Extreme Budget Makeover is back to finish off the year!
So to explain the absence of these posts, I will offer up in this blog post of an unusual way that we save money!
June 25th we had an unattended homebirth. Our main reasons for doing so is not financial, but it sure is a bonus. The pregnancy and birth of our son cost me $3 for a few birthing supplies. You cannot put a price tag on such an adorable baby, but when it comes to the services and bedside manner, I much prefer the less is more idea.
The average birth in America costs $13,000 to birth in a hospital, the average midwife is about $5,000.
But back to our program. I will be posting weekly posts on ways to make the most of your budget. How have you been doing on your previous 24 assignments? If you are new, its never too late to start!
If you have a suggestion for an assignment email me at homeschoolmom2nine @ hotmail.com
Showing posts with label Extreme Budget Makeover 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Extreme Budget Makeover 2011. Show all posts
November 08, 2011
May 27, 2011
Assignment #24
Spring is now in full swing. This means YARD SALES!!
If you haven't already, start decluttering your home. Prep for a yard sale.
And scope out ones in your area. Only buy what is needed but look for some good deals. If you are a re-seller look for items that can be easily mended or repaired and resold for a profit.
To save on gas look in the local paper for a list and address of yard sales, map out your route.
Leave Early. Go late. Early birds get the worm. But if you go by them as they are closing up the sale, items go for alot less. Many just want the stuff gone and do not want to pack it back up.. I have gotten a lot of free stuff that way!
Don't be afraid to negotiate prices
Carry small bills
Scope out each sale before shopping. This way if you see must have, you can grab it before someone walks by with it. For large items you are for sure you want, settle that purchase with the seller then continue shopping.
Bring the reusable shopping bags with you. Makes holding all your finds easier.
Happy Shopping!
April 29, 2011
Assignment #23
Grow your own food!
This can be done in any environment
Even if you only have a small patio, you can still grow food. For those that don't have a little plot of land, you can look into square foot gardening, and hay bale gardening.
Depending on your area is when you can start. You can start from seeds or you can but them at a local nursery.
This is a great way to learn self reliance and to save some money. If you haven't already grab some seeds and get planting!!
This can be done in any environment
Even if you only have a small patio, you can still grow food. For those that don't have a little plot of land, you can look into square foot gardening, and hay bale gardening.
Depending on your area is when you can start. You can start from seeds or you can but them at a local nursery.
This is a great way to learn self reliance and to save some money. If you haven't already grab some seeds and get planting!!
April 10, 2011
Assignment #22
Rewards Programs
these can be tricky, but they can also be profitable. Most checking accounts have programs where you can earn cash back. I, for one, am a cash only kind of person but we have a debit for online purchases.
But if you are one who uses a debit card often this may be profitable. Depending on your bank there is a fee associated with such cards. For example, I was using Chase. The annual fee per card ( we had 2) that it came to $50 a year I think. I earned $70 in rewards. So I made a $20 profit.
These programs can be worth it and if you go over the fine print, you should turn a profit.
these can be tricky, but they can also be profitable. Most checking accounts have programs where you can earn cash back. I, for one, am a cash only kind of person but we have a debit for online purchases.
But if you are one who uses a debit card often this may be profitable. Depending on your bank there is a fee associated with such cards. For example, I was using Chase. The annual fee per card ( we had 2) that it came to $50 a year I think. I earned $70 in rewards. So I made a $20 profit.
These programs can be worth it and if you go over the fine print, you should turn a profit.
April 06, 2011
Assignment #21
How has everyone been doing on your assignments? IF you have an area you need help in let me know. For private messages there is an email link on the blog page. You can email me at theycallmemom at ldsliving dot com. The email address is written as such to prevent spam. No spaces, use the symbols :)
What is your monthly food budget? I was reading another large family blog and saw a post that peeked my interest. It was called the Food Stamp Budget Challenge, or something of that sort. this mother had 9 children, Her challenge was to live on the budget she would have if she had to live off food stamps. With close to 50% of Americans now on food stamps this is becoming a closer reality.
The calculations for this budget, according to her family size was a $1200 a month to spend on food. As we all know food stamps do not cover soap, shampoo, toilet paper, pet food, cleaning supplies etc. This would be in addition to the food stamp budget.
