Should We Have Kids or Not? It’s Incredibly Expensive to Raise a Child.

Author Annette Economides | August 8th, 2023 | Kids & Money

Are Kids Too Expenisve? Two baby hands counting fingers.

If you think that Kids are Expensive …. You’re right. Have you heard the government statistics about the cost of raising a child?

We raised 5 kids and spent less than 60% of what the government experts estimated. Learn how.

Kerri’s story: How one reader grew up and was taught to manage money.

Question About the Cost of Having Kids: When I graduated from high school, I paid for my own auto insurance, graduation gown, and class ring.

My grandmother paid for my class picture. My graduation gift from my parents was a cell phone with a very limited plan because it was … Read more »

6 Cheap Vacation Ideas: How to Travel on a Shoe String Budget

Author Steve Economides | August 4th, 2022 | Vacation/Travel, Recreation/Fun

Camping in the Forest - Vaction on a shoe string budget

Are you looking for some inexpensive vacation ideas? Have you heard of bloggers who travel on a shoestring budget and have lots of fun?

Have you ever thought about great vacations with limited funds?

And what about this summer with Covid issues all around, could you still get away?

If you’re thinking you can’t take a vacation, think again. We’ve got lots of frugal and cheap tips to make your vacation memorable on a shoestring budget.

If your only option is to travel on a shoestring budget, you still create a fun and enjoyable memory!

Here’s how we and several other frugal … Read more »

Save Money on Prescriptions: 13 Ways to Get Pharmacy Drugs and Medications for Less

Author Steve Economides | August 2nd, 2023 | Medical / Health

Prescription drugs spilling out of a medication bottle onto money.

Are you looking to get save on medications and get prescriptions cheaper? There are tons of ways to quickly and legally get discounts on your medication prescriptions.

Is the cost of prescription drugs making you choke?

According to the Center for Disease Control, 48% of Americans take at least one prescription drug, and 21 percent take 3 or more prescription drugs. Legal, prescribed drug use in our country, and around the world is at all-time highs.

It’s true that properly used, prescription drugs can greatly improve the length and quality of our lives. It’s also true that the cost of prescription drugs can … Read more »

Couponing for Beginners: 5 Easy Ways to Start Saving with Coupons

Author Steve Economides | August 1st, 2023 | Groceries

Couponing for Beginners - how to save lots of money on groceries by using coupons

Are you looking for tips on couponing for beginners? Have you ever wondered how to start couponing so you can begin saving some money?

Or are you just a beginner in couponing and want to up your coupon game to save even more money?

Learning how to maximize the use of coupons is a great skill. Because the retail landscape is always changing – learning about coupons will be an unending journey.

Couponing for Beginners Quick View

There are 5 Tips to becoming successful as a beginner couponer

Start Slowly – Focus on one area at a time

Set Up Your Filing System

Organize Your Coupons … Read more »

Buying Used Stuff: 7 Reasons We Love Buying To Save & Make Money

Author Steve Economides | July 27th, 2023 | Shopping, Make Money

If you buy used stuff, it’s a great way to keep money in your pocket. It also increases your buying power further than you imagined. And it can also be a great way to make money.

Buying used things is a great benefit to you, your budget and the environment.

We’ll share why we love buying used things, and where we find the best deals.

We’ll also share how we sell used things we no longer need … and the sites we use to do that.

You’re going to save a ton of money reading this article.

If we’ve missed a resource that you love, … Read more »

Head of Lettuce – What is the Best Price, Weight & Nutrition

Author Steve Economides | July 26th, 2023 | Grocery--Produce

Leaf or Iceberg Lettuce . . . do you know which type of lettuce costs more?

Have you ever tried to calculate the best price for lettuce? Do you know which type of lettuce is the most nutritious? We answer all of these questions in this blog.

There are several ways to save money when buying lettuce. We outline a couple of our tricks on this page.

