Budgeting
The Frugal Mom’s Guide to Meal Planning on a Budget
Meal Planning Can Help Save You $1,600 a Year on Your Grocery Budget! Hmmm… donuts, pizza & mojitos OH MY! Isn’t it amazing how one stray sentence can totally take over your mind! Food is tasty, a treat, and can be downright mesmerizing! It can also be one of our biggest budget busters! We want […]
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How to Protect Your Credit Score During COVID-19
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone all around the world. Extended isolation and sudden job losses have everyone thinking about their futures. Lots of people are concerned about losing a reliable income source during this time of crisis. Some have even been forced to shut their businesses. The global pandemic has turned many people’s… Read More
The post How to Protect Your Credit Score During COVID-19 appeared first on Credit.com.
Should I Buy the Moldy House My Mom Lives In To Fix it Up? (Hour 2)
Savings, Retirement, Debt
As heard on this episode:
- Zander Insurance: https://bit.ly/2Xbn7hDÂ
- Churchill Mortgage: https://bit.ly/2JcfkGyÂ
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Tools to get you started:Â
- Debt Calculator:Â https://bit.ly/2QIoSPV
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- Complete Guide to Budgeting:Â https://bit.ly/2QEyonc
Check out more Ramsey Network podcasts:Â https://bit.ly/2JgzaQR
What is a home equity loan and how does it work?
A home equity loan lets you cash-out your equity without replacing your current mortgage. Learn how home equity loans and home equity lines (HELOCs) work.
Personal Finance Policies for Joe (or Don) – The Best Interest
Habits of The 800 Club â The Path to Perfect Credit
What do you know about the 800 Club? Find out exactly what the 800 Club is, the benefits club members get and what you can do to become a member yourself.
Taking the Leap: How to Make a Career Change and Land on Your Feet
Changing careers can be financially risky, but with the right preparation, you can make a smooth transition.
The post Taking the Leap: How to Make a Career Change and Land on Your Feet appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.
6 Reasons Why Your Budget Doesn’t Work (And How To Fix It)
The post 6 Reasons Why Your Budget Doesn’t Work (And How To Fix It) appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.
If you are not using a written budget (paper, spreadsheet or even an app), you are not alone.  According to a 2016 study, only 41% of Americans have a written budget. That means more than 50% of American households are operating without a budget!! Just because you have a budget does not mean you … Read More about 6 Reasons Why Your Budget Doesn’t Work (And How To Fix It)
The post 6 Reasons Why Your Budget Doesn’t Work (And How To Fix It) appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.
7 Money-Saving Tricks at Grocery Stores
Food is essential to our existence. What isn't essential is paying an arm and a leg for our daily bread. Compared to dining out, buying groceries and cooking homemade meals remains a far more affordable way to eat. But grocery shopping can be even more affordable with these tips the next time you find yourself carting down the aisles.
How to Save Money on Groceries
- Don’t Dawdle in the Aisles
- Price Watch
- Consider the Cost of Convenience
- Know Your Terminology
- A Full Mouth Is a Quiet Mouth
- Go for Day-Olds
- Break Free from Brands
- Use a Prepaid Gift Card
Let's explore each tip a little further.
1. Don’t Dawdle in the Aisles
Shop more efficiently at the supermarket by leaving your cart at the end of each aisle. It’s faster because you’ll go directly to what you need and grab it, plus you’ll be less tempted to purchase extras since you won’t be wandering slowly down the aisle with the cart.
2. Price Watch
When you’re at the supermarket, make sure you keep a close watch while your items are being rung up. A recent study found that 10 percent of items are scanned in at the incorrect price.
3. Consider the Cost of Convenience
Remember the cardinal rule when it comes to saving money on food: If it’s “convenient,” it’s probably costly. For example, pickles cut flat for sandwiches, juice in single-serving bottles, pre-shredded cheese, and “baby” carrots. Think carefully about what you’re buying and decide if the convenience is worth the extra cost!
4. Know Your Terminology
When shopping, know your terminology: Only the term “use by” means that you shouldn’t eat the food after the date indicated. “Sell by” dates are only an indication for the store, and foods will usually keep one to two weeks after. “Best before” is only an indication of food quality, not of food safety, so again, your perishables may still be fine to eat.
5. A Full Mouth Is a Quiet Mouth
If you find you’re making a lot of impulse purchases at the store because your kids are begging for snack foods, keep them quiet by buying them a package of animal crackers or a similar snack right when you get to the store. Most stores don’t even mind if your kids eat the crackers before you pay for them.
6. Go for Day-Olds
Supermarkets often discount their day-old or slightly overripe items in the morning. This is a great way of getting deals on fruit, vegetables, bread, and other foods. At first glimpse, this money-saving strategy may not seem appealing to you, but you can use these items in casseroles, desserts, and other dishes where you won’t even notice the difference. With a loaf of day-old bread, for example, you can make french toast, stuffing, croutons, bread pudding, and much more!
7. Break Free from Brands
When you’ve been buying the same brand-name product for as long as you can remember, it’s hard to make the switch to generics. However, you’ll be surprised when you find many generic and store-brand products taste exactly the same (or better!) for less than half the cost. Always buy generic baking ingredients such as flour, oil, and sugar. These generics are indistinguishable from their more-expensive counterparts. Frozen and canned vegetables are also usually exactly the same. As for products such as cereals, cookies, and crackers, basic is better—we’ve had good luck with plain granola, potato chips, and wheat crackers. No matter what the product, it never hurts to try. If you end up having to throw away one can of soup, you’ve wasted a few dollars, but if you like it, you can save a lot over the course of a year.
8. Use a Prepaid Gift Card
Need a little help budgeting your trips to the supermarket? Many chains now offer prepaid gift cards. Buy one for yourself and think of it as a portable checking account: Put money on the card, then “withdraw” from it every time you shop. With a dedicated grocery “account,” you’ll find it’s easier to keep a tighter rein on your spending.
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