Involving your children in after-school activities is a good way to keep them busy and also from getting into trouble. However, sometimes too many activities can put strain on a family’s budget. There are several activities that your children can get involved in that will not put a strain on your finances. Here are some points to consider:
* Is there a monthly fee for the activity? Such activities include martial arts, gymnastics or dance class. These monthly fees can eat away at a budget very quickly, so plan accordingly and consider registering your child in only one activity at a time. This may not be feasible if you have more than one child as the cost will increase with each child who participates. Some institutions, however, do offer discounts for family participation.
* Many schools have after-school activities such as sports. Most of the time, these activities are funded by the school with little investment from the parents. There are many different sports available for your children to try from ball games to swimming lessons.
* Scouts have clubs virtually everywhere. Look online and find a scout near your home. These clubs are usually low cost and have great benefits. The purpose of the scouts is to teach your children morals and values; they supplement what you teach your children at home. Also taught in the scouts is leadership and teamwork.
* In the US, 4-H clubs are a good way to get children involved in crafts and taking care of animals. 4-H is not available everywhere but they do have a lot of science activities that most other organizations do not. Often they exhibit at local fairs or craft shows.
* Musical lessons are another option, which children often do when they are inspired artistically. One of the best artistic ways for your children to express themselves is through music. This can be instrumental or vocal in nature. Many times schools will have these programs available or they can be found by searching your local phone book. This can get expensive, however, if your child has her heart set on an unusual or valuable instrument. Consider hiring or borrowing bigger instruments, like a piano, before investing in something that may only be a fleeting interest.
Keeping your children occupied after school can get pricey, especially if your children are involved in multiple activities. To ease up on your budget, try to keep children in one primary activity. Schools offer many different sports programs and there are many organizations that cater to children such as 4-H and Boy and Girl Scout clubs. Whichever activity you choose for your children, be sure to make sure they enjoy the activities, otherwise you could be throwing your money away.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Avoid Debt Triggers
Debt triggers are the character traits or habits that cause you to overspend. Everyone has different triggers. Therefore, knowing your specific ones is critical for becoming financially free. However, while everybody is different, there are some common triggers that cause people to go into debt. Here are four of the most popular:
1. Using credit cards
This is one of the main ways that people spend too much. Since you do not need any cash, you can easily spend more than you have.
So what’s the solution? One option is to only use cash. You can still utilize the credit card every now and then. Just try and cut down on it. For instance, go to the grocery store with only the amount of money you plan on spending. Leave your card at home. This way, you cannot overspend even if you wanted to.
2. Buying based on emotion
If you analyze yourself, you will probably find you are spending on many things just to make yourself feel better. For instance, if you’ve been having a hard day, then you might relieve yourself by getting an ice cream cone.
Also, you might be reading a golf magazine and see an ad for a club that helps you hit the ball a lot further. You might not have had any intention of buying a club in the near future, but the ad created an emotional reaction in you that caused you to spend. Cutting down on want-based spending is very important.
3. Looking for sales
Only go “bargain hunting” when it’s for something you absolutely need. Many people shop for the express purpose of finding good deals. In other words, they buy an item simply because it’s so marked down.
You might think you saved money. In reality, you just bought something you wouldn’t otherwise have purchased. Only shop when you have something you need. If it’s not a necessity, forget it.
4. Have a budget
Not having a strict plan is one of the biggest triggers for overspending. If you do not know how much food you can afford for a given week, you will likely end up just buying anything that looks good.
The budget is the most important part of not overspending. How can you know what to spend if you don’t know how much you have in the first place?
The bottom line is, eliminating debt is usually not complicated. Just break your bad habits. However, you can’t do that until you know what those bad habits are in the first place. Hopefully these four triggers have given you insight into why many people overspend, and how to stop.
1. Using credit cards
This is one of the main ways that people spend too much. Since you do not need any cash, you can easily spend more than you have.
So what’s the solution? One option is to only use cash. You can still utilize the credit card every now and then. Just try and cut down on it. For instance, go to the grocery store with only the amount of money you plan on spending. Leave your card at home. This way, you cannot overspend even if you wanted to.
