Is it Expensive to Be Green?

This is a question many people have asked me and unfortunately the answer is not that easy. While, yes, to buy organic and items that are green can be quite costly, there are also many ways to be green that are very affordable. You do not need to spend a lot of money to be green. It simple requires a willingness to be a better steward of God’s planet and some creativity.

When I first decided that I wanted to be green, I was not swimming in the green…if ya know what I mean. LOL! However, I had a desire to be a better steward of the planet and I started to brainstorm. It helps me be more creative and I am forced to come up with cheap and free ways to be an environmentally minded person.

Yep, that’s all it takes, people. Willingness and effort.

Eco Tips to Get Your Started on the Greener…Cheaper Path

Recycle. most states have recycling programs and they provide the bins and pick up service for minimal cost. It is actually a part of your garbage bill…at least it is in my town. this ONE act can do a world of good for the environment!

Reuse. start thinking about ways that you can reuse the items you use every day.

Limit paper use. stop overusing paper towels and paper products like they are going out of style. make the most of everything and use it more then once. we have many paper tips here.

Stop wasting. waste is something anyone and everyone can stop doing. it is free and simply requires willingness.

These are just a few simple changes to get you started. If you implement even one of them, you are already making a difference!

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Mother/Daughter Frugal Spa Day…at Home!

A great way for a Mom to connect with her daughter is to have a beauty day. It’s fun, girly and filled with opportunity for memories! This is a great idea for ANY age!

Tips to Create a frugal spa day at home

• Plan a date. If you have boys in the house, send them out for the day with Dad.
• Place scented candles around your house to create a relaxing ambiance.
• Homemade Facials. Here are a few recipes…

Mix together 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, and 5 drops liquid honey in a bowl. Apply to your face and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Finish off by rinsing with warm water followed by a moisturizer.

With the following ingredients (oatmeal, warm water, yogurt, honey, and one egg white), make a thin mud type mixture and apply it thinly to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, or until you feel a tightening, then rinse with warm water.

This decadent chocolate mask is actually an excellent moisturizer. I found this one at spaindex.com. Mix following ingredients until smooth; 1/3 cup cocoa, 3 tblsp. heavy cream, 2 tsp. cottage cheese, 1 cup of honey, 3 tsp. oatmeal powder. Relax for ten 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

Watch a chick flick while waiting for your facials to absorb.

• Give each other a manicure and pedicure. Put on some of your daughter’s favorite music while doing mani/pedis. Yes, HER favorites.
• Ask her how her day was. Try and learn more about her.
• Share some spiritual insights without seeming preachy.

The point is to spend quality time with your daughter and build a strong bond. Start young and you will stay connected even through the coming years of puberty. If you are getting a late start, no worries…it is NEVER too late to love your daughter and get to know who she is!

Enjoy your girls, Moms!

Copyright © Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Tuesday’s Mommy Tip – Save All Year

Do you have a great tip for Moms? They can be about anything (family friendly, of course) that pertains to a Mom’s life, including; beauty, kitchen, health, parenting, and so much more! Click Here to find out how YOU can join Moms of Faith’s Tuesday’s Mommy Tips!

NOTE: PLEASE read the rules. We have a few who are not posting to the ACTUAL TIP post on their blog. I need you to post your link to the actual TIP POST…NOT the main page of your site. THANK YOU!!

OK, on to this week’s Mommy tip…

Save All Year

Recently, my husband and I implemented a strict budget to help us be better stewards of our money. It is also the only way we will be able to survive and meet our bills. While looking at the budget, I was dismayed to see we do not have much if any extra most weeks. It made me think about Christmas and not having any money…again…So, we have decided to do what some close friends of ours does…They puts a few dollars a week away…every week…they put it in a “Christmas” box. It can not be used for ANYTHING except Christmas. It just does not exist for any other reason. Period.

