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Archive for March, 2010|Monthly archive page

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The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter for March 2010

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on March 31, 2010 at 12:57 pm

Looks like spring already. The snow’s all gone and some flowers are already in bloom. My main gardening goal for the year is to plant a vegetable garden. I know many of you are hoping to do the same thing. Growing your own food is one of the best ways to save money. I’d planned to feature an interview I did with a gardening expert in this newsletter but she had so much great information to share I’ve decided to post it on the site all by itself next week so be sure to check it out.

However, I do have more tips for you here-

P. Allen Smith
For those of you who watch public television, you might have seen a show by gardening expert P. Allen Smith. Smith, an award-winning garden designer and host of P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home and P. Allen Smith Garden is one of America’s most recognized and respected garden design experts. If you haven’t already seen his shows, check them out because for us avid gardeners they’re pure inspiration. Smith also has a Web site www.pallensmith.com that’s fun to browse too.

If like me, you’re planning a veggie garden, here are some specific links to check out-

Unusual plants from seeds
http://www.pallensmith.com/articles/something-special-from-seeds

Vegetable Plants that can be grown from seeds
http://www.pallensmith.com/articles/readers-choice-plants-you-can-grow-from-seeds

Starting Seeds Indoors
http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=40

Common Seedling Problems
http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=16169

Freebie Seed Starter
I can’t remember where I saw this tip, and I haven’t tried it myself…yet but keep those plastic containers that strawberries are sold in. You can fill them with potting soil, plant your seeds and because they have a lid, they’re perfect for creating a humid environment that seeds seem to flourish in.

Other Seed Starters
By now you all now I invested in an Aerogarden. Seems like it was a good buy because they’re not just for growing food, you can also use them for starting seeds too. It’s called Garden Starter Tray from www.aerogarden.com $19.95 and the larger variety is $29.95. Once you’re done with that they also sell a refill pack which is $19.95. I
I’m going to buy one because it’s an investment in something I’m going to use every year.

Gardener’s Supply Company
A few week’s ago I received a gardening catalog from a company called Gardener’s Supply Company
www.gardeners.com Not everything in there is what I consider budget priced gardening supplies but many items like their potato growing kit are. And the prices on their raised bed kits aren’t that expensive and once again, an investment that’s going to last year after year. And check out their free Kitchen Garden Planner. You simply drag and drop items to create your own garden. Plus, you can enter to win a garden cart.

A Kitchen Garden
If you’re worried about how to set up your garden, I found this informative article titled Starting A Kitchen Garden, check it out at-
www.tinyurl.com/yzkgf7q

Two Sites
And here are two gardening sites I stumbled upon and definitely worth exploring for all their great tips-
www.howtogardenguide.com
www.thegardenhelper.com

The Great Thing About the Internet
One good thing about searching online for tips is you find at least one site a day that’s worth bookmarking. I found this one while researching gardening topics. And while I never recommend doing certain things yourself like wiring your home, this site gives you some insider tips when you’re hiring outside help -www.doityourself.com

Garden Freebies
When we first moved into our house, the previous owners had two fish ponds. We soon discovered two were just too hard work to upkeep so we removed the preformed one. It’s been sitting around the yard for well, I’m too embarrassed to say how many years. This spring I think I’ve found a use for it. Growing vegetables. It’s above ground which means bugs and bunnies will have a tough time getting to the plants. I can plant the veggies earlier than in the ground. And here’s the biggest plus, not so much bending when it needs weeding. So think what you have sitting around the house or garden that could be a garden freebie.

And speaking of…
Freebies. Check out plants that might have grown too big for their space. Spring is a great time to divide plants. Also, do you have neighbors who admire your plants and you admire theirs? How about a neighborhood swap?

Budget Minded Shows
Okay, enough about gardening. Here are some shows I’ve discovered on cable TV that are just for us budget savvy folks.
www.foodnetwork.com Ten Dollar Dinners, Good Deal with Dave Lieberman, Sandra’s Money Saving Meals
Clark Howard Show on HLN check his site for times in your area at, www.clarkhoward.com

Is That Still Good?
When you’re budget minded, you hate to throw food away but sometimes I wonder is it still good? Here’s a site I found that seems to answer that very question-www.stilltasty.com

Spices
And the folks at The Spice Hunter www.thespicehunter.com sent the following tips about keeping spices fresh. And they also sent a recipe for you to try.
The Spice Hunter offers the following tips to maximize the life of your spices:

1.Store spices in airtight containers away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight; that means away from the stove and dishwasher.
2.Test your spices periodically. For ground spices, shake the jar, let it settle and give a sniff. If there’s essentially no scent, it should be tossed out.
3.If you choose to store herbs and spices in the freezer or refrigerator, return them promptly after use to avoid condensation.
4.Never shake herbs or spices out of the bottle directly into something you’re cooking — that’s the quickest way to steam and spoil your spices.
5.Catalog spices with the date you bought them, and tape the list to the inside door of the cabinet. This provides quick reference when making a grocery list and also helps to know when to cull aging spices.

