Anna’s Budget Tips

Anna’s Budget Tips-Keeping the Holiday Gift Giving Under Control

December 1, 2012 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

christmas presents It’s the most wonderful time…but also that time of year that might just make you want to grab your cash and credit cards, crawl into a hole and not come out until after New Year’s. Between parties, decorating, travelling or hosting out of town guests, requests for year-end charitable donations and, of course, gift giving, the holidays can throw even the most disciplined budgeter for a loop.

Tackling the gift list is a great way to trim the holiday budget…and cutting costs doesn’t have to mean feeling like Scrooge! Here are a few ideas to get the holiday gift giving (and spending) under control. [Read more…]

Anna’s Budget Tips-Have a Super Spooky Halloween on a Budget

October 2, 2012 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

There’s a chill in the air and the leaves are starting to change in many parts of the country. You can almost hear the witches cackling, ghosts wailing and skeleton bones rattling…Halloween is just around the corner!

Because Halloween is only the beginning of the holiday season, it’s easy to go overboard on spending – a costume here, a few bags of candy there…it can add up quickly.

It’s important to remember that the holidays really start to ramp up on the heels of Halloween. There is the cost of travelling, hosting guests, large holiday meals, decorating, parties, and gifts that come along with Thanksgiving and Christmas or Hanukkah.

I certainly don’t bring this up to stress you out, but just to remind you to keep a close eye on your holiday budget, starting with Halloween.

Here are a few ways to have a low-cost Halloween without skipping any of the fun!

Save on Costumes

A popular money-saving tip for a low-cost Halloween is to make your own costume. I think this is a great idea but I don’t suggest immediately heading to the fabric store. My talented friends who sew costumes for their children tend to spend more than those who grab something at the local superstore.

Of course, the homemade outfits are often works of art that are lovingly created and last for years in the dress-up box, so if you love to sew, then go for it! Just don’t force yourself to wrestle with fabric and thread because you think it’s the cheapest way to go.

For a truly inexpensive costume, head to your closet. You can likely make your own costume using mainly items you already have. Look for inspiration on Pinterest, Etsy and online costume stores, then create your own version at home.

My daughter wants to be a witch this year, and I found some great ideas online. A black shirt, black and white striped leggings, purple boots and a purple tutu she already has will be the base of the costume. I’ll add a witch hat tied with a purple ribbon and some black tulle to the tutu. Just like that, I’ll have a great costume for well under $10! [Read more…]

Anna’s Budget Tips-How To Give A Room A Facelift On A Budget

September 1, 2012 by Kathryn 4 Comments

Is there a room in your home in serious need of a makeover? Maybe a guest room is being transformed into a nursery, home office, or craft workshop. Maybe it’s time to transition a little kid’s room into one suitable for your big kid or teen. Or perhaps the use isn’t changing but the living room, family room, kitchen or master bedroom could use some updating. The good news is, even if your budget is next to nothing it’s possible to breath new life into a room!

Check out the following tips and then tap into your creative side to give your room a low-cost facelift:

1) Think through your goals for the room re-do.

organized kitchen What isn’t working about the current room? Does the clutter drive you crazy? Add “better storage and organization” to your list of goals. Other plans might include updating the color scheme, creating better traffic flow, or making a space that seamlessly accommodates several uses (guest room and home office, for example). By focusing on what you really need to accomplish with the renovation first, you’ll find that you keep those goals in mind throughout the project and can be assured the finished project will function as you’d hoped. [Read more…]

Anna’s Budget Tips-Yard Sales and You

June 1, 2012 by Kathryn 12 Comments

With Memorial Day behind us it’s unofficially summer…otherwise known as yard sale season! Yard sales can be a great source of bargain treasures and a lot of fun for those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Check out these tips for making the most of those early mornings spent digging through other people cast-offs in search of that great find!

yard sale graphic [Read more…]

Anna’s Budget Tips-Save Money with a Weekly Meal Plan

May 1, 2012 by Kathryn 8 Comments

Food generally makes up a large chunk of the household budget, so it is a good target when looking to save money. I have found that I am able to feed my family for a lot less when I create a weekly meal plan.

fresh salad When I know what I’m going to be making for dinner it is so much easier for me to get something healthy on the table at a reasonable hour. Takeout is far less tempting and I avoid a rushed trip to the grocery store at its busiest time of day with a young, tired and hungry child in tow.

