Other 5$ subscriptions include: Cosmopolitan, Smart Money, Food and Wine, Sports Illustrated for Kids Click here to order!
Friday, November 27, 2009
$5 Magazine Subscriptions
Other 5$ subscriptions include: Cosmopolitan, Smart Money, Food and Wine, Sports Illustrated for Kids Click here to order!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Paying for Christmas
Christmas is almost synonymous with large credit card bills in January. But with the hikes in rates this past year, and new hidden fees popping up every day, using a credit card to pay for Christmas is no longer a wise or safe move financially. Do yourself a favor this season and vow to pay for Christmas in cash. Start a Christmas savings fund and contribute as much as possible to it during the month of November. Here are some easy ideas to help get you started and seeing some instant buildup:
- Eat every meal at home for the month. The average family spends hundreds of dollars on eating out, of which could be going to a Christmas fund.
- Cut back on luxury frills such as the movie theater and excessive driving. Instead, look for ways to entertain for free at home by watching movies you already own or playing cards or board games. This is will bring your family closer together too!
- Avoid major purchases until after January, if at all possible. A large piece of furniture or household appliance that does not require immediate attention should be put off for a couple months. Think of creative ways to get by until you are able to afford it.
- Buy used if you need something. This includes clothing, appliances and other items. Not only will you save a bundle for Christmas, but you will be helping the environment by being resourceful.
- Trim the phone bill. This is an easy area that many people can save on. Take a good look at your monthly phone bill- are you using all the features and minutes that you pay for? If not, downgrade, at least temporarily. You can also upgrade your plan after the holidays if necessary. Instant savings. Do this for all your utility bills, and you will have a large lump of cash available for the holidays.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Strapped for Cash? Cook Frugal Meals
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Budget Friendly Family Fall Festivities
Coupon Clippers Help You Save Huge

The Coupon Clippers lets you search for available coupons on their website and pay a small fee to order them. This is especially helpful if you do not have access to print coupons or if your newspaper doesn't carry them anymore. You can order a large batch of the same coupon all at once.
For example, in anticipation of fall sales on soups and canned goods, I ordered 20 soup coupons worth .50 each and 10 canned vegetable coupons worth $1.00 each. Since my store doubles coupons up to a dollar, these .50 coupons are actually worth $1.00. That makes the total coupon savings worth $30! I paid ONE DOLLAR for 20 of the soup coupons and $1.20 for the veggie coupons. Talk about some serious savings!
Note that The Coupon Clippers mandate that your order has to total at least $3.94 before checking out. This shouldn't be hard to do, since many of the coupons can result in fantastic savings.
I hope this helps you save more in the grocery store and become a little more wallet wise!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Menu Plan to Save Money
If you've never menu planned before, I highly suggest you take the plunge. Not only will it save you money, but time and stress as well. Just think of all those nights you stood next to an open pantry and thought "I have no idea what to make!" and ended up ordering take-out instead. Or the countless trips to the grocery store each week, when you'd rather had stayed home with your family. Menu planning takes the pain out of all these things.
When I first begun menu planning, I did one trip to the grocery per week. This allowed me to take advantage of each week's sales. However, I have recently cut my trips down to once every two weeks, since statistics show that 60% of what you buy at the grocery store is an unplanned purchase! The less trips, the less money spent. And that can really add up over time.
There are countless websites advocating menu planning with introductions on how to make it work for your family. The Happy Housewife teaches you how to menu plan in her series 'Menu Planning 101'. Organizing Junkie posts hundreds of weekly menu plans every Monday for you to gather ideas. I also post my bi-monthly menu plans over at my home-making blog, Life in #3.
