Straw Bale Gardening

This post comes from a blog written by a good friend of mine.  I am going to try this next year.

What is straw bale gardening?  You use straw bales as the soil for your garden plants.  They don't have weeds and you eliminate a lot of bending.

Continue reading: straw-bale-gardening

Save on Prescription Drugs

The cost of prescription drugs can be an enormous drain on the budget. Enjoy this great article which gives some excellent suggestions on how to treat the high cost of prescription drugs.

http://www.walletpop.com/2011/02/15/savings-experiment-treating-the-high-cost-of-prescription-drugs/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk3%7C201866

5 Home Cooked Meals Cheaper Than McDonald's

I recently had the chance to hear one of my idols, Mark Bittman, speak at a conference that I was attending. I’ve always been a big fan, and I love his recipes. I find them to be completely doable, and they have minimal ingredients – both wins in my book. I am also fond of some of the articles I’ve read in his column for The New York Times. So when I heard that he was one of the speakers, I was giddy, to say the least.

Though I loved his whole talk, a few points stuck with me. One of them was the fact that he had researched it and found that it is actually cheaper for families to cook at home than it is for them to buy dinner at McDonald’s. I missed his article on this one, but hearing him mention it certainly got me thinking. Like many others, I have always been under the assumption that fast food is cheaper than home cooked meals. I’ve figured that was part of the excuse for why so many people buy fast food. Seems logical, right? I decided to put his theory to the test, and I have findings below to support his theory.

Though I’m fortunate to live in an area with a slew of grocery stores around – everything from Bi-Lo to Fresh Market to Food Lion to Whole Foods – I realize that these are not as accessible to everyone. And I wanted to be sensitive to budgets of all levels, so I headed to the one store that most people have access to – Walmart.

Read more home-cooked-meals-cheaper-than-mcdonalds

18 Bizarre (and Legit) Ways to Earn Money in 2016

If you hate making extra money, then I suggest you stop reading right now. However, if you, like most normal people, are up for making a little extra cash in 2016, then read on, my friend! We’ve rounded up 18 of our favorite ways to bring in some dough throughout the year. You can try one or two to make a little money, or try them all to add more wiggle room to your budget.

Read more 18-bizarre-and-legit-ways-to-earn-money-in-2016/

How Long Do All Your Favorite Foods Last After They're Opened?

After you’ve opened a jar of pasta sauce and put in the fridge, it’s good basically forever, right? Sorry, Andre 3000, it’s not good forever, or even forever ever. Because we’re often confused about how long our favorite packaged food, fruits, and veggies are good for, we talked to Chris Bernstein from the Food Safety Education arm of the Food Safety Inspection Service/USDA.

Read more how-long-do-all-your-favorite-foods-last-after

Basic Cooking Tips to Prepare Meals Better

Knowing how to prepare a meal is an important skill to learn. It is an essential part of  living as we need food to nurture the body. Also, making meals can save time if prepared in advance, save money by cutting your grocery bill, prevent wasting foods, and is a good way to bring family and friends to the table.

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4 Ways to Kill Your Food Storage

Another great article from Misty Marsh.  Building a “home store” of food and other supplies isn’t easy: it requires a lot of time, effort, expense, and dedication.  It takes work.  I doubt that any of you want to waste the time and effort that you’ve put into building this supply.  Am I right?  Continue reading 4-ways-to-kill-your-food-storage

19 Unbeatable Deals You Can Only Find at Costco

Every time I get my Costco membership renewal notice in the mail, it’s these 19 items that keep me writing that $55/year check.  Read more  19-unbeatable-deals-you-can-only-find-at-costco

Constancy Amid Change

This is an address given in General Conference in 1979 by President N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency.  It is still relevant today.

