Not Made Of Money » General Finance

Weekend Roundup - Thrift Shop Edition

Dana Joseph — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:12:42 +0000

I spent some time this weekend visiting some of my favorite local thrift shops. I found a few bargains but mostly I noticed that the store shelves seemed a little more bare than I remember from past visits. I don’t know if this was just a fluke or not or if it is a statement about the current economic climate - maybe more folks are shopping at thrift stores because they have to.

Here are some articles I enjoyed from the Frugal Blog Network this past week:

Tight Fisted Miser is getting rid of his car.

The Frugal Duchess shares how her teen son saves money on clothes.

Frugal Zeitgeist writes about talking to your parents about their finances.

Frugal Babe discusses Adventures In Baby Food.

Almost Frugal reminds us to take care of our appliances.

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Weekend Roundup - Too Much Candy Edition

Dana Joseph — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:24:23 +0000

Well the kids had a grand time with last Friday’s holiday - and we’ve all eaten our fair share of candy the last few days. I made my weekly Target shopping trip yesterday and saw the Halloween candy all on sale! It would be a great time to stock up on candy for Christmas gifts for the teachers, etc.

Here are some articles I enjoyed from the Frugal Blog Network this past week:

Tight Fisted Miser reflects on his worst financial habit.

The Frugal Duchess shares 11 Tools for Teaching Kids about Money.

Frugal Zeitgeist lists some thoughts on leadership.

Frugal Babe outlines some frugal choices for your eyes.

Almost Frugal tells how to make your own wrapping paper.

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How To Organize - Set up a Filing System

Dana Joseph — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:57:53 +0000

An important part of being in control of your finances is being able to keep the records you need. You have to do more than keep them, though. You have to know how to organize them so you will be able to find them when you need them. Organization is vital to keeping your financial records in order.

Setting up a working filing system is the best way to keeping your records organized. With well-labeled files and a neat place to hold them all together you will be on your way to a streamlined method of accounting for your finances. You won’t have to dread looking for the receipt and warranty paperwork from a major purchase because you’ll know exactly where it is.

Six easy steps are all it takes to get a working filing system up and running:

Step 1: Sort the papers you have now. Make piles of similar types of records (one pile for electric bills, another pile for your 401(k) statements, etc.) and discard anything you don’t need.

Step 2: Make folders for your categories. I tend to lean toward the idea of making a lot of folders. It’s easier to find things if I can narrow down the number of things that go into that folder. You should, however, choose a system that works for you. Maybe you don’t mind having the all of the utility bills in one folder.

Step 3: Use color to segregate your categories. This can be as easy as sticking blue stickers on the tab of one category’s folders and red stickers on another. Or you could go the extra mile and get different-colored folders for each category. The important part of this step is to find a way to differentiate your varying types of records. You might use green for assets, your bank statements and retirement account statements. You might use yellow for warranty information. Red might be good for expenses like your credit card statements or mortgage statement.

Step 4: Group your folders together by category. This is where the color comes in handy. Once you start putting your folders away, you’ll be able to quickly tell when something is in the wrong place. One lonely blue folder stuck in a sea of red folders is sure to catch your eye.

Step 5: Store your folders. If you have access to a filing cabinet, use that. But if you don’t, there are a couple of other options. You can buy one of those metal systems that allow you to convert a regular drawer into a filing space. (Pay close attention to the dimensions of your drawer as you select one of these systems.) Another option is to buy one of those mobile filing systems. Unfortunately, these don’t always hold a lot of files, so you could need another one pretty quickly.

Step 6: Use your system. Avoid the temptation to keep piling papers on your desk or table; now that you have your files set up, you can easily drop each statement or invoice away as soon as it has been reviewed or paid. By taking an extra minute to put things away the first time you handle them you can avoid having a mountain of filing at your desk.

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Weekend Roundup - Waiting in Line For Early Voting Edition

Dana Joseph — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:28:57 +0000

Yesterday I went to my county’s designated early voting place only to find myself at the end of a very long line. There were nearly 100 people ahead of me. After waiting out in the heat for about 10 minutes (had 2 of the kids with me), it was very apparent that this was not going to be a quick process. I chose to leave the line and will attempt to vote again today (leaving all 4 kids at home with Mr. NMOM :)) Hopefully, I can find a time that is not too crowded but no matter what, I will be voting sometime this week, long wait or not.

Here are some interesting articles I read this past week from the Frugal Blog Network and other places in the blogosphere:

Almost Frugal has a new addition to her family and shares some frugal pet tips.

Frugal Babe shares a cool new way to make homemade pizza by improvising a biscuit recipe for the crust.

Frugal Zeitgeist asks her readers what types of changes they’ve seen from the current economic situation. The stores still seem pretty busy around here, but I have seen a few more garage sales than usual and more stores with huge “going out of business” signs.

