My favorite item on the list has to be weddings, since I have somewhat of a personal vendetta against high cost weddings.  It’s not that I don’t want people to have a nice wedding full of memories, it’s just that I don’t think we need to spend an average of $19,000 (according to the article) to make these memories.  Friends and family make the memories of your wedding (trust me on this), not the decorations.  Use less expensive decorations/venues to cut costs.  Have a friend throw you a “stock the bar” shower as opposed to a lingerie shower, since we all know that the lingerie ends up on the floor anyway, and save a ton on booze.  Either way, cut your costs, and put that money into savings!

Another favorite off the list?  Kitchen gadgets!  We all love them and we all buy them (unless of course, you use your kitchen as a closet or can only cook 5 meals, and therefore eat our a lot), but do we really need them?  Be honest!  Do you really need that pasta maker?  Have you ever made pasta from scratch?  Or is it more likely that you bought the gadget and still buy your pasta pre-made from the grocery?  Whatever the gadget, chances are you don’t need it!  You should either save that cash, or put it toward something useful, like saving it up to buy a good set of knives or cookware!

There are 8 other items on the list, which I strongly suggest you check out!  Some are funny (electronic litter box, anyone??), and others are practical, but all are a waste of money!

We would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day this Sunday, and would also like to notify you that we will be taking next week off from writing, as we celebrate the birth of our daughter.  As our regular readers know, we take family time very seriously, and think that spending time loving each other is a key element in a happy marriage, and of course, loving more and living better.  Therefore, that is what we’re going to do next week!  Have a great week next week, and we’ll see you soon!

• Better Budgeting - Some great ideas here!  My favorite is the idea of yard service.  This is great for the father who doesn’t relish the idea of getting out in the heat and working in the yard.   A truly thoughtful gift.
• About.com - As for this website, I personally like the “week of special lunches”, since Jerrill takes his lunch to work everyday.  I think this might top my list for next years Father’s Day!
• iVillage.com - This has some good tips for the 1st Father’s Day for a new dad!  The big idea here is keeping it simple and inexpensive, and I wholeheartedly agree, since most men I know wouldn’t want you to break the bank on their Father’s Day gift anyway.  Men are men.  If they want something for themselves, they generally go get it!
• Associated Content - This has some sweet ideas and some funny ideas for the new dad.  I LOVE the “new dad diaper changing survival kit”!  This is a great little funny gift for the dad with a sense of humor!

So, with my baby about to be born any day now, you might be asking what your favorite southern woman has done for her man on Father’s Day.  Well, I have 2 presents in store for him (I don’t mind sharing…he’s a little busy with baby stuff right now, and won’t likely be reading this week’s posts, haha).  The first is a picture frame that will have our first family picture in it, that he can take to work.  The second is my favorite however.  I have had his wedding band inscribed, something personal from just me to him, because even though it is Father’s Day, the joy of our baby would not have been possible without our love and devotion to each other, and it’s always good for couples to remember that.

Hope these links help you find the ideal and frugal gift for your dad!  Good luck!

• Krispy Kreme – 1 free doughnut per customer, no purchase necessary!
• Dunkin’ Donuts – free doughnut WITH the purchase of a beverage!
• LaMar’s – 1 free Ray’s Original Glazed Doughnut, no purchase necessary!
• Shipley Do-Nuts – Free glazed doughnut WITH purchase UNTIL noon!

Don’t have one of these shops near your house?  Check with local mom and pop shops to see if they’re celebrating the day!  If not, explain the day and see if you can get a freebie (or freebie with purchase).  Hey, it never hurts to ask!  Have a great National Doughnut Day and happy eating! 

A special thanks goes out to Amy for bringing such a yummy article to our attention!

Let’s talk about being a teacher.  It’s a truly stressful job.  They have 100 students (at least) every day that need to be educated with not only the subject that the teacher is charged with teaching but also the life lessons that some of our more lackadaisical parents “don’t bother to” or “forget to” teach their children at home (FYI…it is NOT the job of a school teacher to teach your children the good morals and values of our society…that is in YOUR jurisdiction!).  Needless to say, it’s a little overwhelming.  What’s more, the money system set up around the education system (at least the parts I know about, as I am not an expert) is ludicrous.  For example, the school system allots each teacher a certain number of copies that they are allowed to make per year on the copy machine, and if they want to make more, they have to pay for them!  That puts added and undue pressure on the teacher, because let’s face it, toner and copy paper are cheap.

