Avoid going to the grocery store without a written list of what you’re there to buy. If you don’t have a plan, then it’s easy to fall prey to impulse shopping and add unnecessary items (cookies, chips, and sodas are common culprits) to your cart. An important way to make sure you stick to your list is never to go to the grocery store while you’re hungry.

2. Plan Your List with Store Ads

When you’re preparing your shopping list, it’s often a good idea to check your grocery store’s newspaper flyers. This way you can plan your meals based on what meats, fruits, vegetables and other items are on sale that week. If you don’t read the newspaper, don’t worry – most chain grocery stores also publish these flyers on their websites.

3. Compare “Per Unit” Prices

We all know that we should be comparing prices, to make sure that we don’t pay too much when we have choices between brands. But we also need to compare the “per unit” prices – so that if there are two different package sizes of the same item, we can make sure we’re getting the best deal.

The price tags on the shelf will usually (in smaller print) give the “per ounce” price (or the “per unit” price if it’s sandwich bags or something that isn’t sold by weight or volume). This makes it easier to compare the price of two different-sized packages, so that you can see how much you’d save buy buying the larger package. Make sure you’ll use everything you buy, though – if you end up throwing away half of the larger package because it goes bad, then you’re probably not saving!

4. Store Shopping Card

If you haven’t done so already, sign up for your store’s shopping card or loyalty card program. Doing so generally only takes a few minutes, and it makes it extremely easy to save more on your grocery bill. Just present your card when you’re at the checkout and you’ll automatically save.

5. Don’t Forget about Coupons

Of course, there’s always that old money-saving standby – coupons. Many magazines, and probably your local newspaper, still publish them. Chain grocery stores and food companies also let you print out coupons from their websites. And don’t forget that many stores still have days where they double the value of the coupons you use.

By using one or two of these tips you’ll save a noticeable amount on your weekly grocery bill. If you use them all, you can help your family’s budget even more!

#1 Roasted chicken. A whole chicken is incredibly inexpensive and it’s also much healthier than a burger or ribs. You can find whole roasted chickens already cooked at your market or you can cook it at home and take it to your picnic to eat warm or cold.

#2 Fill your basket with fruits and veggies. When you buy foods that are in season they’re much less expensive. Summer is a great time for finding tasty fruits and veggies in season. This means you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg filling your picnic basket. And because fruits and veggies are rich in fiber, you’ll fill up quickly. For even more savings, visit your local farmer’s market to buy your fruits and vegetables.

#3 Tuna, chicken or egg salad. Tuna salad, egg salad and chicken salad are all delicious and they’re inexpensive. And if you use light mayonnaise or yogurt as your dressing base, they’re healthy too. Add carrots, celery and other chopped veggies for a good crunch and more nutrition.

#4 Beverages. Skip soda and beer; it’s expensive and not so healthy. Instead bring water, tea or lemonade to drink. If it’s just not a picnic without beer, limit yourself to one and consider light beer for fewer calories.

#5 Make kebabs. Kebabs are great on the grill and they’re easy to make. Chop chicken, beef or lamb into cubes. Cut vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, onions, and squash into cubes. Skewer, marinate in an Italian dressing for an hour and then pop on the grill. They’re healthy and fairly inexpensive to make.

#7 Have fruit for dessert. If fresh fruit just isn’t enough dessert, consider making fruit popsicles.

Here’s a great recipe to try:

2 c. plain yogurt
1 c. bananas, strawberries, blueberries, etc.
1/2 c. orange or apple juice
Blend all ingredients together and pour into small paper cups or popsicle molds. If you’re using paper cups you’ll need to insert popsicle sticks. Place in freezer, remove when frozen and enjoy!  

There are many ways to make summertime picnics fun, inexpensive and healthy too. Step outside of the traditional foods like ribs, burgers, brownies and chips and embrace a healthier and more frugal lifestyle. Enjoy!

One of the best ways you can save money every month is on food. However, this is easier said than done. Here are six of the top strategies to get started:

#1) Have a list

Many people walk into the grocery store without any clear plan, and wind up spending money on all kinds of food they do not need. When you have a list and stick to it, you avoid the “impulse buys” the stores encourage.

#2) Eat fruit in season

Again, this is no big secret, but it will save you a lot of money. During apple season, eat as many apples as possible. When they are out of season, either buy more bananas or another fruit. This is a simple idea, but it works.

#3) Use coupons

This is another easy strategy that works. Where do you find them? Make sure to check online.

There are plenty of coupon-specific sites on the internet. Another great method is to join the mailing lists for companies you purchase from often. For instance, if there is a certain brand of rice you buy a lot of, then get on their list. Most companies offer periodic coupons, so you can really save money by using this tip.

