Saving on Back-to-School Supplies — 5 Black Belt Tactics

Author | August 19th, 2022 | Education
Back to School Supplies - 5 Ways to Save Big Money.

The late summer months are the best time to stock up and save money on Back to School Supplies.

Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, this can be one of the most expensive times of the year for families with young children. Why?

The reason is that back-to-school costs can really take a toll on your family’s household budget.

According to the National Retail Federation, retailers expect that consumers will shell out more than $80.7 billion during this back-to-school shopping frenzy (k-12 and college combined).

50.1 million students will attend public elementary and secondary school. So if you do the math it comes out to … Read more »

Organic Food on a Budget: 12 Secrets to Save Money and Eat Healthily

Author | August 15th, 2023 | Groceries
Organic Food On A Budget #OrganicFoodSavings #OrganicOnABudget #SaveMoneyOnGroceries

Are you looking for ways to eat healthier organic food on a budget? Have you ever asked, “How can I save money on organic food?”

We are always asked about how to save money on organics every time we do a grocery seminar or take phone calls during a radio interview on grocery savings.

Why Does Organic Food Usually Cost More?

Organic food products, on average, cost 50 percent more than standard foods. But you could end up spending 100 percent more, especially on dairy products and meat.

According to Fox … Read more »

Saving on Back-to-School Clothing — 5 Frugal Fashion Tips For Kids

Author | August 11th, 2023 | Clothes
Back-to-School Clothes: 5Frugal Fashion Tips for Kids!

We’ve got Frugal Fashion Tips for Kids when you’re shopping for back-to-school clothes. These will help your kids to look nice, be a little trendy, and not cost a fortune.

We outfitted 5 kids with wardrobes each year. We also found lots of ways for them to look fashionable while staying within our frugal spending limits.

5 Ways to Save on Fashionable Back-To-School Clothes

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 5 Ways to Save on Fashionable Back-To-School Clothes2 1: Start with a Clothing Inventory3 2: Build a List with Each Child4 3: Consider Buying Used5 4: Start Early / Finish … Read more »

Amazing! 10 Stores That Will Price Match Amazon Today!

Author | August 10th, 2023 | Shopping
Stores that Price Match Amazon - Amazon Box with store logos on it.

Do you know which stores will price match Amazon near you?

What better way is there to save money than to find retailers who will match or even beat one of the low price leaders? If you want your order TODAY or want it cheaper keep this list handy.

We’ve researched 14 of the largest retailers who advertise price matching policies and have found those who will match Amazon’s prices and a few that won’t.

Amazon’s Market Dominance

Amazon was founded in 1993 as an online bookstore. In 1998 it started to really take off and now Amazon has disrupted and transformed the retail … Read more »

11 Fun Easter Traditions for Families: Crafts, Decor, & Activities for a Great Celebration

Author | March 31st, 2024 | Holidays, Crafts / Home Decor
11 Easter Traditions for Families - Crafts, Decorations & Activities. #EasterDecorations #EasterCrafts #EasterActivities

Are you looking for fun Easter Traditions for your family? Traditions are a type of glue that holds families together and builds enduring memories.

Fun traditions don’t have to be expensive, elaborate or logical – some can be downright silly. But for kids, having consistent events throughout the year is something that adds stability and anticipation to life.

Jellybean trails through the house are one of our favorite family Easter traditions.

Here are 11 different Easter traditions and crafts that are part of our family’s history.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Jelly Bean Trails2 Easter String Balls3 Marble Eggs4 … Read more »

6 Reasons Why Eggs Are So Expensive? Where to Find Cheap Eggs

Author | February 27th, 2024 | Groceries
Why Eggs Cost So Much and How to Buy them Cheaper

Are you wondering how to save money on eggs? In the past 12 months, egg prices have shot through the roof! And we’re getting asked regularly by friends and media people, “Why are eggs so expensive and how can I get eggs for less?”

In Arizona, we’ve seen prices as high as $10 per dozen.

Are you wondering how you can still eat eggs without going broke? Or are you wanting to find ways to still have eggs in your weekly menu, but stretch them further? Or do you want to reduce the number of eggs in a variety of … Read more »

18 Grocery Stores that Offer Senior Discounts

Author | February 21st, 2024 | Groceries
Grocery Stores with Senior Discounts - Woman selecting fruits and veggies

Are you wondering which grocery stores offer senior discounts in your area? Do you know which days and what ages qualify for the senior discount?

