Category Archives: Saving Money

Need to Lower Your Grocery Bill? Bring Some Old Fashioned Frugality into Your Kitchen

Posted on by
Reply

Couple shopping in supermarket

Does it feel like your grocery bill keeps growing? Maybe you’re eating healthier or haven’t been as diligent about shopping sales ads and using digital coupons, rewards cards, or rebate apps. Or maybe, too many convenience foods are creeping into your kitchen.

Convenient prepared foods – even their healthy versions – are convenient. It’s nice to have pre-cut, pre-mixed, prepared foods for the times our schedules get a little hectic, but they can quickly become an excuse to get lazy about food preparation — and jack up the grocery bill.

Back in the ‘olden’ days, people didn’t have the option of prepared breads, sauces, dressings, or meals-in-a-box. They used basic staples to make everything they needed. It’s time to bring some old-fashioned frugality back into our kitchens. Here’s how we can do it.

Stop Buying Pre-Cut Veggies!

It’s easy to want to buy baby-cut carrots because, well who wants to peel and cut a bag of whole carrots when you can buy them ready made? Stop to realize the price difference between the two – roughly 50 to 60 cents per pound. Ouch! It only takes about five minutes to peel and chop a bag of carrots. Also keep a lookout for pre-cut vegetables that are on sale. Reduced-price chopped veggies might be past their prime for snacking, but they’re great for throwing in a quick stir fry.

Learn How to Make Things from Scratch

The term “from scratch” is scary to some people because it evokes images of slaving over the stove. In reality, there are dozens of items we use on a regular basis that don’t take much time – or skill – to make from scratch. Not only will this help you stay within your grocery budget, but you’ll enjoy fresher, less preservative-packed foods. Take a look in your fridge and pantry and write down staples you use on a regular basis. Can you learn how to make some of these just from watching a few YouTube videos or looking on Pinterest? Here are some suggestions:

■ Dressings – most contain five or less basic ingredients you probably already have on hand and take only a few minutes to whip up.

■ Sauces – these may require a little more time simmering, but still easy.

■ Hummus and other dips.

■ Oat and almond flour — just blend oats or almonds.

■ Bread – no-knead breads are easy to make even if you’re not into baking.

■ Cereal, granola, protein and energy bars.

Preserve In-Season Bounty

Produce is at its best and cheapest in the summer and fall, but then January rolls around. The word “preserve” elicits visions of canning and pickling, but the modern alternative is simple – prepare and freeze. You might be surprised at some of the things you can freeze. Most vegetables and fruits keep well frozen, and you can also freeze trays of fresh herbs in olive oil, broth, and egg whites or yolks.

Re-grow It

Don’t have time for a garden? No problem. Scallions, celery cores and herbs can all be grown and re-grown right in your windowsill.

Bring Back the Sunday Roast

Save money on meat by buying tougher, cheaper cuts and slow-roasting them in broth, herbs, and spices for a few hours. Plus, if you start the roast early, you won’t have to wait for dinner.

Just because we have so many convenient, prepared foods at our fingertips doesn’t mean we have to use them. Bringing back a few old-fashioned practices into your kitchen will shave your grocery bill and revitalize your enjoyment of fresh, homemade ingredients at the same time.

Happy cooking (and saving)!

Article Source: Jessica Sommerfield for Money Ning, http://moneyning.com/shopping-smart/need-to-lower-your-grocery-bill-bring-some-old-fashioned-frugality-into-your-kitchen/

Simple Steps to Save on Home Heating Costs this Fall

Posted on by
Reply

Family Relaxing Indoors Playing Chess And Reading Book

The air is getting crisper every morning and the leaves are starting to change color and drop. It means that fall is truly here. You probably don’t want to think about what season is coming next, but it’s a good idea to get an early start to slashing the upcoming “w” word’s energy bills. Here are some simple things you can do now that will pay off in the colder days to come.

Clean, Service or Upgrade Your Heating System                                                       

One of the simplest and cheapest things you can do to maximize your furnace’s efficiency is to replace the air filter – now, and then every 30 to 45 days. Make it easy for yourself by setting mobile calendar reminders. If your furnace hasn’t been serviced by a professional in a few years, that’s also a good idea too. Just like other pieces of equipment, heating systems need a ‘tune up’ every now and then. Finally, if you’re due for a new furnace, take advantage of federal tax credits (up to $500) by purchasing one that meets the Department of Energy’s efficiency standards. Upgrade to solar, wind, geothermal or fuel-cell technology, and you’ll be reimbursed 30% of the cost, including installation (you’ll need to fill out Tax Form 5695 when the time comes).