What if you don’t want a lot of advertisements in your inbox? Then get a separate email to use solely for getting coupons. This strategy takes a bit of effort, but it will be well worth it.

#4) Eat less meat

In general, all meat is very pricey. You can really save by eating more vegetarian foods. If you stick with eating meat once or twice a week, or cut it out altogether, you will really save a lot.

#5) Plan ahead

Figuring out your meal schedule on Sunday night is advised. This will help you know what you are eating, and therefore map out your shopping plan accordingly.

#6) Avoid sweets

These foods do not fill you up at all, and yet are the most expensive things you buy. Therefore, you are essentially throwing money down the drain. Focus on purchasing filling but healthy foods.

The reality is, saving money on food isn’t that hard. When you go to the grocery store with a plan, and make sure you only buy the foods on your list, you will save money. However, when you go without knowing what you want, you could end up just buying whatever looks good. This is how those shopping bills skyrocket in a hurry. So have a plan, and stick to it at all costs.

#1) Stay at hostels

This may not be as nice as a hotel, but it will save you a lot of money. Of course you do not want to stay in a dump, but you can save some serious cash using this method. The truth is, hostels are nicer than they used to be, and you can have an enjoyable stay at one.

In many instances the rooms are $30-$50, compared with $100 or more for a decent hotel. Just about every big city has a number of hostels to choose from. If you are unsure of which to go with, just read reviews of the one you are considering.

#2) Use the Lonely Planet Magazine

This will often help you find better prices. In many instances you can locate great hotels for real bargains. These are generally little-known gems that are off the beaten path, and therefore are still high quality but without the premium pricing. In many instances they are just as nice as hotels that cost two to three times the price.  

#3) Do a home exchange

This is one of the best strategies for saving money, and many people do not even know about it. How does it work? You allow someone to say at your house while you stay at theirs.

Both parties will be going to the others’ city. You do not even need the same priced house. You might end up staying in a 2000 square foot home, even though you only gave up a 1000 square footer. As long as both parties are happy, that’s all that matters.

Where do you find home exchanges? There are plenty of online sites that will connect you with other travelers looking to come to your city. This is one of the simplest but most effective strategies for massive savings during the holidays.

#4) Book early

This is no big secret. The earlier you book, the more choices you will have. For instance, if you are going somewhere on Christmas break, do not wait until December 18 to start looking for hotels. Do so months in advance. The choices will be much greater, and since there are more options, you will save money.

The bottom line is, you do not have to pay top dollar when travelling during the holidays. Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy a great trip while saving a lot of money.

Saving money where possible is always a benefit and your monthly phone bill is no exception. Regardless of whether you use a cell phone or a landline, there are many ways to cut down on your bill.

Use the following tips to save money on your monthly phone bill.

- Make sure you have the right plan. This is especially true with a cell phone. Why should you pay for minutes that you are not using? Choosing a plan that is too big for your needs can be costing you more. The same goes for a plan that contains too few minutes as most companies charge per minute overage charges. These rates are usually higher than the bundled minutes.

- Cell phones usually come with many extra add-on services. If you are not using these services, have your phone company remove them. You will see an instant savings in your monthly bill.

- If you are using a landline, there are several choices you can use, with digital phone being one of the best options. Digital phone services, typically offered through your cable company, usually include free long-distance calls. Cable companies also offer discounts for bundled service such as cable, internet and phone. Other phone services such as Verizon charge an extra per minute fee for long-distance calls.

– In the last few years, Magic Jack has become quite popular. The service offers phone service for an annual fee that many providers cannot beat: $19.95. The original cost is $39.95, which includes a year of service. A free phone number is provided and there are no hidden charges. There are specifications that apply to using Magic Jack so be sure to do your research on the product before choosing it as your provider.

- Skype is another popular online software program. It does require a download to your computer, but the software is free. Skype is free of charge to talk, chat and video chat as long as the recipient also has Skype. Skype does allow outside calls to be made on Skype credit. The only downside to Skype is that it is not considered a replacement for your landline and no emergency calling can be made on Skype.

- Do not forget to comparison shop. Make a list of all of the services that you need and shop around for the best price. It may be time-consuming, but the monthly savings will be worth the effort.

There are several ways you can cut your monthly phone bill. Check your plans to make sure you have the right plan for your needs. Too few or too many minutes will result in overage charges that will hike your phone bill. Just as there are many options for cell phones, there are many options for landlines as well. Shop around and compare companies before committing to one service. Taking the time to shop around will ensure that you lower your monthly service bill and save money.

Frugillionaire is a great read. It is very much a common sense book with lots of fantastic tips to live frugally. Whether you are trying to make the most out of your money whilst dining out or when buying food at the supermarket.

