Contests by Sheila Roberts

3/21/2020

money smarts

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Come April our thoughts turn to sunshine, gardening... and income tax. Money management seems to be a topic that never grows old, probably because the stuff is a necessary tool. Some of us use that tool well, others... not so much. So it's always good to share money-saving tips. Let's do that this month. Post what you do to save money/increase your nest egg. Who knows? I may share you tip in a future Super You newsletter or blog. Hopefully, we'll all learn something new as well.
One lucky person will win a copy of Chris Hogan's EVERDAY MILLIONAIRES and one of my favorite novels, the money-focused SMALL CHANGE. We'll pick a winner April 30th and announce on May 1. U.S. residents only cuz shipping gets expensive otherwise. Once winners are notified we give 'em a week to respond, so be sure and either check back here come May or check your email and spam.
Looking forward to seeing lots of pearls of financial wisdom.

44 Comments

Pete Addicks

3/21/2020 05:10:34 pm

I have found that the wholesalers at our local fish market like to do business with me. The secret is that restaurants may order two pounds of salmon for a day. Or a few pounds of "catch of the day." The fish I get is at least one day fresher than anything I can get at the supermarket. The day before, I call ahead to ensure that they are willing to deal with me. I write down the name of my contact. Early the next morning I load a few coolers in my trunk and head to the market. These folks are cleaning up by 10 AM and are closed by 11. I have dealt with them as early as six. Blessed with a spare freezer I buy 20 pounds salmon and 10 pounds of whatever is on sale.Payment? Cash makes no enemies. I have them scale and fillet the fish. I usually order ahead of time but I have found that they do not start cleaning fish until I actually show up. While they often are willing to supply ice for the coolers, I often take my own. I am home before noon. I break out my knives and boards to cut up the fillets into meal sized pieces. I label quart sized freezer zip lock bags with the date and fish type because Sharpies do not perform well on wet surfaces. Frozen cod fillet looks exactly like halibut. I have had more success with the zip lock bags than with the slider type bags. Then I put the fish in the bags, but I do not seal the bags. When all the bags are stacked and ready I fill a deep pot with lukewarm water. I close a bag except for the last inch.
I put the bag deep in the water with the one inch opening pointing up. The water does not come in because the air is coming out. When the bubbles stop I seal the bag.
Fast freezing produces smaller ice crystals in the food..
So the fish goes into the refrigerator for an hour or so before it goes into the freezer. The fish lasts a long time without freezer burn. The meal size for two defrosts in cold water in around two hours, preserving the freshness. I have a vacuum sealer but I prefer this method. This approach is not so much a money saver as it is a "price performer". In the words of my Uncle, "Allez cuisine"!

Danielle McDonald

4/1/2020 09:56:05 am

All my change goes into a jar
I shop at thrift stores and low cost grocery stores as well as clip coupons

Laurie Gommermann

3/25/2020 09:03:43 am

Money saving ideas
I collect all of my change in a jar.
I pay off my credit card every month.
I clip coupons.
I wait to buy groceries and necessities when they are on sale.
I visit thrift stores.
I grow my own flowers and some vegetables.

3/25/2020 12:46:40 pm

I garden.

I clip coupon.

I cut my boys hair. And my own! Have been for years.

Thrift store shopping!

Library.

I try to make what I can from scratch. Love to cook from scratch. Bake goods are always from scratch.

I have made my own laundry soap when my kids were younger.

Don't own a credit card. Probably not for everyone? I don't own one.

Just a few :)

teresa p tipton

4/1/2020 06:37:48 am

I get most of my books at the library. I paid off all my charge cards in the last year. I found when I made extra money I immediately paid it on the credit card. I sold stuff online, worked overtime when available. I could see the balance coming down quickly. I foumd if I waited until the bill was due and tried to save the extra money it just disappeared. It worked better for me to pay as I got the extra money.

Michelle Schneider

4/1/2020 06:40:15 am

My tip for saving money on grocery shopping is to first inventory your freezer, pantry, cupboards, etc. I make a list of the items I already have then I use what I have in the house to start planning a menu for the week or two weeks. Then I make the grocery list from the menu knowing I already have many of the items already plus I'm not wasting the food I already have.

