budgetsmartgirl

Archive for September, 2010|Monthly archive page

The Blog-Time to Start Stocking the Pantry

In The Blog on September 27, 2010 at 4:03 pm

I’m beginning to see specials on baking items at the store, sugar, flour, chocolate chips etc. If you’re not ready for holiday baking, now is a great time to stock up. Check out coupon sites as well because I found a few for baking related items there too.

This week’s favorite budget related articles on the Internet-

These days there’s no shortage of tips to help us keep more of our money. There will be links to more articles in this week’s newsletter and here’s one I found today-

http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-110806-6784-1-five-quick-ways-to-bankrupt-yourself?ywaad=ad0035&nc

This Week on Budget Smart Girl-It’s the first of the month later this week and that means it’s time for the October Budget Smart Girl newsletter. Instead of two articles this week I’ve decided to expand the newsletter to feature a special section on pumpkins. Other features in the newsletter include a contest, recipes and reader tips.

Have a great week.

Coupons…where to find them, how to use them

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on September 24, 2010 at 2:11 pm

I can’t say that grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do, but seeing the amount I owe gradually reduced as each coupon is scanned makes me feel that much better. I used to laugh when my late father headed to the store with coupons in his hand but now as the person who does grocery shopping, I can see how it pays off. I never enter the store without them and always shop on double coupon day. If you don’t think the effort is worth it, start thinking of them as free money. Money, manufacturers are paying you in exchange for purchasing their products. These days who can say no to free money.

National Coupon Month
Did you know that September is National Coupon Month and there’s a Web site dedicated to it? Check it out at www.nationalcouponmonth.com. You’ll find lots of tips and money saving ideas there.

Where To Find the Coupons
So where do you find coupons? Most of mine used to be clipped from the Sunday newspaper but since I cancelled the subscription, I had to find other sources. These days, the majority are found online at http://www.coupons.com and from various magazines, mostly from All You. If you’ve not heard me say it before, a subscription to that magazine pays for itself with just one issue. Lots of the coupons in there are for $1 and when it’s double coupon day it means I buy lots of products for less than a $1. And many of them are for items like make up and toothpaste too.

Go the Source
When I want to buy a certain product I’ll find out who makes it and head to their site. Sometimes a coupon will be there but other times you need to sign up for their newsletter which often contains coupons and/or special offers. And if you’re worried about all these newsletters filling up your e-mail, create one just for coupons and subscriptions.

Check the Store’s Web Site
Another source of coupons is the store’s Web site. Stores like Target often have coupons and flyers for you to check out before you go shopping.

Grab the Flyers
I never write my grocery list without checking the store’s flyers. In fact, I often create a week’s worth of meals around it and the coupons I have on hand. I’ll sometimes switch ideas for meals if I find a coupon matching something on sale. And don’t forget flyers in the store. Most of the time they are the same ones that are delivered to your door, but once in awhile the store where I shop adds an additional one advertising specials and coupons to use.

Check the Aisles
I always count on finding at least two or three coupons in the machines attached to the shelves at the store. If you don’t want to buy the product right then, no problem because most of them don’t expire for a month or two.

Coupon Swaps
With so many of us using coupons, I’m guessing starting a coupon swap group at work or among a bunch of friends is easier than ever. If you think you’ll all want the same coupons and it won’t work, I think you’ll be surprised just how well it will work. Someone might need washing up liquid and can swap that coupon for the person with the new baby and who needs coupons for diapers.

Use Them To the Max
Just yesterday I saved about $18 on my groceries by combining coupons with things on sale. Some of my good buys included frozen waffles, caramel dip…perfect dessert with sliced apples. Garlic bread, fruit juice, Nutella chocolate spread, pizza, frozen vegetables, mashed potatoes and yogurt. Some items I’ll use for meals this coming week, others will go into the pantry supply or freezer.

Keeping Them Organized
So with all your coupons in hand, what’s the best way to organize them? I used to just grab the ones I needed and head into the store. Since then I bought a mini clipboard from the dollar store and secure them on that along with my list but I’m still the process of finding a better way to organize them while I’m shopping.

