Thrifty Christmas

   As I mentioned in my last post, we made a great effort to keep spending to a minimum this Christmas season. I would say it was a big success. My biggest homemade gift project was Christmas tree yard signs made out of pallet boards. Ian brought home two pallets from work (free) and tore them apart for me. I made some measurements and he cut them for me as well. **good husband**

   I made a list of friends and family I wanted to make them for and decided I would need 8 trees. So we cut the wood in pieces starting with 18" and progressing down to 4" in 2" increments. We bought a few pieces of 1x2 and cut that into 4-foot pieces to serve as the trunk of the trees. I assembled them with 1 1/4 inch screws. (Hindsight, I would have bought longer screws. These didn't hold as well as they should have.) Then, I painted the whole thing green and stenciled "Merry Christmas" on the boards in the middle and finished it with a gold star on the top 4" board. I already had the craft paint so this gift for 8 people only cost us the price of a box of screws and 1x2 wood pieces.

   I have a few friends that are many miles away. Not only would the wooden tree yard sign be impractical to ship, I also wanted to send them something that showed how much I miss them. I found these white ceramic mugs at Wal-Mart for $3 each (typically you can get them at the dollar store but they were out and I didn't have time to wait until more came in.) I bought 4 to make 2 sets. I printed out a map of Florida, my state, and one of their states, Georgia and Alaska. I cut the maps out and traced them on the mugs with black permanent marker. I also wrote the words "Far Apart, Close at Heart" on the inside and outside of the rim. So I kept the Georgia and Alaska mugs and sent the Florida mugs to each of my friends that I'm missing dearly. 

   Lastly, I am a wino. I collect wine corks as I drink and therefore have hundreds (friends do contribute). No judgement. So I do like to make things out of them. My brother was visiting from California for Christmas and he and his wife are also winos. It runs in the family I suppose. What better gift for them than many things made of wine works? None better. I found an old picture frame in the office we weren't using and would likely never hang again. That was the base for my corkboard, especially since it already had a hanger on the back. I also made a coaster set and trivet set. And tiny painted Christmas tree.

   I beleive I spent less than $10 on gifts for 11 people/households. Our inexpensive gift giving could not have gone more according to plan!

Holiday On A Budget

   Our commitment to save $10K in one calendar year is down to the wire. We have saved about $7,100 since January 1, 2012. We have only 2 months to get the remaining $2,900 into the savings account. How will we do it with the holiday season at our doorstep?

   Limiting Gift Giving - We simply cannot afford to give everyone in our family and all our friends and coworkers a $25 gift. It's not happening. Here are a few ideas: Labor of Love coupons - Complete deep cleaning for their house including dusting, windows, organization, laundry, etc. A day of serious yard work - hedges, weed pulling, tree trimming, mowing. Free babysitting. Cook dinner for a whole family. Get creative! Make your gifts - if you have a talent like jewelry making, crafts, baking, use it. Bake bread, cookies, fudge, anything edible. Pinterest and other websites have thousands of ideas for making gifts using inexpensive supplies. For years I've been making things out of wine corks as gifts. Pictured above: this pattern works great for cork boards, hot pads and coasters. I've also made wreaths, reindeer and other holiday things. For kids - I found this children gift giving rule and I think it's perfect. Kids don't need 50 gifts under the tree. It also doesn't help them appreciate what they have. Try this: 1 thing they want, 1 thing they need, 1 thing to wear, 1 thing to read.


You Do Not Want a Grocery
Bill This High!



   Hosting Dinner - For Thanksgiving or Christmas, the grocery bill can kill you. Appetizer/finger foods, turkey or ham (and some families do multiple turkeys, like us), side items, desserts, wine and other drinks. One household should not have to pay for everything! Suggest a potluck dinner to your family. The hosting house provides the main dish and each person or couple can contribute one or two items. This also helps incorporate other family traditions and cooking styles into your holiday. If you do have to foot the bill, try making your grocery list now and pick up a few items every week to spread out the spending. Look for things on sale! 

   Mailing - Christmas cards are really fun and a good way to share pictures and updates with your family. With the internet and social media, there are lots of ways to do that without mailing everyone an envelope. Consider an e-card that you can create online. Send an e-letter about your family news via email and attach a couple of photos. Snail mailing Christmas cards can cost you $25+ depending on the size of your family and friend circle. If you need to mail packages to multiple family members that live in the same city, consider bundling the gifts in one flat rate box with instructions. My mom's side of the family lives in Statesboro, Georgia in 3 seperate households. We put everything in one box with nametags on the gifts and it saves us a ton so we don't have to send 3 boxes.   

      

Only 2 Months Left!

   Although tucking money away lately has been really difficult, our last credit card bill was down several hundred dollars from the previous months. So, this proves we are still being very conscious of our spending and trying not to make unnecessary purchases. With our bills paid, we have a little extra in our checking account over and above our comfort zone so I'm dumping $400 into savings. We only have 2 months left in our calendar year to get out savings account balance to $10K.

   However, holidays are around the corner which means lots of spending. Decorations, food, gifts, office secret Santa parties, printing and mailing Christmas cards, travel expenses to visit family - where does it end? Now is a good time to set some ground rules for your household to keep your budget in check. 

• Limit gift giving
• Pot luck holiday parties
• Make your own decorations
• Do you really NEED another scarf?
• Check online sources for cheap travel

See next blog entry for a holiday budget makeover!

  

Was Hiking/Camping An Inexpensive "Vacation"?