When Christmas rolls around, they already have their money and no need to scrape it up…or worry about if they will have any! YEAH! Anyway, we have decided to do it as well and I am looking forward to not having that feeling of lack or wondering if my kids will have a Christmas hanging over my head. LOL!

We will be starting it next month, so, this year will not really benefit from it…BUT…next year will…God willing we have another year on this planet!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Save Money, Skip the Gym & Work Out at Home

Working out and staying fit has number of physical and mental benefits. When you exercise you generally have more energy, you sleep better, and your eating habits improve. As busy moms, we are juggling a million items are on our to do list every day, which makes it difficult to run to the gym and get forty-five minutes of cardio in on the treadmill. If you have little children, you may have to find a sitter or a gym with child care. In these economic times gym memberships seem to be more of a luxury than a necessity. But, don’t make this an excuse to skip your work out. If you can’t afford to go to the gym or you simply don’t have the time, create your own home gym. Working out in the comfort of your own home can be both affordable and convenient.

First, pick a space in your home that has an adequate amount of room for you to exercise and put your equipment in. This can be spare room, a family room, the basement, or even a covered garage. Any place in your home that is comfortable and cool will make a great place to work out.

Your work out regime will determine the equipment you will need. If you thrive on cardio you may want to invest in a treadmill or an elliptical machine. Check out Craig’s List or your local newspaper for deals on exercise machines. Invest in some weights I suggest 3-5 pounds, you’ll be surprised at how defined your arms can get just by lifting three pound weights 3-4 days a week. Stock your fitness room with mats, fitness magazines, resistance bands, a balance ball, a television and a dvd player to watch workout DVDs, a cd player or an iPod if music inspires you. Also have plenty of water on hand, if you have one of those miniature refrigerators this would be a great place to put it to use.

I find the best way to stay consistent with a workout routine is to record your progress. Hang a chart on the wall to monitor how often you are working out, your weight loss or gain, goals, etc. Keep in mind we are constantly burning calories just by running after our kids, doing housework, running errands, and doing yard work. A great calorie buster is running up and down the stairs, you can do this instead of the stairmaster, it is a great form of cardio. Have an exercise plan before you begin to maximize your time and to get the best results.

Try fitting in at least 2-3 workouts a week, think of it as your, “me time.” When you workout you feel stronger, think clearer, and are overall healthier. You don’t have to spend $80.00 a month on a gym membership, or a ton of money on a personal trainer, make your work out feasible for your lifestyle. Your workout room can be a place where the whole family can go to get healthy. With autumn around the corner and the weather getting cooler this is a perfect time to create a space in your home to help you stay fit.

When your kids see you working out and being active they are more likely to take care of themselves. Having a workout room in your home will not only benefit you, but everyone else. I still urge you to get outdoors and go for a run or walk for as long as the weather allows, but keep in mind that you can bring the gym to you. Honor your God-given temple by exercising regularly, eating fresh nutritious food, and getting plenty of rest. Remember it isn’t just about fitting into those skinny jeans it is about having a strong body so that you can be your best for yourself and your family.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Tuesday’s Mommy Tip – Be Frugal with your Phone

Do you have a great tip for Moms? They can be about anything (family friendly, of course) that pertains to a Mom’s life, including; beauty, kitchen, health, parenting, and so much more! Click Here to find out how YOU can join Moms of Faith’s Tuesday’s Mommy Tips!

NOTE: PLEASE read the rules. We have a few who are not posting to the ACTUAL TIP post on their blog. I need you to post your link to the actual TIP POST…NOT the main page of your site. THANK YOU!!

