There are still five months left of 2010, and there is still time to save up for the holidays. Here are 10 simple tips from MoneyTalksNews.

1. Lower your cell phone bill. It’s really not that difficult. Pay attention to how many minutes you are using. If you aren’t using them all, just switch to a cheaper plan. That could be a savings of 100 bucks by Christmas.

2. Get rid of your land line. If you do this, you can save up to $140. Want to keep it? Then go with a package with your Internet provider. It’s cheaper than the phone company. Also, take a look at Magic Jack. You can get unlimited calling for $2 per month, says MoneyTalksNews.

3. Staycation instead of a vacation. Explore your local area and save lots of money. You can still take a break from work and turn off the cell phone and computer. You can save $1,000 if you stay local.

4. Raise your insurance deductibles. Decide what you can afford to pay out of pocket and see what you can save. It could be as much as $250.

5. Get rid of the gym membership. Buy some cheap weights and work out at home. Or you can go for a jog or do some workout videos. You might save $150!

6. Drop cable or at least the premium channels.  My husband and I decided not to get cable this time around and we’re saving big. You can save $60 to $600.

7. Sell some stuff. Go through your closets and get rid of clothes, CDs, books and even furniture. There are consignment shops, eBay, Craigs List or have a yard sale.

8. Save on food. Do some research, clip coupons and you can save hundreds on food.

9. Haggle.  Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Ask for a better interest rate on your credit card, see if you can lower your cable bill or next time you stay in a hotel negotiate with them too.

10.  Just carry cash with you. If you don’t carry credit cards, you’ll be surprised how much you can save in your pocket by Christmas. This will help you avoid impulse buys.

Lots of recent college grads are either spending one last summer goofing off or they’re hitting the pavement looking for a job in the real world. One of the trickiest things that new graduates face is figuring out how to get their foot in the door. Their high expectations may be met by a dose of reality when they realize their dream job is still out of reach– at least until they get some additional experience.

A great tool for helping college graduates figure out their earning potential is Human Capital Score. Economists created the software to calculate future income using variables such as GPA, standardized test scores and college major. It’s a way to measure credit risk for young adults who don’t have much credit history to go by. But the Human Capital Score also helps graduates know what to expect when it comes to their future salaries.

This can also be good information to give a current college student or a recent high school graduate so they have more information to help them make decisions regarding their education. The final report calculates high, median and low end income levels based on the information provided. Graduates can see their projected income for the next ten years so they can see that while they may not make a great income now, with hard work and dedication their salary will improve.

There’s no doubt that Derek Sisterhen knows what he’s talking about when it comes to money. He’s the Lead Financial Coach at Lukas Coaching, the host of the Past Due Radio show, a blogger at PastDueRadio.com and an avid tweeter by the name @DJSisterhen. This financial pro lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife Elisa.

OODC: How did you get started blogging and tweeting?
@DJSisterhen: I started blogging regularly about two years ago when I became the Lead Financial Coach at Lukas Coaching. I took my articles for our weekly newsletters and started posting them as blogs. It wasn’t long before the articles, and the Past Due Radio podcasts, started to garner a following.

I was a bit hesitant about Twitter at first. I thought everyone was tweeting about tying their shoes, or buttering toast. I started tweeting about six months ago and have since developed some very meaningful relationships with folks I otherwise would’ve never met. Nowadays, I let everyone know when a new show is ready, new blog is available, and when I’m buttering my toast!

OODC: You write about the hedonic treadmill, how our expenses will rise to meet our income creating the feeling that we never earn enough money. How can people avoid that?
@DJSisterhen:You know, as Americans we are a severe disadvantage when it comes to avoiding the hedonic treadmill. The problem is that we live in such a consumer-driven culture that we’ve come to believe more stuff means more satisfaction. Those stuck on the hedonic treadmill have a very difficult time experiencing contentment within their means.

To avoid the trap, we simply have to live below our means. Easier said than done, I know, but we must recommit ourselves to a lifestyle built on relationships, not on material things. There are only three uses of money: you give it, save it, and spend it. Those on the hedonic treadmill value what their money will buy for themselves now more than how they can give or save it, establishing peace at home. As a result, they spend everything they earn and wind up running in place.