 However, silly as it is, it is the workplace version of “living within your means”.  But not all teachers do.  They will either spend money out of their own pocket to buy supplies, or send home a list of supplies that the parent MUST provide for all of the various projects the teacher wants to do.  All I have to say is, my oh my, what a mess!  Teachers are given a budget.  They should have to work within that budget (and yes, I am absolutely certain that their budget is too low and doesn’t help much, but it is what it is).  By buying supplies out of their own pocket, they are saying that the budget is meaningless, and that sets the wrong example for the students.  I love the generous nature, but they shouldn’t take the burden on themselves and set a bad example for the children.  And if they decide to pass the cost onto the parent?  Well, the parents at home have their own budgets and money problems to worry about, and the decision to have all of these wonderful projects impacts them too!

So, what is a teacher to do since they’re being squeezed on both sides?  Get creative!  If they figure out less costly projects and methods for teaching the same lesson, they will be able to stay within the budget the school set for them without passing the cost on to the parents!  I know that the replacement projects won’t be as full of bells and whistles, but the object of the lesson is to teach something, and that usually doesn’t require fancy projects.  Also, as long as the teacher has a computer with an Internet connection, she can show the students whatever she wants to show them!  For example…let’s say the teacher originally wanted to have the students build volcanoes for science class.  All she has to do is have them read the chapter, discuss it in class, then show the students this on the projector.  It’s not AS cool, but it works and it’s pretty much free!

I’m not trying to pick on teachers, just so you know.  I just wanted to give an example of how we have a mental disconnect between living within our means at home and at work.  We shouldn’t be frugal at home and a spendthrift at work.  Apply the same principles at both places, and get creative on your savings!

As of this past Wednesday, Microsoft released its Office 2010 Suite to businesses around the globe, and is planning a release date in June for individual consumers.  Why is this big news?  Because this release includes an online component called Web Apps…for FREE! 

So, what are Web Apps?  They are applications that have the ability to create, edit, view and share files online, similar to GoogleDocs, that are accessed on Microsoft’s SkyDrive website.  And the best part is that you don’t have to buy the software suite to be able to use the online tools!  Microsoft has made the decision to offer most of Office 2010 (some things are disabled) for free to anyone in an attempt to compete with (squash??) the rising popularity of Google Docs. 

Basically, they want you to use their software!  They want that brand loyalty to continue!  They DO NOTwant you to switch to Google Docs or Open Office!  Microsoft finally realized that in order to keep their brand in use and popular with the younger and future generations, they were going to have to offer some things for free.  On top of that, they are offering free storage space on their SkyDrive website for your documents, so you don’t even have to save it to your own PC (which is a little weird to me, but I’m  skeptic). 

For those of you that want “your own copy”(those of you who are even more skeptical than me), there are some acceptable price point packages.  For a middle of the road package, you can get Microsoft Office Home and Business, which sells for $279 in a box (in the store), or $199 for a product key and includes Word 2010, Excel 2010, PowerPoint 2010, OneNote 2010, and Outlook 2010.  If that is more than you need, you can pay $149 for the box version or $119 for the product key card version of Microsoft Office Home and Student.  This package offers Word 2010, Excel 2010, PowerPoint 2010, OneNote 2010, and the Office Web Apps.  The best part about this package is that it is available in a Family Pack, allowing use on three computers in one home, and let’s be honest…for the average user, this would be all you’d need. 

Our suggestion is to use the Web Apps tools online for free.  Learn to do what you need within the free version (as there will be disabled parts) so that you can save a bundle! 

Check out celebrations.com to get ideas on:

• Mother’s Day cupcakes
• Gifts for your wife to be
• Photo or herb bouquets
• Mother’s Day poems

Check out abcnews.com for great ideas including:

• Customized bracelets
• Customizable vases
• Photo books
• DIY Flip flops
• “Me” books (a great idea…very sweet)

There are plenty of low cost/no cost options to make mom happy on these sites, however, most of you should keep in mind that all most moms want for their special day is to see you and spend time with you.  A greeting card would be a nice bonus, but even that is probably optional.  Most moms really just want to know that you care and that you think of them.  So, if you don’t have the time or money, any gesture (like going for a visit) will do.  If, however, you want to do something special for Mother’s Day, these are some great low cost options, which is especially important for those of you following our guidance on frugal living to get out of debt! 

Good luck and  happy shopping to all the children out there.  To the mothers??  A very Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

If you’re in the market for a home (hopefully your other debt is paid off, like we suggest, and you have a down payment), then you should be aware of what your family truly needs.  If there are 3 of you (mom, dad and baby), then a 4 bedroom house IS overkill.  If no one in the house cooks (or likes to), then you don’t REALLY need the chef’s kitchen now, do you?  You should get just as much house as is required by your families needs, that way, you can save more for the future and have your “comfortable” home paid off sooner. 