Grocery shopping can be one expense that is difficult to trim down. Luckily, there are many ways to cut back on your grocery costs.

With the use of store sales and coupons, you can dramatically reduce this line item in your budget. However, these money-saving grocery tips can be even more powerful if you are able to combine them with a senior discount. 

Watch the video at … Read more »

Surviving Grocery Inflation! How to Shop Smarter and Save When Prices Skyrocket

Author | February 15th, 2024 | Groceries
Grocery Store produce in wooden crates.

The price of groceries is constantly changing. But how do you survive when grocery inflation drives the price of groceries in your area through the roof? Or how do you adjust when you have changes in your family size?

A Reader Asks about Grocery Inflation and Our Grocery Budget

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 A Reader Asks about Grocery Inflation and Our Grocery Budget2 How Inflated Grocery Prices have Changed our Grocery Budget3 Grocery Inflation Chart 20224 What Hasn’t Changed with Our Grocery Expenses5 What is ShrinkFlation and How to Spot It?6 What You Can Do About … Read more »

5 Required Emergency Fund Examples to Protect Your Future

Author | February 13th, 2024 | Budgeting
Emergency fund Examples for building emergency fund savings.

If you’re building an emergency fund, you’ll want to set some savings goals based on the five-category examples in this article. We’ll give you emergency fund examples, amounts and categories.

If you’re managing a budget and have extra money available each month, you’ll want to take note of our emergency fund examples.

We took several years to accumulate our 5 category Emergency Fund Savings account. We’ll tell you what the categories are, how much we saved and where we keep it (it’s in a special high-yield bank account).

We’d love your input on our Medical Coverage Poll below – if you have … Read more »

Molecular Hydrogen: Health Miracle or Brown’s Gas Hoax?

Author | February 8th, 2024 | Medical / Health
Aquacure - Molecular Hydrogen HHO Brown's Gas - bubbling in a beaker

Have you ever heard of the potential health benefits of drinking hydrogen water, or breathing molecular hydrogen gas (aka HHO or HydrOxy or Brown’s gas)?

Are the claims of health improvement and performance enhancement hype or a hoax?

Molecular Hydrogen has been studied and used more and more since 2016. Researchers are looking at how it can help with various diseases, brain disorders, and skin problems. Although the FDA hasn’t approved these uses yet, some alternative medicine clinics are testing and using it. Also, several companies are now selling molecular hydrogen generators.

We will share the research studies we’ve found, list the companies … Read more »

Romantic Movies: Best PG-13 Family Friendly Valentine’s Day Flicks

Author | February 7th, 2024 | Recreation/Fun
If you're looking for movies that have romance or romantic comedy in them, here's a great list! Movie reels with a sheer valentine heart and the title Valentine movie mania

We have watched almost all of the PG-13 Romantic Movies listed below. All of them are family-friendly and are perfect for Valentine’s Day Movie Mania night. Or any other night when you just want to snuggle up together.

If you’re looking for a movie that will warm your heart, try these. We’ve picked movies with romance in them and romantic comedies from war flicks and heartwarming stories to total suspense! We’ve combined some of our favorites with a huge list provided by our Facebook Fans!

Romantic Movies suitable for Family Viewing

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Romantic Movies suitable for Family Viewing2 … Read more »

How to Host a New Year’s Party at Home – Fun & Frugal!

Author | December 27th, 2023 | Holidays
Hosting a New Years Party that is Fun and Frugal

Are you posting a New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day party at home and don’t have a huge budget? We’ll share with you what we make to eat, the games we play, and the fun we have.

We’ve hosted a New Year’s Eve Party full of Family Fun each year for the past 20 years of so. Recently we switched to hosting a New Year’s Day Open House. 

This party tradition started years ago and doesn’t look like it’s ending anytime soon. Even though our kids are grown, they love inviting their friends and helping put on a great event.

When … Read more »

Best Inexpensive Places to Cash Personal Checks Without A Bank Account

Author | December 26th, 2023 | Budgeting
Writing a check with a gold pen.

