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Get A Work Out on A Budget
About six years ago when my husband lost his job, we sat down and looked through our bills to figure out what we could eliminate to save money. Top of our list was the membership to the local health club. We used it on a daily basis, but knew we could easily live without it. Yes, it took some getting used to, but here are some ideas I came up with. There’s Always An Alternative One of the main things I missed was using the club’s indoor track during the winter. Every lunch hour I’d head to the club with my Walkman and listen to music while I walked one…
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Food Resolutions for the Budget Savvy
Food resolutions don’t always have to be about dieting. Finding ways to trim your grocery bill in 2009 is definitely something to think about this week. Here are some things I’ve already been doing for the last six months or so. Buy Less Brand Name Foods My groceries now consist of at least 50% of supermarket brands and I’d say I save between 25 cents to a $1 per item. It doesn’t seem like a lot but I’ve been buying supermarket brand name cereals, canned vegetables, peanut butter, milk and eggs, and these small amounts add up when I reach the checkout. And with the money I save, I’m able…
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How to Stay Strong in a Weak Economy
One of the first things most of us cancel during tough times is a health club membership. If you’re one of those people but still want to keep in shape, you have lots of alternatives. A couple of years ago, I interviewed NY-based Austrian fitness expert Stefan Aschan for an article I was working on and he’s been a great source of fitness and nutrition tips ever since. I asked him to share some of his tips for working out when money’s tight. And later this week I’ll be posting another article on inexpensive ways to keep in shape. Do check with your doctor before you try any new exercise…
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Ring in the New Year Right…and on a Budget
This Budget Smart Girl is taking this week off but Penny Warner with Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kits (www.balloontime.com) sent me this great article about throwing a New Year’s Eve party and I thought I’d share it with you. If you’ve spent all your money on holiday shopping and food, try some of these ideas instead of hitting the town. And you’ll also find some drink recipes courtesy of Reed’s Original Ginger Brew (www.reedsgingerbrew.com). Theme Consider choosing a theme for your New Year’s Eve party, such as a Black and White Ball, a Pajama Sleepover, a Costume Party or an all-night Movie Marathon. Or, make it a Nostalgia Night and…
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Ideal Foods for the Budget Savvy Cook
Just the other day I was talking to a friend and we got onto the topic of the ever increasing price of food and it got me thinking. Are there still bargains to be had at the supermarket? There are and here are my top picks- Frozen and Canned Vegetables The other week I bought a couple of bunches of spinach for a recipe I was making. Fresh spinach was on special, but after I’d spent 15 minutes trying to wash all the dirt and sand from the leaves, and after it cooked down to practically nothing, I vowed never to buy fresh spinach again. Frozen spinach is probably one…
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The Budget Smart Girl’s Five Things To Do List
The holidays aren’t all about spending money; they can be about saving it too. Here are my top five things that every Budget Smart Girl should be doing right now- Stocking Up Hopefully, your budget isn’t stretched to the max because the last two weeks of the year are perfect for stocking up. Check your local supermarket and you’ll find things like flour, canned veggies, spices and chocolate are all heavily discounted. And the good news is all many of these items have a long shelf life, so now’s the time to grab the bargains. Thinking Ahead Okay, you’ve just got over one celebration and you don’t want to start…
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A Budget Smart Cook Always Loves the Holidays
Most of us spend more money during the holidays, but that doesn’t mean we have to break the bank. By following a few simple rules you can have enough money over to start the New Year in the black. Oh, and did I happen to mention this is a great time to stock up and save even more? Keep it Simple When you’re throwing a holiday party or even the Christmas dinner, stay within your comfort zone. You’re less likely to have a cooking disaster and be forced to toss food if you stick with your favorite stand bys. Look to Leftovers When I’m planning a special meal or party,…
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Last Minute Gifts
Just one week left until the big day. And if it’s not just time you’re running out of but money too, I’ve put together a list of last minute gifts under $30. Send a Greeting If you’ve really run out of time and cash…and not to mention forgot to mail those holiday cards, you might want to check out www.Animoto.com. Here you can create your own holiday video to send anywhere for just $3. Fommy I don’t own an iPod or a Blackberry, but if you know someone who does, check out www.fommy.com for covers for just about any gadget and starting at $8.95. Comfort and Joy If I’m in…
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Homemade Food Gifts
When you need some help stretching your gift giving budget, homemade food gifts can come to the rescue. A few years ago I decided to make four different loaves of sweet bread and use them as gifts for people like the postman, garbage pick-up guys, and a few of the neighbors. I purchased holiday themed plates from the dollar store. I placed two slices of each type of bread on the plates and wrapped everything in the colored cling wrap you can buy during the holidays. A few days after I handed them out, I went to the mailbox and saw an envelope sitting in there. I didn’t recognize the…
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The Blog-The Lost Art of Breadmaking
There’s one way to save money and that’s to make things from scratch. Cakes, pies, and yes, bread. One of my favorite splurges at the supermarket used to be their bread topped with cheese and sundried tomatoes, but since they raised the price by almost $2, I got to thinking I could make the same thing for half the price. I decided to pull out my bread machine and try my hand at making homemade bread. I’ve liked the results and just as I expected, making your own gourmet bread can shave some money off your budget. Friday was a busy day for me because my romance novel is released…