At Home
I bought a small box that houses index cards and now file them in that under the categories that I feel works best for me…canned food, frozen food, baking supplies, pet food, etc. I usually sort through them at least once a month and pull out the ones that are going to expire within the next 30 days. I used to leave the box at home but once in awhile will find items I didn’t know were on sale and not have the coupons with me. So these days the box goes in the car on shopping day.

Site To Check Out
And I haven’t printed any coupons from this site yet but someone told me about it www.wow-coupons.com

RedPlum
You’ve heard me mention RedPlum many times on the site. It’s a great place for coupons and they have a special dash 4 deals promotion-here’s all about it-

Dash-4-Deals which offers and exclusive, high-value deal each day of the month to consumers. One exclusive deal will be hosted on a special www.redplum.com/dash page featuring printable coupons, coupon codes, samples or outright freebies. Deep discounts will be offered on everything from food to beauty products, pet care to clothes. Consumers can sign-up for the RedPlum newsletter, or join us on Facebook and Twitter to follow along with these deals. Quantities per day are limited, so visitors must act fast.

Fall’s Best Buys for the Budget Cook

In Budget Smart Cook on September 22, 2010 at 9:43 pm

If there’s one thing I like about fall it’s the variety of new vegetables that appear in the produce department. Summer has its peaches, raspberries and cherries, but how can anyone not love things like squash, and root veggies such as parsnips? These vegetables not only taste great, but are kind to the budget too. Here’s why I think a budget smart cook should use them in every day meals.

High in Fiber
Most of us don’t get enough fiber in our diet but an easy and low cost way to change that is to consume things like root vegetables. Fiber laden foods fill you up faster so you end up not eating so much, and hence, lose weight and trim the food budget.

Make the Most of the Season
At this time of the year the produce section and farmer’s markets are overflowing with root vegetables and all types of squashes and pumpkins. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve seen the price of squash, gradually go down to about 69 cents a pound.

They Taste So Good
Even if you’re not a big veggie fan, there’s just something about things like a sweet potato or baked parsnip that can convince just about anyone that they’re not so bad. Try making homemade fries from sweet potatoes instead of regular ones. I slice them just like French fries, toss them in oil and then sprinkle on spices like curry powder, cumin and coriander and bake them for about 30 minutes in a 350-degree oven. You can also cut them into round slices just like potato chips. And one thing I’ve loved since childhood is roasted parsnips. I always cook them along with roasted potatoes at just about every holiday meal. Even people who thought they hated them go back for a second serving.

They Make Great Soups
One of the things I like about fall is a welcoming bowl of soup when I step inside after spending the day raking leaves. Just last week I’d purchased some squash from the farmer’s market and decided to give a new soup recipe a try. It was roasted squash and tomato soup with thyme. Delicious, low cost, and was so satisfying that paired with bread it made a meal in itself.

Classic Roasted Vegetables
These days just about every cookbook has at least one recipe for roasted vegetables…potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots. They make wonderful side dishes for even the plainest and cheapest cuts of meat. And if you really want to make a budget meal, try them on their own with a sprinkling of cheese on top. One cheese I feel really compliments roasted veggies is feta. They’re sweet and caramelized, while the feta is tangy and salty.

No More Boring Mashed Potatoes
Not that I ever think mashed potatoes are boring, but we all like variety when mealtime rolls around. Try a combination of mashed white and sweet potatoes. Or even a combination of potatoes and parsnips. And how about putting some carrots in with the potatoes? If you have children who just refuse to eat their veggies, but love mashed potatoes, it’s a great way to hide just about any vegetable you can think of. You can combine leftover potatoes and veggies with shredded cheese, make them into patties, roll in breadcrumbs and lightly fry on each side until their golden brown. It’s a quick supper and is also a great way to use leftover root vegetables.

Stock Ingredients
Keep the peels from root vegetables because they make ideal stock. However, be careful not to use too much of the peel from parsnips because they make the stock really sweet.

Fall Vegetable Stew
This is a great recipe for the slow cooker. It’s one of my favorites when the weather turns cold. And a special treat when you’ve been outside raking leaves.