Struggling with your current home’s mortgage payment?  Maybe it’s time you downsized!  Many people get into houses that they can’t really afford, and then think there isn’t anything they can do about it, but this isn’t true.  If you bought more house than you can afford, chances are, you’re struggling.  Now, many people like to blame the banks (and there are some at fault), but they are not the only place to lay blame.  It’s easy to find and attack a scapegoat, but in reality, many people who bought more home than they could afford should have known they couldn’t afford them.  I know that the interest only loans and the ARM’s made it difficult to understand the EXACT terms of the loan, but let’s be honest…if you were approved for a $200,000 home, and you make $20,000 a year, sirens should have been going off in your head.  You should have been confused as to why you could afford so much.  You should have paused during your jumps for joy…if you were jumping for joy, saying “WOW, look what I can afford”, that WAS the warning sign! 

So, now you have more home than you can afford.  Sounds like it’s time to downsize!  I know that it can be hard to sell a home in this market, but as long as you keep your price competitive, and keep the home looking great, then you’ve got a good chance.  And something else of note?  Even if you have to take on a small personal loan to get out of the house, you’re still better off.  For example:  Let’s say your house is worth $225,000, and you put it on the market for $230,000.  Someone offers you $215,000, and they pay closing costs.  Well, after looking (really looking) at your finances, you realize you can’t afford more than a $150,000 home.  It’s better to sell the house for the offered price, take on a $10,000 personal loan, and find a house for $140,000.  You’re going to be better off, even if you did have to “take a hit” on the other house, because you will actually be able to make your mortgage payment now!  Sometimes, you just have to look at the bigger picture!

Remember, sometimes saving money IS the obvious choice.  Don’t buy more than you should.  Sounds simple, so try and live by it!

So, as many of our regular readers now know, we’re expecting a baby this summer!  This means that we’ve been getting up to speed on ways to save on babies/children, and I can’t think of 2 things mothers and fathers need to save more than money and time!  As such, I have 2 great tips to share today!  We are attending a maternity fair (kind of like a career fair) very soon, which is a great way to save some money.  There is no admission charge, and many of the vendors offer giveaways, so you could end up with lots of free stuff!  The main sponsor of the fair, in this case a hospital, is also offering a grand prize that includes labor and delivery of your baby!  Obviously, not everyone will win, but it’s worth a couple of hours one day to try! 

Now for the time saving part…IF you do decide to check out vendor sponsored maternity fairs, or food fairs or career fairs etc., be sure to take address labels with you.  Many of these places expect a name and address to register you to win their prizes, and if you have address labels with you, you will save yourself plenty of time, so you can see/do more things at the fair!  It will make your life less stressful! 

As humans, we are always coming up with ways to save time.  Hopefully, this will benefit you in more ways than just trade shows and fairs!  Good luck!

The article  revolves around 3 tax problems…the Bush administration tax cuts, the Estate tax and the investment income tax.  The Bush administration tax cuts are about to expire.  This isn’t a concern for many Americans, but to those it affects, it will mean a large chunk of money out of their monthly budget. 

The Estate tax, however, will affect many more people, since it covers anyone who leaves behind an inheritance between $1 million and $10 million dollars.  Don’t think it’s a big deal to tax estates?  Well, If you’re planning on having a nest egg, saving your pennies now for retirement, then you should think it’s a big deal.  Many of you will reach the minimum $1 million dollar cut off, and if you fall into that estate range, you should know that your estate will be taxed at a 55%  tax rate!  And for most of us, we will just barely break into the $1 million dollar range, which means that you proudly managed to save up all of that money, only to have $550,000 of your $1 million dollars taken by the government.  Take my advice and start “gifting” (check into yearly limits on how much you can gift per person) some money while you’re alive if you fall in this category.

The last tax issue covered in the article is the investment income tax (also called a capital gains tax) that is slated to raise in 2013.  I know this sounds like it only affects people “on Wall Street”, but I’ve got news for you; If you have stocks, bonds, precious metals or property, and sell them for a profit (with few exceptions), then you will be feeling the raise in this tax.  Stocks and bonds outside of retirement accounts might not be something many people participate in, but lots of people buy and sell property, and if you do, you will feel the change!