   No. In the sense that hiking the Appalachian Trail was not a vacation by any meaning of the word. In any way, shape or form under any circumstances would it be considered a vacation. It could be considered an anonym. It was the most physically exhausting and strenuous thing I have ever put my body through. But it was an accomplishment and my husband and I bonded in a totally new way. A survival kind of way.

 

   Anyway, here's the spindown on the spending for this week-long trip (About half of our equipment we purchased with giftcards over a few years. So some of it didn't come out of our pocket but here is the budget anyhow):

• Tent - $25 Gander Mountain brand on clearance
• Tarp - $8
• Sleeping bags, rated for 40 degree temp. - $40 each.
• Sleeping pads - $40 each. (One was a hand-me-down so we only had to buy one more.)
• Hiking packs - $70 each. (One was a hand-me down so we only had to buy one more.)
• Cooking burner - $30, and compact gas tank x 2 - $6 each.
• Light-weight cooking set, 2 pots - $25
• Camping dishes - $20
• 10 gallon water bag we didn't use - $30
• 800ml water bottles w/ survivor kit inside - $10 ea. x 2
• Hiking boots for Ian - $75 Columbia brand on clearance (I bought mine years ago)
• Misc hiking food, granola bars, meat for homemade jerky, oatmeal, tuna, ramen noodles, mac/cheese, nuts. - $50
• High-ankle socks for both of us - $16
• Hiking shorts for me, 3 pair - $25 for all three, non-name brand
• Doggie hiking pack for Willow - $35
• Retractable leash for Willow - $20
• Books and maps - $28
• Hiking poles, collapsible set of two - $20 
• Misc. chapstick, bandaids, etc. $20

For a grand total of $649 plus 2 tanks of gas in the truck, $160, to get to Georgia and back. So you're looking at about $800. For a week in the woods. Was it really a money-saver? No. But we bought this stuff over several years so we weren't out of pocket $800 on the week of the trip. We purchased less than half our gear the week before the trip. So really, maybe $150 plus gas. ** And mom and dad chipped in for gas :) Was it really a vacation? NO.

Fiscal Fasting Again

   We spent a lot of money the last few weeks on camping and hunting equipment. Hobbies are expensive. To get back on track, we're doing another fiscal fast - a spending freeze. Ian took my car to work instead of the truck. The gas mileage in the camry allows him to commute the whole week on one tank of gas. Whatever is in your fridge, pantry, medicine cabinet, has to last until the week is over.
   Lucky for us, we have plenty of packaged frozen meat in our deep freezer. But the side items were hard to come by. Tuesday we had chicken and canned black beans. Wednesday, we had chicken and mac n' cheese. Thursday we had beef stuffed peppers and rice (I had fresh bell peppers from Sams Club the week prior). Yesterday, Ian took a whole chicken out of the freezer so tonight we'll roast that. I have about 5 little red potatoes left from last week that we will throw in with the chicken and call it a night.
   Lunch was a little harder. I was all excited about the 2/3 loaf of bread in the bread box - egg salad, tuna salad, grilled cheese.....I took it out Tuesday and it was covered in mold. Ugh. We were also out of crackers. We ended up making salads topped with leftover chicken from the previous night's dinner. One day I think I ate a can of peaches and some string cheese for lunch.
  #gettingby

Coupons Are Not Just For Groceries!

   When people hear the term "couponing" they immediately think about grocery store savings. But the truth is, you can save even more money on clothing, make-up and things like that with coupons too. This past weekend I saved $12 on cosmetic items just by clipping the weekly paper coupons.

    I recently noticed that I have an entire outfit in my closet that I got for $7. On three seperate occasions I found these great deals: 1 - I had a $10 coupon for Kohls that I received in the mail. I found a maxi dress on the clearance rack for $8. The dress was FREE. 2 - I saw these Vera Wang black pumps at Kohls for $26.99. I told myself I didn't need another pair of black shoes and went home. At home, I checked the mail and found a $10 coupon for Kohls. I went to put it in my wallet where I found $10 Kohls cash that I had forgot about!! So the next day I went back to Kohls with my $20 in coupons and bought the shoes for $6.99. 3 - At the beginning of the year DSW mailed me 2 coupons for $10 each, one for my birthday and one for being on their mailing list. With the expiration date approaching, I really needed a small black cross-body bag. So I went to DSW and wouldn't you know, in the entry way was a display of solid colored cross-body bags. One of them was black. It was $19.99. I used my coupons and got this bag for FREE.

Cancellation Fees Are So Aggravating!

   We just got jipped out of $50! Our boat insurance policy came due at the end of July. We didn't want to renew so we didn't send a check. I think that is universal. If I don't send you my money, I don't want your product or service! Well they didn't get the hint and auto-charged our AMEX credit card $360 for the next year's coverage. I called to reiterate the "No thanks" and asked to be refunded.

   Evidently there is fine print in the initial contract (which no one reads, but should for this exact reason) that says if they don't have written notice of cancellation upon the renewal deadline, they will automatically charge you. They can give us a refund of the whole amount if we provide proof of insurance that we switched to another company. We didn't. We are just uninsured on the boat. So we get a refund but it's prorated for the 20 days of unwanted coverage we've had since the last policy ended AND we have to pay a $50 cancellation fee for not notifying them in writing that we didn't want to renew. So stupid. I didn't send you a renewal check = I didn't want to renew.

Work and Play

   This week, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in St. Augustine for the Florida Public Relations Association's annual conference. I am an incoming board member for the Ocala chapter (president-elect) and felt strongly about attending this conferene. The original cost of the conference was $595 plus lodging at $130/night for 3 nights. Including the cost of travel and food, this conference WOULD HAVE cost me over $1,000, which is not in our budget.

