Easy Ways To Save Money Fast

Ditch your car (sometimes): Your car is probably one of the most expensive things in your life. We forget that not we’re not only paying up for fuel on a regular basis, but we also have to pay all the maintenance costs for our cars.

We don’t necessarily need cars to get on with our daily lives. Public transport is great alternative. Another great alternative to a car is a bicycle. Bicycles cost almost nothing to run, with very low maintenance costs and zero fuel bills. Better still, you’ll even get fit by using a bike.

Finally, you can walk as much as possible. While some things will probably be too far away for walking, there’ll almost certainly be plenty of things you can do by walking which you’d normally take your car to do.

Many can’t imagine life without a car, but you don’t actually have to drop your car altogether to save money. Just making shorter journeys by bus, bike or on foot can start saving you money on fuel, and will reduce wear and tear on your car making maintenance less of an issue.

Stop going to the gym: If you are looking for  easy ways to save money fast, you may want to check out your work out habits.   If you’re paying out to go to the gym on a regular basis, then consider doing your workout from home – at least until your financial situation is looking a bit better.  You can arrange to go on runs in a local park or on the sidewalk with friends if you want to get out of the house. But it’s also possible to do lots of exercises in the house.

You can also try to cycle journeys that you would usually make in the car. As mentioned above, this can reduce fuel costs at the same time as keeping you fit. It’s also a timesaver, as you won’t need to use up as much of your free time on exercise if you’re cycling to get around.

Plan your food shopping: One of the most common mistakes we make is not planning our food shopping properly. By using some key family meal planning tips, you can save a lot of money monehly.  It can seem like an annoying chore, but by buying only what you know you will need you waste far less. It also means you can take advantage of bulk-buy special offers.

Check out supermarket clearances: Supermarkets often have end-of-day, or end-of-week clearances. These are definitely worth checking out! You can find some truly amazing deals here, particularly if you’re buying meat. Find out when food clearances usually take place at your local supermarket and make it a habit to turn up for them frequently. It’s possible to cut food bills down quite a bit this way.

Drink less alcohol, smoke less cigarettes:  It sounds boring and difficult, but if you can manage it then cutting back on alcohol and cigarettes can be a huge money-saver. Cigarettes are one of the biggest money wasters – especially for chain smokers. Those who are unable to quit cigarettes might be able to cut back and save some pretty decent money.

Alcohol is actually easier to cut back on than many people think. You don’t have to stop drinking it altogether, but saving it for just one or two nights per week can really make a big difference to your expenses. Also, if you drink out at bars a lot, consider drinking at home beforehand. This can reduce the cost of a night out quite a bit!

As you can see by the list above, there are many  easy ways to save money fast ways.  These are just a few ideas to help get you thinking. Take a look at your daily life, and see if you can find other ways to save yourself money in addition to these.

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Profit from a Big Tidy

Kids hate cleaning and tidying up their rooms, and this can be a big source of frustration for the parents. You could even make it into a game with a time limit to sort the room. With the kids at home though, why not encourage them to sort through their old toys and set aside the ones that they no longer play with. Take these to a car boot sale and let them spend the money made from their sale on a visit to a toy shop.

Treasure hunt

This can be a great opportunity, not only for the children, but for the parents too. Get your kids to invite their friends around, along with their parents. Whilst you relax over a glass of wine and catch up with the adults, your children can enjoy figuring out the puzzles and finding the treats that you have planted around your garden.

Camping

There is nothing better than getting the children into the fresh air, something that is increasingly difficult in this day of modern technology. There are many camp sites in the country that have great facilities, and the kids love the freedom to run around. If you don’t have your own transport, consider camping in your own garden or even, indeed, inside the house; this can be great fun if treated as an adventure and can stimulate the imagination of young minds.

Make your own T Shirts

Let your kids make their own personalised t shirts. You can either do this by buying a kit, or why not simply allow them to paint on their t shirts with non-washable paints. You could suggest a few ideas to get them started or simply give them free reign to be as creative as they like.

As children, many of us loved to roam around our local park and discover things as we went along, whether it was the sighting of a squirrel or simply the discovery of an attractive leaf that had fallen from the tree. Buy them each a scrap book and suggest that they see how many different types of leaves they can find. After much running around in the fresh air, they are likely to be tired by the evening and give you a bit of peace and quiet too.

The Seaside

If you are fortunate to live close enough to the coast, then the beach is perhaps the most exciting place for a child. Of course, you will have to compete with the modern entertainment and copious amounts of junk food that is on offer; but once you get them on the beach, they will love building sandcastles, exploring rock pools at low tide and generally wearing themselves out running around.

The summer holidays don’t have to be filled with children hanging around the house, bored, there are plenty of ideas for cheap summer fun for kids.  You may also find that your will re-discover your own inner child too.

