Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 10, 2012

I like to bake cookies, and I like to budget. I’ve failed at many budgets this way. If you Google how to make a budget, you’ll find the same boilerplate list of steps on thousands of sites. This is what I like to call the Toll House budget. Do you want to be debt free? It’s not because I’m too manly to bake.

Budgeting 213

Budgeting Budget Toll House Cooking 213

Saving Cents With Sense

NOVEMBER 11, 2013

Regardless of your income or gift giving needs, it is important to create a holiday budget from year to year. Creating a holiday budget can help you control your spending and make sure you get all of the items you need while staying out of debt or overspending. 5 Tips to Create a Holiday Budget. Define your needs.

Budgeting 112

Budgeting Budget Holiday Debt 112

For the Mommas

DECEMBER 19, 2015

Christmas Gifts on a Budget. When you’re on a tight budget, you may think that your Christmas shopping will only yield cheap gifts. Even on a tight budget, you can purchase gifts that look expensive. Your friends and family will never know that you were on a tight budget. Start Shopping Early.

Budgeting 40

Budgeting Budget Christmas Gifts 40

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 14, 2014

We’ll talk about cash flow, budgets, debts, and all of the nitty gritty of our finances that might not be fun to talk about, but are so important to discuss. The holiday season is just around the corner, and along with the festivities comes the gift buying frenzy. Gift giving isn’t just a December sport.

Finance 100

Finance Giving Organic Organization 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 2, 2021

I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. This money will be put in our Medical Out-of-Pocket budget category. I redeemed $175 for gift cards from our business credit card’s cashback program. Yep, I found a $20 bill while running on the beach! Plasma earnings: $207.

March 130

March Money Donation Credit Cards 130

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 18, 2014

We’ll talk about cash flow, budgets, debts, and all of the nitty gritty of our finances that might not be fun to talk about, but are so important to discuss. Day 14: Create a Gift Giving Fund. Day 17: Create a Plan to Eliminate Your Debt. Budget Financial Freedom Financial Organization'

Finance 124

Finance Organic Organization Emergency Fund 124

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

But those can saddle your children with debt for 20 years or more! Here are 5 ways to trim your budget for your child’s college funds. Know Your Actual Budget. Written Budget. Create a hand written budget and make several copies. Use the above 5 ways to trim your budget for your child’s college fund.

College 100

College Budgeting Budget Friends And Family Sale 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 4, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is a guest post from Chris Peach. We sat down at our kitchen table, took out a simple white piece of paper, and penned out a contract to ourselves: It was our Get Out Debt Contract. It wasn’t me telling her we are going to get out of debt, or her telling me it wasn’t in the budget.

Debt 100

Debt Finds Debt Free Television 100

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 2, 2015

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Acadia. How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? All of our debt was $97,000 in student loan debt. We ended up buying a house from a relative, which put us in even more debt. What inspired you to get debt free? Tell us about you and your family.

Student 100

Student Debt Debt Free Finds 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 11, 2013

Take a peak and see what I read this week: Good Reads From The Blogosphere: Jen from Money Rebound writes about Realistic Ways to Slash Your Student Loan Debt – Such a timely post considering the recent rate changes for federal student loans in the United States! Do you know how to protect yourself if debt collectors are harassing you?

Fridays 189

Fridays Debt Gas Mileage Financial Goals 189

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 16, 2017

The spreadsheet listed our short-term and long-term account balances, our debts, and our short-term and long-term financial goals. Our balance sheet is starting to reflect all of the hard work we have done over the last 5 years to reduce out non-mortgage and business debts, so I added a few calculations that were missing in the past.

Family 100

Family Financial Goals Debt Calculators 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 31, 2014

During the series, we talked about cash flow, budgets, debts, and all of the nitty gritty of our finances that might not be fun to talk about, but are so important to discuss. Day 14: Create a Gift Giving Fund. Day 17: Create a Plan to Eliminate Your Debt. Day 30: Grocery Budget Challenge.

Finance 100

Finance Organic Organization Emergency Fund 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 23, 2013

The list of speakers includes Crystal from Money Saving Mom, Rachel Cruze from the Dave Ramsey Show, Mary Hunt of Debt Free Living and many more. It’s not too late to make a budget for your Christmas spending. My offer for a FREE Christmas Gift & Spending Budget excel spreadsheet is still available.