Have you ever wondered how to cash a personal check when you don’t have a bank account? Or where you can cash a check right now and what the charges would be?

You might need to cash a check from a friend because you’re traveling out of state, or you could have an online bank or you may simply not have a bank account at all.

If someone writes you a check and you don’t have access to your own bank, you may have a problem.

Don’t fret, there are several ways you can cash a check without a bank account.

Here’s how you … Read more »

The True Meaning of Gift Giving – Reducing Holiday Gift Pressures (with grace)

Author | December 19th, 2023 | Holidays, Gifts
Reduce Holiday Gift Pressure Christmas Tree Ornaments

If you’re looking for the true meaning of Gift Giving, how to enjoy Christmas and the whole holiday season without feeling obligated to spend gobs of money. We’ve got 7 ways to overcome Holiday Gift Pressure.

We believe that gift-giving is a tangible way of saying “I love you.” But we also believe that spending lots of money means that I love you more than spending time and carefully selecting an appropriate gift.

A Reader Question about Holiday Gift Giving Pressures

I really enjoy reading about how your family enjoys holidays like Christmas without spending a lot of money (we all know what … Read more »

How to Make A Christmas Budget that Makes your Holidays Jingle with Joy

Author | December 14th, 2023 | Holidays
My Christmas Budget - Six Saving Tips to Make Your Holidays Jingle with Joy

Are you wondering how to set up a Christmas Budget for Gift Giving? We’ll share that and some other tips for saving on gift-giving so that your holidays will Jingle with Joy.

Christmas is coming, and it seems to get here faster and faster each year. And for many families what accompanies the approach of the holiday is the accumulation of lots of presents and . . . lots of bills or credit card debt.

Is there a way to break the cycle of obligatory gift-giving and the weight of January’s debt regret?

Our Christmas Budget Doesn’t Include A lot of Gifts

TABLE … Read more »

Giving Money As A Gift: Is it Better to Give Cash or a Present to Kids?

Author | December 13th, 2023 | Holidays, Gifts
Gift Giving presents under a christmas tree.

Gift Giving for Kids, it’s an age-old question. Should we give our kids money for Christmas or should we just give them presents? You might be surprised by our advice to this family!

Question About the Holidays and Gift Giving for Kids

I have your three books and have read about the MoneySmart Kids System that teaches kids to manage their own money; I have a question regarding giving money for holidays (to your children). Do you give money to your children for holidays or do you have a rule to not give money?

Our Strategy with Gift Giving for … Read more »

Christmas on a Small Budget—30 Ideas For A Magical Holiday

Author | December 12th, 2023 | Holidays, Gifts
A great christmas on a small budget

How can you have a Magical Christmas and an extra special Christmas on a small budget if your bank account is less than enchanted?

We all want to make Christmas a special time of year for our kids and other family members. But we don’t want to wake up in January with huge credit card bills and a large dose of Christmas regret.

It really comes down to time versus money. If you don’t have the money to buy every present you want to give, then you’ll have to invest some time to make the magic happen.

If you can involve your spouse … Read more »

Great Holiday Entertaining on a Budget—Food, Fun, and More Festive!

Author | December 7th, 2023 | Holidays
Holiday Entertaining on a Budget doesn't have to be boring or costly!

Holiday Entertaining on a budget does not have to be boring! But does the cost of hosting a fund holiday party overwhelm you? These days with smaller groups of people getting together, you can save some money, and still put on a great event.

Here are 4 inexpensive ways to host holiday parties this year that are fun, frugal, and full of holiday cheer.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Holiday Entertaining on a Budget does not have to be Costly!2 1. Progressive Dinners – Save Money & Stress3 2. Plan a Simpler Meal for a Large Group4 3. Pot … Read more »

Want to Know What to do with Inherited Money? 6 Smart & 6 Dumb Things

Author | December 6th, 2023 | Budgeting
Want to know what to do with an inheritance?

Are you coming into an inheritance in the near future? Or have you already inherited some money? Are you wondering what to do with inherited money?

We’ve been going through the process for the past few years and have learned a lot. We’ve also met with some incredibly wise and experienced estate and investment experts in the process. In this article, we’ve reached out to Attorney Lyle Soloman, the principal from Oak View Law Group in Rocklin, California.

