Search Results for: blog 10 ways to cut your grocery bill 2

Seven Ways to Save $1,000 for Your Emergency Fund

Dave Ramsey, financial guru who has helped so many families get out of debt, recommends that most of us start on the path to financial solvency by first saving up $1,000 toward an emergency fund. By having a solid emergency fund, we are less likely to go into debt, should the unexpected happen, such as the home furnace needing to be replaced, the car needing to be repaired, or the experience of a medical crisis. Saving that $1,000 is the first step of Ramsey’s overall get-out-of-debt plan. How can you save that much when there doesn’t seem to be any … Continue reading →

Keeping the Grocery Bill Low

How do you keep your grocery bill down to the same amount that it was two years ago despite the fact that food has gone up? It isn’t easy, but I am determined. Since our income hasn’t gone up, neither can our spending. We’ve already cut corners in other areas, such as with entertainment and activities. Now it is time to wrestle that grocery bill back down to the ground. Keeping Track I’m now back to keeping a running total of our grocery expenses week to week. Having this running total gives us a number to challenge. Can we spend … Continue reading →

5 Things to Make From Scratch to Save Money

Homemade is usually best, especially when it comes to saving money. Here are five things you can make from scratch to save money. They include homemade cleaners, food prepared from scratch, baby items and more. Pizza Pizza dough is quick and easy when you make it in a bread machine. Even with loads of toppings, two large (restaurant large, not supermarket large) thin-crust pizzas will cost you around $4. For a little more money, you can buy prepared dough, but of course making your pizza completely from scratch means a lower cost as well as a lack of preservatives and … Continue reading →

How to Talk to Your Kids about the Economic Crisis

“How can I talk to my kids about the economic crisis?” It is a common question that most parents face today. As prices on consumable goods rise, from food and gas to the cable bill, and families feel themselves pinched, even the youngest children are starting to notice that things around them are changing. Neighbors and friends may be moving away, favorite stores and restaurants may be closing, and everyone seems to have to sacrifice something they enjoy just to get through this time. Parents should see this time in our history as a teaching moment, but the lessons should … Continue reading →

Donate and Get a Tax Break

Count up those donations and get a tax break! With the Fiscal Cliff looming in 2013, families much do as much as we can to cut our taxes in 2012. Donations and charitable contributions are one way to do just that. Make sure that you make your donations the right way, or you may lose out on valuable deductions. I know December is busy, but if you can take a few hours out of the afternoon for a day or two to collect and deliver donations, you’ll start the new year off with a little financial kickstart, and chances are … Continue reading →

Buying Reduced Produce to Save Money

The next time you go grocery shopping, check out the reduced priced produce at your local store. It will be worth the hunt when you bring home the savings. With food prices growing higher each week, it is important to know what you can do to provide food for your family without going broke. Reduce priced produce isn’t always available, but when it is, you can really save some money. Deals on fruit or vegetables that are less than perfect can cut your grocery bill on these items by half or more. For example, bruised organic apples might sell for … Continue reading →

Designated Days

In the “old days” they used to designate certain days for specific tasks. For instance there was wash day and market day. While there may have been other tasks accomplished on those days, there was a particular focus on certain things. If you are looking to put a new spin on keeping up with the house, why not bring back some of those old ways in a modernized version? Of course, this will depend on the unique needs of your family and how you run your household. One day could be “office day.” If you run a home-based business, you … Continue reading →

Saving Money, Again

As a single parent is there ever a time when you are not stressed about money? If there is, I haven’t found it. I’ve been a single parent for almost as long as I was a married parent and there is always money stress. Through the years I discovered a couple things that helped. Make a budget, I know it’s no fun, but it helps to know what you have and where it goes. If you can’t depend on your child support, don’t include it in your budget, then when you do get it, it’s like a bonus and you … Continue reading →

Save Money, Buy Generic

One of the easiest ways to save money at the grocery store is to buy generic. Just about every item you buy has a store or generic brand and the quality has improved so much over the last several years that you may not be able to tell the difference between brand name and generic. I am not brand loyal, except for ketchup, so I will always try the store brand if it’s a good enough bargain. I did some searching online and found several things that financial experts say you should always buy generic. *Over the counter medications- the … Continue reading →

On This Day in History: January 16 – January 20

Looking for fun ways to spice up your homeschooling plans for this week? Here are some ideas taken from history. January 16 – in 2003, the space shuttle Columbia was launched on its final mission, and ended up exploding on reentry. Talk about space and the solar system, then take paper grocery sacks and cut a face hole in the front. Put it over your child’s head like a space suit. On the inside of the sack, they can draw a speaker and a microphone so they can stay in touch with the “controllers” on “Earth.” Then tell them to … Continue reading →