Mom’s Money

Ramen Noodles - Back And Bigger Than Ever

Perhaps you remember a time in your life when you relied on ramen noodles as your only source of cheap food.  Popularized during the 1970’s in the USA, packages of ramen noodles fed a whole generation of college students.  Well, guess what?  Ramen noodles are back and bigger than ever!  Can you guess why?

You got it!  This economy has thrown a monkey-wrench into our family budgets.  We’re all looking for ways to feed our family as inexpensively as we can.  And, if there’s one thing that’s cheap and filling, it’s ramen noodles. 

Kids absolutely love ramen noodles.  I’m pretty fond of them myself, but I have a concern.  The ramen noodles that are familiar to most of us are the little cellophane wrapped square with the flavoring packet included.  Yes, they are delicious and filling.  But, nutritious… not so much.

That’s why I came up with a few very simple ways to boost the nutritional value of your child’s ramen noodle meal without changing the dish itself too much.  Here’s an example of some things I’ve done to add food value to my child’s ramen noodles.

1) Stir in some peanut butter.  This is a quick take on Thai food.  For one packet of ramen noodles, start the water boiling, add the flavor packet and about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter to the water until the peanut butter disolves.  Then add noodles and finish cooking as directed on the package.  You may even want to sprinkle some chopped peanuts on the top when served.  You just added some protein.

2) Stir in some frozen green peas.  When the ramen noodles are cooked, just toss in a handful of frozen peas, mix them in, and you have just added a tremendous amount of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

3) Stir in some black beans and diced tomatoes.  After the ramen noodles are done cooking, add a tablespoon of black beans and about a tablespoon of diced tomatoes.  Now you’ve really upped the nutritional value of your inexpensive bowl of noodles.

Serving inexpensive meals doesn’t necessarily preclude empty calories.  Mix together some of your child’s favorite foods with ramen noodles and see what you can come up with for new and exciting nutritious meals.

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What About Those Fixed Expenses?

I’ve talked quite a bit about creating a family budget that tracks those variable expenses, you know, the expenses that we have some control over, like groceries, hair cuts, clothing, etc.  Keeping a journal of what you spend on items other than your fixed expenses is a great way to see where the money is going.  But, here I’d like to turn tables on you a little bit and suggest that even the so called “fixed” expenses are not necessarily fixed.

There are several ways to cut back on our monthly bills.  Most of us have five or six bills that we receive every month.  Some fluctuate a bit every month (electric, gas, water, phone), while others are the same amount each month (mortgage or rent, and insurance).  Whether fluctuating or fixed, you may be able to do something about each of these depending on your situation and how willing you are to make changes.

Starting with the fluctuating monthly bills, if you have an opportunity to switch utility companies, check into their rates.  Many companies are willing to negotiate for your business.  This includes switching phone companies to get the best possible deals. 

Even if you don’t switch companies, you can cut back on usage to save money.  Simple solutions include turning down your water heater, adjusting your thermostat and wearing seasonally appropriate clothing inside the house, not letting the water run when you’re brushing your teeth or even washing your face, shortening your showers, washing only full loads of clothing, and hanging out laundry to dry.

There are several ways to reduce your fixed expenses, as well.  Check into your insurance, especially your car insurance.  Many people switch their policy every year to take advantage of the new customer rates that every company offers.  That’s the easy one.  When it comes to mortgage or rent payments, the options may not be there.  However, when truly strapped for funds, we can get pretty creative and find ways to cope. 

Call your mortgage company and ask for a meeting to discuss lowering your monthly payment.  Is it time to refinance your home at a lower interest rate?  Educate yourself about your mortgage.  It’s foolish to not know what type of mortgage you hold and what your options are. 

If you are renting talk to your landlord, but only if you are in a position to move if needed.  Would they give you a “good tenant” discount for paying your rent in a timely fashion over the years?  Would they lower your rent for a few months or more if you did some maintenance for them?  Can you do your own yard work for a reduced rent?  If you have a good relationship with your landlord, they may not want to lose you.  Remember, do this only if you are willing to look elsewhere for a more affordable apartment or condo.

Even one of these money saving methods may prove to be rewarding enough to get you started on a crusade!  Keep track of the savings you’ve created and soon you’ll be rewarding yourself for a job well done.

