Post 100~It's ALL About Saving!

This is Thriving's 100th post!
Let's celebrate!
I would like to offer a FREE Frugal Consultation to a randomly drawn winner if you will leave me a comment and tell me where you have shared this give a way with others.

Drum Roll Please~

You CAN WIN a FREE Consultation with me to discuss debt busting and budget boosting in this economy~how do you need to tighten up or buckle down?

Don't be misled~there are many out there who are telling you HOW to SPEND your money, but few are telling you HOW TO SAVE IT~

Leave a comment with your contact info.  I will randomly chose a winner on Nov. 1st so you can get going on a debt busting/budget building plan for your family.

I am looking forward to hearing from you! Pass the word!

TRACK those Expenses!

I seem to say a lot about how to be cheap and frugal to save all we can so we have all we can, but along with all the thrifty measures you can take, it's soooooo wise to keep track of all of your money by tracking where your money is going.  I have encouraged keeping a list of shopping prices in that handy dandy notebook, but what about tracking where the money is actually going each day, week, month and year? It's essential to know where a "leak" is occurring before it can be fixed.  When we know where our money goes, then we are more prepared to make the decisions needed to either slow or stop the money going out of our lives...

Several Choices to TRACK $
I can think of several ways to track your spending. There are several computer programs designed to track the trends for you in the form of spread sheets and IF you already own one,,,go right on a head and USE it! But if you don't have Quicken or another one...then you can use Excel to create your own spread sheet, OR purchase a ledger style tablet to put in a notebook...but I have an even more economical idea:

Notebook paper or spiral bound notebook. You will want to track over the next month and year even...so a notebook, or a way to keep up with each month is essential.  KEEP up with the papers! I like a notebook. For less than $1 you can economically have a way to keep up with the "bills" and expenses~everywhere money is spent.  A stapler is handy too.  Staple receipts to the back of the page.  A stapler is multi purpose, so it's a good investment. 

• Set your pages up for each month. 

• Begin NOW~start the month you are reading my post.

• Write the name of the month on the top line. To the right put the year.  

• Skip down a line.

• Take a ruler or straight edge and make a line so that you have five (5) columns.

Column 1; DUE DATE
Column 2: ITEM
Column 3: AMOUNT DUE
Column 4: DATE PAID
Column 5: CATEGORY

The column are useful to track the money going out of the home.  The most important column is CATEGORY.  These can be as you set them up in your budget: Mortgage, Rent, Utilities, Food, Clothing, Fun...you can list these any way you want.  Be sure that you cover even such things as Fuel, Insurance (health, life and auto), Care Maintence, and Gifts.  Don't make separate columns for each of these, but devise a code for them, and WRITE IT DOWN in the notebook, just in case you forget...It's essential to track all the spending so you can see just where the funds are going. 

Sometimes it's going to be tough in catagorizing the expenditures.  When going out to eat, is this necessary so it would be food, which it is, or is it fun, which it is?  IF you are trying to lower your expenses because there is not enough to cover each month, then categorize it under fun and keep that category on a strict "budget" meaning you a lot just a certain amount either weekly or monthly so you can pick and chose what you want to spend your FUN MONEY on~it might be eating out or you might want a movie rented or at the theater...THIS method gives you choices~AND the money is there...in the budget for such, not stolen from the essentials.

I will talk more about budgeting and categories next time.  For now, hunt up and repurpose a notebook not already used UP! This is a great way to save, even if it's just the $1 start up cost!

Using It UP~Cardboard boxes

Ever notice how much cardboard comes into our homes? There's packing boxes, shoe boxes, boxes for appliances and gadgets, all kinds shapes and sizes! So what are we going to do with all that cardboard?

Here are a few ideas, and if you have one or many~let me know...

USES:
1. Organizers.  Small boxes can be cut down to fit whatever item needing storage. Cover with pretty paper or fabric of a finished look.

2. Shelving backs. I love bookcases, and my husband has build quite a bit of those for us, but I don't like the backs open where books or other objects can fall right out...but stapeling cardboard to the backs with a stained finish or even wallpaper or painted surface, this will finish off the look of the piece and keep things looking nicer...

3. Signs for various usages.  I have used large card board box panels for yard sale signs.  They can be a large as you are willing to cut and display for your event. It can be used to point the way to all sorts of possibilities.

4. Gift giving. Wrap up your old boxes in gift wrap for a holiday box.

5. Postal shipping. Use your box to ship something to someone else!

6. Moving? Save your boxes! This can cost a lot if you don't have enough! 

7. Furniture.  Sounds goofy, I know, but if you need a side table to hold lightweight items, cover with a sheet or decorative cloth...THERE ya go! Here's a link for a cool chair!

8. Children's blocks. Save up small boxes and let the kids build with them as blocks.

9. Forts/Castles and puppet stages. Again, this could be child's play, but it's a good use and economical! More ideas!


10. Fair/Carnival/Party play.  Use the box for games such as "Go Fish" or other carnival came...Toss the Beanbag into one...it's endless! (See below for the fishing game idea.)

Use up those cardboard boxes...To store them empty, break them down and lay flat. You can store them behind, and underneath things OR even in garage rafters....You can never have too many boxes!

Fishing Game

Large box~big enough for a person or two to get into...the bigger the person~the bigger the box needed.
Fishing poles~make these from willow branches or other soft limbs.  Tie string or yarn onto the end of the "pole" and attach a hinged clothes pin to the end of it.  This is so when the player "fishes" a prize of either wrapped candy OR a small carnival prize can be attached.  Another variation is to have either colored disks (poker chips will work) or even colored note file cards.  Attaching a different color means a different prize that the 'fisher' could win!  The prizes are displayed and the color chip or file card bearing "fisherman" redeems their prize from the displayed prizes categorized by colors: however you desire, but here's an idea: red~biggest prize: maybe a stuffed animal (Do you have loads you need to get rid of???) blue: 2nd place prize (carnival toy~oriental traders type small items (the bulk carnival prize stuff) yellow: 3rd place prize~piece of candy only.  Have fun with your boxes!! AND it's carnival season~whoohoo!

Using It UP~Cardboard boxes!

Mortgage Issues In THIS Economy??

There's loads of talk about short sales, foreclosures and bankruptcy being solutions for many...but the fall out is HUGE~hence why I am a proponent of buckling down to PAY debts as best we can: living and loving on less so that IF at ALL possible, mortgages can be taken care of and paid.  These are tenuous times for all of us. . .hardly is there an American who has not felt the economic crunch of job losses and the declining economy.  Even if you haven't experienced an economic shift, none is secure! I really do advocate that everyone attempt to live a life in more simplicity and frugality.  Better to do it long before a disaster when savings can be built and appetites for "things" isn't fed, than when all havock breaks loose and there are so much change that have to be made just to stay afloat! 

Access your mortgage situation.  Find every way possible to pay it if AT ALL possible!
Find new money in the forms of creative jobs and living frugally.  Saving really does equal more disposible cash~less utilities, food costs and all other expenditures will equal a little bit more to place on the mortgage situation. 

I have heard of stories of ugliness from mortgage lenders when folks have tried to "negotiate" differing terms...FIND a WAY~ do what you can do! Work a good solid plan to manage debt.  Consider consumer credit counseling and QUIT spending on anything but essentials! ESSENTIALS...I know I am saying hard and irritating words~but losing a home is so traumatic, and as you will be able to SEE Clark Howard on Shortsales, Foreclosures, and Bankruptcy  the answer will not be in a ONE of those IF AT ALL POSSIBLE!

These are tough times, and the old trite saying still holds TRUE:

When the going gets tough, the TOUGH GET GOING!

Busting Debt,

Busting a MOVE on Debt~

Here's a GREAT strategy~pay off the small things first. 

Pay them as fast as you can beginning with the smallest debt first.  When you get that smaller debt gone, throw the money you would have paid on it toward the next lowest debt.  As you roll the money into bigger amounts as the smaller bills are paid off, there is money available to put on the larger debts. 

If you have a vehicle payment, try paying it off early~paying off ANYTHING early that has interest will potentially save you bunches in future interest!

Remember that busting debt comes in small steps~if you do too much all at once, it could become overwhelming and cause burn out! Take it one little bit, as much as you can, when you can, how you can at a time!

Bust THAT debt~roll up the payments smallest to largest...then you will find

DEBT FREE!

Ways to Cut the Grocery Bill~Yeah Baby!

