Research and Conversations

My co-workers are excited about the book I'm writing. They all want to talk about my process and my ideas. I think it's fabulous to receive such instant feedback, but some of the conversations it has prompted have blown my mind.

In the break room yesterday, I was speaking with a woman who is in her late 40s. We'll call her Kelli. Kelli lives alone, on one income. In previous conversations, Kelli has revealed that she has multiple maxed out credit cards that she only pays the minimums on because that is all she can afford. She is stressed and worried about her finances on a daily basis.

Kelli enjoys her McDonald's breakfast meal at her desk every morning. She can also be found at least once, and often more, per day at the Coke machine buying sodas. She wears stylish clothes and has a vast collection of gorgeous name brand dress shoes.

When Kelli and I were chatting about cost cutting and budgeting, she said "I know, I know.. the first thing everyone says is stop buying scratch offs!" Kelli is firmly entrenched in the "It's only $5 crowd."

I can rattle off 10 ways for Kelli to cut her costs without even having to think really hard about it. I can refer her to any number of my favorite blogs. She may have a heart attack if she read Lynnae's blog over at Being Frugal or Frugal Dad's words of wisdom.

I'm considering giving her a free copy of the book, when it's finished. I have a feeling she is going to provide me with a lot of valuable data for my research. It makes me a little sad to have these conversations. People like Kelli are why I am writing this book and starting my business in Household Finance Coaching.

Carnivals and Festivals and Links, Oh My

I am participating in three blog carnivals/festivals this week! I've got quite a bit of reading to do.

Check out the 126th Festival of Frugality at The Financial Blogger. They shared my post on No Spend Weekend Ideas. Some of the posts I can't wait to read from here are:

• Survive a Recession by Gather Little by Little.
• Stimulate Your Finances Every Month by Single Guy Money.
• 10 Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store by Mrs. Mo’s New Jersey, Baby!
• Frugality in Practice: Making Things Last by Uncommon Cents.
• Save Money With DIY Repairs by Harvesting Dollars.

Money and Values is hosting the 153rd Carnival of Personal Finance. I am excited that they included my post 10 Ways To Reduce Spending Painlessly. This is one of my favorite carnivals because I can relate to almost every article shared. Some of the ones I am looking forward to are:

• Six Ways to Get a Ton of Money & the Attitudes That Go With Them by Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck
• how to make money without a job and why you should by Brip Blap
• Is Your City Recession-Proof? These 10 Are! by FIRE Finance
• Sneaky Fees from American Express Charges by Growing Money

Finally, my post on Scary Conversations was included in the Carnival of Financial Planning over at The Skilled Investor. This is the first time I've seen that blog, so I am very interested in digging into the archives there. Some of the other entries I can't wait to read are:

• Top Ten Tips - Managing Your Personal Budget by Tip Diva
• College is expensive, Why pay more than you have to? By David Makes Cents
• Why You NEED More for Retirement by Master Your Card
• Easiest Way to Save Money AND Become Rich by Improved Life

Check them out and let me know what you think. I have lots of reading to do!

Weekly Grocery Shopping Results

I just got home from my weekly excursion with the grocery shopping. I have to admit that I had to work a little harder at it this week. I've been spoiled by the Grocery Game consistently having the Kroger list up early. This week it was running "on time" and not a day or two early. BUT, I don't have another free night this week so I had to do the legwork on my own :)

Without further ado, the results:
Publix:
*Regular Price: $53.37
*Coupons/Sales: $39.32
*Total Paid: $14.05
*Savings: 75%

Kroger:
*Regular Price: $202.12
*Coupons/Sales: $99.94
*Total Paid: $102.18
*Savings: 49.5%

Total Weekly: $116.23
Total Savings: 55%

Some fun things I tried this week, I loaded my Kroger Plus card with quite a few BOGO (buy one get one free) offers from Procter and Gamble, Unilever, and AOL’s eCoupons. I also had paper coupons for the same items.
*Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner: BOGO @ $3.33 with a coupon for $1.00 off two. Total for shampoo and conditioner - $2.33
*Aussie Shampoo and Styling Gel: BOGO @ $2.50 with a coupon for $2.00 off two. Total for shampoo and gel - $.50
*Oil of Olay body wash: BOGO @ $3.50 with a coupon for $1.00 off two. Total for two bottles of body wash - $2.50
*Wisk laundry detergent: $1.50 off eSaver with a coupon for $1.50 off one. Total for one bottle of laundry detergent - $.49

The fun one was the cereal. I've been having a blast stocking up on the cereal (why yes, I do know I'm a little odd!). Kroger has General Mills cereals on sale for $2.00 a box. I brought the following coupons with me: 1 store printed coupon for $2.00 on 5 boxes
1 - coupon for $1.10 off Curves cereal
1 - $.50 for Total that doubled
1 - $.50 for Cheerios that doubled
1 - eSaver coupon loaded to my Kroger card for $1.00

So, the final total on the cereal was $.78 per box for 5 boxes of General Mills cereal. GO ME! Although, I suspect that if I bring one more box of cereal into this house … we have 29 … Wes may mutiny.