What is your monthly food budget? I was reading another large family blog and saw a post that peeked my interest. It was called the Food Stamp Budget Challenge, or something of that sort. this mother had 9 children, Her challenge was to live on the budget she would have if she had to live off food stamps. With close to 50% of Americans now on food stamps this is becoming a closer reality.
The calculations for this budget, according to her family size was a $1200 a month to spend on food. As we all know food stamps do not cover soap, shampoo, toilet paper, pet food, cleaning supplies etc. This would be in addition to the food stamp budget.
April 04, 2011
Assignment #20
Health Insurance
I will try not to preach. This is a hot topic for me. My goal is to keep it short and to the point.
Health Insurance, any insurance, is designed to aid in the the case of a devastating event.
I will try not to preach. This is a hot topic for me. My goal is to keep it short and to the point.
Health Insurance, any insurance, is designed to aid in the the case of a devastating event.
Most people today see health insurance as a discount card. The use of insurance is this manner contributes greatly to the rising cost. Just imagine how much your car ins would be if you used your ins card to get new tires, have an oil change or tune up.insurance
March 31, 2011
Assignment #19
A Fast Food Fast
And no I do not mean faster. I mean a fast, to fast. However..
For the month of April, do not purchase any fast food. ( Free is ok, but still not as healthy). So if you have a gift card or coupon that you use or share with a friend, that would not be technically cheating, at least on the budget part. For example, I have a free side order from Zaxby's, no purchase necessary.
March 25, 2011
Assignment #18
Brown Bag it...
Create meals that you can take to work. Pre pack them the night before to make time.
You can pack lunch for less than $1 a day. Got a few co workers? Maybe you can offer a lunch service. Pack them a lunch for $2 a day. :)
Create meals that you can take to work. Pre pack them the night before to make time.
You can pack lunch for less than $1 a day. Got a few co workers? Maybe you can offer a lunch service. Pack them a lunch for $2 a day. :)
March 15, 2011
Assignment #17
Energy usage
First track your meter readings and make sure they match up with your bill. Also look over your bill for "hidden costs". There may be a few fees you can avoid.
First track your meter readings and make sure they match up with your bill. Also look over your bill for "hidden costs". There may be a few fees you can avoid.
March 10, 2011
Assignment #16
Do it yourself project can save you tons of money. But remember, do not try anything that can turn out to cost you more in the end. But many simple projects can be done by anyone. Minor plumbing repairs, automobile maintenance etc. I have learned how to do minor electrical repairs from working on my grooming equipment.
I do all the haircuts for my family. Every 4-6 weeks I spend about 2 hours cutting hair. At an estimated $10 a person this save me about $80. 8 times a year =$640
If you are crafty you can make many decorative items for your home, many from recycled products. These can also make great gifts!
Try a DIY project this month and share it with us!
March 07, 2011
Assignment #15
Cooking from scratch
This is a very cost saving change. Prepackaged foods are not only usually more expensive, but not as healthy as what we can make from home. Better health means less sick days, less trips to the docs.
This weeks assignment is to learn two new from scratch recipes. Share them in the comments section :)
This is a very cost saving change. Prepackaged foods are not only usually more expensive, but not as healthy as what we can make from home. Better health means less sick days, less trips to the docs.
This weeks assignment is to learn two new from scratch recipes. Share them in the comments section :)
March 03, 2011
Assignment #14
Sell, Sell, Sell
Simplicity is key to an inexpensive household. Go thru your clothes, jewelry, dishes etc and purge.
Set aside a reasonable amt for you to keep on hand. For me a tote of clothes on top of the 10 outfits we currently have set out is reasonable per person. Extra clothes means two things. Some never get worn or we spend 2X the amt of time doing laundry. That also costs $. Set aside one set of dishes for you to use and some for when you have company. Go thru your jewelry, CD's, DVD's etc and see what you can sell there. Not only can you make some extra $ but you can make things simpler. Simple lives are less stressful and less expensive.
Places to sell include consignments, online stores, Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon.
Simplicity is key to an inexpensive household. Go thru your clothes, jewelry, dishes etc and purge.
Set aside a reasonable amt for you to keep on hand. For me a tote of clothes on top of the 10 outfits we currently have set out is reasonable per person. Extra clothes means two things. Some never get worn or we spend 2X the amt of time doing laundry. That also costs $. Set aside one set of dishes for you to use and some for when you have company. Go thru your jewelry, CD's, DVD's etc and see what you can sell there. Not only can you make some extra $ but you can make things simpler. Simple lives are less stressful and less expensive.
