Mom’s Money

Save Money And Have Fun - Join A Co-op

If you have not checked into joining a food co-op yet, now would be a good time.  Your grocery budget may just get the boost it needs at your local cooperative.

A cooperative is a business that is owned and controlled by the members of the cooperative.  As a member, you have a say in how the business is run and you elect and can run for a spot on the board of directors.  Cooperatives can be as small as a group of people meeting in a borrowed location, or as large as a Fortune 500 company.  There are several other differences between cooperatives and other businesses.

Cooperatives -

• Return revenues to the members based on the member’s use of the cooperative, not based on an individual’s investment in the firm.
• Are motivated by service, not profit, providing high quality items and services to its members at a reasonable price.
• Exist only to serve the membership.

There are several types of cooperatives which are -

• Consumer Cooperatives which are owned by the people who buy the goods.
• Producer Cooperatives which are owned by folks who produce products, like farmers and craftsmen.
• Worker Cooperatives which are owned by employees of a business.
• Purchasing and Shared Services Cooperatives which are owned by independent business owners and even cities, and state governments.

We are fortunate in our community to have a very nice cooperative.  For only $12 per year for a household membership, we can take advantage of the low cost, high quality food and other products that the co-op offers.  Plus, as a member, we receive an additional 15% off the already low prices.  Our co-op focuses on organic food, natural remedies, and a general holistic approach to our lives.  The shelves are stocked with fresh produce, cheese, baking needs, beans, snack foods, vitamins, beauty products, wine, beer, plus a whole lot more, even a deli section!

Our co-op routinely brings in professionals to educate anyone who wants to attend on a variety of topics, from cooking with fresh herbs to using cloth diapers.  The cooperative mission is to provide services as well as product to the community.  Members are a vital part of the cooperative community, but you do not have to be a member to shop there or participate in the programs and events.  But, for the little bit they charge for a year’s membership, I think it’s worth the price just to get the 15% off.

All cooperatives have their own price structure and membership requirements, but I wanted to give you an idea of how much it costs to join and what the benefits are.  Check out a cooperative in your community to see what they offer.  It may be a great way to shave even more money from your grocery bill, while maintaining your healthy lifestyle.  Plus, it’s just plain fun!

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Hey Mom – Are You Still Going To The Gym?

Unless you absolutely need a gym membership for body-building, this is one area in which some serious savings could apply.  You may believe it is a necessary expense because you need an exercise program mapped out for you, complete with equipment, and you won’t be able to get that elsewhere.  You may have always belonged to a gym and, although it’s way beyond your means right now, you continue to pay the membership fees because you need to exercise someplace where you have a commitment and encouragement.

If you go to the gym because you truly believe you cannot get the same workout anywhere else, you may want to start searching around a bit.  Check the library, bookstore, and online for exercise videos and equipment, and you’ll be overwhelmed at first.  Once you narrow down your choices to workouts that appeal to you, start pricing the equipment.  A simple seven inch ball used for abdominal work can be found for as little as $10.   You don’t even have to buy a video to go with it.  Once again, just check online for a whole host of exercise options.

If you decide to leave the gym and all the fancy equipment behind in order to save money, don’t get sucked into buying an expensive piece of equipment.  That defeats the purpose and there are many fitness programs that will fit your budget.  Be sure to browse through the video section of the thrift stores, too.  Libraries are a good source for exercise videos because you don’t have to invest any money in a fitness program until you decide if you like it.

If you maintain a gym membership because you are afraid without it you won’t exercise, join a friend!  You won’t believe, until you start asking, how many of your friends and family members are having the same debate with themselves.  They, too, want to exercise and feel that without encouragement and a commitment on their part, they’ll just quit.  Rather than drive to the gym, drive to your friend’s house, put on the video, and have fun!  No membership… just friendship!

This may seem like a no-brainer, yes, but if your budget doesn’t really have room for a gym membership, get rid of it.  The part you may have been battling with, the reason you may not have dropped your membership, is because you’re afraid you won’t be able to find another exercise program that works.  Trust me!  There are so many fitness programs available you won’t be able to decide which one to choose!  You can find many more useful ways to budget your hard-earned cash, I can guarantee it.

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Simple Changes In Your Cooking Habits Could Save You Money

You can find all sorts of big ways to cut back and save money, but some of my favorite ways to save are the little things we do, because they are often the old fashioned, tried-and-true methods that our mothers and grandmothers used in their kitchens.  Here are just a few things I started doing that I remember these frugal ladies doing in their own kitchens in years gone by.