The Frugal Duchess shares another way to save at the grocery store: bag rebates.

Tight Fisted Miser relates his experience with identity theft.

The Wisdom Journal provides 10 Tips to Stretch That Health Care Dollar.

The Digerati Life gives 8 Tips For First Time Home Buyers Entering This Real Estate Market.

Wisebread shares five calls you can make now to save hundreds to thousands of dollars.

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Prepaid Debit Cards – Are They a Good Idea?

Dana Joseph — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:14:43 +0000

There are a lot of commercial on television now for prepaid debit cards, but part of me has to wonder what all of the hype is really about. What exactly makes these prepaid debit cards different than the debit card that is tied to my checking account? Why would I want to have a prepaid card rather than my traditional one? Here’s a quick summary of what I’ve found out.

First, prepaid debit cards aren’t tied to a bank account like a normal debit card. Instead, you purchase a card loaded with a predetermined amount. You are usually charged a fee for the convenience of being able to use the card. Some of the companies I researched charged around $5.

Also, your prepaid debit card doesn’t carry your personal information on it. So, although you won’t have your name on your credit card, you also won’t have to worry about your identity being stolen through your use of your prepaid debit card. Imagine the security you could feel while shopping online.

Fans of the prepaid debit card tout the decreased risk of identity theft and the ability to get a prepaid debit card without worrying about a credit check as prime examples of the reasons people should consider using these cards. Anyone who has ever tried to book a hotel stay without a credit card can certainly understand why everyone, even those with a less than stellar credit history, will find the ability to use a credit card helpful.

Another perk of the prepaid debit card is its use as a budget tool. Think of it as the envelope system of budgeting with a debit card instead of cash. You simply load a portion of your budget onto the prepaid debit card and use it until it’s out of money. Since there’s no credit line attached to the prepaid debit card, you won’t have to worry about spending too much.

These benefits aside, I suspect that I’ll be sticking with my traditional debit card for a couple of reasons. First, I don’t have to pay anything to use my debit card. I know $5 doesn’t sound like much to pay for a convenient service, but it’s still more than I have to spend.

I also don’t like the ease with which someone else could use my prepaid debit card if they were to come across it. Since it doesn’t have my name on it, a retailer would never notice that the person using it wasn’t me. To be fair, the vendors who sell the prepaid debit cards will transfer its balance to a new card if you notify them that you’ve lost the old card. I just worry about what would happen if I didn’t notice that I’d lost it right away.

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Weekend Roundup - New Sewing Machine Edition

Dana Joseph — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:35:38 +0000

Well my old sewing machine finally quit working so I was able to treat myself to a new one. I purchased a Brother 50 Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine model. I am eager to start work on some Christmas projects I have lined up and with this new machine, sewing them should be a snap! On to the weekly roundup…..

From the Frugal Blog Network:

Almost Frugal ponders if she should buy a new car or fix the one she’s got.

Frugal Babe checked out a new health food store in her area.

Frugal Zeitgeist interviews a reader who made lifestyle spending changes .

The Frugal Duchess shares some tips for a frugal DIY spa.

Tight Fisted Miser shares some tips for do it yourself car repair.

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Weekend Roundup - The Decluttering Edition

Dana Joseph — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:10:42 +0000

I spent a lot of time this weekend decluttering. I went through the kids’ closets and weeded out stuff that didn’t fit, was worn out, etc. There is still a lot of work to be done but I can see that I made progress. I’ve decided to implement “The Fly Lady” system again in hopes of gaining control over the house.

Here are some articles I enjoyed this past week from the Frugal Blog Network:

Almost Frugal asks “Do You Love the Object Or the Experience?”

Frugal Babe discusses how to diversify by paying down the mortgage.

Frugal Zeitgeist writes about Affluenza and the new economy.

The Frugal Duchess is having an online book tour to promote her new book.

Tight Fisted Miser shares that he refills his printer ink cartridge.

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Frugal Birthday Gifts

Dana Joseph — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:15:05 +0000

photo credit: miszpinay

Birthdays are special occasions. Everybody likes to receive gifts to celebrate the day of their birth. If you have a big family, purchasing birthday gifts could prove an expensive labor of love. There is good news, though. You can express your feelings for someone without spending a lot of money.

When shopping for children, consider the age of the recipient. Kids younger than four have a short attention span. It may seem like a good idea to buy that big toy that lights up and makes funny sounds, but after a week, the child will be on to something else. A more practical gift may be a toy xylophone or a wind-up music box. These toys don’t require batteries and never go out of style. Remember the commercial with the expensive toy and expensive wrapping paper. And, in the end, the baby played in the box. Priceless.

Whenever a family member mentions something they would like to have, add this item to a list. This gives you choices when it comes to gift ideas. Perfume may be an item on the list. Instead of a big bottle that may be costly, purchase a couple of small bottles or even samples along with another item they may like.

