Budgeting, But How?
Budgeting was on my mind. Husband and I just spent some time seeking to pare down several of our budget categories due to an unforeseen change in circumstances. An accumulation of funds carefully saved in a few areas was an asset and helped in the making of decisions.
Our budget is of the monthly kind. So much is put aside for food, clothing, car, etc. each month and we work diligently to stay within those boundaries. Normally, this has worked well and given us a plan that needs little tweaking. Usually, we meet once each year to review our projected costs and make any changes needed at that time.
Recently, though, I have been contemplating the budget style recommended by some others well versed in making ends meet. Suggestions to set a new budget every week or when a paycheck arrives provides more flexibility for finding extra cash or trying to meet financial goals. Somehow this has always seemed to require more time and effort and I am not sure how all the budget areas would fare at the end of the year.
However, a major car repair, a broken lawnmower and a non-working dryer, have caused me to reconsider my budgeting strategy. Grateful to have had some extra in the car repair budget our needs for this area were met. But as this was one of the funds we had pared down just recently that empty spot on the page has me wondering if we can get our funds replaced before the next break down. The lawnmower has been limping along all summer but now is in total rebellion and of course that is the other fund that received a major slash! The hot Texas sun makes the dryer the least of my concerns and actually the electric bill has improved nicely.
It has been tempting to think of repurposing some budget categories based on the needs of this moment, but I can’t help wondering how this all works out in the end. Ultimately, it would seem to me reworking my expenses will only deceive me for the present and create an endless cycle of living by the “tyranny of the moment.”
What do you think? Which budget works best for you?
Giveaway: The Tightwad Gazette
Here's your chance to win the bible of frugalites everywhere! Just leave your best, most creative money-saving tip in the comments to enter.
I believe you should never buy new when you can find it used, so I'll choose a random winner to receive a very gently used copy of The Tightwad Gazette.
There are 4 ways to enter. Please leave a separate comment here for each entry.
- Share your best, most creative money-saving tip here in the comments for your first entry.
- Tell your friends about this giveaway on Facebook.
- Tell your friends about this giveaway on Twitter.
- Post about this giveaway on your blog.
Just to get you started, here's a tip of my own:
Use an electric roaster to cook outside during the summer. You'll save money by not heating a full size oven, save on a/c by not heating up your house, and your baked goods will be extra moist and delicious! Works great for breads, casseroles, cakes, and anything that doesn't need to be crispy.
Weekend links
New on the Frugal Blogroll
- Brad's Deals - specializing in online coupon codes
- I don't care too much for Money - My website is about a me, a 20 something girl returning to school and saving, not spending.
Good reads around the web
- How to Negotiate Like a Pro - Negotiating skills are good for more than just talking to a car dealer. Ask any 5yo.
- Money and Finance Apps for Your iPhone - More than just managing your money, some of these apps will help you to shop better. Check out SnapTell , JotNot Scanner Pro, Barcode Scanner and Shop Savvy.
- Frugality and Organization - Very often it takes space to save money. Here's why we need to declutter.
- “Generics Make Me Feel Bad About Myself” - I can't say I suffer from this particular problem much, but it's good to be aware of marketing ploys and their effect on our habits and perceptions.
- Make Your House Save Money While You’re on Vacation - When we left for 5 days last month, I remembered to flip the breaker on the water heater. Here's what else you can do to save while you're gone.
- 7 Ways to Avoid Paying Full Price - Good ideas, every one of them. I would add, "Don't buy at all. Ask around and see if you can borrow instead."
- 3 Proven Ways to Save Real Money at Garage Sales - We all probably use these 3 suggestions occasionally, but it's smart to have them in mind and use them more, more, more!
- Buying Restaurant-Quality Cookware - Now I have a good reason to visit those restaurant supply stores I keep hearing about!
- 5 cheap tips to keep mosquitoes away - Slathering yourself with poisons and chemicals of dubious safety is not on the list. We've been using dabs of eucalyptus oil, but there are other suggestions here.
Those are my picks. What are you reading this week?
Repurposing Furniture
My daughter has a gorgeous antique dresser with a marble top, but the drawers are completely dysfunctional. They stick, they go all wonky, they just are a pain. Her husband is handy, and he has tried to fix them, but they just won't be fixed.
I was thinking she could take the drawers out altogether, and either look for baskets the right size for the drawer space (like this), or find cardboard boxes the right size, and spray paint them- something like this idea, which was used for a bookcase, or this, only with wicker or linen baskets instead of plastic.
