Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Here are 5 ways to trim your budget for your child’s college funds. Know Your Actual Budget. Knowing exactly how much income is going out towards bills, unplanned expenses, and splurges is the first step in saving for a college fund. Written Budget. Create a hand written budget and make several copies.

College 100

College Budgeting Budget Friends And Family Sale 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

“How to Live Large and Have Fun”, “How to Spend Millions on Credit and Never Pay a Dime”, “Live Large and On Charge…Cards”, “Living High on the Hog: The Art of Budget Busting”…these are all titles of fictitious books, but they might as well be bestsellers. Embrace the Food Network. Buy Store Brands.

Saving Money 221

Saving Money Money Budgeting Budget 221

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

From a money-saving and environment-friendly perspective, this may be the most obvious solution to making room in your budget in an eco-conscious manner. Simply by agreeing to receive the bills digitally, a person can create room in their budget and help save some trees with one click! Transportation. Outdoor Entertainment.

Saving Money 171

Saving Money Money Family Washer and Dryer 171

Couponing 101

FEBRUARY 23, 2019

They are a family of four and have a grocery budget of $60 per week, they cook 2-3 dinners from scratch each week and eat out once or twice a week. Their grocery budget is already pretty low, but I do have a few ideas. I would also suggest cutting back on fast food. Have they truly saved money?

Budgeting 81

Budgeting Budget Saving Eating Out 81

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 1, 2019

8 Action Steps for a Frugal February: 1 – Write a budget/spending plan for February. I’m a big fan of Zero Based Budgeting. If you’re new to writing a budget, read: How to Start a Budget (and be successful at it!). This is to keep out any trolls and help to keep the group a safe and encouraging place.).

February 100

February Frugal Financial Goals Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 28, 2022

Groceries is one budget category that can get out of control very quickly, and that’s before inflation. However, it can be an easy budget category to manage, but it takes some planning, skill, and organization. These are strategies I use weekly to help keep my grocery bill in line with our budget.

Saving Money 130

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 4, 2012

Cooperation is an important key to successful budgeting. Examine Your Budget and Look For Loopholes Loopholes are those unnecessary expenses that are a waste of funds. Avoid wasting energy, water, gas, food and the like. This can cause wastage, and this can be a loophole in your budget as well. Creating a Budget is Easy.

Frugal 189

Frugal Family Budgeting Budget 189

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 4, 2013

In the early years, we both spent a lot of money on flowers, food, and gifts, but Valentine's Day can change with your spouse when kids enter the picture. Yes, I'd love to eat out and have someone else prepare my dinner and serve me, but that would involve a babysitter and a food tab.

Valentines Day 100

Valentines Day Saving Money At Home Money 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 20, 2014

We thought eating in restaurants was a main attraction of travel because you get to try local foods. Even when eating out on the cheap, we were still spending hundreds of dollars on food. When we traveled, we packed a cooler full of food to eat on vacation and while on the road.

Travel 196

Travel Family Hotel Making 196

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 12, 2014

When finances are tight, often the only area we can control is our food spending. Having a routine keeps me scheduled so that I don’t forget to prep something and end up tempted to eat out. By having a schedule and knowing what we usually eat, I can save money by buying many foods in bulk. Snacks & Dessert.

Grocery Spending 246

Grocery Spending Groceries Grocery Food and Drink 246

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 19, 2014

We ate at home a lot and watched our food budget carefully. We still allotted a lot of money for food, but we were careful not to go too far over budget. Daniel cut some of his business expenses by cutting out a monthly fee for a co-working space and cutting out monthly charges for services he didn’t need anymore.

Debt 245

Debt Debt Free Finance Friends And Family Sale 245

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 14, 2013

Create A Budget. Maybe you don’t want to cook at all during your vacation or maybe eating out for every meal is beyond what your budget can handle. Food is usually our the biggest expenditure during our vacation and thankfully our beach condo will have a kitchen. What Are Your Non-Food Needs?

