Easy Ways To Save On Groceries!

Are you looking for ways to save money on food while still eating delicious, nourishing meals? Look no further! Here are some practical tips for cutting your food budget:

1. Plan your meals in advance: Take some time at the beginning of the week to plan out your meals. This can help you avoid impulse purchases and overspending at the grocery store. Plus, meal planning can help you make the most of the ingredients you buy, using up any leftovers in subsequent meals.
2. Make a shopping list: Before heading to the store, take a few minutes to write down the items you need. This will help you stay focused and avoid buying unnecessary items. Group items on your list by the area of the store where they can be found to save time.
3. Use coupons and look for sales: Look for coupons in newspapers and flyers, and keep an eye out for sales at your favorite stores. Don’t be afraid to try new products that are on sale – you might find a new favorite item that you can purchase at a discount.
4. Buy generic or store-brand items: These products are often just as good as their name-brand counterparts, but at a lower price. Don’t be swayed by fancy packaging or clever marketing – focus on the ingredients and choose the option that offers the best value.
5. Grow your own food: If you have a backyard or even just a balcony, consider growing your own herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also know exactly where your food is coming from. Plus, gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby.
6. Cook in bulk: Make a big batch of soup, chili, or another favorite recipe and freeze it for later. This way, you’ll have a ready-made meal on hand for busy nights. You can also make larger portions of grains, such as rice or quinoa, and use them as a base for multiple meals throughout the week.
7. Don’t waste food: Plan your meals and shopping trips so that you use up all of the food you buy. Consider using up any leftovers by incorporating them into your next meal, or freeze them for later. It’s estimated that the average American household throws away around $640 worth of food each year, so reducing food waste can have a significant impact on your budget.

By following these tips, you can save money on food without sacrificing taste or nutrition. With a little planning and creativity, you can stretch your food budget further and make the most of your resources.

8 Ways to Save Money in 2023!

As the new year approaches, many of us are thinking about ways to save money and make our finances more secure. Here are eight simple ways you can start saving money in 2023:

1. Make a budget: The first step to saving money is knowing where your money is going. Take some time to sit down and create a budget that tracks your income and expenses. This will help you see where you can cut back and find areas where you can save.
2. Cut unnecessary expenses: Once you have a budget, look for areas where you can cut back on expenses. This might include cancelling subscriptions you no longer use, switching to a cheaper phone or internet plan, or cooking at home instead of eating out.
3. Shop around for the best deals: Don’t just settle for the first price you see. Take some time to shop around and compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal. This is especially important for big purchases, like appliances or cars.
4. Save on groceries: Groceries can be a big expense, but there are ways to save. Try buying in bulk when items are on sale, using coupons, and opting for store-brand products. You can also save money by meal planning and cooking at home instead of eating out.
5. Reduce your energy usage: Small changes, like turning off lights when you leave a room and unplugging chargers when they’re not in use, can add up to big savings on your energy bill. Consider investing in energy-efficient appliances and making sure your home is well-insulated to further reduce your energy costs.
6. Save on transportation: Transportation costs can add up, especially if you’re driving a gas-guzzling car or taking expensive cabs. Consider carpooling, using public transportation, or biking to work to save on fuel and transportation costs.
7. Negotiate your bills: Don’t be afraid to negotiate your bills with providers. If you’ve been a good customer, they may be willing to lower your rates or offer you discounts. It’s worth a try!
8. Save for the future: Finally, make sure you’re saving for the future. Set up a retirement account, and consider saving for other goals, like a down payment on a house or a child’s education. The earlier you start saving, the more time your money has to grow.

By following these tips, you can start saving money and achieving your financial goals in the new year.

How To Make A Household Budget!

A household budget is a financial plan that outlines how you will allocate your income to meet your monthly expenses. It helps you to make the most of your money and avoid overspending. If you’re looking to make a household budget, here are some steps you can follow:

1. Gather your financial information: The first step in creating a budget is to gather all of your financial information, including your income, bills, debts, and expenses. This will help you to get a clear picture of your financial situation.
2. Determine your total income: The next step is to determine your total monthly income. This includes your salary, any bonuses or commissions, and any other sources of income.
3. List your expenses: Next, make a list of all of your monthly expenses. This should include fixed expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, as well as variable expenses like groceries and entertainment.
4. Divide your expenses into categories: Once you have a list of all of your expenses, divide them into categories such as housing, transportation, groceries, and so on. This will help you to see where you are spending the most money and where you may be able to cut back.
5. Determine your savings goals: It’s important to set aside money for savings each month, whether it’s for an emergency fund, a down payment on a house, or retirement. Determine how much you want to save each month and include it in your budget.
6. Compare your income and expenses: Now that you have a list of your income and expenses, compare them to see if you are spending more than you are earning. If you are, you’ll need to find ways to reduce your expenses or increase your income.
7. Create a budget plan: Based on your income and expenses, create a budget plan that outlines how you will allocate your money each month. This may involve cutting back on non-essential expenses, finding ways to increase your income, or a combination of both.
8. Track your spending: It’s important to track your spending to ensure that you are sticking to your budget. You can use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to keep track of your expenses, or simply write them down in a notebook.

