Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

The season of family, faith, food, and…shopping… collective sigh… The spending part of Christmas can get crazy, so I’ve come up with a list of ideas to find some extra cash for your Christmas spending if you’re coming up short. I use this spreadsheet every year. Hopefully, that’s your goal too.

Christmas 130

Christmas Finds Friends And Family Sale Donation 130

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 15, 2013

On Sundays, we’ll meet here to catch our breath, and let everyone know how we’re finding our $1000. Wednesday is my favorite day of week and not because it’s HUMP day–i t’s 50% off day at my favorite thrift store. . I have nothing against retail stores. Do you shop at thrift stores?

Thrifting 159

Thrifting Thrift Stores Finds Consignment 159

The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Today we’re meeting a reader who only found my blog a few months ago; I love that she already volunteered to do a Meet a Reader post. Tell us a little about yourself I’m Andrea, I’m in my 20s. Essentially, we’re saving up a nest egg so that we have future freedom! Hey everyone! Here’s Andrea: 1.

Friends And Family Sale 192

Friends And Family Sale Library College Cars 192

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 3, 2014

Are you a ‘buy it new’ snob – one of those people who shudder at the thought of using someone else’s cast off stuff? After 10 years of not having enough money to buy new things, I found my dream job and started getting high pay. Home owners get bored and re-decorate or re-vamp their homes.

Buy 178

Buy Buying Garage Sale Garage 178

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 4, 2013

From food waste to packaging to disposable items, there are a lot of resources being used by humans. A meal plan can be one of the best ways to avoid last-minute takeout runs, as well as ensure that you have a way to use the food you buy. Pay attention to that when you buy. One solution is to buy things loose.

Re-use 278

Re-use Home and Garden Bulk Electronics 278

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

I use this spreadsheet. Whether you are scrambling to find money for gifts OR you could just use some extra cash this season, my hope is that this list of ideas (many we’ve done ourselves) helps you find some cash for Christmas. Are you fluent in another language or maybe you’re a math whiz? Consider tutoring.

Christmas 235

Christmas Finds Part Time Thrift Stores 235

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 30, 2015

In 2015 I’m challenging myself to rethink purchases by taking advantage of more cost effective solutions like borrowing, buying second hand, or just making do with what we already have. We want something that can tow the pop-up camper that we bought last fall and we’re having some sticker shock.

Thrifting 100

Thrifting April Thrift Stores Financial Goals 100

Couponing 101

NOVEMBER 1, 2019

That being said, in-person thrift stores aren’t always ideal. Some may not have a good thrift shop in their community, while others may prefer the convenience of shopping online. Whether you hope to buy or sell items, this post will share four of our favorite apps for thrifting from the comfort of your own home.

Thrifting 58

Thrifting Shopping Thrift Stores Consignment 58

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 6, 2013

After going through the process, you will have lots more room so you will be able to see exactly what you have and will avoid the mistake of buying something you already own. Anything you now longer want that is still wearable and in reasonable condition can be donated to thrift stores.

Saving Money 249

Saving Money Green Money Clothing and Accessories 249

Saving Cents With Sense

AUGUST 30, 2013

Thrift Store Style. Thrift stores, on the other hand, offer affordable, stylish clothing. As a recent article in CNN notes, buying secondhand clothes no longer comes with a stigma. Many shoppers are now turning to thrift stores to find fashionable items. This site uses affiliate links.

College 102

College Student Public Transit DSL 102

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 15, 2015

If you are in more of a hurry, find a thrift store instead. But, find one in a high end neighborhood, one where the store sorts through the donations to select only the best. Look for sales in neighborhoods matching the kinds of things you want to buy. If you are still reluctant to buy used, consider the below bargains.

Garage Sale 100

Garage Sale Garage Finds Sale 100

Couponing 101

MAY 29, 2019

Buy Out of Season. Buy Used Clothing. You can find used children’s clothing at thrift stores, garage sales, or online via Facebook Marketplace or eBay. People often wind up with children’s clothes they no longer need or want, so put the word out that you’re interested.

Clothes 84

Clothes Clothing Simple Friends And Family Sale 84

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

We do put up decorations (ones I buy at garage sales or thrift stores and reuse each year). Buy one then sell, donate or exchange it. Bring in your slightly used, but in good shape costume and pick one from those others brought in – as a swap. Don’t buy, make. Re-purpose the used costume.

Halloween 138

Halloween Green Reuse Garage 138

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 16, 2013

Check them out: Good Reads From The Blogosphere: When you’re aggressively trying to pay down debt, you may feel that you’ve done all you can to curb your expenses, but have you really? When buying a house, some people have been spending beyond their means to get the house they want but can’t truly afford. Think Again.

Fridays 187

Fridays Debt Unemployment Rent 187

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 16, 2015

When you walk into a grocery store with a plan, you eliminate impulse & duplicate purchases. We used to spend hundreds of dollars a month going out to eat at restaurants. And during the warmer months, they encourage you to increase your thermostat while you’re at work and/or away from home. It saves us $67 a month.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Thrifting Thrift Stores 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 23, 2011

Try replacing some paper products on your list with cloth and re-usable products that you probably have around the house and you will not only reduce your grocery spending, but you will also reduce your waste. I use flannel hankies during sniffle season. I have been using a Silpat Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat for years.