Fish Chowder
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
2 potatoes, cubed
3 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. The Spice Hunter Fish Seasoning
2 cups half & half
½ tsp. salt
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
1 lb. white fish (snapper, halibut, sea bass)
green onions for garnish

Preparation:
Melt butter in medium pot. Add onions and potatoes, cover and sauté lightly. Add Fish Seasoning and sauté briefly. Add water to cover. Let cook until potatoes are nearly done. Add cream and corn. Cook until hot. Add fish, cook 2 minutes or until fish is done. Serve topped with chopped green onions.

Fiber and Legumes
Just yesterday I read that more companies are going to promote foods like lentils and other legumes that good for you but kind to your budget. I guess we’ve known that all along, and another thing that’s good for you and your wallet is whole grains. I found this site with lots of recipes to try-www.wholegrainscouncil.org

Join This One
My parents were always members of the AAA and I’ve often thought about joining but never got around to it. However, this winter with its record snow and bitter cold temperatures, I saw so many cars in ditches or just stranded (and as my car’s getting older), I thought it’s about time I joined. Basic membership cost me just $65 and the biggest plus is I get discounts on everything from restaurants to cinema tickets too. Definitely worth checking out. www.aaa.com

Speaking of Cars
One thing I hate is when something goes wrong with my car and needs repair? Are you getting a good deal or is the mechanic honest? Check out this article titled 10 Things Your Mechanic Won’t Tell You
www.tinyurl.com/yb4dtcd

Invite Some Friends Over
Seems like this recession has changed our habits. More people are staying in and watching movies. Now Pop Secret gives you the opportunity to invite your friends. Check out this article-
www.promomagazine.com/news/0318-popsecret-offers-web-utility

Eat Well, Save Big
I’m enjoying my subscription to All You magazine. They also send me e-mail alerts to more savings and this is one that arrived in my e-mail box the other week, thought it might be of interest and there’s a $1 coupon to print www.allyou.com/coupons-deals/all-you-cookbook-00400000062239

On the Web This Month

Here are two articles I found that are budget related-

No need for plastic surgery…ways to look younger on a budget
www.tinyurl.com/ygdbssa

Freeze these things to save money-
www.tinyurl.com/yzl5o4z

Thanks to everyone who’s been e-mailing me with nice comments about the site and newsletter. It’s very appreciated.

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The Blog-Saving is about Timing (and sometimes where you sit)

In Uncategorized on March 29, 2010 at 2:45 pm

I can’t remember the last time we went to see a movie at the cinema so I’m out of touch with prices. Last week my husband and I decided to go see a matinee, cost was $5 each. I’m sure the price doubles in the evening and that got me thinking about how doing something at less popular time (like opting for a matinee) can save you money. It’s the same movie, the same seats…and a lot less crowded so there’s no sacrifice. By the way, we saw Shutter Island which I can recommend.

After we left the cinema we decided to have an early dinner. We had a $15 coupon for one of the upscale restaurants in town. (Remember me saying how even businesses that once upon a time didn’t give out coupons are doing it now?) While I was reading the menu I noticed that between 3 – 6 p.m. if you opt to sit in the bar instead of the main restaurant, all appetizers are half off. The same food, still comfortable seating and you save 50%. The appetizers weren’t just things like chips and dip, but soup, shrimp and even pizza. So next time you go to a restaurant, yes, head there early and ask if they have any deals like this. Just goes to prove you can enjoy dinner and a movie on any budget if you’re willing to be flexible.

It’s almost the end of March and that means time for the newsletter. This issue focuses on ways to save money on all things related to our gardens. Also, the ladies at No More Frozen Pizza will share their tips for time saving meals.

Have a good week and Happy Easter.

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Easter for the Budget Minded

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on March 26, 2010 at 3:00 pm

I can’t believe it’s spring and almost Easter and that means baskets need filling and tables need goodies and decorations. Here are some tips I’ve found work for me and also a couple of unusual Easter goodies.

Table Decorations
I’m happy to say when I invite people over for a meal they always comment on how well I decorate the table. It’s nice to get compliments and even better when you haven’t paid much for the decorations…sometimes they’ve been free. One year I couldn’t find anything for the center of the table. I was thinking about buying a plant or bunch of daffodils when I decided to clean up the yard. I don’t know about your garden but mine always has fallen twigs and small branches scattered around. Instead of throwing them away I brought them inside, put them in a vase and hung plastic Easter eggs from them and placed a few Easter bunnies around the vase.

And I’ve also filled the plastic Easter eggs with small chocolate eggs and written guest’s name on them and placed them on their plate. It takes care of place settings and is an inexpensive take home gift for your guests.

Food
I don’t know why but when I think of Easter brunch items spring into my mind. Maybe it’s because items like eggs, ham etc. go on sale this time of the year. Serving things like quiches and breakfast casseroles is not only inexpensive but quick and easy too. I’ve added items like muffins, tossed salad and platters of cheese and fruit for a perfect Easter meal.

The Easter Goodies
So what can you put in the Easter baskets? I think I mentioned this the other week when I told you I stopped by the new dollar store, they have lots of baskets, grass, and other decorations. Now all you have to do is fill them. Besides chocolate and candy, here are some ideas from two companies that were featured in the Annual Stocking Guide.