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Germs And Paper Towels - Cleanliness And Frugality Can Co-Exist

If Moms know one thing it’s that kids spread germs.  Your little one goes to a play date, day care, or school and it is inevitable that a runny nose will appear a day or two later.  This goes on day after day, week after week, month after month…  We make sure they wash their little hands every chance we get, wipe their little noses, and teach them to cough into their sleeves.  What more can we do?

In my war against germs, I’ve turned to a seemingly expensive weapon.  Along with all the self-defense methods to ward off the spread of germs, I’ve eliminated all the hand towels from the bathrooms and kitchen and replaced them with paper towels.  I know this sounds very foolish money-wise, but I’m weighing the cost of fighting a bad cold or flu with the cost of a disposable item.  Along with kid-friendly soap at the sink, this germ-proofing method works pretty well.  However, there is the cost involved.

Paper towels are not cheap.  I shop the dollar stores to get the best prices I can find, but still, it does get a little unnerving to see the discarded paper towels piling up in the trash.  That got me thinking…  Are there times and situations where those paper towels can be reused?  It may sound like I’m defeating the purpose, but wait.

When I wash my hands with soap and water for as long as it takes to sing the ABC’s (the recommended time to fully cleanse), my hands are awfully germ-free, aren’t they?  Then, when I dry them on paper towels the paper towels should be just wet and not germ-ridden, right?  That’s when I decided to use my own paper towels for double duty.  I purchased two mesh trash bins, found in the office supply store, and set them in my kitchen and bath.  Now, when I thoroughly wash my hands, I toss the paper towel I used to dry my clean hands in the mesh bin.  Then, when cleaning up spills on the floor, or doing any other “dirty job”, I grab a paper towel out of the mesh trash bin and use it instead of a new paper towel off the roll.

At first, when I used this method, I thought I would be a little germ-phobic about it.  But, I got over it because my hands are clean!  The only thing on those paper towels is water, so why not let them dry and reuse them to take care of those “dirty” chores?  I wouldn’t recommend you encourage your little ones to do the same unless you are supervising their hand scrubbing, but certainly any adult or older child in your home should get the picture.

I have actually kept track of my paper towel consumption since starting this method of reusing the used ones and have purchased about half the paper towels that I used to purchase.  That’s a pretty good savings in my book!  If we’re all battling colds, I will abandon the method until I’m well, but normally I have a pretty good supply of used paper towels in my bin to use for any dirty job I’ve got to do!   It’s a simple plan that works well - battle germs and save money.  Works for me!

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Seek And Ye Shall Find… A Hand Up

This is not necessarily about finding religion.  That’s not what we normally talk about here.  However, there is something to be said about joining the “community” of a church for support during these very difficult times.

I’m taking faith and religion out of the church-joining argument for just a few minutes because that’s not something I can argue.  What I can argue is turning to the church as a means of survival and for your family’s emotional well-being.  But, before the critics say that I’m proposing people join churches just to get in on the give-aways, that’s not at all the idea at the heart of this.  It begins with support and here’s my argument.

During financially stressful times, we need all the help we can get.  Let’s be realistic… sometimes we don’t know where we’re going to get food enough to feed our family.  We don’t know how we’re going to pay the doctor if anyone, God forbid, gets sick.  We don’t know how we’re going to afford winter coats for the whole family next year, the kids are growing so fast.  All this uncertainty produces a great strain on a family, both physically and emotionally. 

So, let’s get real for a minute.  Churches offer the kind of support that is crucial to a family’s survival.  That’s what they do best.  When one of their own is in need, churches gather ’round and give that family both support and supplies.  Most churches have a thrift shop, a food pantry, and volunteers who offer all kinds of services to their families.

Let’s say your family loses their means of support. A church will step right in without hesitation and find ways to help one of the own flock.  We’re talking food, clothing, and even shelter, all wrapped in a blanket of kindness and security.  This, once again, is what churches do best.

You know folks who have supported themselves through hard work and dedication to their family for years, and then something happens that strips them of their resources.  It could be an illness, a job loss, or a devastating storm that threatens a family’s survival.  These once very proud mothers and fathers have a decision to make that won’t come easy.  Will they accept help from government programs or will they turn to the people who know and respect them - the people of their church.  This is often the only kind of help a proud family can accept. 