Places to sell include consignments, online stores, Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon.
February 25, 2011
February 21, 2011
Assignment #12
Paying down Debt
The Debt Snowball
The Debt Snowball
Another great Dave Ramsey idea, the debt snowball ( click here)
First. Don't pay anything off. Build a $1000 cash reserve. If you can save $100 a month add that to your envelope budget system. Once you have that $1000, you can work towards paying down your debt.
Make a list of all your debt. Order them smallest to biggest. Once you have your $1000, take they money you were putting towards that and pay off the smallest debt. If you were already making payments on that debt add that payment to your "snowball".
Example:
you pay $80 a month for credit card, balance, $800
you pay $120 a month for doctor bill, balance $1500
you pay $240 a month car pmt, balance $3,000
so you are paying $440 a month on debt.
you take the $100 you had budgeted for savings AND the $80 to pay the credit card. Once its payed off you take that $180 AND the $120 and pay off the doctor. Once that is payed off you take the $300 and the $240 and pay off your car.
Once your debt is clear you now have $540 a month you are use to paying in bills with. Keep budgeting that money but put it into your savings.
Assignment #11
The Envelope Budget System
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Dave Ramsey has a great system for budgeting ( click here)
Make an envelope for all your monthly budgets.
Rent/Mortgage
Utilities
Phone
Cable
Gas
Groceries
Etc.
Then write down how much the budget is. If you budget $400 a month on groceries then write that on the envelope. Thats all you are to spend.
Dave and I both agree its better to be a cash person, but if you must use debit cards use play money in your envelope system. This helps you visually keep track of your money. And you become more conscious of your spending.
February 14, 2011
Assignment #10
Menus
Menus can help us trim our food budget. They also save time. This is a system that pairs a menu with a grocery list. You can modify it to fit your needs but the way it works is you make a menu for a week and the coordinating shopping list. print out your list and cross off what you have in your pantry. Take the list to the store and buy what you need to fill that list. Hopefully you have a pretty good food storage and only need to purchase fresh items and weekly food storage deals.
Menus can help us trim our food budget. They also save time. This is a system that pairs a menu with a grocery list. You can modify it to fit your needs but the way it works is you make a menu for a week and the coordinating shopping list. print out your list and cross off what you have in your pantry. Take the list to the store and buy what you need to fill that list. Hopefully you have a pretty good food storage and only need to purchase fresh items and weekly food storage deals.
February 01, 2011
Assignment #9
Well its the 1st of February. We need to finish up our 1st two assignments. One was to track your monthly spending. Write the figures down and put them in a safe place. I will continue to track, but you don't have to. We will do another "check up" in a few mos. The second was to make a list of your keep on hand items.
January 23, 2011
Assignment #8
DeClutter
I am a recovering pack rat. I still try to keep stuff that I feel we need, but not as much as I use to. I am also more organized about it.
Your project this week is to go thru one room. Make 3 piles
1. Trash
2. Donate/Sell
3. Move to another room ( just make sure it goes where it goes!)
How can this save me money?
For one, you know what you need when you need it. If you have an iron and cant find it, well you wasted the $ you spent on the iron. Two, if you really need one now you have to buy a new one.
You may also be able to sell or trade your items. Ebay, Paperback swap, Freecycle, Craigslist are just a few places you can sell, trade or donate you good stuff that you no longer need.
A clean, organized room will also save you time.. and time is money!
Assignment #7
Savings:
Starting with your next paycheck, take a $5, $10 or $20 bill, depending on your budget abilities , and put it into a secret envelope. Each payday do the same. Put the envelope in a safe, but memorable place. This is your emergency cash stash.
Starting with your next paycheck, take a $5, $10 or $20 bill, depending on your budget abilities , and put it into a secret envelope. Each payday do the same. Put the envelope in a safe, but memorable place. This is your emergency cash stash.
January 21, 2011
Assignment #6
Sunday paper coupons.
Right now I buy 3-5 papers. If I need more I can buy from Ebay. Also ask around. You may have friends and neighbors who get the paper and toss the coupons. If you have a choice of papers, look for the ones who have the best coupons. And make sure each paper has them in before you buy it. For those in the Louisville Area, the coupons here are better than the local town papers, ie Glasgow Daily, News Enterprise etc.
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