An “Organized Christmas” Makes for a Happier Holiday:

The first place to stop when you’re ready to prepare for a happier holiday is: http://christmas.organizedhome.com/holiday-grand-plan

Their “Grand Plan” printable calendar began August 28.   They have  planning sheets and inspiration for a less-stress holiday you can look forward to.

Check out their “Rudolph Club” also, where on the 25^th of every month, they devote some time and planning to Christmas.

Share a Summer Memory as Your Holiday Photo:

Give those on your Christmas list a cheery, summery photo of your family that will be a welcome site come winter.   Once you have your photo, shop for a great deal on prints or photo gifts.  Make Your Holiday Gifts Now:

Plan some “Get Ready for Christmas Days” 

Gather your supplies and when the weather turns colder, you’ll be ready to create!   Making homemade gifts from canning, sewing, scrapbooking and other handmade gifts can be fun now, instead of trying to finish them amidst other holiday activities.

Clearances – Think Christmas!

When you’re perusing the clearance aisles, look for inexpensive items that would make great gifts.  Birdfeeders, yard décor, and other items that stores will want to clearance this summer will brighten someone’s Christmas. 

Begin Saving For Christmas Spending:

Create a festive jar which will remind you of the holidays.  Toss your change and other extra funds into the jar.  Practice a little bit of “delayed gratification” by forgoing a coffee and instead, putting that money into your “Christmas Jar”.

Families:  Begin the Holiday Conversations:

As summer comes to a close, begin talking to family and extended family about holiday plans.  If your holidays include travel, start comparing prices for flights.  Talk about gift-giving options.  Be creative and consider “group gifts” or drawing names to decrease the amount of gifts you have to buy – opening the opportunity to give gifts that are more significant and focused on your selected recipient.

Research Traditions:

Visit your local library or the internet and do some research on fun holiday traditions.  If you’re like me, implementing new traditions takes a bit more planning than usual, so early fall is the time we need.  Select a few new recipes or activities and add them to your planning calendar. 

Inspire the Holiday Spirit in Others:

When you are getting together with friends, share your favorite holiday memories.  Talk about what traditions you look forward to.  Exchange ideas and delicious recipes.  Host a “Christmas Party” crafting time, including Christmas cookies and music.  Your friends will thank you for helping them get ready for Christmas too!

We know that store sales cycles of most products revolve in 12-13 week cycles.  Stocking up on cereal, snacks, etc. should be done, within budget, when those items are on sale.  Use coupons if possible or enjoy your store brand favorites.   Meat prices also revolve; buy two week’s worth now, saving on the cost of meat for next week.

Meal planning can be as simple as spending a few minutes looking at what you have at home, your schedule for the upcoming week, and a reading of the “Good Deal Alerts” from your favorite stores (found  by visiting local money-saving websites).   The pre-shopping “Home Review”, as we’ll call it, is a good first step for those new to planning.  Knowing what you have is the fastest way to see a decrease in your spending.  Everyone should review their refrigerator, freezer and pantry on a regular basis to avoid wasting food.  Statistics tell us that we throw away up to 40 percent of the food we purchase – that’s a lot of money wasted! (WastedFood.com)

Weekly meal planning doesn’t have to be daunting task.   Websites such as Meals4Moms, OrganizedHome.com, DonnaYoung.org, ChartJungle.com, TheHomeschoolMom.com and others have prepared printable meal planning sheets.  Some of the websites offer links to files you can customize, then print.  Food manufacturer and online recipe websites offer you menu planners and/or recipe indexes based on diets, ingredients you already have, kid preferences, and special occasions. 

My favorite printable meal planning tool is the Grocery List/Meal Planner sheet found at Menus4Moms.com.  I print several  for a month of meal planning and efficient grocery shopping.

Here are my meal planning tips for you:

Our schedule determines our meals.  I plan to “cook once, eat twice” in between busy family days.  Summer means crock-pot meals and the use of our bbq.  Fall and winter are great for my indoor grill, crock pot and baking.  When I buy chicken breasts or pork chops in bulk, I freeze them in meal-sized amounts with marinade, Italian salad dressing or cream soups.  Marinating as they thaw, they are ready to toss into the oven or crock-pot.  An hour before serving, I add vegetables to the crockpot, serving the juicy mix over rice or noodles.  We love our rice cooker – for breakfast or dinner- rice is deliciously easy.

We avoid wasting food by packaging our own “convenience meals” for my husband’s work meals and my “too busy to eat well” days.  We compliment the packaged meals with divided portions of cream cheese (for bagels), cottage cheese (add pineapple, pears, or peaches), cheese sticks and hardboiled eggs.  Produce is washed and divided into a few day’s worth of snack-ready bags.  Brownies and cookies are made several batches at a time and divided, then frozen for long-term storage.  Beans stretch meat in meals and are also the feature of meatless fajitas or soups. 

When produce is plentiful, I freeze sauces and slices of fruit for winter delights.  Berries are picked from farms and frozen.  Those goodies are then pie-baking or breakfast-ready.  Brown bananas are frozen, and then thawed in the refrigerator for morning smoothies.  Our summer garden saves us money on herbs and root vegetables. 

My children are more interested in the shopping trips, use of frugal-sense, preparation and eating of meals when I include them in the process.  I find that they each have their own specialties or elements of the meal process they enjoy most.  Pride, creativity, and a legacy of family meals grow right along with them.  I save money, as they learn to like better food choices and delight in homemade snacks. 

Nutritional Meal Ideas:  Find “How To’s”, printables and helpful meal planners at ChooseMyPlate.gov

Patience is needed both in the store and with your coupons.  Marketers want you to clip the Sunday coupons – and use them sooner than is most valuable to you.  Experience will show you that coupons held until the corresponding sale occurs will save you more money.  You may score further savings with a “Catalina” instant rebate or free item.  That’s patience at work; creating opportunity with your preparation – so you score the best deal.

Proper Organization – Clip your coupons and organize them in a manner which is ready to go with you – where you’ll find them when you need them.  Maintained organization means less work and more value from the time you’ve spent on preparation.  Most couponers do not remain with their initial organization methods, so choose one and be ready to revise as your couponing increases. 

 Organization Possibilities:

 Individual envelopes for each store (with your meal plan and/or shopping list written on the outside)

An index/recipe/shoe box containing separated coupons (in envelopes or other sorts of dividers)

Purse-size coupon file; for longevity, choose plastic files.  File coupons by common grocery categories, alphabetically by brand name, or in order of your most shopped grocery store – it’s your choice. 

Coupon Binder; transform a zipper-closure, 3-ring binder into an ergonomic couponing tool.  Utilize 3-ring folders and page protector sleeves to hold coupon policies, weekly ads, etc.  Pockets are handy for calculators, scissors, pens, envelopes, etc.  Many money-saving couponer websites have photos and narrative instructions on how they organize coupons.

“The Couponizer”;  A ready-to-use tool that is also designed with some custom features.  This visual organizer includes pockets for receipts, grocery list, and savings tracker.  Its design is a combination between a coupon file and a coupon binder.  You can use the included categories or using mailing labels, change the groupings for what you buy most often. 

As space allows, add files, pages or pockets for “RAOCK’s” (Random Acts of Coupon Kindesses), coupons you’ve found along the way but have yet to file, “CheckOut Goodies”, and “Checkout Stack” – and, perhaps a file or pocket for each individual store on your route.

Coupon Insert Files:  As you spread the word you’re couponing, you’ll collect more inserts than you may clip from.  To utilize online coupon databases, you’ll want to organize your inserts chronologically.  An accordion file, filing cabinet drawer or large shoebox works well.  Write the distribution date of the insert in permanent marker on the front cover – as covers can be similar within a month’s time.  The date is found on the spine of the insert.  Where the coupon insert came from is also on the spine, and helpful information if you want to seek out more of that particular insert.

Other Useful Tools:

From the same websites which you printed shopping lists, you can also find “pantry” or “freezer” inventories.  At-a-glance you can see what you have to plan meals with, and what perhaps needs to be added to your shopping list.   Once you find an inventory sheet that you like, expand your forms to include gift-closet lists and other places in your life where important items come and go from.  Use of what you have on hand, (that you already spent your money on) saves you time, money and energy over buying it again at a higher price.  “One-item” trips to the store or last minute holiday buying blitzes we know, can be very damaging to our savings goals.

“Good Meals, Better Deals” is our next discussion, as we talk about how to make great meals out of our shopping trips.  Please share your organization ideas – and stay tuned for July’s series as we continue to share money-saving skills.

Just today, the article was published on BankRate.com:
<a href=”http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/coupon-clubs-save-a-buck-at-a-coupon-swap-1.aspx“>

North Whidbey Coupon Club welcomes new and experienced couponers. We are supported by our Whidbey Island project “Coupons for Our Community”, which collects weekend coupons inserts. These inserts are shared with guests of the Whidbey Coupon Clubs.

North Whidbey Coupon Club meetings are “open-house” in format. You’re welcome to join us anytime during our meeting hours – once a week, once a month, or simply to visit to learn more about how we are helping families.

Tuesday Nights: “Regency on Whidbey” Dining Room, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Friday Mornings: Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 9:30 – 11:30 AM

Second Saturday of Every Month: Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 9:30 – 11:30 AM

We’re on Facebook: “Whidbey Coupon Club”

Our once-weekly email update/Good Deal Alert is available to anyone, regardless of their participation in the in-person coupon club meetings. Subscribe at ahannold@facebook.com.

As a mom of two kids, who are 7 and 13, I’m excited to announce that I’ve been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. Time4Learning can be used for homeschool, afterschool and summer skill sharpening. Be sure to come back and read about my experience

You can find Time4Learning at Time4Learning.com.

Time Can Be On Your Side: 

Any shopper, with or without coupons, can spend less everyday by realizing the sales cycle in their area.  In most areas, sales cycles range from 6-8 weeks to 12 weeks.  Buy “staple” items when they’re on sale.  Buy enough to see you through until the items are on sale again.  Coupons can increase your savings, especially when you “stack” the coupon discount with a sale price.  Track the sale prices of your most-used items so that you know your “buying” price is.  You’ll then be able to quickly spot a good deal.

Use Your Resources Wisely:

What you have at home, can make, or “make-do” is money you’ve already spent which will save you money today.  When money is tight, shop from home first – then add inexpensive ingredients from the store.  Note expiration dates, utilize pantry inventory sheets and be creative.  Always have a “Friday Night Falldown” meal on hand – when you’re tired and tempted to order-in.  Don’t let food go to waste; research fun “leftover meals”. 

Plan to Save:

It begins with making a grocery list (statistically, you will spend less!) and could grow into a habit of menu planning.  Don’t walk into a store unarmed.  Know what’s on sale, where the discount aisles are, and what you need.  Save time and money with your list – you won’t buy what you don’t need – and you’ll save on extra, costly trips later on.

Go to “Frugal School”

In your circle of friends/family, find people who are more frugal than you are.  If you look around and don’t find anyone, become that person!  Get a group together and make some “Frugal Learning Goals”.  On the internet, follow a local blogger who writes about good deals in your area.  Grocery store deals, coupons and policies are regional; be sure to connect to local people “in the know”. 

Once You’re In the Store:

Have your list, coupons, and perhaps your menu plan in hand.  Educate yourself on the store’s promotions and any policy which will save you money.  Shop the outside areas of a store and you’ll buy healthier meals. Buying fresher ingredients will encourage you to find new, less-expensive recipes.  Try the store brand, many are good – some are better!

And Onto Next Month:  When you see you’ve spent less this month, note what made the difference.  Learn an additional resource or tactic for spending less.  Keep the competition on with yourself and a shopping partner or frugal friend.  Share this adventure with your kids as they’re able – and you’ll be leaving a legacy of smart shoppers!

1.  Educate Yourself:  Be aware of current store policies, coupon-acceptance guidelines and sale promotions.  Shoppers may opt to carry a copy of the store’s coupon acceptance policy (for polite verification, not clerk-abuse).

 2.  Make Friends and Allies:  Build personable relationships with store employees and your fellow shoppers.   Check in with the Customer Service desk often. Share your coupons with those you meet during your shopping trips.  Be “Politely Persistent” when an issue arises.  Don’t fight to be right; instead work to resolve the situation.  Your future couponing experiences (and those of other couponers) will be easier.

 3.  Create – and Know Your Shopping Plan:  Specifically write down what you intend to buy.  This includes:  Item (with variety/size), Sale Price, Coupon Discount, Promotion Discount, and Bottom Line Price.  If you’re going to implement more than one transaction at a particular store, designate those separately.  When anxiety or distraction occurs, you’ll be able to rely on your written plan.  Carry a copy of the store ad with you as you shop.

 4.  Prepare Your Coupons:  As you write your shopping plan, collate coupons for each transaction into separate paperclips or divide it with index cards in your coupon holder.  Be sure you’ve scanned for expiration dates, valid sizes/varieties, and the discount amount (is it off one or two items?)

 5.  Have a Plan B (and C, Perhaps D):  Know your shopping plan well enough that you can choose alternate items, if a desired product is out of stock.  Place your “Plan B” coupons separate from your planned transaction coupons. 

 6. Timing:  Couponing is more fun and sociable when the store is less busy.  If you have “coupon-use anxiety”, you’ll feel more relaxed and clear-minded to implement your shopping plan during slower shopping periods. 

When the store is less crowded, the reception you’ll receive from store employees should be more positive.  Our own perceptions that we’re holding up the line (whether we are or not) and the negative stares from seemingly inconvenienced folks around you – all of that is worse during the busiest shopping periods – plan accordingly.   

7.  Shop with a Friend:  Enlist the “buddy system” when shopping to help you through your list, or to shop along side you. It’s more fun with a friend!

8.  Leave the Distractions at Home:  As 24/7 Moms, this can be tough.  When possible, do leave the kids (and the spouse?) at home.  You’ll save time, temper and money when you shop without counter-productive hands, mouths, and motives. 

9. Going with the Kids? Be at Your Best!:  Shopping with the kids takes an extra measure of patience and energy.  Choose to shop when your team is at their best – not tired, hungry, sick or otherwise inconsolable. Avoid bribing, but do expect and discuss appropriate shopping behavior.   

10.  Arm Yourself with Activities: Bring activities for your children.  As the kids are learning their numbers and letters, have them complete a scavenger hunt or “I-Spy” game.  When they’re old enough – involve them in the process.  Ask them to help you with completing the list, comparison shopping, etc. 

Extra Tip:  I once saw a great idea a mom had for her toddlers.  She had small notebooks or clipboards, just for shopping trips.  Internet-printed activity pages, coloring books, or a “My Shopping List” for kids kept them happier in the cart.

