Monday Money Musing

Mondays are good days. Yea, it's hard to get over the weekend, but it is the start of a new week and a new chance to create a savings goal. Think about saving money this week, and this week only. Keep it short term so it is easier to achieve your goal, so instead of being disillusioned at the end of the week, you will feel inspired and motivated!

So how to go about setting your weekly savings goal?

Just challenge yourself to live as frugally as possible for the next 5 days. You know best where you can cut back, and where you can cut corners. It just takes the motivation and conviction.

Write down how much you normally spend every day and multiply it by 5. Take that amount and reduce it by however much you would like to save instead of spend. Try for as much as you think you can do...challenge yourself. But even if it is $10, that counts as saving. Even $2 is better than nothing. It is even better if you can actually have the amount in cash that you would normally spend in a week, and then take $5, $10, $20--- whatever your savings goal is, and tuck it in an envelope. Then use the rest of the cash for the next 5 days. Period.

Keep your savings goal on your refrigerator where you will see it every morning to help keep you motivated.

On Friday, celebrate achieving your goal by depositing that money you tucked away in an envelope on Monday into your savings account!

Of course the best way to really develop consistent saving habits is to develop a weekly or monthly budget worksheet. Without a budget to follow, you cannot truly get a handle on what you are spending and how much you are saving each month. A budget will also help you track where you can cut back on spending so you can save even more.

Good Luck!

Spending Money To Save Money

Saving money may mean that first you have to spend money (wisely!).....as bizarre as they might sound. Investing now in more efficient, better-quality items will save you money down the road.

Some things that are worth spending more money on now in order to save money later are:

1. Programmable Thermostat. This will automatically regulate the temperature in your house at certain times during the day, like while you are asleep. It may cost you about $100 or less up front, but the energy savings could be well worth it when those bills come in every month.

*If you do not have the extra $$ to get one of these thermostats, then do what we do: just keep the thermostat off at night --use extra blankets if you need, and keep it off as much as possible during the day. Hot days: close the curtains and blinds to help keep heat out. Cold days-wear a sweater or cuddle under blankets!*

2. Seeds. Grow Your own Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables. Did you know that for every $1 you put in, you can expect to get about $9 worth of food out? So says expert Elizabeth Rogers, author of Shift Your Habit: Easy Ways to Save Money, Simplify Your Life and Save the Planet. Tomatoes, bell peppers and yellow squash are your best bets to get the most for your money, says Rogers.
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 Of course the savings won't come for a while: wait about 2 ½ to 3 months before you can harvest if planting from seeds, and half that time if starting with a pony pack [a tray of growing plants bought at a nursery for transplanting]. And don’t forget fresh herbs and leafy greens like basil, oregano, spinach and lettuce, which typically grow in 40 days if planted from seeds. “You can harvest a few leaves at a time, depending on how much you need, and the plants will keep growing,” she says.

3. High Quality Sheets. Sinking into a comfy bed at night with luxurious sheets is actually practical, not indulgent! (could it be both??). Egyptian cotton with a high thread count (300+)  will be more expensive—often twice as much—but  will likely last three or four times longer than their cheaper sheets. So go ahead, splurge now, sleep better and save in the long run!

4. A Water Filter. A  water filter system you attach to your faucet will cost around $25. The savings will be tremendous. Not to mention what a "green" way to save money! Consistently change the filter, and the system should last indefinitely.  Replacement filters cost about $20, usually last 2 to 3 months and can filter a total of at least 100 gallons of water. “To purchase the equivalent amount in bottled water would cost you about $400,” says Rogers.

5. A Low Flow Showerhead.  A little investment on a new low flow showerhead can save you about about $150 a year on their water bill. Go visit your local hardware store...it is so worth doing this simple task.

6. Re-Usable Lunchbox. Forget the paper bags, plastic baggies and juice boxes. A re-usable lunch box has  separate compartments for food and comes with a reusable beverage bottle. And according to Rogers, investing about  $25 to $29 will save you about $250 a year on paper bags, baggies and individual drinks.

source: http://shine.yahoo.com

5 Money Mistakes You Should Not Make

Some common mistakes people make where money is concerned that can cost you later:

1. Not checking your statements. I know I tend to do this, always while planning to look at them later..when I have more time. Ack. Check your statements asap to make sure charges on there are correct, and to see exactly how you have spent your money lately (in case you have forgotten!)