Cook a whole chicken.  This is truly Economy 101 at its finest.  So many recipes today call for chicken breasts, which is fine if you’re on a low-fat diet or no one in your family likes dark meat.  However, if your family does not fit those two categories, why use chicken breasts exclusively?  If you prefer the lower-fat white meat, you can certainly peel the skin off the breast and remove it from the bone for yourself.  Even recipes that call for chicken breasts can normally be tweaked to work with a whole chicken.  The cost difference is phenomenal.  If you eat chicken several times a week, you’ll be amazed at what a budget-saving habit you’ve got going on now.

Boil the chicken bones and carcass.  The added bonus of cooking a whole chicken is the bones.  If you’re in the habit of throwing out the bones as you pick off the meat, just put a soup pot out on the counter, and a big note over the garbage can that says, “Don’t Throw Out The Bones.”  You’ll make a quick detour over to the soup pot and dump those bones right in.  If you’re concerned about germs because everyone has been eating off those bones, don’t worry.  The water boils for many hours!  I like to pluck all the meat off the carcass after dinner rather than stick the whole thing in the refrigerator as is.  That way, the meat is nicely stored in containers ready for lunches or other meals, and I can immediately start my pot boiling.

Fry with a mixture of oil and butter.  When a recipe calls for using butter to saute onions or garlic, replace the butter with cooking oil and just a touch of butter.  You get the same great buttery taste that you were after, while skipping the expense.  The bonus, of course, is the heart-healthy alternative you’ve just used.  If you’re frying on low heat, like caramelizing onions, olive oil is a good choice.   If you’re frying eggs at a little higher heat, canola oil is good.

Prep food when you bring it home.  Don’t wait until you want to munch on celery to wash and cut it.  Don’t wait until you want to make a ham and macaroni salad to cut up the ham.  I have found that whenever I have thrown away food, it has been because, for whatever reason, the food remained untouched, unwashed, or uncut after it was put in the refrigerator.  Maybe it’s pure laziness, but if my family wants a snack, they want something quick.  That celery will get passed over every time, unless it’s washed, cut, and waiting in a container for them.  I like this habit of prepping the groceries when I get  home also for speeding up meal time, but have noticed the problem of wasting food is eliminated by this method, too.  Both good reasons to develop a habit of getting your groceries in “ready to eat” mode right away.

Boiling water can do double-duty.  Say you’re cooking broccoli and you’re making a pasta dish.  Go ahead and cook the broccoli, but drain it through a colander into the pot for the pasta.  Put that pot back on the stove and it will quickly come back to a boil for the pasta.  Not only are you starting with boiling hot water, but you’ve got the added nutrients of the broccoli-water to boot!  Truly a good habit to get into.  Just ask yourself what else you can use that boiling water for every time you fill up your pot.

You’re probably doing something in your kitchen without thinking why you’re doing it that way.  This week, as you plan and make dinner, pay attention to your routine.  Can something be done a bit differently to save time or money?  Involve the family and have fun developing some great new habits.

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Have You Visited An All-Things-Are-Cheap Store Lately?

Whether you call it a Dollar Store, Dollar General Store, or a Family Dollar Store, these reduced-price stores are popping up all over the place, in large cities and small towns alike.  We have an abundance right here so I’m lucky to be able to shop around even when it comes to these types of stores.  My favorite store actually sells everything for a dollar, which not all stores do, even though they might be called a Dollar Store.  So, before you load up your cart, ask.

The amazing thing I’ve found at these stores is the variety of products they carry.  A couple of my favorite finds are cleaning products, paper products, and gift wrapping items.  Another great find if you just watch carefully is frames.  I’ve found wonderful picture frames in excellent condition that I know would be ten times or more the price.  I filled a box with smaller photo size frames and it cost me less than $10.   I bought them in a wide variety of styles, some specially made for baby pictures, pet pictures, and grandparent pictures, so I’m ready if I need a quick small gift for someone celebrating one of those events.

None of that comes as a surprise to most of you readers because you’re smart shoppers.  But, if you haven’t been to your favorite store lately, it’s really time for a visit.  What surprised me the most about my own local store was that they started carrying more food items.  I actually am a little leery of the food items, but have recently found that section greatly improved.  Since I’m trying to cut my grocery budget, I thought it would worth it to find out the truth about buying groceries in this kind of store.  I asked the manager if she could explain the reason behind the increased stock and overall improvement in the food section.  She explained that, because of the current economy, she had more shoppers.  With more shoppers there comes a faster turnover in product, so she can get more food in, sell it faster, and get even more in.

