Lists

I am a list-maker.  It's the way I stay sane.  It's the way I prevent (most of the time:-) that overloaded  brain forgetfulness.  It's the way I can sleep at night so I'm not worrying "Don't forget this, tomorrow."  I keep a notepad near my bed to keep track of these things.  But right on my fridge I have posted two lists that help me save money--my freezer content list and my restock list.

My freezer content list contains all the items I have in my deep freezer, which is especially helpful with the freezer meals I've been making.  I write the item, how many I have, and the date they were made or put in the freezer.  Then, when I take something out of the freezer, I cross it off the list.  This helps me remember and use what I have so that I don't waste money on unused freezer-burned food.

My restock list is where I write down the items that we're running out of.  My husband has learned that if he wants me to buy something, he must write it on the list or I won't remember to buy it!  When I go shopping, I grab the list so that I won't forget something...which saves me money on gas and those "extra" things you tend to pick up when you're just buying milk!

What lists help you save money?

New Year, New Resolutions

Most of you have probably already made (and perhaps even already broken ;-) your New Year's resolutions.  But if not, here is a suggestion for 2011--make (or reevaluate) a budget and try hard to stick to it!  What are your long-term goals?  What do you feel is important enough to invest your hard earned time and money in? 
My hubby and I recently sat down and reevaluated our budget.  Saving as much as we can is always a priority, but we realized there are a few categories we feel it important to invest some money and a whole lot of time in.  For us, we're focusing on: 1) our marriage, 2) our family, and 3) our health.  As my dad likes to joke, "Date nights are a lot cheaper than marriage counseling!" 
What is important to you?  Plan your budget accordingly and then stick to it!!

Winter Clearance

Most stores are clearancing their winter gear...which means savings for you!  Buy coats, hats, gloves, boots, slippers, etc. now for next year.  It may be a little difficult figuring out what size your kids will be next year, so do your best and err on the side of bigger.  Of course, don't forget to first check what hand-me-downs the younger kids can use.  Also check thrift stores for winter gear...often you can score great deals on good name-brand coats.

Generic vs. Name Brand

A great way to save money is to buy generic or store brands rather than a name brand (except when the name brand is on sale and you have a coupon:-).  Feel you are absolutely loyal to a specific brand?  Try a taste test with your family.  See if they notice a difference in taste.  If not, then you can continue buying the generic version.  If they did, go back to your preferred brand.  At least you gave it a try!  We've tried this and have discovered that most generic/store brands are just as good as the name brand (some are even better!).  There are a few items, such as tomato soup, where we prefer the taste of the more expensive name brand.

Generics especially save you money when buying over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs.  Add up the savings!

Freezer Meals

I've lately gotten into the craze of making freezer meals.  This is a great way to stretch your dollar and to save time!  This way you will have meals on hand for those days you just don't feel like making dinner, saving you money by not eating out.

There are different ways to go about this:

1. When you make a meal, double it and freeze the extra.  This is by far the easiest, requiring little extra effort.
2. Join or form a freezer dinner group exchange.  Each person makes one meal for however many families are in the group and you exchange.  Nice for new recipes.
3. Have a big cooking day about one day a month, preparing several meals at once.  This works well when you have certain meal themes, such as chicken recipes.  You can stock up on chicken when it's on sale and then prepare several dishes at once.  This also saves money by consolidating cooking your chicken all at the same time, rather than on each day you are having chicken.

Some tips: 

• Freeze most meals in Ziploc freezer bags.  By laying them flat on a cookie sheet in the freezer, you can stack them easily, conserving space.
• Buy extra casserole dishes at garage sales, thrift stores, etc. so all your casserole dishes won't be tied up in the freezer.
• Use adhesive labels to attach to each dish, listing contents, date made, and directions for reheating.
• Keep a paper near the freezer to list the available meals and their dates.  Be sure to cross the meal off once you use it.

Thanks to all my friends who have taught me how to do freezer meals!!