   So what I did, was write a proposal to my administration outlining what I would get from the conference both professionally and personally. This is most comonly known as an ROI, return on investment. What is your employer going to get back from their investment in sending you to the training? Some of the highlights included in my proposal were crisis communications, event planning, social media tactics and leadership development. I sent a complete agenda with my letter and indicated which sessions I found to be most interesting and beneficial for my position at work. My request was approved.

  Not only did my agency pay for this training and the lodging expenses, I was authorized to take my department car - saving on gas, and I was given a per diem check for food expenses.

   I tell you I drove to St. Augustine, stayed in one of the nicest resorts in the state - the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort (Google it, it's sick), received 3 days of professional development training and delicious food while I was there, for nothing. I spent my last $5 on the afternoon of my return on a cup of Starbucks cofee.

   If you have the opportunity to travel for work, ask that the company pay for as much as possible. Keep receipts for everything you pay for personally, which is tax deductible. Also, while you're working, try to "play" during all your free time so you get some personal benefit from your trip as well.

Pet Expenses

   I do believe if you decide to have an animal, you have to commit to properly caring for said animal. Vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, food, etc. All of that stuff costs money. If you can't afford the cost of care, then you can't afford the animal. Some people overlook this when they're doing their budget, and then when it's time to make a vet visit, they pass because they don't have an extra $150. Which jeopardizes the health of their pet and isn't fair to them. And they don't use preventative care because the monthly doses are expensive. A 6 month supply of Trifexis - heartworm, flea and intestinal parasite combo pill - was $90. Ouch. However, choosing a combo pill instead of purchasing a med for flea and heartworm individually was a $50 savings.

   One opportunity to save on vaccinations is to check with your local Humane Society. Sometimes, they will offer vaccinations for dirt cheap (a whole set for $20-$30). Unfortunately, our dog is not spayed and because our county feels so strongly about every animal being fixed, they will not offer us the discounted services for our "in-tact" female dog. Bummer. Another way they stick you, is a $30 fee on a rabies tag for in-tact animals. Typically a rabies tag is only $6 if your animal is spayed/neutered. I passed on the tag altogether. I have the certificate - it's good enough for me.

   I saved on this vet visit by purchasing a package my vet offered. For an extra $40 now, Willow's 6 month check-up, parasite check and vaccinations ($80) will be free. It was a $40 savings. Same savings concept as paying your car insurance every 6 months instead of monthly.

Shopping in Bulk

   If you don't have a member card to a wholesale warehouse store like Sam's Club, Costco or BJ's, I highly recommend investing. The membership is usually about $100 a year. If you have a parent or sibling in town, consider going halvsies on the membership fee and one person in each family gets a card. In Ocala, we have a Sam's Club. My mom and dad have a card, and we have the other one.
   Purchasing meat and dry goods in bulk can be a huge savings for your grocery bill. Produce is trickier because you have to be sure to eat it all before it goes bad or it's wasteful. Yesterday I spent about $100 at Sam's. The same amount of food would have cost me probably twice as much at Publix - my other primary choice for groceries. Here's the breakdown:

   I bought a 5 pound (80 oz.) bag of shredded cheddar cheese for $10.96. **Shredded cheese freezes well. The texture and taste is absolutely fine when it thaws. This week's Publix price for the same cheese is $2.99 for an 8 oz. bag. For the amount I purchased, that's an $18.94 savings....for cheese! I use 4 - 1 quart freezer bags and package it when I get home. One bag goes in the fridge, the other 3 in the freezer until needed.

   Speaking of freezer bags, Sam's sells Ziplock quart freezer bags in bulk (a box of 4 boxes 54 count ea.), 216 bags for $10.97. Publix has 50 count boxes for $4.89 each. That's 200 bags for $19.56, a savings of $8.59 when shopping at Sam's.

   The biggest bang for your buck is the meat section. I found pork chops for $3.28/lb vs. $3.99/lb at Publix. On the 4 pound package I bought, I saved $2.89. Not a huge savings, but still good. Now boneless, skinless chicken breast, I won't buy anywhere else but Sam's. They consistantly sell this product for $1.77/lb. Publix's sale price for chicken breast is usually $2.79 and regular price is $4.99/lb. I bought 2 packages of chicken breast for a total weight of 13.5 lbs. At Publix's regular price, I saved $43.47 by shopping at Sam's and even if Publix had a sale, I still saved $13.77. I package the chicken breast and pork chops in freezer bags in 2 person servings. When you take it out to thaw, throw in some marinade and dinner is ready to cook!

   If you eat a lot of produce, you can save a bunch there too. I usually only buy berries, lettuce and asparagus there. Paper products and toiletries are another place to save - shampoo/conditioner, vitamins, razors are a huge savings, toothpaste, you name it, they probably have it in bulk. 

   If you manage a family of more than two people and you're not buying in bulk, you're wasting your money. Period.  

Finally Making Progress

   We noticed our credit card bill was creeping back up into the "unaffordable" range since January when we had great success in drastically cutting our bill. Our goal for June was to get it back into our comfortable zone. Well, we did it! In comparison to February-May's bills, June was - at a minimum - $500 lower than any other bill since January. We followed a simple rule of thumb, "If you can't put it in your belly or in your gas tank...don't buy it." Anything that was not a necessity was put on the back burner.
   In addition to the low(er) credit card bill, Ian has been killing it at work. His hard work really paid off this month with a nice little commission pay check. All that extra is going right to the savings account and NOT toward a high credit card bill. #success
   Our goal for the next few months is to enjoy the summer, the boat and the hunt camp without spending a bundle. The urge to buy new fishing and camping equipment will have to be squashed! Make due with what you have is the key. Remember, there are people out there that are happy with less than what you have.