Finding the Best Deal on Lettuce is More Complex Than You Might Think!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Finding the Best Deal on Lettuce is More Complex Than You Might Think!2 In this blog post, we ask the … Read more »

How to Get Ink out of Upholstery Fabric: 3 Easy Solutions That Work

Author Steve Economides | July 25th, 2023 | Crafts / Home Decor

Before and after picture if ink stains on upholstery

Do you have an ink stain on fabric or upholstery? There are several inexpensive ways to get the stain out of fabric.

We had a microfiber ottoman that was given to us. It had blue and black ink scribbles on it. In the video on this page, we show the steps we used to return the ottoman fabric to like-new condition.

In this post, we’ll share several options and show you the two that worked best for us.

Step 1: Test the Fabric

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Step 1: Test the Fabric 2 Step 2: Blot and Remove The Ink Stain (3 Options)Read more »

Veterans & First Responders: Get Free Event Tickets with VetTix & 1st Tix!

Author Steve Economides | July 24th, 2023 | Recreation/Fun, Free Stuff

Free Family Fun for Veterans, Active Military and first responders! VetTix and 1stTix

VetTix is an organization that shows appreciation to our Veterans, active duty military, and, First Responders by providing free event tickets.

And this blog will tell you all about how both VetTix and 1stTix work, and how to sign up for either one.

A Concert Deal for Military

A few months ago a friend of ours sat with his wife in the audience at Symphony Hall in Phoenix. They came to enjoy the orchestra which was accompanied by Phoenix Symphony Chorus. Tickets to the symphony usually cost between $25 and $120. But for our friend Aaron and his wife, who were … Read more »

Entitled Kids: 7 Things to Stop Spoiling & Raise Self-Sufficient Kids

Author Steve Economides | November 30th, 2023 | Kids & Money

Entitled Kids - how to build self reliance and sufficiency

Is it possible that our good intentions and generosity could end up entitling our kids? No parent intentionally sets out to create dependent children who expect to be given everything they desire.

If you want to raise kids who aren’t entitled but are empowered – keep reading. We have 7 ways we helped our kids to become Financially strong, fit and independent.

Kids are kind of funny. If we offer to pay for something, they’ll gladly let us do it . . . forever and ever. If we don’t pay, they’ll carry on about how “mean” and out of touch with reality … Read more »

How to Find Cheap Meat: Best prices for Beef, Pork, Ham, & Chicken

Author Annette Economides | July 21st, 2022 | Groceries

Are you looking to save money and find cheap meat near your home? These strategies could save you thousands of dollars this year.

In this article, we do mention prices, but with the current inflation cycle, you’ll need to establish your own pricing table for your area of the country or world.

Putting Meat on the Table History:

Years ago, it was the man’s “job” to hunt for the meat to provide for the family. All it cost was a few days’ trudging through the forest, and some bullets or arrows. Then there was time to clean and dress the meat, a man’s … Read more »

18 Online Dollar Stores with Awesome Deals – Best Bargains

Author Steve Economides | July 20th, 2022 | Shopping

Online Dollar stores are amazing places to can find things that you need for less. For most of us, physical stores like Family Dollar and Dollar Tree come to mind. But you no longer have to drive to a store to find awesome deals.

According to NBC News, Dollar Stores, discount retailers, and discount racks are gaining huge popularity. This is true amongst all shoppers and especially with Millenials.

Today you have the option to shop discount and dollar stores without leaving the comfort of your house. We have scoured the internet and found the best stores to shop … Read more »

8 Secrets to Survive an Economic Downturn or Personal Financial Crisis

Author Steve Economides | February 22nd, 2024 | Budgeting

How to Survive a Financial Crisis and Economic Downturn.

Facing a financial crisis, job loss, or pay cut? Whether it’s due to the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, or other challenges, you’re not alone.

Ever wondered if you could stay afloat if you missed a paycheck?

We’ve been there—job losses, pay cuts, career changes—and we’ve managed to stay debt-free. In this article, we share our journey and tips on how you can do the same. Dive in to discover our strategies for surviving tough financial times.