There is no one “right way” to make a meal plan – some people find once a month is easier than once a week, some find it’s helpful to do a lot of the prep for weekday dinners on the weekend, but I will tell you what I have found (through much trial and lots of error!) works best for me.

At some point during the weekend I sit down and make a list of four to five dinners to have during the week from Sunday to Saturday. This leaves room for a few nights of leftovers or eating out. If I plan seven big dinners inevitably something goes to waste as there will always be a night when we won’t eat at home due to an event, an invitation from a friend or just because we’re all craving pizza.

To make the meal plan, I start by looking in the freezer, fridge and pantry for items we already have and create dishes around as many of them as possible. Then I pull out the binder where I keep all my favorite old recipes and new ones I have clipped from magazines or found online. I might also browse through my unreasonably large cookbook collection for some new things to try.

I feel like I have to mention that this part is really fun for me. I love to cook, test out new recipes and experiment with different ingredients and cuisines. I get way too many cooking magazines and read cookbooks like novels. If this isn’t your thing, there is no reason that your meal plan has to be filled with complicated multi-course dinners. Most online recipe collections have a “quick and easy” section. Seek out meals you can make in a slow cooker with just a few minutes of preparation the morning. Use convenience items from the grocery store such as frozen veggies, side dishes that steam right in the bag they come in, cooked rotisserie chicken, pre-washed lettuce and frozen entrees.

Once I have my list of dinners for the week (which goes up on the fridge) I make the list of ingredients I’ll need to make them (along with what we’ll need for breakfasts, lunches, and snacks) and head to the store. I try to find ingredients that will do double duty so nothing goes to waste. If I know I’ll need half an onion for one dish I’ll plan to toss the rest in the tacos I’m making a few days later. Other good ways to use bits of produce, meats, and cheeses: mix them into scrambled eggs, top a salad with them or make a wrap in a tortilla for lunch.

Each day when I get home from work I know I have a few options of things to cook with all the ingredients ready and waiting for me. I tend not to assign specific meals to each day and instead just choose from the list based on what everyone feels like having and how much time we have. I try to plan a couple of quick meals for crazy days and a few that are more involved for those evenings when I have a little time to breathe.

So – what do you think? Could this work for you? Do you have your own meal plan routine that helps you save time and money? And what’s your favorite thing to cook when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry?

Anna Platz writes for the popular personal finance blog, Good Cents Savings, which focuses on helping you save money, stick to a budget, and live well on less. She is also the mother of a four year old daughter who is worth every penny!

Anna’s Budget Tips-Traveling With Kids on a Budget

April 1, 2012 by Kathryn 3 Comments

Spring is in the air! That means that spring break is right around the corner (or already here for some) with summer not far behind. If you’re planning a family vacation for one of these times it doesn’t have to be a budget buster. Here are a few tips for making memories without breaking the bank!

summer suitcase Location

Your choice of vacation destination will probably have the biggest impact on the cost of the trip. Remember that kids don’t need a fancy cruise, Caribbean resort or whirlwind tour through Europe to have a good time. They might have even more fun camping out at a park 30 minutes from your house – think hiking, learning to fish, feasting on s’mores, and catching fireflies! If roughing it with the little ones isn’t your idea of a good time, check with hotels or resorts near you to see if they offer a local discount. Enjoy being a tourist in your home town and have a relaxing vacation without the stress and expense of travel.

When you do plan to travel some distance from home, price out several means of transportation. Factor in the cost of gas and wear and tear on the car and compare it to flying or taking a bus or train. The train can be particularly fun for kids and it gives you a chance to spend more time together playing games, reading books or just being silly – and less time behind the wheel.

Activities

Seek out low-cost and free activities near your vacation destination. Call the Tourism Office, Visitors Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for ideas and do a search online. Also ask about coupons for discounts to popular attractions and suggestions for kid-friendly activities unique to the area.

Seek out parks and playgrounds, hiking trails, free outdoor concerts, fireworks and festivals. Is there a local college or semi-pro sports team with free or very cheap tickets to games? How about a museum with free admission on certain days?

Food

Constantly eating out while traveling can put a serious dent in your budget and the food will most likely be higher in fat, calories, sugar and sodium than what you serve at home. Bring a stash of healthy snacks, drinks and even meals that can be eaten on the go. Granola bars, trail mix, fruit, cereal, applesauce and nuts all tend to travel well. If you’ve got room for a cooler (and aren’t flying) throw in some yogurt, cut veggies, hummus and other perishables. Just replace the ice as it melts to keep everything cool. Bring reusable bottles to refill with water.