Buy Used

You knew I was going to suggest this first, didn’t you? Seriously, how many times have you bought something new for your kids at retail price only to find they’ve outgrown it by the time they get around to wearing it, or worse, it tears apart in the wash after a couple of wears? If you don’t want to take time to hunt at yard sales, try consignment shops. In my area, these are still a bit pricey, so I take advantage of discount days and frequent shopper cards to save a little. My favorite thrift store, in a nicer part of town, has half price days around major holidays. Several times a year I go and stock up. You can’t beat the prices, and if an item still looks good after being worn and washed, it’s likely to last.

Buy Ahead

If you’re organized, you may want to buy next year’s clothing at the end of this season, when everything is on clearance – and keep the off season clothing in marked containers in storage. Keep the buy ahead principle in mind when you’re out and about and see great deals.

eBay and Craigslist

I find that there are great deals to be had on clothing purchased used online. In fact, clothing purchased in “lots” on eBay are often cheaper than even thrift stores. A  major advantage of this approach is the time you save not driving around to stores. I have my daughters hunt for clothing they like on eBay, add it to my “watch” list, and later when I have time I buy it (or not). This is fun for them!

Cruising Craigslist for clothing is also a great idea, as sellers typically aren’t in business but are just clearing out clutter, and prices are low.

Simple Hacks

Try to think outside the box when it comes to kid’s clothing. Items that you think are outgrown may not be. For example, last winter’s jeans can become this summer’s cute cutoffs, and leggings or pants can turn into capris. A dress that fits an 18 month old will likely be a cute top when she’s 3. Once a toddler is potty trained, her old clothing may fit again once she’s not in a bulky diaper.

My 9 year old sometimes “shops” in her 6 year old’s discards – her old cardigans reappear as “shrugs”, and her big brother’s too short neckties give her a cute preppy look. A skirt too short? Put opaque leggings underneath and you’ve got a trendy look. Don’t be too quick to throw outgrown clothing out.

Host a Swap

Hosting a clothing swap is fun, easy and a great way to get rid of unneeded stuff as well as obtain great new-to-you clothing. Set a date, email your friends an invite, and “shop” each other’s stuff for free!

Carrie is a homeschooling mom of 7 who has learned a thing or two about raising kids frugally. Find more tips for natural family living at http://www.NaturalMomsTalkRadio.com

Last year the Consumer Product Safety Commission sent out an advisory about infant slings. This was in response to 14 deaths that occurred among babies worn in infant slings over the past 20 years. It’s important to note that the reason behind each of these deaths was due to improper use and positioning of the sling, rather than the practice of babywearing itself. In addition, we should keep this statistic in perspective. According to several sources, about 100 babies die in a crib or playpen each year because of: strangulation, collapsing equipment, entrapment and the like. These are tragic for sure, and caution as well as common sense is needed when using any baby gadget.

There has also been a recall on certain slings that are too soft for babies and can impede their breathing. These types of slings are not the norm when it comes to infant carriers and have been recalled for good reason. If you find a baby carrier at a yard sale or consignment shop or are given one secondhand, it’s a good idea to do a Google search of the name brand and style to see if there is a recall on it.

Instead of feeling fearful of infant carriers, you can learn the correct way to use them. When used correctly, infant slings, wraps and carriers are extremely beneficial. Carrying baby against your body for much of the day using a soft cloth carrier is a practice known as “baby wearing”. You baby will be able to mimic your breathing, hear your heartbeat and feel nurtured being next to your body. It is also a discreet way to breastfeed, a hands free way of holding your baby close and a safe and natural, not to mention convenient, alternative to strollers. Slings and wraps have been used in many cultures for generations and are still used today without any problems when used properly.

Start by using a sling or wrap that is made from durable fabric and wrapped according to the instructions it came with. (If you bought your sling used and there were no instructions, you can generally find them on the company website.) When positioning the baby, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The baby should be positioned similarly to the way you might hold them in your arms, which is an upright position where their head is higher than their feet. They should also be close enough to your face that you are able to kiss them. (If baby is in a ring sling, be sure it isn’t positioned too low so that baby is near your waist.) Their bodies should be stretched out with their backs straight, rather than curled up in a fetal position. The latter position can actually create suffocation as it limits the amount of oxygen the baby receives.

Check to make sure they have enough breathing space by making sure the baby’s face is not smashed into your body. There should be a finger’s worth of space or more between yourself and the baby’s face. It may be a good idea to position them so the side of their body touches your torso, rather than their body facing yours. The exception to this is during breastfeeding. In this case, the baby’s face should be up with the sling material away from their face. You can return them to the previous position after a feeding. The use of wraps, rather than slings can also be useful for newborns, who can be “lost” inside a ring sling’s pouch.