(Serves 4 as a Main Dish or 6 as a Side Dish)

•1 ½ cups dried lentils
•3 cups of water
•2 cups chopped butternut squash
•1 cup chopped sweet potato
•1 26 oz. jar of Classico Fire Roasted Tomato and Garlic pasta sauce
•1 small onion, chopped
•1 cup chopped zucchini
•1 15 oz. can garbanzo beans
•½ teaspoon dried basil
•½ teaspoon dried thyme

1. Rinse lentils and place in at least a 3-quart slow cooker with the three cups of water. Add the squash, sweet potato, onion, pasta sauce, basil and thyme and stir together.
2. Cover and cook either 8-10 hours on high, or 4-6 hours on low. About an hour before serving stir in the chopped zucchini and just before serving stir in the garbanzo beans. Fresh chopped basil is a nice addition sprinkled on top once the dish has finished cooking.

You can serve this as a vegetarian dish with Italian bread, or as a side dish with a grilled chicken breast or pork chop.

The Blog-Saving on your Hobbies

In The Blog on September 20, 2010 at 2:49 pm

One thing I do every fall/winter is place birdfeeders around the yard and throughout the season keep them topped up with seed and suet. It’s great for the birds and I get to watch them from both the kitchen and office windows. Just like everything else, the cost of doing that has become more expensive. However, like I always say, sometimes you’ve got to find a cheaper way to do what you love.
I’ve found most of the less expensive birdfeed isn’t that great for our feathered friends and what drops on the ground becomes weed like plants in the summer that I spend hours pulling up. This year I found a perfect place to buy seed. I was reading the newsletter from the local coop and saw that the Audubon Society was having its annual birdfeed sale. You can go online, order what you need and pick it up next month at one of the locations near you. I don’t know if you have a similar program where you live but if you like to feed the birds, check it out or call your local Audubon Society, www.Audubon.org. I purchased a 50 pound bag of seed and a dozen cakes of suet for $38 that’s a lot less than I usually pay and most of the money is donated to the Society for wildlife programs.

This week’s favorite budget related articles on the Internet-

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/seven-deals-to-shop-for-this-fall-2390052/

http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Gardening/Fall/Extra-Vegetable-Solutions?pmcode=IKHDK01Z&_mid=654033&_rid=654033.525700.30845

This Week on Budget Smart Girl-September is Coupon Month, where to find them, how to use them to help stretch your budget. And it’s officially fall this week; how to make the most of what’s in the produce department.

Have a great week.

Cooking…for those who hate to cook

In Budget Smart Cook on September 17, 2010 at 2:34 pm

The economic downturn’s changed many of our habits. People who once relied on eating out and all ready-made foods are now faced with the prospect of cooking from scratch. I admit I love to cook but for those who aren’t comfortable in the kitchen, it can be a chore. Here are some ways to rethink how you cook.

Cooking Doesn’t Mean Perfection
If you’re scared everyone will hate what you make, take the plunge anyway. Even top chefs were beginners at some point, and just about everyone, professionals included, have disasters in the kitchen. Go to the library or search the Internet and look for a beginner’s cookbook. And no, I’m not joking here, but a great way to start is with a cookbook designed for children. They’re easy to follow and you can pick up some very basic skills and gain more confidence.

Being a Good Cook Doesn’t Equal Three Course Meals
A good cook isn’t necessarily someone who can put together a three-course meal every time his or her family sits at the dinner table. It can be someone who can throw together a great tasting sandwich or simple pasta dish.

Get the Family Involved
How about turning learning to cook into a family event? And if you have a great cook in the family why not spend an afternoon with him or her, learning how to make some family favorites? Or how about learning to cook with your children? Children love to eat meals they’ve made for themselves. Plus, it’s a great way to spend some quality time together while putting a meal on the table.

Sign Me Up for Cooking Classes
Cooking from scratch can save you money so you might want to go one step further by taking some cooking classes. A good place to start…. and they’re kind to your budget too, are classes offered by your local community education or extension office. My local community education offers at least six cooking classes a quarter, everything from simple suppers to easy pasta dishes. Another place to check is your local co-op, many offer classes year round and some are even free.