Cooking is a necessary chore and essential to the family~and boy can eating be a budget killer~BUT WE ALL GOTTA EAT, right?? I can imagine the hungry and eventually angry looks in the eyes of my family IF we never had any food in the house!  Grocery shopping can be a huge challenge to find what we need for prices that are great!  Here are a few tips of my own and a wonderful link from Menus4Moms~thanks for posting such a great list...
Here are my tips:
 1. Make that list. Inventory first, then make a list so you can plan your meals out.  Decide if you are shopping weekly, biweekly or monthly or even everyday...this will matter on what you plan to get and to use.

2.  Depending upon your decision of shopping frequency, look at your money too~how much can you spend right now to invest in stocking the pantry?  Be sure you have cash ready to go or the check book is in balance and you KNOW how much to spend.

3.  I'd suggest taking a calculator with you.  I like to use on to figure the price per serving or pound so I can compare product to product.  CALCULATE those prices~don't trust the shelves!!! Tip:  I KNOW they put the wrong tags under the wrong products...seen it so many times!!! AND watch the register when they are scanning~sometimes THIS is wrong too! HINT: If at WalMart, they will (or have, so ask) give you the item FREE if it rings up wrong...BE WATCHFUL!

4.  Decide if you have enough room to buy in bulk for sale items and items you use a lot.  Storage is a huge consideration, and I like to, now I don't always get to, clean out the fridge~meaning wiped out and ready to go...crisper freshened up...I line with paper towel...have used dish towels to make produce last longer...there's a reason the lettuces are put in cotton drawstring bags...it keeps it from wilting! But prepare the areas for bringing home the food!  Also you will KNOW exactly what you do and don't need.

HINT:  When sprucing up the fridge for the new produce~use a light cleaning solution of either vinegar and water or bleach (1/2 cap full) per 2 qts of water to wipe out the inside.  This will freshen and also kills off any bacteria.  If you need to do a thorough clean~bring out all the condament containers and wash them under running water with soap...dry off and put back.  How often do we wash the ketchup or mayo containers?  If you do this after each use, then of course you don't have to do it now...but when kids are doing these chores, sometimes they tend to either try to get it done as fast as possible, or they forget...but this will keep it all germ free! Also I like to wipe the fridge handles daily.  Just good cleanliness!

BACK to shopping~

5. Make your list arranged in order your store is going to be in...if it's produce first then list those items.  Next, if it's meats, then list those; if it's canned goods or dry goods such as baking supplies and sugars, then put those next.  Order that list a head of time so you don't have to do it as you go.  This will save you loads of time in the store.  Also you can have your children make the list too.  Download this FREEBIE for making an easy shopping list:

6.  Grab sales papers or coupons you might be using. I am not one for much of this because I am more of a scratch cook, but for those who prefer these foods, the money saving in this area is essential.  Did you know if you have a specific brand you prefer you can go online and print out coupons for about anything?? Put the brand name or even the name of the item and up comes all the sites~shop online for the best cents off deal before hitting the store!  (This isn't about food, but we needed shoes here, so I have a fav store so I went to their site and ordered with FREE shipping!  Also got money off by signing up to get their news about deals! Never will I miss that by one get 1/2 off again!!)  Remember to do your homework about your list...

7. I am going to defer you to Menus4Moms for the fifty tips to save~
 http://www.menus4moms.com/articles/50_tips_to_save_big_at_the_grocery_store.php
 from Menus4Moms! I would like to kick in just one thing about using left over rice...I understand it is not good for health as it quickly breaks down into sugars, so if you are pre or diabetic, consider making just enough rice so there are NO left overs and don't precook. Health is worth a BUNCH!  Check out the right sidebar for a FREE weekly menu plan from Menus4Moms!

Here's to living and loving on less! How are you working your grocery shopping excursions and SAVING???

Why Thriving With No Green$?

I am debt busting and budget boosting! I don't profess to know all the answers! I encourage and want to hear all about what you are doing to make it too!  Hello & leave me a comment! ;-))

This is a blog about doing life on the Saving and Frugal~living on less to have more later! There are many sources out there on this subject, but I am paring it right on down to using up, making do, and extending out so that we can make it, survive and thrive is this busted economy! Never has there been a greater need in the past thirty years to squeeze so much out of our financial resources.  Some methods out there just don't work! Gimicky stuff, spending to "save" and all that will just keep us spending our hard earned money when what we need are ideas and methods that are solid to live as well as we can on what we have to live on. 

Yours for busting debt and boosting budgets!

How Low Can You Go?

Remember the Limbo Game? It's a ton of fun to see who can scoot under the pole and shimmy without touching at the lowest point...Everybody who's playing is usually excited and laughing to see the players contort to get below the mark~to get the lowest to go lower and lower...and lower...

I want to ask you, if you were facing financial ruin or hardship would you make any changes before it hit to prevent or minimize the effects? What strategy would you employ to minimize the situation in your family's livelihood?

We all would do what it would take to keep our families safe and sound. I know that thinking about these economic times with all the fear and uncertainty is not the mindset many of us want to have, nor should we live in fear and anxiety. But we would be better to think in terms of strategy and methods for doing what we can to lower our outgo so that if we should face these kinds of issues we are more prepared. I don't want to be presumed to be negative or a "dooms day" prophet, but I do want to offer a honest evaluation of the economy and situations for many in our communities and even some of us...we are looking for ways to cut expenses, make do, thrive and survive so that we live...and how low we are willing to go can just like the game~and we know life is NO GAME, but like that game...how low we are willing to go can make the difference in our staying in the economic playing field or even winning~staying viable!

I have been practicing methods of thrift for sometime, years actually because of economic conditions long before the recession. I had to ask myself that question too~how low was I personally willing to go? Each person has to do this for themselves, and it's a personal decision for each of us. But I want to encourage everyone to begin making changes small, bigger, huge, whatever changes you can to lower the outgo so you can sustain any changes that are necessary.

Almost anything you can do will help, and I've read so many times that it is the small amounts of money that add up to huge amounts...that sounds silly doesn't it? But it's really true!

If you are in a situation where the mortgage is threatened with foreclosure the situation will demand greater efforts to go forward. Cutting expenses won't have to equal cutting satisfaction and pleasure out of life. Unfortunately our society places great importance in the value of the things here on earth, but remembering that the simplest pleasures offer the greatest fulfillment will make the choices made easier to bare. It's making up one's mind that thrifty living is a priority and that nothing will surpass this effort.

I received a link, THANKS Marla for http://www.truthinforeclosure.com/ to help us who are in the trench over our homes.

What ways are you lowering your outgo each month? Are you practicing thrift to save each Lincoln so you will thrive in this economy? I'd love to hear what you are doing.

Remember we can do this! Simple and FREE is best!

Beating the Blues With No Green$

I love Blues music. Growing up in the south has acquainted me with the saltry sounds of blues, jazz and southern rock for years. . .there's a sadness, a cry to it underneath the tones that soothes and calms...Without sound finances, the blues could be more than a genre of music for us who are living on less than we once had or less than we had hoped or less than is adequate for our "needs." So how do we beat these blues without green$ or money? Many people find that the ability to do things that cost money, to bring loads of "joy:"travel, possessions, experiences and more can suddenly be out of reach and now there's a need~a void where something once was that NOW may or may not ever return...how can we be happy and joyful, beating the blues without the green$?



Here are some ideas:

1. Consider our 'mindset' to think about what's really important or satisfies.

I wrote about this an entry or so back...what satisfies you? Is it touchable by human hands or is it something that is inward, inside your being that does this? The ability to be satisfied is rooted in our priorities. God should be our number one, but then where do the other areas find their place in our lives? Prioritize the things and ideals of this life...

2. Create a plan to do something with what we already have as a ready and able resource. Huh?

Yes, look at what is available and within our grasp that we might not be utilizing to its fullest. Do we have a deck or porch, an out door swing? Get on it and listen to the birds! Sit in the sunshine for a few minutes and breathe the fresh air! Does it need scrubbing? Go do that! Sidewalk? Sweep it~clean it, edge it... While outside, hear, smell and feel all of God's beautiful nature! Take a walk. Pick wild flowers by the side of the road (as long as it's legal to do so!) Do you have a bike? Take a ride! Craft items unused~get them out~work on a project...does your office or school room or den or kitchen pantry need organizing? WHAT about creating something in the kitchen to eat? Do you cook? What is there to do? What is there to use up and or re-purpose for another item! Find a way to use those ready and able resources that are just THERE without us using them~busy hands and minds lifts the spirit!