Custom Art Without The Price Tag

   Everyone's idea of "art" varies, depending on what that person finds pleasing to the eye. I prefer things that are sentimental, homemade or heirloomish. A giant painting, however beautiful it may be, done by someone I've never met in another country I've never been to holds little value on my walls. For example, one of our favorites is a mounted sailfish passed down from Ian's grandfather. Another is a set of rubbings a friend of his family did. They are very unique and accent our fish-camp/nature inspired home





     Our most recent masterpiece was done 'in-house' ;o)  We took up hunting last year and would like to add a new variety to our nature-inspired decor. For Christmas, 'Santa' gave us a puzzle of a buck and doe in the woods. It was 1,000 pieces - our first puzzle to do together. It was an ongoing project we could work on at our own leisure and spend some quality time together while making custom art for our home. Although it took us 6 months to complete, it is now done. We "Mod Podged" it and framed it with an old frame we had lying around ($0). Because the puzzle wasn't quite big enough to fill the frame, I went to Hobby Lobby and had a mat cut to fit the frame and compliment the colors in the puzzle ($12 mat). The puzzle itself was $14 online - or so Santa told me :). If you're going to frame a puzzle and don't have an extra frame lying around, you can of course go to a thrift store and find one of suitable size, spray paint it a voila! So for a total of about $30, we now have a 22"x30" piece of custom art in our home. It is sentimental to us because we did it together and spent quality time together talking and joking while we puzzled. Good times.

I Don't Have a Money Tree

When you find yourself spending money on silly things or things you don't need, it's time to re-evaluate what your money is worth to you. Like our parents always said, "Money doesn't grow on trees."

   The next time you go to Target and inevitably browse the "Dollar Spot", ask yourself if you really need colored mini buckets to put trinkets in. And while you're at it, do you really need the trinkets that go in said bucket? I know I don't.

   I tried on a dress today that I didn't love. I started talking myself into getting it anyway. I could wear it to work. It is the right length and neckline. I could wear a blazer or cardigan with it. It does fit. But I don't love it. Why do we do this? Why would I waste my hard-earned money on something I had to talk myself INTO buying? Shouldn't I save my money for something I love so much I can't even talk myself OUT OF buying it? I didn't buy the dress.

   The moral of today's story: If you don't need it or love it, don't buy it. Put it down. If you're still thinking about it in a week and you can afford it, go back and get it.

Tough Decisions About Vacation

   Who doesn't want a summer vacation? But right now, it's just not in our budget. We had the opportunity to join our friends, Piper and Tyler, in the Keys this July while they celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Because they are staying in Piper's mom's house down there, we wouldn't have to pay for lodging - which would be great. However, the gas to get there and back (an 8 hour drive), food and drink while we're there would be a significant expense. We had to make the tough decision to pass on the chance for a week in the Keys. Bummer.

   But don't be blue! There are ways to get the vacation feel without a full week's expense at another destination. Use the internet to find "daycation" opportunities in your own neck of the woods. For my Ocala friends, check out the historic towns of Dunnellon, Micanopy or McIntosh. Each one under an hour drive and plenty to do there for a whole day. Check out Juniper Springs or Rainbow River, tube/canoe/kayak rentals are about $10. Or, my favorite inexpensive getaway.....camping! Although it's hot and you need to be careful of heat exhaustion, misquitos and other bugs that swarm in the summertime, it can be a fun adventure. For the cost of filling your cooler with a few days food and your campsite fee, you could have a great time with your family and get off the map for a while.

   If you have inexpensive summer vacation ideas, please share!

Slowly But Surely

   It appears we have lost a little steam on this savings train. Mostly because it is really hard! In the last few months, we have taken some financial blows. We attended Ian's sister's wedding in Savannah which included gas to and from Savannah, renting a condo, food and drink while we were there, wedding gift, etc. The following week, we had family in town for 8 days = $300 grocery bill. Plus, going out of town and having people in town means taking days off work, which for Ian means less sales, less commission, smaller paycheck. Our car ($710) and boat ($280) insurance came due. Ouch.
   We have had minimal to no opportunity to save money over the last few months. BUT, keeping up with simple savings habits has helped a little. I am proud to say I have brought my lunch to work every day this month. Turning down lunch invites on numerous occasions was difficult but had to be done. We celebrated Mother's Day and Father's Day with delicious homecooked meals and homemade cards instead of gifts that neither parent really needed anyway. Instead of going out on the weekends, we have invited friends over for dinner and played games in the backyard like cornhole and used the pool table quite a bit.
   Unfortunately, we were not able to put much in savings recently, but we haven't had to take any out to pay bills either so I still consider it a win. Keep on truckin'.

Unnecessary Services

   With the advancing technology in cell phones, we can get internet and phone service almost anywhere. In addition to our iPhones, Ian and I both have access to the internet all day long at work. And now, I have a Motorola tablet for work that has 4G on it. I can check my email, download movies and music, check my bank account, Facebook, and even write Word documents. So what do we need a home computer with internet for? We don't.

   Beginning today, for the first time since living on my own at 18, I do not have home internet service. We also came to the decision back in February, that we don't need our home phone line. I understand the "importance" of a land line if you ever need to call 911 from your home....but I still think it's a silly, unnecessary cost. So with the combined cancellation of our phone and internet service - drum roll please - we are saving approximately $90 a month! This is over $1,000 a year. 

   However, since there are only 8 months left in our calendar year savings plan, we will save $720 towards our goal of $10K. From now on, each month when the Dish Network bill comes due, I will pay it and then take the $90 that used to pay the internet/phone portion of the bill and put it right into savings. Good-bye Century Link!

