Tailgating is a great way to get ready for the big game on game day. Whether you're supporting your local university or pro football team, tailgating can be awesome. Some people even spend the entire game out in the parking lot. It's a huge activity, but it can also be expensive. If you want to save money on tailgate parties, there are some easy things you can do. Let's take a closer look at how to save money on tailgating and host a tailgate party on a budget. Tailgate with … [Read more...]
What's better than a summer barbecue? It's a great way to hang out with friends and family. Of course, you may be thinking you don't have the money to have a cookout. The good news is you can throw a great barbecue on the smallest budget. The following are just five great tips for throwing a summer barbecue on a budget. Keep It Simple First things first. You don't have to go overboard with decorations and useless junk. People come to a barbecue for the food and drinks. Keep it … [Read more...]
You may think that you need to spend a lot of money to get fit. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are so many things you can do for free or very little money. Whether it’s watching fitness videos on YouTube or playing with the kids, you can get fit on a budget. Watch Fitness Videos on YouTube (or from the Library) There are thousands of fitness videos on YouTube. Whether you’re interested in cardio, yoga, or even toning your body through weight training, you can find great … [Read more...]
About 9 years ago, my husband got a job transfer so we packed up our house and moved our family and belongings from Michigan to Texas. The economy was terrible (it was early 2012), so we had to sell our house at a loss and we also had to pay for most of our moving expenses ourselves. That meant we were on a tight budget for our move! So, we had to get creative on how we were going to move our entire household across the country and find the cheapest way to move. We were able to … [Read more...]
At last count, we have 54 kids living on our street. That's a lot of kids! But, besides my boys always having someone to play with, it also means that get to spend a lot of time socializing with the parents of the other kids while they're playing outside. For Memorial Day weekend, one of my neighbors had the great idea to have an informal neighborhood block party. It's a great way to spend time with the neighbors and socialize over food. Having a party doesn't have to … [Read more...]
We all know how important it is to have a budget. You may have even tried creating a budget for your family, but had trouble sticking to it. It happens to many of us. It can be hard to create a good budget that works for your family. However, there are tricks to create a successful budget. Let's take a closer look. Be Realistic One of the biggest mistakes people make is to create a budget that drastically limits the amount of money for variable expenses. For example, you may budget … [Read more...]
A budget is something that everyone should have. If you’ve never taken the time to create a budget, you may feel overwhelmed. Don’t. It’s actually much easier than you think. It does take a bit of time, but it will make a difference in your finances. Let’s take a closer look at how to create a simple budget for beginners. Write Down Your Monthly Expenses First things first. Write down what you must pay for each month. This includes mortgage/rent, utilities, car payment, insurance, … [Read more...]
A grocery stockpile is an excellent way for families to survive the hard times. While you may want to build a stockpile, you may feel that you don’t have enough extra funds to do so. Whether you look for bonus buys or spend just $5 a week, you can build a grocery stockpile on a budget. Look for Bonus Buys Anytime you go shopping, look for bonus buys. When you’re able to get bigger packages for the same amount of money, it allows you to put some of the product in your stockpile. Bonus … [Read more...]
You created a budget, but you’re still struggling. Wasn’t a budget supposed to fix your financial problems? Why isn’t it working? There are a number of reasons a budget may not be working. It may be the way you’re living or that you’re not focused. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons your budget may not be working. You’re Living Above Your Means You’re in the right neighborhood, have a shiny new car, and your kids always wear name brand clothing to school. Unfortunately, there’s … [Read more...]
Your little girl is growing up and wants to redo her room. If you're on a budget, you may not think you have the money to pull this off. The good news is that even on the smallest budget, you can make a difference in your child's room. Let's take a closer look at how to decorate a preteen bedroom on a budget. Set a Budget First things first. You need to set a budget and stick to it. Even if you can only afford to spend $100, knowing what you can afford lets you know where you should … [Read more...]