Economical 185

Economical Kitchen Paper Groceries 185

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 17, 2018

We blew through our health savings account, and now need to save another $10k so we’re not caught off guard if another emergency were to happen. This will take us most of the year. I don’t want to use the term extreme frugality, because that sounds absolutely horrible. Read our Health Insurance Story: .

Financial Goals 113

Financial Goals Goals 2018 Debt 113

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 11, 2015

To make clean up fairly easy so that you can enjoy your guests, I have found really cute and inexpensive party supplies, paper plates, cups, and napkins at the dollar store. I use our own silverware, mostly because I hate eating with plastic ware. We’re having an Ugly Sweater party at our office this year. Go Caroling.

Christmas 100

Christmas Budgeting Budget Swap 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 30, 2014

We’re glad we didn’t buy any furniture, or we’d have quite the full house! Many people overlook the power of using textures in a home to add points of interest as well as space and a homey feel. Use Patterns Sparingly. Use Patterns Sparingly. But definitely use them! Get Organized'

Home 182

Home Making Furniture Thrift Stores 182

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

We use an online account like, Capital One 360 (my referral link). But when you’re trying to save money, cut out this costly expense. When we’re crazy busy and the family is demanding that they be fed, I always have the ingredients for spaghetti on hand. 18 – Use Cash Back Grocery apps.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

When we’re crazy busy and the family is demanding that they be fed, I always have the ingredients for spaghetti on hand. Now go through the list and really ask yourself if you use or need all of it. If you’re not using it, cancel it today and redirect that monthly money into your emergency savings.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 6, 2016

However, there are simple things we can do every day that help Mother Earth by using less energy, sending less trash to the land fills, and conserving our natural resources. So we’re helping the environment and saving money…it’s a win-win. Trap rain water and use to water your plants and garden.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Gift Cards Money Giveaway 100

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 18, 2016

Thrift Shopping. With your wardrobe in mind, start with thrift stores. Thrift stores are not the dusty, smelly places of the past. If you shop at the department store, make sure you’re cruising for end of season deals. Buy Classic Quality. This site uses affiliate links.

Thrifty 40

Thrifty Budgeting Budget Mom 40

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

If you are looking for a can of spray paint you used last summer, you are more likely to look somewhere that you have other cans of paint stored. So, store your paint together with your paint brushes, paint thinner, paint stir stickes, rollers and etc to find them easier later. Store things where you use them.

Organic 177

Organic Organization Home Painting 177

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 12, 2013

We are encouraged to buy this, go there, do that and the result is that many of us are living lives that just don’t measure up to what we want. Apparently there are some simple rules when it comes to de-cluttering and re-organizing your work space. What about the old refrigerator in the garage you only use when you have a party?

Making 238

Making Work Occasions Pace 238

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 7, 2011

How does he find the blessings of the holiday season with no money to buy gifts? Re-establish your self-esteem. She lives her life, just like the rest of us, maybe better. Give away a dollar in front of the thrift store. How does she find the strength to help him on his road to independence? Forgive yourself.

Holiday 183

Holiday Friends And Family Sale At&T Giving 183

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 3, 2013

I got 160,000,000 results today using Google Chrome. Home decorating is another area where it may be possible to sew your own cheaper than buying. Easy deal and much cheaper than buying drapes at the time. You have to find a pattern you like, get the machine out, buy the fabric, cut it out and all of the other steps involved.

Sewing 201

Sewing Sewing Machines Machines Saving Money 201

Saving Everyday

DECEMBER 13, 2016

I often find myself saying “I wish I had that when my kids were little” OR “you’d use that once and never use it again” I understand you want the best for your baby and shopping for them is very exciting. Someone might just buy it for you. Wait to buy it. You just don’t.

Baby 40

Baby Kroger 2016 Saving 40

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 9, 2014

Today, we’re going to analyze those numbers and challenge ourselves to improve them. We used to spend hundreds of dollars a month going out to eat at restaurants. Thrift : I regularly stop by my favorite local thrift store and find crazy bargains. Dining Out.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Finance Organic 100

For the Mommas

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

No matter how much money we’re bringing in, just about all of us feel as if we could stand to cut down on our spending and put a little bit more money into our rainy day fund. When you purchase that $4 coffee or that small $10 worth of impulse buys at the corner store, it might not seem like much.

Money 40

Money Goals Kids and Family Saving Money 40

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2020

What got us through financially? I am totally paraphrasing the year, but had it not been for the money in our emergency savings, we would most likely have used credit cards to survive. I still use my spreadsheet to this day! I decided to use Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps as a guide and I wrote our first Debt Freedom Plan.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2007 2020 130

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 9, 2015

Acadia’s advice is to be creative and think about your talents and gifts and how you could use them to make extra money. Acadia’s husband used his handy skills to fix up their home that they eventually sold for a profit. Jenn and her husband sold stuff they were no longer using and put it towards debt.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Budgeting Budget 100