By following these steps, you can create a household budget that works for you and helps you to make the most of your money. Remember, a budget is a plan, not a restriction, so don’t be afraid to make changes as needed to meet your financial goals.

Our Top Picks for Family Friendly Halloween Movies!

One of our favorite things to do is to have a weekly movie night. Now with the spooky season upon us, I compiled a list of our favorite Halloween movies that you can enjoy with the kids!

1. Halloweentown
2. Hocus Pocus
3. Hocus Pocus 2
4. Monster House
5. Casper
6. Spooky Buddies
7. Nightmare Before Christmas
8. The Muppet Halloween Movie
9. Ghostbusters
10. Coraline
11. E.T.
12. The Witches
13. Beetlejuice
14. Scooby-Doo
15. Arthur and the Haunted Tree House
16. Hotel Transylvania
17. Hotel Transylvania 2
18. The Addams Family
19. The Addams Family 2
20. Race To Witch Mountain
21. Matilda
22. Jumanji
23. Under Wraps
24. Twitches
25. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Can you really save by shopping on Memorial Day?

We all see retailers coming out with printed ads, commercials, videos and more featuring “BIG” Memorial Day sales events so naturally the question arises…can I really save by shopping on Memorial Day? The answer is MAYBE! Why maybe you ask? Because it depends on which type of item you are trying to save on! See our favorite things to buy and not to buy during Memorial Day savings events by continuing to read below and let us know in the comments what you are keeping an eye out for this year too!

Looking for details on specific Memorial Day sales? Check out our round-up of Memorial Day retailer sales!

What to buy during Memorial Day sales

Appliances

One of the best things to buy during Memorial Day sales is appliances! If you need a new washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, etc. Memorial Day savings are typically huge. Best Buy, Lowe’s & Home Depot typically feature them front and center on their ads too. Expect savings up to 40% + possible rebates when buying bundles of appliances together as well. Free delivery is typically available in addition to the savings and they can typically be combined with other discounts you may have such as the Lowe’s Consumer Card member discount of 5%!

Mattresses 

Patriotic holidays including Memorial Day are one of the very best times to buy a mattress. Typically you will see deals as high as 50% off of select mattresses as well as offers like free mattress protectors, bed frame bundles, etc.

Home Decor & furniture

Memorial Day is a great time to keep an eye out for discounts on furniture and home decor items that you have had an eye on. Couches, recliners & patio furniture are always featured in Memorial Day ads from Big Lots, local furniture stores & more!

Tires

If the winter was harsh on your tires it may be time to get a new set for the summer. Memorial Day events are a great time to save. Many retailers offer a bundle deal if purchasing all four as well!

Tools

With Father’s Day near Memorial Day it is always a great time to grab some new tools. Many of these items are rarely discounted, so it’s good to grab the savings while you can on drills, saws & other commonly used tools!

What not to buy during Memorial Day Sales

Summer apparel & swim wear

Apparel can be tricky when it comes to Memorial Day sales events. A smart shopper can find some savings on leftover spring apparel and some retailers do offer a percentage off of your online purchase which can add up to some pretty good savings. Some stores may feature cheap flip flops or tank tops to lure you into their sale events as well. Overall however the best clothing sales will be found during back-to-school events and black friday sales.

Grills

If you need to buy one you may be able to save a little on Memorial Day but truly steep discounts on grills will not appear until the end of the season! To save the most wait until around Labor Day, but if you can’t wait then Memorial Day events may be your best bet!

Jewelry

If you have your eye on something shiny it may be best to wait. While some retailers do have decent deals on jewelry during Memorial Day you will typically find better deals in the slower jewelry buying months at the end of summer and in late February!

TVs and electronics

This is another one of those items that you may be able to save some on during Memorial Day events but if you want big savings you will need to wait. July & November are typically the best times to be on the lookout for electronics deals.

Looking for details on specific Memorial Day sales? Check out our round-up of Memorial Day retailer sales!