OK, on to this week’s Mommy tip…

Be Frugal with your Phone

Money is tight these days and we should be doing everything we can to save money. One thing we have done is with the phones. We had three cell phones and a land line. Honestly, we do not need that many phones. LOL. We weighed the reasons to keep three cells v/s one land line and felst having the cells were more inmportant. So, instead of keeping a land line when we have three other phones to be reached by, we turned off the land line. It is cheaper to have three cell phones we can take everywhere than a land line. It saves us $30 a month…That is $360 a year…and extra car payment and less finance charges being paid!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Teaching Your Children the Value of Money

I have to admit I was never one to save for a rainy day. I believed that money was meant to be spent. My motto was you can’t take it with you so enjoy it while you are here. I always had a job since I was a teenager, but I wasn’t taught to save money. My parents were generous and made up for any money I was lacking. As I matured and became a mother having a 401k, along with savings accounts, and paying my bills before the due date became as normal for me as cream in my coffee. Being diligent about my finances has no doubt paid off. Teaching our children at a young age the importance of saving and using their money responsibly is one of the best lessons we can pass on to them.

Children learn about the dollar at a very early age. When we go to the coffee shop my 3 ½ year old understands that I have to pay for the brownie. She actually asks to pay for it by handing my debit card or cash to the clerk. If you ask her what do you do with a credit card at the end of the month, she will tell you, “pay it back.” Now 3 ½ may seem a little young for kids to start thinking about money, and age appropriateness is something each parent has to determine, but I say the earlier the better.

Ideas for Teaching Your Children the Value of Money

Earn Money

It is important for kids to realize that money really does not grow on trees. There is nothing wrong with them earning an allowance. Teaching them that they are not entitled to money, but that it should be earned will teach them to value a dollar. They will be less likely to use their allowance foolishly if they are working to earn it. Give them chores around the house and have a set allowance amount that you decide to pay them. Set the date that you pay them just as though they are receiving a paycheck. If they do not do the chores then they do not receive the allowance, or there are deductions and further consequences based on the rules of your home.

If they use all of their allowance before the next one, don’t give in and give them more money. This teaches them a good lesson on how to use their money wisely. I assure you they will think twice about spending all of their money at once.

Save Money

Most kids want to spend their money, and if they earn it, well they should be able to spend it, but not without first saving a portion of their allowance and other money they get throughout the year. First, take them to the bank and open up a savings and checking account for them. Familiarize them with how the accounts work.

Second, depending on their allowance, decide on a percentage that they are to save each month, . Even if it is 3-5% it makes a difference. If they are old enough let them make the deposits themselves. Explain how their money compounds in a savings account. Depending on your finances you may want to do a match for whatever amount they put into their savings. For example, if they deposit $5.00 you deposit another $5.00. This is a great way to reward your child for saving money and contributing to their nest egg.

You make the decision on whether the money they get for holidays or birthdays are theirs to spend as they choose or if you want them to put a portion in their savings. Once they see how much they accumulate in savings they may be willing to put money in from special occasions without being told.

Educate them on the Importance of Paying Bills On Time

I doubt if your children have to worry about paying bills. However, teach your children about paying bills in a timely manner. Let them see you being responsible by paying your bills on time. It they are old enough to understand, explain the concept of interest rates, principal, and late fees. Also, talk about the consequences of not paying your bills. Tell them about that dreaded three digit number the credit score and how having a good credit score will effect them in the future.

Look for the Deals

Inform them of the beauty of a bargain. If they want to spend their money on a movie, why not encourage them to go to the matinee. If they simply must have that CD why not help them search online for it at a lower price. Teach them how to be a smart shopper so that their hard earned dollars go further.

Giving

Teaching our children to give not only pleases the Lord, but teaches them the spirit of giving. Find an organization that your family is interested and donate as a group. As Christians we are taught to tithe. Most likely, your child is going to earn a small amount of money, however, allow them to see you obeying God’s Word and they will follow suite. They also need to learn to give beyond their tithes and to give of their time as well.