   How much money are you wasting on unnecessary services? Don't forget about cell phone minutes!! A lot of wireless service companies offer unlimited mobile to mobile minutes. If you're still paying for a package with more minutes than you need, you're wasting that money! If you text more than you talk, switch to a plan with unlimited text and fewer minutes to save on your bill. Ask about family plans that offer a second line for only $10. You could combine your family's phone lines into one account and save money that way too.

Homemade Cleaners Series: Laundry Detergent

   Commercial cleaners can take a chunk out of your grocery bill. No need though. Many cleaners can be made at home with a combination of a few ingredients you probably already have at your house, or can purchase in bulk for just a few dollars. My cousin, Mike Fisher, shared with me that he makes his own laundry and dishwasher detergent from recipes he found online. He was kind enough to share them with me, and I will share them with you. This series will highlight a few household cleaners that are simple enough to make at home and will save you a lot in the long run.

   This weekend I started my homemade cleaner adventure with laundry detergent. There were several recipes to choose from that range from diluted (use more per load) to concentrated formulas (use less per load). I picked one in the middle.

• One Bar of Soap - Light or Fragrance Free
• 2 cups Muleteam Borax
• 2 cups Arm & Hammer Cleaning Soda 
• 1 quart water

   Directions: Shave bar soap (I used a cheese grater). Boil quart of water and add soap shavings. Stir until melted. Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with hot water. Add melted soap mixure. Add the Borax and cleaning soda. Mix until disolved and top off bucket with more hot water. Stir again. The solution may form into a gel, it may not. It need not be a gel to be effective. Use 1/2 cup detergent per load for this recipe. Find other laundry detergent recipes here http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

   My tips: If you choose a frangrance free bar soap, you can add a few drops of essential oils in a scent you prefer - lavender, orange, etc. If you choose a soap with a light, fresh scent, don't add scented oil as the combination may not work well. We built our homemade laundry detergent container out of a 5 gallon bucket with a lid and put a spigot at the bottom. (See photo) So we have a storage container that works as a dispenser as well.

   Share with friends: Try a big batch yourself. If you like it, send a gallon home with a friend and share the recipe.

   Cost difference: Leading commercial brands such as Tide or Gain average $15-$17 for the largest container, 1.17 gallons. The ingredients for one recipe of this homemade detergent cost be $3.75, which I get 5 gallons out of. $3.75/5 = $.75 per gallon. As you can see, it's an incredible cost difference.
  **Stay tuned for more household cleaner recipes in this series!

Credit Card Rewards

   When I was in college, I signed up for an American Express credit card. By putting all purchases on this card and not using my debit card at all, I have maximized the return for myself. I have received an average of $500 a year in cash back rewards. I usually put it towards paying the next credit card bill. A credit card that earns you points or cash back is a big way to save. If you earn travel points, that's less dollars out of your pocket when it comes time to book plane tickets and hotels. There are tons of credit cards out there with consumer benefits that will suit your needs. Just do the research!

  Although the Amex card earns us a lot of points which equals cash back, there are many businesses that don't take Amex. For this reason, we decided to get a second credit card that was a Visa. I did the research and found a Marriott Rewards Visa that would give us 2 free nights stay and 30,000 points just for signing up and keeping the card active for 6 months. Now that we have it, we only use it at places that don't take Amex, because it doesn't earn as high of a percentage on return - we earn 5% on almost all purchases with Amex and only 1-2% with the Marriott card.

   This weekend, we are cashing in our 2 free nights at the Fairfield Marriott near Universal to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. It's a small, conservative anniversary vacation, but it will have to do for now since we're in savings mode. When we reach our $10K goal, we'll see about a cruise to the Virgin Islands :o)
   If we had to pay for the 2 nights out of pocket, we would spend $220 plus tax just on the hotel. Not to mention the park tickets at $85 a pop. But since we are utilizing our credit card benefits, we are saving that $220.
   The key to putting all your purchases on a credit card to maximize your return is to pay off the credit card bill at the end of every month. Don't go into debt just to earn points on your card! The interest alone could set you back quite a bit. Spend responsibly!

Coin Jar

   As simple as it sounds, you may be overlooking one of the easiest ways to save money. An at home piggy bank. A mason jar, 5 gallon water drum, a bucket, a wine jug, an actual ceramic pig, whatever you prefer. Toss your spare change in the container and forget about it. When I was growing up, my dad kept a 5 gallon drum - his coin jar - in the corner of his closet. Whenever it got full, he would let me roll the coins in little paper cylinders to take to the bank. He always gave me a percentage for helping him roll the money. And to teach me about savings. And here I am. Blogging about savings.

Rules:

   1. Keep your coin jar in a common place in the house where everyone can contribute.

   2. Determine how long you will save your coins. One year. 10 years. Until retirement. You choose. The key is to NOT TOUCH IT until then.
   3. Decide what you will use your coin savings for. A new car down payment, a home project, a new wardrobe, paying off your credit card. Ian and I cashed in our coin savings the year we got married and used it for spending money when we visited our friends in Alaska. It was only $200, but it sure helped! I heard about a guy who started his coin savings when his son was born. By the time the boy was 18, the father had saved enough to pay for the son's college tuition! That really puts things in perspective - especially for those of you with young kids.
   This project is not a catch all bowl on your coffee table that you give and take from regularly. It is a savings project. Empty the coins in your pocket/change purse on a daily or weekly basis with the purpose of saving it. If you're tempted to take quarters from it to pay parking and tolls, then make the opening only big enough for coins to go in and not out. Pick a container you can break open when you reach your goal in time. This will help keep you accountable.