Take slow but steady steps with menu planning, and I promise you won't regret your decision.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Frugal Books: Read and Save Money
The Duggar
This book is about the Duggar family. With 18 children, they have managed to avoid debt yet have a 7000 square foot home as well as reliable cars (including a tour bus!). The principles taught in this book are valuable for those wishing to "live like no one else". It has a heavy emphasis on trusting in God to provide for needs, which is a wonderful lesson for all Christians to learn. I checked this book out from my library, but I am planning on buying it since I keep referring to it! Click here to read a review, excerpt and to buy the book.
America's Cheapest Family Gets you Right on the Money
I got this book hoping for some frugal money saving tips, but I got much more than that! The first chapter alone will probably change the way I grocery shop forever. It teaches you step by step how to save money with groceries, as well as how to budget. I have never been taught how to budget so effectiviely as this book did! After I read the chapter on budgeting, I ran to my office to revamp how we do our finances. I plan on doing a special post that highlights this new method because I think many people are painfully unaware of the method that could save them sanity and help streamline, simplify and bring security to their personal finances. Read this book if you are serious about saving money, living better and cashing in your dreams. Click here to read reviews and buy the book.
I hope these two resources will bring you as much help and encouragement in your personal finances as it did ours! If, after reviewing the book from your library, you do decide to purchase the book, please consider doing so from the links on this page. Proceeds from the purchase helps to support Wallet Wise.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Save Money with Home-made Cleaners
One way to potentially save a lot of money with little effort is to start using homemade cleaners around your home. Not only are they EASY and CHEAP to make, homemade cleaners are typically non-toxic (unless bleach is used) and very eco-friendly. What a wonderful way to make use of your resources!
Here are some recipes and resources for home-made cleaners!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Why Stocking Up Can Save You Money
- By purchasing items on sale in bulk, you lower your overall monthly cost in groceries. This tactic does not follow a weekly budget, but rather a monthly budget to allow for spending more when there is a weekly sale. If you spend ten dollars more in week one, and ten dollars less in week two because you are stocked up in an item, you will not go over budget. Since the item was on sale, and presuming you were able to use coupons, the overall cost of the item goes down drastically. For example, Kellogg's Nutrigrain Bars regularly run around $3.49 at Meijer. They were on sale this week for $1.99, and coupons were available for $1.00 off of two, making the final cost $1.49. You just saved $2 per box! If you stocked up for a month or two, you would not have to buy any more of these bars until the next sale.
- Stocking up allows extra savings even if you only purchase a small stock. In the example above, you would still be saving $2 per box, not matter how many you buy!
- Buying in bulk results in less grocery trips. If you buy all of your cereal or another item for a month in one trip, your trips will be shorter and fewer in between.
- Stocking up on items when they are on sale creates a instinct that refuses to pay full price. Lastly. buying items and food in bulk while they are on sale creates an attitude that refuses to pay full price since you are used to buying large sums of the item at discounted rates. You will therefore resist the temptation to buy an item because you think you "need" it, and instead wait for it to go on sale again, which saves you loads of money in the end.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday Fun: American Road Trips

For the past two weeks, my husband and I have been busy driving across America. It has been one of the most rewarding and exciting trips of our lives. To read more about our trip, click here to visit my other blog!
This trip is the inspiration for this Friday Fun post. If you have never driven cross country, I highly recommend that you do so. You not only get to see just how diverse this land is, but you also get to have a great time at an affordable price. Since we car camped and only stayed in motels a few of the nights, we spent less on this two week adventure than we did when we went to Cancun for four days! And although gas might be on the higher side, it's much lower than it was last summer. Many families are taking advantage of this and hitting the road.
So what are my tips for an unforgettable All-American Road trip?
- Allow at least two weeks. This ensures that you don't feel rushed, and allows you time to explore all that you encounter on the road.
- Plan a tentative itinerary. We actually deviated from our original plan by two days. Things will come up that you might realize you want to see or do.