There is a whole lot of “staging” that goes into the creation of each segment.  Pertinent details are left out.  What is included however, are lots eye-popping hauls of groceries for small amounts of money.  In order to score these astounding receipts requires coupon policies not available to many regions in the country.  In addition, these “Extreme Couponers” are usually not shopping for their weekly meals. For their television cameo, these couponers prepare to take home the most, for the least amount of cash.

“Extreme Couponing” can be inspiring and entertaining.  The show has chosen an assortment of skilled coupon users.  Each is a bit unique in their philosophies.  I applaud those who give their loot to charities, including care packages to soldiers.  However, when it comes to couponing, I have to express that TLC, being The Learning Channel, is missing a great opportunity to really help families in a time of rampant need in our country.  Everyday, I am asked about the program- often from new couponers who want to know how they can get started.  Here is what we can learn from “Extreme Couponing”:

1.        Preparation Pays:  Before you hit the store, know what you’re buying, the savings you expect to receive and have a few “Plan-B’s” ready.  Expect a challenge in getting the deal and be prepared for it.  If you plan to buy a whole lot of a particular product, ask to make a special order so that you know it’s available.  Ordering also shows consideration; your haul does not eliminate others from getting their share of a great deal.

2.       Organized – The Only Way to Coupon:  Whether you use a series of envelopes, a coupon file or a binder – be organized.  Couponing won’t be much fun or valuable if you’re always playing “lost and found” with your coupons.  Be efficient and clutter-free – you’ll save time too!

3.       A List Makes Things Go Smoothly:  As you prepare, make a comprehensive list.  The list should include the product, variety/size, sale price, promotions to be deducted, coupons you have and the “net” price you expect to pay.  Especially for new couponers or couponers traveling with distractions, a list can help you stay on track.  A good list reduces “after-receipt” surprises when you realize you’ve paid full price for something.

4.       Networking is a Necessity:  Make and maintain relationships with the store manager and all of the other store employees.  There is valuable information to be gained when you take the time to get to know the store.  Networking also includes other couponers, the websites of manufacturers, and resources in the community where you can give/gain assistance.

5.       Enlist the Help of a Friend:  Shopping as a team gives you the advantage of another set of eyes and ears on your side.  Working together makes the “chore” parts more fun and the “saving” parts of couponing more of a celebration.

6.       Cashier Friendly, Cash Out Consciously:  Couponing can be more of an effort than shopping without coupons – however, don’t fall asleep or be irritable at the checkout counter.  Watch the register for possible errors – theirs or yours.  Maintain an attitude of “polite persistence”.  (That includes those behind you in line – which you may want to let in front of you). 

7.       Sharing Pays Many Dividends:  Just as those profiled on “Extreme Couponing” are inspiring you, pass along the love to others.  Give graciously to those in need; give gifts from your stockpile to new babies and neighbors.  Teach others to shop for the best deals.   As you shop, practice “RAOCK’s” (Random Acts of Coupon Kindnesses”); give diaper coupons to moms and Polident coupons to the Grandmas!  The store will be more fun to shop when those around you cheer you on and share in the money saving opportunities. 

8.       Love the Loved Ones:  The couponing process takes time, energy and money.  Be sure couponing is not eclipsing you from your family.  Store away a few surprise goodies and give out lots of compliments when you’re supported.  If you’re not, consider what motivates/concerns your family and find ways to address those through couponing.

Begin your changes slowly, investigating the possibilities and trying your new mixes with an experimenting-spirit.  As you become more versed in using homemade cleaning solutions, you will very likely save time, avoid common toxins and spend less money.

When researching this topic, the other tips I found repeated often were:

*Purchase new spray bottles and other sealable containers for your homemade cleaning mixes. 

*Label the cleaning solutions clearly, and keep a notebook (or file) of your successful recipes so that you can duplicate them easily later. 

*Maintain the same baby-proofing precautions with your homemade cleaning solutions as you would with commercial products.

*Essential oils and other ingredients may become as costly as commercial concoctions. Work with your friends to purchase them in bulk together or at least share when possible.

Baking soda, as you may have heard, is not just for baking.   As a kid, my mom always had us dip our toothbrushes in baking soda, now they have made Arm n Hammer baking soda toothpaste.  I guess Mom had the right idea!  Many products, following the trend of frugal and more natural cleaning, are boasting that they contain baking soda.  Baking soda is very affordable and can cut many costs of maintaining your home.  Make-Stuff. Com has a list of “Sixty Uses For Baking Soda”:

http://www.make-stuff.com/cooking/baking_soda.html

Vinegar is another more affordable product to use for your homemaking needs.  It’s not just for pickles, anymore!  As you’re gathering in fall apples, did you know vinegar will help deter the fruit flies?  Mixed with other common ingredients such as olive oil and lemon juice, you can freshen up your home.  Here is a list of “Vinegar Tips”:

http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7

Salt, I read is another wonder-product which can do more than season – it can clean, freshen and solve several kitchen conundrums.  Now, take it “with a grain of salt” (Trial and error is the spirit), but here are “Sixty Uses for Table Salt”, by BellyBytes.com (check out their long list of healthy recipes too!):

http://www.bellybytes.com/articles/salt.shtml

“Housework won’t kill you, but then again, why take the chance! ”
–Phyllis Diller

Friends and Family: Pre-arrange details, divide up the work, and be sure to have the contact information of those not attending the sale, for pricing and merchandise questions.

When?! Some sellers believe that choosing a weekend around the first or the fifteenth of the month is more profitable. Inform neighbors of your sale. Advocate respect of their property from your buyers.

Best Signs, More Profit!: Durable homemade signs work as well as purchased kits.(Larger cardboard boxes or poster board reinforced with sticks or sandwich-board type signs with balloons attached?) Don’t list what you’re selling onto your sign -drivers can’t read the inventory of your sale—just get them there!  When you make great signs, your sale stands out and brings in better profit.

Can You Be Found?: Use wide-tipped permanent markers. Write in block letters, with arrows large enough to follow from several feet away. Uniformity in your signs leads buyers to your sale. If there is more than a mile or two between a sign and your sale, a brightly colored arrow steers drivers in the right direction. If your home is off the main road by several miles, writing “5 miles” on your sign may avoid buyers getting lost.

Find your good stuff: Ensure you have the manuals or accessories for items being sold. Presenting your items in good repair & cleanliness will increase selling value. If an item needs repair/replacement accessories, note it on the tag.

Let’s Make A Dollar!: Successful sellers price their item at a certain percentage of current retail, leaving room for some negotiation. Price clearly and fairly! 

Fuel-Up!: Crock-pot(or potluck) meals for lunch or the post-sale dinner meals prevents the temptation of buying convenience meals.

Catch Those Drive Bys!: Placing nicer/popular, more enticing items at the front will attract drive-by sale-rs. Have a kids’ table lower to the ground for toys & children’s items.

Ambiance: Children can be a distraction and a hazard, both for you and for your buyers. If your children are not ok with their items being sold, the whole process can be excruciating for everyone. Clear any hazards buyers might encounter. Label any items that are not for sale. Keep your out-of –sight home/garage doors locked, as people will wander around your yard

Safe Selling: Take precautions for anything you don’t want to have stolen. In between waves of buyers, take some of your money into your house.

Closing Time: Take down your signs. If the signs are re-usable, note on the back of them where they were posted. Set aside items for your “seed box” to sell at your next sale. Thank your neighbors for their help and patience with your buyers. Have your sale accountant total everyone’s sales, subtracting any amounts agreed upon for division of sale expenditures. Enjoy your profits!

One: Fuel Up: You’ve heard that “Early to bed, early to rise…” saying.  With garage sale-ing, it’s a must. The night before is crucial for vehicle and physical preparation. Making sure that all of your gauges are on “F” for full will ensure you an edge on beating out the competition at the first sales. For proper pre-game fueling, fill the car, set out breakfast, pack snacks, a lunch if desired and get to bed early.

Two: In God We Trust: This means carry cash and coin. Exact change speeds up the payment process and enables you to better present your final offer. How can you offer only $5 for a $7 item when you’ve just flashed them a ten or twenty? Cash is good; checks are time consuming and increasingly unaccepted.

Three: Mind Your Manners: Garage sale-ing is as much of a social affair as it is a sport. Remember those out there are often people you will see again, long past the possible score of a great deal. Good manners and sportsmanship go along way toward netting you not only new treasures, but new friends as well. Be respectful of others’ belongings. Listen politely to them about their prized possessions (and how much they can’t bear to part with them…”. Make an offer that is reasonable, leaving room for their inevitable rebuttal. If you are a prepared, cash-carrying competitor, you’ll win the deals. Fighting over plates or digging through someone else’s stash of finds won’t earn you any points with your fellow sale-rs (neighbors).

Four: Love Thy Neighbors: Those would include the neighbors of those who are holding the sale. Be patient and courteous with long, narrow driveways. Be mindful of whose lawn you may be parking on. Respect the property of others! Even if it means walking the extra steps up the driveway, instead of across the driveway, do go the extra mile. Neighbors also include our honorable mail carriers. Please do not park in front of mailboxes. After the sale is over, whomever you are buying from will appreciate a peaceful rest from their undisturbed neighbors.

Five: Map Your Course: I have to hand it to my Dad here. He’s a seasoned sale-r (sailor) through both the high seas and the garage sale-ing game. Dad knows how to map a route and he’s got his map book in the car. (Great maps can be found in your local phone directories or by contacting your chamber of commerce). Dad numbers the sales by time and location (or sometimes by items listed in the ad he’s particularly interested in). Charting a course before you set off saves you time and prepares you mentally for the game ahead. When you know where you’re going, you can get there faster.

Six: Networking, Networking, Networking: Though this “hobby” may be seen as a sport to some, it really is about people helping people. With this in mind, exchange information with those you see regularly out on the trail. Get to know the folks and let them know what you are looking for. While you are seeking the deals, seek information about what the other sales are like today or about an unknown address. Networking pays here- you may even find your next job, home or best friend while garage sale-ing.

Seven: Know your goals, Seek your Goals (or “Look Quick, Grab Fast!)”:. There are sale-rs out there who are very quick on the draw! Some write lists, some take orders and others are seeking specific things (bookworms, antique collectors, handymen, ebay-ers, ect). Do your homework. When you see something you like, grab it fast! Items move very fast and so should you! By knowing what you’re looking for, you know whether a sale is for you – or whether you should cruise on down to the next one.

Garage sale-ing, whether for sport or for keeping the cost of living within a reasonable budget, is great fun—and adventure. Once you’ve been out there, seeking the treasures and finding great deals, it can become addictive. Garage sale-ing fits in well with the rising popularity of living simple and recycling. Many local organizations also, hold great sales, as fundraising events.

My hometown is home to the best garage sales seen in our region—and your community may be as well. Our neighbors hold the best sales—and the best stuff.  The sale-ing folks believe that perhaps nothing new comes onto our island, we just move it from house to house, from year to year. This can be illustrated by the reappearance of my own highchair, coming back into my family just in time for my son’s use – 15 years after my parents sold it at their garage sale. There are many other stories like ours. Many happy reunions of old things once owned, super deals made and neighbors met when someone else’s discards become someone else’s treasure.

Tips and Links for Buying Second-Hand:

Be advised of Product Recalls and research products you may be looking to buy used: http://www.recalls.gov/ (six federal agencies)

Consumer Product Safety Commission:

http://www.cpsc.gov/

 To Find a List of Thrift and Second Hand Stores Near You (and tons of other frugal shopping blogs, links and information) http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

If you’ve got to have your coffee, and you want to support your local baristas, map your course.  Chart who’s doubling stamps when, and where the “happy hours” are.  On your Smartphone or in your glove box notebook, have a list of “who’s coffee stand offers the best deal” (for each day of the week) and you’re on your way to having your coffee and saving money too. 

Organization Tip:  Utilize a small index card box to keep all of your punch cards and coupons at the ready, not lost along the way.

Dining, Spas, Favorite Community Attractions and More:

Groupon.com is the place for “Collective Buying Power”, in many cities across the country.  Register and you’ll receive the Groupon Deal of the Day for your city.  Alerts, Facebook group, Gift Certificates and more are also available.

Other Group Buying Sites:

DealPop.com

LivingSocial.com

Tippr.com

Mertado.com

PlumDistrict.com

Mamapedia.com (donates 5% of your purchase to your choice of local schools)

NoMoreRack.com

Fashion, Home Décor and More: 

Join WorkitMom.com and you’ll know where the best deals are for all of those extras.  Check out their “Affordable Luxuries” blog to read what others are finding — and share your own “good deal alerts”.  Quick recipes, checklists, and home-living tips are also found here.

Share Your Talents for a Treat:   

Within your circle of friends, there’s someone who bakes homemade bread, sews, paints beautiful nails or loves to bake fancy desserts.  Offer to exchange their work for something they would enjoy.  Not only will this serve as an affordable indulgence, you’ll hone your talents as well.

What Have You Heard?:   

Keep your eyes and ears open to upcoming sales in your neighborhood.  Build a network of deal-seeking friends, whether it is on Facebook or via email.  The best deals are often unadvertised – and the early shopper gets the best, for less!

Don’t Toss It, Swap It!:  There are a number of website where you can trade books, CDs, DVDs, and Video games that you have for ones that you’d like to own.  For the cost of shipping the item you have to another member, an item you want will be sent to you. So clear out those boxes of unused media, and get ready to enjoy some new titles!

PaperBackSwap.com:  Sister sites are SwapaCD.com and SwapaDVD.com

You can acquire credits through items you’ve sent to others, or by buying credits.  “Storytime with Soldiers”, a donation program of PaperbackSwap.com, gives you the opportunity to support military families.  Audio books and text books can also be traded here.

Swaptree.com: Swap CDs, DVDs, video games, and books

At this site, they offer you the opportunity to trade a CD for a DVD, in addition trading for the same type of media. 

BookMooch.com: Swap books you have for books you want to read.  Earn points by sending books from your bookshelf to others.  Exchange points for books listed by website users.

Before You Hit the Mall, Hit the Streets:  As the weather gets warmer, we begin to sort through our closets for what we’re going to wear.  Already there are many great garage sales where you can find clothes fit for the upcoming sunny days.  Thrift stores and consignment stores will also be turning their inventory for the changing seasons. 

Make Friends, Refresh Your Wardrobe!:  Coordinate a clothing swap in your neighborhood, community center, school, or playgroup.  Recruit some help, categorize clothing and accessories by size/gender, and invite a large number of people.  Collect donations of clean bags and clothing in advance of the event, so that you have inventory to greet your first guests.  Donate the remaining clothes to local charities or shelters.