Take our 2024 Economic Well-Being One Question Survey Below

List of Economic Downturns

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 List of Economic Downturns 2 Wallet Watch 2024: Where Do You … Read more »

College Home Study Program: Wow! A $3100 Degree – Dual Credit At Home

Author Steve Economides | July 13th, 2023 | College & Education

A College Degree for $3100? What About College Home Study? What About an Online College Degree? #CollegeDegree$3100 #OnlineCollegeDegree #CollegeHomeStudy

A College Degree for $3100? Amazing new ideas from the founder of Dual Credit At Home. College Home Study & more.

How Long Can Fresh Store Bought Eggs Be Left Unrefrigerated?

Author Marie Morganelli | July 12th, 2023 | Groceries

Have you ever thought long and hard about the eggs we eat?

What About Questions Like:

How long can eggs last unrefrigerated and refrigerated?

Or, “How can you tell if the eggs you have are going bad?

Does the nutritional value of an egg change as it ages?

How long can eggs be left out on the counter?

In this article, we’ll answer all these egg questions and more.

Egg Storage Around the World

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Egg Storage Around the World 2 Why We Care About Eggs on a Money Site 3 What Are USDA Rules for Storing Eggs?4 How Long Can … Read more »

Which Dish Soap is Cheapest & Best: Dawn, Ajax or Walmart?

Author Annette Economides | July 8th, 2022 | Groceries

Two bottles of dish soap with a ruler in front of them - Dish Soap Testing

Have you ever wondered which dish soap works best and gives you the best value for the money?

We love saving money and were wondering if we should buy the cheapest dish detergent or a more expensive one. Our curiosity finally got the best of us and we put together this test.

Have you ever thought, “Hmm, this name-brand product costs twice as much as the generic; is it twice as good? Oh, it’s all just advertising hype, there can’t be that BIG of a difference — I’m going to save the money and buy the generic.”

Well, when it came to dishwashing … Read more »

22 Community Youth Organizations That Build Integrity and Character

Author Steve Economides | July 6th, 2023 | Kids & Money, Education

Can community youth organizations and programs help develop character in a child? There are many different types of youth activities that could contribute to your child’s physical, emotional, and vocational development. We’ve been involved in a number of these organizations and have compiled a list of the 20 most popular youth organizations in the US.

If you’re looking for the names of groups where your kids can learn and grow in character and leadership keep reading …

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Discovering the Hidden Potential in a Child 2 Selecting an Organization with Good Leaders 3 How Much YOU Should Be … Read more »

Family Game Night Ideas: 46 Activities and Games That Are Fun & Cheap

Author Steve Economides | July 5th, 2023 | Recreation/Fun

Best Family Game Night Games. Games for Kids. Board Games for Kids. Games for Groups.

Are you looking for family game games that are inexpensive, fun and will have your family wanting to play again and again?

Have you ever wondered about what are some of the best family game night games for different age groups?

We’ve got answers and videos.

Nothing brings families together like some friendly competition. And it’s even more fun when you pick some fun games to play together on a family game night.

And the games we recommend don’t cost a lot of money. As a matter of fact, some are completely free.

We’ve included an overview of each game, some instructions, and … Read more »

12 Interesting Declaration of Independence Facts

Author Steve Economides | July 3rd, 2023 | Holidays

12 Declaration of Independence Facts that you may not know!

The Declaration of Independence in the United States is one of the most revered documents in our history. It was a bold statement by oppressed men and women to gain freedom from a tyrannical English government.

No matter your political affiliation or beliefs, we should admire these courageous men who willingly put their lives and fortunes on the line to overcome tyrannical leadership.

12 Declaration of Independence Facts You May Not Know

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 12 Declaration of Independence Facts You May Not Know 2 12 Declaration of Independence Facts You May Not Know 3 BONUS: Ages of The Founding … Read more »

37 Garage Sale Tips and Tricks: A Guide To Hosting Great Yard or Garage Sale

Author Steve Economides | August 22nd, 2023 | Shopping

If you’re looking for Garage Sale Tips and Tricks, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve hosted and participated in dozens of very successful garage sales.