Install a Programmable Thermostat (and Lower It)

It makes sense not to waste heat when you don’t need it. Even the cheapest programmable thermostat can save up to $150 a year, so invest the time and money to install one. Lowering the temperature 10 to 15 degrees during the sets of eight hours you’re at work and sleeping at night could lower your bill as much as 10%. Even lowering it one degree during the day correlates to a 2% decrease in heating costs.

Keep the Heat – Curtains, Leaks and Upgrades

Keeping the curtains on south-facing windows open during the day helps heat your home naturally with sunlight, while closing them at night keeps out chilly air. Besides weather-proofing windows, look for other places your home is leaking energy: worn weather strips, mail slots, around pipes and wire holes, through unfinished spaces, and in the attic – where the majority of heat rises and then escapes. Caulk, weather strip, and insulate everything you can. Replacing old insulation, roofing, windows and doors with more energy-efficient counterparts will ultimately save the most, especially since you can recoup the expense by claiming that energy tax credit (10% of the cost up to $500, or a specific amount from $50 to $300).

Enjoy the Fireplace

Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of a natural fireplace if you have one, not only for the ambiance – but for the energy savings (as long as you remember to close the damper between uses). Lower the thermostat to between 50 and 55 degrees and close surrounding doors to keep the area toasty. The energy savings only work if your fireplace is a traditional log burning one. If you turn on a gas fireplace, you aren’t really saving anything by turning that on instead of the heater since both units typically run on gas.

Increasing your heating efficiency and lowering your energy bill really isn’t that hard, and just think what you could do with that extra wiggle room in your budget: debt repayment, retirement savings, college savings, or just some short-term savings goals (maybe even holiday spending).

Take a few steps while it’s fall, and you’ll be thankful the rest of the winter!

Article Source: Jessica Sommerfield for Money Ning, http://moneyning.com/frugality/simple-fall-steps-to-save-on-home-heating-costs/

5 Ways to Save Money During Fall

Posted on by
Reply

beautiful autumn leaves of maple tree

The fall is a favorite season to many, and it is easy to see why. The weather is nice, the leaves turn beautiful colors, and of course there’s pumpkin spice lattes. Here’s another reason to love fall – it saves you money. Here are five ways to save money this fall – you won’t want to overlook these tips!

1. Indulge in More Inexpensive Meals

When the weather starts to turn breezy, soup and chili are the perfect comfort foods. Take advantage of your slow cooker and these inexpensive meal choices. Another great thing about making soups and chili is that you can freeze them, prep them ahead of time, and even throw in random leftovers you have waiting for you in the fridge. It takes about five minutes to throw everything in the crockpot!

2. Skip Out of Season Produce

Don’t even get tempted by summer produce this season. Not only are berries and melons overpriced in the fall, they are also not as nutritionally dense when they are out of season. Instead, opt for frozen alternatives, or take advantage of apples and squash sales. Basically, produce that rises in price by a great deal during the “off-season” needs to be seriously considered before you buy because in this case, high price doesn’t mean a better product.

3. Goodbye Gym

If you have the option to opt out of your gym membership, then do so. Fall is the perfect time to exercise outside for free. Plus, let’s be honest, most gym memberships get wasted during the holiday season because life gets too busy. Canceling your gym membership for fall can save you over $100. Then, if you want to join up again, you can take advantage of the New Year’s sign up deals every gym offers.

4. Enjoy Better Travel Deals

Now that summer has ended and children are back in school, it is one of the best times to travel. Not only will you find a lot of travel deals, but a lot of popular locations will not be as crowded. Many people take cruises in October. The prices are typically half of what they were during the summer and the weather is a little more manageable in the Caribbean.

5. Give Your Thermostat a Break

Another reason to love fall is that you can go without using your air conditioning or heat. Of course, all areas are different – but generally you can get by at least for awhile. Decorate your home with plush throws and rely on hot drinks, such as herbal tea or homemade apple cider to keep you warm at night.