2. Not Saving for Retirement. So easy to put off, but that day will come. Start saving now, and you will have at least some peace of mind!

3. Not Saving for Your Emergency Fund.  Same thing as with the Retirement Savings. Budget your money so that some of it goes into an emergency fund. Even a little bit each week will be better than nothing saved for that inevitable 'rainy day.'

4. Not Paying More Than the Minimum on Credit Cards. (Or should we just say, using those credit cards?) Seriously, paying the minimum is better than not paying, but to really make a dent, you need to always pay a little extra. It may hurt up front, but it will pay those credit cards off more quickly, which means paying less interest overall.

5. Not Thinking Before Spending. Impulse buying is a sure-fire way to feel depressed and more broke later. Save the need for instant gratification, and instead walk away from the thing that seems to be calling your name. Go home and think about that potential purchase first. If you do decide you absolutely need/want it, and cannot fathom living without it, then get an envelope marked just for that item, and start saving for it. Sure, you may have to wait longer, but you will undoubtedly be happier when you do buy it, knowing that you saved for it instead of dipping into the money that was meant for, oh say, those credit card payments!

9 Hot Items To Sell on Ebay Now ( And Make Some Money To Save )

Check your closets, attics, and garages for these 9 items, which according to an article on LHJ (Ladies Home Journal), are hot selling items on Ebay now:

1. American Girl Dolls. Think Samantha, Nellie, and others popular just a few years ago.  If you have a teen daughter, the American Girl doll she loved so much as a child probably is a collectors' item now. Many dolls are no longer available in stores, and collectors are on the look out for them. You can easily get twice what you paid for one having an outfit and in good condition. A doll with a few changes of clothes plus some accessories recently fetched $372.

2. Brand Name Kids Clothes - Think Juicy Couture, Ambercrombie, Aerostople, and American Eagle).

3. Kitchen Equipment- Think bread makers, juicers, stand mixers and ice cream makers.They should be in excellent working condition though, and having the original box is a big plus.

4. Exercise Equipment. Think large as well as small exercise/work out items. Treadmills and bigger items you can always list as 'pick-up only. Think about those exercise balls, mini trampolines, even a collection of exercise DVDs might bring you some extra money.

5. Used China. Think individual pieces, not sets of china. Why? The secret to selling china on eBay is not to sell an entire service as one lot but to list individual pieces, since your target customer wants replacements for her own incomplete set. Seven bidders wanted the Lenox Country Romance serving platter, driving the price above $61.

6. Vintage Children's Books. Think Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys. Books you liked as a child can sell well on Ebay it seems, especially if still in good condition. First or early editions of many of the classics -- Nancy Drew, Doctor Dolittle, and others -- are collectors' items, and individual books and multivolume sets are big. Recently on eBay a first edition copy of the Hardy Boys Secret Warning changed hands for $280 after having been bid up by six bidders, and a 38-volume set of vintage (but not first printing) Nancy Drew books earned $602 with 30 bidders!

7. Wedding/Bridal Items. Think beyond the wedding gowns (which are big sellers of course,) and remember items such as ring bearer pillows, decorations, and accessories. One of the hottest bridal items selling on Ebay now are J Crew bridesmaid dresses (usually worn just once, right?).

8. Electronics. Think cameras, smart phones and laptops. If you have recently upgraded, Ebay buyers are looking for your old one, especially if it is an up-to-date model in perfect working condition.

9. Classic Rock 'n' Roll T-Shirts. Think Bruce Springsteen on his 1975 Born to Run tour. T-Shirts of famous bands that are from concert tours early in their careers, or that relate to an early album release, are hot sellers on Ebay thanks to the many serious collectors.

Source: LHJ

3 Tips For Saving Money in The Kitchen

Here are a few tips to help you save money by keeping foods fresher longer:

• Keep fruits and veggies fresh longer by keeping a dry clean sponge in the crisper. The sponge will absorb surrounding moisture, which can cause mold to form, and will keep produce fresh twice as long.