I know it’s hard to look 20 or 30 years in the future and see how these things might affect you, but you have to go there.  You have to know what you’re up against.  These changes in the tax code will be painful on more of us than we are led to believe.  Remember, saving $1000 a month will (on average, based on assumed 8% return) put $1 million dollars in your bank account in 28 years.  That isn’t too far fetched.  You could definitely do that.  And given that fact, you should worry about how it will be taxed.

First, if you’re lucky enough to live in a few select cities throughout the U.S. (unfortunately, I am not), you can go to your local tool-lending library (find a list of cities here) and borrow the tools you need, saving perhaps hundreds of dollars per project.  This is a great idea!  I think this service should come to more cities and grow into something that can help us all save money and encourage us to learn how to maintain our own homes again.  Even a project like adding a small flowerbed involves purchasing a $200 or more tiller/cultivator (if you don’t want to have to dig the hole area out with a shovel, which, is totally fine in a money pinch).  Better to get the tools from a tool library! 

Don’t have a local tool library?  Then you’d better learn to do what we do, and that is borrow the expensive but seldom used tools from friends or family.  This is a little more tricky however, since if you don’t return the tool in the same condition in which it was given to you, you will have to replace it or run the risk of a damaged relationship with that friend or family member.  Our advice?  Treat the borrowed tool like it is on loan from a store, or has been rented.  That way, the fear of having to pay for it will keep you careful!

Clearly, I wasn’t too happy about the price of one of those tiller/cultivators after seeing the price.  As I said above, we don’t have a tool library in our area, so we are borrowing one from a family member.  The way I figure it, I just saved us $200!  Wouldn’t you like to save money this summer too?

Your favorite southern couple has a little announcement to make: We are about to become your favorite southern family! We are expecting our first child early this June!  Because of this, I have been doing a lot of catch up on finding ways to save money for new babies!  Consignment shops like Once Upon a Child or Kid to Kid offer a great way to save some money on baby clothes (and some toys), and pay you for your gently used or unworn baby/toddler clothing that you don’t need anymore.   Some good news?   They don’t just accept any clothing…it has to be in very good condition. 

Although I haven’t even given birth yet, I’ve already checked out some local consignment shops, and was very impressed!  I found 2 little every day rompers that still had the tags on them from the original stores, both originally around $10 a piece, now marked down to $1.50 and $2.50!  What a steal!  The selection was INCREDIBLE, and the merchandise ranged from low end store wares all the way to the designer brands found at high end stores.  Every item was clearly priced and sized on their tags, and the staff was helpful. 

Here’s a shocker: Children and babies are messy.  There are mud pies and markers and dirty diapers and spit up.  Their clothing (for the most part) should be bought to reflect their messy lifestyle, i.e. semi-disposable, which means that spending a ton of money on their regular, everyday clothes is silly.  Take my advice and check out the consignment stores, even if it’s normally not a place you would go, it’s worth the trip, since you are almost guaranteed to save some money!

• If you haven’t done an energy audit of your house, then you should!  Contact your local utility company to see if they will do it for free (they usually will), and if not, then check out energystar.gov, and use their guide to do it on your own!
• Buy and use a programmable thermostat.  These things are great.  We love ours!  We set it to lower the temperature in the house at night when we go to bed, since we’re going to be under the covers anyway, and raise the temperature shortly before the alarm clock sounds.  It’s a great way to save a few bucks!
• Buy CFL bulbs!  Compact fluorescent bulbs will save you money over the long haul and the last longer as well.  I won’t deny the color is a little different and the bulbs  look weird, but they are well worth it!
• Put on or take off that sweater!  I know that our preference is for a nice temperature controlled house, and most people don’t have a problem with putting on the sweater in the winter, but it’s just as important in the summer!  I know that we can only take off so many clothes, but the wearing lightweight fabrics, fewer clothes, and running the thermostat at a higher temperature is a great way to save in the summer.  We all (well, a lot of us) love to go to the beach, right?  So why is it that we can stand high temps at the beach and not in our house?  I say if the temperature is hot, deal with a little heat and raise the temp!  For each 1 degree you lower (in the winter) or raise (in the summer) your temperature, you will save roughly 1% off your bill each month!

As of Saturday, we are officially in spring.  Make these tips part of this years spring cleaning to do list, and save yourself some money this summer!

So you say you don’t know how to do certain things around the house?  Learn.  Lack of knowledge is no excuse for not doing something!  Check out the Diy Network for instructions on how to fix lots of common things around the house.  Every time you fix something yourself, you’re saving money for your future!   If you’re hiring out lawn mowing and driveway shoveling, stop.  Unless you are not physically capable, there is no reason you should be paying someone to do things around your house!  Besides, a little extra physical activity is good for us all!