Vacation 153

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 153

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 15, 2019

Groceries is one budget category that can get out of control very quickly. However, groceries is also an easy budget category to control, but it takes some planning, skill, and organization. Personally, if I don’t make a shopping list and plan my meals, my grocery budget is toast. for national brand.

Saving Money 113

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 14, 2013

Master the Art of Budgeting. Budgeting is simply spending just within your means. Avoiding the unnecessary things like extra trips to the store can help you save on gas or transportation expenses, and limiting the times that you eat out can actually do a lot for your finances. Who Needs a Budget? I’m Doing OK!

Money 273

Money Cable Service Budgeting Budget 273

Couponing 101

JULY 28, 2011

They are a family of four and have a grocery budget of $60 per week, they cook 2-3 dinners from scratch each week and eat out once or twice a week. Their grocery budget is already pretty low, but I do have a few ideas. I would also suggest cutting back on fast food. Have they truly saved money?

Budgeting 96

Budgeting Budget Saving Eating Out 96

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 19, 2011

They think that if they start being frugal, they will no longer get the opportunity to eat out, go to spas, travel, or even watch their favorite movie. If this is something you are fond of doing, you can learn a lot from opting to do a budget travel. Food is essential. Frugal Food Tips. You need it to survive.

Frugal 185

Frugal Frugal Life Frugal Lives Frugal Living 185

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Here are are five reasons why budgeting for your family is important: A thorough financial analysis helps you…. Create a Budget. Control Spending on Food. Is eating your weakness? Practice self-discipline in controlling your food expenses. These constraints will help you get that food budget back under control.

Family 196

Family Financial Goals Debt Goals 196

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 14, 2013

Now is the time to watch every penny that you spend, so that you can purchase more in the same budget or even better, put that money in emergency funds. A good part of our monthly income is spent on grocery shopping, and the budget may even go higher depending on whether it’s a holiday or a birthday where you need to feed more people.

Saving Money 222

Saving Money Money Bills Insurance 222

Couponing 101

JUNE 14, 2019

Since our budget doesn’t increase just because we are traveling, here are a few things that we can do to keep to our monthly budget while traveling so much: Water. It’s definitely worth it to keep refilling the ice in the ice chest to keep the food cold.

Travel 85

Travel Frugal Hotel Food and Drink 85

For the Mommas

AUGUST 14, 2012

Do you like to dine out? I love to eat out, but I hate how expensive it can be. Restaurants with a $100 price tag are usually out of my budget, but not with Restaurant.com. Yes, the food was as good as it looks! I typically use coupons and try to find specials. We had an awesome meal. 62.00 + tip.

Restaurant.com 56

Restaurant.com Dining Budgeting Budget 56

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 18, 2011

For example, buying food and paying rent do not make you any money. Cut Down the “Eating Out”. I know this will be considered by many as a horrible thing that they don’t want to give up, but just ask yourself, how many times per week do you go for fast food? Therefore, they are expenses.

Money Saving 180

Money Saving Money Eating Out Real Estate 180

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 4, 2014

’ Apart from our careers we’re very into cultural experience, LOVE big city life with all the culture and delicious food it provides and our greatest lament in moving to Western NY is that there won’t be the variety that our beloved Portland offers us. How often do you and your spouse discuss your finances/budget/spending?

Debt Free 243

Debt Free Debt Goals Student 243

Saving Everyday

OCTOBER 3, 2023

How to Save Money When Traveling When it comes to traveling, the three main areas you can save are accommodations, travel, and food. This doesn’t mean every minute of your day needs to be planned out. Some people prefer having an overall budget, while others prefer setting a daily budget. Let’s break it down.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Travel Hotel 52

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 8, 2014

If there is one budget category that can quickly get out of control for me, it is GROCERIES. Over the holidays, I wasn’t as diligent with my meal planning and our grocery bill went over what I budget for food. And of course, don’t forget to check the Food Tab at Family Balance Sheet for meal ideas too.