3. Concert with true joy!

Music with positive effects will chase the blues and beat it! Turn on music when you can...I like a quiet home with the sounds so low that you literally hear the dog snore, birds sing and keyboard keys clicking, but some homes have the noise of the television and radio constantly around them. Is NOISE a problem? If so, quieten down the atmosphere. If quiet is too much, then add some musical sound~I like online radio and radio theature. I always have liked a good radio drama or story. I enjoy a dramatic reading of books and the Bible. These can be found online or at the libray to be borrowed for FREE~

4. Creation~God's showcase!

Living with a sense of the wonder of God and creation beats the blues with no green$ I have enjoyed looking at the sky from time to time. Did you ever like I did lay in the grass and watch the cloud formations change with the breezes to create different looks that could be most anything my imagination could see? I love looking and watching a sunset, sunrise and the moon cycle. I like star gazing and have been known to check out when mediaorite showers were occurring or other night sky activities. Appreciating God's creation lends itself beyond skyward watching but into all of nature. I love wildlife. We have a bunny living in our back yard~little wonder if our garden didn't survive, but my hubby put wire around it at the level his ears would have touched and he didn't like it, so he's pretty much left it alone! But I love bunnies and dear and raccoons, possums, beavers, badgers. . . I like turtles, not snakes so much or lizards, but most else...they are amazing! I enjoy the seasons watching our follage change with the times...ALL this stuff is FREE! Amazing that the greatest amusements are not man contrived and are true budget boosters!

5. Camp out for fun!

Do you camp? I am not a tent camper. In fact, we own an old OLD hard side shell camper with air just because I am not a real rough it kind of gal...but for vacationing, it's really less to go to state and national park camping sites for a few~going rates now for full hook ups are around $15-20 per night...Camping in the rough without bathhouses is less. . . I CAN see why! ;-)) But when we have vacationed, the camper provided our own home with our own facilities for minimal money. How cheap can you go? Is a good question here~but since I like to go this way...it works for us...tent camping if you already own it, or if you can borrow it or get it for a song is really less! But camping can really make travel affordable~and relaxation back to nature!

6. simpliCity~

Simplicity~I just realized that on my kitchen table is a mayo jar that we had cleaned out~I save these for bulk spices and left over storage in the fridge as well as craft projects and even kid science~bug homes! This jar has some wildflowers in it that I am certain my son went out and found beautiful that he has brought home to share with all of us. Simple? YES! But I wouldn't trade my mayo jar-vase and my son's flowers for the nicest boquet of roses I could be given~there's love in that bunch of flowers from a son to his family~simple? Oh yes...but also priceless! I've written about all kinds of things that can be used for things they were not originally intended for in their uses~but do the trick inexpensively...simplicity is an art form of simple which can lend itself to clean and oderly. Less really is more!

7. Cool cost saving water!

Water is a cost saver! Drinking water is healthy and loads healthier than almost any other fluid we can consume. First by drinking water, we will save on all the other drinks that we've been socially conditioned to drink...LET ME SEE...CoolAid, CokaCola, Pepsi, CountryTime, Tea-many brands...somehow have come to equate wealth or a sense of having, but as our ancestors and even the original peoples of society knew, water is at the VERY core of all of life! Drinking it is the best thing not only money but health wise...OH I forgot the very fashionable pricy coffees these days...I happen to not like coffee, so this is no draw for me~but it's a challenge to drink water, but so so sooo good to do so...whole towns and cities grew around clean and good water sources~now we can truck or pipe it in...the desert regions are populated...but water is essential to survival and it definitely beats the blues! Just turn on the tap...chilled or not...mmmm, it's so wonderful!

8. Celebrations can be cost savers

They need not break the bank! Simplicity is the key here too! But inviting friends and family into our lives to share our joys and even our sorrows beats the blues. Fixing a simple meal, desert or just a glass of tea or water. . .now our culture says we generally offer something! But it need not be elaborate! Gatherings can perk up the spirit. I like Christmas open houses, or New Year's Eve gatherings~these can be fun!

9. Country roads and rides...

Going for a drive~I like long country roads with nothing but trees and nature. My favorite road is called Stagecoach Road in Bloomingdale, GA where it once was an actual stagecoach trail with double ruts where wheels were pulled by horses...today it's paved from one end to the other and has grown with houses, but as a child riding this with my parents taught me so much about the landscape of how people travels before cars and the modern highway system...the trees overhung to the point of brushing our old stationwagon...the canopy was dense over where it was shady and cool. . . Where can you find the past in the view of your vehicle? These kinds of rides beat the blues by bringing a sense of wonder and curiosity~who was here? What did they do? Where did they go? I also like..OK, I am weird...cemetaries. I love old and historical ones with old old old old headstones and markers...I want to KNOW the people of the past...this must be part of my love for history! I am not saddened by these places as death is part of life, but find in the types of remembrances in the markers a testament to those who once lived. I come from a city full of history, but really no matter where you live, whether it's "historical" or not, it ALL is history...all places, people and things have a story to tell. . .I guess I just want to know...I care...So get out like I and find your community's history and story...these are pricess!

10. Contribute...

Tell your own story~share something about yourself or even share yourself. You can blog like I am doing~which is virtually free-we already have the items needed in computer and internet sevices, but sign up to share pieces of what you uniquely bring to others. . .visit retirement or rest homes for added boosts of busting the blues...in giving there is more receiving! I've never given that I ever received less than what I gave! God has seen to this in my life~and even in my most depleated worn out state, He has shown me that what I gave returned multifold. But share, give and reach out to someone~there's no price in this kind of love and goodness! AND it's generally free on our end of it...of we give of ourselves to show love with either listening or helping~can we volunteer in an effort to help? Can we show a help to someone who needs to know they are loved? Beating the blues can happen without money!

What are you doing to beat the blues, the depression that can accompany an economic downturn? What are you trying, have tried and how's it working?

Singing a little song and beating the blues...

TELL ME!!

I know I'm preaching to the choir~if you are following me, you are likely someone who is really thinking a lot about ways to save money and either build wealth or get by in this economy, but I want to KNOW what you are doing!

This thing of thrift is a mindset~a thinking which lends to actions becoming a way of life which is an asset.

The asset of thrift is a huge benefit for life, and the lifestyle is a process. It's been a series of years in learning how to do some of these things and even milestones that we've overcome...Everyone is on their own path~we all learn at our own rate! The idea is to start learning!

So what are you doing to save money on the everyday necessities of life and those wants we all have? Where are you on the journey?

Thanks for sharing!

Ways to AVOID Getting Sick~

I have a few tricks that really work for reducing germs from spreading around the home. Some are just plain common sense, and that's about a frugal as it gets! Others are less obvious, so follow along and think about these as school is starting back and loads of those nasty viruses are looming ready to jump on you or your family!

1. Avoid touching your face with your hands unless they are freshly washed.

2. NEVER drink from a water fountain. Bring your own water or bottled water from home. When my son was in school, I sent two water bottles to school for him to drink from, and he was rarely sick.

3. Wipe phones, door knobs, and other frequently touched surfaces in the home with a light solution of bleach water daily (if someone is sick, more often.)

4. Avoid eating a food bars. Have you EVER watched how people get their food off of those things? And there is constant hand contact with the serving utencils...ick!

5. When using a public restroom, IF YOU HAVE TO USE IT, in the first place, cleanse the seat or squat over it, then when hand washing, do this well, get paper towels to dry and ALSO to open the door when you leave. Imagine that someone did not wash their hands and touched the door knob~yuck!

6. Close the lid on the potty before flushing~there have been experiments proving that there is a spray of germs just from flushing~THIS IS TOO DISGUSTING, isn't it??

7. Wash your hands frequently~I keep a pump container of antibacterial soap on each sink (kitchen included) for frequent hand washing. Yes, the soap is costly or an added expense, but doctor bills are much higher!

8. Cover foods in the fridge for many reasons, but contamination is a good reason!

9. Change your pillow cases on your bed pillows frequently IF you are sick. Wash in warm soapy water and hot dry~do this as often as you can, to remove the germs as you are recovering and not to reinfect yourself or others (your spouse or anyone who might grab your pillow ;-))

10. If you are already sick, clean your toothbrush which is economical. I have boiled ours, but this can destroy them. You can use a bleach solution too, which will kill germs to sanitize it instead. Be sure to rinse it well and clean the container or holder well. If your budget allows, replace it instead of cleaning. There are recommendations for replacement anyway, but I use them until they are worn out first before replacing. . .

