Mom’s Money

Get Some REAL Deals And Save Your Family Budget

You’ve shopped only the sales, purchased just the items you needed and stayed within your budget, but it all seems so futile.  If you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, it could be you need to think outside that box.  Are there more creative ways to save your hard earned pennies? 

Money keeps trickling away and your budgeted lifestyle is getting really tedious, but there is hope.  Stretching that dollar through tough times has replaced pushups and situps as our family’s new daily exercise.  Smart folks have been putting the same energy into financial fitness as they have into physical fitness, resulting in some pretty inventive ways to save money and enjoy life again.  Let’s see how these inventive individuals are finding new ways to give families the break they need.

Trading has become a worldwide phenomenon. Just start surfing the internet and you’ll discover a whole new market opening up for people like you and me who have tangible items they no longer need, and items that they want.  Let’s get these people together and trade!  Almost every town either has a trading group set up somewhere, or people call in to a radio swap show, or more recently, trade online.  There are several reputable websites that have gained in popularity in the last year or so.  They are popular because they are honest, and they work.  You may also find skills traded, as well.  Do your homework and read the fine print, and never give any trading group money upfront.

Freebies are another up-and-coming industry.  Believe it or not, there are still people who would rather give something away than try to sell it.  They log onto an internet site and arrange for a pick-up of an item they want to give away.  It’s there for the taking the next time someone in need is searching for that item.  Isn’t it nice to be able to find something you need without sacrificing the food on your table?  There are local groups who arrange these services as well as internet groups dedicated to helping out one another.

Then there is borrowing.  How many times will you need that jig-saw once your project is done?  Can you really afford to go down to the “Big Store” and buy one?  Lending or borrowing circles are popping up all over the internet, and in neighborhoods, too!  Consider one the next time you need an item for a limited time.  Neighbor helping neighbor on the worldwide web.  Pretty slick.

These are just a few of the unique ways that family’s have discovered that allows them to stick to their budget and keep their heads above water in these tight economic times.  Along with coupon clipping, shopping at dollar stores, and clothing the family via thrift shops, creative trading and borrowing may just be your next best budgeting friend.