If you are having a hard time getting out of debt because you are having a hard time sticking to your budget, switching to a cash-only budget can help you stop your spending when you run out of budgeted money. If you don't have cash for a purchase, you just can't buy it! Here's how a Cash-Only Budget works: Each month (or pay period if you don't have enough cash for an entire month), pull cash from your account for your … [Read more...]
The holiday season can drain your budget bigger than any other time of the year. First our budgets are hit with Thanksgiving dinners and then immediately following, we’re hit with the Christmas season. Aside from gifts, your biggest cost will likely be the holiday dinners! Groceries are expensive even without adding on the cost of the holiday fixings. There are a few things you can do though to help stay on your budget for hosting your holiday dinners. The tips below will help you learn … [Read more...]
If you have ever created a budget, you know that you want to assign a budget category to every expense so that your budget works. But, have you ever hit the end of the month with a fully balanced budget, but you still don't have enough money left at the end of the month for everything? It's likely that you forgot to include everything in your budget. It's easy to do (especially when you're first setting up your budget) since there are various expenses that are easy to forget … [Read more...]
One of the largest expenses of many families is groceries. Feeding a family can be very expensive. Some families spend $800 to $,1000 on food each month. If you want to make the most of your money, there are ways to stretch your food budget. Whether you clip coupons or turn leftovers into new meals, you can make the most of your food budget. Clip Coupons and Get Cash-Back One of the best ways to stretch your food budget is to clip coupons. Not only can you find coupons in the Sunday paper, but … [Read more...]
Getting behind on bills can be the result of job loss or poor financial habits. Regardless of how it happens, it happens to almost everyone at least once. Thankfully, there are things you can do to get back on track. Let’s take a closer look at how to budget when you’re behind on bills. Call Creditors First things first. You need to call your creditors ASAP. The longer you go without making a payment, the worse it will be. If you call your creditors and explain your situation, many will be … [Read more...]
Many people will experience tough times at least once in their lifetime. Having your hours cut or having to take a job that pays less than your previous job can be difficult. Difficult doesn’t mean impossible, though. There are ways to make it through a reduction of your income. Let’s take a closer look at how to budget when your income gets cut. Explain the Situation to Your Family Sit down and talk to your family about what’s going on. It’s better for kids to be in on what’s going on so … [Read more...]
People think that a tight budget means being miserable. In fact, some of the happiest people are some of the poorest. The trick is learning how to live without being so dependent on money. The truth is you can live a fulfilling life and be content without spending a lot of money. Let’s take a closer look at how to live comfortably on a tight budget. Discover Your Money Wasters We all have those things that eat up our budget. It might be a morning coffee or a subscription service you don’t use. … [Read more...]
Do you stick to your budget? Many families have an idea of how much they want to spend on variable expenses, but don’t actually keep track of the amount spent. If you start tracking your expenses, it can be shocking to see how much you’re really spending. If you find that you’re living paycheck to paycheck or wondering where all your money goes, you need to think about the cash envelope system and how it works with your budget. Encourages Better Planning So many people go through life just … [Read more...]
Chances are you've heard of the cash envelope system. If not, the way it works is that you set aside money in different envelopes for each type of expense. This helps you to stick to your budget. But how does it do that? Let's look at how a cash envelope system will help you stick to your budget. You're Forced to Stick to a Budget If you truly follow the cash envelope system, you know that you need to leave your credit and debit cards at home when you go shopping. This forces you to stick to … [Read more...]
There are a number of things that can throw your budget out of whack. For many, it’s usually an emergency expense or the holidays. The good news is you can get back on track. Whether you start by tracking your expenses or you start using the envelope system, you can get back on budget when you’ve fallen off track. Track Your Expenses One of the best things to do when you’ve fall off track is to track your expenses. You want to track everything you purchase and how you paid for it. This will … [Read more...]