Gift baskets are the present that keeps on giving, but it’s always more affordable to create your own. Baskets are inexpensive and can be purchased anywhere. Add colored tissue paper and ribbon to decorate the basket. Then, add the goodies. Even for children, a basket filled with several small items is like treasure waiting to be found.

Any time you have extra money, purchase items that can be used as birthday gifts. When shopping for yourself, pick up something extra for just such an occasion. In your closet, start a gift box to store all of your finds. Then, shop in your gift box first whenever a birthday approaches, before heading out to the store.

Wrapping paper and cards can be expensive accessories. Your friendly neighborhood dollar store sells rolls and sheets of birthday wrapping. They also sell bows, ribbons, and birthday cards. Stock up and keep them in the same place where you store your potential birthday gifts.

Gifts given to another should come from the heart. Thoughtful gifts do not have to leave a hole in your pocketbook. Using a little forethought could save you a lot of dough.

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Set Aside a Spend Free Day

Dana Joseph — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:58:28 +0000

Having a Spend Free day is one way to rejuvenate your efforts toward getting your finances under control. You need to remind yourself that it is possible to have a great day without spending any money. Get creative; do a little homework. You’ll be thrilled to find that you can declare any day a Spend Free day and still enjoy yourself. Here are a few suggestions to get your Spend Free day planning underway:

Plan a day at the park with the family. How often do you take your family for granted? Sure you see them everyday, but do you play with the kids? If you’re like most families, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks that are a part of any household. Celebrate your Spend Free day by spending a day at the park. You can go hiking, play badminton, and pack a picnic lunch: whatever your family will enjoy.

Go window shopping with your girlfriends. Remember when you were young and poor (as opposed to being grown up and poor now) and you spent hours hanging out with your friends? You can relive those care-free days by going window shopping with your friends. Make a pact before you leave that no one will actually buy anything. Then, look at outlandish things that you would never be able to afford. You’ll enjoy the “girl time” and get to catch up with your friends.

Enjoy a spa in your own home. Sure, going to the spa is out of the question right now, but you can still have a spa experience. Ask your husband to look after the kids for the day and leave the house to you. Set up candles in the bathroom, pour in a little of that bubble bath that you never get to use, and spend the day pampering yourself. Enjoying a long soak in the tub and painting your toe nails are other great ways to add to that decadent feeling you’ve been missing.

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Frugal Entertaining – Planning for the Holidays

Dana Joseph — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:19:07 +0000

I know it seems ridiculous to be planning for the holidays this early, but the key to sticking to a budget for the holiday season is being prepared. Planning ahead allows you time to shop around for anything you need rather than having to rush out and buy something at the last minute. As a bonus, getting ready for the holidays early will help you avoid the last-minute frenzy of shoppers

There are several ways that you can start your holiday preparations now without going crazy. Each detail that you can iron out ahead of time will allow you to look for creative ways to stay within your budget without sacrificing your festivities.

Decide which days you will entertain, as well as who you will be inviting. Maybe you will opt to invite your family over for Thanksgiving and leave the Christmas Day gathering to a sibling. Divvying up the holiday calendar between family members is the first step to planning your holiday parties.

Determine what you will be serving at your gathering. A brunch will require breakfast foods; dinner, however, may also include a dessert and alcoholic beverages. Consider the time of day, as well as your guests’ schedules, when deciding what types of food will be served.

Plan a menu. If you know now what your menu will include, you can start keeping an eye out for sales on your menu’s ingredients. Clear out some space in your pantry and/or freezer to store items as you buy them. Be sure to mark your holiday stockpile as you add to it. The last thing you need is to start cooking for your big day and realize that you accidentally used some of your ingredients for an earlier meal.

Borrow items you need to avoid purchasing them. Many families need extra seating when they host large gatherings. Rather than renting or purchasing folding chairs, borrow them from your church or school. Likewise, serving dishes or tables linens can be borrowed from neighbors or friends.

Create your own decorations. Simple twinkle lights will give your whole home a special look. You can also make your own garlands or wreaths to add greenery. Sweet bows can be added to dress up a chandelier. Peruse magazines, too, for ideas that you can recreate yourself.

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Weekend Roundup - New Member Edition

Dana Joseph — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:00:16 +0000

I would like to warmly welcome The Frugal Duchess to the Frugal Blog Network. I’ve been reading Sharon’s blog for a while now and have enjoyed her articles on saving money and frugality. This week she had a very timely piece entitled “What Happens to Your Money When the Bank Goes Under?” I think with all the current trouble in the financial sector, it would be wise for each of us to have a little bit of knowledge about the process involved.

From the other members of the Frugal Blog Network this past week:

Almost Frugal writes a very helpful “how to” in “How to Make an On-the-Go Emergency Kit“.

Frugal Babe shares her thoughts on cars.