Article Source: Ashley Eneriz for Money Ning, http://moneyning.com/frugality/5-ways-to-save-money-during-fall/

How to Save Even If You Live Paycheck to Paycheck

Posted on by
Reply

fishing out saving dollars from glass jar isolated on white background

You know you need to save money, but it can be hard if you’re just trying to make ends meet on a small income. After all, you have bills to pay today, so it’s hard to make saving for tomorrow a priority. Even higher-income people can find themselves living paycheck to paycheck without much room in their budget to set aside cash. Despite what you might think, it is possible to save even when you’re strapped for cash. Here’s how to get started.

Figure Out Where Your Money Is Going

You might have more room in your budget to set aside money for savings than you think. But you won’t know until you track your spending for at least one month. Review your bank statement to figure out how much your necessary expenses — rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, transportation and food are costing you. Account for credit cards, student loans and other debt payments. Then, add up how much you’re spending on things you can live without, such as cable TV or Netflix, restaurant meals, magazine subscriptions and nights out. Knowing how much of your paycheck is going toward needs and wants will help you pinpoint how much you can afford to save each month.

Pay Yourself First

You should think of saving as one of your fixed expenses that you pay at the beginning of the month rather than waiting until the end of the month to see how much you have left over to set aside. Pay yourself first, then learn to live on what’s left.

One of the best ways to pay yourself first is to automate contributions to savings so you don’t even have to think about setting the money aside. If you opted out of your workplace retirement account because you didn’t want to sacrifice your paycheck, you should opt back in and have contributions automatically withdrawn from your paycheck moving forward each month.

You also need to be saving for emergencies so you don’t have to rely on credit cards or even retirement savings to cover unexpected costs. To build an emergency fund, use the same approach as with retirement savings by setting up automatic monthly transfers from your checking account to a savings account so the money comes out before you have a chance to spend it. But, don’t get discouraged if you can’t set aside that much now. Even a small monthly contribution can add up over time.

Get Free Money for Your Retirement Account

If you can’t set aside 10% of your pay each month, contribute enough to your workplace retirement plan to get the full matching contribution from your employer — if it offers one, because this is practically free money. 25% of American employees don’t contribute enough to get the full match from their employer, leaving an estimated $1,366 of free money on the table each year, according to research by Financial Engines, an investment advice company.

Keep More of Your Paycheck

A tax refund can be welcome windfall when you’re living paycheck to paycheck. But a refund means you’re letting the IRS hang onto too much of your paycheck throughout the year. You can keep more of your money each month — and use it to boost savings by adjusting your tax withholding. Ask your human resources department at work for a new W-4 to claim more allowances, which will lower the amount of taxes withheld from your paycheck.

If you received an average refund of $2,732, adjusting your withholding could put $227 back into your paycheck each month. If you invested that amount each month at a 7 percent interest rate starting at age 25, you could have nearly $600,000 by age 65.

Reduce Nonessential Expenses

If you discover you’re spending heavily on things you don’t need, those nonessential expenses are the first thing you should cut to make sure your paycheck can cover necessary expenses and savings contributions. If you gave up buying a coffee and bagel twice a week, you could save an estimated $40 per month. If you were to invest that amount each month instead with a 7 percent annual return, you could have $32,402.87 after 25 years.

Raise Your Insurance Deductibles

Another way to find more room in your budget to boost savings is to cut insurance costs. By raising your auto insurance deductible, you can lower your premium by 15 percent to 40 percent, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Raising your homeowner’s insurance deductible from $500 to $1,000 could shave 25 percent off your premium. You also can lower your health insurance premium by opting for a high-deductible plan. With a high-deductible plan, you also get the benefit of being able to set aside money pre-tax through payroll deductions to a health savings account (HSA). Money in an HSA can be used to cover out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Lower Your Bills

In addition to insurance premiums, there likely are other monthly bills you can cut so you’ll have more cash to stash in savings (for example – Netflix, cable, expensive gym membership, etc.). If you aren’t using these services, why are you paying for them? If you don’t want to get rid of a service completely, you may even be able to opt for a lower data plan to cut the cost of wireless service and so on.

Let Technology Help You Save

If you don’t have the discipline to save on your own, there are several apps that can help. For example, the free Digit app takes automation a step further by linking to your checking account and analyzing your income and spending habits to figure out how much you can set aside in savings. It then automatically puts that money into savings for you.

13 Surprising Ways to Eat Healthy and Save Money in the Process

Posted on by
Reply

Woman with a shopping list for groceries at the market

Grocery bills can certainly add up, and it can be hard to prioritize healthy eating when you’re depending on a tight budget. Yet, eating with health in mind can make a huge difference for your mental and physical health, so it’s important to learn these money-saving hacks to make shopping easier and simpler. Eating on a small budget does not necessarily mean that nutrition must fall behind. Here are thirteen ways to save money, while still nourishing your body from the inside and out.

1. Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

“In season and local often means better prices and tastier produce! Plus, you will support small businesses, and the goods are delivered right to your door,” says personal trainer and running coach Susie Lemmer.  CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) support terrific causes and are often loaded with fresh, nutrient-dense and seasonal produce that is easy on the wallet and heavy on the health.

2. Choose Your Market Wisely

Not all markets are equal in prices. “Buy food at lower-priced markets such as Trader Joe’s and Costco,” says certified holistic health coach and personal trainer Jen Bruno with J.B. Fitness and Nutrition.  Plus, don’t be afraid to make a few separate trips. While it might be more time consuming, it can help you save tons of money. For instance, you can buy fruit from one store and meats and seasonings from another.

3. Search for Coupons

You can often find coupons over the web, as well as in grocery stores themselves. Compile coupons in order to save well, suggests Bruno, as those extra dollars here and there can definitely add up. Plus, there are often chances to use coupons for healthy items, such as alternative milks, coconut water, legume chips and whole grains.

4. Make Leftovers … Intentionally

Cooking in bulk can not only save time and meal-prep for the week ahead, but it can also save lots of money through recipe makeovers and bulk purchases in store. “Use a slow cooker and double the recipe for leftovers,” advises Bruno. Slow cookers are great for making larger portions of meals, such as stews, soups and chili. Use throughout the week in different ways for diversity in flavor.

5. Buy in Bulk

Bulk sections at grocery stores, such as Whole Foods Market, offers nuts, dried fruits, legumes and beans, and grains, among other staples, that can save serious cash through avoidance of packaged, processed items. “Buy nuts, beans, and spices from bulk bins to save on costs,” says Bruno. Plus, when in bulk, the foods are often free of any additives and salts, which can be a lot healthier, as well!

6. Stock Up on Items with Late Expiration Dates

“Stock up on cooking oils, nuts, canned beans, and stocks/broths when they’re on sale,” says Bruno, as these pantry staples have a long shelf life and are incredibly versatile and practical for hearty, nutritious meals that work throughout the seasons. While they might take up space in your pantry, the cost will be worth it.

7. Be Cautious with Produce

Not all fruit and vegetables need to be fresh, as many studies show that frozen fruit and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh. If produce is in season, it will often be cheaper and on sale; however, out of season produce is less available and pricier. Plus, it won’t taste as good when not in season! Purchase frozen varieties, as it’ll be easier on a budget and won’t make difference nutritionally.

8. Grow Your Own Garden

Whether you have access to growing a full garden within a wide open space, or have a smaller terrace in a cramped urban apartment, the ability to grow some fresh produce, spices and herbs can help cut down on costs and will increase the nutrition and flavor.

9. Make Your Home a “Restaurant”

“America craves the quality food, typically associated with ‘dining out’ experiences, but without the time and money constraints,” says Mike Starks, CEO of Personal Trainer Food. Set the mood to make eating at home enjoyable, so that you feel less inclined to head out to restaurants during the week. Also, you can look for gourmet meal services that are cost efficient and provide restaurant-quality foods.

10. Add Flavor without Expensive Ingredients

“Add a little extra flavor to your veggies that will excite your taste buds with herbs, oils and spices,” says Starks. This will help you make meals different and exciting due to various flavors and textures, without needing to add expensive oils, additives and sauces that can cost a lot at a grocery store. Different flavors and herbs can transform leftovers, as well, making the meals taste delicious and new.

11. Find Recipes with Similar Ingredients

“Look for recipes that have the same ingredients to avoid being wasteful,” says Starks. If most recipes incorporate the same items, shopping in bulk is easier, and if you run out of a certain ingredient, such as a spice, sauce or protein, you can find a quick and efficient substitute that will match the flavor profile well and not require any additional spending.

12. Plan Meals Ahead

“You can save money by avoiding eating out at restaurants and/or the occasional grab-n-go snacks that tend to add up by the end of the week, and having healthy food prepared will keep you on track to achieve your goals without breaking the bank,” says Kevin Curry, a Reebok Expert and founder of FitMenCook.  By figuring out which meals you will eat during the week, you can save money on additional items that are unnecessary purchases.