We live in an unstable economy, and who knows if it will improve by the time our children are adults. Help prepare them financially. Instill in them that money should be saved and spent wisely. Money can be a blessing if they learn how to use it responsibly. Of course there are those times when it is okay to splurge and I am not saying that they should never treat themselves, there are always exceptions. Most likely you are already preparing for their future by contributing to an education fund, or other type of savings account. You will most likely not ask them to buy school clothes or essentials. But give them the basic ABC’s of money so that they are preparing for a fruitful financial future.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

(Content added and edited by Lara Velez, Moms of Faith)

Simple Household Budgeting Tips

Are you the head of the household of your family and need some tips on making your life a little simpler? Those that work, take care of the kids and pay the bills have a hard time keeping everything organized. Below are some tips to help budget your household and some maybe even have some fun doing it.

Keep your financial records current. Keep a filing system and create folders for items such as receipts, tax returns, billing statements, bank statements, credit reports, etc. Keep everything in one designated place so it is easy to find when you need it. For your mail, have one designated place to put it daily when you receive it. Most all of us have misplaced our mail at one time in our life. Misplaced mail could mean late payments, which means late charges. Set a specific time of the day or week to handle all of your bookkeeping and stick to it. When I speak of bookkeeping, I speak of paying bills, filing bills, going through your mail, etc.

If you have online banking with your bank, set it up. I cannot tell you how easy it is to pay my bills with my online banking. The day I receive a bill in the mail, I will log into my bank account and schedule the payment. The bank then sends the payment by mail or electronically and has it paid on the date that I scheduled it to be paid. This service is even free with my bank. It saves time writing out checks and I also save on the postage.

Get your kids involved in your budgeting. Pay your children an allowance. Have them use the allowance for things they want to buy like candy, movies, toys, games, etc instead of just giving them money when they need it. Having your children pay for their own stuff with their own money will teach them at an early age how to spend wisely.

You can save hundreds of dollars per year shopping at the lower-priced food stores. You might even save thousands depending on how much your family spends and where you shop. Convenience stores will most often charge high prices then compared to a grocery store. Don’t go to the store when you are hungry either, this will cause you to buy more goodies then you would normally buy. Be wise and compare price-per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels.

When setting your family budget, don’t make your budget so tight that it’s impossible to keep. Set goals, short term and long term and try your best to achieve them.

About the Author: © 2006 Stefani Partin, a work at home mom of three from CA who owns a network of sites for moms, blogs, a newsletter and more. Stefani dedicates her time to helping moms find ways to make money at home. Visit Stefani’s blog at www.StefaniPartin.com or visit her main site at www.MommyEnterprises.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Saving Money Year Round

By: Audrey Okaneko

As moms, many of us want to stretch our incomes as far as we can. I’d like to offer some ideas that have worked for me in saving money year round.

1. Check with your local newspaper and see if you can read the paper online. I am able to only subscribe to the Sunday paper in order to qualify for online access. I can read seven days per week but only pay for one.

2. We go to garage sales often. I can not count the number of times we’ve found something we needed, in almost perfect condition and at a fraction of the cost.

3. Either buy books at the used book store or rent them from the library. Used book stores sell books at ½ of the cover price. They then buy them back at ¼ of the price. So, in essence you can get a book at ¼ of the cover price. We also buy books at garage sales. Often they are only 25 cents each.

4. Look into being a mystery shopper for restaurants. Pizza places are great. You can get a free pizza just for sharing your experience and taking notes about wait time, hold time etc. We recently ate at IHOP for free. The questionnaire took about 10 minutes to fill out. Please note there is NEVER, under any circumstances, a fee to become a mystery shopper.

5. Our local cable company charges about $50 to get more than the basic channels. If you add a movie channel, it goes up to about $70 per month. Why not order Blockbuster Online instead? For $18 per month, you can have 3 DVDs out at any time plus get a coupon to rent one more in the store every week. By the time you ship one back and get the next, you’ll always have DVDs to watch. You can rent both television shows and movies, eliminating the need for cable.