And here are two sites that have treat tips-
http://www.cookingdude.com/

http://www.cooksillustrated.com/askcookshome.asp

Items to Use for Cooks Who Like to Cheat (and they’re budget friendly)

Skip The Pie Crust
One of my favorite comfort foods is a pot pie but if you’re not a great pastry chef, buying a ready-made one at the store won’t break the budget. I stock up on pie crusts and short crust pastry during the holidays when it always seems to go on sale. You can even get deals on puff pastry around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Prefer a sweet pie but just won’t chance making pastry? Opt for a graham cracker one instead.

Soup
I don’t why but most people think soup’s difficult and time consuming to make but if you still don’t want to give it a try buy a canned variety and add your own ingredients. For example, tomato soup you can add chopped tomatoes and roasted red peppers, croutons, salsa. Canned soups can also be used as substitutes for sauces in recipes too. I use cream of chicken, mushroom and even celery for pot pies.

Pasta Sauces and Other Cooking Sauces
Just about every week at least one brand of pasta sauce goes on sale and there are so many dishes you can make with it. Casseroles, soups, and I often use it as a base for homemade pizza. These days a lot more cooking sauces are hitting the supermarket shelves, things like curry sauces. As sauces are usually the most difficult part of a recipe, buy ready-made and half the problem’s solved.

Cake and Brownie Mixes
Another item that always seems to be on sale is cake mixes. When I’m short on time I often use a cake mix and then add chopped fruit and whipped cream to sandwich the two halves together and top with more whipped cream and fruit. Looks like you spent all day in the kitchen. Brownie mixes are also a good pick if you don’t like cooking. You can add your own ingredients like chocolate chips and peanut butter and most people will think you made them yourself.

Cooking with Herbs

In Budget Smart Cook on September 15, 2010 at 7:52 pm

Summer might be coming to an end but I don’t think anyone’s told the herbs in my garden yet. I planted oregano, sage, French tarragon, chives, lemon balm and marjoram about five years ago and now there’s not a inch of space between them. The herbs have almost doubled each year and this summer resulted in a bumper crop. If you’ve never considered using herbs in your every day dishes, you’ve been missing out on a great resource for the budget savvy chef. Plus, they can be turned into wonderful gifts too.

Herbs Go with Just About Everything
You can add herbs to just about any dish, everything from sandwiches to pasta. If you’ve got a recipe you’re growing tired of, try adding some herbs. And the best thing about herbs, especially the fresh variety, is they can turn a budget meal into a gourmet presentation.
One of my favorite ways to use fresh herbs is to add ones like thyme, basil and oregano to homemade mayonnaise. Just about any type of sandwich tastes wonderful when you use an herbed flavored mayonnaise.And herbs such as thyme and savory make stews and casseroles taste like a top chef’s been working on them for hours. Try adding some chopped herbs to cream cheese too. Sometimes it makes a great sandwich all by itself.

Other Uses for Herbs
It’s not just the herbs themselves that can transform ordinary dishes into something special. Combine them with other ingredients to make things like pesto sauce that can be used on vegetables, potatoes, fish, tossed with pasta, or used as a sauce for pizza.
And don’t worry if you can’t use it all in one dish, pesto sauce freezes perfectly.
I’ve also used herbs like basil to turn leftover vegetables and chickpeas into a minestrone soup. And a few snips of chives can turn a plain omelet into a new recipe. Chives are also great in mashed potatoes.

You Don’t Need to be a Master Gardener
One of the great things about herbs is you don’t need a green thumb to grow your own. They’re fairly hardy; don’t require lots of watering, and best of all animals like rabbits and deer leave them alone. So instead of buying them in the produce department save some money and invest in a few pots of herbs like chives, basil, thyme and oregano. This year I’ll be using my Aerogarden to grow herbs through the winter.

Try Them First
Some herbs have a very overpowering flavor and while you want to give a dish some zing, you never want an herb to dominate a dish. Go easy on the dominant flavored herbs like rosemary. I once bought some rosemary roasted potatoes from a deli and found the chef had been a bit too heavy handed with the rosemary and it ended up ruining what could have been a great side dish. Cilantro is another herb that packs a punch. I find you either hate it or love it. So always taste the herb first before you add it to the dish.