Coupons - Making them work for you

There is an interesting discussion going on over at BoingBoing about coupons and how much they aren't worth the effort. Now, the girl given in the short example post isn't very realistic... sorry Christy. For one, she does her couponing at seven stores, primarily Publix, and even with coupons they're often significantly more expensive than (my favorite) Kroger, although sometimes they have FABULOUS deals and I snatch them up too.

So, the down and dirty plan for grocery shopping that has been successful for me goes something like this:
*Buy 2 copies of the Sunday Paper - If you buy them on Sunday, you can get them in one packet for $2.35 at Kroger or $2.36 at Publix. They are next door to one another where I live, so there's no real difference for me where I get them.

*Go to Grocerygame.com** on Monday and access the List for Kroger, Publix, and CVS. Check the running list of what I need against the sales prices and coupons I have for them.
NOTE: Grocery Game lists the week of the circular for the coupons, so I never clip them before I need them. I use a 3 hole punch and keep the circulars in chronological order in a binder until I need them.

*Check the personal finance blogs for tips on printable coupons for sale items that will make the price free or next to free. A few of my favorites are Money Saving Mom, Freebies 4 Mom, and Centsible Savings.

*Check my Miscellaneous Coupons pouch for any coupons I've received in the mail with my free samples.

*Do a quick Google search for any printable coupons for items on the list that I need but don't have a coupon for.

All of the gathering probably takes me an hour total. Then,

*I print the list for each store and put all of the coupons I need in the envelope for that store with the list.

*Mentally map my route to make one circle and not waste gas.

*Go to Publix and ONLY get what is on the list. - 10 minutes
*Go to Kroger and ONLY get what is on the list. - 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the checkout line.
*Go to CVS and ONLY get what is on the list. - 5 to 10 minutes.

As a general rule, I can feed my family of 5 on $75 to $80 a week, including all toiletries and miscellaneous household items. It takes me roughly 2 to 2 1/2 hours per week, including the shopping itself. This saves me a LOT of time. Before I shopped with a list and did my research before leaving the house, I made 3 to 4 trips to the store every week to pick up forgotten or needed things. I also ended up spending lots of extra money on impulse buys.

No additional expenditures on gas because I plan my route to maximize fuel economy. I also don't have to make those emergency runs to the store during the week anymore, so I am actually SAVING money on gas. I shop for gas at the grocery store, so I don't have to make extra trips to stop for that either.

Happy Dance Note: Yesterday I was out and about and stopped at Kroger just because I had cereal coupons. I got 4 boxes of Honey Bunches of Oats and 2 bunches of bananas for $.94 ...behold, the power of coupons.

**If you sign up at Grocery Game, please list sunshinedavidson @ gmail.com in the referral link.

No Spend Weekend Ideas

Around our house, the weekends are spent doing family things. Sometimes expensive family things. Over the last several months, we've been learning that we can have more fun and lots of time to connect as a family without spending a bundle. Here are some of our favorite frugal things to do on the weekends.

1) Square Foot Gardening! - Frugal Dad did a post a while back on How To Build a Square Foot Garden, and then Lynnae over at Being Frugal wrote about building her own. Over the last several years, I've made multiple attempts at growing tomatoes and peppers and herbs in my yard, with no success. This year with the square foot gardens we built, the children and I are really having a fabulous time playing in the dirt on the weekends.

2) Bookfest - We have been spending more and more time on the front porch, in our new "Library" reading books and sipping our coffee or soda and chatting away. I think this is an incredibly relaxing way to reconnect with my family.

3) Backyard BBQ - Nothing says family time like grilling some burgers and hot dogs and having friends over to sing karaoke or watch movies. You don't have to go out and spend a lot of money to hang out with your friends. Host a pot luck!

4) Riding on the trail - A favorite passtime of my family is to load up all of the bicycles and go down to the bike trail. On a good day, they get 12 to 15 miles in. I don't ride bicycles, so it's a fabulous time for Wes and the children to have some quality time, and for me to catch up on things I've been neglecting.

5) Movies Under The Stars - I know that in Atlanta, as soon as the summer months hit, the local radio stations start hosting free movies in parks around the area. Families come and bring their blankets and coolers and watch G Rated movies in the grass with their children. It's a really great way to get to know other people with families that you wouldn't otherwise get to meet.

6) Art Projects - All of those art projects you keep meaning to do but don't have the time for can replace some of the paid activities you've been doing. Instead of roller skating or going to the movies or heading to Six Flags, pull out the sewing machine and make those adorable little pillows (or whatever) from the patterns you've been gathering. We're going to give another whirl at quilting for the homeless this year. My friend Scarlett is having a whole Summer of Art!

