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

Author | 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 | 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 | July 21st, 2022 | Groceries
Discounted cheap meat - family sized.

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 | July 20th, 2022 | Shopping
Best Online Dollar Stores in the US

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 | 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 Downturns2 Wallet Watch 2024: Where Do You … Read more »

How Long Can Fresh Store Bought Eggs Be Left Unrefrigerated?

Author | July 12th, 2023 | Groceries
How long can eggs last unrefrigerated?

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 World2 Why We Care About Eggs on a Money Site3 What Are USDA Rules for Storing Eggs?4 How Long Can … Read more »

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

Author | 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 | July 6th, 2023 | Kids & Money, Education
Top Club Activities for Teens and Youth

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 Child2 Selecting an Organization with Good Leaders3 How Much YOU Should Be … Read more »

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

Author | 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 | 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 Know2 12 Declaration of Independence Facts You May Not Know3 BONUS: Ages of The Founding … Read more »

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

Author | August 22nd, 2023 | Shopping
Guide to hosting great garage sales

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 Start2 Why Host a Garage Sale?3 … Read more »

Summer Jobs for Teens: Finding Work & Earning Money

Author | June 22nd, 2023 | Kids & Money
Summer jobs for teens - be a barista.

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 Teens2 2. Side Hustles/Self-Employed Opportunities3 3. Summer Jobs That Start with Volunteer/Community Service4 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 Plan3 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 | 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 Selectively2 2) Restaurant Savings3 3) Keeping Your Food Cold on Vacation4 4) Vacation Meals on a Budget with a Crockpot5 5) Stopping for Treats6 6) Picnic Lunches and All-You-Can-Eat … Read more »

Should You Buy Your Teenager a Car? This Dad Gave a 1965 Mustang!

Author | June 13th, 2023 | Kids & Money, Car Auto

Have you wondered if you should give your teen a car?

Are other parents in your area doing it and you’re getting pressure from your child?

Should Parents Give A Car to a Teen?

Is it MoneySmart to give your kids a car and a computer?

One dad thinks so.

We didn’t give any of our kids a car. But we did help them save and shop and buy their first cars for cash.

When we heard about this dad who gave his teenager a 1965 Mustang, we thought he’d lost his mind.

Why We Think This Dad is MoneySmart

The dad of the family wrote the … Read more »

23 Fun & Frugal Family Vacation Ideas!

Author | June 8th, 2023 | Vacation/Travel
Frugal Fun Vacation Ideas

Frugal Family Vacations don’t have to be boring. And fun vacations don’t have to be expensive to be memorable.

We’ve compiled a list of ways for you to have fun and frugal family vacations. This list comes from friends and our own experiences. We’ll share more than two dozen money-saving vacation tips for meals, lodging, and activities. You’ll make great memories on a budget.

23 Fun Ideas for Frugal Vacations

Our Facebook Friends asked, “Can you share one of your tips for saving money while on vacation?” Our first book, America’s Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money, … Read more »

Inexpensive Summer Activities for Kids Families Too!

Author | June 6th, 2023 | Recreation/Fun
Looking for inexpensive fun for kids and families this summer?

If you need Inexpensive Summer Activities for kids and families this year, we’ve got 13 great recreation ideas you’ll love. Most of these activities are perfect for kids and adults.

As Covid restrictions ease you should be able to find some safe and fun activities for your kids this year.

It’s June and school’s out …what do you do to help your kids have healthy fun in the summer? Is it an afternoon at the movies, a visit to an amusement park, or an afternoon at the mall? How much will that cost you?

Perhaps you might want to consider tackling a large … Read more »

Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich Weight: Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth?

Author | June 2nd, 2008 | Recreation/Fun
Get your money's worth at Arbys. #rip-off, #sandwich weight

If you want to know how much an Arby’s Roast Beef sandwich is supposed to weigh, just read our story.

What would you do if you got 30% less than you paid for?

We got “ripped off,” but got it resolved quickly.

We had just completed a Once-A-Month cooking day (read more here) where Annette (with help from the rest of us) prepares between 10 and 17 dinner meals which we store in the freezer for use later in the month.

On our “Once-A-Month” cooking day, Annette gets the night off from preparing dinner (after preparing so many meals, she deserves a … Read more »

Home Meat Slicer Uses that will Save you $500 or More

Author | June 1st, 2023 | Groceries, Grocery--Cooking
Save $500 each year by slicing the cost of lunchmeat. Find out how

There are dozens of uses for a home meat slicer and the savings you can bank are amazing. In this article, we’ll talk mainly about how much money you can save using a meat slicer to cut your own lunch meat.

With food prices soaring, we’ve got to use every strategy possible to save money!

And we’ll also share other things that we use a meat slicer for — you may be surprised.

Plus we’ll tell you how much our meat slicer cost and what you can expect to pay for a new one.

This is the fourth article of a 5 Kitchen Tools … Read more »

How to Get Dried Blood Out of Sheets: 11 Tested Solutions to Remove Stains

Author | January 18th, 2024 | Clothes
11 Ways to Get Blood out of Clothes & Sheets. We tested several different solutions and found 2 that worked amazingly well. #blood #laundry #cleaningproducts

Are you wondering how to get blood stains out of sheets?

Blood can find its way onto your sheets, clothes, carpets, and furniture in a variety of ways. Whether you’ve cut your finger, had a bloody nose or had a period mishap, we’ve got solutions.

The blood on your fabric may seem like it’s there to stay. Especially if it’s dried or been washed.

Instead of just giving up the item as a lost cause, we’ll show you how to get the stain out.

We tested 11 different methods to get dried blood out of sheet fabric.

We’ll share several different common household items that … Read more »

How to Save on Lunchmeat: Slicing A Shank Ham!

Author | May 25th, 2023 | Groceries
A shank ham on a cutting board.

Are you looking for ways to save money on lunch meat?

Steve wanted to see what kind of “deal” we could get on ham lunch meat if we sliced up a smoked, shank ham for our sandwiches. Could we get quality sandwich slices for less?

We bought our shank ham on sale for 97 cents a pound. Because the Smithfield ham we bought was smoked, it was ready to eat (no need to cook it.) So we’ll show you how we sliced it and let you know what our final cost was after removing the bone and fat.

In this article we’ve also … Read more »

Should You Adopt a Pet or Buy One? Pet Costs & Finding One

Author | May 24th, 2023 | Pets
Should You Adopt a Pet Rather than Buy One? here's costs of pet ownership and where to adopt one!

We think you should adopt a pet rather than buy one for several reasons. Learn how to find the best pet and get the best deal when you adopt it.

Are your kids asking you to adopt a pet for your family? Or are your kids grown and you want a furry friend as a companion?

Many people think pet adoption is an expensive luxury. But don’t panic! Actually, getting and keeping a pet doesn’t have to cost as much as you think!

You could go to Craigslist or OfferUp. But whatever you do, stay as far away from breeding mills as possible! … Read more »