You find advice on

- how to redecorate your home in a stylish way on a limited budget

- create a fantastic garden on a shoestring

- Learn to dress for less, beauty tips on a budget

- find entertainment on the cheap.

The book also provides frugal tips for raising children, frugal holidays and transportation.

The “Thinking like a Frugillionaire” section offers great tips on how to become and think like a frugillionaire and live under the motto: ‘Live richly and save a fortune’. And at the end of the day, it will feel fantastic to have lived within your means and still have a good time.

All in all, this is a very informative book. It promotes a healthy way of spending money and enjoying life without having to keep up with the Joneses.

Review by a reader:

Saves Money! I want to be a Frugillionaire!, July 15, 2009

By	Book Addict – See all my reviews

This review is from: Frugillionaire: 500 Fabulous Ways to Live Richly and Save a Fortune (Paperback)

I’m amazed after reading this book that the smallest expenses can turn into lots of “found dollars” over time without feeling deprived. Why spend on items that will inevitably become “stuff” that’s really not needed? It not only saves you money, but will reduce the stress factor because you don’t have to find “time” to use those impulsive buys. This book contains fantastic ideas for ways to save on beauty, household, travel, entertainment and more. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to relearn a simple lifestyle, save money, reduce the stress in your life and become a healthier individual! It certainly shows you the way to become a “frugillionaire!”

Get The book Today: Frugillionaire: 500 Fabulous Ways to Live Richly and Save a Fortune

The Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor is a great little device to save energy in your home. It shows you almost exactly how much it costs to run your household appliances, which could be a big eye opener. It simply works by connecting your appliances with the Kill A Watt device and the energy consumption will be displayed on the big LCD screen.

A great feature, in my opinion, is the fact the device allows you to calculate the expenses for all appliances and give you predicted daily, weekly, monthly or yearly forecasts. The Voltage, Line Frequency and Power Factor readings will give you valuable information on the quality of your power or if you might benefit from investing in a new appliance.

Overall, this little device is very helpful in finding appliances that just sit and draw unnecessary energy. You’d be amazed how much an entertainment unit on standby mode actually costs. If you are eco-conscious and money-conscious, it is definitely worth owning and using the Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor.

One of the Customer Reviews – By     B. T. Denyer “Graphic designer” (Midwest, United States)

5 stars: Works great; fast results., May 4, 2008
This review is from: P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor (Electronics)

I was amazed at some of the things I found around the house that draw power just sitting there doing nothing. This thing is easy to figure out and program in your cost per Kwh.

A couple of things I found by using this device:
– the entertainment center costs me $11 a year to have just sit there in standby mode. This is a 32″ LCD TV, surroundsound system, DVD player, Wii, and subwoofer all plugged into a Monster HTS 1000 MKIII PowerCenter with Clean Power Stage 2 (8 AC outlet, 2 coax, phone & network). If I watch a DVD or play the Wii, it costs me 40 cents a day, or about 3.33 cents an hour.
– My gaming computer (Dual Core, 500 watt power supply and 19″ LCD) cost me $99 a year to run 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. That includes the occasional laser printing and occasional 2.1 speaker usage. So I turn it off more often.
– Cell phone charger: .86 cents a year, but when charging it costs me $1.73 a year.
– New coffee pot costs me between 5-7 cents to brew a pot of coffee and let it sit for a couple hours.
– Toaster at 350-degrees costs me about 11 cents an hour.
– Dell laptop charger costs me about $1.70 a year to keep it plugged in. It’s about a penny and hour to charge the laptop’s battery.
– NOAA handheld weather radio costs 86 cents a year to run 24/7

In the end, it seems like it is only really worth the trouble to unplug the entertainment center when not in use and turn off the computer more often. Sure, everything draws power, but we factored in the hassle of it versus the cost.

We have been unplugging stuff around the house when we are not using it, and began to wonder how much we are saving. This thing has helped out in deciding what’s worth going through the hassle of unplugging each time, and the results are almost instantaneous. I highly recommend using this device to settle the score in the fight against wasted energy usage or even in helping decide which devices/appliances around your house aren’t worth owning due to ridiculous power draws.

Check out for more details. Click here ==> P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor

Attending college is an expensive proposition. Some families set up college funds while their children are young, but many do not. Fortunately, help is available from many sources, one of which is the federal government.

Federal student aid helps lots of students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to pursue higher education each year. Anyone can apply, and assistance is based on family income and assets. You don’t have to be at the top of your class to get help like you do with most scholarships.

In order to receive education assistance from the government, one must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA for short. This form asks questions about the student’s income, assets and debts, or those of the parents if the student is a dependent. Applicants must also answer questions about family size and number of family members in college.