Teresa Allen

4/1/2020 07:00:48 am

Buy live herbs and grow them inside near a sunny window. Makes them available year round and saves on purchasing them at a much larger cost at the store.

Marla Tripp

4/1/2020 07:05:49 am

I shop sales, use coupons, even restaurant coupons. I don't use a debit or charge card when I shop. But my biggest savings? For years I would walk through the stores going, ''Oh my God, that is so cute!". I no longer put it in my cart if it's only reason to live at my house is because it is cute.

Lore Frank

4/1/2020 07:19:01 am

Shopping list! Make the list and go once a week. I was going several times a week and all I can say is $$$$$

Karen Wittman link

4/1/2020 07:25:05 am

Set a budget for each month. Take that amount of money out of the bank the first of each month and leave your debit or credit card at home.. When you only have a set amount of cash to spend each month you won't buy items that you don't need.

Frances Rhyne link

4/1/2020 07:27:33 am

Think twice or three times before buying.

marilyn cox link

4/1/2020 07:57:00 am

only buy the things we need,and if we can share some of the things that we no long have use for to some one who might need it

bn100

4/1/2020 08:09:55 am

have a budget and track it

Kate Bobb

4/1/2020 08:10:02 am

Sell on eBay for extra income

Juanita Whisenant

4/1/2020 08:40:01 am

The largest money saver I ever used was on my mortgage.I got a amortization sheet from the Mortgage showing what I owe after every payment. Keeping track of my balance I was able to pay as much as 5 or 6 months of payments with $100.00 or so added to that months payments. Or you can pay a set amount or whatever you can afford. This will automatically pay your loan back much faster, especially at the beginning of the Mortgage. I payed a 30 year loan in 12 years.

Beth

4/1/2020 09:13:42 am

Try to save change to buy something special for myself (books, yarn). Not really money saving, more like money spending! It adds up quickly sometimes 🥰😷🥰

Anne

4/1/2020 09:44:13 am

Mend items instead of throwing out.
Sell good clothing, purses, jewelry and shoes to consignment stores.
Use coupons when items are reduced in order to save even more.
Look for reduced breads and fruit that is just as good as new.
wait for the end of season sales and get 90% off.

Linda Dreher

4/1/2020 09:59:23 am

My money saving tips are to live below your means. My husband and I have always lived by this practice since we married 38 years ago. We buy used instead of new, we don't try to keep up with the Jones's, we don't have to have the most up to date clothes, furniture, technology, cars, appliances, home, etc. This has helped us get through the recession of 2008 and now unscathed and no change in our lifestyle. We have been blessed by our good practices through our lives.

Debra Pruss

4/1/2020 10:16:19 am

I use coupons as much as possible. I also purchase gift cards. If I want to make a purchase, I buy gift cards from a grocery store that offers extra points toward gasoline purchase. By purchasing the gift card, I limit the amount of money that I spend.

Joye I

4/1/2020 10:26:43 am

I do the usual things to save as much as I can like clipping coupons, buying things on sale, etc.
One thing I do that is fun is each month I take out $20 and slip it into a book in my TBR pile. Then later on when I read a book with that bill init, I get a nice surprise.
I also raise my own green onions, tomatoes and beets in my garden along with my flowers.

Sandra M

4/1/2020 10:31:50 am

I live below my means. I pay my credit card off each month. I buy my cars and keep them until they are on their last leg. I don't splurge on expensive haircuts. I found a good hair cutter at my local Great Clips. And one great money saving tip - I found an administrative job at a private university and my son now attends tuition free. This has saved me thousands!

Brenda Cipriano

4/1/2020 10:32:54 am

When shopping, I use coupons or discount codes when I can. I use Rakuten when shopping online, for cash back. I use credit cards for "points" and pay the total amount due on my bills to prevent interest charges.