Your favorite southern couple hates to hire out work.  We try to do as much as we can ourselves, and only hire out when absolutely necessary (having a broken tree removed from our yard, for example).  If we don’t know how to fix something, we research it.  We do understand that not everyone is “handy” around the house, however.  If you’re not handy, then befriend someone who is, and trade services.  Whatever your talent, exchange that for their help.  Maybe they fix your toilet and you help them (as a personal trainer, for example) teach them a basic fitness program in return. 

Whatever the circumstance, figure out a way to do things for yourself!  Not only will you save money, but you will become more self sufficient!

Our local library (and hopefully yours as well) offers audiobooks to be downloaded on their website for free!  Our local library connects us to NetLibrary, an eBook and eAudiobook content distributor.  They have a huge selection for their members to choose from, and offer the content FOR FREE for a set time.  The audiobook we wanted to listen to was available, and with an access code, we downloaded it for free for 20 days, which is more than enough time to listen to an audiobook!

Take it from me when I say that this is a great way to read or listen to books!  Not only is it free like your local library, but you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home!  What a great way to save some money!

The first is the obvious choice: Use only your own bank’s ATMs.  Not one on your current daily route?  Look into changing routes, or possibly changing banks to a bank with ATMs near your home or on your daily route.  One caution though:  Be sure if you decide to change banks for a more convenient location that you don’t switch to a bank with less features or worse interest rates/customer service. 

A better choice?  Skip the ATM and get cash back when you’re buying groceries or picking up something at the drugstore…any place that offers a cash back feature is a substitute ATM, without the fee.  Another good reason to use this method?  You definitely do not have to go out of your way to get the money you need!

Another option is to switch to an online bank that refunds its ATM fees (a new benefit, recently cropping up).  A great place to find a bank with this feature is Bankrate.com. 

With any of these options, you can save money on your bottom line every month.  The money you save can be allocated to paying off debt or go into savings, because let’s face it, you weren’t missing it in the first place.  It might as well be put to good use!

What do I do with my fashion knowledge??  I use it to shop for bargains at retail stores that aren’t going to break the bank.  Some people, however, think that they have to have what’s in the magazine, and what the stars are wearing, and they blow through their credit card limits barely noticing as they chase the current trends.  These poor people would rather be in debt than off trend or insignificant.  They chase celebrity status and think they are entitled to the best things in life.  I feel very bad for these people, because they don’t understand the damage that they’re doing to their lives, all in the pursuit of fame and appearances.  Do a google search for how to become famous, get 80 million results…search for how many people become famous, and get no relevant or accurate results.  For many people, this is an obsession, and it will cause them a lot of heartache throughout the years if they don’t change.

So, what are a couple of ways to turn the negatives of obsessing over fame and status into a positive?  Well, deciding to become the best at what you do, even if it means you’re not famous or on TV, is a good start.  That way, you’re pouring your energy and ambition into something that is likely to help you secure a decent lifestyle and a comfortable retirement in the future, and you’re not distracted by what is not likely to happen.  Also, challenge yourself to either save everything you were spending on those expensive lifestyle goods, or challenge yourself to find the absolute best price on them.  You’d be surprised at how much money you can save, if you just stop paying attention to the designer label!  

Remember, being an adult isn’t about age…it’s about character, attitude and actions…don’t let your actions reveal you to be a child, only out to get attention and the latest, coolest toys.