She can then take the drawers and put castors on them, and use them for under the bed storage- of extra bedding, baby clothes, seasonal clothes, or, one day soon, a toy box- sort of like this, only with the castors so it's easier to pull the drawers out and put them away.
What are some ways you have repurposed furniture?
Be A Frugal World Changer
Pausing in my ironing, I smile and listen a bit more carefully. A man’s voice on the radio is clear and vibrant. Sharing how his perspective has changed and choices are now being made to live purposefully and with financial wisdom, this caller is grateful for his new freedom.
Continuing to share about the impact living within his means has had on his marriage, how he raises his children and even his opinion on government spending, I feel encouraged. Certainly the cost of his choices have not been easy ones. His family, however, have benefited from their lifestyle changes. This man and his wife have grown closer as they have learned to work together to meet goals and bask in the knowledge that they can live wisely. Their children now live in a more harmonious home and have a much stronger sense of security.
Thinking how this scenario is being played out in home after home, I am in awe at the impact this has on my world. Purposeful living and families that can work together are a blessing to any nation. Marriages made stronger with financial pressure lessened and reasons to work together give hope to others seeking to find the same relief.
There are many reasons to live the frugal life. Some of us do so by choice and some by necessity. All of us, however, give pause to the theology of materialism where living to meet your wants takes priority over finding contentment in what you have. Choosing to stay within a budget or saving up to make a purchase builds character in any who try it. Learning to say “no” to ourselves can be a good thing to do from time to time.
As one who has encouraged multigenerational frugality, I am thrilled when my children make frugal choices. I know they are better prepared to face life’s many twists and turns and that they have the character to say “no” when they need to.
Little things can become big things. Over time those few dollars saved pay a bill, help one get out of debt or even buy a dream! Look around and see that along with the strained economy are people learning to live within their means. I am rejoicing with them and watching them change the world.
How have you helped change the world by living frugally?
Poll: why are you frugal?
Do you ever wonder how many other people think the way you do? Let's take a little peek into each other's brains, shall we?
Loading ...Did you find an answer that fit your situation? What reasons have you heard others give? What other answers do you think should be on the poll?
Save on auto parts
When I make purchases online, I nearly always do a quick search for a coupon. There are many sites that list coupons, but CouponChief is one of the most popular. I've heard of it before but just rediscovered it last week.
For some reason I thought Couponchief was primarily for printing out coupons to use in a grocery store or pharmacy, but I was really excited to discover that they have Autozone coupons and Advance Auto Parts coupons. We're big DIY's when it comes to car repairs, and we have spent a lot of money at both stores recently. Now I know how to spend less when those needs arise!
I know many people disagree, but I don't find it worth my time to clip coupons for 25 cents off a product that I wasn't going to buy anyway. However, I think we can all agree that saving $20 when we're forced to spend $100 is well worth the time and effort.
Tip: if you're a big discount finder, you can use CouponChief to earn some money, too. Check out their Pays-2-Share program, which gives you a 2% commission on sales generated through any coupon you share on the site.
disclosure: I received compensation for this post, and was glad to do it because it's saving me far more in auto parts than what I received from CouponChief. :)
Weekend links
New on the Frugal Blogroll:
- The Coupon Don - My site is about saving money, grocery deals, frugal recipes and more. I like to do reviews as well and will be starting a new charity feature each week!
- The Coupon Challenge - Dedicated to providing you with coupons, freebies, store matchups, deal scenarios, recipes, giveaways, free/cheap events and much more!
- Arizona Thrifty Mom - I love to help consumers, save money! I scour the ads and the web to find the best deals for my readers. I specialize in grocery deals for Arizona and deals at Walgreens and CVS!
- A Frugal Military Family - A trustworthy resource for military members, reservists, veterans, retirees and their families to find information on organizations, events, benefits, deals, discounts and "freebies" available to them as well as advice about military life from our all-volunteer, military affiliated staff!
- Cash Flow Sherpas - Cash Flow Sherpas is a personal finance blog about budget living, frugal spending, and tips for stretching your dollar.
- The Cheap and Choosy - From cloth diapering to cooking from scratch and so much more, The Cheap and Choosy is a place where I record what I learn in my endeavors to live simply, frugally, and naturally.
More links:
- The Ethics of Free: Is it Wrong to Get Free Stuff? - I ask myself this question often. For example, is it wrong to use a free trial for a product you have absolutely no intention of buying?
