Archive for the ‘Budget’ Category

Five new ways to cut family budget and expenses

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Here are five more things to consider when paring back expenses this year.

1. Be cooperative. Coops of all sorts are a great way to cut spending Kids clothes and toys are a very popular trade and use category. And babysitting is a natural since it’s almost always easier to take care of your own kids when they have someone to play with. Take the lead and organize these activities at your church or school where you have a lot of like-minded parents. But don’t neglect also the help of seniors who may babysit in exchange for other help (computer aid, CPA advice, etc.)

2. Kill extra credit card charges. Everyone always makes this suggestion because it’s true. Paying credit card interest fees is stupid, since you can get cheaper money almost anywhere.

  • If 20% annually seems reasonable, at least pay it to a relative who wouldn’t be able to earn 20% anywhere else in this market.
  • At the very least, look for cards that charge lower interest and monitor the rates. CardTrak.com publishes a monthly list of credit card rates and Bankrate.com keeps a updated list of the best credit card deals, divided into categories: no-fee cards, low-interest cards, and mileage cards.Burning taxpayer & shareholder money -- "No Hassle"
  • If your card wants an annual fee, call them and negotiate it lower or eliminate completely. It’s always good to ask. Set your automated bank payments to send a small amount every month to your credit card issuer. Even if you pay extra interest, now you’ll never have to pay a late charge on top of it.

3. Cut back on the restaurant habit or find ways to cut back on costs. Entertainment books are a great way to save money if you eat at those restaurants anyway. Restaurants.com also has money-saving coupons for good restaurants that make sense if you do a little planning. Set your restaurant budget and then cut it by 20% so that you actually use the coupons.

4. Increase insurance deductibles for auto and home coverage. You’re the best judge as to how much risk you can handle, but it’s better to have $1000 deductible on your insurance rather than $500 if you’re a pretty safe driver and if the one-time hit in case of an accident wouldn’t wipe you out.

5. Cancel the gym and get a Wii Fit. You have to find the best routine that works for you and motivates you to put in at least 30 minutes per day of physical activity. A gym membership is a beautiful thing if you use it, but if you’re paying for it month after month without spending any time there, you’re not really burning any calories are you. We got a Wii Fit and I find it easier to fit in a workout at home. Plus I don’t waste time and gas getting to the gym.

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Card games for budget-conscious dads

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

Cards are a great accessory to have around when you have kids. They are portable, easy-to-find, and cheap. And, after the kids are in bed, you can play gin rummy or poker with your spouse.

We like ThinkFun 4 Children’s Card Games, a boxed collection of the favorite children’s card games, including Crazy Eight, Old Maid, Animal Rummy, and Hearts. However, with just a simple pack of cards, you can play a lot of games.  Here are a few ideas:

1. For kids 2-3, you can just create a game yourself based on what interests your child. Let him or her group the cards by color, number or suit. Or, look for similar cards playing a simple version of “Memory” with just a few cards.

2. All kids love Old Maid, the politically incorrect classic that is easy to play once you take out all but one Queen. The game hasn’t changed since you were a child. Deal all the cards out, and take turn drawing from your neighbor until you find all the pairs. The player left holding the Queen is, well, the loser.

3. Go Fish is an important cultural touchstone. How can anyone ever understand the many references to “go fish,” without playing this game where each player collects sets of four cards by asking another player for a specific numbered card. The player who collects the most sets wins. There’s also a good math principle in the works here.

4. We love SNAP! Deal all the cards and and all the players flip a single card at the same time. Players yell out SNAP! if they see a pair. Winners take the card.

There are lots of ideas for kids (and adult) card games, played with a simple pack you can find at the drugstore. More ideas can be found at usplayingcard.com.

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Inexpensive and easy-to-make gifts for dad

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Dads can be hard to be buy for, but nothing is better than getting a gift from your kids that they made themselves. Here are two simple ideas that kids can easily make in time for holidays. Not only that, but the first is energy efficient!

1. A tie snake – With cold weather seeping in through every door and window, make a snake draft blocker using a colorful old tie filled with polypropylene pellets, or even dried beans (make sure they don’t get wet). Sew up both ends and you have a very long snake. If you want to go the extra distance, make it into a snake-looking object by sewing on eyes, and gluing on a red felt tongue.

2. A silk muscle-warmer made out of a tie.

Fill the tie instead with rice and you have a silky soft and heatable pad for sore muscles, keeping warm in the car, or to drape over your eyes during a nap. Microwave for 2-3 minutes and the rice will stay arem for up to two hours.

Thanks to Make Dad a Tie Snake for Christmas at Mommyland for this tip.

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