11. Be sure to change out hand towels frequently. OR use paper towels if someone is ill. To save, you could have the ill person in the family use paper and the rest of the family the less costly hand towel. Either way, be sure to keep it clean!

12. When shaking hands of greeting others, be sure to avoid touching your face and wash hands well afterward.

13. Use the hot dry on the dishwasher to sanitize dishes if someone is ill. Use the dryer to dry clothing too.

14. Wipe all surfaces well if contaminated.

15. For colds and congestion, run a cool mist vaporizer in the room to provide moisture. Be sure to clean well and handle in a clean manner.

16. Proper disposal of tissues~I like to use plastic grocery sacks to line small trash cans. They can in expensively and easily be disposed of without a worry!

17. I keep tissues readily available for the sick person for their use. It becomes THEIR box until the illness subsides.

18. Plenty of healthy fluids before flu season to keep the body strong.

19. Eating healthy with lots of fresh fruits and veggies keeps the body strong!

20. If temperatures allow, I like to air out our home and will spray with Lysol in corners IF we have a virus like cough and congestion that won't leave. I will also damp mop with vinegar water solution or hot water with a 1/4 cu of bleach. I prefer the vinegar, but if your floors will allow, the bleach will kill off many germs.

21. IF you are coughing and sneezing, the recommendation is to either sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow...the reasoning is that hands carry MORE germs than any other source!

These are just some economical ways to preventing or in some cases dealing with cough and colds season! Of course, if you are ill and need to see your family doctor, do so!!! AND if you are allergic to any of the cleaning agents or supplies I have mentioned, do not use them, but use another well trusted, tried and true product that will kill the germs that you are not allergic to.

I'm linking to the Clorox site for some info on prevention. I personally don't do the vaccines because the one time I did it was my sickest year EVER with flu! But you do as you feel comfortable and able to do ;-)) Also I wouldn't necessarily use the brand name product either. Often, store brands are the same with different labeling and marketing~so here's the site: http://www.clorox.com/healthier_lives/cold_flu/ Remember that you can use bleach on rags instead of their higher prices "wipes." WHATEVER did WE DO without such products?? Ha! Also paper towels work well too if it NEEDS to be disposable! Just some more cost saving thoughts!

Here's to staying WELL this season of colds and flu!
WHICH helps keep $$ in my pocket~plus I FEEL a whole lot better!! ;-))
SisterTipster

Blog HOP Boogie! $10 Gift Card Walmart

Blog HOP'n Boogie Hello!

Thanks for stopping in~

To enter for the $10 Walmart card, head over to http://www.1909homeforsale.blogspot.com to see our Victorian home for sale and leave me a comment HERE telling me something about the house~OR a frugal idea on HOW TO SELL IT~


Ways to enter: BE SURE AND LEAVE CONTACT INFO!! Each is one entry~

1. Leave a Comment HERE after Checking out our Victorian Home for Sale with something about that house!

2. Leave a Comment HERE after Checking out our Victorian Home for Sale with a FRUGAL idea on how to sell it!

3. Tweet about the house please!!

4. Follow Thriving With No Green$ for budget boosting debt busting ideas!

5 Become a Fan on Facebook

EACH GIVES you an entry~so Have fun HOP'n and boogie on down, to bust debt and budget boost!

Thanks for stopping in!

I'm taking care of my money so it won't leave me, join up and let's journey!
SisterTipster

Fresh Garden Salsa/ Healthy "Refried" Beans~Cheap!

I have discovered that this recipe is unbelievable! Be sure to remove the seeds from your peppers~it's here where the "heat" is in the pepper and dice them really really tiny. Do this with the garlic too. I made the onion small, but it could be bigger. I did use a small amount, about 1/4 cup of bell pepper and a few (2-3) diced banana peppers too. For a variation, I also chopped some the tougher crook neck portion of yellow summer squash and added~Oh MAN-Oh Man~YUM!!! (NOTE: If I were waterbath canning, I would follow the recipe exactly so that the risk of spoilage is eliminated, but since I am freezing witch increases the heat but otherwise uneffects the results, I can change the recipe just a bit as I have noted. The recipe given below is the Ball Canning Recipe and suitable for waterbath canning.)

I can't BELIEVE just how good this stuff tastes! I've been a PACE fan for years, but my own is BETTER~I am amazed! It wasn't that hard either...now how I save some money was that our own veggie garden has produced the tomatoes, and I had a good deal of the spicing already. We love Tex-Mex foods so except for some jalapenos, which NEXT year I plan to grow and some garlic, which I also need to put on a NEED SEEDS list~I tell ya~whoohoo! It was just a matter of scalding the tomatoes in hot low rolling boiling water for about a minute, letting them cool and coring/peeling/chopping. My son has been bringing these garden fresh juicy tomatoes inside each day, and we've been eating them fresh, but a day or so back he brought in a load that was huge~so hence the need to make the salsa, and instead of waterbath canning in Ball jars, I am freezing it in quart zipper bags. It will do fine this way, and I can thaw it to use it. The only down side to this method is that it will get hotter in the freezer, but since this is a mild batch already, this is not a problem. We like it medium anyway! Not jaring actually has saved me money because I don't own jars and I do have a freezer. Tomatoes do well frozen~so will salsa! Yum!

Here's the Ball Recipe:

Tomatillo Salsa

Makes about 4 (8 oz) half pints

View half-serving recipe >

You will need:
� 5-1/2 cups chopped cored husked tomatillos (about 2 lbs or 27 medium)
� 1 cup chopped onion (about 1 large)
� 1 cup chopped green chilies (about 2 medium)
� 4 cloves garlic, minced
� 2 Tbsp minced cilantro
� 2 tsp ground cumin
� 1/2 tsp salt
� 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
� 1/2 cup vinegar
� 4 Tbsp lime juice
� 4 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands


Directions:
1.) PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.
2.) COMBINE all ingredients in a large saucepan.
3.) HEAT to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
4.) LADLE hot salsa in to hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center hot lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight.
5.) PROCESS filled jars in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

Quick Tip
When cutting or seeding hot peppers, wear rubber gloves to prevent hands from being burned.

Since I didn't "can" or jar it, my steps were really shortened...NOW I am going to soak some pintos for some homemade yummy "refried" beans! Here's my secret...

*Clean and pick through the dried pintos to remove stones and bad beans.

*Wash with cool water in a colander until cleansed.

*Place in a pot or bowl and cover with cool water~I like to put a dish towel or paper towel over the container to prevent something from contaminating the beans as they soak.

*After at least 8 hours, or overnight, rinse beans~DO NOT cook in the soak water!

*Cover beans with water and bring to boil, cooking until bean is tender. You may add ginger root as it does give a nice flavor. Salt if you desire~I do not.

*When beans are done~notice there is no fat used in cooking these, strain in the colander saving the juice from the cooking.

*Mash or food process beans until desired smoothness, using juice to liquify.

*Serve hot on tortilla chips, in burritos, nachos...as you would the high fat variety~these are very healthy and good!


I hope you enjoy these, and find that making your own is less costly and so healthy too!

Still watching OUT for my $$ so it will hang around~I don't want it to leave! ;-))
SisterTipster<3

Thrift Means GOOD Things!

Thrift means good things for us as we pursue debt free living. I can imagine that the very words of budget, thrift, frugal can conjure up all sorts of images of living WITHOUT~but the mind and spirit, if focused on the goals set, seeing progress made, LIFE IS PRETTY GOOD! Will it be easy? Not necessarily, but many mothers have taught the "no pain~no gain" type of ethic. So it should be a challenge; it should be some work; it should require SOMETHING from us, for without there would be little satisfaction and reward!

THINK about it~the harder the WIN~THE GREATER the Victory! And often its benefits and celebrations!

If we EVER get debt free, I think we might just have a huge relief and celebration!