The folks at Lush www.lushusa.com sent me these ideas, any of which will last longer than the candy!

Honey Bun Bath Bomb ($3.95)
This cute little bathing bunny is scented with LUSH’s best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids. The hints of sweet orange and bergamot oil will leave you hopping around all day long.

Hippy Chick Bath Bomb ($4.95)
A citrus burst for the bathtub, this one is shaped like a little chick and is fragranced with LUSH’s Happy Hippy scent of grapefruit, bergamot and frankincense oils.

Fluffy Egg Bath Bomb ($6.95)
Take the traditional Easter egg hunt to the bathroom with this sweet scented pink egg adorned with a candy flower. And let the bubbles of marshmallow, candy floss, and jelly bean satisfy your sugar fix.

And remember the Bella Sara? www.bellasara.com collectable cards, they’ve just introduced its new Sunflowers series of collectible cards and its Miniatures Series 3 set. Featuring 20 new velvety figurine horses, the Miniatures set includes a secret code in each pack.

Other places you might want to check out are CVS Pharmacy. I received their flyer yesterday and it looks like they have small games and toys that might be perfect for baskets, especially if you don’t want to the young guests eating too much candy.

Homemade Goodies
One of the fun things about a holiday is making something. Check out www.favecrafts.com, they have a couple of free e-books you can download.

And www.bettycrocker.com has some great recipes for brunch, Easter eggs etc.

Bird’s Nests
One treat that’s quick and easy is a bird’s nest. Take Chow Mein noodles and mix them with melted chocolate to make ‘bird’s nests’ You need about a ¼ cup of the mixture for each nest, place it on waxed paper and let it set. Then fill it with jelly beans.

Easter Bonnets
One thing I used to make when I was growing up was Easter Bonnets using cookies, marshmallows and frosting. I no longer make the cookies from scratch; instead I use sugar cookie mix. Make the cookies as per instructions on the package and then top each one with a marshmallow…use some frosting to stick them together. Then all you do is coat the whole thing (or just the marshmallow, your choice) with frosting. Use different colors for a variety of hats.

Look for the Sales
Don’t forget that after Easter all holiday related items are going on sale. You can get a head start on next year’s celebration now. I find Easter colors like pinks and light greens are perfect when you need decorations for things like bridal and baby showers and best of all, these have no expiration dates. If you have the extra funds it’s a good time to stock up.

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How To Survive On Your Salary

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on March 24, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Here’s proof that you don’t need to earn a six figure salary to live well. Meet Danny Kofke, a teacher from Atlanta, Georgia who’s written a book titled How to Survive (and perhaps thrive) on a Teacher’s Salary which is available from Tate Publishing www.tatepublishing.com ($9.99 for the paperback and $5.99 for the e-book). Here he shares his money saving tips and also has some excellent ideas for teaching children about the value of money and saving.

Budget Smart Girl (BSG)-Can you tell my readers about yourself and what you do?

Danny Kofke (DK)-I am currently a special education teacher. I have also taught pre-k, kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

BSG-Why did you decide to write your book?

DK-Many of my colleagues suggested that I write a book to help them out financially. My wife, Tracy, was a teacher too before becoming a stay-at-home mom to our two young daughters. Despite living off my teacher’s salary, we have no debt except our mortgage, invest each month, have an emergency fund in place and basically live a “wealthy” life on a moderate income.
In addition, the National Education Association did a study that shows that 50% of teachers leave the profession within their first five years of teaching. Despite this, teaching ranks among the top 10 most gratifying jobs according to a General Social Survey. I want to show others they can have a job they like and, even if it does not pay a lot, they can still do well financially.

BSG-What will readers find in it?

DK-I show the steps my family took to get to where we are today. I give some tips and insights for others to follow as well.

BSG-What Are Some of Your Favorite Money Saving Tips?

DK-I think the most important tip I can give someone is to know where their money is going. Obviously, having a house and car you cannot afford will get you in trouble, but I think for the average person those smaller, everyday items are what get them into trouble. Many people think nothing of spending $5 a day on lunch. $5 is not a large amount so a lot do not really miss this money. If you add this up over the work week, that equals $25. $25 a week equals $100 a month and $1,200 a year! $1,200 a year is a lot of money for many. By keeping track of how you spend your money, you can see how these smaller purchases can add up to a large chunk of change over time.

BSG-What’s your biggest challenge in your budget, housing cost, food?

DK-I would say housing since that is the costliest expense we have. We actually have a 15-year mortgage so we pay more than we would with a traditional 30-year loan. We are willing to do this so we can be completely debt-free as soon as possible. We could create some more room in our monthly budget by switching to a longer loan but are willing to make the sacrifice now so we can benefit in the future.

BSG-Like me, you’re lucky enough to have a spouse who shares your philosophy about finances and budgeting. But what about people with partners who like to spend, spend, spend and think everything should go on a credit card? Any tips for meeting on a middle ground?