Let’s Not Forget the Dried Herbs
While summer’s bounty doesn’t last forever, herbs can be dried and even frozen. I’ve managed to keep many herbs like basil and dill thriving right up to the holidays. But when you’re forced to switch back to dried herbs the rule of thumb is one tablespoon of fresh herbs equals one teaspoon dried. And don’t be tempted to buy herbs in bulk. I’ve learned this the hard way. Never buy more dried herbs than you think you’ll use in a six-month period. After that they lose their punch, and always keep them out of direct sunlight.

Think Ahead to Next Spring
The gardening season is winding down but if you’re looking for a way to stretch your budget in the spring, think herbs. They’re cheap to buy, need little care, some have blooms and some even keep bugs away from your other plants. Moneywise they can’t be beat and a must in every garden.

Holiday Gifts
So what am I planning to do with this year’s bumper crop? I’m going to dry most of the herbs and make my own herb flavor packets for soups and stews for winter. I’m also making herb vinegars. Some for myself, some to give as holiday gifts. And they’re so easy to make. If you start now by the time the holidays roll around they’re ready to enjoy. I buy a gallon container of white vinegar and use that for most recipes but I’ve also had good results with red wine vinegar and even balsamic vinegar too. One of my favorites is thyme, lemon peel and peppercorn. Place one spring of thyme, about a tablespoon of lemon peel and 2 tablespoons of black peppercorns into a one pint bottle, top with vinegar and seal. For the next month or so make sure you gentle tip and shake the bottle every day so the favor gets distributed throughout the vinegar.
I’ve also tried one herb vinegars using sage or basil. It’s simple, not expensive but can really liven up a salad or vegetables in the winter and it makes you think summer even on cold winter days.

The Blog-A Cooking Shortcut that’s Budget Friendly

In The Blog on September 13, 2010 at 2:42 pm

Last week, being a short work week, well, I had more things on my to do list than time to do them. When it was time to think about dinner, I was more than tempted to just serve soup and sandwich or opt for a takeout. However, the Budget Smart Girl in me always wins out and that’s when I check the pantry and fridge. The previous week I’d bought two cans of vegetarian chili that was on sale and had some onions, carrots and celery sitting in the produce compartment. In the pantry sat brown rice. Opening up the cans of chili and serving as is just didn’t seem that appealing, so while I was doing some other work, I roasted bite size pieces of the vegetables and added them to the chili, served everything with brown rice and topped with shredded cheese and sour cream…which I also had sitting in the fridge. A quick and easy meal that’s healthy and kind to the wallet too.
It got me thinking that everyone’s recipe file should contain ideas for meals on days when time isn’t on your side.

I found more budget and tip related articles last week, here are two of my favorites-

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110637/7-things-you-should-always-buy-generic?mod=family-love_money

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/46-smart-uses-for-salt-2270681/
This Week on Budget Smart Girl-Cooking for those who hate to cook and as my garden has an over abundance of herbs this year, ways to use herbs for eating and holiday gift giving.
Have a great week.

Fall and Winter Fashions for the Budget Minded

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on September 10, 2010 at 1:06 pm

There’s nothing quite like wearing the hottest fashions of the season…the clothes, the bags, the shoes. Yes, being a fashionista can put a dent in your budget. However, as every Budget Smart Girl knows there’s always a way to look good without spending a fortune. Here are some of my tips for getting the most out of your clothing budget, plus recommendations for fashion must have for this year.

Think Ahead
In my younger and not so sensible days, I’d pick up a magazine see what were the hot items for that season and head out to the store to buy them. Now I know better. Many of these items are often a waste of money because not every fashion suits everyone’s body type or personality. My philosophy is if you’re not happy in a piece of clothing there’s a good chance it will just sit in your closet and never get worn. Waste of Money #1. Plus, lots of fashions, despite being seen on the runways of New York and London, never really take off in the real world, and you’re stuck with clothing that’s out of fashion before you can get it home from the store. Waste of Money #2.