- A DIY alternative to wood floors - would you believe brown kraft paper? Cheap, easy and beautiful. Who wants to try it first?
- Want to Keep Your Disposable Razor Blades Sharp? Use Your Arm - We're addicted to good razors, so we really need to find a way to make them last longer. I hope this works!
- 10 Things You Should Never Buy - I agree with the list. That's not to say I never buy anything on the list, but when I do I realize it's not necessary and somewhat of a waste.
- 5 Unexpected Benefits to Forgoing the Air Conditioner - I am totally on board with this. We've skipped the a/c for the last 2 years for all of these reasons, and the longer we go the less I want a/c. Did I mention we live in South Texas?
- A Frugal Fact: The 6 Most Valuable Grocery Store Products Known to Man - I love this list. Now if only I could remember all these uses for common household products!
- Freezer and Fridge Hacks: Seven Ways to Maximize the Value of Your Refrigerator and Freezer - I'm moving my fridge 1" out from the wall today. It needs all the help it can get.
- If You Don’t Ask, The Answer is Always No - My husband has a similar saying: It never hurts to ask. I can't tell you how often I've reminded myself of this, and how often the answer is yes. Just ask.
A Better Alternative
Opening up the email which had come through from a friend, I smiled. There was the ideal alternative (in my opinion) to typical gift registries. I couldn’t help but remember the bit of controversy stirred up by my musings, previously. Here, this new bride-to-be had come up with what I would think the perfect frugal “registry.”
Listed on the email, sent through her friend and from the soon-to-be-bride, were items needed to begin homemaking. Using some brand names and offering other items in a generic fashion (such as stainless steel cookie sheets), this bride was letting friends and family know her needs and tastes, yet still providing opportunity for those needing to shop frugally to find these items at the best price.
Some additional ideas I thought of are the bride-to-be’s friend could offer the service of oversight of the list as her gift to the bride. Those so desiring to participate could purchase their gift and then email the information to the friend so the items could be removed from the list. The friend would then monitor the list and send out periodic updates.
Certainly, I understand this could be a bit cumbersome if the wedding or shower was large. And I know at times duplicated purchases could be made before one would notify the caretaker of the list. However, typical gift registries are not always updated properly and duplications occur. Some even suggest using the typical gift registry in this fashion and purchasing the desired gifts at another more reasonable store, but then the purpose of the registry can defeated as items purchased appear to be still available.
Perhaps, living in a glorious season of wedding bells, with three shower gifts and three wedding gifts to buy in a six week period, I have taken to this idea with more gusto than some, but I think there must be other shoppers out there with a busy wedding season who would find helpful this frugal alternative to gift registries.
What do you think?
Plugging the leaks in the budget
Our income has decreased, so I've been busy trimming a few corners from our monthly expenses. The changes below are not painful cuts, but small leaks that didn't seem to warrant attention until the change in income motivated me. Once I started, I was surprised at how the savings added up.
- $10 - Reduced the texting package on hubby's cell phone. After a brief period of heavy texting, his usage has decreased enough to make the bigger package unnecessary.
- $5 - Dropped the texting entirely from my own phone. I very rarely send or receive text messages, so it makes sense for me to pay $.25 on those rare occasions.
- $10 - Reduced our cell phone minutes to a smaller package. After carefully examining our monthly usage, we think we can easily stay within the guidelines of the smaller package. We will keep an eye on this and upgrade again if it becomes necessary.
- $3 - Cancelled an unused monthly service on our bank account.
- $9 - Cancelled our Netflix account when we send back the current title. We have fallen out of the habit of using Netflix, and kept the last title for over a month.
- $2 - Downgraded our webhost package. There is no need for us to pay for the level we have now.
- $10 - Discontinued a separate webhost package. We initially planned to move all our sites over to this host but didn't, so why keep the account open?
- $2 - Cut our Covenant Eyes from 2 accounts to one, since we all use the same account at home.
- $6 - Switched to a less expensive internet provider.
That's a savings of $57/month or nearly $700/year without changing our lifestyle a bit! What leaks can you find and plug in your budget?
Flexibility
One of the frugal tips that I see often, but don't hold to much myself is the second half of this two part advice:
Always make a list to go shopping, and stick to your list.
A shopping list is good. Rigidly sticking to that list is a hobgoblin of improvidence.
It all depends, you see. Are you deterring from your list because of impulse spending, a desire for instant gratification, or succumbing to sales tactics?