During World War II, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Albert E. Bowen, wrote a book compiled from a series of radio addresses, which he entitled Constancy amid Change (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1944). The messages of these talks were very timely. We were a world in conflict, and people the world over needed a message of certainty, assurance, and stability. 
Continue reading http://www.lds.org/ensign/1979/11/constancy-amid-change

Financial Readiness: As Critical as Fully Charged Batteries

Here are some thoughts from the FTC on Financial Readiness:

Home is where most people feel safe and comfortable. But sometimes — say, when a hurricane, flood, tornado, wildfire, or other disaster strikes — it’s safest to pack up and go to another location.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says that when it comes to preparing for situations like weather emergencies, financial readiness is as important as a flashlight with fully charged batteries. Leaving your home can be stressful, but knowing that your financial documents are up-to-date, in one place, and portable can make a big difference at a tense time.

Here are some tips from the FTC for financial readiness in case of an emergency:

• Conduct a household inventory. Make a list of your possessions and document it with photos or a video. This could help if you are filing insurance claims. Keep one copy of your inventory in your home on a shelf in a lockable, fireproof file box; keep another in a safe deposit box or another secure location.
• Buy a lockable, fireproof file box. Place important documents in the box; keep the box in a secure, accessible location on a shelf in your home so that you can “grab it and go” if the need arises. Among the contents:
  • your household inventory
  • a list of emergency contacts, including family members who live outside your area
  • copies of current prescriptions
  • health insurance cards or information
  • policy numbers for auto, flood, renter’s, or homeowner’s insurance, and a list of telephone numbers of your insurance companies
  • copies of other important financial and family records — or notes about where they are — including deeds, titles, wills, birth and marriage certificates, passports, and relevant employee benefit and retirement documents. Except for wills, keep originals in a safe deposit box or some other location. If you have a will, ask your attorney to keep the
    original document.
  • a list of phone numbers or email addresses of your creditors, financial institutions, landlords, and utility companies (sewer, water, gas, electric, telephone, cable)
  • a list of bank, loan, credit card, mortgage, lease, debit and ATM, and investment account numbers
  • Social Security cards
  • backups of financial data you keep on your computer
  • an extra set of keys for your house and car
  • the key to your safe deposit box
  • a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks. ATMs or financial institutions may be closed.
• Consider renting a safe deposit box for storage of important documents. Original documents to store in a safe deposit box might include:
  • deeds, titles, and other ownership records for your home, autos, RVs, or boats
  • credit, lease, and other financial and payment agreements
  • birth certificates, naturalization papers, and Social Security cards
  • marriage license/divorce papers and child custody papers
  • passports and military papers (if you need these regularly, you could place the originals in your fireproof box and a copy in your safe deposit box)
  • appraisals of expensive jewelry and heirlooms
  • certificates for stocks, bonds, and other investments and retirement accounts
  • trust agreements
  • living wills, powers of attorney, and health care powers of attorney
  • insurance policies
  • home improvement records
  • household inventory documentation
  • a copy of your will
• Choose an out-of-town contact. Ask an out-of-town friend or relative to be the point of contact for your family, and make sure everyone in your family has the information. After some emergencies, it can be easier to make a long distance call than a local one.
• Update all your information. Review the contents of your household inventory, your fireproof box, safe deposit box, and the information for your out-of-town contact at least once a year

5 Tricks To Reduce Food Waste (And Save Money!)

When I open the refrigerator at the end of the week, my mood can turn sweet or sour. Either I get a feeling of immense pleasure and satisfaction when I see that I have used up almost all of the food I bought the previous weekend, or I feel disappointed with myself when I toss a head of broccoli that has turned brown into the compost bin or throw out salsa that grew mold before we finished it.

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Cut Your Spending by $400 a Month

Did you know if you cut your spending by $13 a day, you’ll save $400 a month and $4800 a year! Pay attention to the little expenses because they really do add up.

Check out   http://www.thebudgetdiet.com/cut-your-spending-by-400-a-month   for 72 ways to cut your spending.


