have to know where every single penny is …read more

Last year, I wrote numerous articles about grocery shopping, saving money with coupons, stockpiling, The Grocery Game, and getting groceries for next to nothing.  This year, I’m really struggling.

In December, our family moved to a very rural area.  It’s beautiful out here.  The neighbors have llamas, donkeys, horses, and cows.  It’s nice and quiet.  There’s just one problem . . . the only grocery store around is Food Lion. 
Food Lion does have some nice weekly specials that I like to stockpile, but I am really missing my Lowe’s Foods.  Each week, I would print out The Grocery Game list for …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

Lately we have known way too many people who have lost thier jobs.  Karen and I just wanted to let you know that we are praying for all of you who are struggling, regardless of your job status.  But we are especially praying for those of you looking for jobs.
These last few weeks, my family has been hit as well.  We are so thankful to have our jobs.  My job is tenuous but so far, so good.  But my family hasn’t been so fortunate as of late.

My dad was laid off in February
My step-dad was cut to 20 hours a …read more

The other day, I went to Wal-Mart and was walking to the kids section when I noticed the guy marking down the bath wraps that I wanted!  I have been contemplating making it but knew the material alone would cost me $10.  They had them marked down for $2.50.  I was so excited that I bought mine without thinking about Turkey Butt wanting one.
Of course, when I brought it home, she wanted one just like it.  So I went back the next day and they had marked them up to $5 (regular price $10).  I bought her one but it …read more