DK-That is a tough one. I think it is so important for both partners to be working on the same game plan and towards accomplishing goals together – this not only improves your finances but makes your marriage stronger too. If one is in a situation where his/her partner likes to spend and use credit cards, I would suggest to sit down and have an in depth discussion about finances and life. See what common goals you have and go from there. You might have to allow your partner some “fun” money each month to spend on whatever he/she wants. I wish there was an easy answer but it will be very difficult to accomplish your financial goals if you constantly have someone doing the complete opposite of what you are doing.

BSG-Some people suggest buying everything with cash. What’s your opinion about it?

DK-I think this is a great system to use! Tracy and did this for the first four years of our marriage and it worked well for us (after having kids, it was more difficult to use this approach since we would have to get them out of their seats to pay for things like gas). We would take out a set amount of cash every Friday and that was all we could spend for the week. If it got to be Wednesday and we were out of cash, we would have to eat leftovers and not go out until Friday rolled around. This can be difficult at first but it definitely helps you keep track of how you are spending and also helps you spend less since it is much harder for most to part with the green stuff rather than swiping a piece of plastic.

BSG-And what about children when they get a case of the I want’s, how can parents deal with that?

DK-One thing we have done with our oldest daughter (Ava, who is now 5) to help with this is we pay her a weekly allowance for basic chores. We do this to help her understand the value of money. The chores she does are simple and, thus, she should be able to obtain her all of her allowance – about $1.00 per week. Ava has 3 jars labeled GIVE AWAY, SAVINGS and SPENDING. Upon getting paid, Ava knows she first puts some of her money in the GIVE AWAY jar (10 cents), followed by the SAVINGS jar (25 cents) and the rest in her SPENDING jar. When we are at the store and Ava sees something she wants – which seems to happen more and more now that she is older – we say she has to go home and see how much she has in her SPENDING jar. If it enough, the next time we go to the store, she will bring this money and buy the item herself. This makes it much easier for us since we never have to argue or tell Ava no – if she has enough money she can buy it, if not, she has to save more.

BSG-What are some ways people can reward themselves for sticking with their budget?

DK-I think you can reward yourself with items like a night out or an inexpensive item -something that will not bust your budget and cause you to throw away all of the hard work you have put into sticking with a budget.

BSG-Any sites of books you’d recommend we check out for more money saving advice?

DK-Yes, some great books I recommend include:
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

For inspirational reading:
The Alchemist
The Traveler’s Gift

BSG-Is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers?

DK-A lot of people think that figuring out financial matters and investing are difficult and are intimidated by it. I want to show others that if this 34 year-old school teacher can figure it out then they can too.

Danny’s been featured on lots of news shows recently and just in case you missed them, here are the links-

Fox News morning show Fox & Friends-
http://video.foxnews.com/v/3971107/thrive-on-a-teachers-salary

CNN’s Newsroom-
http://newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/21/living-on-39000-a-year-and-thriving/

MSNBC Live-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ5rUrbEdQk

Fox Atlanta’s morning show Good Day Atlanta-
www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/about_us/Danny_Kofkes_Tips_on_How_to_Survive_Thrive_on_a_Fixed_Income

Fox Atlanta’s morning show Good Day Xtra-
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/Teaching_Kids_Money_Sense_091509

The Daily Buzz television show-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd31vOgAsdc

Atlanta’s 11 Alive news-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA9xgBAxJWc

Atlanta’s 11 Alive Way$ To $ave segment-
http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=133656

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The Blog-A Good Week for Bargains

In The Blog on March 22, 2010 at 2:46 pm

Last week I returned home from the supermarket with six bags of groceries totaling just $68.43. Not only was it double coupon day but the store is running a two week special featuring a flyer packed with great coupons. For example, a three pound bag of apples for just $1.98. A bag of flour for 89 cents, low fat spread 39 cents, container of oatmeal 69 cents, etc. Most of them weren’t items I needed that week but I knew I could freeze them.

Now I’m thinking of making apple crumble, apple crisps using the oatmeal and apples. The flour and low fat spread I’ll use to make pastry and store it in the freezer. They also had a sale on frozen fish. Buy two packages of fish and you got a free bag of frozen potatoes and a bottle of soda. It’s great when you’re going to buy something anyway and get a couple of free things thrown in.

The specials are obviously a way to draw customers into the store and I’m amazed at how many people are now using coupons. Just a few years ago, I often felt like the only person using them, now everyone’s doing it. Hopefully, all these shoppers are finding out what we already know. It’s not hard work and like getting free money.

Spring is in the air and I can’t wait to get outside and get my vegetable garden started. If like me, you have lots of questions about when to plant seeds etc. I have a couple of experts lined up to help us out. Next week’s newsletter also has a gardening focus.

This week on Budget Smart Girl- I’ve mentioned Danny Koftke to you before and you might have seen him on TV. He’s written this great book about surviving on a teacher’s salary. He’ll share with tips for successful budgeting. And it’s almost Easter which means I’ll have some tips for meals and entertaining.

Have a good week.

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Time Saving (and budget friendly) Meal Ideas

In Budget Smart Cook on March 19, 2010 at 3:17 pm

Busy weeks seem to fly by. This morning I woke up and for some strange reason I thought it was Wednesday. I was relieved that it’s actually the end of the work week. I’m happy to say I’ve crossed off most the things on my to do list. Some days I’ve been so busy that eating lunch at my desk. You probably know what I’m talking about and the last thing you want to do is cook. During weeks like these I’m often tempted to head to the supermarket deli or the nearby Indian restaurant for a takeaway. But then I remember the food in the pantry and freezer and always seem to come up with something quick and easy. Here are some of my favorites, and yes, some have even been made this week.