The tips come from The Budget Diet at   http://www.thebudgetdiet.com/what-is-the-budget-diet

15 Ways to Do Date Night on a Dime

Fun doesn’t have to equal lots of dollars. Check out these Nesties' date-night ideas! 
1. Go to the movies for cheap. There are ways to do movie dates on a budget: "Find second-run theaters. 

They cost about $2 per person per show. Or go to a matinee of a current movie." --SUE_SUE
2. Make it a lunch date. "Order from the lunch menu -- it's cheaper than dinner and the portions aren't that much smaller." --MATTESMAGIC
3. Go to a cooking class. "Go to Williams-Sonoma and attend one of their cooking demos." You'll have some new recipes to try instead of going to a restaurant, so you'll save even more money. --DARINGMISS
4. Rethink tool time. Cooking stores aren't the only places with free how-tos: "Hardware stores like Lowe's and The Home Depot have DIY seminars. You can both learn to fix things, and it's fun and free!" --QPIX
5. Make a reservation -- for dessert. "We go to our favorite ice-cream shop and get sundaes, then drive around town and get in some quiet time." --OSUWIFEY09
6. Have a Wii night. You've already invested in a Wii, now use it for date night. "We have date-night Wii tourneys and make some interesting bets to spice things up. Anything goes, from doing dishes to sexual favors!" --ENICLAIRD
7. Hit the links. "A really fun date is going to the golf course and playing just nine holes. I did that recently with my husband. Even if you guys aren't good, it's still fun." -- BRIGHTEYES888
8. Volunteer together. For a feel-great date: "Volunteer together somewhere. One of my favorites was volunteering for a local farm to harvest veggies that are then sold at ridiculously low prices to people in need. We had a blast and felt great about helping. Cost: gas money." --SPINCAT9
9. Step up to the plate. "My husband and I take a bat and a ball to a local school and play around." Get into it with knee-high socks, baseball hats or even your favorite team's jersey. --BRIDE2BNVA
10. Get crafty with your home improvements. Decorate and date! "My husband and I do silly, crafty things. For example: We'll go to A.C. Moore or Michaels craft store and buy things that we can make to decorate the outside of our house!" --KLASALA318
11. Go on a field trip. Soak up culture free of charge: "Our neighborhood library has free passes to local museums. You can check out the passes like a library book." --DARINGMISS
12. Read all about it. "If you look in any local paper, you can usually find an entertainment section full of cheap activities in the next few days." Stick to your own neighborhood so you won't have to use extra gas or waste travel time. --DERNIERMOT
13. Pack a picnic in the park. Pack a picnic basket: blanket, bottle of wine, cheese, fruit, etc. -- but be warned: "We did this once to be cheap, and ended up spending about $70. So, make sure it's an inexpensive bottle of wine and cheap cheese." --ANHG80
14. Take a staycation. You don't even have to leave the city limits: "We live in San Francisco, so we visit the Japanese Tea Garden and pack a lunch. You'll get to experience a little bit of another country right inside Golden Gate Park." --BRITTNEY
15. Have a theme night. "Schedule a theme dinner and movie night at home." Create a menu based on the movie you're watching (i.e., spaghetti for a Francis Ford Coppola flick) and make it together before watching. --MELLY_BELLIE


From the nest       http://ideas.thenest.com/love-and-sex-advice/anniversaries-dating-ideas/articles/date-night-on-a-dime.aspx

12 Tips On How To Spend In A Recession

During an economic recession we might feel unsure of what is best to spend our money on. It seems that what has applied in the past has somehow changed. At a time when we need to know with greatest clarity how to manage our money, we feel uncertain.

Read more at http://www.providentliving.org.nz/how-to-spend-in-a-recession/

This article comes from a Ward Welfare Newsletter from New Zealand.

Labels: Budget, Family Finance, Finance, Ways to Save Money

Spend More Money on What You Actually Want

Americans aren’t spending money on what we want, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Instead, we’re paying more and more for things like groceries, utilities and healthcare and less on fun stuff like travel and eating out. Bummer.