Teach Them While They're Young

It's never too early to teach your children the basics of thrifty economics.  You will save them so much heartache later if you teach them now, while they're impressionable.  From early on, my kids have learned I won't buy anything they ask for at the grocery store, unless it's on my shopping list and I have a coupon and/or it's on sale.

My eldest (age 7) is learning the financial pressure of debt.  He really wanted to buy a certain toy.  When he discovered he didn't have enough, I encouraged him to wait until he had saved up enough to buy it.  However, if he still wanted it, I would buy it for him, but he would have to pay me back the loan amount plus interest after the grace period.  I know it seems harsh, but it has been a valuable lesson for him.  He has realized his purchase wasn't worth the stress he feels to earn the money before interest starts accruing.  I figure it's better for him to learn this lesson now over a few dollars than it is for him to learn it when he's older and facing a much bigger monetary amount!

What do you do to teach your children money-saving skills?

Coupon Update

I just wanted to let you know there have been some changes in coupon policies lately.  Most King Soopers now will NOT let you use a digital coupon (CellFire, Kroger, etc. that are loaded to your card) in addition to a physical manufacturer coupon.

I've also lately been given tips on additional coupon sites.  Coupon Mom is a site that does similar shopping lists as The Grocery Game but it's free!  Check it out and see if it's to your liking.

My sister clued me in on Groupon, a group-coupon site where they offer certain daily deals.  Once signed up, you receive an email, text, or facebook post each day stating the daily deal.  Then you  decide if you want to participate in the group coupon.  For example, one daily deal was spend $5 for a $10 gift card to Cold Stone Creamery.  If you like ice cream and frequent Cold Stone Creamery, this would be the deal for you!  Just say you're in, pay your $5, and you'll receive a coupon in your in box as a $10 gift card.  The one catch is that enough people have to be interested in it, say 50 people, for the deal to be "on."  (We're talking in the whole Denver metro area, so most likely, most deals are a go.)  If the deal isn't "on" and the time expires, you aren't charged the required amount.  Just be wary of buying something because it's such a great "deal" when you don't really need it or would usually buy it!

Cooking Schedule and Themes

Anyone who knows me well knows I just HATE cooking!  There are so many things I would rather be doing than making a meal and cleaning up after it.  But food is necessary to sustain life (darn it:-) so it's got to be done.  I realized the hardest thing for me about cooking is coming up with the idea of WHAT to make.  So I came up with 12 dinner themes.  By repeating two themes, I have two-weeks worth of themed food nights, making it easier to come up with a menu (and helping us get out of a dinner rut).  I schedule these on the calendar and pick a meal for each theme.  What saves money is knowing before 5:00 what I'll be making for dinner so we don't fall back on "Let's just pick something up."  Another money saving tip is to create your menu specifically on what you have on hand or what is on sale that week.

For those of you who are interested, here's our Themes:
Italian
Mexican
Asian
Soup/Salad
From the Oven
Something New (to encourage me to branch out from our usual staples)
Family Favorites
Crockpot
Pizza (homemade)
Meatless
Simple (mac n cheese from a box, Ramen, grilled cheese, etc.)...twice
CORN (Clean Out Refrigerator Night)...twice

My husband has appreciated the better meals (and not having to wait so much when he gets home) and I've loved the anxiety-free feeling I have of knowing what we're having for dinner.  So, get your calendars and pencils ready and start planning your menus!  Who knows, you might actually start enjoying cooking every once in a while!-)

Leftover Hair Conditioner

Used the last of the shampoo, but still have some remaining conditioner?  Don't throw it out!  Use it as shaving cream instead.  It works just as well and you save some money in the process.

Do-It-Yourself Car Repair

My husband and I are not what you would call handy do-it-yourself people.  Which is a shame, because whenever you can do something yourself, you can save A LOT of money.  But even if you don't know much by way of car repair, there are a few things you can learn to do:

• Change your oil.  It requires a few special tools and some time, but it can definitely save you a good chunk of change.
• Change your air filter.
• Replace a bulb.  Light burned out?  It's a simple procedure.  Just follow the owner's manual for your specific car...each make and model is different.  We recently "saved" $15 by doing it ourselves rather than letting the car repair place do it.
• Replace your battery.
• Replace your windshield wipers.