We’ve written this Garage Sale Guide to help you turn your unwanted treasures into cash. There are 37 ideas presented on this page to help you run an efficient and profitable yard sale at your home. Or to host a rummage sale for a charitable organization where you volunteer.

Hosting A Garage Sale – Where to Start

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Hosting A Garage Sale – Where to Start 2 Why Host a Garage Sale?3 … Read more »

Summer Jobs for Teens: Finding Work & Earning Money

Author Steve Economides | June 22nd, 2023 | Kids & Money

Is your teen looking for a summer job? There are companies hiring AND lots of out of the box earning opportunities.

We’ll give you tons of practical ideas to help your teenager find work this summer, and into the rest of the year.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 1. Paying Summer Jobs for Teens 2 2. Side Hustles/Self-Employed Opportunities 3 3. Summer Jobs That Start with Volunteer/Community Service 4 Final Words About Summer Jobs for Teens

1. Paying Summer Jobs for Teens

There are lots of jobs for teens in the restaurant industry and others. Here’s a short list of the types of jobs … Read more »

26 Free Online Movie Websites Like Crackle, YouTube and Hulu

Author Steve Economides | June 21st, 2023 | Recreation/Fun, Free Stuff

17 Free Online Movie Websites Like Crackle, YouTube and Hulu! - Where to watch movies for free online

This list of 26 free movie websites like Crackle, YouTube & Hulu can help you save money by dumping cable or pricey monthly subscriptions. Check out these sites and other Roku/Fire/Smart TV apps.

One of the biggest budget busters is overspending on recreation. We recently did a “dinner and a movie” date night. If we hadn’t had movie gift cards and a restaurant coupon we would have spent $60. There has to be a better way to spend time together without spending a fortune.

We love cocooning at home after a long day of work. After selecting a good movie, we … Read more »

Best Car Rental Hacks: 8 Unusual Ways to Save on Renting a Vehicle

Author Steve Economides | June 20th, 2023 | Vacation/Travel, Car Auto

These Rental Car Hacks will save you hundreds of dollars on your vacation!

Want to save money on your next rental car? You’re going to love these 12 cheap and clever car rental hacks. We’ve tried most of these and they really work to cut the cost of your trip.

First, we’ll tell you a story about our BIGGEST savings. Then we’ll give you 11 other tips!

How these Rental Car Hacks saved us $200+!

We were traveling to Richmond, Virginia to speak at a conference and to spend a few days vacationing with family and friends.

There were six of us traveling, plus luggage for one week … and 24 cases of our books.

Keep reading … Read more »

Plastic Surgery for Paying off Debt: 9 Steps to Being Debt Free!

Author Steve Economides | June 15th, 2023 | Budgeting, Debt Reduction

How to Destroy Debt forever - You can be debt free

Do you want to get out of Debt? Have you been trying to pay off what you owe, but keep getting hit with unexpected emergencies.

Keep reading – we have 9 things you can do to kill your debt. And several things you can start applying today.

How is Debt Like Being in a Car Crash?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 How is Debt Like Being in a Car Crash?2 How To Start A Debt Recovery Plan 3 9. The Payoff 4 Debt Freedom Wrap-Up

Have you ever come across an auto accident where a battered, bloody victim was walking around … Read more »

Vacation Meals on a Budget: 11 Ways to Save on Food While Traveling

Author Steve Economides | June 14th, 2023 | Vacation/Travel

Save Money with Vacation Meals on a Budget!

Vacation meals can be expensive! But with vacation meals on a budget and a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy awesome food. Even while you travel, you can spend much less than the average person doing it. We’ve got lots of ideas for having a great vacation on a budget and it all starts with saving on vacation meals.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 1) Eat out Selectively 2 2) Restaurant Savings 3 3) Keeping Your Food Cold on Vacation 4 4) Vacation Meals on a Budget with a Crockpot 5 5) Stopping for Treats 6 6) Picnic Lunches and All-You-Can-Eat … Read more »