Pre-Cycle!  Think about what you buy and use.  How can you make more “Earth-friendly” choices?  We prevent the need to recycle when we buy less packaging and reuse what we have.  Read PlanetPals.com’s Earth Day 2011 Earth-Zine and learn “Top 10 Ways to Pre-Cycle”, along with other family fun and learning activities.  PlanetPals.com is a great resource for teachers and homeschoolers too!:

http://www.planetpals.com/earthday.html

Learning Can Be Fun:

DoverPublications.com – Sign up for their weekly FREE Sampler, which includes puzzles, art, reading and activities for all ages.  Print out your choice, every week!

HighlightKids.com – All the fun of the childhood favorite, available to you (for free) online!

Windowsintowonderland.org:  Take an e-field trip through Yellowstone.  Includes “Ask an Expert” and spectacular photos featured as you meet animals who call Yellowstone home.  

Nationalgeographic.com invites you to online “Congo Trek” adventure and other fascinating experiences. 

Creative Times:

Familyfun.go.com: Fun stuff for kids and fun family ideas.  This is free online content from Family Fun Magazine, and more.  Includes recipes, coloring pages, puzzles, crafts… all designed to keep your family having fun together all year long.   

Kaboose.com: Kids crafts, online games, and information for parents. Offers free Kids Crafts & Activities e-newsletter.

Crayola.com:  Join Crayola’s free Creativity Central community for 1,000+ coloring pages, craft ideas, online games, and an e-card creator.

Field Trips, Farm Tours, Farmers Markets and More:

Localharvest.org:  Find family farms, farmers markets and other local food/farm information.

FieldTripFactory.com:  Lists factory tours and field trips in your area.

 Share your favorite learning places, online….  Where are you finding your learning and creative times?

How do we do this?

Evaluate, Then Focus and Prioritize:  Discover where your money goes.  Lots of “small” expenses add up, creating a gap between goal and success.  Begin by trading a daily coffee for a more significant step forward (or savings deposit) at the end of the week. 

When you have established long term, “big purchase” buying goals (appliances, vacation, retirement, or debt-reduction) paste a picture of your goal(s) inside your checkbook.  Before you spend, weigh the worth of smaller, “habit” purchases against what you’re saving for.

Make the Calls:  Look over your monthly bills – closely.  Consider if you can do without extra features or conveniences.  Of the services you’re going to keep, call and ask for their promotional or “new subscriber” rate.  If you don’t get what you want on the first call, call back and perhaps get a better answer.  Politely ask for someone who can make charge deductions. 

If you’re eligible for Auto Association, Military, Entertainment Book, AARP, government, student or other discounts, ask for those too. Note on your family calendar two weeks before your new discount will expire and call back to ask for the same rate.  If no discounts are available, ask them to match competitor promotions. Consider a credit union for your banking – and enjoy their benefits: consumer education opportunities, lower rates and other services. 

Comparison Shop Instead of Impulse Buy: There is always a way to spend less.  Taking the time to find the best price can sometimes also change your mind on the purchase.  When dealing with salespeople, ask them, “Is this the best you can do, price wise?”  Familiarize yourself with price matching policies.  Don’t be pressured into buying, instead ask questions and get a second opinion.  Pursue consumer ratings, so you know how the product has fared in use.  Bizrate.com and ShopLocal.com are good places to start. 

Valuable Reading – Be Aware and Share!:

Connect yourself to what I consider to be, the “Go-To Yellow Pages” of buying, selling and being a wiser consumer.  The Consumer Action Handbook (http://www.consumeraction.gov/) is available on line or you can order a print version.   If you have a consumer question, a need in your life for signing contracts, filing a complaint or recovering from identity theft, etc., you must have a copy of this FREE and valuable resource.  It is enlightening reading. 

What sort of information can be found in the Consumer Action Handbook? 

*A step-by-step process for filing a consumer complaint

*Identity theft prevention and recovery

*Contact information to major corporations, including retail and manufacturer

*Buying a car, home or looking to invest? – You can find tips and references here

*Your local consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau

*Military Specific Better Business Bureaus (for military-related consumer news) and Military Support Agencies

*Subject information for Internet, Travel, Television, Health Care, Insurance and More

*Tips for shopping from home, junk mail and telemarketers – how to be aware of your rights.

How Can Consumeraction.gov be of help to me?

*It acts as a guide when you encounter a consumer crisis.  It begins with “be calm”, and continues as it provides a sample letter for you to use as you resolve your circumstances.

*If you want to learn about the importance of your credit score and how to improve it, or you want to know how to correct negative information on your credit report.  (Links to all major credit-related organization and governing agencies are listed.)

*When you have issue to report a fraud, product defect or safety hazard, or you want to be informed of current product recalls and safety guidelines.

“Look Out for You!”  To protect and achieve our best, financial life, we must be smarter than the average slogan or sales promise.  We must have the tools, (and use them), so that we can be an effective and efficient consumers.  Instead of impulse buying and buying in “blind faith”, it is important to have a working knowledge of our options and rights. 

Wiser consumers have tools available to help them in nearly every situation – it just takes knowing where to look.  Being aware of these tools before you need them is arming yourself (and those close to you), with priceless information.

Staycations can be a special time where you can “soak” in your family love and togetherness.  Plan to reserve that time for your family, with minimal interruptions from phones and computers. An enjoyable staycation means that you plan ahead, just as you would for a vacation. 

What will we do?  Don’t try to fit in too much into your “free time”, but do have a few alternative activities in mind for inclement weather, etc. Make the best use of your family time by planning to have most chores done ahead of time.   Staycations should be fun for Mom and Dad too, so block the time out from projects and schedules as best you can. 

What will we eat?  Have a meals planned so that you don’t have to leave home at the last minute.  Perhaps this is a good time to experiment with freezer meals, crockpot meals, or some new recipes!  Collect coupons for area restaurants or find the places that serve “all day breakfast” or “early bird specials”.  Restaurant.com or group buying sites like Groupon.com or LivingSocial.com can help with this.

1.  Themes can be a great planning tool.  If you don’t know where to begin with “what to do”, think of some fun themes.  “Wild West”, “Pajama Day”, “Treasure Island”, “Outer Space”, or “Tea Parties” can be a start.  Choose settings from your favorite movies/books or history.  Once you have a theme, you have something to research, and from there create fun activities and menus.

2.  “Map-Quest”:  Choose an area near you that you’ve wanted to visit.  Contact them now for upcoming events and attractions.  Read their local paper online together and each person contribute some fun ideas.  Depending on your time and budget, an overnight stay or all-day drive may be included.  Discover a new, fun destination! 

3.  “Days, Designated”:  Look around your home and you’ll easily come up with activities.  You can divide your staycation into “Family Projects”, “Fix-Its”, “Board Games and Family Movies”, “Creative Time”, etc.  Get the whole family involved in the planning and everyone will have something to look forward to.  Focus on the positive of doing “work” during vacation — think of how much nicer/easier life will be once you return to work and school.  Consider an organization project, de-cluttering (for an upcoming yard sale?), or doing some mending.  Sharing homemaking skills with your kids is valuable.

4. “Just Me and Mom (or Dad)”: Set aside some of your staycation to spend one-on-one time with each of your children.  Work together on planning some special activities. 

5.  “Helping Others”:  Your family can find some one or an organization in your community to serve during your staycation.  Helping a neighbor with yard work or donating a few hours to a local community center will be time well spent. 

6.  “The Element of Surprise”:  Parents, do leave a little of the fun a secret – up until it’s time to go.  Once you’ve completed the checkers championship, load the family up for a trip to ice cream!    You could decide to keep the destination of your day-trip a secret as well.  Create clues and or a scavenger hunt for older children to learn something about where they are about to visit. 

7.  “Our Visit to______”:  Visit a country on another continent – without leaving home.  Costumes, storytelling, foods, music, movies, and books can bring a foreign country closer.  Make postcards, newspapers, menus, and other parts of where you are for a day.  Learn a bit of the language or some fun traditions of that country.  Share your “visit” with others when you invite them to dine with you or share in a fun activity.

8. “Carpool, Plus!” : Get a group together from school or elsewhere and caravan to local destinations.  The benefit is a fun shared experience, and perhaps a group discount on admission prices.

Wherever your staycation takes you, be sure to create lasting memories.  Take photographs, write stories, save souvenirs, record your adventures onto audio/video, etc.  Spending creative time in the company of your children will mean priceless memories for years to come.

Time:  March and September seem to be popular months, as people are making seasonal changes in their wardrobe. 

Location:  Once you have your location, be sure to clearly communicate and negotiate with the location these vital details: 

 1.  When can you begin collecting donations at the site?

 2.  What hours the site will be open to you for set-up, the swap and  closing/cleaning.

  3.  Tables, chairs, and other equipment that is included in the use of the building – and how they want the room configured before you leave.

 4.  Food:  be sure you know if food is welcome at the site, any refrigerator or other kitchen space you may have use of during the event.

  5.  Signage:  what kind of signage is allowed outside the building, street signage and indoor signage?

  6.  Fees/Policies/Cleaning:  will there be fees and or a deposit required for use of  the building.  Does the site have other policies you need to be aware of?

 7.  Space:  what rooms/walls are available to you for the swap and what areas are off-limits        

Team:  Team up with a local Soroptimists, VFW, MOPS or similar service/womens organization.  Designate a small team that will help you complete the event details.  Recruit additional volunteers for setup/clean up sorters, hosts and greeters.  Familiarize your teams with their task and the time they are assigned to the event.  Bring water and/or snacks to keep your volunteers energized!  Crock-pot soup is a favorite!

Donations:  Accepting donations prior to the event gives your earliest guests items to choose from.  At the swap, guests bring their items to the front door.  Guests are welcome whether they have items to swap or not (we make this very clear in our advertising).  Guests are welcome to take anything from the room that they would like, no matter the number of donations they brought.  Greeters take the clothes from the guests and hand them to a sorter.  Sorters clean out the bags, and then deliver the items to the designated tables. (Have an “unsuitable” box(es) for items not usable for the event and dispose of properly)

Publicity:  Create a flyer, Facebook page, and email contact for the swap.  Begin advertising in places families frequent four weeks before your event.  Network with local churches, schools, media, etc. to publicize your event.  Find alternate donation stations for your event, other than your site if necessary.  Make a second round of publicity visits a week before your event. 

Signage:  Outside/street signage and on streets leading up to your swap is important.  Signage for the tables/departments at the swap is helpful. 

Bags/Boxes:  In the weeks before your event, recruit your family/friends/church/etc. to begin collecting clean bags.  Have an “unsuitable” box(es) for items not usable for the event and dispose of them properly.  Be sure to have a big box of large garbage bags ready to gather swap leftovers!

Misc:  Have an email sign-up sheet for guests who want to be informed of the next event.  Be sure you have a plan for what you will do with the swap leftovers.  Provide mirrors and/or dressing room spaces.  Liquor store boxes are great to have on hand for guests who are taking home lots of goodies.  Consider adding household goods, books, and/or baby gear to your swap as you choose or space is available.

Before you can make goals, you have to know where you stand. 

Step One:  Order a free copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com

You can order one copy of your credit reports from each of the three credit reporting agencies once a year.  For consistent, periodic monitoring of your credit report, order one copy of your credit report from one of the three agencies during the year. 

Step Two:  Communicate and put your plan in writing.  Create small and future goals.

BetterBudgeting.com has free, printable “Dealing with Debt” and “Basic Budgeting” Worksheets.  With yourself and/or your spouse, thoroughly review your spending, expenses and current debt.  Complete the debt and budget forms, followed by a pact to stop accruing debt.  You can read more about creating a budget at BetterBudgeting.com.  If you’d like to create an interactive money management plan, Mint.com is for you.  Free financial planning software and connections to related resources – Iphone and Android apps too! 

If you find that you’re behind on payments or nearing a point where you will not be able to pay monthly bills, begin to communicate with your creditors.  Proactive, honest measures taken now may earn you some relief with interest rates and the effect on your credit report. 

Step Three:  Know Your Rights and Where to Turn

Free Resources: 

Consumer Action Handbook, a combo encyclopedia and yellow pages of all things money.  Read it online or order a free printed copy at ConsumerAction.gov.

 Bank and Credit Unions:  Ask your bank/credit union for any services or tools they offer to help you manage your money. 

 Clark Howard:  His comprehensive website offers articles and resources to “Save More, Spend Less and Avoid Getting Ripped Off”.  Find his books at the library, broadcasts on your tv, podcast and radio too.

Dave Ramsey:  Your church/bible study can work together towards “Financial Peace” with Ramsey’s books and seminars.  He’s written helpful books and can be heard on radio/tv.

 Be Aware of Credit Counseling Services:  On television and on the internet there are many commercials offering to assist you with your credit circumstances.  Before you sign with any of these, refer to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org) and the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org).  

Step Four – Wiser Today, and Beyond!

Now that you have a clearer vision of where you are, make conscious, evaluated decisions with your money-everyday.  Find an encourager, someone who perhaps can be an accountability partner.  Track your progress and celebrate wisely as you reach small goals.  Surround yourself with pictures, goal sheets, scripture, inspirational quotes and people who remind you what you’re working towards.  You can do it!

 1.         Monthly Budget – Begin by evaluating your grocery spending over the past several weeks.  Make notes of where you spent (and overspent).  Decide that you will begin to use a few money-saving techniques.  Put your plan in writing.  (In pencil, as you will learn and grow as time goes on)  

Free Resources:  Betterbudgeting.com or Crown.org/Tools

 2.         Meal Plan:  Be creative, use your resources wisely.  Whatever you have at home right now was purchased at one time or another.  Create a “free meal” with ingredients you have at home and “bank” what you would have otherwise spent.  Other ideas: “Planned” leftovers (cook once, eat twice), preparing meals with weekly grocery specials, and cooking fewer convenience foods, in favor of less expensive/healthier ingredients. 

 Use What You Have in Your Home Grocery Inventory:

 Check your Pantry – and Periodically Inventory Your Pantry

DinnerTool.com: Plan & create meal plans and a printable shopping list

Your favorite product’s manufacturer websites

 Mypyramid.gov:  Tips towards planning healthy meals according to food groups and dietary considerations.

(Create a meal plan – find some new favorites!):  Meatless Mondays,   Breakfast Tuesdays, Soup Wednesdays, Fun Finger Food Fridays

3.         A List Saves You Money – Plan to succeed at your money saving goals.  Shop less frequently and more consciously.  Strive to affordably and reasonably maintain a household inventory which includes basic staples for quick, favorite meals and common necessities.  Buy within budget when it’s on sale and you’ll hardly ever pay full price again!