Cindy Reifel

4/1/2020 10:43:16 am

Because of my back, I only go out once weekly to get groceries & run errands. Now, I order my groceries so, I can't do what I usually do. However, I always stopped at a drive thru for a sandwich after I got groceries and, always paid cash. Because of that, I always got change and would put it in a vase I have at home. Once a year, I empty that vase and turn the change into cash. I have ended up with $200 - 450 every time I do this. It's always been my favorite way to save money.

Maritza

4/1/2020 10:56:17 am

In order to save money each week I take out the cash from an ATM to do the groceries and so my husband can have some money in his wallet.
I use the cash for groceries buying what's needed.
This keeps me from using the debit card and going overboard.
I also transfer money into the savings account each week to save not only for the future but to pay the mortgage.

Carol

4/1/2020 11:39:56 am

All of the above plus, learn how to cook easy stuff by reading all the blogs out there and then get adventurous : ) I also have a cold water thermos and a hot drink thermos for those days when I have a lot of stops to make (and I pray to have those days again!!) I also have favorite snacks to carry along, it is like being 5-years-old again ; ) Blessings to all and stay healthy xo

denise

4/1/2020 12:55:36 pm

Prioritize needs over wants. Wants can usually wait.

JEAN MESS

4/1/2020 01:20:47 pm

I PAY MY CREDIT CARD OFF EVERY MONTH. AT CHRISTMAS I GIVE MY GOOD QUALITY ANTIQUES TO PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE THEM.

Judy Pflueger

4/1/2020 04:06:58 pm

Always make a list before going to the grocery store. Resist impulse buying unless something is on sale that you need/use on a regular basis.

Lynne Powell

4/1/2020 05:00:59 pm

I'm retired now. I have a nest egg which I haven't touched as of yet. I always had money automatically deducted from my check and deposited into a credit union savings account. I never saw it so I didn't miss it. I also bought a US Savings Bond each month, automatically deducted from my bank account. I gave myself cash spending money for the month. I banked (in a separate account) anything left over, for vacation or holiday spending. Little amounts always add up.

Sheila Chin

4/1/2020 05:58:34 pm

I save all my change & my $5.00 bills. I raid my husband’s also! LOL!!!

Pat Lieberman

4/1/2020 06:08:03 pm

I save my change.
I buy items on sale.
I pay my charge cards on time in full.

Mary B.

4/1/2020 08:10:18 pm

I always shop bulk groceries on sale, doing the same in cooking, making large pans of dishes and freeze into mini-meals. Thus, having a large variety of mini-meals available to take to work, share witb elderly parent, etc! Also done what all othera do, saving change for a rainy day, coupon clip, follow grocery list & nothing more, warch sales, prepay on mortgage saving tons of interest, purchase prebuy propane budgeting for cold winters and gaden. Gardened my whole life for fresh eating, sharing, canning and freezing. Sharing is most enjoyable

Faith

4/2/2020 07:53:40 am

I have always been someone that found saving money to be difficult. So, I started with pennies in a jar. Two years ago, I started dropping all my dimes into an empty 2 liter soda bottle. This year, I have started several goals. I have a plastic container for just quarters and a box for singles. I am still dropping my loose change in the containers but the singles, I have moved to a Savings Account. It has turned into a fun project.
Another thing I do, when I feel the need to hit the craft stores or the bookstores, I make a wish list and hit the local thrift stores. It is a fun scavenger hunt. I get so excited when I actually find exactly what I have been looking for. It also curbs my impulse buying. After a couple of weeks, if I haven't found what I wanted or needed at the thrift stores, then I will wait for a good coupon and hit the craft store or bookstore, etc.
I really found that the transformation for me was all in my perspective of things, evaluating what was a need vs. an indulgence, and realizing waiting for the right time to buy wasn't a sacrifice but a true privilege that I can give myself to ensure I am a good steward of my finances and the gifts God has given me.

Jeanbe

4/8/2020 10:05:45 am

I shop at Dollar General for everything I can find that I use, as the quality of merchandise is very good and the prices are better than grocery stores and other stores. (This is for good, household, and clothing.) Many weeks, they have $5.00 coupon off on purchase of $25 which is a great savings in addition to their already low prices snd their other in/store specials. I get my produce snd specialty at Brookshires grocery, where my store card (free) gives me discounts on products there and gives points on total purchase price which give me discounts on their gasoline. This makes it possible to eat well on social security retirement.