Baby Addison

   Ian and I are the proud Uncle and Aunt of baby Addison Elaine Lowe. Ian's brother Jason and his wife Gretchen welcomed "Addie" into the world on February 24, 2012. Since that day (and even before, let's be honest), I have found it to be extremely difficult not to spoil this little girl with every extra penny in my pocket. I. Am. In. Love.

   So that we don't go broke while loving and spoiling her, I've been very savings savvy about my baby purchases. On a recent trip to Sam's Club, I picked up a pack of Pampers diapers - 92 count - for $22. Anyone who has ever bought diapers knows what a deal this is. I highly recommend buying diapers, wipes and formula in bulk from a warehouse shopping center like Sam's or Costco. They also have children's clothing, socks and shoes for super cheap. Name brand stuff!

   Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with Gretchen and baby Addison on a shopping trip. I only bought her a few things ::grin::  And they were on sale - 40% off of $12. How could I not buy these adorable onesies to show her love for Uncle Ian and Aunt Jen?

   When you're shopping for a new baby, it's so tempting to buy everything that is "cute". But be practical. I was really proud of mommy Gretchen, too! On her first shopping trip since the birth, she was definitely conservative with her spending. She used reason when selecting outfits Addison would need in the near future. She even put a few things back before check out!

   I've also heard shopping at thirft/consignment stores for new and used children's clothing is the way to go. Some consignment stores have items with the tags still on! Kids grow out of stuff so quickly, especially from 0-12 months, they hardly have time to ruin it. Consider the savings there.

Dishwasher Fights

   Many of my married friends and family will recognize a "dishwasher fight" as an explosive fight over something silly such as the way one partner loads the dishwasher. And how it is phenominally different than the way the other partner would like it to be loaded.

   This morning, as we were preparing coffee and thinking about lunch options before walking out the door, we discover the plate of leftover chicken from last night's dinner has been left in the microwave (our secret hiding place so the dog can't reach it on the counter) all night and is now garbage. Because this chicken would have been a good lunch option, and now one or both of us will need to buy lunch, I became upset about how wasteful it was to forget the chicken was in the microwave and let it go bad. This was the beginning of a dishwasher fight.

   Because he put it in the microwave, I reminded him that he should have been responsible to put it away before bed. Ian is not a fighter - he would much rather make a joke of things and carry on. So in his best and honest attempt to defuse the situation, he says, "It's okay. Chicken is only $1.99/lb," as he rakes it into the trash can. Fumes. Coming from my ears. I interpret this as, "I don't do the grocery shopping and don't know what we spend on groceries and throwing expensive food away is okay." I. Flipped. Out. And reminded him that "being this wasteful is absolutely not acceptible."
   Ian's counterattack was to remind me of how much fresh produce I buy and don't eat and it goes bad in the fridge or fruit bowl. And reminded me how equally wasteful that is. My defense is to throw my hands in the air and say, "Fine. Fine. You're always right!" While I let this very true fact sink in, I march to the fruit bowl and snatch an apple that has a few days left in its life expectancy, and begin cutting it up for lunch. **Confession: I bought a cantaloupe on my weekly grocery trip for the last 3 weeks, and every one of them went bad before I cut it open. So, I do buy a lot of produce that I would like to eat, but a lot of it goes to waste in the fridge before I get around to eating it. Damn. He got me.
   The savings lesson learned here, for me, is that I need to be more mindful of the amount of fresh produce I buy that two people cannot possibly eat in a week. One change effective immediately: Fruit of the week. Instead of buying oranges, apples, grapes and bananas, and letting at least half of them go bad, I will buy one or two fruits to eat that week, and then switch it up next week. This way, I won't get burnt out on one fruit, and I'm not spending half my grocery bill on produce that goes bad. Another alternative: Canned fruit. I like the "no sugar added" options, "in water". Canned and frozen veggies should make an appearance more often, too.

A New Barber In Town

   Last weekend, my husband needed a hair cut. He usually goes to the barber right down the street on his way to work in the morning. But on this occasion, he ubruptly declares "I'm just going to shave my head. It will be so much easier to take care of. I can just cut it at home." Errrrrrrrrk ::screeching breaks:: What? I don't think so. He's not shaving his head because getting a hair cut is inconvenient. He will regret this tomorrow for sure, is what I'm thinking. And I'm thinking, It takes you what, 20 minutes to get a hair cut and costs you $15?! When I get mine done, it's around $100 and takes 2 hours! What are you complaining about? Although he has to go much more oftern than I do. But still.

   So once I make it clear, completely shaving his head is not an option at this time, he asks me to cut his hair. Ladies and gentleman, this has never been done before. I agree to give it a try, on the condition that if I screw it up, he goes to the barber in the morning to fix it.

   We get started. I trim the top with scissors, and then buzz the bottom with his beard trimmer. With some coaching from him, I learn that to do the fade, I use the little comb and scissors to blend the two lengths of hair. Then he put on the edging trimmer and I finished it off with a clean line around his head and above his ears. Not too bad, right?!

   So then I'm thinking, we could do this at home and save money! It's only about $180 a year, but it's still some savings in our budget. We will be doing this at home now :)

Pick a Charity

   It seems like everywhere you go now, someone is asking you for a donation. For this or that charity, non-profit organization, 5K run, etc. Giving to every one that asks can drain your wallet fast. In one day, I had 3 solicitations - one for the March of Dimes at Publix, one for a charity that Arby's supports, and another one from a coworker selling tickets for his kid's school fundraiser. All of them, I'm sure, are worthy causes. But I simply cannot afford to support them all! So, I choose one.