I was a child when my parents announced the mortgage on their home was fully paid. I remember their relief and celebration~and it came on the heels of some tough economic times for them in a tough economic climate. It was the mid-70's when gas prices under the Carter presidency went through what at the time was an all time high! It was an age of uncertainty for many Americans. I watched the news back then to see "closed" signs on many gas pumps and cars lined up...but the happiness from my parents was a victory for more than just those reasons. My father had suffered two injuries that placed our family in economic peril. BUT I never EVER remember the "poor us" attitude coming from them or touching the children in any way! I only had two pair of jeans, one pair of shoes and often wore my father's flannel and tee-shirts. Was I 'poor?' By many standards, especially today, the answer would be yes, but I didn't know it, really. We never went without essentials and learned creatively how to do things that many of my peers did not. I can do most anything~OK OK! I don't 'know it all' but the ONE absolute thing in my life that I am most thankful aside from my faith is the knowledge of HOW to LEARN. I am learning something NEW all the time~and just learned a new program for photo editing/graphics~this is WAY UP my alley!! Praise God that my parents saw the value of what is truly valuable. The smug from my past who saw me as poor, what of them today? I have compassion towards those who can't recognize the value of living within means~resourcefulness: AND I'm not talking about being a begger either! Some folks are always whining and crying about what they don't have or bragging what they do have~Lord help me to be thankful for whatever condition I am in, to be content with godliness which is the highest gain in this world!

Thrift MEANS good~no! GREAT things for those of us who are pursuing it with passion and purpose~believe me it will take work and effort, but it will bring a SWEET victory!

I want to encourage you to continue to pursue this endeavor with me~Any new ideas? I am learning right along with you!

STILL taking care of my money so it won't leave me!
SisterTipster<3

Saving in the Bath Area~

After the post http://sistertipstersthriving.blogspot.com/2009/08/ways-to-leave-your-debts-behind.html I am thinking about other rooms that are money suckers from my budget. The bathroom is another room in our home without some tight controls and ideas could be an expensive adventure each week to replenish and care for.

1. Take an inventory of EVERYTHING stored in the bathroom. Look at it all from the medicine cabinet, toiletries, towels/washcloths, cleaning supplies~make up~anything and everything in that room. What's the condition of the shower curtain? Make notes in your Budget Boosting notebook!

2. Weed out what has expired or is worn out. Right now, I am not saying to throw away old worn towels and cloths, but separate them from the rest of the good ones, and be sure you have at least two per family member. You may even want to color code to family members if this would work for you. Some like to do this, and when my kids were little, I did it this way to teach them about caring for their own towel wash cloth, and they even had their very own PLACE to hang it so it was less in the wash and used several times with good drying time in between. I love those over-the-door drying racks for this with multiple levels you can hang. This is good storage space to use, and it can be attractive, that might not be utilized~AND it will dry those towels well! Many homes don't have enough drying space in the bath with wall hanging towel bars. If you don't have this option, then teach the kids to hang towels on hangers behind their own bedroom doors or even OVER the door. The idea is to air dry them so that they are less likely thrown down and heading into the wash with just one use. Towels can be used several times before laundering them is necessary. I want to note too, that money saving in this area extends to washing practices. Towels are heavy and require long automatic dryer drying time. I like to hang them to air dry almost totally, then toss in for a softening and sterilization with the heat of the dryer and freshening with my dryer sheets. I confess that good quality dryer sheets are used in my home. We own a historic home that will have static cling because of the dryness, and while there are all kinds of ideas from fabric softner on a wash cloth tossed into the dryer, to cutting into 1/2s or 1/3s, to buying discount types, I have never found any that performed as nicely as the good quality that I purchase. I just make sure that I don't waste them by not taking care that they go into the dryer and are used properly. (LOOKS like my next post should be Laundry room, huh?) OK~back to the bathroom!

2. Set aside those worn our towels and cloths. YOU decide what level of wear this is. For me, it has to have holes and be almost unusable. My motto: use it up! But you decide. This is a personal choice, but if you don't like frayed edges or thin, then maybe it's time in your home. Since I don't advocate throwing them out, there are other uses for them that make your choice IF we can afford new towels at this time and have the actual time to shop for them. (Another post idea, huh?)

3. The medicine cabinet usually stored in most bathrooms is a story in and unto itself. HOW OLD is that stuff? Is it stored in a way that is safe for your children (up and away) and usable? Bandage supplies handy? Cleansing supplies for wounds? Inventory this area, discard outdated items. List essentials to your family. In ours, we needed when our kids were little, band aids by the box. So I kept many out and available for easy reach along with peroxide and triple antibiotic cream. I actually had a place that the children as they got into elementary school could access the materials themselves: after a quick "check" from mom, they went and washed and bandaged themselves. This way with the check, there were no limbs falling off that they did not show me for more extensive care than what they could do on their own. But getting rid of the expired and restocking if you are out of items your family uses. We are huge peroxide users. Each person has their own bottle. We use it for oral care, wound care, ear care. . . If you have allergies, obviously this is not a choice for your family, but it's inexpensive, versatile and does the trick for many things! We each have our own shelf in the cabinet (just four of us) but also the vanity is divided too. I definitely recommend color coding in the towel area if you can, if not, then you could mark names or just GIVE each person their own towels to keep up with each week. TALK about a laundry saver! (I am back in that laundry room again! Gotta do a post...) If you have medications, they should not be stored in the bath where humidity can deteriorate them. I like a locking small tool box for these. When my children were small, we actually had a lock on it. Today, it's not locked nor for the most part are the meds in this box. But with this storage way, I never worried if they were eating the meds ;-)) I knew they couldn't get into them!

4. Assess the cleaning supplies. I am so totally frugal that I don't purchase all the bells and whistle cleaners for my bathrooms. I basically use a couple of things that I already have on hand to cleanse with. I use bleach to sanitize. As a former nurse, bleach has been used to clean and kill loads of bacteria for as long as I have known it, and if it kills what floats in public pools, then it should be good for my bath. It whitens grout well too. Now I have a trick for mold. Bleach will not kill it. I know this sounds silly, but it only takes the color out. WHAT kills it is household ammonia. CAUTION: Do not mix these in any way~so this is what I do: Use a scrub brush on the grout. Clean off as much soap scum, molds or whatever as you can with hot water first. Then either spray or pour on the ammonia and allow it to set. Over several hours, repeat this process a couple of times. If you can, open a window and shut the bath door. If not, use an exhaust fan and shut the door, and if these are not available, just shut the door. Let it work for at least an hour for two separate applications. When timed, go rinse, and RINSE WELL! Rinse and rinse and rinse and rinse some more...rinse until you are fully satisfied all the ammonia is gone. If you are in doubt, rinse again. Then after you have rinsed the tub area, to remove it ALL apply the grout whitening bleach full strength to the area. I like to pour, but if doing the walls, you can put into a sprayer and spritz down the walls. This is a fantastic whitening agent, and while bleach doesn't kill it, the ammonia does. You just can't mix them, but you can use both very carefully! AND this is inexpensive to use verses those products that claim to kill and remove. I already use bleach in my laundry room so I own it, and ammonia is inexpensive. I like to use a few products for a lot of purposes. I use one of those stiff bristled kitchen scrubber brushes to scrup the tub up~I STORE ALL BATH CLEANING ITEMS such as this brush, toilet bowl brush (separate kind) and cleaning rags for the bath in the bathroom in a small cleaning bucket. I like either an icecream bucket or a cookie bucket that keeps stuff together and useful. Now obviously if your children are small, be sure these items, especially the chemicals such as the bleach and ammonia are out of reach. But stored together makes putting a quick shine in the bath pretty quick! I purchase small headed inexpensive dollar store mops for my baths. These mops are small and can fit easily behind toillete next to the wall for easy cleaning. I use one seperately from the kitchen/household mop for sanitary purposes. I also have upstairs and down stairs bath mops/brooms. My time and effort is worth something!

5. Assess the shower curtain. Is it coming down, worn out, molded, dirty? I have a few thoughts and suggestions for this. Years ago, I used to purchase heavy vinyl good "quality" shower curtains to end up washing them in the washer, hanging them outside and the like. My shower curtain was lasting way too long! Now this may sound silly, but hear me out. If it lasts and lasts and lasts, and requires so much to clean it~taking it down, then up. . .is the cost worth this effort when you can purchase a nicely functioning curtain for a dollar and throw the thing away once a year! Now the $30 I paid for the heavier gaged plastic~and the work of cleaning and removing/reinstalling I now can take this on for the price of ONE dollar and SAVE on the cleaning efforts!! Not only is it my personal exertion I am saving, but money as washers cost to operate! AND it's 30 YEARS to recoup that investment on that heavy gage curtain~ha! Who WANTS to live with the peach colored or floral colored or stripes or whatever for THAT long??? Can you see why it's a better deal to spend more frequently on a less expensive/quality gaged plastic curtain ~30 years is a long long time! I am likely to either not want it that long for many possible reasons, or just flat out get tired of cleaning it! THROW the thing out and use the disposable ones~this is a switch isn't it! But you can find good uses for the old curtain each year you switch out. Drop cloths are a wonderful use. Let the kids play on it with the water hose outside too~
There is an issue with these less expensive shower curtains. The holes will often tear out. Here's a trick: Do you have masking or packing or duct tape? Run a strip across the top of it on each side. If you have a hole punch, make holes; if no hole punch, cut "x" shapes inside each hole area so the hangers will go into the slots! This will reinforce for much longer wear. I actually use a cloth curtain with these as liners. They work well, and like I said, 30 years is a long time. . .