Cheese and Salsa Omelet (with oven fried potatoes)
Omelets are quick and easy and I found this combination by pure chance. I was cleaning the refrigerator one day and found half a package of shredded cheese and about half a jar of salsa. That seemed like a great combination for a quesadilla, but for some reason I thought omelet. Cook the omelet and place a handful of cheese and a couple of tablespoons of salsa down the middle, fold the omelet over and cook until the cheese melts. I like to top it with more cheese and salsa and some sour cream. It pairs really well with oven fries (yes, I always keep a package of those in the freezer too). Sprinkle with some taco seasoning and you’ve got the perfect meal.

Mile High Nachos
One of my favorite restaurants serves nachos that are okay, not quite a mile high but let’s just say it’s too much for one person to eat alone. I haven’t been to this restaurant for awhile so thought about making the same thing at home. It just so happened that the store had a sale on a new brand of all natural tortilla chips and the new Kraft Singles Melt Downs. I put the chips on a baking sheet, topped them with a can of Kuner’s Southwester Ranchero Beans, (yes, they were free with a coupon) layered on the Melt Downs and served them with sour cream and salsa. They made the idea Saturday night supper.

Salmon Wraps
One of my favorite pantry standbys is canned salmon. Ideal for wraps. I mix the salmon with mayonnaise and dill, spread the mixture on the wraps and top with cucumber and lettuce. Serve with some fresh fruit and it’s a healthy and quick meal. You can also use tuna too.

Spaghetti and Meatballs (with garlic cheese bread)
Pasta tops my list of really quick meals and my pantry is never without at least two different varieties. Another pantry favorite, pasta sauce and a freezer favorite… meatballs. Why go to the trouble of making them yourself and price wise they’re probably cheaper too. I always serve this meal with homemade garlic cheese bread. Sliced Italian bread spread with low fat spread mixed with garlic powder and parmesan cheese. This is one meal that never seems to have leftovers.

Mediterranean Platter
I call this one the Mediterranean platter because it features the foods of Italy, Spain and Greece and makes the perfect meal when the temperature gets warmer. Pita bread, olives, feta and mozzarella cheese, sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and sometimes canned tuna. Serve yourself and make your own combination of sandwiches.

Veggie Burger and Coleslaw
One thing my freezer is never without is a package of frozen veggie burgers. I like all the Morningstar Farms varieties and best of all they’re on sale at least once a month. They cook in a few minutes and are perfect when paired with a whole wheat bun. I always serve homemade coleslaw with them. I say homemade but really it’s semi homemade. When packages of coleslaw mix go on sale I buy them and add mayonnaise, some mustard and yes, some shredded cheese and plenty of black pepper. Even people who hate cabbage seem to like the flavor the cheese gives this side dish.

Soup and Sandwich
I always say when all else fails, there’s the soup and sandwich combo to fall back on. My favorite, grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Here’s one of my favorite grilled cheese sandwich recipes (it makes four sandwiches)

8 slices of bread
1 yellow onion, halved lengthwise and then sliced
Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
2 tomatoes, sliced
4 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
Tablespoon of oil

Heat skillet, add onions and sauté until they begin to color. Lightly salt them and remove them from the pan. Spread the bread with the mustard, layer on the cheese, onion, tomatoes and top with another slice of bread, return to skillet and cook until the cheese melts and the bread is lightly golden.
If I haven’t got any homemade tomato soup in the freezer, I use Campbell’s Tomato Soup and add salsa. I’ve also add corn and black beans. I top it with cheese and sour cream.

Other Favorite Standbys
Here are some other items that aren’t expensive to keep as busy day stand bys-fish sticks, perfect for tacos and pita bread. Couscous and Minute Rice. Package of Stir Fry veggies.
Ice cream or frozen yogurt and canned fruit. Best impromptu dessert combo there is.

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Meet A Budget Smart Girl

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on March 17, 2010 at 4:53 pm

Let me introduce you to Catey Hill the money editor for New York Daily News Online and author of Shoo Jimmy Choo!-The Modern Girl’s Guide To Spending Less and Saving More. A fun and entertaining book that looks at the ways we think about money and how we (especially us ladies) can take control of our money. Hill admits that she was doing everything wrong and finally had a wake-up call so here shares her tips with us. And check out Hill’s two Web sites www.cateyhill.com www.shoojimmychoo.com

Budget Smart Girl (BSG)-When I visited your Web site I read that one day you realized you needed to kick your shoe habit and get your finances in order…now you’re offering money saving tips to others. What was the turning point in your life and what brought about the change in attitude?

Catey Hill (CH)-About five years ago I moved to New York City, and I spent money like I was Carrie Bradshaw or someone. I rented this cute studio in Chelsea that I shouldn’t have, went out far too many nights for my own good, bought shoes I couldn’t afford – at one point I had 70 pairs of shoes, 10 of which were nearly identical black heels! This was all on a teeny salary (Madison Ave. doesn’t pay what it used to!), so of course, I was building up credit card debt, had no savings and certainly wasn’t putting anything into a retirement fund.