2. Buying based on emotion
If you analyze yourself, you will probably find you are spending on many things just to make yourself feel better. For instance, if you’ve been having a hard day, then you might relieve yourself by getting an ice cream cone.
Also, you might be reading a golf magazine and see an ad for a club that helps you hit the ball a lot further. You might not have had any intention of buying a club in the near future, but the ad created an emotional reaction in you that caused you to spend. Cutting down on want-based spending is very important.
3. Looking for sales
Only go “bargain hunting” when it’s for something you absolutely need. Many people shop for the express purpose of finding good deals. In other words, they buy an item simply because it’s so marked down.
You might think you saved money. In reality, you just bought something you wouldn’t otherwise have purchased. Only shop when you have something you need. If it’s not a necessity, forget it.
4. Have a budget
Not having a strict plan is one of the biggest triggers for overspending. If you do not know how much food you can afford for a given week, you will likely end up just buying anything that looks good.
The budget is the most important part of not overspending. How can you know what to spend if you don’t know how much you have in the first place?
The bottom line is, eliminating debt is usually not complicated. Just break your bad habits. However, you can’t do that until you know what those bad habits are in the first place. Hopefully these four triggers have given you insight into why many people overspend, and how to stop.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Inspiring and Inexpensive Kids Bedroom Makeovers
Kids change their minds so often and get bored with the same old bedroom decor. They are always finding new and creative ways to live their lives. When you are ready for a bedroom makeover, let your child’s imagination be your guide to something new and exciting for them. And, it doesn’t have to be expensive.
All children are different. Some like bright colors and others like no color at all. Some are into toys and other like to play with video games. They have varied interests and that can be reflected in the choices you make to redo their bedroom décor.
First of all, ask them what they would want to see. You can use their words as clues. Your son may be into fishing. Your daughter may be a budding artist. That would be a good place to start.
* Paint ideas – Paint colors say something. A medium blue might make you feel like you are floating on a cloud. Red may make you feel like jumping around. Besides the color, there are many uses for paint nowadays. For instance, chalkboard paint can be used to give your child a place to draw when they come home. For the artist, this will be perfect.
* Decorative art – Does your child have a favorite cartoon character or specific interests? Capture those images in beautiful art. Using picture frames that you can buy at any store, create a collage of pictures from magazine pages, comic books and snapshots. They will love to see their work integrated into their room.
* Make your own wall hangings and curtains – Do you know how to sew? You can save money if you sew your own curtains for your child’s room. Let them help you to pick out the fabric. Any leftover fabric can be used to create chair covers or a makeshift headboard if they don’t have one.
* Change linens – Changing the color of the bedding can spruce up a room for a kid. For example, they may like greens if they are interested in the outdoors.
* Add an organizational system – Dressers and such can clutter a room. For a kid who likes to play, those sharp edges can also be a hazard. You can use brightly colored and stacked milk crates (lying on their side) as a storage system along one wall. Store their books, knick-knacks, stuffed toys and other items out of the way.
For clothing, use colorful hangers to keep everything up off the ground. When clothes need to be folded (like underwear) you can have a dresser, but house it in the closet out of sight to give your child more space in their room.
A kid’s room is where they hang out, entertain friends, do their homework and relax. It will mean more to them if the room is tailored to their likes and dislikes. You can achieve this without a lot of expense.
All children are different. Some like bright colors and others like no color at all. Some are into toys and other like to play with video games. They have varied interests and that can be reflected in the choices you make to redo their bedroom décor.
First of all, ask them what they would want to see. You can use their words as clues. Your son may be into fishing. Your daughter may be a budding artist. That would be a good place to start.
* Paint ideas – Paint colors say something. A medium blue might make you feel like you are floating on a cloud. Red may make you feel like jumping around. Besides the color, there are many uses for paint nowadays. For instance, chalkboard paint can be used to give your child a place to draw when they come home. For the artist, this will be perfect.
* Decorative art – Does your child have a favorite cartoon character or specific interests? Capture those images in beautiful art. Using picture frames that you can buy at any store, create a collage of pictures from magazine pages, comic books and snapshots. They will love to see their work integrated into their room.