6. To prevent mirrors from fogging up, use this trick: clean with shaving cream. Now don't ask me HOW this works, but it does. Something in the residue will prevent the condensation from forming. I clean the walls and window sills with hot to touch water with a splash of bleach.

7. Conquering the toilette bowl is easy with a brush that you frequently use to scour out the bowl. I use bleach to whiten the area and it provides a clean smell that will dissipate soon after it's flushed. Use only a small amount. Let set then flush. I wipe down the outside with a bleach solution too.

8. Utilizing the worn out towels can take on a couple of options. You can either re-purpose them by using them for cleaning rags, tareing them into small rags and storing them in the bucket, or you could take out the worn hole and make new smaller or cloths for continued service or a hand towel or even a bath mat for the floor. Now you will need a sewing machine and a zig-zag stitch, but it's do~able and can be a great use for that bath towel that is still good except for the hole it developed. I generally make cleaning rags because I make them small and we use a lot of them. I also use other materials for cleaning rags, but since I refinish furniture and paint too, rags are great to have!

9. Tackling toiletries means evaluating the use of them and purchasing accordingly. If you are convinced that your particular brand is the one you can't live without, then I will ask you to think about your budget for such items. Can you use a less branded item or costly one? Can you make it go further or can you catch a seasonal sale or even use another money saving system such as a coupon or buy one get one 1/2 ESPECIALLY if you know the price during the off sales. IF you can save money on this, this is a good place. I was thinking while washing my shoulder length hair about saving money on this just yesterday morning. I use a inexpensive shampoo that I buy is a big a container as possible for my family. I also use two small amounts to shampoo my hair rinsing in between well. But I have to say that I generally only shampoo twice a week. If my hair is color treated, I can wash once a week as it tends to have less oils. But I do definitely condition well. I use a very small amount of a good conditioner, one that I use just on the ends of my hair~we are advised by hairdressers not to use it on the scalp as it can clog up the pores. This works well for my hair as I don't blow dry it either, but let it air dry. I save on a couple of fronts. First as silly as it sounds, time and money are saved without using the blow dryer. Now I have some natural curl which responds well to the "wet head" look until it dries and then I brush it out. I considered cutting my hair so it would take less products, but then realized that actually shorter styles are more costly to maintain shape and then styling is necessary. I am working at living with about 2-3 cuts a year for myself. I go from a chin length bob to something touching my shoulders before I head to my beautician. To save on cuts, you can use beauty schools which I have done in the past. They generally do a good job wanting to please the patron so it's a good deal. I've had an occasional mishap too, but the instructors want the patron satisfied too, so I have also had correction which is a wonderful learning situation for the student. My philosophy is that nothing is un-fixable~hair included. IT WILL GROW! So with all said, hair care products can be made more economical.
Soaps and skin care is another area to consider. I enjoy shower gels and find that some have a more lasting quailty with their scent, which allows me to save on perfumes. But then there are other times I don't want this benefit, so I use economical hand soap for shower gel and even still use the old fashioned bar soap. For the hand soap, I buy in volume and pour into old recepticles for easy use. The bar soap I open and store unwrapped so the bar will harden and last longer. It really does! I know there was a debate about this some time ago~but you will see if you practice this. And hey, bar soap is a good deal and our men have to bathe with something! NO flowery men for me!

Tackling the bath with Budget Boosters! What are you doing to save in the bathroom? Any making it last ideas? Share them with me for an entry into the Debt Busting Hop Contest for a $10 Walmart card!

Budget Boosting/Debt Busting Mama!
SisterTipster <3

Clipping Coupons to SAVE?

Thanks to all who came by and offered advice on saving money! Several told me to clip coupons. I want to address this straight out the gate as I have some definite thoughts on the subject. I think coupons CAN but not necessarily are a good deal. It all goes back to KNOWING PRICES! When you know prices you can compare not only products with price, but also place and then coupon if it will save you money. My husband said something yesterday profound~ok pretty simple, but so very true: TO SAVE MONEY~don't spend it! OK, now how simple was that when we all know we MUST spend some money just to live in this world? I do suggest though as I am a firm believer that the less you carry around (IN cash), the more planning you do and then THINK about how to save money the better off your hard earned Lincoln$ are going to be in your care! Let's consider carrying cash first.

Carrying cash may sound silly as for some, it seems to just "slip between the fingers." But IF you allot yourself ONLY so much per excursion or shopping trip, then you are BOUND to save what you are not carrying around. Also if you make SAVING a priority by holding out certain amounts FIRST then measuring out your money to equal a certain number of store trips, you are likely to SAVE as well! I was talking with a friend this week who is battling debt. She said she has gone to an "all cash" system. I applaud her for this very difficult, but do-able effort! What was funny, too was her discussion of how she had SAVED up last week's unspent cash to ADD to this week's shopping excursion~and guess where? Yard/Garage sales! Yes, even the best price shopping such as garage sales and couponing IF you are spending MORE than you have or should meaning you really won't or don't need the item, is NOT saving but spending! It ALL has to be looked at~seriously too! Some will argue that "even if I don't need it now. . ." and spend away, but one thing I am learning is that storing products isn't always a good idea either. I do tend to buy in bulk for items we use, are using or will use up in a reasonable period of time. Today I was researching coupons on the web, as there are gobs of sites from Valupak to others who offer them for a sign up. I got interested in ONE~yeah, just one in my thrifty-eye look that had me click to see "details." Oh man! I had to purchase three in order to get the deal. Now if I purchase the product where I normally purchase it, I will save about $.16-17 cents per item. I am not so DUMB to think that a small amount like that isn't worth my efforts, but RIGHT now, I don't need three~in fact, I will have to store them. Now in the winter, we will need them, but do I have the extra $3 minus the coupon for $.50 AND the room to store them? Hmmm? Well, to be honest, I left the site and came over here to share that for me, this was not that good of a deal to use my printer ink (YEAH~it costs too! )and paper and time. . . for an item that in about 3-4 months I will need. I am waiting. AND there may be a better deal coming. Often there is, so knowing those prices, where it's sold at those best prices, and even IF coupons will help is the way to go!

I am not heading out to start offering links to coupons because at this time, unless you can only abide using the name brands, you may very well end of paying more that if you either shop wisely by, CAN I SAY IT ENOUGH: knowing prices, or being willing to chose another less costly brand or even the MORE radical: find a way to live without it!

Coupons can be very useful IN THEIR PLACE, but unless you frequent a chain and use a certain product, it's generally not saving but spending. Sorry for that if you live by couponing, but since I am into whole foods WHICH are real deals, spending because the sales register gives me a saved amount, doesn't necessarily mean I SAVED my own money~maybe I saved them theirs! THINK on this radical idea and let me know HOW you use coupons and truly save. I do use them, but very very sparingly.

No gimmicks for me~just keeping my money in my pocket for as long as I can, and when I spend, the best price I can get!

SAVING is NOT spending!

READ ON to Enter the Debt Busting Hop Contest for $10 Walmart Gift Card and to find many many ways to live and love ON LESS! Join me in SwagBucks AND follow me here and on Facebook!
SisterTipster<3

50 Ways to Leave Your Debt~

I hope these ideas are helpful in your pursuits to make it in this crazy economy! It hasn't been since my great grandmother's lifetime that times have been this tough. Even the recession of the 1970's when I was a child and gas prices where at an all time high have we been so barraged with financial woes! Many of us are carrying debt around like a huge ton of weight on our backs. With job instability and other financial uncertainty, it's SMART to begin a process of MAKING lifestyle changes that even if you find you don't become one of the many who struggle, you will have made some lasting changes that can increase your savings and person wealth for your future. This lifestyle change is a WIN~WIN for anyone! Since I am attacking DEBT in a huge way, join me for FREE money saving tips and strategies. Leave me a comment too to share what you are doing~I am learning too!