The FAFSA may be filled out online, or students can obtain paper forms from their schools. There are lots of questions, but the answers to most can be found on income tax forms from the prior year. Many schools hold free workshops to assist students and parents who need help filling out the FAFSA, so there should be no cost whatsoever in applying for student aid.


What Happens After You File

Once your FAFSA is filed, the government calculates your expected family contribution (EFC). This is the amount that they determine you and/or your family are able to pay toward your education. You will receive a Student Aid Report that contains this information a few weeks after filing.

When filing a FAFSA, you should specify which colleges you are considering so that they will also receive a copy of your report. Upon receipt of your report, the college’s student aid office will put together a financial aid package for you. The package may include grants, work-study opportunities and loans from the federal government. Individual schools may also offer financial aid from private programs based on your Student Aid Report.

Some types of federal aid have special requirements. Some require a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Others are only available to first or second year college students or those pursuing certain majors. Many have no special requirements, but you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security Number in most cases to receive any type of federal aid. More info, check out
===>> StudentLoansMentor

Federal aid can put college within reach for most students. But it’s important to file your FAFSA as early as possible, because schools distribute federal funds on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, keep in mind that you must file a new FAFSA each year to continue receiving aid.

Having help from friends and family can reduce the burden of saving for college. In the past, it was difficult for others to make contributions specifically for college expenses. They usually had to send cash or a check and hope that it would go toward college. But with the Freshman Fund, making such a contribution has become much simpler.

The Freshman Fund is a company that facilitates contributions into 529 college savings plans. Parents can create an account for a child and notify friends and family members. When they want to make a contribution, they can easily do so online. Funds are then put into a designated 529 account. If the parents have not yet opened such an account, funds are held in an interest-free account until they do so.

Those who wish to send a gift of college savings can do so even if the recipient doesn’t have a Freshman Fund account. Gift certificates may be sent to anyone with an email address. The recipient can redeem the certificate into any 529 plan. This is a wonderful way to encourage those you care about to start saving for college, and it ensures that the money will not be spent on something else.

College Money for Birthdays and Holidays


More and more parents are opting to discourage traditional gift giving for holidays and birthdays. It seems that most of the gifts end up collecting dust, wasting space and eventually cluttering up landfills. Encouraging friends and family to give money for college is much more practical, especially considering that their gifts will draw interest until your child pursues higher education.

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Freshman Fund users can send email notifications to others to let them know how they can make a contribution. They could also add links to the account to birthday party invitations. These are great ways to encourage contributions as an alternative to the usual kinds of gifts.

A 529 plan can help you save the money your kids will need for a college education. And now, it’s easier than it has ever been for people outside the immediate family to pitch in. When combined with family contributions, Freshman Fund contributions can really add up. By the time your child is old enough to go to college, he could feasibly have enough money to pay for tuition, fees and other allowable expenses with little or no outside help.

Formerly known as an Education Individual Retirement Account, the Coverdell ESA does have some things in common with IRAs. Contributions are not tax-exempt, but interest is as long as the funds are used for education. Account owners can choose from a variety of investment strategies, including stocks, bonds and mutual funds, and may make adjustments to these investments periodically.

A Coverdell ESA may be set up for anyone under the age of 18. Contributions may be made until the same age. All contributions must be in the form of cash, but cash contributions from corporations are permissible.


One of the most attractive aspects of the Coverdell ESA is that the proceeds can be used for any level of education. Unlike 529 plans that may only be used for college, Coverdell ESA funds may be withdrawn without penalty to use for elementary or secondary education as well. The money may be put toward tuition, fees, books, supplies and required equipment. Those who are enrolled at least half time may also use the funds to pay for room and board.

There are certain restrictions imposed on Coverdell ESAs. One of the most important is the $2,000 yearly contribution limit per beneficiary. There is no limit to the number of Coverdell accounts that may be set up for one beneficiary, but contributions across all such accounts can still be no more than $2,000 per year. Contributors with an adjusted gross income of over $95,000 may not contribute the full amount.

Another thing it’s important to remember is that all funds must be withdrawn by the beneficiary’s 30th birthday. The only exception to this rule is for special needs students, for whom there is no age limit. If the funds for a non-special needs student are not used by the time he turns 30, they must be rolled over into an ESA for another family member to avoid taxes and penalties.

Coverdell ESAs have an effect on financial aid eligibility. The effect is largest when the account is owned by a student who is not a dependent, but the account is also considered to a lesser extent if it is owned by a parent or a dependent student. Withdrawals may be limited if claiming a Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning tax credit in the same year.

A Coverdell ESA is great for saving for any level of education. While it may not pay for the entire cost of college, its benefits make it a good choice for most families. A Coverdell ESA can be used in conjunction with a 529 plan or other investment vehicle, so you can still save up a great deal of money.

For more info, check out : StudentLoansMentor