- Navigate with state road maps. Sure, GPS systems are great, but they don't give you the overall picture the way that maps do. With our state maps, we can see how far it is til the next exit or gas stop, where the campgrounds are located, and what the name of the mountain we passed was. Road maps give you a better feel of taking a road trip than mapquested routes do. Plus, if you are a member of AAA, you can FREE road maps for each state! Free maps can also be found at the visitor information centers near the state lines of each state.
- Take the Scenic Byways instead of the Interstate. The interstate can get very boring rather quickly. Scenic byways take you through some of the most spectacular scenery of the area, and are much more interesting. It might take you longer, but if you choose to take a couple of these routes, you won't be disappointed.

- Stop and smell the roses. Don't try to drive too much in one day. This was our mistake, and although we had a good time, the long days really wore us out. Expecially if you have kids, you will want to stick to shorter driving days. Plan your itenerary based on the route rather than the destination.
- Pack a Cooler. On the way home, we ran out of food in the cooler and bought fast food to tide us over til the end. We should have just resupplied at a Walmart, because the fast food made us feel terrible and ended up costing us much more. To keep under budget, have lots of sandwiches and snacks on hand as well as plenty of cold water. It is also healthier this way.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Budget Right: Saving Money with Meal Planning
Menu planning is a great way to save money on your grocery bill each month. With a little time and effort, you can not only save money in the grocery, but save time and sanity in the kitchen as well. Whether you shop once a week or once a month, learning how to effectively plan out your meals will reduce unnecessary spending and help you stick to your budget.
1. Take inventory of your pantry. Before compiling a list of menu ideas, it is important to check what ingredients you currently have on hand in the pantry. Many times, we forget about food pushed to the back of the refrigerator or pantry. After you have assembled your list, you are ready to think of meal ideas to help save you money.
2. Make a list of meals. This should first be done in a separate notebook so you can add to it each week or month. Consider what ingredients you have in your kitchen-- can you make a meal out of them, or do you need to buy more food to complete the meal? Look at the example below:
Inventory: Black beans, corn, peas, salsa and pasta.
Meal Ideas: Black Bean Burritos (need to buy tortillas); Spaghetti and meatballs (need to buy meat and sauce)...
3. Decide on possible meals. When first starting out with menu planning to save money, I recommend beginning with a list of 7 dinner meals rather than 7 lunches and breakfasts as well. As you get better, you may want to start planning these meals as well, but focus on dinners first. In another notebook, write "Menu Plan" followed by that week's date (or month if you grocery shop monthly). Write down your choice meals. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, begin to create your shopping list. This is where you would add the extra ingredients needed to make meals with the food already on hand in the pantry. If you do not have any food in the pantry, then you will have a bigger list. Whenever you think of a favorite dinner or meal idea, write it down in the meals notebook. This will become your "Master Meals" source you can consult for easy menu planning in the future.
4. Consider local sales and coupons. If you like to coupon, it helps to plan your meals around what it on sale and what coupons you have. This will save you even more money with menu planning. If consulting sale ads and coupons, it is helpful to begin menus at the beginning of each week when the sales start.
5. Stick with your budget. If your grocery budget is $100 a week, then add up the anticipated cost of each ingredient on your shopping list. Does it exceed or meet the budget? If it's too much, try adjusting the meal ideas in your menu. This ensures that no surprises happen at the register. If you are unfamiliar with the cost of an item, try writing it down the next time you grocery shop. You will eventually be able to approximate the total cost of your grocery bill with relative precision, allowing you to save more money while maximizing your budget.
6. Go by the menu plan. I find it helpful to post the menu plan for the week on the fridge. That way, everyone in the household can see it and make decisions based on it. If you do not like the idea of planning out each day's meals, then choosing from a list of 7 each day allows more freedom in the kitchen while still sticking to your meal plans.
Remember to account for anticipated events where a meal at home is not necessary. For example, if your family attends a church dinner on Wednesday, only plan for 6 dinner meals that week. Whenever you think of a new meal idea, write it down in the "Master Meals" notebook so you don't forget. Use coupons and sales to save more money at the grocery store, or buy store brands.