Not Everything Should Be Tossed
Okay, this is going against everything professional organizers tell you about clearing out your closet, but some clothes do come back into fashion. In the last couple of years I’ve seen certain styles of dresses and blouses come back in style and could kick myself for donating them to charity.

Always Go with the Basics
One thing that never goes out of fashion is basic pieces. If you stick with them each season and not things like six-inch platform shoes, you’ll save money. They include items like black pants, white shirt, raincoat, black pumps. Black and white never go out of style. Plus, if you stick with more neutral colors you can pair them with just about everything else in your wardrobe.

Keep Them Clean and In Shape
One of the biggest money wasters is not looking after your investment. Make sure you clean your clothes before you store them away for the season. And mend any fallen hems, holes, and sew on buttons as soon as they drop off. One thing I try to avoid buying are clothes that say dry clean only. Not only because of extra cost but they always seem to smell when I get them home. The folks at Dryel sent this information about some of their products that can help keep your clothes in tip top shape and save on the dry cleaning bill.

Dryel Starter Kit – $6.99; Starter Kit refills are $8.86
The Dryel Starter Kit is a convenient at-home Dry Cleaning system that safely steams and cleans soils, stains and odors while removing wrinkles and saving considerable time and money. Dryel cleans 10 garments for the cost of one dry cleaned garment, and it works great on all your clothes Every fashionable piece in your wardrobe can be cared for with Dryel, including dark jeans and denim, which are a must-have this fall.
The Dryel Starter Kit contains 2 ultra-concentrated cleaning cloths that will care for 2 dryer loads (up to four garments in each load for a total of 8 garments). Dryel is also available in economical six-load refill packs in Clean Breeze Scent to care for up to 24 garments. Each kit includes:
* Instant Stain Remover Pen
* 2X ULTRA Concentrated Refill Cloths
* Re-usable Fabric Protection Bag

Dryel 3-IN-1 Touch Up Spray – $3.49
The Dryel 3-IN-1 Touch Up Spray is specially formulated to safely care for your every day and dry clean only clothes, and extend the time between cleanings. You simply spray a light mist on the fabric; use your hands to press and smooth away wrinkles, then air dry or place in dryer.

Dryel On the Go Stain Pen – $2.97
The Dryel On the Go Stain Pen takes care of stains any time, any place. The Pen helps remove fresh stains, and it’s safe on dry clean only clothes, delicates and hand-washables such as wools, silks, rayons, linens, cottons and other special care fabrics.

What’s Hot This Fall?

The fashion folks at the www.hsn.com say the main fashion must haves this year include-

Retro Glam-Accent your look this season and bring fall fashion to life with animal inspired accessories. Pair your little black dress with a platform leopard pump or faux fur vest to take your wardrobe staple to the next level.

Lieutenant Chic -Olive and camel fabrics, military inspired styles and edgy hardware accents will mix and match well with your fall neutrals for an updated look this season.

Belle Brummell -Menswear with a feminine flare. Pair these pieces with an oversized button down or tailored vest to add a hint of masculine inspiration to your ensemble.

A Fashion Essential
One great buy is the little black dress. It never goes out of style and once you’ve made an investment in one you can wear it year after year. Some of you are probably familiar with David’s Bridal but did you know they’re now offering a party dress line? And they’re budget friendly too, ranging in price from $79-159. www.davidsbridal.com

Mom’s In Waiting

One dilemma for the budget conscious mother to me is should you invest in maternity clothing that you might never wear again? It’s no longer a problem because Motherhood Maternity has jeans and dress starting at just $29.99 www.motherhood.com

Expert Picks
Jill Ouellette is chair and professor of the fashion marketing program at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan and also an expert in textiles, trend analysis and fashion merchandising and says these are the top picks of the season-

Cardigans, bulky sweaters and boyfriend shirts are still popular this year and perfect for pairing with jeans or dress pants for an office look.

Faux fur is inexpensive and very hot this fall along with the returning classic, leather. If a coat costs more than you want to spend, buy a faux fur or leather trimmed purse, boots or hat. Animal prints are another unique look that can add an edge to any outfit.