Tight Fisted Miser makes the “Requisite Financial Bailout Post.”

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Weekend Roundup - Nice Weather Edition

Dana Joseph — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:53:55 +0000

The weather here in Florida has been quite nice lately, so we are trying to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. It sure beats sitting around and watching the news, as depressing as it has been with the financial mess going on. Here are some interesting articles that I liked from the Frugal Blog Network this past week:

Almost Frugal tells how to find the perfect sofa in 8 easy steps.

Frugal Babe shares “When I Found Out Guns N Roses Isn’t The Name Of A Song“.

Frugal Zeitgeist wonders about hurricane evacuations and who pays?

Tight Fisted Miser asks What Should You Do With Your Money Now?

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Finding a Reliable Car Mechanic

Dana Joseph — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:59:20 +0000

If you are like us and drive your car until the wheels fall off, then you know how important it is to have a reliable car mechanic. Just thinking about a visit to the mechanic is enough to strike fear into the heart of any car owner. You may think you’re taking your car to the shop for a tiny, insignificant thing and then find out that there’s a real problem with your car. Before you know it, you’re spending hundreds of dollars to fix something you didn’t even know was broken.

To make matters worse, unless you’re mechanically-inclined, you may not even be sure what was wrong with your car. Sure, the mechanic said you had a problem, but do you know that there was a problem? And how do you know that your mechanic will have you back on the road as quickly as possible? Finding a reliable mechanic can be the answer to all of your concerns.

Finding a good mechanic is easy if you know where to look. You just need to do a little research to find a mechanic that will meet your needs and will work with your pocketbook. Here are a few suggestions to get your started on your search:

Ask your friends about their mechanic. Odds are they all have an opinion. Some may have a love/hate relationship with theirs, while others may have a more positive outlook. Find out what they like and don’t like about their mechanic to decide if you’re ready to try him out.

Check out neighborhood bulletin boards. These bulletin boards can be a great way to find an unfiltered opinion, especially if you’re new to an area. If you can’t find a thread related to this topic, don’t be bashful about starting one just for this. Chances are you’ll find plenty of people willing to share about their experiences.

Take a mechanic on a trial run. Before you totally entrust the well-being of your trusty car to a total stranger, take your potential mechanic’s shop on a test drive. Make an appointment for some routine maintenance to facilitate your research. Then, while your car is being looked after, take a look around the shop. Is it clean? Are the employees nice to you? With a relatively small investment of time and money, you’ll be able to make certain that this is the mechanic for you.

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Weekend Roundup - IKEA edition

Dana Joseph — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:17:58 +0000

I had the opportunity to visit an IKEA store this past week for the first time. I can only say it was completely overwhelming. There were so many items to look at and the store is absolutely massive. I had a great time though!

Here are some posts I enjoyed from the Frugal Blog Network:

Almost Frugal writes Frugal Ikea Hacks: Make Your Own Laptop Case.

Frugal Babe’s husbands is building a greenhouse.

Frugal Zeitgeist writes that small is beautiful.

Andy at Tight Fisted Miser tells how to save money by buying gift cards online.

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Inexpensive Food for Tailgating Parties

Dana Joseph — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:25:53 +0000

The arrival of fall means one thing in many families: tailgating parties. Whether your family enjoys professional football, school football, or recreational football games, you can bet that the entire clan will love a good tailgating party. Good food, good friends, and a fun atmosphere combine to make this type of party particularly enjoyable.

Unfortunately, buying all of the food for a tailgating party can be crazily expensive. Expensive meats, a large quantity of drinks, and other snack foods can all add up. Is there a way to enjoy the fun without destroying your grocery budget?

You bet there is! There are plenty of foods that are perfect for tailgating parties that won’t break the bank. Check out these options for ideas:

Hot Dogs – Hot dogs are much cheaper than brats but almost as much fun. Look for sales on generic hot dogs to make them even more affordable. You can also save on hot dog buns if you don’t mind visiting your local bread outlet.

Chips and Salsa – Tortilla chips and salsa are great for tailgating parties. Spicier salsas will even help keep your crowd warm at cold-weather games.

Chicken Wings – Chicken wings meat all of the requirements of good tailgating party food. They’re perfect for eating with your hands, and they’re much more affordable than hamburgers. Spend a little time experimenting with different spices and sauces to perfect your own chicken wing flavor.

Veggies – Okay, a tray of carrots, broccoli and tiny tomatoes may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of tailgating food, but your body will appreciate the nod to healthiness. Bite-sized vegetables are easy to manage while your group hangs out and enjoys the pre-game excitement.

Generic Soda – No one will really care if you’re serving Pepsi or RC as your cola-flavored beverage. Buy soda when it’s on sale without any allegiance to a particular brand. I’ve found particularly good deals when buying soda by the case at Sam’s Club or Costco.

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