While you can’t control the fluctuating costs of health insurance or natural gas, you can figure out some smart alternatives for expensive budget items. Free up more money in these four areas of your life:

Continue reading http://name.everydollar.com/blog/spend-more-money-on-what-you-actually-want

Goals For Setting Priorities

Top 10 things to know when budgeting your money and setting financial priorities.

1. Narrow your objectives.
You probably won't be able to achieve every financial goal you've ever dreamed of. So identify your goals clearly and why they matter to you, and decide which are most important. By concentrating your efforts, you have a better chance of achieving what matters most.
2. Focus first on the goals that matter.
To accomplish primary goals, you will often need to put desirable but less important ones on the back burner.
3. Be prepared for conflicts.
Even worthy goals often conflict with one another. When faced with such a conflict, you should ask yourself questions like: Will one of the conflicting goals benefit more people than the other? Which goal will cause the greater harm if it is deferred?
4. Put time on your side.
The most important ally you have in reaching your goals is time. Money stashed in interest-earning savings accounts or invested in stocks and bonds grows and compounds. The more time you have, the more chance you have of success. Your age is a big factor - younger people (who have more time to build their nest egg) can invest differently than older ones. Generally, younger people can take greater risks than older people, given their longer investment horizon.
5. Choose carefully.

In drawing up your list of goals, you should look for things that will help you feel financially secure, happy or fulfilled. Some of the items that wind up on such lists include building an emergency fund, getting out of debt and paying kids' tuitions. Once you have your list together, you need to rank the items in order of importance (if you have trouble doing so, use the CNNMoney.com Prioritizer for help).

6. Include family members.
If you have a spouse or significant other, make sure that person is part of the goal-setting process. Children, too, should have some say in goals that affect them.
7. Start now.
The longer you wait to identify and begin working toward your goals, the more difficulty you'll have reaching them. And the longer you wait, the longer you postpone the advantage of compounding your money.
8. Sweat the big stuff.
Once you have prioritized your list of goals, keep your spending on course. Whenever you make a large payment for anything, ask yourself: "Is this taking me nearer to my primary goals - or leading me further away from them?" If a big expense doesn't get you closer to your goals, try to defer or reduce it. If taking a grand cruise steals money from your kids' college fund, maybe you should settle for a weekend getaway.
9. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Although this lesson encourages you to focus on big-ticket, long-range plans, most of life is lived in the here-and-now and most of what you spend will continue to be for daily expenses - including many that are simply for fun. That's OK - so long as your long-range needs are taken into consideration.
10. Be prepared for change.
Your needs and desires will change as you age, so you should probably reexamine your priorities at least every five years.

These tips come from Money magazine.

10 Steps to Making a Financial Budget

Learn how to budget by following these 10 steps on how to bring your spending under control.

1. Budgets are a necessary evil.
They're the only practical way to get a grip on your spending - and to make sure your money is being used the way you want it to be used.
2. Creating a budget generally requires three steps.
- Identify how you're spending money now.
- Evaluate your current spending and set goals that take into account your long-term financial objectives.
- Track your spending to make sure it stays within those guidelines.
3. Use software to save grief.
If you use a personal-finance program such as Quicken or Microsoft Money, the built-in budget-making tools can create your budget for you.
4. Don't drive yourself nuts.
One drawback of monitoring your spending by computer is that it encourages overzealous attention to detail. Once you determine which categories of spending can and should be cut (or expanded), concentrate on those categories and worry less about other aspects of your spending.
5. Watch out for cash leakage.
If withdrawals from the ATM machine evaporate from your pocket without apparent explanation, it's time to keep better records. In general, if you find yourself returning to the ATM more than once a week or so, you need to examine where that cash is going.
6. Spending beyond your limits is dangerous.
But if you do, you've got plenty of company. Government figures show that many households with total income of $50,000 or less are spending more than they bring in. This doesn't make you an automatic candidate for bankruptcy - but it's definitely a sign you need to make some serious spending cuts.
7. Beware of luxuries dressed up as necessities.
If your income doesn't cover your costs, then some of your spending is probably for luxuries - even if you've been considering them to be filling a real need.
8. Tithe yourself.
Aim to spend no more than 90% of your income. That way, you'll have the other 10% left to save for your big-picture items.
9. Don't count on windfalls.
When projecting the amount of money you can live on, don't include dollars that you can't be sure you'll receive, such as year-end bonuses, tax refunds or investment gains.
10. Beware of spending creep.
As your annual income climbs from raises, promotions and smart investing, don't start spending for luxuries until you're sure that you're staying ahead of inflation. It's better to use those income increases as an excuse to save more.