• Instead of throwing away stale bread and spending money on a new loaf, try this tip-Fill a pan with an inch of water and simmer on the stove. Place a cookie rack on top of the pan for an instant steamer, and place the bread on top. In about 5 minutes, the once-stale bread will be soft and moist again, and warm too!

•  Sugar that has become hard can be saved, as well as saving you some money, with a piece of bread. Just stick a small piece of bread inside the bag or container, and seal tightly. In about six hours, that hardened sugar should be soft once again! 

Want More Saving Tips? Check out 8 money saving beauty tips!

Money-Saving Cooking: Pasta Fagoli

A budget friendly dinner that will stretch the dollars while warming the tummies!

Pasta Fagoli

5 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 Clove Garlic
1 Yellow Onion
3 1/2 Cups Water
2 Cups Marinara Sauce
1 Chopped Carrot
1 Chopped Celery
1 Can Cannellini Beans (19 oz.) (rinsed and drained)
2 bouillon cubes (chicken or veggie)
1 large Basil Leaf\
Just a pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (if desired)
Macaroni Style Pasta

Pour Olive Oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add sliced Garlic and Onion. Cook about 6 miutes.
Add 3 1/2 cups water. marinara sauce, carrot and celery, cannellini beans, bouillon cubes, basil leaf and pepper flakes.

Cover with lid loosely and cook on medium heat about half an hour, stirring evry 10 minutes or so.

Cook pasta to al dente. Drain and pour into the sauce. Turn off heat and stir 2 minutes.Top with grated Romano cheese, or your favorite cheese topping, if any!

5 Top Sites For Discounted Designer Clothing

Save money on designer clothing by shopping online at discounted designer sites. Just remember that you need to act fast: Sales last just a few days usually- and sometimes for just hours. And the bargains are usually so hot, they sell out fast. You usually need to register for free at these sites, and you can then be notified by email when a new sale begins! Here are 5 online designer clothing stores that will save you money next time you shop!

1. HauteLook.com
2. Gilt.com
3. Ideeli.com
4. RueLaLa.com

10 Inexpensive Heart Healthy Foods Women Should Eat

What we eat has a huge impact on our heart health, and on our grocery bills. These 10 heart healthy foods are for the most part affordable and can be used in many different recipes.Try including these foods—all either rich in fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids or another ingredient beneficial to cardiovascular well-being—into your eating routine at least 4 to 6 times a week.

Oatmeal:. A great source of soluble fiber, which seems to lower cholesterol absorbed in your intestines. Aim for 10 grams of soluble fiber daily: 1 cup of oatmeal contains 6 grams. (Toss in a banana and you’ll add 4 more grams.). Oatmeal is one of the healthiest yet cheapest meals we can make. Kids love it especially if you mix in fruits, yogurt, applesauce, etc. Buy a container and eat up!
 
Beans: An excellent source of soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.  Definitely a cheap food staple to have around the kitchen. Try our Cuban -style Black Bean Soup recipe!

Dark Chocolate: Full of flavonoids and other antioxidants, did you know that eating it daily for just one week can help improve cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation in women, according to research from Johns Hopkins University. A small amount (30 calories’ worth or a small square) is all you need. A delicious, affordable treat when you spread out a bar over several days. OK--maybe a day and a half.

Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale and broccoli  are rich in carotenoid antioxidants, which protect the blood vessels. Make a spinach salad with some lemon spritzed on for a fabulously healthy, cheap lunch. Bonus: low in calories!

Ground Flaxseeds: Full of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and plant estrogens, which reduce inflammation, improve cholesterol levels and help regulate blood pressure. Sprinkle them on cereal or yogurt.

Berries: Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are loaded with soluble fiber and antioxidants that promote healthy blood flow and protect blood vessels.Eat alone, with yogurt, on oatmeal, in salads, in cereals (btw, eating cold cereal can help lower LDC too). A money-saving tip: buying frozen fruits and berries will usually be cheaper than fresh.

Nuts:  Walnuts are rich in omega-3s, which reduce inflammation, triglyceride levels, blood pressure and the risk of heart arrhythmias. Eating at least 5 servings of nuts or peanut butter a week is associated with a 44 percent lower risk of heart disease in women with type 2 diabetes, according to a recent Harvard study.