Look at your snug little family now.  What if something happens that unravels the security blanket that you’ve wrapped around your family?  Who will step in to give you a hand up?  If you don’t already belong to a church, talk to your friends about how belonging to their church makes them feel. 

And, now that I’ve made my argument about the support a church can offer, I’ll throw in my two cents about the faith side of the argument.  Personally, a few prayers can’t hurt.   

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Trying To Stretch Your Food Dollar Until Next Payday?

If you’re like most people, you get about halfway through payday and start to panic.  How am I going to get supper on the table for the rest of the week?  The cupboards are bare and my wallet is almost empty.  Now what?

Finding inexpensive recipes is a trick that all frugal homemakers must learn, but when money is especially tight, you need to find recipes that are incredibly cheap.  And, like all matters of managing a home, preparation is the key to success.  You don’t want to wait until you need to fix an inexpensive meal to start looking for recipes and ideas.  Gather those recipes now, before you’re in a pinch.

Starting with the basics of meal planning, you want to have a protein, carbohydrate, a fruit or vegetable, and calcium.  Just think about the food pyramid to get ideas about what you family needs nutritionally speaking.  Then give some thought to filling these nutritional needs with the most economical food items that you possibly can.

Some of the cheapest, and most nutrient-rich proteins are beans, peas, and legumes.  If you haven’t been cooking with beans, you haven’t been doing your budget any favors.  Go out and buy yourself a couple bags of dry beans, peas, and lentils, and give them a try.  You’ll be serving your family a delicious and nutritious meal for pennies per serving.

Potatoes are another nutrient-rich food that offers versatility and budget-friendly meals.  Mixing up a big pot of Potato Soup will not only save your food budget for another day, but will truly satisfy your hungry family.   A baked potato with a simple diced tomato and black bean sauce is another simple, inexpensive, and filling meal. 

When looking at vegetables, consider root vegetables first.  Often much less expensive than their counterparts, root vegetables, like sweet potatoes, rutabaga, turnips, beets, and parsnips, are a great source of vitamins as well as being a very dense, and therefore, filling vegetable.  Create a main dish by mixing a variety of root vegetables, roasting them in canola oil, and serving them with crusty bread. 

Sometimes, when your budget demands it, you’ll need to be extra creative in your meal planning.  By focusing on simple, nutrient-rich foods, you can make meals that will be inexpensive and healthy.  They may be a little out of the ordinary, but these times call for extraordinary measures.  And, who knows, you may find a whole new way to cook that pleases both you and your family, as well as your pocketbook!

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Spring Cleaning Without Breaking The Budget

After a long winter of furnaces running and windows closed up tight, folks like you and me are sticking our noses in the wind hoping to catch that first breath of fresh spring air.  It’s out there, somewhere.  We can’t wait to fling those windows open and air out the house! 

If spring is your time of the year to renew your home, you’ve probably been eyeing up all the fancy cleaning products that promise to make your house sparkle and shine.  They are all very tempting, but also very expensive.  My budget can’t really survive if I stock up on all those potions, as wonderful as they all appear.  Sorry!  But, I have a plan.

My Grandmother and Mother were penny pinchers.  Thankfully, their behavior has rubbed off on me, especially now that my budget has become so tight.  A lot of the products that I grew up with have been making a comeback in this economy.  One product that was, and is again, front and center in my home is good ol’ distilled white vinegar. 

White vinegar has always been my favorite window cleaner.  If you’re a regular spring cleaning fan, you’ve probably already tried this.  But, you may not have given white vinegar much more of a chance.  Let’s just review a couple other spring cleaning ideas using white vinegar.

Consider your tile floors or countertops.  The grout is normally a challenge.  Soak your tile with full-strength vinegar, doing a small patch at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed with the chore, or the odor.  Let it soak in good, then take a bucket of hot water and an old toothbrush and give the grout a scrub. Wipe down your entire floor with a solution of one cup of vinegar in a gallon of warm water and you’ll have a squeaky clean floor.  Now, you’re going to see some shine!

Take a look at your walls.  Has the winter left a dusty or dull look to them?  You can brighten your walls and remove scuff marks by wiping them down with a solution of one cup of white vinegar in a gallon of warm water.  Using a clean, white rag, dunk rag in solution, squeeze out excess water, then give your walls a wipe down from top to bottom.  Don’t soak your walls.  Use just a damp rag so you do not damage your paint or wallpaper.

