Tip Of The Day

Tired Of Having Your Bread Mold Days After You Buy It?

I almost always buy the fresh bread in the bakery with no preservatives or make my own. During the summer months when it is so warm my bread was molding before the loaf was half gone. Well I tried everything, freezing (which bread never seems to be the same after freezing it)  I put it in the fridge and still mold.  Anyway I had bought some of those green plastic bags that are supposed to keep your vegetables fresher longer, well I put a loaf of french bread in one and put it in the fridge and its been over a week and a half and its still fresh and no mold!

I found some of the green bags at the $ store. That's cheaper than Walmart!

A Five Minute Call Can Save U $$$

This month I made a couple of phone calls approx 5 minutes each and saved us $550.00 a year. First I called our satelite company (dish) and asked why our bill had went up $10.00 a month when I made no changes. So they looked and said well we do have a special going right now and we can reduce your monthly charge $10.00. So there was a $120.00 a year savings in less than 5 minutes.

I also called our auto insurance.  In our recent bill there was a letter "Notice To Policy Holders" We have introduced a new plan for pricing auto insurance.and you may qualify under this plan. They stated the new plan was was more complex and more accurate formula  to determine premiums. They said if you were interested to call. So I did and 10 minutes later I had saved us $430.00 a year!

So there is a savings of $550.00 a year in less than 15 minutes! Usually I don't read all the paper work when our insurance policy comes due.  I usually just check the premium due. It pays to read all the paper work enclosed!

If you have been a long time customer with a company and you think your interest rate or monthly bill is too much call them,.  Companies now days want to keep good paying long term customers. happy.  In the past and even today you will see ads and specials to lure in new customers, but I think companies are learning that they really need those loyal customers who pay on time.

So give it a try you have nothing to lose and lots to gain!!

 

Great Way To Curtail Spending And Save More!

A few months ago we decided that we were spending too much and not saving as much as we would like. This also works if you have a very tight budget and just need to make your pay check last till the next one.

Anyway what we did was budget on how much we usually spent on groceries, gas, eating out, miscellaneous.  So in separate envelopes we put; $350.00 for groceries, $100.00 for gas, $125.00 for miscellaneous and $250.00 for eating out. We are retired so our budget is a little different than for someone who is working and driving everyday. You just need to calculate about how much you spend or how much you want to allow yourself to spend and put that into separate envelopes.

As you go through the month you can keep track of what you are spending in each category and where you need to cut back or eat a cheaper place, share a meal or shop the sales. We found this to be very helpful in not over spending. When you just have a debit card and not cash you tend to just keep on spending and not even realize how much you really do spend.

We were able to stick to this very easily and the first month we were able to save even more than we thought we would. When we got towards the end of the month our eating out money was getting a little low so we went out a couple of times less and shared a meal here and there (so many places serve too much food for one person anyway)

This really keeps you in  check of how much you spend and not to over spend and be broke before the next paycheck. When you see that you only have $50.00 left for groceries you become a better savvy shopper!

For whatever reason you use this 'Envelope Budget' you will quickly see just how much you really spend. Also when you use cash (the old fashion way to pay) you tend to be more thrifty. We found this so true. When we use our debit card for everything you really lose track of your spending.

If you want to save or just budget give this a try! Come post your results with us!!

Some Of My Personal Money Saving Tips

I think its time to start a friends and family blog where we can list money saving ways. The way the costs of everything is going up I think all of us are looking for ways to cut the costs.

I think I have always been pretty frugal. I'm sure not a high maintenance kind of gal. I usually go to the beauty shop maybe twice, but usually once a year. I never have had a professional manicure/pedicure. No I'm not complaining, I just have always had different priorities. I cut my husbands hair and when the kids were home I usually cut theirs too!

We have always had a medium income, but we have been able to do and create a better lifestyle than people who made a lot more money than we did. I think we were able to do this because I always had a budget and of course we had our priorities set. We would rather have a very nice home than take luxurious vacations. We would rather stay home and watch a movie than go out.

I have always loved garage sales and have bought many of our antique pieces at sales and auctions. It sure beats shopping at a high end furniture stores and a lot more fun! I still shop at second hand stores for most everything, from clothes to household. You really can't beat their prices and no one knows where you bought it anyway. I still get more compliments on our antique furniture than I would from any piece of furniture from a high end store. The more unique the better!

We live pretty simple and it is a little easier here in Utah to live on less. Our utilities and housing costs are lower and so is food. No matter where you live you can cut costs. I'm going to try to add an money saving tip each day and hope you will add yours too in the comment board!

Some topics I plan to cover:

1) Energy
2) Food/Household
3) Clothing
4) Eating Out
5) Vacations
6) School/College

I hope you all add your Money Saving Tips below in the comment board.


Freeze It!
February 27
If you do not have a freezer now maybe the time to invest in one. With the cost of groceries going up its time to just buy when its on sale and freeze freeze freeze. When you see broccoli/cauliflower or whatever vegetables you like buy it and then freeze some till the next sale. It is easy to freeze. Get some freezer bags at you local dollar store and then freeze freeze freeze. Here is an example how easy;

Broccoli: Cut off brocoli florets and wash well. Place in boiling water and blanch for 3-5 minutes depending on size. Immerse in cold water and drain. Pack in plastic containers or freezer bags.

Cauliflower: Cut off florets and wash! Blanch for 3 minutes in water containing lemon juice of one lemon. Immerse in cold water, drain and pack in plastic containers or freezer bags.

Meat: Always buy the family pack and break it down and freeze it into smaller portions to fit your families needs. I can go and buy a roast and cut it at least in half and make 2 or 3 meals from one roast. I use leftovers for hot roast beef sandwich. If there is still more meat I will grind it up and mix with mayo and some pickles for the most delicious sandwich!

Weekly Menu
February 28
Another way to save on groceries is to get the flyer and make your weekly menu from whats onsale. This is a great way to buy whats in season and what meats are onsale that week. It only takes a few extra minutes to make out a weekly menu. You can also make some meals ahead of time and just pull it out of the freezer. This also is a money saver because sometimes you just don't feel like cooking and like most of us we go out on those nights. But if you have something already in the freezer it saves time and Money!








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