How Inheritances Can Be Received

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 How Inheritances Can Be Received2 Reactions to Inheriting Money3 6 Smart Things … Read more »

Used Car Buying Checklist: 7 Easy Things to Do When Buying from a Private Seller

Author | December 5th, 2023 | Car Auto
Use Car Buying Checklist

We created this used car buying checklist to help our young adult kids evaluate their next car purchase.

With the recent rise in the cost of used cars due to Covid shortages, and 2024 supply chain problems. It’s more important now to carefully evaluate the car you want to buy.

We’ve always bought used cars from private sellers in Arizona. Our state doesn’t charge sales tax on cars purchased from individuals and this saves us 8.6 percent on the purchase price.

But we’re always careful when dealing with private party sales and follow the tips in this article. We also use the checklist … Read more »

How to Cook a Turkey Like a Pro: Video & Tutorial

Author | November 21st, 2023 | Grocery--Cooking, Holidays, Recipes
How to Cook a Turkey-Step by Step Directions for Saline Bath, Stuffing & Lacing, Searing & Tenting; and Cooking.

If you want to learn how to cook a turkey that is perfect every time, learn from Annette. She is a pro and has had lots of practice over the past 35 years. Annette has cooked more than 120 turkeys. In this video, she shows you her “secret” process to defrost, stuff, sear and cook a delicious roasted turkey every time.

7 Steps to Cooking a Great Thanksgiving Turkey

Print the .pdf Directions for Cooking a Turkey Here

Cooking a turkey is a simple task if you follow these steps!

In this video, Annette shares her secret method to … Read more »

Free Scholarships & Grants: Find Gold on the College Scholarship Rainbow!

Author | October 26th, 2023 | College & Education, Free Stuff
How to find college scholarships - Gold at the End of the Rainbow

Are you looking for free college scholarships and grants? We have tips and tricks to land tons of college money.

This blog presents lots of proven ways to find more scholarship hacks. It shares how to prepare for them and how to win more awards. It’s time to start gathering in scholarship winnings!

What if there really was a pot of scholarship gold waiting for you at the end of the scholarship rainbow.

And what if you KNEW that with some effort, discipline and organizational skills you could find the path that leads to that pile of money. And then, of course, take … Read more »

Fun Family Tradition Examples: For the Holidays and The Whole Year

Author | October 24th, 2023 | Holidays, Recreation/Fun
Fun Family Traditions for Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Halloween and more.

Are you looking for some new and fun family traditions?

Whether your family is large or small, young or old, establishing traditions can cement relationships. It can also evoke warm feelings and create memories that last a lifetime.

Over the years, we’ve read numerous books about the value of family traditions.

These habits and rituals add stability to the yearly calendar as the kids eagerly anticipate and participate in the preparations for each special event. Traditions don’t need to be expensive or elaborate to be memorable.

We hope our most enjoyable ideas will provide the impetus for you to create your own family traditions. … Read more »

How to Get The Most FAFSA Money and Pell Grant Awards

Author | October 19th, 2023 | College & Education
Maximize FAFSA and Pell Grant Money.

If you want to legitimately get the most FAFSA money for your college education, follow these tips and tricks. You’ll get maximum federal student aid in Pell Grants by following our research when you fill out your FAFSA application.

Debt-Free College Series # 4 – FAFSA and Financial Aid

We have  5 kids who have attended college, and we have filled out FAFSA applications with every single one of them.

As a matter of fact, we’ve filled out the FAFSA application several times with each of them.

In the process, we’ve learned several tips from our own experience and from financial aid experts.

In this blog, … Read more »

DIY Halloween Party Games, Crafts & Food Ideas for Fun Harvest Festival

Author | October 17th, 2023 | Holidays
DIY Homemade halloween. A scarecrow, a jar of candy corn and a pumpkin shaped cookie.

Are you looking for some Fun Homemade Halloween party games? We’ve assembled a great list to make your party a frugal and fun success. We started with 13 games, but the list keeps growing. We’ve also added some crafts and fun food ideas.

Halloween and the Fall can make for some really fun homemade Harvest party games. We know some people are squeamish about taking their kids out “Trick-or-Treating” so why not borrow some of these ideas. We’ve used variations of some of these for our kids’ birthday parties.

They work great as carnival-type booths or as party games for a small … Read more »