Free Grocery Lists:  ChartJungle.com or OrganizedHome.com

 4.         Find a Friend!  Network, Share, Exchange & Inspire!  The more “eyes & ears” out there for you, the more money you’ll save – and the more fun it will be!  Everyone has their “starting place” and needs encouragement.  Make a goal, put it in writing and form a team. 2011 can be the year you eat healthier and more affordably.  You’ll make friends and find new favorite meals – for less!

Want to find the “pots of gold” deals?  Let’s at what makes luck “happen”: 

Your Satisfaction Comes from Saving Money:  When your decisions are motivated by the cash you can keep in your pocket – you’ve arrived.  Researching, comparing, waiting (yes, it’s tough sometimes), recycling, Freecycling, and other methods create good deals – not debt.  These options also build community, leave healthy legacies, and score us great deals.

See “Printed Paper with Barcodes” as Cash!  Gone are the days when we couponers had to hover sheepishly over our coupon files.  We’re leading the way, as others are waking to the new “chic” (read: necessity) of affordable living.  Even if you can afford to pay more, why would you?  With discipline and a list, coupons can save you money everyday.  Collect coupons and carry them with you!

Virtual Friends Make Luck Happen:   Internet friends can quadruple your chances of scoring a great deal.  To begin, make three new “friends” – making more than three at first can feel overwhelming.  Connect with one local “money-saving” blogger in your area, as deals can be regional.  (247Moms Idea: Begin one for your state/area on our “Forums” page) 

Next, find the most frugal friend you know, and “follow” her (or who she follows).  Create a local community which grows to benefit many of your friends.  Third, is a “filter” service which searches the internet for great deals:  “Yowza” (getyowza.com) or “Nextag” (nextag.com) alert you to sales on your preferred brands/products – or go with you on Twitter and phone apps.

And, Spend Some Time – Luck Will Follow:  Here are a few “five-minute” ideas which will create money-saving opportunities for you:

1.  Call the manufacturer of your favorite product with a comment or question.  Ask for their email club, coupons, samples, and promotions.  Contact your favorite places to shop too!
2. Sign up at Vocalpoint.com, pssst.generalmills.com, kraftfirsttaste.com, houseparty.com, bzzagent.com, or allyou.com –Some are by “surprise” in your mailbox, others you have to be chosen from applications – following the announcement of a new event.
3. Spend a few minutes with your home inventories.  You’ll find forgotten gems in there!  Organize, inventory and utilize some creativity with what you find. 

It’s not always easy, being frugal – but the “green” will stay with you longer when you shop smarter!  Enlist your friends into making  “green-goals”!  They’ll be glad you did!

can get your family ready for an emergency.  The Red Cross encourages everyone to “Make a Plan, Get a Kit, Be Informed”.  Their website features a guide on each of those three steps, which you can print and share.  “Be Red Cross Ready” – here are a few more resources:

Free Emergency Contact Card (Free Download at RedCross.org):

Print this valuable document (onto cardstock paper for best longevity), fill it out and communicate with those close to you – today!

Be sure to visit the Emergency “Preparedness Fast Facts” page, located on the Red Cross website, which gives you immediate, printable access to a number of Red Cross tip sheets.  Read about the emergency circumstances that pertain to you:  pets, older relatives, earthquakes, fire, special needs, etc.

Disasters and Financial Planning; A Guide For Preparedness:

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has prepared this guide so that families may incur as little financial disaster a possible a result of emergencies. 

Download this valuable guide.  Comprehensively and in plain language, it informs you of what you can do to be prepared for several types of emergencies. 

http://www.aicpa.org/InterestAreas/PersonalFinancialPlanning/Resources/LifeEvents/DisasterFinancialIssues/DisasterFinancialPreparedness/DownloadableDocuments/Preparedness.pdf

“What’s in it?” Comprehensive information on creating a disaster plan, emergency kit, proper storage of vital documents, estate planning, property protection/insurance, and more.  There is also a “Disaster Recovery; a Guide to Financial Issues” which can assist you through the steps towards stability following a disaster.  Finding help, locating important documents, employment and cash flow issues are addressed:

http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/FinRecovery/index.html

Ready.gov – For the Kids

Talking with your kids about emergencies is made easier with the Ready.gov’s “Ready Kids” webpage.  Puzzles, games, a printable “Just in Case” plan, and more await you.  Your kids can graduate from “Readiness U” – and the family is provided communication ideas on the “Communicate” page – so, get talking!:

http://www.ready.gov/kids/parents/communicate.html

Ready.gov is also essential reading for adults – the most important form on this website is the Family Emergency Plan.  Print and complete this form, then exchange it with those who will be vital to you following an emergency:

http://www.ready.gov/kids/_downloads/familyplan.pdf

20/20 Panel:  Be Paid to Share Your Opinion!

https://www.2020panel.com/

Register with them and you will receive invitations to take “screener” surveys.  When you match the demographics that they want to survey, you will be invited to participate in a study.  You’ll be giving your opinion, experience and insight to companies – and be paid for your time.

Pinecone Research:

https://www.pineconeresearch.com/Signup/Signup_Form.aspx

Register and become a member of the Pinecone Research Panel.  When you’re sent “screener” surveys and match the surveyor demographics, you’ll earn $3 to complete a study. Not everyone who applies is chosen and surveys can be infrequent.

Toluna Research:

http://us.toluna.com/Registerland.aspx?tolreg=2&rsid=CD13263&rcid=4076&rgid=

Accepts all applicants, surveys vary in compensation and frequency.

 MySurvey.com

https://www.mysurvey.com/index.cfm?action=Main.join

Get paid for your opinions and participation in surveys and/or product testing. 

 Synovate Global Opinion Panels

https://www.globalopinionpanels.com/home

Screener surveys will be sent to you which can lead to paid surveys and product testing.  Sweepstakes and other rewards are earned through your participation.

Cash for Your Books! 

Check Out Cash4Books.net:

www.cash4books.net

Type in the ISBN of the books you have.  If they are worth cash from Cash4books.net, box ‘em up, print a free shipping label – and then, you’ll get cash!

 Got a Great Idea – ThriftyFun.com wants to hear from you:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/share.ldml

Your photos, “Frugal Life Essays” and/or entries in their  Pet Contests, Recipe Contests, and Tip Contests could win you $25! 

Write and Earn:

Ehow.com (http://www.demandmedia.com/studios/writers/), AssociatedContent.com, helium.com, and Examiner.com

These sites vary in their requirements as far as writing guidelines and payment.  Most have tutorials and communities ready to help get you started.  Again, social media contacts help with this – as you’re paid more when you’re read by more viewers.

 Share A Good Deal with Friends – Earn Shopping Credit!

Sites such as Mamapedia.com, ebates.com, the survey sites above and service/retail companies may offer you the opportunity to earn “referral” credits when those you refer sign up (and usually make a purchase).  Using social media and your social circles, (with etiquette) share good deals you’re finding with your friends!

Make a Card: It may seem like it’s just for kids or for the very crafty, but you’ll find it fun once you get started making your own cards.  There’s something about scissors, glue and doilies that brings out the artist in all of us.  Simple construction paper, glitter, and stickers can become a treasured note.  You’ll make memories and continue the tradition of handmade holidays with your kids.

Find the Words: Write a bit about what makes them special to you, compose a poem, include a photo, or draw them a unique heart.  If you need some inspiration, take a hint from conversation heart candies. Add some “I luv u”, “Be Mine”, or “Love Me”.  Romantic prose? Consider these lines of romance:

            Grow old with me!  The best is yet to be.  ~Robert Browning

A hundred hearts would be too few
To carry all my love for you.
~Author Unknown

I’ve fallen in love many times… always with you.  ~Author Unknown

For twas not into my ear you whispered
But into my heart
Twas not my lips you kissed
But my soul
~Judy Garland

Send Your Love:  Mail your creative expressions to your loved ones.  Surprise them! In amongst their usual mail, they’ll find your card.  (And you know, this creating of handmade cards would be appreciated any time of year!)

Note:  Each of these websites has their own earning guidelines and offers.  Before you buy anything online, compare the following sites for the rewards they offer.  Look for coupon codes at these sites and from coupon code sites such as RetailmeNot.com and 247Mom.com’s own “Coupons and Deals” page.  The rebate offer may be able to be combined with a coupon code!  Also, keep track of where you are shopping from and keep all emails/receipts until you see your rewards credited.  Best of all, be sure to share your great deal finds with your friends -

 Ebates.com, MrRebates.com and FatWallet.com:

Begin your online shopping at one of these sites and earn a cash back rebate percentage from your purchases.  Percentages vary by store, and do change with daily deal or holiday promotions.

 Shortcuts.com: A New Cash Back Program

A new feature of Shortcuts.com offers you cash back for on line purchases at retailers such as Macys, Kodak Gallery, Old Navy, Nordstrom and American Eagle. You’ll earn an advertised percentage rebate, based on the amount of your purchase.   Start your online shopping at Shortcuts.com, choose the retailer you wish to buy from and in 90 days you’ll receive your rebate.  “Daily Deals” from their “Cash Back / Coupon Codes” page offers a higher rebate percentage from a participating retailer.  Percentages range from 1 percent to as much as 15 percent (Kodak Gallery) or 20 percent (FTD Florists).

 SwagBucks.com – Earn SwagBucks When You “Group Buy a Great Deal”

Swagbucks.com is a “premier rewards site” / search engine which rewards you for your online activities and purchases. When you begin your online retail purchase at Swagbucks.com, and buy from Tippr.com, LivingSocial.com, Mertado.com, and Groupon.com, you will instantly earn Swagbucks.  Swagbucks can be redeemed for retail gift cards, merchandise, Pay Pal cash, etc. 

 For example, you can earn as much as 400 Swagbucks from a discount offer purchase from Tippr.com or LivingSocial.com.  Those 400 Swagbucks, added to Swagbucks you earn from using their search engine, earns you a $5 Gift Card to Amazon.com (450 Swagbucks). 

 Buying A Great Deal, Group Style (Retail/Services/Magazines/Merchandise/Etc):

Get “in the know” and share with your friends a new deal, every day at these sites:

DealPop.com

Groupon.com

LivingSocial.com

Tippr.com

Mertado.com

PlumDistrict.com

Mamapedia.com (donates 5% of your purchase to your choice of local schools)

NoMoreRack.com

 Save for School!

Boxtops4Education.com offers boxtops to your school when you start your online retail purchase at Boxtops4Education.com.  You can also earn boxtops through their newsletters and with coupons you can print for participating products. 

 UPromise.com

Upromise.com is a multi-opportunity site where you earn funds for a college savings acount from the purchase of everyday items, retail shopping, dining and more.  Choosing to start your online shopping at UPromise.com will earn you a percentage rebate into your account.

Where are you earning great rewards?

Breakfast Ideas: Pink pancakes, heart-shaped biscuits (or other foods), sparkling apple/grape juice for breakfast.  Fancy looking disposable glasses, flatware, and plates add a fancy touch without the fear of broken dishes.

Lunch: In addition to a valentine and special treat, use heart-shaped cookie cutters to shape sandwiches, cheese, or other foods into hearts.  Want heart-shaped cupcakes?:

            “Place paper baking cups in a muffin tin.  Put a marble or small ball of foil in each cup, between the paper liner and the pan.  Pour batter in as usual.  Don’t fill cups too full or you will lose the heart-shaped effect of the cupcake.” (Complete Holiday Organizer, by Emilie Barnes)

Dinner:   Send out fancy-style invitations for the upcoming Valentine meal.  Each person should play a part in the meal, as they are able: decorations, cards, or cooking, etc. For you and your Valentine, or for the whole family, create a dining experience.  Use the “special” dishes, linens, silverware, candles, and soft music.  Use serving trays, etc. – and invite each person to wear their nicer clothes.  Ahead of the dinner, ask each person to compose a story, poem, or art creation to share at dinner.

Moms, Dads, Caregivers and Grandparents: Encourage your kids to create their valentine decorations and cards.  Designing “Coupons” for them – or their giving valentines to relatives will illustrate the gift of time and talent. 

Romance?  Here are a few ideas:

Make a collage of photos from your years together as a couple.  Include wedding photos, family photos, and perhaps you can get a “baby” photo from the in-laws. 

Start a journal together, where you can communicate your thoughts and love to each other for Valentine’s day – and the many “ordinary” days to come.  If you’re the creative type, decorate the cover, otherwise purchase one.  Make a fancy bookmark.  Write short notes to one another.  You’ll have more memories to look back on in years to come. 

Surprise your loved one by taking them out a day or two before Valentine’s Day.  Plan the babysitting, dining or other activities.  You’ll find sitters easier to find, and dinner will be cheaper too.  Go to Restaurant.com and find a dining discount, or look in your local paper.  Radio station websites are also great sources of discounts. 

Affordable Love Moments:  Aside from all of these creative ideas, consider sharing some time in the outdoors, movies (at home or theater), community event, or even a weekend workshop – whatever you do, elaborate the activity with “hearts”, flowers, or a special surprise.   Spend time talking about your love, and what you appreciate about the other.

Staying home, even with the kids at the sitters, can be a couple’s time for a rousing game of chess/checkers or a marathon of old movies (family or otherwise).  Begin new traditions of your own; either in letters, spoken words or activities that communicate the love in your life together.

Give Heart Now – and Later: Simply spend the weekend sharing your thoughts and love for those around you.  Then, remember these activities for a few months from now.  Keep yourself and your family in a common habit of loving one another – and saying so in many small, special ways.

Think menus, gifts, and bills – these are big-ticket expenditures, especially when done in an unprepared rush.  It can be proven then, that procrastination and disorganization is very costly.  With no menu plan in place, we’re eating “drive-through” dinner.  We spend more for someone at the last minute when we can’t find the gift we bought earlier in the year. Creditors penalize us for our tardiness – with late charges.  Accumulate enough late notices and your credit score will dive.  Lower credit scores lead to credit woes for several years.

Solution:  Make a Plan, Here is an inexpensive tool:

Carry a notebook in your pocket.  Carry two, actually – one for you and one for the kids.  When you’re waiting somewhere (or they are waiting somewhere), pull out the notebooks.  If you’re tech-savvy, you’ve got your Blackberry or netbook – but nothing beats the paper meets pen sensation of taking a load off your mind. 

Notebook Options: To-Do’s, Menus, Home and Pantry Inventory, Family Clothing Sizes, Gifts Purchased, Upcoming Birthdays/Holidays, Spending Plan, Goals, Price Comparisons,  Favorite Recipes (to exchange or accumulate in your travels), “Want-to-Buys” (better to write it down than buy it – you may be able to find a less expensive item – or simply change your mind)…

With a notebook handy, you can exchange Contact Info when meeting a new friend or to leave someone a note (think happy surprise!)– all at your fingertips, instead of your “Mommy-Brain”.  Give it a rest!  Writer or not, everything can be better reviewed and referred to when on paper in front of you.  Having this information will save you hundreds of dollars and many, many hours you’d otherwise spend in multiple shopping trips, phone calls, and fuel miles. 