I'm sure there are other skills that can be easily learned.  Probably most importantly, find a repair shop that you trust for all the big unexpected repairs.

Where have you found a trustworthy mechanic?

Laundry Loads

To maximize savings on laundry, here are some ideas:

• Do all your laundry on one day, starting a load as soon as another load finishes.  This maximizes the efficiency of your dryer...it stays warm inside, so you spend less money reheating the dryer for each load.
• Wash all loads in cold water to save heating costs.  (I must admit I don't do this...I'm too much of a germaphobe...gotta have it hot for certain loads to kill the germs.)
• Wash only full loads.  A full load uses almost the same energy to run as a small load!
• Use less detergent.
• Dry whatever you can on a clothesline.
• Fold or hang clothes immediately after taking them out of the dryer.  This saves money and time because it means less ironing!
• Iron your clothes in one big batch, saving money to reheat the iron multiple times.

What are your ideas?

Bike For Your Buck

I am blessed to live in a community that is interlaced with many biking/walking trails.  This allows me to bike to many nearby places rather than have to drive to them (although, in full disclosure, I often do!-).  Biking, instead of driving, has so many benefits.  For example:

• You save money on gas and on wear and tear of your car.  Even those short trips within a mile or two add up!
• You save money because, if you plan on biking regularly, you won't go as often to the stores and you won't buy as much!
• Biking is good for your body.
• It's good for the environment.
• You can spend more quality time with your loved ones enjoying the outdoors.  (How do you do it with little ones, you may ask?  Invest in a bike trailer for toddlers and preschoolers and bikes for the bigger kids.  You can also use the trailer to carry items, such as groceries or library books.  I have friends who attach a third seat/wheel (not sure what they're called) in addition to a bike trailer.  Now that's dedication!)
• You get to enjoy scenery you don't usually see.  For example, last week my kids and I biked to their swimming lessons.  We got to see three hawks or falcons up close.  It was great!  My boys now want to learn about hawks and falcons so we can tell the difference!

Want to get started but don't have the gear?  Buy items from garage sales, thrift stores, or Craigslist.  It doesn't have to be pretty...it just needs to work!  Friends and neighbors might give you their kids' outgrown bikes for free if they know you like hand-me-downs.

Have fun and get biking!

Price Adjustment at Target

Target is usually very good about giving you a price adjustment on previously purchased items.  How it works:  if an item you purchased is advertised for a lower price than you paid, Target will return you the difference.  A time limit applies (I think it's two weeks) but all you need to bring in is your receipt.

FYI--Target has on sale this week solid horizontal pocket folders for 10 cents a piece and Fiskar scissors for $1.

Target School Supplies

I'm not sure how long these deals will last, but Target has some great school supply deals, such as:

• Crayola 24 ct. crayons, 25 cents
• Crayola colored pencils, 88 cents
• 70 pg. spiral notebooks (both college ruled and wide ruled), 15 cents
• Composition book, 25 cents
• 2 pk Elmers glue sticks, 25 cents
• pocket folders, 15 cents
• Fiskar scissors, $1.50
• Crayola washable markers, thin and thick, $2 each
• plus more!

I went ahead and purchased the scissors and Crayola markers, but I'm still hoping they'll get cheaper.  I won't hesitate returning the ones I already got!

Back to School Savings

I hesitate to even mention school in the summer, especially since school doesn't start for another month.  However, deals are cropping up and it's best to shop the sales at this pricey time of year.  Here are some tips for saving money while shopping for school supplies.