November 100

November Used Menu Planning Menu Plans 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 18, 2013

Budget First, Plan Later. The worst thing you could possibly do is start your married life with a mountain of debt from having the wedding of your dreams. The most realistic way plan your wedding is to start with a budget that you can afford. That’s certainly true when planning for a wedding on a limited budget.

Wedding 248

Wedding Money Saving Money Budgeting 248

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Don’t miss Danielle’s Tips for Creating an Engaging and Profitable Website at Saving Without a Budget. Bob from Dwindling Debt wants to know, Can you Really Go Contract Free with your Smart Phone? Bob from Dwindling Debt wants to know, Can you Really Go Contract Free with your Smart Phone?

Fridays 174

Fridays Airline Personal Finance Money 174

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 24, 2012

. $25 PayPay Gift Card (sponsored by My Broken Coin ) Nikki H. $25 25 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by Live Real, Now ) Trish F. Pay Off Debt App (sponsored by The Debt Myth ) Lisa K. $20 20 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by Bucksome Boomer ) Lee B. $25 25 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by Work, Save, Live ) Debbie R. $25

Giveaway 100

Giveaway Personal Finance Gift Cards Finance 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 26, 2021

Both books provided the blueprint for Our Debt Freedom Plan. Later in his plan, he recommends saving 3-6 months of expenses, but only after paying off the non-mortgage debt. According to Dave’s Baby Steps, once non-mortgaged debts are paid off, your goal should be to save three to six months of living expenses.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Building 2007 Credit Cards 130

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 9, 2015

It’s no secret, I am fascinated, encouraged, and border-line obsessed with debt freedom. The idea of becoming debt free makes me downright giddy. So I love to hear the success stories of others who have found debt freedom. What did they specifically do to become debt free? 10 Smart Ways to Become Debt Free.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Budgeting Budget 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

He then advises paying off your non-mortgage debt before fully funding an emergency fund with 3 – 6 months worth of expenses. Now that we’ve paid off six figures of non-mortgage debt , we are working on saving 6 months’ expenses and maybe even more. Groceries is the easiest budget category to overspend.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 16, 2014

Traditional investment advice says that you shouldn’t invest in the market until you are financially stable, have an emergency fund and have taken care of other basics, such as insurance of all kinds, debt removal and etc. Ask for stocks as a gift. Partner with trusted friends or relatives to buy as a group.

Emergency Fund 184

Emergency Fund Debt Money Father 184

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 8, 2012

When you have enough, you can cash them out for a gift card or prize. If you earn 2,699 Swagbucks, you can redeem it for a $25 Lands End gift card, for example. Use that gift card combined with sales to buy some new clothes to give to a needy family. But, honestly, our budget is slimmed. Use Huggies Enjoy the Rides.

Giving 235

Giving Money Swagbucks Donation 235

Couponing 101

DECEMBER 26, 2011

Christmas can be very stressful, especially when you have a tight budget. Shopping a little bit at a time over the course of the year can be easier for some people than paying one lump sum at the end of the year (and potentially using credit cards and going into debt.) or trying to save a little money each month to pay for gifts.

Christmas 80

Christmas Toys Gifts Bath and Body Works 80

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Charissa. She helps readers gain control of their finances and live well on a budget at her blog Cook with a Shoe . How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? We started paying it off when we got married and became debt free just shy of our second anniversary.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free College Finds 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 17, 2018

One thing that I didn’t want to do much of on our date week was COOK, but I didn’t want blow our budget. We used gift cards on 3 nights, ate leftovers on 1 night, and grilled burgers on the last night. One of the gift cards was given to us TWO years ago for Christmas. We want to be debt free.

Home and Garden 100

Home and Garden Financial Goals Friends And Family Sale Gardening 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 12, 2018

What We Ate this Week: I make an effort each week to serve my family delicious food but still stick to the budget. This month at Family Budgeters Unite! , It could be gift money, rebate money, or money you found while walking your dog. Every Sunday afternoon, I plan the meals and do my grocery shopping for the week.