“If you Want to Feel Rich, Count the Things That Money Can’t Buy – that you already have”

Gratitude goes a long way towards healing the “I’m Broke Blues”.  Live out each day grateful for the simple, priceless stuff.  Teach giving, saving, and sharing to your children.  Be gratified when you see your lessons in action for someone else down the line-you’re doing something right!   Practice Random Acts of Kindnesses – if you feel you have nothing else to give, start with a smile, it increases your “Face” value!  A smile may start a conversation which holds the key to a need fulfilled or friend made.  Multiply your “friends” lists and you increase the likelihood that someone knows you need a job, car, potty-training solution, or great babysitter—and when they stumble upon your solution, they’ll think of you!  Be a friend, and you’re already rich, no matter your lot in life.

 ”A Penny Saved, Is a Penny Earned” – or what we know as- the new Millennium Edition:  “A Dollar Saved, is a Dollar-plus Earned”:

I grew up hearing about my parents and grandparents shopping at “Dime Stores”.  We know these today as “Dollar Stores”.  (An Illustration of Inflation!)  The wisdom though is just as true today.  Benjamin Franklin knew that if you didn’t spend money, you earned it, as it was still yours to keep.  In the age of taxes and expenses, saving a dollar is actually saving “a dollar, plus 60-cents”.   Most taxpayers take home just 60-cents of every dollar they earn.  See, frugality pays!  Spend what is yours wisely, and save it well so that it grows. 

Money Saving Tips:

Start a Frugal Network among your friends.  Bartering, Exchanging, and Mentoring are great ingredients in a Frugal Friends Network.  Older Moms can share their experience and wisdom with younger mothers.  Start with a social, coffee group with the kids and watch it grow.  Neighbors can “Freecycle” or swap necessities with one another, and exchange their “wish lists”.  Welcome a new neighbor with a list of community resources, and introduce them to where the good deals are found in your area. Bring back the “Community Bulletin” board, whether it be online or in your school, church, or playschool.  All of these actions will inspire many dollars saved — and friends made!

Consider that Time is Money:  At the end of the month, review where you spent your time and money.  You’ll see where there are differences between your priorities and your actions (on goals vs. temptations).  Reward yourself, your spouse and children for reaching savings goals.  Spend more time than money for special occasions.  Create memories and gifts, it’s ok to be ‘old fashioned’ – you may be making a treasured keepsake or a new family tradition! 

Time Spent More Wisely Equals Saving Money: Research and implement new ways to streamline your daily routine.  Use lists, inventories, and forms to organize your time and money.  Keep these handy in a 3-ring “Home Notebooks”.  Your home, each child, each season and larger home projects will work much more smoothly with their own notebook.    

What you have already spent time and money on is very valuable.  Your home inventories (i.e. pantry, gift, emergency supplies, and clothing) can help you avoid expenditures when you know what you have, where it is – and it’s in good condition.  Teach care and maintenance of possessions to your children.  Invest your time in the passing down important life skills.  Tackle a new learning goal as a family, or with your spouse — science has proven that continuing education keeps you young!

Get Started on Your Better, More Affordable Life Today: Here are two websites which offer FREE download-ready forms.  Place them in a 3-ring binder and you’re off to a better start, everyday:

OverflowLiving.com:

http://www.overflowliving.com/Simplify_Organize_FreeForms.html

DonnaYoung.org:

http://www.donnayoung.org/household/index.htm

Don’t Pay for Directory Assistance:  Here are two numbers to call when you need 411, but don’t want to pay for it.  Give them 90 seconds of your time, and you won’t get a bill for $2 or $3.  (Your cell phone plan may charge you minutes for these 800-Numbers).:

1-800-FREE-411 (1-800-373-3411 or 1-800-GOOG-411

 Know Your Benefits:  For nearly every organization you’re a member of, there are benefits to be claimed which will save you money.  Examples of these would be:  AAA, military, school (or home school) teachers, unions, banks, colleges, insurance companies, credit  cards, medical insurances, employers, credit unions, alumni organizations, local parks and health departments, AARP, etc.  A phone call or visit to their website may uncover a discount!  Review statements and newsletters carefully for benefit notices and fine print.  Don’t pay for “extras” that won’t be beneficial to you.

 You can save on travel, shopping, health clubs, dining, memberships to other organizations/places, etc.  When you’re considering a purchase, first research the selling company for discounts you may be eligible for with that particular business. 

Shop at Home First!  What you have brought into your home is like money in the bank.  The contents of cupboards, closets, garages, and boxes may contain just what you’re looking for.  Keeping a working knowledge of what you have will help you avoid duplicate purchases.  Be creative!  Meals, crafts, camping trips, gifts and party supplies may be found and transformed into so have something great.  When you have a surplus of something, put the word out.  You may find someone in need of those items who has something you need.  Make a trade, save money and clear a shelf!  The internet is full of websites which inspire using what you have, before buying more:

http://www.recipekey.com/

…and the website of your favorite magazine is an increasing source of free, frugal ideas for affordable creations.

Want a Form for Pantry and Household  Inventories?  Organizedhome.com has one – especially helpful is the Freezer Inventory (at a glance, “leave the door closed” search for dinner tonight!):

http://organizedhome.com/printable/household-notebook/pantry-inventory

Cheapskate accessories are promoted as easier, convenient ways to get more out of what you buy.  Purchase “the gadget” and you’ll save money on items such as food, toothpaste, soap, pants, and soda.  While reducing waste and using resources wisely are good ideas, I for one, am not a likely buyer of these money-saving gadgets. 

My grandparents, who lived during the Great Depression, instilled “frugality” into me – by their example.  They diluted, recycled and pressed what they could out of what they had.  Their ingenuity saved precious nickels and dimes.  Healthy, efficient habits and favorite family recipes are gifts from our elders.  What they did to get by then can save families money today. 

Necessity is the mother of invention; this is how many products we can’t live without came into existence.  Inventions such as the automatic washing machine, computer “apps”, and the internet were likely subject to the same skepticism I have for anything sold on TV. 

Not all inventions are created equal, however.   I have to ask: are “money-saving” gadgets worth your money?  While I admire the inventor’s ambition, I do not feel that gadgets are the best choice.  Where are the life lessons in a “Squeezeit” (a gadget for using the very last of toothpaste)?

In loving appreciation for what my grandparents taught me about saving money, I share the following list of “money-saving” products you probably already own:

Crockpot:  Reduce take-out and delivery meals.  Any meal of the day can be created – and enjoyed to the most – with your slow cooker.  Meats can be stretched to serve more when you add vegetables or beans.  Voila!  A “welcome you home” meal is ready when you are.  One of the most popular blogs:  http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/      By the way, because crock pot cuisine requires a little planning, you might just become a meal planner and more organized.   Double Frugal Bonus!

Knee Socks:  Don’t laugh – these useful pieces of nylon are very handy.  While camping as a kid, we used them to hold small bars of soap collected from home (or from our hotel visits).  We could use this method at home, and save the purchase of a “soap saver”.  Socks of other varieties can be crafted into furniture dusters, heat-therapy wraps, and more!   

Home Freezer:  Cook a stack of homemade waffles and place the extras in the freezer. Toast them slightly and enjoy.  Find new toppings, and consider whole-wheat/healthier ingredients.  Delightful popsicles, “doubles” of tonight’s dinner and garden fresh fruit can also be stored to enjoy later – and more affordably than the store-bought versions.  You’ll save time, money, calories, and milligrams of sodium!

Inventory:  Sort through closets, pantries, and other corners for holiday supplies and gifts.  Before you begin shopping is a great time to sort through what you have, what you forgot you had – and what you no longer need. 

You’ll lose “weight” by de-cluttering, save money by finding supplies at home and know what you really need to shop for in the coming weeks. 

Make a list and a Holiday Budget:  Determine who you need to shop for, what homemade gifts you’re going to make, and how much will be spent on each of these.  Begin to take note of the likes and hobbies of your loved ones – for gift ideas.  Talk with family and friends now about gift exchanges and group gifts.   

Build a Holiday Fund:  Begin saving your change or a certain percentage of your spendable money towards holiday expenses.    Kmart has an inspiring program where you can earn a small return on funds you load onto a holiday shopping card.  Avoid holiday spending hangovers.   “Gift” yourself with the funds you need later on, instead of resorting to credit – it’ll become a profitable habit!

Research the Holidays Now:  Discover a new tradition, meal idea or homemade gifts.  List and budget for the supplies.   Gather a group of friends to join you.   Homemade holidays will be so much more fun when you have the time to enjoy the creative process – instead of last minute “get it done” stress.  Before or while your social group is creating homemade gifts, talk about traditions you enjoy – and get ready to enjoy a few new ones at your house. 

Invest some time into upcoming holidays – it’s a great way to connect with your family and friends.  Welcome new neighbors with invitations to “Crafting Time” socials and other fun events.  Inspire one another – and you’ll have so much more than gifts to share for years to come.

When you fuel up before heading out, you’ll be thinking more clearly; better able to make good decisions and work effectively.  Good food choices will contribute to better health over the course of your life, possibly saving you costly medical expenses.

Make a “Better Breakfast Month” Resolution.  Explore recipes which include protein-rich, energy-packed food choices such as eggs, oatmeal, fresh fruit, beans, peanut butter, etc.    Here are a few steps to healthier, more affordable breakfasts:

Get ready for breakfast the night before: Set your breakfast table, slice fruit, peel hardboiled eggs, grate cheese, make waffles, etc. 

Discover slow-cooker breakfast delights: Your crock-pot is the tool to use for cooking breakfast while you sleep.  Oatmeal, fruit cobbler and egg casseroles ready by morning will save you time as well.

 Invest in some re-usable breakfast containers:  Avoid buying pre-packaged food items and be ready for mobile breakfasts all week.  Divide the cream cheese into individual plastic containers, store tasty dinner leftovers, and make your own bags of “cereal trail mix”.

Buy oatmeal in bulk and prepare instant-oatmeal combinations from a variety of ingredients. You’ll save money and increase the nutrition of your oatmeal breakfast.  For a great recipe – and a list of flavor ideas visit:  http://everythingishomemade.com/2007/09/26/instant-oatmeal-packs/

Blend up a Delicious Smoothie:  Packaged yogurt and fruit smoothies are in stores – or you can create your own.  Here’s a website which will keep you smoothie-slurping a new treat every morning: http://www.smoothieweb.com/

Family participation: Preparation of this week’s “ready-breakfasts” can be a part of your Sunday family activities.  Get the whole family involved in the finding of recipes, discussion of healthy foods, and the choosing of new foods to try.  Create sliced and washed fruit bags for upcoming lunches – enjoy!

 Use time and energy wisely: Prepare several breakfast-burritos or homemade waffles for your freezer during one cooking session. “Heat and eat” meals will help you keep your healthy breakfast resolution intact, even when you’re short on time.

It starts with a money-stretching attitude and a keen eye for the store specials.  When I do head into the store, I have a route I follow which leads me to the markdowns, keeping an eye out for red-tagged reduced items along the way.  With me, I have coupons for my frequently used items, just in case I encounter a great unadvertised special.   My kids have been trained to help me look for coupons, clearances and the best deal for our money.  They rarely ask for anything if it’s not on sale – and they know that a regular cycle of their favorites occur whenever we find a deal on those items.

My home pantry inventory usually consists of several “meal options”.  Staples, I’d call them, that I rarely run out of.  Pasta, canned vegetables, canned meats and beans, a blue box of macaroni and cheese – and an emergency can of soup or two.  When you can look into your pantry and see a meal, you don’t have to run out to the store for “just a few things”.   Dinner out or delivered also is deleted from options – bank that take-out meal money instead.  Make sure you always have a few days’ meal ingredients at home. You’ll be ready for an emergency any type.

Our children have been raised to be “meal flexible”.  I don’t cook more than one meal at a time and they love “Breakfast for Dinner”.  If you don’t like the meal tonight, the bowl of cereal is option number two.  When breakfast is dinner, I surprise everyone with a secretly stashed pound of bacon, fruit, or other delight. If you’re family is not as thrilled with breakfast for dinner, do what you can to make it fun.  Follow dinner with games, or other activities which can be something to look forward to once you’ve cleared the table.

Meal charts and planners are a good idea – and getting input during the family meeting gets everyone involved.  OrganizedHome.com and ChartJungle.com websites give you free, printable planning tools.  Teamwork and creativity are great lessons – and great tools for meal planning.  Get some help with “what to serve” with a list of “National food of the Month” ideas.  Create a list of “Countries to Visit” (at home) this year – eat as though you are there!  You’ll make many great memories too!

Instill life lessons by giving the kids an assignment to come up with some ideas for next week’s meals.  Show them how to shop for the ingredients, using coupons and a budget.  Voila!  Math comes to the family table as well!  Older kids can practice their budget/math skills, planning/organization, and the stretch of their horizon beyond the usual mac n’ cheese.  Give them the parameters and be ready with positive feedback.

Once you’ve polled the family and perused the pantry, it’s time to prepare the shopping list.  This is where differing practices of planning come in:

1.  You can search this week’s specials to find your ingredients. (Store special may even influence your meal idea from this week, to next – or vice versa)  Once you’ve found a store with several of your needs on sale, build a list around those – and coupons you have for other items you need to buy.  Look for “Loss Leader” specials on produce and other items at a second and third store only if they’re on your route this week – and if you’re a disciplined shopper.
2. By receiving a weekly update from money-saving bloggers, shoppers who do the “Stacking” of sales with coupons for you, you’ll skip reading the ads and go for who has the greatest deals on items your family can use this week or next.  Favorite blogs: MoneySavingMom, SurvivingtheStores, AFullCup, and CouponMom.  Read what’s on sale, clip the coupons from your filed inserts, compile a list and you’re on your way to buying for less.

Beyond the ideas, favorites, and traditions of your own family, you can expand your meal ideas to include those of your friends.  Make meal planning a social affair when you exchange ideas for themes, freezer meals, and new home-dining experiences.  Find those around you who know how to make the kinds of meals you’d like to enjoy, and share a meal once in a while too.  A night away from the kitchen will be a blessing to someone you know.

August 1-7, according to http://www.brownielocks.com/august.html, is also “Simplify Your Life Week”.  School supply sales and yard sales are great opportunities to find organizing tools – for less.  Choose one area of your life, whether it is daily paper work, kids’ toys or your car to organize – and set out to find the tools at a great price. 

