How to Begin Saving

Hi there, saving money is never easy and especially if you are new at it, I have tips and strategies for getting started and sticking with the savings plan. I only recently began saving in 2009. I started out with 5 dollars a week which was equal to 25.00 a month. I did this for 4 months and decided that it was not hard to save 5.00 a week, so I went up to 10.00 a week. I also did this for 6 months, so then I decided that I wanted to save 100.00 a month… So, what I did was take 5% of my income and on my payday I would calculate 5% and put it in my savings account. I have done this type of savings for basically a year now. Also, anytime I cash in cans and bottles or I get a check for my birthday or for Christmas….. I take that amount no matter how small it is and put it in my savings account. My new goal for my first Paycheck in January is now 10%. I believe that if you start small, and then work your way up it is far less painful. I also can tell you having that money in my savings account has saved me from having to put car repairs on my credit cards, at least the entire amount anyway ;-)
Think of this method of saving like the old drip coffee pots.  A drip here and a drip there, and pretty soon, you have a full pot.


Happy Savings and a very Happy New Year to all of you.....  Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

After Christmas Sales

I know that it is a little early to be talking about the after Christmas sales, but I am completely finished with my Christmas and I am so grateful.  I get to kick back now on my days off and make home made Amaretto for my friends and family for a little something extra. 
This year I am looking forward to the after Christmas sales, I have actually put money aside.  I am going to get my wrapping paper, bows, tree ornaments, and Christmas decor' for somewhere between 50% to 90% off.  These are the standard savings.  You can also cash in on savings on household items, clothing, food items and candy.  Seriously everything will be on sale.  So...anything you did not get for Christmas but really wanted......  This would be the time to get it. 

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Saving The Dollar Bills

I talked to my sister on the phone yesterday, and I was telling her what my plan of action is to save for a cruise to Bermuda next year. I have been saving all of my one dollar bills. I have been doing this since October 1st. I found an old make-up case. The kind you get for free (well probably not free) at the clinique make-up counter, when they have their purchase specials. Anyway it is a green mid size zip up bag, that currently has 26 one dollar bills in it. My hope is that this is an easy way to save up some cash. I don't ever spend my change, so we will see how much I can accumilate.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Packing My Lunch

I just love packing my lunch, and saving. Today I am taking a cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with tomato slices on the side (to avoid the sog factor), A stuffed tomato with tuna and dillweed on top. I seem to have an abundance of tomatos from the garden and am always looking for creative ways to eat them. I also brought a yogurt and 2 little blueberry bars. It seems to me, that not only is it cheaper but it is also healthier to pack your lunch. My plan is at months end....any cash I have left in my purse, will go into my savings account.

Have a Fabuous & Frugal Day!!!!

Books

Yes... I did it again. I managed to score 9 more books, all recently published (within the last 2 years) some even made book club status, and Oprah's reading list...ALL FOR FREE!!! I am super excited about this because Fall is upon us, and I hate Winter. Usually in the Winter I just work and read by my fire. I am such a fair weather Johnson, and Winters on the High Desert can be brutal (snow and ice) the only time I leave my house is to go to work. I am thankful I do not spend my Winters in Minnesota.......... Some day when I am old and arthritic, I will head South during Winter.
Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

I No Longer Carry My Credit Cards In My Purse

I feel as though I have a made a positive step....It may be a baby step but trust me baby, it is a positive step. Over the weekend my zipper broke on my purse (which I will be doing some research on because it is a Coach) and I have cleaned out everything that I was carrying in that doctors bag, and when I switched to the new/old purse, I did not include my credit cards. I figure that I no longer want to add debt to the cards that I am trying to reduce and/or get paid off. I know this will be weird to get used to, but I figure with a little planning and determination, after a month or so I will not miss them. It is a goal of mine to have my two smaller limit credit cards paid off by the end of the year. Send me any tips or ideas that you use for not adding debt back onto your credit cards. Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Change

I added one more sandwich bag of change to my secret drawer today. There are now 6 bags of coins and the drawer is getting heavy. I am trying to figure out if I should stash them somewhere else or actually take them to the bank?? In some ways I would like to just keep stock piling my coins and maybe someday take a fabulous vacation. I think I will sleep on it, and in the meantime keep saving my change. Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!!