Another lesson from Money Magazine

The Envelope System Explained

The envelope system is certainly nothing new—it has been around for decades.

And yet many people still don’t know exactly how it works. Do you need to save up money to get started? Does every bill get paid with the envelope system? Can you work an envelope system online? And on and on.

How It Works

You don’t have to save up any money to start using the envelope system. It goes like this: Let’s say you have budgeted $500 a month for groceries.  Continue reading at www.daveramsey.com/blog/envelope-system-explained

365 Day Penny Challenge

Tracking Spending and Expenses

To build a realistic financial budget, start by figuring out where your money goes now.  There are three steps to creating a budget:
1) Identify how your money is currently being spent.
2) Evaluate that spending to see if it meets the financial priorities you specified in Lesson 1.
3) Track your ongoing spending to make sure it stays within those guidelines (or to understand how your budget needs to be revised).
If you happen to use Quicken, Microsoft Money or other such software, you're in luck. These programs generally make it easy to draw up a budget.
In Quicken, for example, every time you make a deposit, write a check, pay a credit card bill or dispatch an electronic payment you are asked to assign it to a particular category, such as "salary," "clothing," "groceries," "child care" or "health insurance."
You can also create subcategories, dividing "auto" expenses into "fuel," "insurance" and "service." The program comes with a set of categories that handle most of the basics. You can edit the list to create categories that make better sense for your particular household.
The drawback, of course, is that entering and categorizing all of your income and outflow is a tedious chore.
You can reduce the tedium by judiciously selecting categories. Let's say you are only worried about tracking your spending for recreation and leisure pursuits. You could create categories that cover those types of expenses, and let everything else accumulate under "miscellaneous revenue" or "miscellaneous expense."
The problem with that approach is that you forgo the opportunity to spot problems in other spending areas that you may not even be aware of.
A better solution is to track expenses using electronic banking. That way, you can download your payments and deposits directly from the bank, rather than having to enter them by hand.
The downloaded banking transactions generally show up without any categorization - meaning you'll have to add the categories by hand. But if you use a credit card that is issued by a bank that permits electronic access, then the downloaded charges from your card sometimes do come with categories attached (they aren't always right, so check them).
Either way, once you've got your spending tracked by category, drawing up a report requires only a few clicks of the mouse. Even better, such programs often have an automatic budget-creation feature that scans your spending in the past in order to estimate how much you'll spend going forward.
If your finances aren't wired, you can still get a good handle on your spending the old-fashioned way. Start by getting all your records together from the past 12 months, including pay stubs, loan proceeds, withdrawal slips, canceled checks and itemized credit-card statements. Then go through them and compile totals for your income and expenses in a set of categories that makes sense for you.
At the end of this exercise, you may still have a sizable lump of spending that's undocumented - typically, the money you withdraw in cash and then spend on day-to-day needs. If this portion of your budget seems to be getting out of hand, keep a journal for the next four weeks in which you record every nickel you spend. You can use those results to extrapolate how your cash is being spent throughout the year.
Now that you've got a good picture of where your money is going, you can proceed to evaluate which parts of that spending should be raised or lowered. 

Another installment form Money Magazine.