13. Learn to Buy in Moderation

Sticking with portion sizes and eating expensive items in moderation is a great way to maintain a budget and save. “Practice moderation and only buy what you’re actually going to eat. It’s easy to get distracted by all the fresh, vibrant produce in the grocery store and you begin to buy more than what you need because you ‘hope’ to eat the food,” says Curry.

No matter your exact budget, it’s best to be mindful of your spending and look for deals at the grocery store whenever possible. Buying in bulk, planning meals and ingredients ahead of time, and scouting out the best options at local stores can save money over time and simplify the grocery store process so that you can feel less stressed about the money and healthier with your meal choices.

Article Source: Isadora Baum for Bustle.com, http://www.bustle.com/articles/168016-13-surprising-ways-to-eat-healthy-save-money-in-the-process

 

Smart Shopping Tricks to Make Your Budget Last All Month

Posted on by
Reply

shopping cart postitWe can all use ways to stretch our paycheck each month, but it’s not always easy to know which expenses to focus on minimizing first. The fact is, some costs are easier to trim down than others. The strategies below will help you always score the lowest price, making it easier for your budget to go farther.

Always look for the deal.

Local drugstores often feature special deals on everything from personal care to grocery items. While the selection is generally smaller than at the grocery store, drugstores can offer even better discounts. Looking for these deals, and applying them to your purchase can generate big savings.

Register for rewards programs.

Many stores feature rewards programs, including drugstores. Walgreens has Balance Rewards, CVS has ExtraCare, and RiteAid has Wellness+. If you register for these programs you’ll likely receive frequent emails, but there will be gems among them, and you might even save 20% off an order. A smartphone app like Key Ring makes it easy to track account numbers for multiple programs.

Use manufacturers’ coupons.

In addition to browsing through Sunday circulars, you can rely on websites like coupons.com to search and print coupons at no cost to you. Since most manufacturers’ coupons usually have an expiration date that is at least one month into the future, hold onto the coupons until you find a great deal.

Look out for store coupon books.

Many stores offer coupon books, usually at the front of the store near the pile of circulars. They often contain many high value store coupons that can be combined with sales and manufacturers’ coupons for additional savings.

Shop online.

When it comes to essential drugstore items, you can often find the lowest prices online, especially when coupons are applied. Some coupons offer deeper discounts to online shoppers, and you can find everything from vitamins, cleaning supplies, personal care items and pain relievers for reduced prices.

Use blogs.

Many blogs and websites collect coupons and deals for readers, which makes your job even easier. Sites like Retailmenot.com research and sort deals for you, and you can often match the deals with sales in circulars.

Don’t pay full price.

Most retailers make it easy to find deals online. In fact, you should never pay full price for your purchases, at least before checking for discount codes. Signing up for store email lists will also help make sure you don’t miss out on discounts.

Get an Amazon Prime membership.

It might sound counterintuitive, but purchasing an Amazon Prime membership can actually end up saving you money. That’s because it comes with two-day shipping on most orders, movie and TV streaming, and one free book rental per month. You can try out a 30-day free trial membership to see if it would end up saving you money.

Write a review.

Some companies are willing to pay customers, in the form of discounts, for leaving reviews on their products listed online. HonestFew and SnagShout are a couple companies that make this process easy. Once you receive items at a low price (or sometimes even free), then you simply log in to leave your review, whether it’s good or bad.

Buy a reusable water bottle.

Going through a handful of water bottles a day is expensive, unnecessary, and bad for the environment. Instead, pick up a reusable water bottle for yourself. You can even get one that comes with a built-in carbon filter to remove tap water impurities. Your body, and the Earth, will thank you.

Use apps.

Many stores have made it even easier to save these days by introducing their own apps. These apps offer special discounts to shoppers that cannot be found anywhere else, and saving is as easy as opening the app and seeing what deals are available. You can even do this while standing in the checkout line. Other apps, like Shopkick, work at many stores. You can earn points by checking in at stores and making purchases, and then using those points to earn gift cards.

Plan ahead.

Planning out meals in advance is one way to keep grocery store costs down because you can minimize waste or unnecessary purchases. You not only cut out impulse purchases at the grocery store but also eliminate the need to order delivery on those nights you realize you don’t have anything to make. Pinterest can also help with new recipe inspiration if you’re feeling stuck.

Article Source: Lisa Koivu for http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2015/10/20/smart-shopping-tricks-to-make-your-budget-last-all-month