This turnover in product certainly made sense to me, so I gave it a try.  I actually bought a big bag of lemons for $1.  When I got the lemons home, I found them to be perfectly fresh and they lasted a long time.  I guess I’ll go back next and try something else.  Maybe the bread, then the cereal, working my way right up to the finale… the milk.  That’s a leap of faith for me, but I’m willing to take the baby-steps I need to take in order to save some serious cash.

Why don’t you meet me at the Dollar Store and save some serious cash for your family, too.

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Your Budget Needs A Redo - Check The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act

If all this talk of stimulus plans has your head spinning so much that you’ve just started turning off the nightly news, you might want to listen up once more.  Incredibly important legislation is happening that may affect your pocketbook in more ways than you think.  Let’s look at just three issues here that may affect your budget.

Check your paycheck for some additional funds.  Does your current take-home pay seem different?  It should be just a tad more as the IRS has given your employer some reduced tax withholding rules.  That little amount of extra money in your paycheck is the perfect opportunity to review your budget.  Are you paying off that credit card as quickly as you’d like?  If not, just applying that extra $25 or $50 each month will start you on the right track.

Check your college plans and adjust your budget.  If college is in your family’s future, pay attention to the American Opportunity Tax Credit.  This plan raises the maximum tax credit for college from $1800 to $2500 and extends the time limit from two to four years.  That’s an incredible hand-up for folks who are trying to put a child or two, or even themselves, through four years of college or other higher eduction.  Time to review your budget and take a harder look at that college fund.

Check your mortgage and rework your budget.  Families with a home mortgage are really struggling to get good information.  When you get the proper information about how to manage your mortgage, you can really turn that budget into a working masterpiece.  You may need advice and mortgage counseling that’s personalized for your needs.  The Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, can get you started revamping your mortgage.  You can call 1-888-995-HOPE any day, 24 hours a day.  This service is operated by members of the Hope Now Alliance and HUD certified counseling agents.  You can also go online at HopeNow.com.   Mortgages are scary when your income is limited.  Get yourself armed with information, then get out that budget again and see if you can work some magic this time.

A reminder is in order:  HUD NEVER CALLS OR CONTACTS YOU TO OFFER THEIR SERVICES.  So, please, be aware that if someone calls you, sends you a letter, or emails you, and introduces himself or herself as a HUD representative who’s only job in this world is to resolve all your mortgage problems, hang up the phone, tear up the letter, or hit delete.

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What Do You Want For Mother’s Day?

What do you want for Mother’s Day?  Oh, that’s a tough one.  One day every year we have to stop and think about ourselves for a day.  That doesn’t come natural for many moms.  So, we try to shrug it off and we say, “nothing, really” but that’s not going to work with kids.  They feel compelled to do something for you.  You just have to name it.  That’s where this started – how do you ask for something for yourself?

That’s why I’m going to list just a couple of my favorite things so you can feel free to just copy any of these down on a piece of paper and just hand them out when you’re asked “What do you want for Mother’s Day, Mom?”

Wildflowers in a drinking glass.  Yes, just handpicked wildflowers on my kitchen windowsill.  That’s always a heart-tugger for me.  Dandelions are simply wonderful, as are little bouquets of Paintbrushes, Wild Daisies,  Black-Eyed Susans,  Bluebonnets, Queen Anne’s Lace, and even the simple Yellow Yarrow, can bring a tear to my eye when presented to me in a toddler’s chubby little dirt-covered fist.

A chocolate candy bar.  Again, yes, just one simple candy bar.  A whole big box of chocolates is overkill for me and my diet.  But, more importantly, just the sheer nature of a single candy bar is appealing because the quantity is limited which sets up a great moment.  That look on a child’s face is so precious as they watch the inevitable end to the candy bar come so quickly.  As you start to get closer and closer to devouring the candy bar, your child’s eyes get bigger and bigger, until before you eat the last bite, you make your magnanimous gesture, reach out and ask, “Would you like to finish this?”  Pure joy mixed with a touch of relief on your child’s face will brighten your day beyond words.