Or are you deterring from the list because you found something better?
Case in point: yesterday I went through my sales papers and made a list of the best buys on groceries. Then I made my menu and shopping list accordingly.
I found the following meats were the best buys:
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1.99 #
Boneless Chuck Roast, 2.39#
Pork burgers 1.99 pound
But when I got to my first grocery store, I found ground pork marked down to .99 a pound and ground beef at 1.49 a pound. I scratched the other three things off my list and revised my menu on the spot.
I also found 5 ounce cans of tun for .50 a can. Tuna in my area has been .59 a can- .55 has been the best I could do on sale. So I bought ten cans of tuna at .50 a can (and later wished I'd gotten more).
I found more peppers on my pepper plants that needed to be used quickly, and green beans were marked down, so I'll make a primary pasta salad instead of the basil pesto pasta salad I had planned.
Instead of a planned stew, we'll have tuna casserole. Instead of roasted vegetables with pork burgers we'll have meatballs.
What this requires is enough experience cooking with a wide variety of foods that I can change gears at the last minute, and a willingness to see the shopping list as a guideline rather than firm and hard plan which I am locked into and cannot deviate from.
My rule?
Always make a list before you go shopping, but be flexible enough to make substitutions and additions when you find good deals- and you should be looking for good deals.
Terrier Moments
A sense of discouragement began to surface as I left the store. Convenience due to a busy schedule seemed to be winning over frugality this day. Walking to my car, I began to chide myself that as a writer for a frugal blog, life was not feeling frugal. An avid thrift shopper, I knew the items just purchased new, could have been found for less cost and more quality had I made time to check out my favorite thrift shop.
Reminding myself that the frugal life is more than pennies saved, I quickly adjusted my attitude. Driving home, I remembered that some seasons of life leave little time for as careful shopping as would be desired. Grateful for some extra money in the clothes budget, I resigned myself to these circumstances.
Arriving home and being greeted at my door by a happy, black and white terrier, my now cheerful attitude became unsettled. In my haste to get out of the house and on to errands, I realized I had not locked up our dog. Although a great family pet with a tail that never stops wagging, Dog is not a “ dog of honor.” Known to jump on furniture when no one is home, he is kept safe and secure in a room when we leave.
Remembering that lately Dog has been having “terrier moments,” as Husband refers to them, and has been convinced something is under our house (we are on a pier and beam foundation), I walked with fear and trepidation into the front room and to the area Dog finds so troubling. There the worst of my fears were confirmed. Dog, in his fervor to get to what he thought was under our house, had shredded my carpet!
Husband took my frantic call well. It could have happened to anyone he assured me, and the carpet, although not on our present agenda, surely could use replacement. Finding some measure of comfort in his words, I cleaned up carpet pieces as exhausted Dog napped. Struggling with my “need“ to replace carpeting, my earlier miniscule budget concerns seemed like such a trifle.
A good night’s sleep and a new day gave perspective. Carpet went on the back burner as the busy schedule continued. Momentary panic thoughts of how to replace my shredded carpeting were stilled. Frugal thinking found a solution. A strategically placed new area rug, and a change of chair placement, added a bit more “character“ to the room. Budget wisdom surfaced and carpet replacement will have to wait for another season of life.
Oh, the ever changing emotions of this frugal woman! So often God reminds me that “feelings” are not fact, and that this frugal life has many a twist and turn.
How about you? Have you had any recent “terrier moments?”
Swagbucks Swag code for August
I love Swagbucks! It paid for our kids' Christmas gifts last year, and if you know much about me that's a lotta kids to buy for!
So I'm excited to announce that Swagbucks is ending the summer with lots of fun promotions!
- First, you'll have the chance to win five different limited edition back-to-school themed Swag Bucks - if you snag them all, you'll earn a 50 Swag Buck bonus!
- Take advantage of sales in the Swag Store on all School Supplies and other fun items.
- Make sure you follow Swag Bucks on Twitter and Like them on Facebook for more rewarding opportunities.
- Finally, they're having another Swag Code Extravaganza on Thursday, where you'll get at least 5 codes for extra bucks.
New to Swagbucks? Head over now and enter the code BackToSchool for 40 bonus bucks during registration!
Weekend roundup
New blogs on the Frugal Blogroll:
- Financial Planning Tips - My site is all about personal financial planning and money management for the average Joe or Jane. Sensible advice for sensible people!