* Make your own wall hangings and curtains – Do you know how to sew? You can save money if you sew your own curtains for your child’s room. Let them help you to pick out the fabric. Any leftover fabric can be used to create chair covers or a makeshift headboard if they don’t have one.
* Change linens – Changing the color of the bedding can spruce up a room for a kid. For example, they may like greens if they are interested in the outdoors.
* Add an organizational system – Dressers and such can clutter a room. For a kid who likes to play, those sharp edges can also be a hazard. You can use brightly colored and stacked milk crates (lying on their side) as a storage system along one wall. Store their books, knick-knacks, stuffed toys and other items out of the way.
For clothing, use colorful hangers to keep everything up off the ground. When clothes need to be folded (like underwear) you can have a dresser, but house it in the closet out of sight to give your child more space in their room.
A kid’s room is where they hang out, entertain friends, do their homework and relax. It will mean more to them if the room is tailored to their likes and dislikes. You can achieve this without a lot of expense.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Fun Free Activities to Do With Your Kids
1 Visit the library and take advantage of their resources. Many libraries offer free reading times, free shows, free book signings, free plays and even free classes and writing groups. Your local library can be a hot spot for fun and free kid friendly activities. (Bookstores also often offer reading time and other kid-friendly events for free.)
2 Check out your local establishments. In addition to the fact that many restaurants have a “kids eat free” night, many museums, zoos, aquariums, and gardens also offer free days. Find out what’s available in your community and make a day of it.
3 Head to the park. Kids of all ages love to go to the park. Grab a blanket to sit on, a bucket and shovel if your kids are young, or a ball and a glove if they’re older. Pack a lunch, grab some music and you have a day of free fun.
4 Look for free summer events. Many cities offer free movies, concerts and even plays in the park during the summer. Find free events in your local listings.
5 Let’s go to the fair. Fairs, festivals and even farmer’s markets are free. It’s a great place to people watch, have fun, and enjoy a day with your kids that doesn’t cost anything.
6 Free bowling & roller skating. Many local establishments offer free nights a few times a year. Check online or give your local establishment a call to learn your options.
7 Go on a nature hike. Grab a camera and go on a nature hike. Children love exploring and you can make a fun day of it by taking pictures of what you find or by simply exploring. Catch tadpoles, climb a rock or a tree, or hike all the way to that waterfall you’ve been curious to see.
8 Go on a scavenger hunt or have an amazing race. Scavenger hunts are a great way to spend the day and they can be absolutely free. Make the hunt more difficult for older children by adding more description to the items on the list. For example, if a younger child has to find a green leaf, you can ask an older child to find a green oak leaf.
9 Cook. Children love to have fun in the kitchen. Plan a meal, or a dessert, and have them help you make it. The key to making this fun is to have your children really help in the kitchen. Let them stir, measure, mix and get messy.
10 Get crafty. There are probably a number of things around your home that you can use to make crafts. Egg cartons, milk cartons, buttons, fabric scraps - you name it, it can all be used to create some pretty interesting crafts. Collect it all, dump it on the table and challenge your children to make something. Sit down with them and explore your own creative side. If you’re short on crafty items, you can make home-made playdoh with items found in your pantry. Jump online to find a recipe.
2 Check out your local establishments. In addition to the fact that many restaurants have a “kids eat free” night, many museums, zoos, aquariums, and gardens also offer free days. Find out what’s available in your community and make a day of it.
3 Head to the park. Kids of all ages love to go to the park. Grab a blanket to sit on, a bucket and shovel if your kids are young, or a ball and a glove if they’re older. Pack a lunch, grab some music and you have a day of free fun.
4 Look for free summer events. Many cities offer free movies, concerts and even plays in the park during the summer. Find free events in your local listings.
5 Let’s go to the fair. Fairs, festivals and even farmer’s markets are free. It’s a great place to people watch, have fun, and enjoy a day with your kids that doesn’t cost anything.
6 Free bowling & roller skating. Many local establishments offer free nights a few times a year. Check online or give your local establishment a call to learn your options.