7) Take a walk - I know this sounds really corny, but if you're like most people, there are tons of unexplored places in your neighborhood. Take a walk with the family. Leash the dogs and give them some fun exercise time too. Walk slowly and maybe meet your neighbors that you've never had a chance to say hello to because you're too busy.

8) Institute a Family Game Night - If you don't have any, board games are cheap, especially at the thrift store. Let the kids pick the games. Make some popcorn and drinks. Gather around the dining room table and let the fun begin. I'll bet you that your kids will love it!

9) Go to the park - This has a ton of benefits for no cost. The children get to run off all of their excess energy. You can either relax and talk with other parents, or often times there is a walking track that you can use while the kiddos play with their friends. You can't go wrong with fresh air and exercise.

Hmmmmm... Must go research new ones, I think. Any ideas?

10 Ways To Reduce Spending Painlessly

Where Can You Reduce Spending Without Pain? This is the first question that many people ask when they realize they need to get their financial acts together. Just like with dieting, when you drastically alter your lifestyle to reduce spending, the changes will not last. You'll get tired of having to sacrifice and go back to your previous handling of money.

Here are some of the more popular ways to reduce spending without impacting your daily life too much.

1. Get rid of the Sirius or XM Radio - Unless you are in an area where there is no radio reception or you're on the road a lot and make tons of use of it, get rid of the satellite radio. It's a slow drain on your finances.

2. Newspaper or Magazine subscriptions - Spending money every week or month for magazines and newspapers you don't read is a waste of your resources (and the environment's). You can read most of the local newspapers and magazines online. You can also read them at the local library, often with a much larger selection of reading materials. * Exception - Sunday paper for the coupons :)

3. Cable Package - Remove services you don't use. Figure out how many hours a month you're watching the television and divide that by the amount you're paying for cable per month. Is this really worth it?

4. Cook Once Eat Twice - Double your recipe once a week to freeze for a quick meal later in the week. This will make it easier to resist the urge to eat out when you're tired or rushed.

5. iTunes – Set a budget for music, just like everything else. iTunes can rack up tons of charges without you even realizing it. Don't mindlessly pay for downloads on impulse.

6. Movies – Movies are getting more expensive every day. Heading out to a movie occasionally may not break the bank, but if you're a regular movie buff, you may want to try these alternatives:

1. Check them out at the library

2. Wait for 2^nd run at the dollar theater

3. Get a Netflix account instead of buying DVDs

   1. On the other hand, if you have Netflix but never use the service (don’t return the movies to get new ones or don’t watch them in a timely manner), cancel it and check out the DVDs for free at the library.

4. Watch free movies On Demand from your cable company.

   1. They also have paid movie rentals too, which isn't as good as free, but is cheaper than driving out to rent one or doing to the movies theater.

7. Books - I am a book lover! We have a ton of books. Books on shelves, and in boxes, and probably a few tossed on the bedside tables. But, books are expensive, especially new ones. If you're an avid reader, try these frugal alternatives to buying new books.

   1. Check out the library

   2. Start a local book swap group with your friends

   3. Use Swaptree.com or Paperbackswap.com

   4. If you have to buy, go to used book stores, not new

8. Fast Food – Very few people really enjoy eating fast food instead of home cooked meals. Most of us eat it because it's fast and easy. Some ways to combat the need to stop for fast food:

1. Finger Food Night

   1. Chop up fresh fruit and veggies and combine them with dips.

   2. Make Ants on a Log (celery with peanut butter and raisins on top) your kids will love this!

   3. Make english muffin pizzas.

2. Breakfast for dinner – No meal is much easier than pancakes and eggs, or sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches. Breakfast for dinner is also fun for the kids.

3. Recipes for quick easy meals – Gather a few recipes for quick and easy meals for those days you're really not up for being experimental

   1. Publix has an entire series on 30 minute meals. Some of them are fabulous.

9. Cancel Unused Gym Memberships – You know the one. The gym membership you signed up for in January when you were on a resolution health kick. The one you only use once a month when the automatic draft comes out of your account and you remember that you really should get some use out of. That $40 a month membership full of good intentions is draining your wallet of $300 a year! Dump it and go for a walk.

10. Switch to fee free bank accounts – The $7 for that Bank of America account, and $12 for that money market account are not doing you any favors. Try these free bank acounts to lighten the dings you take to the wallet every month:

    1. Ingdirect.com

    2. Wamu Free Checking

    3. Wachovia

    4. There are dozens, do your own research and find the fee free accounts that are best for you. Worst case, you can put an end to those fees. Best case, you get an account that earns you interest on the money you have there.

What about you? What are some of the ways you can think of to reduce your spending painlessly?