Then I got promoted at Forbes to become their Financial Marketing Manger, and it was a giant wake up call. At first, we’d be in a meeting and I’d hear terms like Roth IRA, nod and pretend that of course I knew what they were talking about, and then race to my computer to Google it since I had no clue what they were talking about! But slowly but surely, I started learning more and more managing my money, which helped me get my finances – and my mean shoe habit – in order.

BSG-You’re the author of The Plum Wealth Report which focuses on the purchasing habits of affluent consumers. Did you learn anything from this job that you could apply to your own life?

CH-It was an important, everyday reminder of just how much pressure we’re all under to “keep up with the Joneses.” I worked on The Plum Wealth Report before the recession hit and was constantly covering super-expensive, exclusive items – and it made me covet that “it” bag, that swanky Hamptons vacation, that gorgeous Missoni scarf, etc.. I knew I couldn’t buy them – Forbes had taught me some valuable lessons after all! – but it reminded me just how hard it is to resist the products and experiences that are put in front of us all the time.

BSG-You live and work in NYC, you’re the money editor of the NY Daily News online. You probably see Carrie Bradshaw type girls on a daily basis or has everyone changed their ways since the recession?

CH-Ha, yes, there are still quite a few Carrie Bradshaw types (NYC girls love their shoes!), but I have noticed a marked change in people’s attitudes about spending. These days, getting a good deal on something or resisting the urge to buy something earns you HUGE bragging rights, whereas a few years ago many women just shopped like crazy and didn’t really worry as much about the cost or how they were going to pay the stuff off. It’s now cool to be a bargain hunter or to live minimally.

BSG-So how did Shoo Jimmy Choo! come about?

CH-While working at Forbes, I was immersed in the world of personal finance, and the more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. So I began to read tons of personal finance books and talk to my friends about money issues. And the more I talked to women about their finances, the more I realized I wasn’t alone when I’d felt confused and a little intimidated by money management. I also discovered there wasn’t a personal finance book for girls like us – young women in the 20s and 30s – written in a voice we relate to (not a parent figure tsk-tsking us, but a girl our age who gets that its not an option to never buy an amazing pair of shoes or stop going out on all weekend). So I decided to write it – and Shoo Jimmy Choo! was born.

BSG-What do you hope readers will gain from reading it?

CH-I hope it helps women feel empowered to take control of their finances. There was a time when I felt intimidated and confused by money management – and I know I wasn’t alone. I just hope Shoo, Jimmy Choo! helps women realize that they are smart and savvy enough to manage their money.

BSG-I know more people are saving rather than spending these days. Do you think it’s a permanent change in behavior and attitude?
CH-For some people – especially those hit hard and caught by surprise by the recession – I think it will be a lasting behavior and attitude. But for many of us, I think these kinds of things are cyclical, and so when the economy is booming again, many of us will go back to our old spend-freely ways. That said; I certainly hope I am wrong about it! I would love to see a world where we’re all more financially responsible, but history seems to supports the cyclical nature of our spending and saving habits.

BSG-What are some of your favorite money saving tips?
CH-
•Swapping: It’s the new shopping!
I love the swap – whether it’s online or a swap party. You can literally get what you want without paying a dime for it! Sites like BarterQuest.com, SwapTree.com, U-exchange.com and TitleTrader.com let you swap almost anything online. Swapstyle.com and DignSwap.com RehashClothes.com for trading clothes. Craigslist.com can also be a goldmine – just check out their barter section. You can also host your own swap party (remember that you can also swap services like babysitting and dog-walking).
•Group discounts for the party of one
There are a bunch of new sites – Groupon.com, BuyWithMe.com and ScoopSt.com – that let the individual take advantage of group discounts. You can get cool stuff from anything from jeans to spa trips at the “group rate.” Business owners put their stuff on the site at the group rate, and once critical mass as signed up to buy it (say 100 people), you’ll get it at that discount rate.
•Get the gift cards you actually want

Let’s say grandma gives you Lands End gift card but you’re more of a Banana Republic girl. What do you do? You can sell them at sites like PlasticJungle.com and SwapAGift.com. On these sites you don’t get 100% of the card’s worth but if you’ll never use it anyway, why not? You can also swap them for a gift card you’ll actually want at CertificateSwap.com.

BSG-Your site has some great tools and calculators we can use and I love the blog…even more money saving tips to be found there. Any other sites and books you can recommend we check out?

CH-Here are a few Web sits that are worth checking out:

•Bankrate.com: Offers a bunch of great calculators for helping you deal with your debt, savings, investing, mortgage and more
•Mint.com: An easy-to-use budgeting site
•BillShrink.com: Helps you save money on your cell phone, credit cards, and more
•NerdWallet.com: Finds the right credit card for you
•LearnVest.com: A personal finance site dedicated to women
As for books, I love Manisha Thakor’s “On My Own Two Feet” and most of Jean Chatzky’s work. The great thing about both of these authors is that they clearly and compellingly explain the issues.

