Money & Finances

6 Ways To Save Money On Household Items

Some of the things that I spend the most money on are household items like toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo and conditioner, clothes soap, and dishsoap. And I'm sure this is true of most people.

I've thought for a few years that there had to be a better way -- a way that I could save money on my grocery bill when buying these products. And I was right!

Check out these tips for saving on household items and lowering your grocery bill:

• Use up whatever is left in your containers before buying new ones. It's amazing what you can make stretch when you have to. I've often added water to a bit of shampoo, dishsoap, or clothesoap and stretched it to another washing or two. You'll save money by not having to go right away to the store to replace these items.
   
• Buy in bulk when possible. It's not always possible to buy in bulk, but when you can, do so.
   
• Buy your household items at the dollar store. A lot of dollar stores have top quality brands for a dollar that would cost you 4 or 5 dollars at the grocery store. I've been known to buy shampoo and conditioner, clothes soap, and even some food items at the dollar store.
   
• Make your own household products. I use baking soda to scour my tub, and vinegar to clean my toilet and polish my fawcetts. The fact of the matter is our great grandmothers made a lot of their own cleaning products and there's no reason we can't too!
   
• Clip coupons and buy household products when you can buy one and get one free. I'm big on coupons and sales, I don't even go to the grocery store until I've looked at the Sunday circulars.
   
• Purchase the store brand versions of your household products, often you can save a dollar or two when you do this. I buy my store's brand of benedryl and save 2 dollars every time I do, and it works the same.

How To Minimize the Cost of Raising Kids

If you have kids, then you know how suddenly your cost of living has a way of going up and up and up. The truth is though, it doesn't have to be that way. While it's true that you are going to spend more money if you're raising a family, there are things you can do to minimize the costs.

• Forget about buying brands. Let's face it most of the cheaper generic type brands are just as good as the expensive ones. So why should any parent pay the extra cost when they can save it for other things by buying t he cheaper brands?
   
• Switch from disposable diapers to cloth diapers. Not only will you save money when you do this, but you'll save all those disposable diapers from winding up in a land fill. Also, some babies are allergic to disposable diapers, so you are also avoiding a nasty skin rash as well.
   
• Hang onto your older children's clothes and pass them down to your younger children. There's no reason to not save money by doing this, especially if the clothes are still in good condition. 
   
• Network with other parents. This can really work well when you know another parent whose baby is a stage ahead of yours because if you let them know you are interested in buying any furniture or clothing that their baby outgrows, you can get some real deals.
   
• Purchase used baby and kid's furniture, then if you know you will be having more children, hang onto it for the next baby. While some standards do change when it comes to cribs and such, it usually just takes a little research to figure out what will bring a piece of baby furniture up to code so to speak.
   
• Don't buy happy meals when you go out for fast food. Instead buy an inexpensive sandwich and fries and split them between two kids. The only thing the kids will be missing is the toy, and let's face it, they're probably only going to play with it for a few minutes anyway and it will then be forgotten.
   
• Consider bartering for services with other parents. We all know it's easier to go grocery shopping when you don't have screaming kids along wanting every colorful thing they see. Find another parent who'd be willing to watch your kids if you watch theirs another time.
   
• Have an understanding of what kids consider toys. All you have to do is remember how cool that big cardboard box was and how it could become a space ship, or a car or whatever your imagination could come up with, to realize that kids don't need a lot of expensive toys. They'll appreciate the cups, containers, boxes and other things they make into toys far more.
   
• Create experiences for your kids that they will remember. Kids don't understand about keeping up with the Jones'  all they are really after is a fun and memorable experience. You as the adult choose what is fun and memorable, and if you choose inexpensive or even free experiences such as a trip to the library, your kids will see these things as fun and memorable too.
   
• Figure out with your spouse how much you're willing to spend on gifts. If you are always buying big expensive gifts then your kids will come to expect big expensive gifts. However, if gifts are seen as treats and you give gifts  you can afford, that is what your kids will come to expect and believe gifts should be.

Also see the cost of raising a toddler from age 2 to 4.

17 Healthy Foods That Cost Less Than $1

Believe it or not there are 17 different foods that you can purchase that are not only healthy but cost under a dollar. Keep in mind geography does play a part in costs, but on these prices are based on prices in Oregon.