In addition to the positioning, it is important to pay extra attention in the case of certain circumstances. There can be special risk factors for babies under four months of age, those born prematurely and those with colds, congestion and other breathing problems. Younger infants can have trouble holding their necks, which can pose a threat if their head is in a position that limits oxygen. Babies who were born prematurely or have a low birth weight might also have breathing problems and can also be too weak to move their necks. When they have a cold with congestion or other breathing problems, they will need extra breathing room in order to breathe properly.

Following these correct practices can make for a safe and enjoyable babywearing experience for both yourself and your baby. Be sure to follow the guidelines every time in order to give your child the safest carrying position possible.

Carrie is a homeschooling mom of 6 (going on 7) who writes about natural family life at: http://www.NaturalMomsTalkRadio.com. Be sure to check out the free podcasts for interviews with experts in natural family living.

What is the big deal about family meals, anyway? Are they really important? The research would suggest yes, they are. Here are some of the benefits of having regular family meals, and some reasons why family meal times are important.

Nutrition

Family meals are more nutritious than fast food, even if you use frozen vegetables and canned fruits in your food preparation. If you take a little time to research, you will find that healthy meals do not necessarily take any longer to cook than frozen, packaged foods. Healthy foods do not have to be very expensive, either.  Why not try to get a meal plan together and plan out some healthy meals for your family

Family meals help prevent spontaneous stops at unhealthy drive-throughs, and provide much better family nutrition.

Economics

Over and over the numbers show that eating at home is a lot cheaper than eating out. Even “cheap” food, such as $1 menus at fast-food restaurants, can be more expensive than an individual portion of a home-cooked meal. For the price of a fast-food meal – say $5 – you can buy (depending on local prices) a head of lettuce and a bag of potatoes, or a couple of pounds of apples and half a pound of cheese.  Click here for tips on saving on your grocery bill.

Communication

This is one of the key benefits to family meal time. Sitting around a table and talking is a way for families to engage each other and learn about what’s going on in each other’s lives. Experts agree that meal times should be as calm and peaceful as possible, so it’s not a good time to “grill” or pump your family members for information. It may be better just to let the conversation naturally grow from your time together.

Learning

If your children are engaging in the meal process – preparing the food, setting the table, helping clean up – then you are teaching them important skills. Children used to learn by helping grown-ups with chores around the house, and they still can! You are also showing them what’s involved in meal preparation, which may foster a sense of appreciation for those who prepare meals for them, both now and in the future.

Another important thing that children learn at family meals is manners. These important skills will serve your kids for their whole lives.

Validation and Security

When you take the time to have family meals, you are telling your family, “You’re worth it.” You are saying, in essence, that your family members are worth time, effort, and money. In fact, studies have shown that family meals can help boost children’s self-esteem, and may improve or prevent deviant behavior in teens.

Family meals establish a routine, too, that helps children feel more secure. Meals can provide a safe haven for youngsters who often find school, homework, socializing, and extracurricular activities overwhelming.

When you hear about cutting back on calories, does it conjure up images of bland food and constant hunger? The good news is, flavor does not necessarily have to mean more calories.  Here are some calorie cutting tips that you can use while you keep – or even improve – the flavor of your favorite foods.

Drink First

It’s been said that hunger cues may actually be thirst cues in disguise.  The first calorie cutting tip is that when you feel hungry and it’s not time for a meal or healthy snack, reach for a drink.  Water is good, but if you can drink something flavorful without calories, it may be more satisfying in staving off hunger. Try lemon juice, water, and stevia (or your non-sugar sweetener of choice), or add sparkle to unsweetened juice with carbonated water. 

Pickled Vegetables

Did you know that most pickles have virtually no calories? Sweet pickles, of course, do have calories since they have sugar in them. But dill pickles, banana pepper rings, pickled green beans, and so forth are generally almost free of calories and they are full of flavor.  If you are looking to start your calorie cutting — be sure to snack on these when you feel the urge for something strongly flavored and salty.

You can also mince or slice pickles to add flavor or heat to food without adding calories.

Explore Calorie-Free Condiments

Mustard, hot sauce, and horseradish are just some of the strongly-flavored condiments that are almost calorie-free. Another option that is low in calories is salsa. You can buy jarred salsa or make your own using fruit or vegetables. The flavors can be quite varied and creative.

Lemon juice can be treated as a condiment. It’s very low in calories and adds bright, tart flavor to many otherwise bland dishes, such as plain rice. You can also toss steamed vegetables with lemon juice and a little olive oil.

Cook with Herbs and Spices

My favorite calorie cutting tips include the use of herbs.  Herbs and spices are just the thing to add flavor to dishes without adding fat or calories. Whether fresh or dried, adding on herbs like basil, oregano, garlic, and dill or spices like cumin, coriander, pepper, and cinnamon can really give your dishes a creative, flavorful kick. 