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The Blog-Everyone’s in a Budget Smart State of Mind

In The Blog on March 15, 2010 at 7:05 pm

Every day when I sort through the mail, I’m amazed at just how many companies, local and national, are now offering coupons. Just a year ago if you’d have told me that half of these businesses would have been advertising buy one, get one free offers, I would have called you crazy. Definitely a sign of the times and just maybe these companies are waking up to the fact we all love a bargain or two.

I spent some time over the weekend repotting indoor plants…a sure sign I’m ready to head outside for some serious gardening. While I was in the store buying the potting mix, I couldn’t help but notice how many vegetable seeds most stores are stocking now. There are some great deals out there so if you’ve not thought about growing your own veggies, now’s the perfect time. And there will be lots of tips and hints in this month’s newsletter.

Speaking of gardening, here’s a recent photo of the Aerogarden. It’s growing so well, I’m using fresh herbs in just about every meal. Last week I used the basil to top a pizza. I used the thyme and oregano to flavor sun dried tomatoes. The mint I used for a pesto sauce instead of basil. And added some of the dill to potato salad. Once the herbs are finished I’m going to try growing lettuce.

This week on Budget Smart Girl-Catey Hill author of Shoo Jimmy Choo is going to share her tips for ways can save more and spend less. And this week is a busy one for me…blogging, doing interviews, working on some new projects, you name it, so I sat down to create a week’s worth of quick but budget friendly meals that I’ll share with you.

Have a good week and a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

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Getting the Most for Your Money

In Budget Smart Cook on March 12, 2010 at 2:32 pm

March is National Nutrition Month. Many people think if you’re on a budget you can’t get healthy foods. I’ve never thought that was true. There are some foods that are inexpensive yet still provide good nutrition.

Here are a few of my favorites-

Eggs
When it comes to perfect nutrition, eggs just about have it all. Protein, B vitamins, most notably B12 and B2, vitamins A and D, iron, choline and phosphorus. And they’re low in calories.
Eggs are just about one of the best buys in the supermarket, on average they’re about $2.79 a dozen. That being said, and this is my personal preference, I always opt to pay a bit more and go with the cage free/organic variety They cost about 70 cents a dozen more but they’re still a great bargain because I usually get about two or sometimes three meals from one box.
And if you think eggs are just food for breakfast, you’re missing out on lots of options. One of my favorite lunches is a curried egg salad… chopped hard-boiled eggs, curry powder, mayonnaise and mango chutney. Serve it with pita bread and a side of fruit salad (kiwis, strawberries and grapes) and you’ve got a healthy and quick lunchtime treat. One of my favorite easy dinner recipes is a frittata, eggs mixed with sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, maybe some spinach, baked in the oven and top with cheese. Another one of my favorite quick meals is egg and bean burritos. Scrambled eggs, black beans and salsa rolled in a tortilla, and topped with chopped tomatoes and sour cream.

Beans
When it comes to nutrition and value for money, beans get an A+. They’re high in B vitamins and fiber, and all for just pennies a serving. They’re also easy to add to every day dishes. Plus, with so much variety, you’ll never get bored. Try adding them to soups and stews and using less meat. Also, you can make bean burritos, tacos, and even bean dips. Canned beans always seem to be on sale. However, if you want to save even more money, here’s what I do. Buy dried beans from the bulk bins, soak them overnight and then cook them in the slow cooker. When they’re done I freeze them so I’ve always got a supply for chili, soups, bean burgers etc.

Oats
Oats are low in fat and an excellent source of fiber. It’s also another item you can buy from the bulk bins. In fact, oatmeal is one of the cheapest breakfasts you can make. I know not everyone likes oatmeal, but I’ve found just about anyone, even children will eat it if you add things like dried fruit and honey. And try adding oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs next time you make a meatloaf, or use it as a topping along with nuts for fruit desserts.

Broccoli
It’s great for your immune system and supports cardiovascular health. And like most produce is on sale at least once a month. When it is we eat fresh broccoli for dinner. On the weeks when it’s not, I can guarantee I’ll find a coupon for frozen vegetables at the very same time the store is running a special on frozen veggies. That’s the time I stock up on frozen broccoli.

Salmon
I’ll admit that salmon isn’t always cheap. If your budget can’t stretch to fresh salmon, maybe eat it just once a month and for the rest of the time try the canned variety. Salmon can be used in place of tuna, added to sandwiches, and a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes is to make salmon fishcakes. I even made quesadillas with it. And mix it with some cream cheese and dill and you’ve got a gourmet like sandwich filling.

Soy
Just about every supermarket sells soy products now. From veggie/soy burgers and soy milk. However, the best bargain of them all, tofu. I use it in everything from stir frys to pot pies.

Spinach
It seems Popeye was ahead of his time. I know most people pull a face when you mention spinach, but if you add it to dishes with lots of other ingredients, you’ll hardly notice it’s there. I sometimes add just a little to minestrone soup, I make pesto with fresh spinach, and often make a spinach and mushroom frittata. I sometimes buy fresh spinach, but the best value is the frozen kind. Once again, it’s one of those items that always seem to be on sale.