Does budgeting seem too complicated? Do you constantly feel like you're still overspending or never have enough money. The 50/20/30 budget can make things so much easier for you. Not only can it help ensure that you're not overspending, but it can help you get out of debt. Let's take a closer look at what the 50/20/30 budget is and why you should have one. What Is the 50/20/30 Budget? The 50/20/30 budget is where your essentials (housing, groceries, electric, etc) take up less than 50% of your … [Read more...]
You may think that you don’t have enough income to put money in savings. The truth is even if you’re on a tight budget, you can save money. People often think that just because they don’t have a lot of money to save they shouldn’t bother. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s look at how to save money on a tight budget. Pay Yourself First Before you use any of your income on variable expenses, put as much as you can afford into savings. Even if it’s just 5% this can add up over … [Read more...]
Christmas gets more and more expensive every year. Many people spend well more than they intend to. In fact, the average household spends around $1,000 on gifts alone. If you want to stick to a budget, there are a few things you can do to ensure that actually happens. Let’s take a closer look. Be Realistic You have to be realistic about how much everything is going to cost. If you have a family of ten, saying you’re going to spend $100 on everything is going to be impossible. Sit down and … [Read more...]
The holidays are coming, which means lots of family, food, and fun. I love hosting family at our house for the holidays, but having extra people in the house can kill our normal budget. But, it doesn't have to with these 6 tips to save money when you're hosting holiday guests: Set Your Budget If you are hosting 4 additional guests for a week over the holidays, you'll need to increase your food budget. Don't forget to also account for increases in your utilities (like water and … [Read more...]
You hear it all the time, you need to have an emergency fund for those mishaps that occur in life. But the question is: How do you build an emergency fund on a budget? What is an Emergency Fund? It's a sum of money (like a $1,000 starter emergency fund or 3-6 months of expenses) that is set aside for an unexpected expense, a financial shortfall, or other unexpected situation. Most consumers prefer to have an emergency fund setup in the form of a savings or money market account, but … [Read more...]
There are weeks, or even months, when it seems like there are more expenses than you planned for. This usually means that your grocery budget gets cut (since it's the most flexible). If you’re on a tight budget, you may wonder how you’re going to be able to buy enough to feed your family. Let’s take a closer look at how to grocery shop on a tight budget. Take Inventory of What You Have The first thing you want to do is look through your cabinets and fridge to see what you have on hand. If … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, but it can also be expensive. Hosting a large family dinner can quickly grow into a large grocery bill. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to. Let’s look at how to host Thanksgiving on a budget. Consider a Potluck A potluck is always a good idea. You can encourage people to bring the dishes they like to make. For example, everyone might love Aunt Emily’s cornbread dressing and Grandma Carolyn’s mashed potatoes. This way, not only will … [Read more...]
Whether you've just moved out on your own or are having to watch what you spend for the first time, you may not know where to begin to create a budget. However, taking the time to learn can make a huge difference in your life and help you create a better future for yourself and your family. Let's take a closer look. Consider Your Income First things first. You need to look at how much money your family is bringing in each month. It's important to know how much you're making so you'll know how … [Read more...]
Back to school time is right around the corner. While many parents anticipate the need for back to school supplies and clothing, many don’t consider the expenses beyond that point. There are actually many expenses you’ll need to cover throughout the school year. Whether it’s field trips or gifts for teachers, the expenses can really add up. Let’s look at items you must include in your budget for kids in school. Project Supplies In addition to basic school supplies, there will be items your … [Read more...]
Curb appeal is important for a number of reasons. You obviously want your home to look good and the front yard is the first impression. And, if you happen to be selling your home, you definitely want your front yard to wow buyers. But what if money is tight? Let’s look at how to landscape your front yard on a budget. Clean Up Any Debris First things first. Take the time to clear any debris from your yard. Pick up fallen branches from trees, rake up leaves, etc. This one step will make a huge … [Read more...]