7 Go on a nature hike. Grab a camera and go on a nature hike. Children love exploring and you can make a fun day of it by taking pictures of what you find or by simply exploring. Catch tadpoles, climb a rock or a tree, or hike all the way to that waterfall you’ve been curious to see.
8 Go on a scavenger hunt or have an amazing race. Scavenger hunts are a great way to spend the day and they can be absolutely free. Make the hunt more difficult for older children by adding more description to the items on the list. For example, if a younger child has to find a green leaf, you can ask an older child to find a green oak leaf.
9 Cook. Children love to have fun in the kitchen. Plan a meal, or a dessert, and have them help you make it. The key to making this fun is to have your children really help in the kitchen. Let them stir, measure, mix and get messy.
10 Get crafty. There are probably a number of things around your home that you can use to make crafts. Egg cartons, milk cartons, buttons, fabric scraps - you name it, it can all be used to create some pretty interesting crafts. Collect it all, dump it on the table and challenge your children to make something. Sit down with them and explore your own creative side. If you’re short on crafty items, you can make home-made playdoh with items found in your pantry. Jump online to find a recipe.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Inexpensive and Healthy Summer Picnic Ideas
Are you planning a picnic? Here is a list of cheap and healthy recipes and summer picnic ideas.
1 Roasted chicken. A whole chicken is inexpensive and it’s also much healthier than a burger or ribs. You can find whole roasted chickens already cooked at your market or you can cook it at home and take it to your picnic to eat warm or cold.
2 Fill your basket with fruits and veggies. When you buy foods that are in season they’re much less expensive. Summer is a great time for finding tasty fruits and veggies in season. This means you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg filling your picnic basket. And because fruits and veggies are rich in fiber, you’ll fill up quickly. For even more savings, visit your local farmer’s market to buy your fruits and vegetables.
3 Tuna, chicken or egg salad. Tuna salad, egg salad and chicken salad are all delicious and they’re inexpensive. And if you use light mayonnaise or yogurt as your dressing base, they’re healthy too. Add carrots, celery and other chopped veggies for a good crunch and more nutrition.
4 Beverages. Skip soda and beer; it’s expensive and not so healthy. Instead bring water, tea or lemonade to drink. If it’s just not a picnic without beer, limit yourself to one and consider light beer for fewer calories.
5 Make kebabs. Kebabs are great on the grill and they’re easy to make. Chop chicken, beef or lamb into cubes. Cut vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, onions, and squash into cubes. Skewer, marinate in an Italian dressing for an hour and then pop on the grill. They’re healthy and fairly inexpensive to make.
6 Have fruit for dessert. If fresh fruit just isn’t enough dessert, consider making fruit popsicles. Here’s a great recipe to try:
2 c. plain yogurt
1 c. bananas, strawberries, blueberries, etc.
1/2 c. orange or apple juice
Blend all ingredients together and pour into small paper cups or popsicle molds. If you’re using paper cups you’ll need to insert popsicle sticks. Place in freezer, remove when frozen and enjoy!
There are many ways to make summertime picnics fun, inexpensive and healthy too. Step outside of the traditional foods like ribs, burgers, brownies and chips and embrace a healthier and more frugal lifestyle. Enjoy!
1 Roasted chicken. A whole chicken is inexpensive and it’s also much healthier than a burger or ribs. You can find whole roasted chickens already cooked at your market or you can cook it at home and take it to your picnic to eat warm or cold.
2 Fill your basket with fruits and veggies. When you buy foods that are in season they’re much less expensive. Summer is a great time for finding tasty fruits and veggies in season. This means you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg filling your picnic basket. And because fruits and veggies are rich in fiber, you’ll fill up quickly. For even more savings, visit your local farmer’s market to buy your fruits and vegetables.
3 Tuna, chicken or egg salad. Tuna salad, egg salad and chicken salad are all delicious and they’re inexpensive. And if you use light mayonnaise or yogurt as your dressing base, they’re healthy too. Add carrots, celery and other chopped veggies for a good crunch and more nutrition.