• Majority of scrapped GM,Chrysler dealers file appeals - Basically, what’s going on here is that GM and Chrysler, in order to stay in business, had to cancel contracts with some of the dealerships that owned the rights to sell their cars.  The dealerships, instead of finding a different product to sell, or closing down, are filing appeals to FORCE the 2 companies to keep supplying them with inventory or to pay a huge settlement.  This will cost the already struggling automakers (remember, they were bailed out already) even more money, and they probably will struggle with getting back on track and making a profit.  I hate that these dealerships will have to close and that jobs will be lost, but when a company expands too far and has to draw back to stay in business, this is what happens.  By trying for a settlement (these dealerships agreed to the terms of the contract, they knew the contract could be terminated), they are actually hurting the company more.  Nice.
• Toyota’s next problem: Lawsuits - With the multitude of recent news stories and recalls, Toyota is working around the clock to combat the bad press and sort out their problems.  It might not help, though, thanks to the over 30 lawsuits (already, and growing) and class action suit (there will probably be more later) that are already filed against the automaker.  Here’s the deal…Toyota should pay for any medical bills (and final expenses etc.) of those people found to have directly been injured or died because of a faulty piece of equipment in the vehicle, and I have no doubts in my mind that they would willingly pay these costs.  There are 2 problems that stink with this situation though; 1. Some lawyers just see dollar signs and think of a big payday, so they will file suit for ANYTHING, even things their client doesn’t deserve, and some judges will award it, which just causes more financial problems for the automaker, and could cost jobs for their employees, and 2. the more lawsuits and such that are filed, the more bad press they receive, which could also cost money/employee’s jobs.
• Your cell phone company’s dirty little secret - The big carriers have come out recently and lowered their prices on the “voice usage” side, or the “talk time” side of their business, but their secret is that they’ve started charging non smartphone users a fee to access the multimedia capabilities of their phones, whether they want to or not.  They say it’s because most people don’t know they can access the net, so they are making sure the user gets full use of their phone.  I say bull crap.  I shouldn’t be forced to purchase a service I don’t want.  I have a smartphone and DO NOThave a data package, because I don’t need one.  I did not buy the phone for it’s ability to surf Facebook, I bought it for other features like touch screen/qwerty keyboard/nice layout/and a calendar.  Maybe it’s more phone than I needed, but that’s my choice.  They know that people pick the phone they want, and so they figure they can charge you extra for service, because you like the phone.  It’s sneaky, but clever.
• The burger and beverage recession - This one actually surprised me, but not in a bad way.  Coca cola, McDonald’s and Molson Coors all reported that their product demand is stronger abroad than in the US.  These are the products that we think of as recession proof, but apparently, people are still not willing to part with their dollars for them!  I very much hope that the companies can cut costs and innovate to continue to be profitable, but I am very excited that consumers continue to be wise with their money.  Spending less and saving more is a proven way to have something for yourself as you get older.  Are there quicker, more volatile ways?  Of course.  But with great gains comes great risks.

Follow the links to see the full articles!

Consignment stores are retail locations where people take their gently used clothing and accessories are sell them at a fraction of what they paid.  The consignment store then turns around and sells the items at a discount.  This means a great savings on things for you.  A small disclosure…you DO have to scour the racks for the gems, and you DO have to scour the items for defects and you should ALWAYS wash the item before using/wearing it.  Also, I personally wouldn’t buy undergarments, swimsuits or shoes secondhand, unless your options are completely limited.  The discounts at some consignment stores can be up to 75% off the retail price, and there are consignment stores that are targeted to a specific audience, such as young teen/college age and professional women and maternity.  Check your local community for the options available to you.

As far as charitable retail sites like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, the same rules apply.  You have to look through things carefully before choosing to buy from them, and some things might “need a little work” before they can be useful to you, but these are not bad places to find a deal.  Not everything there is “crap”.  A lot of the time, things are merely discarded items that people no longer want…that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth anything.  As a matter of fact, Goodwill has an auction website, similar to Ebay, called shopgoodwill.com.  You can find antiques, collectibles and luxury goods that have been donated to Goodwill to bid on at this site! 

No matter what your thoughts on these places are, you shouldn’t judge them unless you’ve been there at least once.  If, after going to a consignment store, you don’t like what you see, simply don’t go back.  If however, you find it a worthwhile place to shop, then you are likely to save quite a bit of money over the years!

I hate to see people suffer, and those people that have lost their jobs are in my prayers.  However, the falling home prices are only an immediate concern if you are trying to sell your house and/or have lost your job.  If you have a stable income and are contented in your home, staying there for a few years (decade, maybe?) isn’t a big deal, so neither is the drop in value.  Debt, is, as always, a major concern for us.  If you are employed, you should be making a budget, sticking to it, funding your emergency fund and getting out of debt.  If you are unemployed, then you are in an income crisis, and that should be your main concern…along with food, shelter (that doesn’t mean a “McMansion”) and basic utilities (i.e. lights, water and heat).  You can’t focus on paying people back what you owe until you get stability back in your life, so put them on hold, even if it takes a few months. 