Freshening up your house after winter usually involves deodorizing, degreasing, and disinfecting, too.  Wipe down your refrigerator and oven, inside and out, to remove odors and grease.  Pour undiluted vinegar down your drains to deodorize and degrease.  Wipe your tub, shower, counters, toilet, floors, and walls down with a white vinegar and water solution and you’ll not only get a fresh smelling and shiny bathroom, but a disinfected bathroom, too.  Don’t forget to give all your doors and window frames a fresh new start by wiping them down, as well.

These are just a few of the many uses for white vinegar as you move through your house spring cleaning.  Considering that a gallon of white vinegar usually costs less than $3.00, you may want to grab a case and get ready for spring!

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Plant An Herb Garden And Save Money

Have you seen the prices of herbs lately?  Fresh or dried, it doesn’t matter.  They are all very expensive.  And, if you’re like the typical family these days, you’re watching every penny.  But, like me, you like to cook.  Homemade meals are a top priority in your family because meals you make at home are budget-friendly and nutritious.  So, what is a mother to do when it comes to cooking with herbs?  You don’t want to give them up and serve bland meals, but what’s the alternative to buying expensive herbs?

Why, of course, you can start your very own little herb garden.  If you live in the country and have a nice little patch of garden, you’ve got one of the basics already handled; a place.  If you live in the city you may only have a corner of a patio or balcony to set up a container garden.  Either way, some decisions about any garden are the same.  You have to decide what to plant.

Consider the herbs you use routinely.  Do you often use sage or rosemary?  How about thyme?  You may want to include dill if you cook a lot of fish or eat big, fresh salads regularly.  Cilantro is a favorite for many people, as well as chives and mint.  Take a trip to your friendly neighborhood garden center and look over all the seed packets and starter plants.  Talk to the folks that work there to get valuable information you’ll need to make your decisions about what to plant.  Explain your garden setting, including sun exposure and size, and let the professionals help you plan your garden.  That’s what they are there to do.  

When planting your herb garden be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully for planting each herb.  Arrange your herb garden so that you are planting herbs together that require similiar care.  This makes watering and fertilizing easier.  You’ll need to be sure to keep your annuals separate from your perennials so that you won’t be tilling the soil right over the top of next year’s crop.  Some herbs, like mint, spread like the dickens!  Consider containing plants that spread in a separate clay pot, burying in the garden if you like. 

Planting an herb garden on a balcony or patio requires some special attention.  Watering and sunlight must be monitored carefully.  Yes, it may seem like a bit more work, but the benefits of having the herbs right along the house are worth the work.  A bonus is the aroma that wafts through the air every time you open the door to your patio. 

Once you get a few herbs established in your garden, you’ll be delighted with not only the availability of fresh herbs, but the beauty!  Herbs are quite lovely and fragrant.  Do your research and have a little fun getting your hands dirty.  Don’t forget to include the kids!  Herb gardens are an excellent way to get the youngsters involved in a gardening project that is just their size.  Have fun and enjoy your new hobby!

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Doing Laundry Within Your Family Budget

What can you do to really save money when doing your laundry?  There are a few tried-and-try no nonsense things that every family needs to know.  We’re going to list a few just to get you started.

Use Cold Water Please.  This is the top money saving tip when trying to trim your laundry budget.  Using hot, or even warm water is not only expensive, but a total waste of resources.  You don’t use scalding hot water to wash your hands, do you?  No.  You depend on the soap to disinfect and kill germs on your skin.  Why is it any different with your clothing?  Unless your family is under doctor’s orders to wash with hot water because of an infectious disease, there is no reason to use hot water to disinfect your clothing or linens.  The detergent does that for you.

Do Not Use Liquid Detergent.  Those liquid detergents are hard to give up, but the money you save will be a definite boost to your moral when you do!  You are paying for water. It’s a simple enough switch, you just need to remember to add the powder detergent as the washer is filling and give it a swish, then add the clothing items.

Use Half The Detergent That The Directions Say.  For some reason, the detergent manufacturers want us to use a lot of soap.  Hmmm… you’ve got to think about that one for a moment.  If you use any more than 1/3 to 1/2 cup in a full load, you’ll be saturating the water and risking a soapy finish to your laundry.  This over-sudsing is not a wise thing to do.