4 Beverages. Skip soda and beer; it’s expensive and not so healthy. Instead bring water, tea or lemonade to drink. If it’s just not a picnic without beer, limit yourself to one and consider light beer for fewer calories.
5 Make kebabs. Kebabs are great on the grill and they’re easy to make. Chop chicken, beef or lamb into cubes. Cut vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, onions, and squash into cubes. Skewer, marinate in an Italian dressing for an hour and then pop on the grill. They’re healthy and fairly inexpensive to make.
6 Have fruit for dessert. If fresh fruit just isn’t enough dessert, consider making fruit popsicles. Here’s a great recipe to try:
2 c. plain yogurt
1 c. bananas, strawberries, blueberries, etc.
1/2 c. orange or apple juice
Blend all ingredients together and pour into small paper cups or popsicle molds. If you’re using paper cups you’ll need to insert popsicle sticks. Place in freezer, remove when frozen and enjoy!
There are many ways to make summertime picnics fun, inexpensive and healthy too. Step outside of the traditional foods like ribs, burgers, brownies and chips and embrace a healthier and more frugal lifestyle. Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Save Money on Clothes
How do you save money when looking for clothes? It’s not as hard as you think. Here are six ways to conserve cash:
1. Buy only what you need
Before you shop, evaluate what you already have. Many people already have closets full of clothes they aren’t wearing.
If you have five pairs of shirts you are not wearing, don’t go looking for new ones. Wear what you already own! Many people just get into the habit of wearing the same clothes again and again without thinking about other items.
2. Go with a budget
If you’ve done the first step, and determined you genuinely need new clothes, make sure to have a budget when shopping. Do not go over that limit.
This will discourage you from buying unnecessary items just because they are on sale. Often times stores mark down clothes just to encourage impulse buying. This is how you end up walking out with items you never intended to get. Stick with what you came to buy.
You might also want to bring cash. Using a credit card might cause you to spend more than you really have.
3. Do not buy top brands
Everyone wants the big brand names. That’s no secret. However, you can really get great deals on clothes that are not as famous but are still just as high quality.
Let’s face it: the only advantage of the more expensive clothes is the name. The cheaper clothes often look just as good, but cost much less.
4. Do a clothes swap
This is a great way to save money. And almost no one does it! If you have a number of friends or family who tend to wear the same styles and sizes, consider exchanging clothes. This way you all get what you want for free. This is simple but very effective.
5. Shop online
Buying on the internet can really save you money, because the online stores do not have to pay for the upkeep of a physical store. Therefore, they can pass savings on to you. This is an excellent method to save cash.
6. Buy during clearance sales
The best time to buy is at the end of the season, when the stores are getting in their clothes for the next season. They will be in a big hurry to get rid of their old clothes, which means the prices will be marked down severely.
The bottom line is, you can conserve a lot of money when you take a few simple steps. Implement these six tips, and you will be amazed at how low your next shopping bill will be.
1. Buy only what you need
Before you shop, evaluate what you already have. Many people already have closets full of clothes they aren’t wearing.
If you have five pairs of shirts you are not wearing, don’t go looking for new ones. Wear what you already own! Many people just get into the habit of wearing the same clothes again and again without thinking about other items.
2. Go with a budget
If you’ve done the first step, and determined you genuinely need new clothes, make sure to have a budget when shopping. Do not go over that limit.
This will discourage you from buying unnecessary items just because they are on sale. Often times stores mark down clothes just to encourage impulse buying. This is how you end up walking out with items you never intended to get. Stick with what you came to buy.
You might also want to bring cash. Using a credit card might cause you to spend more than you really have.
3. Do not buy top brands
Everyone wants the big brand names. That’s no secret. However, you can really get great deals on clothes that are not as famous but are still just as high quality.
Let’s face it: the only advantage of the more expensive clothes is the name. The cheaper clothes often look just as good, but cost much less.
4. Do a clothes swap
This is a great way to save money. And almost no one does it! If you have a number of friends or family who tend to wear the same styles and sizes, consider exchanging clothes. This way you all get what you want for free. This is simple but very effective.