Clear versus Creamy

Many calorie cutters eat a lot of salad, and that’s good; but loading salads with thick, creamy salad dressings kind of defeats the purpose. Instead, use a simple oil and vinegar combination. You can add flavorful herbs like minced garlic or use dried, packaged dressing mix to add to your oil and vinegar. The flavor burst can be intense, especially if you go heavy on the vinegar and sprinkle on a little coarse salt…but the calories are still low.

As you can see by the many calorie cutting tips above, there are some ways that you can lower your calories while boosting up the flavor of foods.

1. Plan ahead.

Develop the habit of preparing for the next day the evening before. That will not only give you a head start for the day, but will get your body in the habit of slowing down to fall asleep when you want it to. Realize you can’t work or play until you fall into bed exhausted. Exercise is great, but earlier in the day, not right before bed. Your mind and your body need to relax after the busy day to get a good night’s sleep, that’s a big plus toward an organized morning.

The length of time required to prepare will depend on family size, and what the next day holds for each person. Start with 30 minutes to an hour, making adjustments as necessary. Also note that planning is done by each family member mature enough to do it, not by Mom or Dad alone, though someone will have to take the lead.

 2. Select tomorrow’s clothing.

Does work require a suit, business casual, or casual? Is this a tennis or golf day? Will someone volunteer at the food pantry? Will the children need school uniforms, or more sturdy clothes for a field trip? What about sport uniforms or dance outfits for after school?

Select clothing and set it out where each person dresses. Check for missing buttons, broken zippers, rips, or stains. Those problems are more easily corrected in the evening.

 3. Prepare tomorrow’s food.

Prepare and refrigerate lunch boxes in the evening when time is more relaxed. Part or all of breakfast may be fixed at the same time. This minimizes cleanup: two meals, one cleanup.

In addition, set the table for breakfast. More time for breakfast means a more readily digested breakfast.

 4. Collect tomorrow’s needed items.

What goes to work, reports or contracts? Put it all in the business case(s). What goes to school, homework, or projects? Put those in the book pack(s). Is anyone going to the doctor? Bag the patient’s prescriptions and over-the- counter medicines; remember to include all of them. Any questions for the doctor are written out and included with the medicines. Does anything need to be picked up? Make sure the ‘picker’ has the needed ticket or receipt. Does the tennis player have his racket, the golfer her golf bag, the canasta player his cards? Try to think all this through before going to bed.

Stage these things by the door. Set them in order as needed, and in tote bags or containers to keep everything together. For example, if Dad leaves first, his items will sit at the door. Those leaving next have their items behind Dad’s. If Mom leaves last, her things are at the end of the line. Each person’s pack is waiting for them as they leave. Everything is in order, nothing is left behind.

5. Wake up refreshed.

When the clock goes off, do not push the snooze alarm. If you got to bed early enough, that won’t be necessary. Even if you didn’t, don’t push the snooze alarm, and don’t jump out of bed immediately. Instead, do easy stretches, like a cat does. While stretching, think gratitude, be grateful for another day, for another chance to succeed and be happy. That way when you do get out of bed, you’ll feel great. Continue feeling great by remembering how you prepared the night before; there’s no need to rush this morning.

As you get up, make your bed. This takes little effort, yet gives lots of benefits. It makes the room neater; it keeps people from fussing, and it makes the bed feel oh so nice when you climb into it at night. If children are too young to make their own beds, let them ‘help’ until they can do it alone. The earlier they develop this habit, the easier it will be for them, and you.

Another stress reducer is staggering awakenings and bathroom times. Not everyone can crowd in there at once, so stagger times to allow those leaving first to get into the bathroom(s) first. Whoever guides the rest of the family, leads the way. Last ones out of the house are the last ones in the bathroom(s). Make the schedule so each person has the time they need. Unless you live alone, consideration for others is the key.

6. Eat a healthy breakfast.

Don’t forget breakfast. Everyone needs a little fuel for the morning’s activities. Even those with small appetites can have coffee, juice or milk, toast or fruit, a hard boiled egg, something so they won’t leave the house on an empty stomach.

Since most or all of it was prepared the night before, breakfast doesn’t have to be rushed. There’s even time to wash the dishes or put them in the dishwasher.

 7. Ready, set, go!

Finally, make sure the first person home has keys to get in the house. Have the last one leaving make sure the door is locked while everyone is away. As each person goes out the door, encourage them to tell the rest still home that they love them. Being organized is great for relationships.

Result: The previous night’s preparation smoothed the morning routine. Organization replaced chaos. Each person had ample time to dress, enjoy breakfast, collect his or her things, and leave on time, relaxed and eager to meet the challenges of the day.

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