Here are a few other of Augusts’ special weeks.  Find someone to encourage, and a memory to make – have fun!

Single Working Women’s Week, August 1-7 (Is there a single mom at church or living near you?  How can you help her this week?)

National Resurrect Romance Week, August 8-14 – (Surprise your sweetheart!)

Weird Contest Week, August 15-21 – Create fun, silly times with your kids and friends!

Be Kind to Human Kind Week, August 25-31 – Enlist and encourage your kids to practice random acts of kindness this week.  Adopt a neighbor for the day (yard work, invitations to tea, handmade notes, etc.) or other ways to show love to one another.

Other Frugal Fun Times in August:

Friendship Day, August 1.  Be a Friend, Make a Friend.  Talk with your kids about friendship skills.  Find friendship-themed book at the library or create a puppet show!

National Night Out, August 3.  Neighbors getting to know neighbors, as well as safety-related and family-focused organizations gather to promote drug free, crime-reduced communities.  Many communities and neighborhoods have planned events:  http://nationalnightout.org/nno/

Smores Day, August 10.  Can you say campfire and chocolate!  Experiment with new smores ingredients – and don’t forget the washy-wipes n’ cameras!

National Garage Sale Day, August 14 – Get out there and find great deals – use http://www.garagesalestracker.com/ for Garage Sale Apps, sale listings and lists of consignment/flea markets near you.

Your favorite retailers and manufacturers likely have a Facebook group – join them for deals and updates!  Follow your favorite places to shop, dine, and visit with Twitter – many “Twitter Exclusives” will save you money.

Want help with your spending and other money habits?  Mint.com is a valuable, free website.  Find the credit card, loan or investment that suits your needs.  Register for their free budgeting tools, including graphs to illustrate where your money goes – and tracks your savings for a particular financial goal.  Join Mint.com’s Facebook group to read consumer and expert information. Smartphone apps are available as well, from Mint.com.

Local Blogs: Your Source for Time and Money Saving Ideas Close to Home:

Find families and writers from your area (or a destination you plan to visit).  You’ll be informed of what’s up, and where to go:

AmericanTowns.com:  Enter the city of your choice, or click on a state.  When you’ve chosen a city, you’ll view local news, tweets, blogs, facts, community groups and more. 

Examiner.com:  Join an online treasure of a website, information on every subject awaits you!.  You’ll meet local bloggers, interest groups, and be connected to those with similar interests.

Other Sources:  Visit the website of your local and/or closest metropolitan area newspaper.  Many newspapers are moving their content online, using bloggers.  If they don’t have one, perhaps you’d like to volunteer!  Radio and television stations have “consumer” sections of their broadcasts, the printed version is often posted online. Network television, such as MSNBC, CNN, and HNN have consumer/financial reporters who blog and post at the network’s website.

Kids have more time on their hands – and they may equate that with spending more of your money.  Whether or not allowances are in place in your home, or how their usual spending money is earned, summer is a great time to give your children the experience of long and short term money skills.  You can encourage them to save, spend and share – and that money does not “grow on trees”.  You’ll be glad you did!

Involving your children in some money skills now will inspire your entire household to be “financially fit”.  Before working with your kids and their money, you may have to catch up on your own money habits.  Do you have a budget in order?  Have you put on paper or long and short-term money goals?  Visit mint.com or feedthepig.com for money-saving tips, financial fitness advice and interactive tools.

Here are a few ideas:

Show them the Money:

When parents use debit cards, credit cards, and checks, their children often miss subtraction effect on bank accounts and bill statements.   It’s difficult to clearly show the value of money and balances after spending if they never see cash money change hands. 

For younger children, give them coins and dollar bills.  Talk about sharing their money with charity or church, creating a “savings” bank, and a “spending” allowance for themselves.  Utilize “Wishlists” with pictures or their own writing, (information on a reputable charity or Sunday school bank to encourage giving), as you talk about things not in the present moment. 

When you want them to spend their own money, show them the skills of comparison shopping, budgeting, couponing, and the risks of borrowing against next week’s allowance – to begin their schooling in basic money skills.

Older children can be shown more details of budgeting, as you share with them your household budget.  Show them the cost of basic living and how you make decisions for how income is spent.  Work together as a team to save money towards a family goal, whether it be a purchase, vacation, gifts, etc. 

Share with your children how when we say “no” to a present “want”, we can bank that money for a more significant need or pleasurable spending goal.  Challenge yourselves to save a week’s spending on take-out or candy – and enjoy a special evening or day trip together. 

Whatever you’re doing this summer, there are learning opportunities for your children.  Give them more than memories this summer; teach them to be moneywise for life.  Enlist your child’s help in researching the best, most money-wise options when planning travel or a family project.  Children can internet-search, read travel guides, and be creative – they might just save you a mint!

Here are a few websites to help get your kids enthused about money topics:

PBSKids.org: 

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/money/index.html

ParentFurther.com:

Talks parents through the process of teaching their kids about money:

http://www.parentfurther.com/parenting/money/talking-to-kids

Visa’s “Practical Money Skills For Life” – games, tips, and in-depth information on

http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/index.php

Visa has created “Financial Soccer”, a game and learning tool of financial literacy – set in the fun and fast-paced sport of soccer.  Kids begin as an “amateur”, and are promoted in soccer player status as they learn.  Lesson plans and links to more money-wise ideas.  Ages 11 and up.

http://www.financialsoccer.com/

Friends and Family: Pre-arrange details, divide up the work, and be sure to have the contact information of those not attending the sale, for pricing and merchandise questions.

When?! Some sellers believe that choosing a weekend around the first or the fifteenth of the month is more profitable. Inform neighbors of your sale. Advocate respect of their property from your buyers.

Best Signs, More Profit!: Durable homemade signs work as well as purchased kits.(Larger cardboard boxes or poster board reinforced with sticks or sandwich-board type signs with balloons attached?) Don’t list what you’re selling onto your sign -drivers can’t read the inventory of your sale—just get them there!

Can You Be Found?: Use wide-tipped permanent markers. Write in block letters, with arrows large enough to follow from several feet away. Uniformity in your signs leads buyers to your sale. If there is more than a mile or two between a sign and your sale, a brightly colored arrow steers drivers in the right direction. If your home is off the main road by several miles, writing “5 miles” on your sign may avoid buyers getting lost.

Find your good stuff: Ensure you have the manuals or accessories for items being sold. Presenting your items in good repair & cleanliness will increase selling value. If an item needs repair/replacement accessories, note it on the tag.

Let’s Make A Dollar!: Successful sellers price their item at a certain percentage of current retail, leaving room for some negotiation. Price clearly and fairly! 

Fuel-Up!: Crock-pot(or potluck) meals for lunch or the post-sale dinner meals prevents the temptation of buying convenience meals.

Catch Those Drive Bys!: Placing nicer/popular, more enticing items at the front will attract drive-by sale-rs. Have a kids’ table lower to the ground for toys & children’s items.

Ambiance: Children can be a distraction and a hazard, both for you and for your buyers. If your children are not ok with their items being sold, the whole process can be excruciating for everyone. Clear any hazards buyers might encounter. Label any items that are not for sale. Keep your out-of –sight home/garage doors locked, as people will wander around your yard

Safe Selling: Take precautions for anything you don’t want to have stolen. In between waves of buyers, take some of your money into your house.

Closing Time: Take down your signs. If the signs are re-usable, note on the back of them where they were posted. Set aside items for your “seed box” to sell at your next sale. Thank your neighbors for their help and patience with your buyers. Have your sale accountant total everyone’s sales, subtracting any amounts agreed upon for division of sale expenditures. Enjoy your profits!

Children of all ages, and their adults, can find affordable ways to cure the “I’m bored’s”, this summer, without busting their budgets.  Fun activities can be found online which will inspire fond memories and learning.  Internet sites offer fun resources and a starting point to many new adventures.

Learning Can Be Fun:

DoverPublications.com – Sign up for their weekly FREE Sampler, which includes puzzles, art, reading and activities for all ages.  Print out your choice, every week!

 HighlightKids.com – All the fun of the childhood favorite, available to you (for free) online!

Yellowstone Park: (Nps.gov/archive/yell/kidstuff/scavhunt/index.htm)

Kids of all ages can find an online tours, an alphabet book and scavenger hunt through Yellowstone Park.

Windowsintowonderland.org:  Take an e-field trip through Yellowstone.  Includes “Ask an Expert” and spectacular photos featured as you meet animals who call Yellowstone home.  

 Nationalgeographic.com invites you to online “Congo Trek” adventure and other fascinating experiences. 

 Creative Times:

 Familyfun.go.com: Fun stuff for kids and fun family ideas.  This is free online content from Family Fun Magazine, and more.  Includes recipes, coloring pages, puzzles, crafts… all designed to keep your family having fun together all year long.   

 Kaboose.com: Kids crafts, online games, and information for parents. Offers free Kids Crafts & Activities e-newsletter.

 Crayola.com:  Join Crayola’s free Creativity Central community for 1,000+ coloring pages, craft ideas, online games, and an e-card creator.

 Field Trips, Farm Tours, Farmers Markets and More:

 Localharvest.org:  Find family farms, farmers markets and other local food/farm information.

 FieldTripFactory.com:  Lists factory tours and field trips in your area.

 Share your favorite learning places, online….  Where are you finding your learning and creative times?

Frugal Grocery Shopping 101:

This is where the frugal strategy and the networking come in. 

Find the time, a little at a time, to try new spending methods.  Choose one or two strategies, see what they save you and go from there.  Get more, for less, when it’s on sale and you avoid multiple (expensive) trips to the store to buy what you need at full price.

Supermarket Smarts – Before You Go Shopping:

*Familiarize yourself with store promotions, price matching policies, coupon guidelines and the customer service department.  What you know maximizes what you’ll get for your money.

*Prepare a list (and review your menu).  If you already have a menu planned for the week, compare it to what you have in your kitchen (this avoids rushed, 4pm trips to the store!).

*If your menu is decided by what’s on sale, gather the circulars and/or study (free) forums on websites such as hotcouponworld.com, BeCentsable.net and afullcup.com.  These forums cut out a whole lot of time you would spend searching for the best deals yourself. Weekly circulars are matched with available coupons, giving you the inside track on how to save the most money this week. These boards and blogs are maintained by shoppers (with more valuable frugal wisdom). Store promotions, available without the use of coupons, are also listed.  If you’re short on time or want a quick introductory to matching coupons with sales, subscriptions can be purchased from TheGroceryGame.com.  The same “stacking” of sales with coupons information will be sent to you, at a minimal fee per store. 

 Coupons – The Where’s and How’s:

Coupons are printed weekly (except for holiday weekends) in coupon inserts, included in weekend papers.  Internet printed coupons can be found throughout the internet.  Manufacturer and independent coupon websites (boodle.com, coupons.com, wow-coupons.com, etc.) offer coupons you can print at home.  When shopping, look for “blinkie machines”, which offer coupons from store shelves.  “Catalinas”, are coupons which print at checkout, triggered by products you have purchased or by store promotions.  To acquire coupons in bulk, use sites such as thecouponclippers.com or couponsandforms.com which offer to send you coupons in exchange for handling and postage fees.  Products sometimes have coupons attached to them and coupons can be acquired by mail when you join retail or manufacturer mailing lists.

Coupons- How Do You Keep Them?

Coupon organization philosophies vary.  The best advice is to research and compare to find the one that works for you. Coupon files come in all sizes and types, from purse size to baby-seat sitting fileboxes.  The best tip is to keep coupons for items you use frequently with you, so that you can save big on that unexpected sale.

Coupon File Note: If you’re opposed to coupon files (or are short on filing time and space) and you want to “list and go”, there is the option of writing your menu and list on an envelope (recycling!), and placing coupons in that envelope. 

Most coupon users organize their coupons in the grouped categories found in stores.  For best frugal efficiency, designate file space for a particular store within your coupon holder.  Other file options include our favorite file tab; “check out”, where I keep coupons for the items my kids and I spot as we wait in line.

Grocery Coupon Expert Blogs Do the “Deal Stacking” For You: In order to utilize grocery coupon blogs which match sales with coupons, you must acquire an inventory of coupon inserts.  A single file drawer or portable (with a lid) file box work well.  Before you file the coupon insert, clip out coupons which match this week’s sales or coupons for items you buy often.  Insert dates are often hard to read (they’re printed on the spine of the insert), so use a dark marker and print the date on the front cover.  File each week’s inserts, by date, into hanging files (which are labeled by date). 

Each week, as you read the grocery coupon blogs, they will tell you the date and brand of coupon insert for a particular coupon.   Go to the filed inserts for that date, clip the coupons and put them into your travel coupon file (again, designated by store is most efficient).

Some of our Favorite Blogs:

MoneySavingMom.com

SurvivingtheStores.com

AFullCup.com

As weeks go by, periodically weed out inserts from your home coupon file which contain all expired coupons.  This will give you space for more current inserts.  (By the way, put the word out to friends that you’re clipping coupons.  Between your network of friends, churches, social groups and coupon groups, you can acquire all kinds of coupons.)  Subscribe to the weekend paper only, if only for the coupon inserts. 

No-Clip Coupons:  An emerging trend is occurring with retail companies.  In larger markets, your grocery store may have the option of loading coupons onto your frequent shopper card via their website.  Kroger, Proctor and Gamble, Upromise and others are companies offering this paperless option to saving money. Where there is more competition between stores, “Double Coupons” and the accepting of competitor coupons may be available. Rebate programs, store coupons and clearance aisles are other options for “stacking” savings (matching sales with coupons). Get to know the coupon options and money-saving opportunities in your area. 

Coupon use does take some time to implement and become a part of your shopping routine.  Be flexible (an important frugal attitude) and look forward to adding up your savings.  Calculating an hourly wage from the (decreasing) time you’ll spend to save money keeps you going (as does a little friendly competition!). It can be fun, it can be done and it’s awesome to know you’ll never pay full price again!

Share your skills, and your good ideas with others. If you can get products for free, using your money saving strategies (and you’re not going to use them), consider gifting them to charities.  Frugal living is about sharing and caring, enough to find ways to be more efficient with our resources and to pass our enthusiasm for living well onto others.

Frugal Quote for Thought: “The more we do, the more we can do”-William Hazlitt

Frugal Reading Review: “Super Baby Food”, by Ruth Yaron

This encyclopedia treasure of a book does not stop at advice for feeding your baby and toddler.  350 Recipes for delicious and nutritious meals are included, as are dozens of family fun ideas for food decorating and crafts.  “Super Baby Food” tells you what to feed, how to pay less for it – and advocates for healthy options at all stages.  Kitchen and food safety, time-saving tips, and a comprehensive index will keep this book on your shelf for years

 Let’s begin with planning.  Take a look at your calendar for the week.  Designate evenings that need quick or prepared meals. Which evenings, with a less hurried pace, can you look forward to sharing the preparation and dining with your family? 