- True Southern Elegance - My blog is a hodge-podge of food (cooking and dining out), entertaining, interior design and travel. A few of my penny pinching entries are: The BEST find at Goodwill, What a Great Week for Thrifting, and White Dishes.
And more good stuff from around the web:
- The Simple Dollar shares Eighteen “Best Money Tips” from the Facebook Fans (and My Comments) - my favorite: I shop with forethought and afterthought. Many, many times I pick up an item only to return it to the self .”Do I need it, do I already have one, can I do without, why do I need it, would something I have work just as well in its place. Doing this has saved us alot of money.
- The Rewards of Frugality and Thrift (or, Why We Scrimp and Save) - Frugality isn't about being cheap. It's about spending purposefully and being aware of our priorities.
- Energy Savings with a Solar Blanket, Hair Clips, and Curtain Rods - If we hadn't installed a sun shade over our deck this summer, I would definitely be trying this. Wish I had thought of it last year!
- 21 Things You Should Never Buy New and 20 Things You Should Never Buy Used - I can never resist lists like these. Good points here but my own list would certainly look different and I'll bet yours would too. ht to pt money
- How to Simplify When You Love Your Stuff - The quote at the top of the article says it all.
- Cheap Wedding Ideas on a Small Wedding - With 4 teenaged daughters (and 6 younger children, 4 of them girls), we'll need to start thinking in these terms very soon.
- Live Within My Means? How? - Too many of us have a hard time with this concept: "It’s a tough pill to swallow, but the guy making $40,000 a year can’t drive the same car that the dude making $100,000 a year does. Once you accept this reality internally, you can become realistic with your spending."
- How to Microwave Gourmet Popcorn in a Brown Paper Bag - I'm doing a face-palm now, and you will too. Why didn't I figure this out on my own?!
- Save on Your New Car: Send Mom, Not Dad to the Dealer - Needless to say, this could easily apply to a used car purchase as well. I had to chuckle at how many points I tend to agree with, but it's no coincidence that it was written by 2 women.
- 7 Reasonable Alternatives to Buying - There's nothing surprising here, except how often I forget to consider the options before I shell out the bucks. It's a good reminder.
- Preparing for a Heat Wave - I had to smirk a little at the idea that losing your central air is an emergency - we've spent the last 2 summers in south Texas with no a/c at all. But it's good to have a plan for when things go wrong, and that doesn't just mean the life-threatening situations.
- Bound to Buy: The 10 Types of Consumers Who Inevitably Overspend - Don't be one. If you are, at least be aware of your weaknesses.
A Few ‘What’s In My Hand’ Hacks
We had all the fixings for sandwiches, but no mayonnaise, and no time to make it from scratch. What we did have is a variety of flavored salad dressings in the fridge, Green Goddess, Ranch, Italian, and others (a friend comes to eat once a week, bringing a salad and she sometimes leaves a bottle of dressing behind). We used that instead of Mayo, and it's so tasty, I think I prefer Green Goddess dressing on my sandwiches now.
I needed some extra bookshelving and created built in book-cases in a closet under the stairs using leftover cork flooring for the shelves and some screws- all of which I had on hand.
I needed a new apron, once upon a time, and I like a full size one. I had an old, very worn jumper (an American jumper, not the British jumper- an American jumper is usually denim, it's a dress that goes on by slipping it over your head, you wear a shirt under it, and it was once the official home-schooling mom uniform). It was faded, very soft, and so old and worn that I only used it anymore for picking wild blackberries. I made an apron by cutting up the side seams and attaching a sash to tie it on. I slip it over my head, tie the sash, and am protected from spills and splashes (I am a very messy cook) on all sides.=)
This is not exactly an ordinary hack, but something to consider for those of you with a family member with Dementia, as my father does. He's far gone enough that he doesn't always know for sure who I am (he knows I am his daughter, he just doesn't remember my name), but he does like to look at old family photographs, and he does get his feelings hurt if he doesn't get a present. He's been writing on the front of my mom's photographs, so we were thinking a nice Christmas gift for him will a photo album with copies of photographs that are his, so he can write on them as much as he likes.
Bedspreads for picnic tableclothes, sheets for tablecloths, mismatched socks over the hand for quick dust rags (nice for small children who want to 'help,' baby food of avocado or a bit of diced apple briefly microwaved, and using a pencil to hold my hair in place in a loose bun (wrap hair in a bun, jab a pencil or paintbrush through the bun and it will stay in place)- those are some of my frugal hacks.
What have been some of yours this last month?