This article originally appeared on eHow.com. To read the original article, click here. To read other articles like this, click here.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
CVS Savings!
This recent trip cost me $3.23!
Here's how I did it:
Transaction #1:
Gillette Fusion Gamer Manual Razor
On Sale $7.99
Used $4/1 coupon from 6/7 PG insert
Used $4 in ECBs from previous trip
Total out of pocket: .24 (tax)
Earned: $4 ECB
Transaction #2:
(2) Dawn Dish Soap
On Sale 2/$2
(2) Always pantyliner
On Sale 2/$6
Used .25/1 Dawn coupon from 6/7 PG insert
Used $1/2 Always coupon from 6/7 PG insert
Used $4 ECB from previous transaction
Total out of pocket: $2.99
Earned: $3 ECB for next week!
Now, here's the kicker, TOTAL SAVINGS: $19.31 (that's 86%)!
If you count the ECBs I earned with these transactions, I actually only spent 23 cents!
Total Yearly CVS savings: $98.00
How much do you save at CVS?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saving on Sunday: Walgreens 5/31-6/2

Here are some great deals going on at Walgreens this week:
Bic Soleil Disposable Razor $4.99, Earn a $1 RR when you buy one
-$3/1 from 5/17 SS insert
=$0.99 per pack after coupon and RR!
Ban deodorant 2/$3, Earn $1 RR when you buy two
-$0.75/1 from 4/5 SS insert
=$0.25 each after coupons and RR!
Duracell Batteries $2.99
Use $1/1 from 5-17 P&G Insert
= $1.99 each
L’Oreal Vive Shampoo or Conditioner Buy 1 Get 1 Free @ $4.99
Use (2) $1/1 from 5-17 Red Plum Insert or $1/1 Vive Glossy Pro (if included in sale) printable
= $1.49/each
Saving on Sunday: CVS 5/31-6/6

Its a new week and a new month at CVS! Here are some of the best deals going on this week:
Dean’s 2% Gallon Milk $1.99
Earn $1 Extra Bucks (limit 2)
Final Price after Extra Bucks: 99¢
L’Oreal Lip Care $5.99 Buy 1 Get 1 Free (limit 6)
Use (2) $1/1 from 4-26 Red Plum Insert
Final Price: $2/each
Maxwell House Coffee 11-11.5 oz. Buy 1 Get 1 Free @ $4.89 (Limit 4)
Use $2/2 printable
Final Price: $1.45/each
Axe Products $4.99
Use $2/1 Axe printable
Final Price: $2.99
Use $1/1 from 5-3 Smart Source Insert
Final Price: $1.99
Nature Valley Granola Bars - $2.50/ea
Use $0.75/2 here
Final Price = $2.13/ea when you buy 2
Let me know if you see any other deals worth snagging at CVS this week! And remember to check out your local ad for more sales!
Saving on Sunday: Meijer 5/31-6/6

Here are the best deals I see for Meijer this week:
- Strawberries 1.20
- General Mills Cereal 2.00 (select varieties)
- various Qs available
- final= varies
- Meijer Cheese- Shredded 1.50
- Yoplait Yogurt .50-- use .40/6 Q. Final price= .33 each
- Blueberries 1.50
- Grape Tomatoes 1.50
- Idaho Russet or Red Potatoes 2.00 (5lb bag)
- Jeanie O Turkey 3.50
- use 1.00 off Q
- final= 2.50
- Barilla Pasta .79
- Meijer Grated Parmesan Cheese 2.50
Saving on Sunday: Kroger 5/31-6/6
Here are some of the best deals this week at Kroger:
- Milk, 1.75 gal
- Bananas, .29 LB
- Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Veggies 1.77
- Country Crock Margarine Spread 1.99 (30-40oz.)