Yogurt
So far this year I’ve had at least one coupon for yogurt each time I’ve shopped. So once again a good for you food, good source of protein that’s budget priced.

Nutrition Sites
And if you want more ideas about what healthy eating and foods that are good for you, I really like these two sites- www.whfoods.com/eathealthy.php
www.foodfit.com/healthy/healthy.asp

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Thinking About Starting a Business?

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on March 10, 2010 at 5:16 pm

Have a business idea but think it’s a lousy time to put it into action? Many successful companies were launched during a downturn in the economy. Some out sheer necessity, and some by people who took a ‘what have I got to lose’ attitude. One way to increase your success rate is to learn from others. I thought it would be a fun idea to once in awhile feature an entrepreneur on Budget Smart Girl. You’ll hear how they got started and what they learned along the way. To kick things off (and you might remember her mitt-minders www.mittminders.com from the Stocking Stuffing Gift Guide) is Marcey Max.

Budget Smart Girl (BSG)-Tell us about yourself and your background?

Marcey Max (MM)-I’m an advertising executive, and have enjoyed a 20 year career in radio and public television. I’m married with 2 teenage boys, 19 and 15. They are old enough that I can spend quality time on mitt-minders! My sister who helped to create the product lives in New Jersey with her two big dogs. She’s a school teacher turned music festival tour coordinator.

BSG-What are mitt-minders and what do they do?

MM-mitt-minders are the fashionable solution to the lost glove syndrome! They keep your gloves attached to your coat sleeves so you never lose your gloves again. We make them in 9 fun and classic designs from patent leathers to animal prints! And coming this fall/winter a new addition, beautiful bling adorns the face of the clip, to give more of a jewelry-look to the product. Who doesn’t love bling?

BSG-When did you get the idea?

MM-Driving home from our respective jobs we were chatting on the phone and complaining how we hate to lose our gloves! She had recently moved to the East Coast from Arizona, had her first pair of leather gloves and was upset she may have lost one already. I usually place my gloves on my lap when I’m driving and they end up on the parking lot or driveway –if I’m lucky they are still there when I come back to the car.

BSG-So you had this idea for a product…what were the first steps you took to turn it into a business?

MM-When we visited together in November of ’07 we took a few trips to craft stores to buy materials to make a prototype. We tried a few different options, the first as one long piece of material that you wear inside your coat threaded through your coat sleeves but we didn’t care for the way it felt when we were driving.

BSG- What hurdles (if any) did you face?

MM-I don’t recall any hurdles except when it came to ordering our materials in bulk, some things took a lot longer than we imagined and that was scary as we set a deadline to launch mitt-minders at the Philly Gift Show in July of 08.

BSG-Any moments when you thought, this isn’t going to work? If so, what kept you moving forward with your plans?

MM-Yes! The initial equipment purchased came with the wrong piece to hold the rivet and we were ruining 50% of our product at first. Luckily we were able to recognize the issue before too long. Again, the deadlines we set kept us on course. We were in motion and not going to slow down for anything.

BSG-Was financing a problem at any point?

MM-Not at all, at first, due to the many offers of low credit balance transfers I had been receiving back then from credit card companies. Now, it’s a bit more challenging and we don’t have the marketing funds we’d like to have to create awareness —we’re working on low cost/no cost methods to make this happen.

BSG-How about making a prototype of the mitt-minder? How do you do that?
MM-mitt-minders is a product I can make at my dining room table, in fact that room is affectionately referred to by my family as my sweatshop! The prototypes we developed were interesting as they lead us to the final product which we have tweaked a couple of more times, adding the charm and bling just recently!

BSG-How have you grown your business, what’s worked, what’s not?

MM-The business has sadly not grown in terms of revenue, only in terms of retailers that carry the product. The 09 sales year was disappointing due to my lack of time to devote to this part-time venture AND the economy. What has been helpful is to place product in local consignment stores in and around Baltimore where I can gauge what is selling—-this is extremely helpful!

BSG-Many of my readers might be thinking about or already launching their own business. What tips would you offer them?
MM-Definitely set a deadline for your business to launch. Whether it’s a craft show where you’ll be selling as the artist, or a full-blown trade show with a booth you’ve created, it’s important to work towards that reality because you will put in overtime until you get it done. We invested money upfront in the gift show and thought we’d open 100 accounts, silly us. We opened 5. It was not a waste however, as we met people that could help us—the experience in that room was amazing and awe-inspiring.

BSG- Anything else you’d like to share with my readers?

MM-If you have an idea explore it! You never know what the result will be. I never wanted to be an entrepreneur per se, but Cheryl and I have said from the beginning, we’re saving the world, one glove at a time. We believe we’re doing something worthwhile, creating and marketing glove insurance, a small expense to protect the investment made in a nice pair of gloves.

Additionally, I don’t mind hearing “no” from potential retailers because there are so many out there. I can really see mitt-minders in a Macy’s or similar store and I’m not going to stop until I make it happen.

We probably should have had a business plan in place before setting out on this adventure, but we’re working on it now, in case funding becomes an issue, and we’re looking for a manufacturer as well—for when that big chain says “yes” to mitt-minders.

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