Meals 186

Meals Simple Menu Planning Menu Plans 186

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Basic Necessities Food Whether you are well-off or tight on cash, you still need to eat. So, you have to put food on top of your list of necessities. If the food, shelter and the three top utilities are paid-off then you can now set aside some of your money for telephone bills. How Much Money Can You Live Off Of?

Bills 213

Bills Telephones Money Taxes 213

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 20, 2017

strict budget. We cut out all of our nonessential spending, what little. We committed to using a cash budget, and we talked daily at. 1 – Set a budget. Not only did we write a new budget before the start of. talked about what went out that day, what was coming up, or if something. there was anyways.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Friends And Family Sale Budgeting 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 13, 2013

My entertainment budget is not very big, because my “fun” happens to be reading, writing, and spending time with family. However, if going out to eat with friends or going on all-inclusive vacations is your thing, I’m not one to judge. I am a big believer of spending money on things that make you happy. High End Cars.

Money 184

Money Cars Car Laptops 184

Penny Pinchin' Mom

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Also See: How to Budget Money on a Low Income How Much of Your Salary Should You Save? Here, let me show you: Say, for example, that your family is used to a certain high-end brand of cereal, but your analysis has shown that it’s too expensive and should be part of the things you cut out of your monthly budget to shore up that 20%.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Saving Bills 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 11, 2013

We finally convinced the board to map out future needs and come up with a plan to get there. In the annual meeting, the members have to approve the budget for the year, which included the staining, a $60 a month increase in fees and no improvement projects. I do, which is why I wanted it out in the open as to what the budget allowed.

Real Estate 183

Real Estate Money Kids and Family Budgeting 183

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

Heading out for Valentine’s Day dinner sounds lovely, but long lines, high prices, and the cost of a babysitter, can keep many of us in for the holiday. Sure, we’d love to eat out and have someone else prepare and serve our food, but that would involve a babysitter and a food tab. Banana Nut Pancakes.

Menu Planning 113

Menu Planning Menu Plans Recipes Home and Garden 113

Coupons Do Work

MARCH 4, 2016

Since I am off to Disney World and buy the ‘Hopper Ticket’ while breaking the bank (good thing I have been budgeting and couponing this year!!!!), Members can see films, eat out, shop at discount rate. Bring your own food and water : People have told me when you go to Disney World, bring your own water and snacks!

Disney World 100

Disney World Saving Money Disney Money 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 22, 2016

I use them regularly when we eat out at restaurants, and I will not shop at a department store without one, but grocery coupons are completely different for me. While I have success finding coupons in the Sunday paper and online printing sources, like Coupons.com for hygiene, paper, and cleaning products, food is another story.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 1, 2011

Create A Budget For Your Trip. Maybe you don’t want to cook at all during your vacation or maybe eating out for every meal is beyond what your budget can handle. I plan our menu weeks before we leave, so I'm able to take advantage of store sales and I do much of the food shopping ahead of time.

Vacation 178

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 178

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

Make it a game and be creative when looking for money within your budget and finding new ways to earn extra money. Groceries is the easiest budget category to overspend. There was a time (pre-pandemic) that I ate lunch out almost every day with friends. 6 – Eat dinner at home. Subscribe to my emails HERE!

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Couponing 101

OCTOBER 14, 2013

The bundle includes books on a wide variety of topics including cooking and preparing paleo/primal food, simple living, homemade personal care products, fitness, motherhood, and more! You’ll learn cooking strategies and ideas for meal planning that will help save you money from not eating out on the go.

Health 96

Health Meals Simple Personal Care 96

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

The segment was so inspiring that I reached out to her to see if she would participate in the Debt Free Stories series. She hosts a You Tube channel, The Former Mrs. Jones , where she vlogs about budgeting, debt free living, and family life. We started cooking at home more, a big issue for us was eating out.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Bath and Body Works Gas 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 8, 2018

During that time, I started to budget for everything. Every aspect of our lives was included in our budget. When people hear the word budget, they think “restriction” and “no fun”, but honestly that couldn’t be further from the truth. Another way to think of a budget is a spending plan.

Budgeting 133

Budgeting Budget Financial Goals Goals 133