Summer camps can be a great way for kids to stay active and entertained during the summer months. Whether it’s a camp that your kid visits for a couple weeks or only during the day, it can be a rewarding experience. But how do you cover the costs? Let’s look at how to budget for summer camps. Determine If Your Family Qualifies for Discounts Many summer camps offer discounts based on income or some other qualifier. Visit the website of the summer camp and check for any information on discounts. … [Read more...]
I love to travel together with my family - even if we don't end up doing a whole lot. It's so much fun to spend time together as a family outside of our normal routines. It’s nice to get away from everything for a while and just relax. Unfortunately, traveling can be expensive. There’s transportation, accommodations, food, entertainment, and souvenirs. But what if you could travel more often? Let’s look at how to travel on a budget. Cut Back BEFORE Traveling People often think they … [Read more...]
Wouldn’t you love to come home and immediately feel comfortable? You may think that turning your home into a cozy little nest is expensive. In reality, it’s not. There are so many ways you can make your home feel warm and inviting. Let’s take a closer look at how to make your home cozy on a budget. Declutter First things first. You need to take the time to declutter your home. Clutter causes stress, which can completely kill any cozy vibes. If your home has a lot of clutter, don’t get … [Read more...]
An easy way to add beauty around your home is to add a flower garden. Unfortunately, flowers can be expensive. You may even make mistakes that lead to a lot of dead plants. Before you rush out and start choosing flowers for the front of your home, consider these tips on how to create a flower garden on a budget. Start at the Right Time One of the biggest mistakes people make is to rush out and buy flowers during the first burst of warm weather. While spring may be here, the cold weather can … [Read more...]
Warm weather is here, and your family is spending more time outdoors. Wouldn’t it be nice if the space was more inviting? If you’re putting off inviting over friends and family because your backyard isn’t the way you want, why not spend a weekend making it beautiful? Let’s look at how to make your backyard beautiful on a small budget. Clear Debris First things first. Spend the time to clear limbs, leaves, and any other debris from your yard. You can turn the debris into mulch, add to a compost … [Read more...]
A graduation is a huge event in someone’s life. That doesn’t mean you need to throw a party that costs thousands. In fact, you can have a great party for a reasonable budget. Whether you start at your local Dollar Tree or encourage others to bring a dish, you can throw a graduation party on a budget. Shop the Dollar Tree The Dollar Tree has so many cute graduation items. You can find plates, napkins, hats, sunglasses, balloons, and much more. You can even find colored plates to mix in with the … [Read more...]
You know that the key to financial success is having a good budget. You may have tried to use a budget before but found that you couldn’t stick to it. Many people have trouble creating a budget that works on their first try. You may be so excited that you simply create a budget that isn’t realistic. It looks good on paper, but simply doesn’t work for your family. Let’s take a closer look at how to make a budget that works. Track Your Spending for at Least Two Months This is so important. For … [Read more...]
You may have recently lost your job or gone through some other unforeseeable circumstances that resulted in a loss of funds. Whatever the reason, almost everyone experiences a time in their lives where they can't meet their financial obligations. Instead of throwing your budget out the window, rework it. There are ways to budget when you don't have enough money to pay all your bills. Pay the Important Bills First First things first. There are some bills that are much more important than … [Read more...]
Do you want to make the most of your income? A zero-based budget assigns a job to every dollar you bring home. Imagine not having to really think about what you’re going to do with your money. Imagine living within your means and being financially successful. Let’s take a closer look at how to create a zero-based budget. Track Your Expenses for Two Months You want to track your expenses for at least two months. This will give you an idea of how much money you spend and what you spend it on. … [Read more...]
Gardening is a great way to save money. Produce can be so expensive. When you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you greatly cut the costs. Of course, you can end up overspending or wasting money if you don’t follow a few tips. Let’s take a closer look at how to get started gardening on a budget. Determine What You Want to Plant and Where Research, research, research. You first need to know what you can plant in your area. Once you know the plants that work well in your region, determine … [Read more...]