Here are the 17 healthy foods that cost less than $1:

• Bananas
• Rice
• Oatmeal
• Potatoes, providing you don't load them up with butter or sour cream!
• Apples
• Watermelon
• Garbonzo Beans
• Pinto Beans
• Popcorn
• Eggs
• Kiwis
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Lentils
• Nuts
• Grapefruit
• Water

Incoroporating even half of these into your grocery list can considerably lower your grocery bill, as will buying in bulk.

To learn more about how to save money at the grocery store, check out these tricks supermarkets play to get you to pay more money!

How Much Life Insurance Do You Really Need? Which Type Is Best?

Unexpected death is not the most pleasant of subjects. Nevertheless, it's one that every family must realistically examine and prepare for.

Many times, when families think about the possible death of a spouse, the only part of the equation that crosses their mind is the cost of burial. At an average of $7,000 for a simple funeral, they think they are well protected with a $10,000 life insurance policy.

A day or two after the burial service, it hits home how much the loss of their spouse is going to affect everything from where they are going to live to what kind of a lifestyle they will be able to enjoy.

When purchasing life insurance, there are some basic guidelines to consider when you start calculating how much life insurance you should really have...

Continue reading: How Much Life Insurance?

5 Ways To Save Money On Kid's Snacks

With all the expensive goodies and snacks out there aimed at kids, is it any wonder we end up spending a bundle on snacks for our kids?

The fact of the matter is though, you don't have to.

In fact, you can not only learn to save money when it comes to kid's snacks, but you can eat healthier as well while you're saving money.

Check out these 5 tips for saving money on your kid's snacks:

• Purchase snacks that contain protein and fiber. They last longer and burn slower in your digestive system and will give your kids the fuel they need without the sugar high and let down.
   
• Learn to make your own versions of your child's favorite snacks. Not only will this be healthier for them, but it will save you money because you can buy ingredients in bulk.
   
• Teach your kids about portion sizes. If they learn early what constitutes a healthy-sized portion, then they will be less likely to overeat and gain weight. Thus, they will be healthier.
   
• Buy organic ingredients when they are the same price as non-organic, or when they are cheaper. Buying organic doesn't always mean spending more money, and in terms of keeping your kids healthy, the payoff can be huge.
   
• Have your snacks prepared and ready to go ahead of time before leaving your house. This way, you won't be tempted to stop at the grocery store and purchase snacks that may be loaded with sugar and other things that aren't as healthy for your child.

7 Tips Towards Financial Independence

Who doesn't want to be financially independent?

I think it's safe to say that most of us would love to be! I know I would love to be completely financially independent before retiring, but the reality is most of us won't be.

Even though this may be the case, there are still some things you can do to speed up becoming financially independent:

• Don't buy what you don't need. Or don't buy crap. It's easy to just buy things when we see them just because we want them, but if you can get into the habit of asking yourself if you really need it first, you're on your way to financial independence.
   
• Pay off all your debt. Getting your debt paid off so you can use your money for what you want to is crucial to becoming finanically independent.
   
• Put a percentage of each paycheck into a savings account. Even if you can only afford a few dollars each paycheck, it all adds up.
   
• Don't listen to the gurus who try to scare you into believing that you need 3 million dollars before you retire. Figure out your own number as far as what you think you'll need to live comfortably during retirement.
   
• Don't worry about impressing anyone. Who cares if your neighbor buys a new car every year? Your neighbor is probably in debt up to his eyeballs! It's not necessary for you to have a big house, and a new car every year just to show that you too are successful. Who cares what others think?
   
• Make a few risky investments when you're young. When you're young you can afford to take a few risks.
   
• When you get close to being financially independent, then start being more conservative with your investments. This way, you won't lose the money you've got squirreled away for retirement.

For more ideas on saving money and becoming finacially independent see 401K vs Roth IRA Retirement Accounts.

How To Set Up An Opportunity Fund

Most people don't think twice about using their credit cards for the opportunity to take a trip at a cheap rate, or buy a new piece of furniture that's on sale.

But often these off-the-cuff expenses end up adding up in interest. Plus, what you thought was savings can actually end up costing you more.

That's where an opportunity fund comes in. An opportunity fund is a savings account that you put money into for such off-the-cuff, out-of-the-blue expenses that you might want to take advantage of.

This way, you're not racking up interest on a credit card, and you already have the money when you want it! Learn more about how to set up an opportunity fund and why you might want one. It's worth it!