Color is the key. Camel and black are classics, but once again, a good look for fall. You can even pair these colors together in an outfit. If you choose these colors in a knit they’ll go a long way. Layer and add accessories to bring any outfit up to a new level. Savvy shoppers can even find nearly new knits from thrift shops. You’d be surprised at the quality garments that are often discarded.

The Blog-Happy Labor Day

In The Blog on September 6, 2010 at 2:10 pm

Just a quick blog today- found these articles of interest-

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/110550/tips-from-frugal-billionaires?mod=bb-budgeting

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/01092010/389/16-gadgets-save-money.html

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/the-thread/looks-for-less-inspired-by-the-emmys-2371346/

This week on Budget Smart Girl-Short work week so just one article, fall and winter fashions must haves for the budget minded.

Have a good week.

The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-September 2010

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on September 2, 2010 at 3:37 pm

Beginning with this September issue, the newsletter will be posted on the site during the first week of the month instead of the last. I’m also starting two new features. Eating with the Seasons and Is There a Cheaper Alternative?

Ways to Make Money When You Buy Groceries
Sometimes when I’m wandering around the supermarket I think wouldn’t it be great if someone paid me to shop. There’s already a way to do that. Okay, it’s not an hourly wage but there are some ways to make money when you shop by using coupons, refunds and yes, sending UPC codes from certain products in exchange for gifts.

There is Some Work Involved
It does take some extra time and effort to look for refunds, but it’s definitely worth it. One of the easiest ways to learn about all the current deals is to subscribe to one of the many coupon and refunding publications. Some have print editions, some are strictly on line. On line subscriptions tend to be cheaper. Two well known ones are www.refundcents.com and www.refundlebundle.com.

Go To the Web Sites
The Internet has made refunding just that much easier. I often go to a company’s Web site to find out if they have any upcoming promotions or refunds on certain products, especially for items I frequently use. The best thing about visiting the site is you can often print out the refund form and not have to worry about sending a stamped addressed envelope, or searching your local store for the right one.

Check The Store Aisles
And speaking of your local supermarket, I’ve found a couple of in store promotions for things like ‘try it free’ that I haven’t seen anywhere else. So it pays to keep your eyes open while shopping.

It’s Easy But…Refunding is fairly easy, but there are some rules you have to follow. Most refunds have an expiration date, so make sure you beat the deadline. Also, read the instructions carefully. Don’t forget to include everything the company wants. Sometimes it’s the UPC label, (this has lines and numbers printed on it), sometimes it’s the cash register receipt with the product and price circled, or sometimes it’s both.
Manufacturers are really picky about receiving everything they’ve requested. If you forget just one item you’ll get everything sent back, which can mean by the time you resend it you’ve missed the expiration date.
If you want to give refunding a try then it’s time to start saving your cash receipts and also the UPC codes. Not so long ago companies also wanted box tops and labels, but these days I’m seeing more requests for just the UPC code. If you really want to get serious about refunding it’s a good idea to clip the UPC code from every food package, not just the ones you currently need. Somewhere down the road you could find a refund for a product whose UPC code you already have, which is another way to save some money. You can keep them in a file with your coupons and organize them by brand name.

Some of the Bonuses
So what are some of the rewards for buying a particular product? It could be in the form of a total refund on your purchase price, which technically means you’re eating for free. I especially like this type of deal on new to me products. If we don’t like it, I haven’t wasted any money. Sometimes you’ll get coupons for other products, like free produce or even $3 off chicken. Sometimes your rewards come in the way of gifts that could be magazine subscriptions, CDs, cookbooks etc.