Frugal 100

Frugal Freezers Friends And Family Sale Financial Goals 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 22, 2012

Sustainable Personal Finance included YFS’ post, Frugal Anniversary Gift Ideas that Will Win Her Over in the Carnival of Personal Finance #349. Step Away from the Mall included my post, How to Have Fun on a Budget in the Financial Simplicity Carnival as did Afford Anything who hosted the Totally Money Carnival #56.

Personal Finance 133

Personal Finance Finance Las Vegas Budgeting 133

Teresa's Deals

SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Ruth over at Living Well Spending Less is all about the adventure of finding the good life on a budget. Tawra and Jill from Living On A Dime is devoted to frugal living and teaching you how to save money and Get Out Of Debt! You will also find slow cooker recipes and gifts in a jar.

Frugal 100

Frugal Frugal Lives Frugal Living St. Louis 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 16, 2012

Many of us begin to spend money l ike it’s going out of style, gathering up gifts for our loved ones that they may not need or want simply because gifting at this time of year is expected. Some people put themselves into debt because of this perceived obligation. What happens next, however, is not nearly so heartwarming.

Giving 203

Giving Holiday Kids Kids and Family 203

Saving Cents With Sense

DECEMBER 20, 2013

When we think about how much we spend at Christmas, we typically focus on how much we spend on gifts for other people. Self-Gifting. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), self-gifting is down this year. Start the New Year off right by making a commitment to save money and pay off debt. Rethink Your Spending.

Christmas 75

Christmas DIY Debt Pay Off Debt 75

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 16, 2012

While many personal finance sites focus on things such as getting out of debt, saving for retirement, and investing, what really matters to me the most is how we can live healthy prosperous lives. The site has grown and changed so much and I owe it all to you, my readers.

Prizes 274

Prizes Personal Finance Finance Giveaway 274

For the Mommas

NOVEMBER 5, 2011

While it is a wonderful season, it is also the season of overspending, overbuying and debt. I don’t want these postings to lead to overspending, overbuying or debt. Keep close track of what you are spending, use a budget worksheet like the one here. So, what tips can you give us to help keep our holiday budgets in check?

Holiday 71

Holiday Shopping Debt Budgeting 71

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 14, 2011

Moolanomy asks us what we do with our unwanted gift cards ? We seem to always find something we can use or get for someone as a gift. Reducing Debt. The Digerati Life shares insight as to when you should get help in trying to pay off your debt. Man vs. Debt shares with us how to not suck at our resolutions this year.

January 113

January Personal Finance Green And Frugal Finance 113

For the Mommas

JULY 27, 2016

Enfamil Family Beginnings – Free gifts & formula coupons. Similac Strong Moms Kit – Free Gifts and coupons. Eliminate debt. Credit card debt and high-interest loans are costing you money that you could use in the long-run. Prepare to live on one income by paying down, or paying off, these debts.

Baby 40

Baby Debt Credit Cards Phone Service 40

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

We all know that one of the best personal finance strategies is to have a budget and you’ve probably tried to create one at some time. Maybe you’re like me and could never get the budget to balance; I always had more expenditure than income and couldn’t see how I was going to be able to cut expenses. Food accounts for 15.6%

Budgeting 222

Budgeting Budget Credit Cards Transportation 222

Nicoles Nickels

MAY 25, 2013

Fathers Are Fabulous Day 4 – Tech Gifts for Dad Giveaway (Ends May 27). Fathers Are Fabulous Day 3 – Family Gifts for Dad Giveaway (Ends May 27). Posh on a Budget - Walmart $50 G.C. Girl Meets Debt – Samsung 50″ LED HDTV Giveaway (Ends May 30). P&G Have You Tried This Yet? Giveaway (Ends May 26).

Giveaway 56

Giveaway Father Lenses Publix 56

Saving In Akron

DECEMBER 1, 2011

No going into debt!!! They are honest, and again, because they are wholesalers (as opposed to retailers), their pricing structures are very different, and they will work with you to make sure you stay within your budget. Well, let me tell you, I walked away with $2,500 in cash.

Giveaway 247

Giveaway Jewelry Holiday Office 247

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

He then advises paying off your non-mortgage debt before fully funding an emergency fund with 3 – 6 months worth of expenses. Being self-employed, we have a higher starter fund on hand and when we pay off our non-mortgage debt, we will save to at least 6 months expenses and maybe even more. 1 – Determine how much you need.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100