I would like to make a point for our readers though: with roughly 10% unemployment, that means that 10 people out of 100 are out of work, which is the same as saying 90 people of 100 are employed…it’s terrible for those 10 people, but overall, it’s not a catastrophe.  And those 90 out of 100?  They are shopping!  Maybe less often than before, and they might be spending less than before, but they are shopping…at least, that’s the way it looks EVERY time I drive past/go to the mall.  The place is packed!  As usual, I can’t find parking there, and the Christmas season was just as bad as usual.  Now, like I said, I know this isn’t the case everywhere, but the media’s version that everyone everywhere is suffering terribly, in houses they can’t afford, without jobs and piling up debt.  This isn’t true either.  The truth, as usual, is probably somewhere in the middle.  Some are suffering, some aren’t.  If you are suffering, I wish you luck and speed in your job searches and in getting out of debt, and if your job and home life are stable and “secure”, work hard to keep it that way, and help those who need it, either with prayer, food donations or job contacts (etc.).

So, keep our advice in mind, and don’t touch it!  If you’re the type of person to go out for “retail therapy” (do NOT get me started on how much I loathe that phrase, and what it implies), then you need to find something to do with your hands.  Put them in your pocket, carry a big bag in your hands, text etc.  Finding something to do with your hands could save you a lot of money over the course of the month, because every time you see a $200 and don’t buy it, that’s $200 in your pocket for something else, which I hope will be savings!

Anyway!  There a lots of great choices for handmade gifts.  You could bake sweets or bread, knit/crochet something , make a decoration or make handmade soap etc. for someone.  The possibilities are endless.  It only takes simple know how and a few items to make most of them.  They are especially economical in bulk!  For different ideas on handmade gifts, go here, here and here.  There are plenty of other places to find gift ideas on the web, but these will get you started!  Good luck and remember, don’t think you can’t do something because you haven’t in the past!  Jump in a tackle that project!

So, where do you get ink?  Well, some local drug stores and shopping malls offer a place to buy ink, and if you can’t find a place locally, check out Staples.com.  They have a section on their website, Ink and Toner finder that might just be a great way for you to find the ink you need. 

Let’s face it.  You don’t buy a new car when you run out of gas, so why would you buy a new cartridge (or printer) when you run out of ink?  Enjoy your savings, and the satisfaction of not being taken by the current system!

Other than being free, the great thing about a sample is that you can try something without having to spend your hard earned dollars on it!  A great place to get free samples is at the grocery store (some don’t give samples, but some do).  You can try some food to see if you like it before you buy it!  This could save you a couple of bucks, but if you try ALL the food samples at the store, you’ve had a nice little snack…for free!

An even better place to get free samples are at the mall/department stores.  You can get perfume samples, make up samples, skin care samples etc.  As a bonus, if you live in a big city with multiple malls/locations of stores, you can get the same product from different stores, and have a nice little supply of  your favorite products!  So, say you like a particular eye cream or perfume…if you get a sample at three different places, you’ve got quite a bit for free, that should last a while.  Just a quick tip though…be nice to the sales people…they don’t HAVE to give those samples out.  The nicer you are, the more you’ll get…and by the way, you’re there for free stuff, so, you’d have to be out of your mind to try and be snobby.

Another great place to get some free samples are restaurants/coffee houses/ice cream parlors.  Now, they won’t let you sample enough for a meal, or probably even a snack, but if you need just a taste of something, this can work.  Say you’ve brown-bagged your lunch, but you took it to a park to eat.  While walking back to work, you pass an ice cream parlor…you know you don’t need the calories or the hit to your wallet.  What do you do?  Go in, and ask for a sample…or two.  It’s just enough to scratch the itch, but doesn’t cost a thing.  Just don’t forget, be nice, and try not to go in too often without occasionally buying something.  The owner will be much more inclined to keep giving out the samples that way!

Alright!  That’s it!  Happy sampling, and if you know of another way to get free samples, don’t forget to post them in the comment section!

Let’s not forget, however, that when we save, someone else has to take the hit.  As the article points out, in this case, that would be farmers.  They are receiving less for their products, and so that means harder times in their households this year.  I am all about a deal, but I hate that it comes at the expense of others…keep this in mind when you go to buy your turkey this year.

On a personal note, I would like to take the time to ask our readers to have a generous heart and donate a couple of cans of food to a local charity this year to help feed families who are struggling.  With a lot of people out of work, food banks and pantries will be running low on their normal stock of goods, so we all need to chip in.  At Thanksgiving, I like to donate by giving food, and at Christmas, I like to donate by giving toys, coats and other goods to local charities.  If you have $5 to spare this year (skip a latte or brown bag a day?), buy some non perishable food items and donate them.   The Salvation Army website is a good place to start.  The main page has a place to enter your zip code and find your local donation center. 