Janine link

4/22/2020 04:05:53 am

I save money on clothes by selling what I have in my closet and using that money to buy new.

Tammy

4/22/2020 04:06:21 am

I buy on a very tight food budget the will Social Security Disability will let me. I have very few thing I can buy that my health with let me eat. I am on a very strict diet and believe me it is very strict. I food budget has allowed me to go and learn how to make new recipes and also learn to show me how I can save money and buy the things I have wanted for years and couldn't because I never followed the food budget. Now I am to buy 2 or 3 books a month of yours Sheila and I enjoy reading and being disabled I am very limited. Thank you for all the good books that you and so many others Authors that I have found through your writing.

Lori Sills

4/22/2020 04:49:35 am

I clip coupons. I shop thrift stores. Grow my own vegs,herbs & flowers. Only buy grocery items that are on sale. Cook from scratch. Go to the library.

Jade N Boger

4/22/2020 05:10:26 am

I buy groceries when they are on sale. I shop around before I buy housewares, clothing, etc so I can get the best price. I also do my best to shop sales and clearance. When I go on road trips I have an app to find the least expensive gas prices.

Peggy Clayton

4/22/2020 10:28:33 am

I have been clipping coupons on food and things that I use for 40 years. I found when I first did it living with my grandma she would send me to the store to buy groceries and then match the coupons with the items that i was to buy. Over the years I have done well and even now with my husband doing all the shopping he doesn't at all mind taking the list and when I have a coupon for the item there is a small c by the item and he knows that when he checks out there are coupons for that store. I also have him bring in his change every night and he throws in a jar well when the jar gets full i tuck it away into another one and put his back so that when he is laid off that comes in handy. Also every can and plastic bottle goes down a shoot that my husband made out of pipe, When he is laid off that is when we cash in those cans and give them back the water bottles.I am disabled and so when i get a ride to town starting in Jan I start buying Christmas presents most of the time i crochet presents as my fingers are crippled and i want them to keep moving but even when I gift something i made i also find a little something that matches that person so I am done with Christmas shopping. For wedding presents and shower presents and baby presents it is all something that I have made not to save money but they seem to enjoy it better. For new baby its always a baby blanket and like my son says if the blanket doesnt have ribbons in the corners it isn't one my mom made. I also put together washclothes and hot pads or pot holders as a gift for weddings and they last a long time. I do get calls during Dec for orders for both so it kinda works twofold. I do sign up for every contest that i see such as the grocery stores etc and that has been wonderful for us. Thank you for asking this is a bit of what i find works for us.

Devonna Tabor

4/22/2020 02:39:59 pm

I am a retired teacher and I was married to a minister so my whole life I learned how to make smart decisions to make our money last and put away some into savings. I sew, quilt, and make a lot of gifts for friends and family. I read a lot, sometimes purchasing my books and then passing them to others and I visit the local library to borrow good books. I don't worry about what is trending so that every season requires new, more stylish clothes. There are many more important things to spend my money on.I donate every month to charity that I care about deeply. God has looked over for me and helped me to make smart choices and I like to help others by donating to Cancer, Diabetes, St. Jude Hospital and the Wounded Warrior foundations. I have a really good life and am thankful for what I have.

Linda Horin

4/22/2020 03:45:24 pm

I do my grocery shopping online. This keeps me from making purchases that are unnecessary or not on my list. It has saved me a lot of money since I started doing this.

Jessica

4/23/2020 07:07:53 am

We have a monthly budget that is broken down into categories for both income and expenses. It really helps to see where your money is going each month to realize how much you are really spending and where you can cut back to save money.

Janet link

4/24/2020 08:47:09 pm

I always shop the markdown racks, from food to clothes, everything.

Barbara Ahrndt

5/1/2020 07:16:22 am

I watch the sales. Also clip coupons for groceries. As for clothes I watch the sales rack and coupons and the big sales. Also watch for with beauty purchases the free items.

money smarts

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