I have begun a list that I want to ad to, creating a vast resource for BUDGET BOOSTING Ideas!
Beginning with the mindset and discussing in detail the kitchen, here is the first of many ideas to come~

1. Make a plan to make a change in your thinking first. Think: "I can conquer my debt and live on less!"

2. Prioritize your goals. What do you need and want to accomplish? Debt reduction, freedom from debt, or saving money or what? Where CAN you start. List them out and number them.

3. Take number one and create that plan. What strategy can you begin today that will make a difference in the overall situation? Can you make ONE change today? Do it!

4. Keep your notes of your work on your "financial house" in a notebook or file box or on the computer~just keep them.

5. Make a list of all you owe.

6. Make a list of all your resources: ones that are "available" such as cash, money in an account you can access or in savings without penalty. List those like stock, 401K or other accounts that you can't touch (whole life insurance policies, Roth IRA, bonds, certificates of deposit), real estate, current home, rental property, vehicles, recreation vehicles: boats, campers and other high end resources, land, gold, other. LIST it all.

7. For number 5~find out and list not just how much, but at what interest rate, due date, and late fees. Get all the info, even get payoff amounts. GET the total picture of your debt. This is not easy, but knowledge is power!

8. Use a calendar and write every due date on each day of the month with name of the creditor and amount (minimum) due address and phone number. Write a reminder 7 days before so you can get it safely in the mail without penalty. Late fees are awfully expensive and unnecessary when they can be avoided!

9. Add up the creditor amounts. Add up the resource amounts that are liquidable. Can you pay anything off? If you can, plan to do so AFTER putting aside enough for two months rent/mortgage. Then pay what you can with the excess, paying the lower amount off first. This is one bill you can put to rest.

10. After saving and paying, what is left? Can you pay the essentials? Rent, food, utilities, medicines, and others? These are first pay priorities each month. Pay them on time and allot enough to cover them each time.

11. If you find that you don't have enough to pay all the bills at least the minimum payments, after you have payed for essentials, then call your creditors. Negotiate a new payment or date or a grace period. If you find that they will not work with you, contact a local non profit consumer credit counseling agency to advocate on your behalf. Understand that you are now on a cash only basis. You may continue to have checking and savings accounts, but you will no longer use credit for any purchase other than something major like medical fees where lifee or death are involved or if you must purchase a home. Otherwise, cash only! Don't buy new cars either. . .

12. Work with the counselor from consumer credit to negotiate your bills. Take everything with you so they can see the total picture. Enroll and complete any courses they offer on debt management.

13. Unless you just have NO resources, pay your bills on time. Establish a good history with your creditors. You may need them to work with you and a good relationship will help this. Be polite and friendly when you deal with them. Relationship matters!

14. Practice frugal living. Beginning with the frame of mine to change thinking, change behaviors that led to this issue in the first place.

15. Begin thinking of all the things to be thankful for, and remember that thankfulness makes what we have, enough!

16. Make signs and post them around, put it on your computer monitor, fridge, mirrors to be thankful~begin prayers of thankfulness to God. THINK of all the wonderful blessings in your life.

17. Act out being thankful. Tell someone, call someone, show someone! Give out of love and thankfulness!! Volunteer your time to help others. Do something to give back out of all God has done in your life! This is transforming to our hearts and minds!

18. Inventory groceries in your pantry. Make a list by category. List it all. Then menu plan. Purchase only what you need to USE UP what is already present. Do this at least twice a year to keep good rotation of foods. This prevents spoilage and unnecessary waste.

19. Plan menus based on health, and what is available in the pantry adding what is on sale and in season. Sales are generally based on season and shelf life. I like to scope out my grocery store to see when they place the "rack" items that are marked down in abundance. Figure out which store has which items consistently for less. KNOW your prices and shop accordingly.

20. Find day old bread outlets, dent can stores and other deep discounted stores for food and household items. Many communities have them, but you have to look~they aren't always in the posh areas either as the store's overhead has to kept minimally. KEEP looking til you find one.

21. Buy in bulk if it will be used or can be restored. Huge cans of ketchup are worthless to buy if you throw 1/3 away. Figure out your usage and buy accordingly.

22. Store food properly to enhance shelf life. Lettuces, and other leafy greens are best stored in containers that breathe, but keep out moisture. I wrap my lettuce in paper towel and then bag it. It stores a whole lot longer! Keep canned goods in a cool dry area. BE sure and wash can lids before opening to prevent germ contamination. Being sick isn't thrifty! Potatoes, onions, gords and other foods, like apples and bananas~keep dry and cool. Hang bananas! Store food in the appropriate areas according to temperature in the fridge. Frozen eggs are unusable!

23. Organize the pantry and freezer. KNOW what is there and what needs to go first!

24. Date foods in the freezer if you have a deep freeze so they won't get old. Use a permanent marker to mark name and date of each item. Keep freezer at temps that keeps things solidly frozen.

25. Dry goods must be in air tight/bug proof containers. NO ONE wants wevils in their flour!

26. Rotate and use up condiments too. Old salad dressing and others are ick!

27. Use clips to seal bags and other foods. I use wooden clothespins with the spring hinge. They work well!

28. Pay attention to the sale papers and know that the cheaper items are on the front and back of the ads! The other is filler usually! Always read, but be sure you KNOW the prices so you can compare!

29. Use 1/2 or less of what you might normally use of things like paper towels, dishwasher powder, dish soap, cleaning solutions, and more! Use newspaper and vinegar or alcohol to clean windows. Soap and water works well as a cleaner with a splash (about 2 tbs) of bleach. This is one fluid ounce. NOT a whole lot for a ton of cleaning!

30. Soak dishes or wash right after a meal or rinse and load the dishwasher. Hardened foods are harder to clean. Who WANTS the dirty fork at dinner? NOT!

31. Keep the dishwasher clean on the inside. If it does not have a filter, you clean out the trap at the bottom so when it rinses, the water remains clean and your dishes are not covered with food particles that float around as the water washes over the dishes. If anyone in the household is sick, use the hot dry. If all are well, use the air method of opening the door to air dry them without the expense of the heated dry cycle or use a dish towel and dry them by hand.

32. Put dishes away and keep all areas clean and neat. If there is not clutter or items whether it's your treasured kitchen aide mixer however beautiful, it will make it harder to wipe those surfaces! Less is more! Wipe out the pantry area of dish storage too. Wipe cabinet doors with vinegar removing fingerprints and kitchen grime. Vinegar is a wonderful antiseptic and all natural. You may want gloves as it's very acidic.

33. Washing windows with vinegar or alcohol can be done very well with newspaper. If you don't subscribe, save those newspapers or sale newspapers that are often dropped at the door. Save up if you know you are doing windows in the near future~this way you have no need to purchase paper towels for other than a clean use such as a picnic or such other food uses.

34. Use grocery plastic sacks as much as possible for dirty trash and small can liners. WHAT did we ever do without these? You can even make use of them like carrying a wet bathing suit from the pool in them or packing a lunch for a throwaway sack! Use them and reuse them and get rid of them!

35. Use off brand dishwasher and dish washing soaps. They work equally as well, if you use a little care. I like to presoak or wash the dishes without rinsing by filling about 1/2 of the sink with hot water and put the dish soap on my rag. Then I wash and put into the dishwasher without rinsing. I then use about 1/3 of the recommended amount of dishwasher powder in the machine because technically I have cleaned them and all they really need is rinsing. My good clean dishwasher does the trick!

36. Use vinegar for cleaning the floors. For about eighty cents a quart, you have wonderful cleansing power. A good healthy splash into the mop bucket~AND I don't care if it smells like pickes! ;-)) off I go mopping and rinsing the mop frequently. I don't purchase an expensive mop, but a dollar store small headed mop for "back ease" and rinse and mop~rinse and mop! My motto: you can't clean with dirty. I have no guilt when I change the mop water frequently. I use old tees and socks cut into rags for cleaning baseboards and room floor edges and thresholds. Vinegar works very well and is easy on the chemical allergies and will not lower immunity like strong chemicals can. Health is important too!

37. Keep the microwave turned off in between uses. No flashing lights or dinging going on to eat up the power at however a slow rate!

39. Keep the light bulbs clean and dusted as this will dim the light and reduce efficiency! Use as much natural sunlight as possible in rooms. Open windows instead of turning on lights. If it's very hot like FL~use sun blocking shades to keep the rooms cool. If cold, insulated curtains. Storm windows are wonderfully effecient. Be sure they operate properly!