Hang Clothes To Dry When Possible.  If you have some lighter shirts, blouses, slacks, and the like, hang them up on hangers and use your shower rod as a dryer.  If you have a back yard, string a line and go all out hanging out as much laundry as you can.  Your living arrangements will dictate just how much you can hang out, but almost everyone has someplace in their home or apartment to hang up a few items just to keep from having to put them in the dryer.

There are many other ways to reduce money spent on your laundry.  These are a few quick and easy things to try on your next laundry day.  Try it for a couple months and see if your budget breathes a sigh of relief!

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5 Little Ways To Save Money Every Day

I know how hard it is to think of ways to pocket some real savings.  But, usually the simplest ways are really the best ways to make your budget work.  You may not see a lot of money saved in any one step, but the pennies do add up.  As we know, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”  Let’s see what we have here to help you save your pennies.

1)  Eat home-cooked meals.  This is a must-do for every family on a budget.  Those carry-out or drive-thru meals are going to kill your budget.  There is no substitute for this step.  You must cook at home or you’ll be forever spinning your wheels wondering where the money went.  There are countless quick and easy recipes to try that your family will love.

2)  Cook double recipes for leftovers.  Making leftovers on purpose is one way to make your freezer act like a bank.  Package up the leftovers into single-serving size containers and you’ll never think about driving through the fast-food place again.  You’ve got a meal waiting in your freezer anytime you’re running late.  The best recipes to double are soups, stews, chilis, spaghetti sauce, and the like.  Quick and easy reheat, and family-friendly meals.

3)  Get rid of those luxury drinks.  If you buy sodas or fancy coffeeshop coffees, you are spending money you don’t have to spend.  You can still have your coffee and sweet drinks, you just have to make them at home.  A pitcher of Lemonade and some home-brewed Cafe Latte is the way to go.  There are many interesting and delicious recipes for making inexpensive homemade beverages. 

4)  Buy your family’s clothing at consignment or thrift shops.  Even if you swear you only buy at sale prices, those prices are still far and above what you can get a similar item for at a consignment shop.  You’ll be amazed at what you can find and the quality of many of the items.  Some will even still have their tags attached.

5)  Use your creativity and resourcefulness.  You’ve got your own family’s special occasions budgeted for, but what happens when an unexpected occasion comes along that requires a card and gift?  This can really become a burden if you run to the gift shop.  You want to be generous, but not at the expense of your family’s financial well-being.  Your homemade gift, wrapping, and card may be just the thing that shows you care.

The very next time you get out your wallet to make a purchase, ask yourself if there isn’t a better plan.  Oftentimes, by taking a step back and reviewing your options, you’ll clearly see there are simple alternatives to just throwing away your hard-earned money.  

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Still Stuck On That Family Budget? Time To Call In A Professional.

If you’ve been following a budget, trying to work on getting everything paid and still have something left over to put in a savings account, but you feel like you’re spinning your wheels, it may be time for a professional.  How do you know when the time is right?  Do you feel like if you just take one more stab at your budget, and stick to it, that this time it will work?  Have you tried that very same thing for a year or more?  That should be your clue.  It’s time for a professional money manager.

Many people feel like they failed if they admit they have not been able to manage their money.  Look at it this way;  do you take care of your own dentistry if you’re not a dentist?  Do you do your own car repair if you don’t know what makes a car run?  Do you perform your own surgery if you are not a surgeon?  Well, think of your money the same way.  Your money may have special needs that only a professional can handle.

That’s not to say that everyone needs a professional financial advisor to create a budget for them, but many people do.  Whether you have your focus elsewhere, or you don’t know the ins and outs of finance, there are reasons why you may need some professional help when it comes to your household budget.

Every family has financial goals they wish to attain.  Whether it’s to pay off their mortgage, send the children to college, or retire to the Bahamas, these goals are attainable with the right plan.  However, as we go through our day-to-day lives, that plan may get lost.  A financial planning expert may just be the right person to keep those goals in focus.

Ask your friends and family if they can recommend someone.  If you have a family attorney, ask for a referral.  Check the Better Business Bureau when it comes time to interview your selection.  Be sure you have the right person with which to share your financial and personal information.  Then go on and get started.  Your future may depend on it.

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