Look for a hotel room with a kitchenette or even just a mini fridge and microwave so you can eat some meals in the room. Cook and freeze dinners ahead of time so that you can simply reheat and serve while on vacation or plan some simple meals that won’t require a lot of time or space to prep (counter space is generally very limited in small hotel kitchens.)

When you do want to eat out, look online for coupons, specials, and “kids eat free” deals.

Souvenirs

Avoid shelling out for treats, souvenirs and gifts at every turn by coming up with a game plan ahead of time. For older kids, consider giving them a set amount of spending money at the start of the trip. With little ones, steer clear of souvenir shops altogether and surprise them at the end of the trip with one special thing to remember the vacation by.

Anna Platz writes for the popular personal finance blog, Good Cents Savings, which focuses on helping you save money, stick to a budget, and live well on less. She is also the mother of a four year old daughter who is worth every penny!

Anna’s Budget Tips-Low Cost Ways to Update Mom’s Wardrobe

March 1, 2012 by Kathryn 16 Comments

Cute onesies. Fashion-forward diaper covers. Size 3 skinny jeans (3T that is). If your fashion focus has been primarily on your kids, who can blame you? They are so stinking cute and dressing them can be really fun. Plus, it’s something lots of us started practicing for as little girls when we played dress-up with our baby dolls. But it’s important not to forget that you deserve to look and feel great too!

Even if growth spurts and changing seasons mean that there’s little room in the budget for Mom’s wardrobe after outfitting the little ones it is possible to update your look without breaking the bank. Here are a few super low cost ideas to try:

Update with accessories. Add a few in-the-moment accessories to a classic outfit that’s already in your closet, whether it’s for the park, a play date, work or a night out. Don’t spend a lot on these trendy items which aren’t likely to last season after season – check stores such as Target, Claire’s Boutique, H&M, Walmart or low cost local boutiques. Current trends to consider include aviator sunglasses, large sparkly cocktail rings, statement necklaces, scarves and lots of bracelets – they can be bangles, beaded, cuffs, woven or wooden but wear several at a time on one wrist.
Buy one great item you’ll wear all the time. Do you live in jeans? Wear a black blazer to work at least a couple of times a week? Incorporate a classic white tee into almost every outfit? Whether it’s a bag, pair of shoes, article of clothing or accessory, if there is something you reach for again and again you might want to update your look by replacing that item with one that fits, looks, and feels amazing. And “great” doesn’t have to mean pricey – just try to carve out a little time to find the one that is right for you. Jeans in particular can be notoriously tough to buy but if you grab a bunch of styles, washes and fits and attack that three-way mirror with a vengeance, you’ll be rewarded every time you pull on that pair you love.
Shop your friends’ closets with a clothes swap. Chances are there is more than one item in your closet that is fashionable and in good shape but that you never, ever wear. Get your friends together for a fun “Mom’s Night Out” and have them all bring a bag of clothes they’re ready to part with. Lay everything out or toss it all in a pile and let everyone dig in and you should each end the night with a few new items to update your wardrobe. It’s so true that one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure! Donate any items left over to a local charity.

Unless you’re either one of those super women who don’t need to sleep or have a staff of 12 around to help out, perfect hair and makeup is probably saved for special occasions. These days “blowout” is more likely to refer to an unfortunate diaper incident than shiny hair! Still , you can feel a little more polished and pulled together with these quick beauty tips:

Add some style to that low maintenance pony tail by doing a quick braid from a side part to a little past your ear on one side. You can also just twist the hair before tucking it into the pony tail for an even faster look – you don’t even need a mirror.
If you know that nail polish will get chipped before you can redo it, just skip it! Instead, after trimming your nails short, file the edges to a slightly rounded square and then buff the surface, which will make your nails shiny. The result is a classic and natural look.
If you skip everything else, remember the sunscreen and moisturizer. Moisturizing lotion will help your skin look and feel fresh and youthful and sunscreen will help keep it looking that way for years to come. Mix them together to just apply once and save time or find a lotion you like with an SPF of 30 or higher, especially for your face.

Do you have any budget-friendly fashion tips of your own? I’d love to hear them!

Anna Platz writes for the popular personal finance blog, Good Cents Savings, which focuses on helping you to save money, stick to a budget, and live well on less. She is also the mother of a four year old daughter who is worth every penny!