   My non-profit of choice happens to be the ARC Marion, a center for developmentally disabled persons that offers services for toddlers all the way to adults. They have an early intervention program for young ones, all kinds of advocacy resources to help develop skills and characteristics, an adult day training program that teaches real world work skills, and they also have group homes with 24/7 care. I am currently a board member with ARC Marion and so that is where I focus my funds available for charities/non-profits.

   Another way to support local charities without draining your wallet is to look for fundraisers you can benefit from. If a group is holding a speghetti dinner for $5, and you love spaghetti and you would have to buy something for dinner anyway....go to the fundraiser. Two birds, one stone. If you eat at Sonny's a lot, and your friend's kid is selling tickets for a meal at Sonny's....buy the ticket that helps his cause - you would spend $8 or more there anyway. Tonight, I am attending a PACE Center for Girls fashion show fundraiser. There will be food and drinks, raffles, and donated dresses will be for sale too. I just so happen to need a dress for an upcoming wedding. Why not check out this fundraiser to find an inexpensive dress for myself and help an organization I support while I'm at it?!
   If you wish to give back, but you're limited as to how much you can give, it is okay to pick one to support consistantly and say no to the rest. If you can't affor to give money at all, but still want to be involved and contribute, volunteer! There are dozens of organizations in your town that need hands and hearts to get their word out, accomplish their goals and make progress with their cause. Give your time if you can't give money!

Vegas! 21 Things To Do Under $21

   If you're itching to get out to Vegas, but don't have thousands - or even hundreds - to blow while you're there, here are 21 things to do in and around Vegas for less than $21 each. Vegas is a cool city just to be in. The night life is great and you don't have to gamble your trip away. Do some other fun stuff!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/travel/la-tr-vegas21-20120304-photos,0,2611113.photogallery

Left: Eiffel Tower in Vegas in the Paris Resort.

You Only Have One Pair of Eyes

    I had my annual eye exam today, which I must have every year before I can order new contacts. I have worn glasses since 4th grade, and contacts since high school. No big deal until I started paying for them myself in college! Sheesh. And I have an astigmatism, which makes my contacts "special order" and nice and pricey. My lenses will last me about 3 months (each pair). To find the right lenses for me, my optometrist starts with a trial pair. The manufacturer of my "special lenses" charges $100 for EACH CONTACT of this trial pair - $200. For the trial pair. Just to be clear. Then if I decide I like them, I get 3 more pairs for only $100. Makes perfect sense right? No. But that's the health care system for you. And my insurance only gives me back $100/year for eye expenses. Which is the cost of my exam = no help with contact purchase.

   So because they are so expensive, I try to stretch the life of each pair so they last me longer between orders. When the lenses start to get cloudy, I rub them with a little baking soda and contact solution. Cleans them right up and will not scratch the lenses. My optometrist told me this himself. **Note: Doctor's orders: Don't go too long with the same pair because the lenses are like a sponge and they obsorb proteins and other icky stuff that can cause problems over time. But I can stretch my 3 month pair, for 4-5 months. Getting me an extra 6-8 months in before ordering another year's supply.

   Like most contact users, I need a pair of glasses as a back up. My optometrist offers a deal for contact users - there is a small selection of eye glasses for under $60. Since I don't wear them very often, I took this deal. My glasses were $40 and I like them a lot. They are even considered fashionable.  

   Fun parts of the exam today: Free contact solution and a new contact case! I mentioned to my doctor that the cost of my lenses was an issue. He agreed that because my prescription had not changed very much, we could bypass the whole $200 trial pair thing and just order a year's supply. Which save me about $100. Thanks Doc! Also, he dialated my eyes. And because I wore my glasses today, I couldn't put on my sunglasses. So they gave me these temporary shades that slip between your face and your glasses to tint your glasses while your eyes are all haywire. Pretty cool huh?

"You have to take good care of your eyes. They're the only pair you get." - My Dad

Cha-Ching!

   Our tax return finally came in! When we met with our tax guy last month, we gave him our savings account number for direct deposit. That way, we would not even be tempted to leave any of it in the checking account : ) However, we are taking a few hundred bucks to visit Harry Potter for our anniversary weekend in April. We deserve it! Also.....I suppose I did agree before we started this venture, that Ian could pay for his annual hunting lease with part of our tax return. Which is a huge portion ::cough cough:: but the rest in staying put! I told our tax guy that and he suggested the hunting lease was still cheaper than marriage counseling, lol. And we do enjoy it.
  Tax return of $2,736 towards our savings goal of $10K in one year! (see savings ticker)

Mail Order Rx

   If you have health insurance and you're on monthly prescriptions, I highly recommend using a prescription mail order service through your insurance company. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and their service is Prime Mail. Ask your insurance company about what they offer.

   My contraceptive choice is Nuva Ring. Ladies - it's great! It's worth the extra $$. But it is not offered in a generic and costs top dollar. Before my stupid insurance copays went up, I was paying $60 per refill at a drugstore = $720/year. When I found out about mail order services through my insurance company, I switched and began paying only $100 for a 3 month supply = $400/year. That's a $420 savings!! Just for one prescription.

   The bummer is now that my health insurance has gone up - premiums, copays, everything - I now pay $200 for a 3 month supply. But I did ask, and if I went back to filling it at a drug store each month, my Rx would be $100 per refill! That's $1,200 a year for birth control. I'm beginning to think it's more expensive to NOT have a baby :o/

   Anyway, with the new insurance fees and whatnot, I'm still saving $400 a year by using the mail ordering service. Can you imagine the savings if you're on more than one Rx?! Try it!