Why I Love Yard Sales

Yes it is summertime. Summer is my favorite season of the year. One of my favorite things to do is hit up the yard sales. Here are my reasons that a good yard sale is hard to pass up.

Yard sales are cost effective. One man's junk is another man's treasure.
You can get great buys on furniture, outdoor furniture, household items, games, books, clothes, camping gear, fishing gear, tools, art, craft supplies. Seriously, you just never know what you will find. I don't even really look at electronics, you just never know if they will work or not. If you are interested in electronics have the seller plug in the equipment and make sure it is in working order before buying.

I try not to dicker too much... hey, these are hard economic times and if someone is trying to make a little extra money... I get it. Yard sales are usually always or at least should be cheaper than going to the 2nd hand store. Just know in your mind if you think things are priced reasonably then don't dicker. If you think that an item is over priced then by all means ask if they will take less.

I have a running list of things that I need, currently I have on my list a carpet cleaner shampooer, cookbooks, office supplies, canning items, books (winter reading), and craft kits (for my grandson). With this running list I have, I will know to grab these items should they be found while out and about.

I like to go first thing on Friday mornings, when the things have not been picked over much. That seems to be the busy time too. Check your local paper and Craigs List for the yard sales in your area. I take the paper with me and cross off the addresses after I am finished, and then move on to the next address. If there are specific things listed on the add that you need, I recommend going to those sales first. Also I have noticed that the more affluent neighborhoods offer a higher quality of merchandise, depending on what you need and what you are looking for.

Remember to dress comfortably, take a water bottle with you and have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Pack your Lunch

Even if you are only spending $5.00 dollars a day to eat out for lunch, the average person will work 5 days a week, so... in a month's time you would work at least 20 days and up to 24 days. At 20 days of packing your lunch you have saved $100.00.

I don't buy soda pop or candy out of the vending machines. I drink the "free" coffee at work, I take a re-fillable water bottle, I either drink water or Crystal light (individual packets) or I make big jugs of iced tea. This is such a painless way to save money ~ add this $100.00 to your savings account.

What to Pack:: Invest in some type of Rubbermade containers of various sizes, think the Dollar store.

The ol' soup and sandwich:: lunchmeat, tuna, cheese, PB &J, Wraps, Bagels, be creative.

Home made Burritos:: Last night I made spanish rice, taco meat, refried beans, grated cheese , sour cream and salsa... When dinner was finished I made 5 burrito's with the left-overs. Individually wrapping them in plastic wrap. I will be using these already made burrito's for the next few days. You can also stick these in the freezer....much cheaper than Taco Bell.

Left Overs from the Night Before:: Chicken, Rice, Potatoes, ...... I actually make Rice-a-roni a lot and pack that to work. I love it.

Salads:: Greens, veggies, pack your cheese and salad dressing separate to avoid sogginess. Fruit salad, Pasta salad, potato salad.

Cottage Cheese / Fruit / Crackers/ :: canned or fresh fruit any type of crackers.

Cheese and Crackers.


This will get you started on the path of packing your own lunches. Enjoy!! Have a Fabulous and Frugal day!!!

Savings Plan

Okay... so the savings plan for payday is to put what used to be my carpayment in my savings account. I am also going to look into buying a couple of savings bonds each month.
Currently I am reading Make Money Not Excuses by Jean Chatzky.... So far it is a very good read, easy to understand. Jean is a brilliant woman. I haven't had a lot of time lately I have been busy with work, I will try to post more regularly. Have a Fabulous & Frugal day.