5. Shop online
Buying on the internet can really save you money, because the online stores do not have to pay for the upkeep of a physical store. Therefore, they can pass savings on to you. This is an excellent method to save cash.
6. Buy during clearance sales
The best time to buy is at the end of the season, when the stores are getting in their clothes for the next season. They will be in a big hurry to get rid of their old clothes, which means the prices will be marked down severely.
The bottom line is, you can conserve a lot of money when you take a few simple steps. Implement these six tips, and you will be amazed at how low your next shopping bill will be.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Camping Equipment
What kind of camping equipment do you need, and where do you find the best prices? This can be a bit overwhelming to the beginning camper, because there is simply so much equipment needed. Here is a comprehensive guide to everything you will need, and where you can find the best prices:
1. Food
Purchasing your own food is a lot less expensive than going to a restaurant. If you want to save money when camping, always bring your own.
2. Tent
This is the most important part of any camping trip, besides food and water.
Not all tents are created equal. If you don’t get a good one, you might wake up at two o'clock in the morning with water dripping from the ceiling. Or you might be freezing the whole night. The best tents have a full rain fly, tub floor, and high quality ventilation systems.
You want to locate a tent that can handle a minimum of one more person than you anticipate needing it.
3. Bedding
Sleeping bags are the most popular method of bedding. However, you might want to consider air mattresses if you have back trouble.
What’s the best sleeping bag? It depends on the temperature. The colder it is, the thicker the bag needs to be. They are rated according to their temperature. For instance, some are built for 30 degrees, some for -10, and so on.
Just get the right one based on the weather conditions of the location you are going to. The heavier duty the bag, the more expensive it will be. There is no reason for getting a super thick one if you don’t need it.
4. Miscellaneous equipment
Here is a list of the rest of the essentials to bring besides the three listed above:
* First aid kit
* Headlamps
* Compass
* GPS
* Knifes
* Hiking boots
* A water purifier (Many water bottles today come with a purifier, and they are ideal for hiking.
A portable stove is optional. Many would rather using the campfire, so it all depends on personal preference.
So how do you save money?
Just look online. Internet stores do not have the upkeep expenses that Eastern Mountain Sports and other offline stores do. Therefore, you can save money. There is simply so much competition online that the prices are usually at least a little less than offline. And don’t be afraid to buy used.
Finally, don’t forget to take stock of what you already have. You might already have some equipment you could use for camping. Make sure to evaluate what you currently have before rushing out to buy anything else.
1. Food
Purchasing your own food is a lot less expensive than going to a restaurant. If you want to save money when camping, always bring your own.
2. Tent
This is the most important part of any camping trip, besides food and water.
Not all tents are created equal. If you don’t get a good one, you might wake up at two o'clock in the morning with water dripping from the ceiling. Or you might be freezing the whole night. The best tents have a full rain fly, tub floor, and high quality ventilation systems.
You want to locate a tent that can handle a minimum of one more person than you anticipate needing it.
3. Bedding
Sleeping bags are the most popular method of bedding. However, you might want to consider air mattresses if you have back trouble.
What’s the best sleeping bag? It depends on the temperature. The colder it is, the thicker the bag needs to be. They are rated according to their temperature. For instance, some are built for 30 degrees, some for -10, and so on.
Just get the right one based on the weather conditions of the location you are going to. The heavier duty the bag, the more expensive it will be. There is no reason for getting a super thick one if you don’t need it.
4. Miscellaneous equipment
Here is a list of the rest of the essentials to bring besides the three listed above:
* First aid kit
* Headlamps
* Compass
* GPS
* Knifes
* Hiking boots
* A water purifier (Many water bottles today come with a purifier, and they are ideal for hiking.
A portable stove is optional. Many would rather using the campfire, so it all depends on personal preference.
So how do you save money?
Just look online. Internet stores do not have the upkeep expenses that Eastern Mountain Sports and other offline stores do. Therefore, you can save money. There is simply so much competition online that the prices are usually at least a little less than offline. And don’t be afraid to buy used.
Finally, don’t forget to take stock of what you already have. You might already have some equipment you could use for camping. Make sure to evaluate what you currently have before rushing out to buy anything else.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)