A picture of the family drawn by your child.  This is something that is perfect for year after year because you not only watch your child’s art ability grow, but you get a snapshot of the family from your child’s perspective every year.  Certain things really speak volumes, like the dog seems to have a major role, drawn front and center at first, then seems to take a less important spot as the years go by.  As the family grows and changes, the members and objects around them take on interesting roles.  Give your children pieces of drawing paper that you can frame and replace the picture each year, saving the older picture in a scrapbook.

Breakfast in bed.  This is so classic it’s a cliche, but a lovely cliche.  Of course, this one may seem like it’s more work for you than it’s worth, but the memories of your little one hauling in a tray of burnt toast, spilled milk, and soggy cereal may change your mind.  It’s not the food, it’s the rosy cheeks and the faces bursting with pride that will get you every time.  If you get a little wildflower on the tray, all the better!

Dinner in.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to fight the Mother’s Day brunch or dinner crowd.  I like to stay in my pajamas late into the day, receive my gifts, and not have to wash my hair or find clothes to wear.  That’s the kind of Mother’s Day I like; very relaxed.  Since I cook dinner 364 days of the year for the most part, one dinner I can beg off of is Mother’s Day.  Keep in mind you’ll probably be served macaroni and cheese, but it will be the best macaroni and cheese you’ll ever eat.

You’ll notice the price for these items falls within even a toddlers budget, so you should feel comfortable requesting any of these splendid Mother’s Day gifts.  So, Mom, when you’re asked the question you know you’ll be getting soon, go ahead and offer up a few of these suggestions.  I guarantee your day won’t go by without the traditional Mother’s Day tear or two.

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How Much Are You Paying In Bank Fees?

I never used to pay attention to the small amount of money trickling out of my bank account for service fees, ATM transaction charges, and the like.  It never seemed to amount to THAT much… but, how much do you consider THAT much nowadays?

If you’re one of many folks working for an hourly wage, look at your bank statement again, add up those fees, and translate that into time spent at work.  Did those service fees and ATM transaction fees add up to an hour of your time or even more?  If you pay the bank the equivalent of one hour’s wages every month for a year, you’ve just given up 12 hours of your working life to your bank.  Would you go and sit in your bank’s lobby for 12 hours instead of go to work?  Oh, goodness no.  You can’t afford to miss 12 hours of work!  So, why would you just hand them your hard earned money?

Banks are in a real pickle these days.  They need our money, desperately.  Some banks are trying to get more of our money by raising their service fee rates, but other, smarter banks know that the real path to survival is lowering or eliminating fees in order to get and keep our business.

Here’s what every frugal Mom needs to do today.  Get out your last bank statement and review the service charges and ATM fees.  Once you know what you are typically being charged, visit your bank and discuss your options and any special incentives they may have to keep your business.  If what they tell you doesn’t inspire you to stay, visit another bank and have them pitch you their reasons why you would want to bank with them.  Visit a third or fourth bank, if necessary, to find out what everyone has to offer.  Some banks will offer free checking with a minimum balance, some will offer free ATM use at any ATM machine, reimbursing you for any charges you incur outside their bank’s ATM machine.  It’s no longer about the free toaster or calculator, it’s all about the money!

Time to play a little hardball, Mom.  You may have had a relationship with the same bank for years, but if they are not willing to work with you to save you some money, they are not showing the love you thought they were.  Time perhaps to break off that relationship and move on.  It’s your money… hang on to more of it!

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Postage Is On The Increase Very Soon

I know you probably don’t send mail a whole lot anymore what with email, texting, and twittering.  But, Mom, you probably still use the mail for some things, like getting those school pictures to Grandma, sending thank you notes (yes, kids, it’s still the proper thing to do), sending sympathy cards, get-well cards, and all sorts of personal wishes.  So, a little heads-up here could save you a bit of cash.

This is just a quick reminder that the USPS is raising their postage rates effective May 11, 2009, from 42-cents to 44-cents.  Why warn you now?  Because the post office offers what’s called the “Forever Stamps”.  Purchase these stamps before the rate increase at the current 42-cent rate and you can use them as long as you want.  They will not expire when the new rates go into effect.  As a matter of fact, like the name suggests, you can use those stamps forever, even through years of rate increases.  If you think you’ll be mailing rather regularly throughout the upcoming year or so, buy several books.  Don’t wait too long because the Post Office only prints a certain amount of these stamps.  When they run out, they run out.

It looks like the rates for all the services will be getting an increase, so if you’re sitting on a package you meant to mail some time ago, now is the time to get that package out.  Of course, you’ll want to compare the price to that of other shipping services, but if the USPS is the way to go, go now and save.