6. We do not have a long distance plan on our phone. Instead, we use prepaid phone cards. The per minute rate we are charged on our calling card is far less than the per minute rate if we add a long distance plan.

7. Commit to eating what’s in the house for a week. When we do this, we are able to finish off cans of soup, cans of tuna, pasta, crackers and many other items with long shelf lives. You may need to buy meats, fruits and vegetables, but really make an effort to use everything in your pantry. You’ll be surprised how much you can save by not buying new foods at the grocery store for a week.

8. Invest the time to examine what you pay for monthly. For example, are you paying for magazines you are not reading? Can you read them online? If you are saving a years’ worth of magazines for when you have time, save the money and buy it at the store when you really do have the time. Do you belong to a gym you are not using? Many people join a gym with good intentions, but if you are only working out once every three months, then saving the monthly fee and paying per use might be the way to go.

9. Plan out what gifts you will need for the next year. Shopping spur of the moment is always more costly. Buy gift items when they on sale and put them away. Birthdays, holidays and anniversaries come once each year. If you plan, you’ll save money.

10. Get credit card balances paid off. When you have a balance, you are charged interest on not only the old balance but also on any new purchase that you make. Take all of the money you have saved above and pay that credit card balance off.

Once you begin applying these tips to everyday life, you’ll find you really can save money year round.

About the Author: Audrey Okaneko is mom to two girls. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.recipe-barn.com

Money Management for the WHOLE Family

Managing your money is an important life skill. If you handle your personal finances wisely, you will enjoy peace of mind, financial security, buying power and freedom.

Money management does not need to be complicated and should be a routine exercise.

There are three secrets to money that I share with elementary children when we are doing money workshops.

SHARE:

You need to share your money – your wealth. My parents always reminded us growing up that there is always someone in more need than you.

You can also view this as your spiritual money – count your blessings and help others in need. There are ‘theories’ that if you give to others on a regular basis, then wealth is returned to you.

There is a tax savings advantage – our contributions to bonafide charitable organizations are deductible. You are rewarded for your good deeds.

How much do you share? 10% of your income – that is $0.10 for every dollar you earn. You have the other $0.90 for every dollar.

Idea – Have a family meeting to decide which charities you will share with – include the kids.

SAVE:

You need to save!

For emergencies – to meet your goals for retirement, college savings for your children, caring for for your parents, etc.

Your emergency fund must be liquid – that means the money should be easily accessible in a savings account so that you can acquire the funds when an emergency arises.

Your other long-term savings funds, such as, retirement, college funds, etc. should be placed in investing vehicles that match your goal. Your Investment Advisor can help you find the right match out of all of the options available to investors.

How much do you save? MINIUM 10% Again, this is only $0.10 for every dollar you earn.

When investing your savings your money will grow.

Take advantage of employer sponsored retirement plans – for the savings benefits – for the tax benefits – for the convenience of having your funds put away automatically.

Idea – to pay yourself routinely – set up an automatic deposit. For example, have your employer deposit a portion of your net pay into your savings account directly.

SPEND:

This is the area where most of the attention is needed. You need to review your past – where your money has been going. You must analyze your spending to make sure that your family finances stay in line with YOUR plan. Your spending should include your living expenses (ie., home, utilities, food, medical, etc.) . Your plan for spending should also include income taxes – I realize no one wants to pay them, however, they are required.

How much should you spend? Average 70% When reviewing your past – if your spending is greater than what you earn – you need to develop a plan. When spending exceeds income, this is when financial troubles arise.

There are a variety of ways to manage your spending. Keep a daily log for a few weeks – you will quickly see how and where your money goes. This log will help you determine where you can make changes in order to meet your financial goals.

In order to manage your family funds, you must list your goals. What do you want your money to do for you? What do you expect to accomplish financially in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, etc.? Once you identify your family goals you can develop your plan of action. How will you get there? What lifestyle changes do you need to make? Where can you cut expenses? Remember, this needs to be reviewed REGULARLY. Once your plan is prepared, you can review it along with your monthly income and expenses once a month, or once a week.