For many, the easiest way to narrow the options is to plan with the “Themed” approach.  As your family accumulates favorites, you can mix them in with the themed plans however you wish.  An alternate method is to simply list your family’s favorites and chart them ahead of time throughout the month.   Balancing your favorites with heed to what you have in stock and what’s on sale will save you the most money.

 Frugal Family Food Tip:  Have Fun, Create Potential Meal Themes:
Meatless Mondays (an opportunity to try fish or legume entrees), Stir Fry, Breakfast for Dinner, Slow Cooker Nights (for those busy days), Soup Night, “Planned-Overs” (roast sandwiches or casseroles from the previous night’s main entrée), etc.

 Frugal Family Food Tip: Remember what you buy, is a valuable resource:

Families throw away 20-50% of purchased food.  Take stock of what you have.  Plan items you have near expiration date into your menu planner sooner than later.  As you bring new items in, place them behind older items.  When expiration dates are difficult to read, write them in permanent marker where they can be easily seen. Maintain a running list available to everyone, on the refrigerator, of items you’re about to run out of.

 Frugal Family Tools for Menu Planning:

Menus4Moms.com offers tools for frugal kitchens.  Subscriptions are available, to receive pre-planned menus, or you can peruse the cornucopia of great, free ideas.  This weekly planner combines your schedule (To Do’s) with meal planning:

http://www.menus4moms.com/pdf/weeklyplanner_rev.PDF

 OrganizedHome.com offers blank Weekly or Monthly Menu Planners (and lots of other FREE home organizing advice):

http://organizedhome.com/printable/houseworks-planner/monthly-menus

Frugal Living  Note:   It is true that not everything that you need (or is good for you) can be bought with coupons.  Often times, buying the store brand and buying unprocessed foods are the better options.  Every family has their preferred diet, and we would be remiss not to encourage families to choose the healthiest options for themselves.  Coupon use, can save you money – but, it is only one option for living within our means. 

Our next post will focus on Frugal Meal Shopping.

One: Fuel Up: You’ve heard that “Early to bed, early to rise…” saying.  With garage sale-ing, it’s a must. The night before is crucial for vehicle and physical preparation. Making sure that all of your gauges are on “F” for full will ensure you an edge on beating out the competition at the first sales. For proper pre-game fueling, fill the car, set out breakfast, pack snacks, a lunch if desired and get to bed early.

Two: Cash For Speed n Deals: This means carry cash and coin. Exact change speeds up the payment process and enables you to better present your final offer. How can you offer only $5 for a $7 item when you’ve just flashed them a ten or twenty? Cash is good; checks are time consuming and increasingly unaccepted.

Three: Mind Your Manners: Garage sale-ing is as much of a social affair as it is a sport. Remember those out there are often people you will see again, long past the possible score of a great deal. Good manners and sportsmanship go along way toward netting you not only new treasures, but new friends as well. Be respectful of others’ belongings. Listen politely to them about their prized possessions (and how much they can’t bear to part with them…”. Make an offer that is reasonable, leaving room for their inevitable rebuttal. If you are a prepared, cash-carrying competitor, you’ll win the deals. Fighting over plates or digging through someone else’s stash of finds won’t earn you any points with your fellow sale-rs (neighbors).

Four: Love Thy Neighbors: Those would include the neighbors of those who are holding the sale. Be patient and courteous with long, narrow driveways. Be mindful of whose lawn you may be parking on. Respect the property of others! Even if it means walking the extra steps up the driveway, instead of across the driveway, do go the extra mile. Neighbors also include our honorable mail carriers. Please do not park in front of mailboxes. After the sale is over, whomever you are buying from will appreciate a peaceful rest from their undisturbed neighbors.

Five: Map Your Course: I have to hand it to my Dad here. He’s a seasoned sale-r (sailor) through both the high seas and the garage sale-ing game. Dad knows how to map a route and he’s got his map book in the car. (Great maps can be found in your local phone directories or by contacting your chamber of commerce). Dad numbers the sales by time and location (or sometimes by items listed in the ad he’s particularly interested in). Charting a course before you set off saves you time and prepares you mentally for the game ahead. When you know where you’re going, you can get there faster.

 Six: Networking, Networking, Networking: Though this “hobby” may be seen as a sport to some, it really is about people helping people. With this in mind, exchange information with those you see regularly out on the trail. Get to know the folks and let them know what you are looking for. While you are seeking the deals, seek information about what the other sales are like today or about an unknown address. Networking pays here- you may even find your next job, home or best friend while garage sale-ing.

Seven: Know your goals, Seek your Goals (or “Look Quick, Grab Fast!)”:. There are sale-rs out there who are very quick on the draw! Some write lists, some take orders and others are seeking specific things (bookworms, antique collectors, handymen, ebay-ers, ect). Do your homework. When you see something you like, grab it fast! Items move very fast and so should you! By knowing what you’re looking for, you know whether a sale is for you – or whether you should cruise on down to the next one.

Garage sale-ing, whether for sport or for keeping the cost of living within a reasonable budget, is great fun—and adventure. Once you’ve been out there, seeking the treasures and finding great deals, it can become addictive. Garage sale-ing fits in well with the rising popularity of living simple and recycling. Many local organizations also, hold great sales, as fundraising events.

My hometown is home to the best garage sales seen in our region—and your community may be as well. Our neighbors hold the best sales—and the best stuff.  The sale-ing folks believe that perhaps nothing new comes onto our island, we just move it from house to house, from year to year. This can be illustrated by the reappearance of my own highchair, coming back into my family just in time for my son’s use – 15 years after my parents sold it at their garage sale. There are many other stories like ours. Many happy reunions of old things once owned, super deals made and neighbors met when someone else’s discards become someone else’s treasure.

Tips and Links for Buying Second-Hand:

Be advised of Product Recalls and research products you may be looking to buy used: http://www.recalls.gov/ (six federal agencies)

Consumer Product Safety Commission:

http://www.cpsc.gov/

To Find a List of Thrift and Second Hand Stores Near You (and tons of other frugal shopping blogs, links and information) http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

Garage Sale Listings around the country and Garage-Saler Tips:

http://www.garagesaleshopper.com/

http://gsalr.com/

Estate Sales (Tag Sales, Auctions and Estate Sales around the Country.  Companies who conduct Estate Sales as well-has a “notify me of local sales” option):

http://www.estatesales.net/

Emergencies can occur at any moment.  Our best chance for survival and protection of further damage is to be prepared – in writing.  You can not only protect your family by being prepared, but you are able to make a difference in the lives of others when you’re not in chaos over your own circumstances. 

Ready.gov:

http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html

Ready.gov is the best and most user-friendly emergency preparedness resource.  This website will lead you through the process of putting your plan in writing.  Ready.gov advocates that we “Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed”.  Here are some of the resources you can download, complete and refer to.  You can complete them online or print them and fill them out by hand:

Family Emergency Plan:  Communicate now how your family will reach each other and where you will go in the event of an emergency.  Make copies once you’ve completed them (for your emergency kit, automobile, work, and vital contact people):

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf

Family Communication Plan:  This form identifies and establishes communication plans should an emergency occur while the family is separated:

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/family_communications_plan.pdf

Adult Folding Wallet Card:  An emergency plan, to carry with you in your wallet.

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/fep_download/FamEmePlan_Adult.pdf

“QuickShare” Your Emergency Contact Information, The Email Text Option:  Complete this form online.  Your information will be transferred into a text format which you then email to those who need this information.  Ready.gov suggests that families complete the Family Emergency Plan to be best prepared; the Email Text option is not as comprehensive. 

http://ready.adcouncil.org/beprepared/quickshare.html

“Readiness U”: Communicating With and Including Children in the Emergency Preparedness Process: Children, with their caregivers, can find emergency preparedness information at this website.  Features are written in an easy to understand language, with the help of Sesame Street Characters and other kid-friendly activities.

http://www.ready.gov/kids/home.html

Sesame Workshop has an entire “Let’s Get Ready” website devoted to explaining emergency preparedness to young children.  Printable activities, video segments, and more can be found here:

http://www.sesamestreet.org/ready

Dining, Spas, Favorite Community Attractions and More – Groupon.com is the place for “Collective Buying Power”, in many cities across the country.  Register and you’ll receive the Groupon Deal of the Day for your city.  Alerts, Facebook group, Gift Certificates and more are also available.

Fashion, Home Décor and More – Join WorkitMom.com and you’ll know where the best deals are for all of those extras.  Check out their “Affordable Luxuries” blog to read what others are finding — and share your own “good deal alerts”.  Quick recipes, checklists, and home-living tips are also found here.

Share Your Talents for a Treat – Within your circle of friends, there’s someone who bakes homemade bread, sews, paints beautiful nails or loves to bake fancy desserts.  Offer to exchange their work for something they would enjoy.  Not only will this serve as an affordable indulgence, you’ll hone your talents as well.

 What Have You Heard? -  Keep your eyes and ears open to upcoming sales in your neighborhood.  Build a network of deal-seeking friends, whether it is on Facebook or via email.  The best deals are often unadvertised – and the early shopper gets the best, for less!

ThredUp.com has implemented a convenient, fair system in which no bidding, payment, photos or even post office lines are required.  Clothes are advertised on ThredUp.com according to size, brand, season and other factors.  When you find clothing that fits your needs, you then put together a set of clothes you’re willing to post onto the website for trade.  You can swap with confidence, as ThredUp users are rated by their peers.

Build an “Inner Circle” of friends you trade with, whether they are people you already know, ThredUp users recommended to you, or trading partners you meet as you swap.  Track the needs of those you trade with, and keep a list of your needs posted for others to help fill.

Items are sent using the USPS priority mailing boxes, which can be picked up from your home.  Basic membership to ThredUP.com is free, expanded “Pro” memberships are an option.  ThredUP operates on the “Golden Rule” philosophy, and they state a low tolerance for “bad behavior”. 

What a great source for trading those gently used clothes for “new to you” clothes – affordably and conveniently.  From now on, we’ll get a whole lot more from our clothing dollar

http://kids.thredup.com/

Staycations do require advance planning and research.  When you choose a closer, more affordable destination, you can perhaps splurge on a few upgrades during your getaway.

Begin with a family meeting, noting the attraction priorities and desires of everyone.  Recruit your older children as internet researchers.  Begin with a tourist bureau or chamber of commerce. Ask for free coupon books, entertainment guides, dining discounts, event calendars and special offers.   

Be sure to include a visit to the websites of local newspapers and community centers.  Look for spaghetti feeds, public pools, local entertainment, swap meets, etc – fun ways to affordably experience the town.  Once you’ve taken an online visit to your destination, you’ll have a list of the where’s and when’s to enjoy once you’ve arrived. 

Visiting a metropolitan city?  Here are a few money-saving opportunities:

CityPass.com:  Save time and money, buy a City Pass.  Admission tickets to several attractions are included in one great price.  Better yet, you’ll save time – most passes allow to you to bypass lines.  You can purchase these at any participating attraction once you arrive.  Passes are valid for a certain number of days, once you’ve used the first ticket.

Entertainment.com:  Shop, Dine, and Save all over town.  Our Seattle Entertainment book saved us more than we paid for it.  From coffee to children’s museums and more, you’ll enjoy the best, for less.  Some Entertainment book holders sell the book to location residents, once vacation is over.  Entertainment book coupons are also traded over Craigslist.org.  Check out the “Coupons” category for your destination, and you may be able to get more of the coupons you’ll need (done ahead of your departure).

Other Staycation Tips? 

Snacks:  Purchase snacks ahead of time.  Determine which attractions allow outside food or picnics.  Bottled water, hand wipes, sunglasses, and Ziploc bags also come in handy.

Accommodations:  Compare prices on travel websites such as Priceline.com – or begin your search for accommodations at Ebates.com.  When you book your stay through a participating website of Ebates, you’ll receive a small rebate.

Scrapbook, Staycation Style:  Give each child a composition-type notebook as their journal.  Decorate the cover once you’re home with photos, ticket stubs and other mementos.  Their artwork, observations, or other memories will be uniquely captured – a treasure!

Don’t Toss It, Swap It!:  There are a number of website where you can trade books, CDs, DVDs, and Video games that you have for ones that you’d like to own.  For the cost of shipping the item you have to another member, an item you want will be sent to you. So clear out those boxes of unused media, and get ready to enjoy some new titles!

PaperBackSwap.com:  Sister sites are SwapaCD.com and SwapaDVD.com

You can acquire credits through items you’ve sent to others, or by buying credits.  “Storytime with Soldiers”, a donation program of PaperbackSwap.com, gives you the opportunity to support military families.  Audio books and text books can also be traded here.

Swaptree.com: Swap CDs, DVDs, video games, and books

At this site, they offer you the opportunity to trade a CD for a DVD, in addition trading for the same type of media. 

 BookMooch.com: Swap books you have for books you want to read.  Earn points by sending books from your bookshelf to others.  Exchange points for books listed by website users.

Before You Hit the Mall, Hit the Streets:  As the weather gets warmer, we begin to sort through our closets for what we’re going to wear.  Already there are many great garage sales where you can find clothes fit for the upcoming sunny days.  Thrift stores and consignment stores will also be turning their inventory for the changing seasons. 

Make Friends, Refresh Your Wardrobe!:  Coordinate a clothing swap in your neighborhood, community center, school, or playgroup.  Recruit some help, categorize clothing and accessories by size/gender, and invite a large number of people.  Collect donations of clean bags and clothing in advance of the event, so that you have inventory to greet your first guests.  Donate the remaining clothes to local charities or shelters.

Pre-Cycle!  Think about what you buy and use.  How can you make more “Earth-friendly” choices?  We prevent the need to recycle when we buy less packaging and reuse what we have.  Read PlanetPals.com’s Earth Day 2010 Earth-Zine and learn “Top 10 Ways to Pre-Cycle”, along with other family fun and learning activities.  PlanetPals.com is a great resource for teachers and homeschoolers too!:

http://www.planetpals.com/pp_magazine22.html

Depending on your budget, schedules, wishes and interests, a memorable spring break is possible for anyone. While you’re planning for spring vacation, remember summer’s on the way too!

 Ideas & Tips for family travel: http://travelingtoday.com/

Memories can be made with your children without traveling thousands of miles to Mickey or Minnie. Vacations spent playing tourist in your own state are fun-and educational (don’t tell the kids!) Priceless memories, made without spending a fortune!