Cooking Web Sites
The other day I was clearing through some files and found a stack of recipes I’d clipped and forgotten about. I can’t resist clipping recipes but keeping them all organized isn’t easy. One way to avoid the clutter is to use online sites. Here are some of my favorites-

•www.recipegoldmine.com, the name says it all. There’s just about everything here, egg and cheese recipes, no sugar added, crock pot recipes. Tips like making the perfect pie, and even some free culinary e-books.
•www.foodsiteoftheday.com, this changes constantly so be sure to visit it more than once. And this site isn’t just about food, there’s food-news and ideas too.
•www.mealsforyou.com, another one of my favorites, it not only offers tips and guides, but sections on special diets, quick and easy recipes and a place to store your own favorite ones. I always like the tip of the day. The most recent one I saw was what to do with overripe bananas. Just this week I was faced with that dilemma.
•www.momsmenu.com, as the name suggests this web site has a family cooking emphasis with a lot of great information and links.
•www.mealtime.org, this site has emphasis on canned foods, but also links to such topics as pizza, and brown bag lunches.

Eating With The Seasons
My other new book project, besides the one based on Budget Smart Girl, is a cookbook emphasizing recipes using foods that are in season. Eating what’s in abundance is one of the best ways to save money. Starting next month, I’ll be including a recipe featuring something that’s in season but for now, here’s what to look for in September

I’ve been seeing lower prices on cabbage, (I’ve seen it as low as 35 cents a pound), carrots, squash is hitting the stores and getting less expensive now, beets, cauliflower, garlic…great for roasting and making your own garlic cheese bread. I’ve also seen prices on raspberries getting lower and of course, we’re heading into apple season so all varieties are going to be on sale and don’t forget the apple cider too.

My Favorite Articles on the Web This Month
There were no end of great articles on the Web this month, my favorites were-

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/110305/12-new-rules-for-your-money?mod=bb-budgeting

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/financiallyfit/cheapest-days-to-shop-online-2301854/

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/110384/things-you-shouldnt-be-paying-for?mod=bb-budgeting

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/23082010/389/10-lifestyle-changes-save-money.html This was from a UK site but the tips were great for everyone, everywhere.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/416/beauty-experts-pick-save-or-splurge/

http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-110445-6422-1-7-spending-cuts-you-might-not-even-notice?ywaad=ad0035

Is There a Cheaper Alternative?
And the second new feature is there a cheaper alternative? Don’t know about you but sometimes I really enjoy eating something but the price is higher than I want to pay. Greek yogurt is one example. It used to be hard to find but now more companies are making it but always seems to cost twice as much as regular yogurt. Okay, it’s thicker, creamier and yes, doesn’t have the sometimes sharp bite of some other yogurts but I asked myself is there something that special about it that makes it cost more? There is a cheaper alternative. Yes, it takes some work but it’s simple. I’ve been buying 32 ounce containers of Dannon plain yogurt. I put a sieve lined with cheesecloth over a bowl and turn the yogurt out into it. I put it into the fridge and let it drain. It takes about four hours and you’re left with a thick yogurt that looks just like Greek yogurt but for a lot less. You can use it in recipes or eat it as is…I like to sweeten it with agave nectar but you could use honey and it’s great for breakfast topped with fruit and granola. And next on my list to try, a topping for oatmeal.

Splurge on A Budget
I often joke that if I won the lottery one of my splurges would be to get a weekly massage. Getting a regular pedicure and facial can also seem out of reach for most of us these days but as I always say there’s a solution. Last week I was shopping at the local strip mall and noticed the beauty school there was advertising a facial, pedicure and manicure for $29.95. So if you have a local beauty school where you live, check it out.

Check The Tires
Summer travel is winding down but that doesn’t mean we should ignore maintaining our cars. The folks at Goodwrench sent these tips to pass along to you.

http://www.goodwrench.com/Services/Tires.jsp

- According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA,) 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries occur every year due to tire-related problems.

- Keeping your family vehicle’s tires inflated to the recommended pounds per square inch (psi) will not only save on gas, but will provide a safer ride.

- It’s important to keep in mind that during the warm weather of summer, hot road surfaces can cause the pressure to increase in a tire. As a general rule, for every 10-degree rise in temperature, a tire’s pressure increases one psi.

- Invest in a quality tire gauge! Eyeballing tires to measure pressure can be misleading, as radial tires often look fine even if they are under-inflated.

-And by the way, be sure to rotate your tires on schedule. Since each tire performs different tasks (such as steering or front versus rear wheel drive), tires wear at different rates, and you’ll get more life out of the tires you bought this way.

See you next month and have a good one.

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