- Tropicana Orange Juice 2.49
- use Kroger Catalina Q for 1.00 off
- final= 1.49
- Yoplait Yogurt . 50
- Use Q for .40/6
- final= 2.00 for six, or .33 each
- Tombstone Pizza 2.77
- Jumbo Cantelope 1.48
- Lettuce Head .77
- Sweet Peppers 1.20
- Dole Classic Salad Mix .98
- Honeysuckle Ground Turkey (1 lb roll) 1.79
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday Fun: The Library isn't just for Nerds
I love libraries, and anyone who knows me can ascertain the fact that I consider it quite a fun trip to visit one. Before you stop and label me a nerd (even though it may be partially true), here's why libraries are so great in my book!
1. They are FREE. When you are living on a budget, you have to remind yourself sometimes that no, you cannot buy everything you heart desires. That's where the library comes in. As long as you return your items when they are due, you can check out zillions of books, movies (and yes, there are some good ones there!), magazines and even paintings! (The latter part is definitely true- I once checked out a lovely painting for my bedroom for 3 months)
2. They are CLOSE. Just about every city has a local library nearby, or at least a branch. If not, there is probably something known as the book-mobile that comes by once a week. I grew up in the country suburbs, so visiting the local branch was quite a drive. However, the book mobile came once a week and parked right in front of our grocery, which allowed me access to books. You can reserve a book online to come through to you on your bookmobile just like you can request a book from another branch to be sent to your local one.
3. Activities and Groups. Libraries are great places to visit for their many scheduled activities and reading groups. For kids and teens, there are usually quite a bit of programs going on (especially in the summer months) that are free. I remember attending a craft event at my local library while I was in high school, and we learned how to make personalized stationary and envelopes, which I thought was pretty cool in those days (ok, I still do!). For adults, believe it or not, I have seen a free belly-dance class offered at my library. It was pretty awesome to peek in and see so many ages of ladies shaking their hips to upbeat music.
4. A Wealth of Knowledge. I have to admit, I get quite obsessive about things sometimes. When there is something that I am interested in, such as the writing syndicate that created Nancy Drew, I research the brains out of it. From backpacking and camping to cooking and housekeeping, the library is the perfect place to fill up with more knowledge. Because sometimes, the good old internet doesn't quite cut it and you need a book or two to show you the how or why.
All this talk about libraries is certainly making me want to get some books! I hope this post finds you well this, um, Saturday (I do seem to be getting behind on my days of the week posts!), and that you and your family found a new way to have fun this week without breaking the bank!
To find a local library near you, visit www.publiclibraries.com!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Budget Wednesday: Going Green!
Going green is a great way to save money as well as resources. Not only will you help the planet by implementing this type of lifestyle, you will help yourself by creating a simpler lifestyle and attitude.
Although there are many ways to go green, and it can seem daunting at first, the best thing to do is to start out slow. Pick one or two ways that you can go green, and practice them until they become a habit. Then try new ones, slowing building on the base you first built. Before you know it, you'll be greener than you ever thought possible!
Here are some of the ways we go green in our lifestyle. We have worked on implementing them into our daily lives the past 6 months or so:
1. Use Reusable Bags. We first started this because we lived on the third floor, and the reusable bags were much stronger than plastic ones. It took about 1.5 months for me to always remember to bring the bags to the store when I went grocery shopping. Now, its second nature for me! We have saved what seems like thousands of plastic bags from ending up in the trash by doing this. The great thing is that every time we bring them to the grocery, we get a 3 cent credit towards our total! Although that may not seem like much, it will pay for the original cost of the bag in about a year or two.
2. Recycle! Recycle! Recycle! You don't have to try too hard for this one. Just find a box or some other container to put paper trash in. Place it next to the trash can so you are always reminded that its there. As someone who buys quite a bit of newspapers for couponing, I can't bear the thought of throwing them all in the dump when I know they can be recycled. When the box or bag becomes full, simply take it a local school or library- most have paper recycling services at the very least.