Find a map, close your eyes and point to your adventure! When you decide on a place, the first thing to do as a tourist is to contact your destination.

The internet is helpful, but be sure to follow your surfing with a call to the chamber of commerce.  Ask for coupons, dining recommendations, community events (theater, exhibits, etc).  Find their local paper on-line to read up on local events and places of interest.

When choosing lodging, compare prices and amenities. Consider paying a little more for kid friendly amenities (free meals, larger rooms, pools, etc.) Some family favorites are Embassy Suites & Holiday Inns- family rates & packages designed to make travel fun for all involved.

If you plan to visit many areas in your area –or you plan to travel out of state, a popular savings option is an Entertainment coupon book. You can buy a book for most major cities in the country. (Entertainment books are usually cheaper this time of year!)  They can pay for themselves within a single trip (and certainly within a year’s use for your home book). Once a member; you can find other discounts for other areas you travel as a member of the Entertainment website.

Visit http://www.entertainment.com for more information; enter your zip code to see potential savings. An Entertainment book has many coupons for attractions, dining, movies,  (these must be ordered in advance), shopping and travel.  (After your vacation, sell the book via Craigslist.org to someone living in that city.)

Planning a spring break at home? With your family, plan some fun activities. Consider an indoor camp-out, “theme days” with a particular country’s ambiance (where are your ancestors from?) or relive your Jr High Days with some PJ Days, Backwards Days and silly contests!  (Imagine the scrapbook pictures!)  If you’re in the mood to drive, play tourist in a neighboring community. Call ahead for suggestions & ideas.

For an online tour of National Parks & their amenities: http://www.nps.gov/

Remember your camera and capture your vacation in your family scrapbook. Be sure to mail yourselves postcards too, as these pictures also will be something to enjoy in years to come.

Close to home vacations are an awesome opportunity to journal your family’s history & adventures. Show yourselves a good time and share with your children some of their heritage.

Family activities both at for your home and on the road can be found at 

http://www.gameskidsplay.net

http://www.activitiesforkids.com

http://www.amazingmoms.com

http://www.apples4theteacher.com
(this site has online-timed (or printable) word searches which are educationally addictive- other activities for reading, poems, science & more!)

Travel back in time, visit a new state or meet amazing Americans at http://www.americaslibrary.gov
Check out the jukebox tunes & animate a cartoon!

Begin your changes slowly, investigating the possibilities and trying your new mixes with an experimenting-spirit.  As you become more versed in using homemade cleaning solutions, you will very likely save time, avoid common toxins and spend less money.

When researching this topic, the other tips I found most often repeated:

*Purchase new spray bottles and other sealable containers for your homemade cleaning mixes. 

*Label the cleaning solutions clearly, and keep a notebook (or file) of your successful recipes so that you can duplicate them easily later. 

*Maintain the same baby-proofing precautions with your homemade cleaning solutions as you would with commercial products.

*Essential oils and other ingredients may become as costly as commercial concoctions. Work with your friends to purchase them in bulk together or at least share when possible.

Baking soda, as you may have heard, is not just for baking.   As a kid, my mom always had us dip our toothbrushes in baking soda, now they have made Arm n Hammer baking soda toothpaste.  I guess Mom had the right idea!  Many products, following the trend of frugal and more natural cleaning, are boasting that they contain baking soda.  Baking soda is very affordable and can cut many costs of maintaining your home.  Make-Stuff. Com has a list of “Sixty Uses For Baking Soda”:

http://www.make-stuff.com/cooking/baking_soda.html

Vinegar is another more affordable product to use for your homemaking needs.  It’s not just for pickles, anymore!  As you’re gathering in fall apples, did you know vinegar will help deter the fruit flies?  Mixed with other common ingredients such as olive oil and lemon juice, you can freshen up your home.  Here is a list of “Vinegar Tips”:

http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7

Salt, I read is another wonder-product which can do more than season – it can clean, freshen and solve several kitchen conundrums.  Now, take it “with a grain of salt” (Trial and error is the spirit), but here are “Sixty Uses for Table Salt”, by BellyBytes.com (check out their long list of healthy recipes too!):

http://www.bellybytes.com/articles/salt.shtml

Housework won’t kill you, but then again, why take the chance!
–Phyllis Diller

 Learning Can Be Fun:

 DoverPublications.com – Sign up for their weekly FREE Sampler, which includes puzzles, art, reading and activities for all ages.  Print out your choice, every week!

HighlightKids.com – All the fun of the childhood favorite, available to you (for free) online!

Familycorner.com – An online community, your source for family fun, craft projects, and more.

Nps.gov/archive/yell/kidstuff/scavhunt/index.htm:  Kids of all ages can find an online tours, an alphabet book and scavenger hunt through Yellowstone Park.

Windowsintowonderland.org:  Take an e-field trip through Yellowstone.  Includes “Ask an Expert” and spectacular photos featured as you meet animals who call Yellowstone home.  

Preschoolprojects.net: Daily (free) preschool projects, preschool topics of information and more daily delivered to your e-mail.  There is also an offer for a free sample of their preschool projects.

Nationalgeographic.com invites you to online “Congo Trek” adventure and other fascinating experiences. 

Creative Times:

Familyfun.go.com: Fun stuff for kids and fun family ideas.  This is free online content from Family Fun Magazine, and more.  Includes recipes, coloring pages, puzzles, crafts… all designed to keep your family having fun.   

Kaboose.com: Kids crafts, online games, and information for parents. Offers free Kids Crafts & Activities e-newsletter.

Crayola.com:  Join Crayola’s free Creativity Central community for 1,000+ coloring pages, craft ideas, online games, and an e-card creator.

Share your favorite learning places, online….  Where are you finding your creative, learning adventures?

 Rules and Tips for the Money-Saving Weekend Sport:

You see the signs and if you know the game, you follow them. This is a sport like any other. It requires speed, knowledge, determination and – cash?? 

Termed “Garage Sale-ing”, as it is known to seasoned competitors, it adequately defines this game of buying and selling. Like any other sport, those who are successful veterans arrive prepared each week and usually walk away as winners. You can see them around 2pm on Saturday, a little spring in their step and grinning as they head home with their scores of great deals.

How do they do it week after week – and just what are the rules of this (usually) non-contact sport? Let’s take a look at what the great sale-rs know.

One: Fuel Up: You’ve heard that “Early to bed, early to rise…” saying.  With garage sale-ing, it’s a must. The night before is crucial for vehicle and physical preparation. Making sure that all of your gauges are on “F” for full will insure you an edge over the competition at the first sales. For proper pre-game fueling, fill the car, set out breakfast, pack snacks, a lunch if desired and get to bed early.

Two: In God We Trust: This means carry cash and coin. Exact change speeds up the payment process and enables you to better present your final offer. How can you offer only $5 for a $7 item when you’ve just flashed them a ten or twenty? Cash is good; checks are time-consuming and increasingly unaccepted.

Three: Mind Your Manners: Garage sale-ing is as much of a social affair as it is a sport. Remember those out there are often people you will see again, long past the possible score of a great deal. Good manners and sportsmanship go along way toward netting you not only new treasures, but new friends as well. Be respectful of others’ belongings. Listen politely to them about their prized possessions (and how much they can’t bear to part with them…”.

Make an offer that is reasonable, leaving room for their inevitable rebuttal. If you are a ready, cash-carrying competitor, you’ll win the deals. Fighting over plates or digging through someone else’s stash of finds won’t earn you any points with your fellow sale-rs (neighbors).

Four: Love Thy Neighbors: Those would include the neighbors of those who are holding the sale. Patient courtesy is required with long, narrow driveways. Be mindful of whose lawn you may be parking on. Respect the property of others! Even if it means walking the extra steps up the driveway, instead of across the driveway, do go the extra mile.

Neighbors also include our honorable mail carriers. Please do not park in front of mailboxes. After the sale is over, whomever you are buying from will appreciate a peaceful rest from their undisturbed neighbors.

Five: Map Your Course: I have to hand it to my Dad here. He’s a seasoned sale-r (sailor) through both the high seas and the garage sale-ing game. Dad knows how to map a route and he’s got his map book in the car. (Great maps are found in your local phone directories or by contacting your chamber of commerce).

Dad numbers the sales by time and location (or sometimes by items listed in the ad he’s particularly interested in). Charting a course before you set off saves you time and prepares you mentally for the game ahead. When you know where you’re going, you can get there faster.

Six: Networking, Networking, Networking: Though this “hobby” may be seen as a sport to some, it really is about people helping people. Get to know the folks and let them know what you are looking for. While you are seeking the deals, seek information about what the other sales are like today or about an unknown address. Networking pays here- you may even find your next job, home or best friend while garage sale-ing.

Seven: Know your goals, Seek your Goals (or “Look Quick, Grab Fast!)”: There are sale-rs out there who are very quick on the draw! Some write lists, some take orders and others are seeking specific things (bookworms, antique collectors, handymen, ebay-ers, ect).

Do your homework. When you see something you like, grab it fast! Items move very fast and so should you! By knowing what you’re looking for, you know whether a sale is for you – or whether you should cruise on down to the next one.

Garage sale-ing, whether for sport or for keeping the cost of living within a reasonable budget, is great fun—and adventure. Once you’ve been out there, seeking the treasures and finding great deals, it can become addictive. Garage sale-ing fits in well with the rising popularity of living simple and recycling. Many local organizations also, hold great sales, as fundraising events.

My hometown is home to the best garage sales seen in our region—and your community, as well. Our neighbors hold the best sales—and the best stuff. 

The sale-ing folks believe that perhaps nothing new comes onto our island, we just move it from house to house, from year to year. This can be illustrated by the reappearance of my highchair, coming back into my family just in time for my son’s use – 15 years after my parents sold it at their garage sale.

There are many other stories like ours. Many happy reunions of old things once owned, super deals made and neighbors met when someone else’s discards become someone else’s treasure.

Tips and Links for Buying Second-Hand:

Be advised of Product Recalls and research products you may be looking to buy used: http://www.recalls.gov/ (six federal agencies)

Consumer Product Safety Commission:

http://www.cpsc.gov/

To Find a List of Thrift and Second Hand Stores Near You (and tons of other frugal shopping blogs, links and information) http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

Garage Sale Listings around the country and Garage-Saler Tips:

http://www.garagesaleshopper.com/

 http://gsalr.com/

 Estate Sales (Tag Sales, Auctions and Estate Sales around the Country.  Companies who conduct Estate Sales as well-has a “notify me of local sales” option):

http://www.estatesales.net/

We must have the tools, (and use them), so that we are effective, efficient consumers.  Instead of impulse buying and buying in “blind faith”, it is important to have a working knowledge of our options and rights.  Taking the time to seek out the best product, and then find it at the best price is one way to use our resources wisely. 

Consumers have tools at the ready, available to help them in nearly every situation – it just takes knowing where to look.  Being aware of these tools before you need them (that is, before disaster strikes), is arming yourself (and those close to you), with priceless information. 

Connect yourself to what I consider to be the “Go-To Yellow Pages” of buying, selling and being a wiser consumer.  The Consumer Action Handbook (http://www.consumeraction.gov/) is available on-line or you can order a print version.   If you have a consumer question, a need in your life for signing contracts, filing a complaint or recovering from identity theft (and more subjects), you must have a copy of this FREE and valuable resource. 

It is enlightening reading.  I find that in listening to others, I am the one who is able to point them in the right direction – and often time save them a lot of time and money, because I know of the Consumer Action Handbook.

What sort of information is found in the Consumer Action Handbook? 

*A step-by-step process for filing a consumer complaint

*Identity theft prevention and recovery

*Contact information to major corporations, including retail and manufacturer

*Buying a car, home or looking to invest? – You can find tips and references here

*Your local consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau

*Military Specific Better Business Bureaus (for military-related consumer news) and Military Support Agencies

*Teaching outlines for Teachers and other Consumer Mentors

*Subject information for Internet, Travel, Television, Health Care, Insurance and More

*Tips for shopping from home, junk mail and telemarketers – be aware of your rights.

 How Can Consumeraction.gov be of help to me?

*It acts as a guide when you meet a consumer crisis.  It begins with “be calm”, and continues as it provides a sample letter for you to use as you resolve your circumstances.

*If you want to learn the signifigance of your credit score and how to improve it, or you want to know how to correct negative information on your credit report.  (Links to all major credit-related organization and governing agencies.)

*When you have issue to report a fraud, product defect or safety hazard, or want to be informed of current product recalls and safety guidelines.

Tools You Can Use in These Financial Times:

*“How to Make Ends Meet”, tools and links to forms which can help you calculate your circumstances and forms to apply for assistance: http://www.aarp.org/money/personal/real_relief_aarp/

*Ten Things You Must Keep in a Fireproof Safe:

http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-articles/10-Things-You-Must-Keep.html?WT.mc_id=EM_NEWS_JAN09BEST_NPFINAL&WT.mc_ev=EmailOpen&spMailingID=2332991&spUserID=NDE3MjE0MjY4OAS2&spJobID=64470653&spReportId=NjQ0NzA2NTMS1

*Ten Ways to Protect Yourself against Scams and Fraud:

http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/ten_ways_to_protect.pdf

Once you have become familiar with these tools,  pass it on.

 Frugal Quote for Thought:

“Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child.”

-Author Unknown

Contribute to an IRA for yourself and your spouse. You have until April 15, 2010 to make IRA contributions for 2009. (From cnn.com: check out CNN.com or MSN.com for their money-related articles)

Consider your withholdings allowances and withholding status:  Though many of us look forward to a tax refund every year, ask yourself if what you’re getting back could be paid to you throughout the year, instead of loaning it to Uncle Sam at 0% interest—wouldn’t that be better? Evaluate your W-4 and see if any changes can be made.

Get Organized: Make it a resolution! Designate one area in your home and one set of files to organize all of your financial/home data. Start collecting those pieces of information that you’ll need at tax time. Being organized can save you lots of time and money when you know what you have and can find it fast! This includes receipts for big purchases, warranties/instructions, credit card statements, etc.

Want More Money Information? Check out these sites:

Money Instructor:

http://www.moneyinstructor.com/

This site has information for parents, teachers, homeschoolers and individuals who want to teach kids money matters—and learn for themselves as well! Read more about personal finance and other helpful money saving/investing/credit ideas.

Yahoo Finance:

http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes 

Several finance articles on money and personal finance can be found here. Lots of information on new tax laws and how to prepare for filing taxes.

Best Consumer and Finance Freebie:  Order your free copy of the “Consumer Action Handbook”!  It’s the yellow pages/encyclopedia of everything you need to know to protect yourself, make wise spending decisions and more!:

http://www.consumeraction.gov/