40. Turn it off when you aren't using it. This goes for everything from lights to computers, to everything that can just sit and run without YOU. Now the fridge/freezer, clocks and such must stay on, but look for places to shut down that power.

41. Purchase florescent light bulbs as much as possible. Get good quality lights that are rated for the power coming into the home. Blown lights can be a problem with wiring and electrical services.

42. Store bread closed tightly in a closed in place to reduce spoilage and animal "help." Our cat likes bread!

43. Meal plan so you are cooking once a day in the cool of the day in summer or cold of the day in winter. The help will be in the reduction of the utility bills!

44. Drink water as much as possible. This is healthy and economical. Keep cold and put a drop or two of lemon if you dislike the taste. Remember though, taste is acquired!

45. Keep the coils or back of the fridge clean. Under pan or bottom of the fridge on the floor need cleaning too. Odors can accumulate there. Also the effectiveness can be altered with the dirt!

46. Whole foods such as dry beans, rice, pasta, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, grits, couscous, corn meal, flour, eggs, milk, butter, veggie oils or olive oils, fresh meats and more may require more prep time, but they cost less and are healthier. Notice I did not mention commercially produced foods such as canned soups, stews, meats or other preseasoned, preserved types of foods. CHECK IT OUT~you can save buying, preparing and eating this way~and again: health is sooo worth it not only financially but personally!

47. Start a recipe file for completely home cooked~great tasting dishes for your family. I am so taken back with the promises of the $__ (you name the "nominal price" meals ads! to sell me the book or ebook!) There are thousands of recipes online for FREE all over the web~why pay someone to give you what others will share? But yes, collect up recipes for your family that they will enjoy and are cost saving health boosters! AND do it for as little as possible. USE it all up! Don't waste anything.

48. Speaking of waste: When you use it up, you find a way~new or tried and true to eat it all or use it all so that NOTHING is left behind. Examples include: rinsing bottles and cans of items to add into homemade soups and stews. Storing left overs in what I call my "soup bowl" in the freezer with a nice tight lid where I put all small quantity left overs of veggie variety or noodle/pasta/rice for a soup base after I accumulate enough for the family. Save and freeze small piece of meats to add into a meat loaf for a tasty addition~TRUST me, it's good! Some may feed their dog the left overs, but I don't recommend this for two reasons. One is that your family can eat the food and second is that human food is not nutricious for your dog creating what could be costly vet bills for conscientious pet owners. I do not advocate neglecting pets or other responsibilities to save a buck today that will bite in the end! We've never fed our dog "scraps," but we use them up ourselves. Good for man and beast alike!

49. Speaking of pets. I love animals and children. LOVE them both! But I could allow my love to carry me away so far that I could become the "crazy cat lady" with so many furry friends that I could not afford resposible pet ownership. I define this as being able to pay vet bills, purchase pet foods and pet care and items as well as spay and neuter. I can't tell you the times I have seen folks who can't afford to feed animals take on more because there was a need~but what about vet time? Often these animals suffer without care due to lack of resources. I do NOT take in animals I can't care for properly. I know this sounds hard, but what is worse, if I take them and neglect or leave them to the possibility someone else may step up to the plate to help? I view adoption of children in much the same way. I would LOVE to have more children, but even this area of life has to have resources. I remember the Bible verses, "a righteous man regards the life of his beast" and "lo children are a heritage of the Lord. . .blessed. . ." I will be a good steward or caretaker of who and what God has given me to the best of my ability. ATTAKCING debt and living within our means is a great part of this for our family!

50. If you are able to enlarge your "tent" to accomodate more children or pets, you can approach these in ways that you may feel are Scriptural. I won't delve into the fertility rights and responsibilities here or even offer an opinion. I will say that whatever you chose in life has consequences that must be accounted in the positive and in toughness too. Just be sure God is at the helm of any of your decisions, and His blessings will flow. I believe in a divine God who does do so much for His children that often as undeserving, we benefit from His good pleasure! This is 'interest" unlike any out of the bank. God's interest! In just human earthly terms, it's wise to consider all the effects of our decisions.

Whew! I have chased some debt out of the house and looked at details for operating a budget boosting kitchen! Oh! It's all work, even just keeping up with the STUFF we all accumulate, but with forethought and planning, the debt will decrease and the savings will be on the rise. Next I will look at other budget boosting ideas for the rest of the home and living. This is ONE area I am studying and will share with you~for free!

Follow me in this adventure and sign up with me to earn swagbucks too! There are many many items you can redeem with swagbucks! Be sure to open a seperate email just for them and as your do normal internet searching, you win these!

BEATING the heck out of debt today!
SisterTipster<3

Contest~Leave a FRUGAL Secret. . .

Share YOUR favorite Frugal SECRET. . . HERE with SisterTipster!
Do a shout-out to everyone and share your secret for saving some CA$H!

WIN $25 Gift Card

Contest Ends: August 1st~hey, enter as many times as you can think of ways to save money in this economy~Random drawing and be sure to leave your email or contact info ;-))

Let's have some fun~
Here's mine: Save money each week by bringing your own drinks to work or as you travel. This saves on those drive through expenses when the kids are thirsty or you need a drink at work! OR ask for complementary water when you drive through. They're FREE!

WIN~~~~~ $25 GIFT CARD~~~

blessings
SisterTipster <3>***This week, on TUESDAY, 7/14/09, the theme is THREE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME!. You can express this with photos, writing or a combination. Here is a sample I did: http://www.mcklinkyblog.com/2009/07/mcklinky-photo-blog-for-july-14-2009-3.html ... Do not change any part of this code except for text that falls between (and includes) the opening and closing asterisks. Between the asterisks is where you place your content. DO NOT CREATE NEW MCKLINKY LIST. WE ALL USE THE SAME LIST. DO NOT CHANGE THE LIST ID BELOW. Be sure to enter your own link to your own blog post as soon as the blog hop starts! Link directly to your blog post, not just your blog. blessing and HAVE FUN, SisterTipster***

Financial FREEDOM~Let It Ring!

My story is like others who have found themselves up to their eye balls in debt and nearly drowning, but in this reality we carefully crafted and practiced a plan that thus far has taken us from owing tens of thousands to much much less in debt~

Financial freedom should be the goal of every Christian. God really convicted us of debt about three years ago when we realized our declining financial situation and potential economic disaster. This was WAY before the economic downturn of this present economy even, and I praise God that He worked within my heart early on to convince and convict me of the need for changes in our lives.

WHAT WE DID~

1. We took a serious inventory of our liabilities and assets. Just how much do we have and who do we owe and for WHAT.

2. We asked our selves a series of questions like: What can we do? Are there steps we can take that will make a difference? What are our priorities with our finances? Where do we want to be KNOWING where we are right now? When do we want to be there?

3. After serious analysis, we crafted the plan and began systematically implementing it.
1. We looked into options concerning our debt (credit cards, medical bills and mortgage with a variable rate) and mounting costs and spending habits.
2. After analysis we found several options for dealing with these areas. I will go into detail with these in the next post.
3. We developed a debt management plan that included bills and outgo~that nasty word: budget. This was based on hard choices AND priorities for our family and economic future.
4. We sold our home with the variable rate mortgage as we were paying no interest at the time, but as time has shown it was wise to sell, purchase a less costly home and lock in for a fixed rate as today the variable rates mortgages are eating folks alive! Praise God for His wisdom!
5. We read and studied several debt and financial programs (freely) so we would educate ourselves on many options and ideas. I want to encourage you to utilize the public library or other free resource such as your local consumer credit counseling agency usually through your community's United Way program to access free help. Paying for advice is sometimes necessary, but remember free is better, AND you can always pay if the freebie isn't helpful. Keep your money in your pocket~stop the MONEY LEAK any way you can!

I don't want to give you the impression this has been fun and easy! There have been some hard HARD decisions made in our lifestyle, homes, and in so many areas. We had to make some tough choices that today are paying off in satisfaction and lowered debt load~plus there is LIGHT at the end of our tunnel, and it isn't a train coming out of the tunnel about to wreck us financially and all the other way money impacts families!

I promised to share about options for dealing with debt and mounting bills with the inability to pay them and unbridled spending habits.

Stay with me~Financial Freedom is on it's WAY~ LET Freedom Ring! in your life.
blessings
SisterTipster<3