Just thought you’d like to know.  It’s only 2-cents, but every penny really does matter when you’re trying to raise a family on a tight budget.

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A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned – A Lesson That Needs Your Help

You and I may have grown up with those words planted in our little heads, but maybe not this younger generation.  Our children were born and raised in a world of instant gratification, a world of swiping plastic for everything, a world without cash.  How many households still have “penny jars” around, let alone savings books?

I certainly remember having a savings book from the bank.  Perhaps you had a babysitting job or paper route and put half the money you earned in your savings account.  If so, you’ll remember the sense of accomplishment as you watched that dollar amount grow.  Each time you deposited your money, the amount was adjusted to reflect your new balance with the always surprising addition of a few cents of earned interest.  What a wonderful feeling to earn money for just saving it!

This is a part of our youngsters’ lives that is missing, in my book.  I feel that the sheer pleasure of saving your money, hopefully to have enough someday to buy something wonderful, is a pleasure that our children need to learn.  The desire to buy something new, and working hard to save your money to get it, is an under-appreciated thrill these days.

I may be waxing a little nostalgic, true, but I also feel this little savings book idea is a good one to teach your children the importance of building a nest-egg in the future.  When your children reach adulthood they’ll need to have the tools to create a financial security in their own lives, and someday the lives of their own family.

Your bank may no longer give out savings books to their young depositors, but they’ll surely print out the balance so your child can see their savings in action. I’d like to see you give this little plan a try.  Open a savings account with your child, perhaps with their next birthday gift of money.  Ask your child to think of a goal, something they would like to buy or do in the future.

Encourage your child to continue depositing gifts of money and earnings so they may see their savings grow.  Stop at the bank often to watch the results.  Be sure your child’s goal is far enough in the future so that you can watch the savings for an extended period of time.  Then, when the day comes that they can realize their goal, be there with a smile, a big hug, and a hearty “job well done!”

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Free Earth Day Activities For Kids

Okay, Mom, I know your day is jam-packed with work, errands, cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring, and all those things you’ve got to get done before it’s lights-out tonight.  But, today is Earth Day and your kids are going to need a bit of your time and a lot of your input.

There are good reasons why Earth Day observance is important to you and your money.  Of course, the most obvious is saving our planet, because we won’t need to talk about saving money if we don’t first save our planet.  We all prefer to breathe clean air, swim in clean lakes, and hike our wooded trails without running into a nasty garbage dump.  But, it’s more than what we prefer, it’s about the actual health of our planet.  So, that’s discussion number one.  Let your children know that if we don’t change our wasteful ways, the planet will suffer.  And, when the planet suffers, we suffer.

We all know some simple ways to make an impact on our environment in our very own home.  Involve your kids in a quick assessment of all the things you’re currently doing to conserve energy and resources.  Have you turned the temperature on the air conditioner up a couple degrees and the furnace down a couple degrees?  Is your water heater temperature set lower and have you wrapped the water heater in an insulating blanket?  Are you using a water hose to clean off your front step when a broom and bucket of water would work just fine and save water?  Do you have a clothesline that’s been abandoned?  Let your kids set the pace for the discussion and involve them in your plans to improve your energy usage.  You’ll want to click here for the USA Environmental Protection Agency’s Kids Fun Activities site for all sorts of learning tools and great fun stuff to do.

Your next step is to review with your kids the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” strategy in your home.  Are you currently doing everything you can to reduce your “throw away” items?  How about reusing some of the things you buy?  Is your recycling area easy to use and is everyone in the family participating?  Again, ask your kids to give you some ideas about what they think could be changed in your home and lifestyle to reduce, reuse, and recycle even more.  Be sure to check out the free activities to help your kids learn about how they can help save the planet by going to the US EPA Kids Activities site.

Now, Mom, this is a good lesson for your children to learn, and the free Kids Activities on the EPA site are fun to do, but you’re wondering how all this is going to save you money.  That’s the easy part.  By doing all those earth-friendly energy saving steps, you are reducing your energy usage which simply saves you money.  Conservation is a good lesson for all of us to learn because when we practice these simple steps, we help the earth, which helps its inhabitants… us!

After your lessons and activities with the kids are through, enjoy a walk outdoors, perhaps in a local park, and tell your kids how important it is to you to leave a clean earth for them, and some day, their children.  Have a Happy Earth Day today, enjoy a few fun activities with your kids, and save a bit of your hard earned cash in the process.  Now, that’s a good day!

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