Articles in the Sun-Sentinel

   Here is an article I found in the Sun-Sentinel about savings, emergency funds and retirement savings. It includes a few studies done lately on Americans and how the economy has made it hard to save. But we must be vigilant!! Every penny counts.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/blogs/money-sense/sfl-not-saving-enough-20120222,0,400135.story

   Here's another link - 6 Ways to Cut Back to Save $4K a Year. Sound familiar? :)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/blogs/money-sense/sfl-6-ways-cut-back-to-save-at-least-3k-a-year-20120109,0,3925213.story

Generic vs. Name Brand

   In my college marketing class, we discussed "brand loyalty", which refers to customers who use a particular brand name product and never vary. I don't recommend this spending lifestyle for anyone trying to save money. Brand name products can be much more expensive than generics. Some are worth the extra money because the quality is better, but some are practically the same thing by ingredient and function.

   I wear contact lenses which cost me a fortune all by themselves. But when you talk about the price of contact solution....for saline water?!? I switched to the Wal-Mart generic "Equate" saline solution several years ago. The price difference is remarkable - $4.94 for a 12 oz. Equate brand combo pack vs. $16.92 for a 10 oz. OptiFree brand combo pack! Crazy. I also use the generic brand for things like sinus/cold medicines. Just make sure to check the active ingredients on the back. It's the same thing! My best friend and pharmacist, Dr. Piper (Marsh) Machamer, will tell you that too. You can save $5+ on a single purchase.  

    Save on other generics like cotton balls, household cleaners, things in the grocery/dairy section such as butter, sour cream, cheeses, etc. All of them have the same exact ingredients. Aside from generics, if you stay flexible on brand names, you can buy whatever is on sale and/or you have a coupon for and save money that way. Try this for toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.

   Don't get me wrong - there are some things I will not go generic on because of that quality issue. Or just absolute preference. My skin is very sensitive, so I use Aveeno shaving cream ($3.50/can) and Schick Quatro razors ($10/4 refill blades). Expensive, I know, but those products are the only kind I can use that don't make my skin mad. I also splurge on Bounty paper towels because yes, it is the "quilted quicker picker upper." They don't fall apart and you can rinse, ring them out and use them again. Love them. Toilet paper is something I cannot go generic on. Toilet paper is also one of the products you will see the most quality difference in. Don't skimp!    

Car Problems

   Our last pay day was pretty sweet. Ian was able to nearly double his pay check with lots of commission from boat sales this month. Of course we planned to put all the extra in savings.

   At the same time, I decided to take my car in for a full diagnostic because it's been making an awful noise when I put it in gear. It does sit in the driveway a lot because I have a work vehicle so it doesn't get very much TLC. I love Tires Plus Ocala, across from Sam's Club. They are always really nice, priced fairly, and the store manager, Melissa, always talks to me on "girl level" so I understand what's wrong with my car.

   I took it there Saturday morning. They said the full diagnostic check would run me $40. Eh, not too bad. Well 3 hours later, Melissa called me with a list of items that needed attention including a new motor mount for $250 and an urgent oil leak. And there was a massive rodent nest in my AC filter compartment. Which makes complete sense because 2 months ago, we found a little Gus Gus (mouse) in the cabin of the car. Gross! We took care of the mousy with a trap as soon as we saw him. But we're just now finding his house :o/ 

   So the grand total to get my car back in good shape was about $590. Ouch. So that extra money Ian made will not be going to savings. But the lesson here is....because I have found a trustworthy place to take my car when it does have problems, I know they won't over quote me or tell me I need things done that I dont. Melissa even waived the diagnostic fee and didn't charge me to clean out the mouse house. Tires Plus Ocala will always get my business!

  

Silly Shopping

   The other day, I stopped by Kohls to pick up a gift for a bridal shower. While I was in there, I thought I should browse the sale rack for me. Just to see. Well, I ended up buying a pair of work pants and a sweater top. I mean they were on clearance and only cost me another $20 on top of what I went in there for, right?
   The fact that Target, Kohls, TJ Maxx, Ross, the Paddock Park Mall, Dillards, DSW, Old Navy and Ulta are within 10 minutes of where I work is toxic to my bank account. Confession: Last year, multiple times a week, I would go to one of these stores to "browse" during my lunch hour. I would almost always buy something. Even if it was just a scarf, pair of flats for work, whatever. But all of them were irresponsible purchases!
   This year, I'm really trying to limit my splurge shopping and nonsense trips to retail stores. I know this is one of the reasons our January credit card bill was half of what December was. So, I am making improvements! If I am going to impulse shop...I have to be really selective. Ask yourself these questions before check out: Do I really need this? Will I wear it in the next month? How many times in a year can I wear it? Is it practical for work and play?
  ***Keep receipts until the tags come off and you walk out the door wearing it. If you have buyer's remorse, you can always return it. Happens to me all the time.

Unexpected Money

   As I mentioned in the "Budgeting Basics" post, we have made a commitment to save any money that comes in over and above our regular paychecks. Overtime, commission checks, tax return, etc.   

   Last week, we received two unexpected checks. One was from Ian's boss - a $100 bonus for having such a good month (January) at Gulf to Lake Sales. Ian is a really hard worker and makes a lot of sales. He could sell a boat to an aquaphobe :)

   The second check we received was from Wells Fargo. We overpaid into our escrow account in 2011 and got a rebate check for $175. Yay!

   That is nearly $300 we were not expecting to get at all, and therefore had not planned on using it to pay anything. So into savings it goes. (See savings ticker)