To me, my love of reading is both a blessing and a curse – I have this undying thirst for knowledge. There’s nothing like curling up with a good book and a steaming cup of hot chocolate or herbal tea to learn something new! At the same time, that “thirst” can get overwhelming, especially when I have to put reading on the back burner. I feel like I can’t read fast enough to keep up with the growing list of books I want to read.
August 11, 2009
July 29, 2009
5 Ways to Save Money at the Movies
This article originally appeared on December 8, 2008.
MOVIE MONDAYS IN DECEMBER #1
My husband and I enjoy going to movies together, and try to make it out a couple times a month. Unfortunately, at nearly $20 just for tickets to a single show, and another $10 for food, the cost becomes somewhat prohibitive. Fortunately, there are many ways to save a little $$ when going to the movie theater.
Here are a few of the things we try, generally using these tips you can reduce the cost of going to the movies by over half, and it doesn’t have to involve sneaking in food in your purse or coat 
July 21, 2009
Plan Ahead: Save $1200 on Groceries
Are you looking to save some extra cash each month? Who isn’t? Fortunately, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to save money is to start by looking at your grocery bill. In the United States, the average family of 4 spends nearly $1000 per month on groceries. Fortunately there is a easy solution to this problem and all it takes is about 15-30 minutes a week.
When looking for ideas to help cut our grocery bill, I found a new website Spend Smart Eat Smart. It was created by a dietitian at Iowa State University.
At this website, you can find ideas and tools to:
PLAN YOUR SHOP:
Shopping at the Store
Preparing Meals
There is even a blog where people can write in and discuss there food buying ideas and cooking tips.
I especially think PLAN AHEAD portion of the website is valuable for saving money. Studies have shown that when you make a shopping and meal plan for your family and grocery shop according to that plan, trips to the grocery store will cost a significant amount less. In fact, families on average report saving %10-15 on groceries when they go to the store with a list on paper for buying food for planned meals. With your plan in hand, you are more likely to resist one of the most expensive habits of grocery shoppers, impulse buying.
It’s simple, plan ahead and save. For 30 minutes a week you can save $100 a month, or $1200 a year. Now that’s a tasty deal!
For more information, either visit the website or watch this video to lean more: http://www.kcci.com/video/18817115/index.html
July 7, 2009
Free Organic Baby Layette Giveaway
Jessica over at Eco Child’s Play has just listed a a new GIVEAWAY!!! If you’re interested, you can click here to go sign up!
Organically Grown is giving away a unisex mini wardrobe to one lucky reader!
All of the products from Organically Grown are made with organic cottons. From their website:
According to the Organic Exchange, an estimated 170 million pounds of pesticides, and 25% of the world’s insecticides are used in the production of conventional, non-organic cotton. 7 out of 10 of these pesticides are on the EPA’s “known” list of “likely” or “probable” carcinogens. These chemicals result in work-force illnesses, water contamination, and the devastation of farmland. All of the problems are eliminated though organic farming practices. Organically Grown is proud to be a part of the solution.
Organically Grown is going to give one lucky reader three bibs (pictured above $18 value), an adorable Giraffe Three piece Set ($28 value) and a World of Friends Blanket ($28 value).
Here’s the link so you can go sign up!
June 20, 2009
Father’s Day is Tomorrow!
I know it’s getting down to the wire, but I thought I’d mention that Father’s Day is tomorrow. I usually get D a little gift and a card. I really don’t like how the industry pushes holidays on us consumers. It’s makes us spend more money and feel stressed. I read somewhere today that the average amount spent on a Father’s Day gift is $87 ! (And in case you’re wondering, the average Mother’s Day gift was over $130.) For me $87 is too much. Then you add in the card and then the cards for the other men in your life (think husband, son, father, spouse’s father, grandfathers on both sides) and you can see why people have so many money problems around the holidays. So here I have some ideas for you!
Dollar stores are great for decent inexpensive greeting cards. This is the second time that I’ve shopped at a dollar store for them. They don’t look cheap either. I went to Dollar Tree just to see what their selection was like. I walked out with 5 cards and spent only $2.56! Their cards are $0.50 to $1 each.
Think about what kind of hobbies your favorite guy is into. Guys that like to cook might like a new grill utensil, an oven mitt or apron with their favorite sports team’s logo, a mortar and pestle for grinding herbs, or maybe some gourmet organic spices. Other popular hobbies include fishing, hunting, and cars. My dad likes Carhart stuff because it lasts a long time – he wears it to work, hunting, and for yard work.
The gardening man – It’s a little too late to order them now unless you do a belated Father’s Day gift but mushroom spawn are a very unique idea. They can be purchased for about $10+shipping. More desirable mushrooms (think morels and top of the line gourmet mushrooms) are more expensive at $30 and up. He might also enjoy a trip to a pick-your-own produce farm. Otherwise, since it’s summer, many home improvement and garden centers are running deals on plants and gardening tools.
The business man – I’m not too sure about this guy, because I don’t know any business-y type men. The traditional gift would be a tie. These are pretty reasonable at Kohl’s and JCPenney’s. Designer pens would be another option. And if the guy has a lot of little gadgets, maybe he needs a charging valet. These start at $15. Pricier options may include a power strip.
The movie man – This would be my D. Movie tickets are the obvious choice. If you have movie nights-in, you could purchase “movie theater” candies at your grocer or a small popcorn popper ($15-$30). If he has a theater room, find him some movie posters to hang up. If you go to theaters ahead of time, they may be willing to give you their outdated cardboard movie stands or hanging ads (if you have a lot of room to spare!). I knew a teacher who worked a second job at a theater – since the theater just throws the outdated move stuff away, she took some of the stands and decorated her classroom with them!
Maybe he likes personalized items. Personalized bar items like mugs, shot glasses, and flasks are easily found online because they’re popular groomsmen gifts.
Make dinner for the guy or take him out to eat – save some money too!. If you want to do something extra, take him for bowling or billiards, to a bar that hosts local bands, or to a movie.
Donate money to a charity he would support. Visit Charity Navigator to search for charities by category. Another thing that comes to mind is “adopting” (sponsoring) an animal at a wildlife refuge, nature center, or local animal shelter – the money helps to pay for that specific animal’s food and care for a given amount of time.
If you’re still not sure what to get him, the answer could be a gift card. I do this with my dad, the man who has everything, when I run out of unique ideas or time. And if you’re not sure what store to get the gift card from, go with cash, a visa gift card, or even an eBay gift card. I go the eBay route because he loves bidding on items.
Maybe he’s the guy that doesn’t care about these types of holidays – let him sit on his butt with a drink and the remote.
So now take some time and let that special guy know how much you mean to him… without spending a lot!
If you need some more ideas, here are some more suggestions:
- Top 10 Cheap Father’s Day Gifts
- Top 8 Frugal Father’s Day Ideas
- Cheap Father’s Day Gifts Under $30
- 11+ Cool (Cheap!) Father’s Day Gift Ideas
- Make Your Own Father’s Day Gifts
- 10 Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts for Under $50
PS – If you’re wondering what I got D… I got him a hot air popcorn popper with some “movie theater” candies.