A Few Really Hidden Costs Of Working October 16, 2008

This list and it’s information was taken from a book I just ordered called “You Can Afford To Stay Home With Your Kids” by Malia McCawley Wyckoff and Mary Snyder. (List found on page 28)

1. Business Trips. How come an all-expense-paid business trip always ends up costing you so much of your own money? We estimate that we usually spent at least $150 for every week we spent out of town on business – some of which went for horribly overpriced airport gifts for the kids.
2. Fund Raisers. It’s hard to say no, particularly at the office. Even in companies with a “No Solicitation” policy, it’s not unusual for parents to bring in the school’s latest fund-raising effort. We’ve seen everything from raffle tickets to pizza kits. Girl Scout cookies were even known to cause office stampedes.
3. Interoffice Gambling. Who hasn’t tossed a couple of bucks into the football pool, the baby-weight pool, or the Academy Awards pool?
4. Multilevel Marketing Products. There’s one in every office. They’re either selling cosmetics, home accessories, cleaning products, jewelry, plastic food containers, or toys.
5. Sunshine Funds. Many companies request that employess kick in $1 per paycheck to be used for officer parties, employee picnics, and the like.

These are just some more things we spend our money on when we are working. It is very eye-opening when you start looking at exactly where your money is going. I liked this list and wanted to share it. I’m hoping this book will give me a little more insight on living on one income.

Cutting Back At Christmas October 15, 2008

With the economy on a roller coaster, and the possibility of our family going to one income in the near future, I thought this year would be a good year to start cutting back at Christmas.  Now, when I say “cutting back” I may not necessarily be referring to buy less for people.  I am just trying to spend less.  I have really been working toward a less expensive Christmas this year, and here are a few ways I am accomplishing that task.

1.  Make a List.  This list enabled me to know exactly who we would be buying for this year and gave me the chance to start jotting down some ideas for each person.

2.  Make a Budget.  I decided how much I wanted to spend on each person and wrote it next to their name on the list.

3.  Start Early.  I know that most people are not in the frame of mind to think about Christmas during the summer or fall, but it really does make a difference to start early.  By getting ideas early, you are able to take advantage of items on sale and have time to shop for the best possible price.  I also seem to be in less of a hurry when I start shopping early.  This gives me the opportunity to really think about what I am buying and make sure it is what I want to purchase for the person.

4.  Open a Christmas Savings Account.  There are several banks that offer a Christmas savings account.  These accounts work like a savings account.  You are allowed to make deposits throughout the year, and a check is issued to you close to the Christmas season (usually some time in October).  If you cannot find a bank that offers a Christmas savings account, try opening a separate account for your Christmas money.  Be disciplined enough to put money in the account each time you get paid, and you will not be scrounging around for money or running up your credit card for Christmas gifts.

5.  Use the Internet.  There are many great web sites out there to find great deals on the items you want to purchase.  Do a search for the item you are looking for, and you will have several sites come back selling that item.  There are also web sites that offer items in your town at half price.  You can usually purchase a $50 gift card for $25.  These also make great gifts!

 

These are just a few ways I am using to spend less this Christmas season.  I also have used a few websites to help me get organized as well.  I am putting a list of helpful sites on here for you to check out for yourself!

Organized Christmas

100 Days To Christmas

Flylady’s Holiday Control Journal

The CVS Game October 14, 2008

One way I have found to save lots of money on some personal nessicities is to utilize CVS.  I am in no way an expert on spending very little out of pocket and racking up tons of ECB’s (Extra Care Bucks), but I am learning, and have been able to make some deals work really well for me.  I stumbled across the CVS game by reading other money saving blogs.  I will not even try to explain how it works.  I will just post some links to the sites I used to learn about how to make CVS work for me!

CVS 101 By Money Saving Mom

Making CVS Work For You By Money Saving Mom

CVS Tutorial By Centsible Savings

CVS 101 For Newbies By Deal Seeking Mom

CVS For Newbies By I Heart CVS

How To Have Fun For Less. October 14, 2008

One of the biggest drawbacks to going to one income is feeling deprived.  On a two-income budget, there is usually a little more “free money” to play and use for entertainment.  How do you go to a one-income budget, but not feel like you have to sit at home and stare at the walls?  Here are a few tips I have come across to help you have fun without breaking your budget.

1.  Have an “Entertainment Budget”.  Write this section into your budget and stick to it.  If you only put $5 a week into this budget, you are still making progress.  It gives you hope seeing that little amount go up each week that you will be able to afford to go see a movie or splurge on a dinner out after a few weeks.

2.  Pack a Picnic Dinner.  We all eat dinner, right?  Why not make it fun and pack it up and take it to a park?   Take a frisbee or football with you and spend some time outside when you are finished eating.  If you have pets, take them with you and let them enjoy the great outdoors with the family.  If you plan this meal into your grocery budget, it should only cost you a little extra gas to drive to the park.

3.  Rent Movies At Redbox.  These DVD machines are a great way to rent newer movies for cheap.  They only cost $1 per night to rent.  If you are blessed enough to find them, there are codes floating around on the internet to give you a free night’s rental!  That is free entertainment!  Put the movie in, pop some popcorn, and pile up on the couch for a great time!

4.  Check Out Free Events In Your City.  We do not live in a large city, but the city we live in hosts free events throughout the year.  We have listened to concerts in the park, seen plays, and gone to several festivals that were completely free for us!  Check your city’s website or the chamber of commerce for a calendar of events in your area that are free. 

5.  Use The Internet to Your Advantage.  If you have access to the internet, use some popular search engines to find some free and cheap activities for your family.  There are places that offer free movie tickets, reduced gift certificates, and many other items that you can use for cheaper entertainment.  Be careful to not believe everything you see on the internet.  If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.  Use your common sense and you should be okay.

These are just a few ways you and your family can have fun without breaking your budget.  I know there are many more ideas out there.  Feel free to share them!

Places To Find Great Deals October 9, 2008

Here are a few places where I have been able to find some great advice on saving money and some good deals!

Money Saving Mom

Baby Cheapskate

The Centsible Sawyer

Freebies 4 Mom

Bargain Briana

My Precious Pennies

Common Sense With Money

The Coupon Cupboard

Living On A Budget. October 9, 2008

The next thing I had to decide on my journey to stay at home was to live on a budget.  Now, I have to say that I am not perfect at this, and it is still a work in progress.  However, I have a basic budget in place, and am working to make it fit one income for when I am finished working.  It is so important to know where your money is going each month.  For those of you who listen to Dave Ramsey or have read one of his books, you should give each dollar a name.  The best way to do this is to get your budget on paper.  It doesn’t matter if you hand write it or have it on your computer, all that matters is that you can look at your spending.  Here are some places I have found some free budget forms.  You can use one of these to write out your budget or you can come up with your own!

Dave Ramsey Quickie Budget Form

Dave Ramsey Monthly Cash Flow Form

Dave Ramsey Irregular Income Form

Basic Budget Form

Debt Budget Form

Monthly Spending Form

Annual Budgeting Form

Holiday Expenses Form

Household Budget Form