3. Stop using Paper Towels. This might seem like its impossible, but try it for a week and you'll change your tune. I have always used quite a bit of paper towels in the kitchen (as well as napkins), and just became frustrated with constantly buying more. I started putting it off, and realized to my astonishment that kitchen towels can actually do the same things! Since I have a large pile of cute kitchen towels, I enjoy using them instead of the paper ones. But perhaps the greatest thing is how much money I have saved by ditching them- approximately 6 dollars a month. (That's two tickets to a Danbarry Movie!)
4. Make your own cleaners. This is next on my going green list. After reading on Oprah.com how easy it is to make them (and inexpensive!), I've decided to give it a fair shot. Cleaning supplies are just one of the those things that can easily cost a bundle. I have tried my best to conserve what we have, but I hate paying 4 dollars or more for a bottle of cleaner. The thought of having such toxic chemicals in the house also does not sit well with me. If something is clean, it seems to me it shouldn't be toxic! For all-purpose window cleaner, all you need is a couple tablespoons of vinegar, liquid vegtable soap and 2 cups of water!! Now that I can handle! Click here to learn how to make your own cleaners.
Stayed tuned for more on the 'Going Green' Series! I hope this inspires you to consider going green!
What are other ways in which you save money by going green?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday Fun: Camping
How many of you own a tent? A sleeping bag? When was the last time you dug them out? If its been a while, now, more than ever, is the time to shake out the dust and get camping again!
Right now, my husband and I are busy planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon. To save money as well as get the most of the experience, we will be camping each night at a National Park. Many other Americans seem to be thinking the same thing. A recent CNN article explored this issue:
"With the economy in a slump, camping seems to be grabbing a new foothold in the travel industry. Once considered by many to be an activity for nerdy families, nature geeks and Boy Scouts, sleeping outside in a tent has become chic -- likely because it is so much cheaper than paying for a hotel room. The activity also strikes a new chord with Americans who want to get back to basics after an era of excess and overspending...(click here to read the rest of the article)"
Campgrounds usually run around 10-25 dollars a night, with State Parks being the cheapest at around 10 dollars a day. What a great way to save money while going on vacation! Since my husband and I love to travel, a tiny budget isn't going to stop us, and it shouldn't stop you either. Sleeping and experiencing the outdoors together as a family or group of friends is a great way to build and strengthen bonds with loved ones.
If you plan on taking a camping vacation this year, be sure to try and reserve a spot at reserveusa.com or recreation.gov. Popular National Parks fill up quick, so don't wait til the last minute or they might all be gone. I just recently reserved three nights at the Grand Canyon for the month of June and discovered over 2/3rds of the campground was already filled up! Less popular national parks might be less of a problem, but it never hurts! To find a national or state park near you, click here!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Free Money? It's true!
How many of you would prefer to have some extra cash in your pocket right about now? I know I would! Enter the world of online and free money offers.
There are numerous legitimate online companies out there that will offer you a reward or cash in return for completing one or more of the special offers from various advertisers. One of these such companies is Consumer Gift Center. This website is currently offering a 500$ Visa for the completion of 10 offers. Wait, you're thinking There must be a catch. Why else would someone throw money like that away?
The catch, if you call it that, is you must successfully complete a total of 10 offers from their advertisers. These range anywhere from free to under 10$. Although you will pay for the offer up front, the reward more than covers the initial cost, meaning you make money!!
So why don't more people do this? First, only one reward is allowed per household. Second, many people don't want to bother with it. Third, those who do often forget about the offers they signed up for and end up paying more than they bargained for. The key to avoiding this is keeping track of all the offers you complete, and canceling the free trial or membership before added fees start kicking in. The result? Free money in your wallet!!
To complete this offer yourself, click here!
Remember to read the fine print on the terms and conditions if you are unsure about anything.
If you are still unsure about whether or not this is legitimate, visit this blog, that explains in further detail about completing online offers like this one.