Salmon: This fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which lower LDL and triglyceride levels, raise HDL and reduce inflammation.To save money, buy canned salmon and add to salads.

Avocado: It’s got fat, yes, but a good kind—monounsaturated—that helps lower LDL and maintain or raise HDL cholesterol.

 Red Wine: Its phytonutrients (including resveratrol) and ethanol raise “good” (HDL) cholesterol and help lower the risk of blood clots. Enjoy a glass with your healthy spinach salad and salmon dinner! Maybe not the cheapest item on the list, but it is good for your heart (in moderation) and a glass here and there can stretch a bottle of wine out a few days.


Source: Woman's Day

5 Inexpensive Foods That Fight Stress

There are some very healthy, very inexpensive foods you can eat that will help you fight stress while saving you some money too (another stress-reliever!).

Carrots and Celery contain tryptophan, an amino acid that the body converts into calming serotonin. An extra bonus is that biting into something crunchy releases muscle tension in your jaw!

Calcium in milk soothes tension and makes you feel more peaceful. A study has found that women who drink four or more servings of low-fat or skim milk per day are 46% less likely to experience pre-period tension than women who have fewer servings.

Carbs help us produce the calming hormone, serotonin, which is probably why we tend to crave them when we’re stressed.  One of the best sources of healthy carbs is Oatmeal. Since this inexpensive food is also high in fiber, your body will absorb it slowly. So  you  will prolong the serotonin boost and keeping yourself feeling full for longer (and on less) and making sure your blood sugar’s in check.

A good source of folate, Sunflower Seeds will help your body produce a pleasure-inducing brain chemical called dopamine.

The antioxidants in Blueberries counteract the effects of stress hormones like cortisol on your body.

Saving Money By Avoiding Sales Tricks

If you smell flowers when looking at an item you are not sure if you want to buy or not.....chances are you shouldn't! Manufacturers are getting trickier when it comes to tempting consumers to make purchases they really do not need to.

Turns out, more savvy manufacturers are adding sweet or flowery smells to everyday items. According to the Joural of Consumer Research, scent is one of the best ways to make a product's name and shape linger in your memory-and increase the chances that you'll spend money buying it.

So if it smells too good to resist....all the more reason to walk away and keep your cash in your wallet!

Save Money With Free Yoga Classes, Free Movies and Free Haircuts!

The best way to save money that I know of is simple: Don't spend it! Just because I am so anxious to help you save your money, I am sharing 3 fun freebies with you, including free yoga classes, free movies, and free haircuts!

Free Yoga Classes: Go to http://www.lululemon.com/stores/, and find a lululemon store close to you. Most stores are offering FREE yoga classes, usually on Sunday mornings-but each store may have different days/times, so check carefully. As well as the yoga clsses, some stores may offer free Pilate classes. So head on over (after you finish reading this post, of course!) and see if there is a store near you.

Free Movies: If you want to have a night out but are limited on cash, check out these two sites for free movies in your area: http://wildaboutmovies.com, and http://filmmetro.com/events. OR, just make a bowl of popcorn, and watch a free movie at home at http://crackle.com

Free Haircuts: Tons of beauty schools offer free haircuts so their students can practice their craft--and they are supervised by the pro's, so you don't have to worry. Go to http://www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com to find your nearest participating beauty school, then call to make an appointment!

Free Bowling: Surprise! I have one more fun freebie to share with you ( I am generous that way.) You and up to nine other friends or family members can have a free game of bowling at AMF LANES. All you do is sign up for AMF's free e-club at AMF.com, and they'll email you coupons. Bonus: The club's newsletters come with deals every month!

Save Money While Lowering Your Stroke Risk

Now there is more reason than ever to drink more water everyday! Of course we know drinking water instead of sugary juices and sodas will save us money and calories (not to mention cavities!) but a new study now shows drinking 5 glasses of water each day can lower your risk of stroke by 53 %!

The water thins the blood, making it less likely to form dangerous blood clots in the brain according to the study.

If plain water just doesn't appeal to you, then try herbal teas or add a few drops of juce and ice o your glass of water to make a juice spritzer.

So there you have it. Save money and protect yourself from stroke. Drink that water (isn't that what your mom always told you, anyway??)