First, let me just say that there is NOTHING wrong with borrowing something if you need to.   I think somewhere along the way borrowing things fell out of favor, either because people weren’t responsible when they borrowed from friends or family, or because it became un-cool to borrow something, and so people just went and bought what they needed, even if they only needed it once etc.  This, in my opinion, is silly.  It makes much more financial sense for friends and family to share the things they have that other members of the friends or family might need, in exchange for the same courtesy. 

So, how do you borrow from friends and family without breaking the relationship?  Easy, follow these simple rules:

• Don’t think that borrowing from a friend or family member is something you can do once a week.  People tend to get irritated if you’re at their house borrowing things all the time.  And, if you’re borrowing the same thing every week…face it, you DO NEED to buy it…it is obviously a necessity for you.
• Return what you borrow in the EXACT SAME or BETTER condition that it was in when you took it home.  Nobody wants their stuff back broken.  If you borrow something, and cannot return it in the same condition because you’ve damaged it, then you must replace it.  I don’t care how much it costs, and I don’t care if you’re strapped for cash.  You broke it, you bought it.  If you don’t replace it, you could hurt the relationship between you and the borrowee. 
• If the item you’re borrowing has a consumable (example, a pressure washer, which requires gasoline), you must replace it.  Do not return an item that uses, for example, gasoline, without a full tank.  It’s very thoughtless to do so.
• Know that some things are ridiculous items to borrow.  A pressure washer, a punch bowl and a cup of sugar are all things that make sense to borrow when you need them.  Even a car is ok to borrow, if the friend or family member really trusts you, and you treat the car with extreme care.  A microwave and a T.V. are not items that make sense to borrow.  Do not show up and ask to take some one’s microwave.  If you did that to me, I’d laugh at you!

Basically, use your common sense.  Remember the saying, do unto others as you would have them do unto you?  Well, it applies when borrowing from friends and family.  Borrow when you need something, but be thoughtful while it’s in your care.

Ebates.com: This website is a good tool for those of you who do a lot of online shopping. The trick to Ebates.com is that you have to “shop through” their website, as in, you go to their website first, find the store where you want to make a purchase, click on the link, and shop. The site is useful because you can search for a store or a product, which means if you need a product, but don’t know where to get it, you can search for the item and shop that way. Cash back percentages vary from store to store and the site sends out the rebates to their users quarterly. Some good news is that if you shop at certain online stores, you can get the item shipped to the “bricks and mortar” location and get free shipping! Bigger purchases mean bigger rebates, so consider this site when you need to purchase big ticket items!

Mypoints.com: At Mypoints.com, you can make purchases or take surveys to earn points. They offer several ways to earn extra points. For example, in addition to making purchases and taking surveys to earn points, you can click through emails and subscribe to their elist. After accruing a certain number of points, you can exchange them for gift cards to stores and other locations, or donations to participating charities.

39dollarglasses.com: If you have the prescription for your glasses and want your glasses on the cheap, this is the place for you. Go somewhere you can try on glasses and figure out what kind of frames you like, then get on their website and find similar frames (or the exact same frames, if you can), and buy them, on the cheap. They aren’t the nicest frames (you wouldn’t expect that for the price though, would you?), but they are good for people who wear contacts and just need something occasionally. Bonus? This website is also on Ebates.com, so you can get cash back on them!

I would like to thank my friend Jodi for pointing these websites out, and tell our readers that I hope you find them useful! Happy shopping!

First let me say that you should keep in mind that this data reflects only one month, and that it could just be a fluke. I know that the unemployment rate has gone down slightly, and that demand for houses has gone up, but honestly, so what! Just because the economy might be showing signs of improvement does not mean you should forget the lessons you have learned over the last several months in ways to save money and spend less. One of the reasons that people have gotten into trouble with money over the years is that they spend all that they have, or more than they have and don’t save enough for their future when they retire, or, just as bad, save for when their income is lost/interrupted, so that they have no emergency fund.

Deep down, I’m hoping that spending rose because we are in “back to school” season, and parents were spending money on their little ones clothes, crayons and paper, but I just don’t know. Americans tend to have what I think of as collective ADD, where, as a nation, we can’t keep our “eye on the ball”. When something loses its luster or lasts too long, we tend to get bored, and I think that the recession has reached that point. I ask all of you to keep your focus, save your money and spend less.

And now, of course, there is Hulu. Hulu is a website that offers tons of different shows for FREE from some of the big networks. You can go there and watch past episodes of current shows and whole seasons of shows no longer airing new episodes! And the great thing about this is, you don’t need cable or satellite, so your bill would be $0 dollars!

So, just think about cutting back on your cable/satellite package! I mean, nobody NEEDS 300 tv channels…That’s just ridiculous!