• Shop the sales.  While I won't go to a store only because it has the lowest price on a particular item (gotta factor in gas), I'll go if it's a nearby store and I have other shopping to do there.
• Price match at  Walmart.  Save your weekly circulars and have Walmart match the price on good deals.
• Generic is often cheaper, but the quality isn't always as good.  I guess that's why some schools specify what brand of markers, etc.  For example, I've found that RoseArt's "washable" markers really aren't that washable and generic glue sticks usually aren't as good as Elmers.  (But if your school doesn't specify, go with the best deal.)
• See if you can reuse items.  My son is reusing his pencil box, scissors, backpack and lunch bag from last year.
• Wait a few weeks after school has started for clearanced items.  This works best for backpacks and lunch bags.  Make do the first few weeks with the items from last year.  I've found that supplies like crayons, markers, etc., are cheaper during the back-to-school sales...they aren't always clearanced.
• Shop garage sales for backpacks.  I picked up a Jansport backpack for a great deal a year ago.  It still has a few years of usage left in it.

FYI:  This week, Kmart has 24 ct. Crayola crayons for 25 cents, thin and thick Crayola markers for $1 (non-washable), Expo dry erase marker 2 pk. for $1.50, and Crayola colored pencils for $1.

Article on Yahoo!

Check out this article on Yahoo about good items to buy used. 

Toothpaste Squeeze

How do you get your toothpaste tube to look like this?

My husband taught me a simple way to truly get every last drop out of your tube of toothpaste.

Step 1.  Lay tube of toothpaste on a hard, flat surface.

Step 2.  Press the long handle of your toothbrush along the bottom end of the tube.

Step 3.  Applying steady pressure, slowly move the toothbrush handle up to the tip, compressing the remaining toothpaste together.

Voila!  You will be able to get every last drop of toothpaste, maximizing your purchase!

Book Worm

Though I love and use my library frequently, there still is nothing like owning your own literary classic.  So, how do you save dough when acquiring books?

• Buy at garage sales.  These are a great way to buy books, especially children's books.  Often they are only 25 cents to a $1.
• Swap with friends.
• Buy from your library.  Many libraries offer a book sale once a year offering fabulous deals.  For example, this year I scored for $10 at my library:  2 hardback Harry Potter books to finish my collection, 1 hardback Tales of Beetle the Bard, 1paper airplane book, the first three paperback books of Anne of Green Gables, box set of The Boxcar Children, hardback Oh The Places You'll Go, paperback Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (ours has gotten worn out), and several board books in like new condition.  If I had bought these new, it would have cost me well over $60.
• Check out websites like Craigslist and Amazon.
• Occassionally you can find a great deal through Scholastic school book orders, although often they're overpriced (but at least part of the money goes toward the school).

What do you do?

Inexpensive Vacation Ideas

Summer is upon us and so is vacation season.  Here are some ideas for a thrifty vacation:

• Go camping!  Once you have the gear, this is a very inexpensive vacation.  Some campsites are $7-20 per night.  Activities are free, you bring your own food, the kids enjoy playing in the dirt, and great memories are made.
• Have a "stay-cation."  Lodging is free, you provide your own food, and you know the deals in the area.  Take time to explore your city.  Some activity ideas:  hiking, biking, swimming, museums, tour factories, visit geological points of interest.  Just be sure to act like it's a vacation, rather than getting caught up in the day-to-day life of cleaning, phone calls, tv shows, etc.
• Arrange a house swap with someone you know (or meet through reliable house swap websites).
• Visit family.  Just be a good guest and help provide and prepare meals.
• If you want to vacation somewhere more grand...consider going in the off-season.  Deals are much better and your dollar stretches farther.

What are your ideas?

Watch Your Energy Usage

Today is Xcel Energy's first day of the two-tier rate system.  It continues through the end of September.  Your first 500 kilowatt hours are charged one rate.  Then anything above that is charged a rate that is practically double the first.  Now is the time to conserve electricity!!

Here are some ideas to reduce your usage:

• Unplug any unused appliances to avoid "phantom" currents.  Things like the toaster, lamps you rarely use, a cell phone charging that has already reached it's full charge, etc.
• Hold off on the A/C.  Wait as long as possible before you switch on that electricity guzzling machine. 
• Close blinds/curtains when the sun is shining directly in.
• Open windows at night to welcome that cool night air.  (But make sure your a/c is off and that you close the windows during the heat of the day.)
• Run full dishwasher and laundry loads.