There are many ways to track to finances too. Some prefer, pencil and paper – it helps them to sort their thoughts and visualize the plan. There are also various over-the-counter software packages. Many are user-friendly. Quicken (by Intuit) or MS Money (by Microsoft) or basic spreadsheets can be set up –templates are available on various websites. Do not be afraid to consult professional help. Sometimes you may need an outside guide to assist with your plan.

Remember, managing your money can be fun. Especially when you have a plan in place and everyone has a common goal. The family can work together.

The following are some RECOMMENDED WEBSITES to enhance your money savvy skills (for the whole family):

• practicalmoneyskills.com
• bankrate.com
• toolkit.com
• jumpstartcoalition.org
• cashworkbooks.com
• moneyopolis.com
• younginvestor.com/kids
• sharebuilder.com
• nfcc.org
• ftc.gov
• about.com

The following are RECOMMENDED BOOKS to enhance your money savvy skills and inspire you:

• The Millionaire Mind, by Thomas Stanley
• The Millionaire Next Door, by Thomas Stanley
• The Millionaire Women Next Door, by Thomas Stanley
• Ye$ You Can Achieve Financial Independence, by James Stowers
• Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
• 105 Questions Children Ask about Money Matters, with a foreword by Larry Burkett
• Growing Millionaire Kids by Marvin Sparks and Bruce Palaniuk

About the Author: Information provided by Lesley Johnson of Johnson Financial Services. Lesley is the mother of four (ages 11, 6, 5, and 2). Her family resides in Pleasant View, TN. You can email questions and comments to johnsonfinancialsvc@hotmail.com or call the Money Hotline at 816-289-0476. JFS offers many services including: business accounting; income tax preparation and consulting; financial consulting; fiscal training; and personal accounting. www.JFSMONEY.com IRS CIRCULAR 230 Disclosure: Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, we are required to inform you that, unless expressly indicated, any tax advice contained in this list, or any attachment hereto, is not intended or written, to be used, and may not be used to (a) avoid penalties imposed under the Internal Revenue Code (or applicable state or local tax law provisions) or (b) promote, market, or recommend to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

How To Save Money with Grocery Coupons

If you are like most families your grocery trips are one of your most expensive monthly “bills.” You hear about people saving tons of money and even getting items for free with coupons but you don’t know what to do. Here are a few tips to get you started.

First things first:

• You have to get the coupons!
• You can get some from the Sunday paper if you subscribe to it.
• You can find then in local grocery stores advertisements
• You can find places to print them offline.
• You can sometimes call, email or write companies and ask them for coupons.

Understanding types of coupons:

Manufacture coupons and Store coupons. Manufacture coupons are usually good at every store as the Manufacturing Company rebates the Grocery stores to take them.

Store coupons are put out by the grocery stores to help draw you in. Some stores are now accepting competitors (other stores) coupons. Ask the stores in your area if the take competitor coupons.

So now you have your stash of coupons and you should try to organize your coupons. I keep mine in an envelope in the car so I always have them with me. Coupons do you no good if you leave them at home.

Here are more tips to help you save big!

• Some stores double coupons, ask the stores in your area if they do and when.
• Wait to use a good coupon until the items goes on sale, you will save even more money.
• Sometimes a store will let you use more than one coupon per item, try it.
• Pay attention to expiration dates on your coupons.
• Don’t be afraid to speak up, for instance. My husband had 7 coupons each for $1 off of the Organics brand items at Safeway. The cashier tried to tell him he could only use one per trip. The coupon did not say that anywhere on it, so he told her that. She ended up having to let him use all 7 coupons.

Now it’s time to go shopping and save some money!!

About the Author: Cinnamon Henke a mom of 3 girls with big appetites. See how you can save even more money and earn money in the process by going to CinnamonHenke.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Next Page »