OODC: You host a weekly radio show about money. Who’s been your favorite guest?
@DJSisterhen:Easy: My wife, Elisa. I’ve been fortunate to have some great folks on my show, but by far the best was when my wife Elisa joined me for the “So, I Married a Financial Coach” episode. We told our story – of how we used to only talk about money with our hands around each other’s throats – and how we’ve worked hard to get out of the rut that claims so many marriages. She offered a new perspective on me during that show (probably the accurate perspective!) that my listeners hadn’t gotten before.

OODC: Why do you think so many people have a tough time managing their money?
@DJSisterhen:The funny thing about personal finance is that it’s actually personal. Those who try to re-run the numbers or crank out a new spreadsheet are fooling themselves. It isn’t until we get real with the person in the mirror that we can understand whether our behaviors are driving us toward or away from what’s right for ourselves and our money.

OODC: What do you hope people gain from reading your blog?
@DJSisterhen:My “blog” is a bit unique because it combines a traditional blog with podcasts. We’re enamored with using finances as a scorecard or measuring stick of success in this country. My hope is to challenge others to think less about everyone else’s money, and more about how they can live significant lives. It might mean paying off debt to be able to give more freely, or to get on the same page financially so that a couple’s kids learn how to manage money in a loving, productive household, or to get a handle on finances to make a career transition possible. Whatever it is, minimizing the burden of finances so others can live lives of significance is what this is all about, so I hope that’s what visitors are gaining.

OODC: Who are some of your favorite money tweeters?
@DJSisterhen:@jayperoni, @Elle_CM, @moneyfunk, @EngagedMarriage, FinanciallyPoor, @BudgetsAreSexy

Thanks again to @DJSisterhen for being a part of this week’s Twitter Tuesday Profile. Want to be considered for an upcoming profile? Just tweet me!

Summer is approaching and that means summer vacations are approaching. But holding on to this family tradition while trying to eliminate debt can be tricky. However, it’s not impossible. Financial guru Dave Ramsey asked his listeners and readers to offer up their advice for making sure your summer vacation doesn’t follow you home. Here are some tips:

1. Research, research, research! If you plan ahead and know which restaurants, attractions and stores you plan to hit up you can find and print coupons ahead of time. You probably won’t have a printer with you on vacation so researching ahead of time will ensure that you’ll be prepared.

2. Use cash. Approach your vacation with the same structure as your family budget. Set a written budget for your vacation and use cash to pay for everything. This will ensure that when you come home, you won’t be surprised by high credit card bills.

3. Try negotiating. Just as you would with other big purchases, try negotiating for your vacation. One area to do this is with hotel or resort reservations. Many Dave fans say they’ve had great luck with negotiating for cheaper vacations.

No matter where you’re heading this summer, there is likely a way to save money doing it. Consider all expenses for your vacation– from boarding your pets to gas and research ways to save money. Do you have other tips for saving money on vacation?

Some experts believe people who are able to meet their weight loss goals will have a better chance of achieving their financial goals, too. That’s according to an article in the latest issue of Women’s Health. So whether your goal is to shed a few pounds or save some more money here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Get Ready: Remember that change is a process, not an event, according to Dr. James Prochaska. That statement explains why so many New Year’s resolutions end by February. People don’t spend enough time preparing for change, whether it’s a change to their diet or a change to their spending habits.

2. Go Slow: Stick to smaller goals like losing 10 pounds or saving an extra $3,000 and spread them out over time. You’ll have a much easier time losing two pounds a week over five weeks or saving $300 a month for ten months. The article mentions a recent study that showed people who aimed to save a lot of money actually saved less over time than those who set goals for saving smaller amounts.

3. Hang Out with the Right People: Self-control is contagious. So if you’re hanging out with people who spend lots of money or always order dessert, you may be less likely to stick to your fitness and money goals.

4. Hang Out in the Right Places: Your physical environment impacts your success. If you find yourself tempted to cheat based on your environment, try changing it.

5. Set Rewards: Rewards are great for kids and adults. Give yourself a weekly or monthly reward when you meet your goals. The treat doesn’t need to be fancy to help you stick to your goals.

6. Cut Yourself Some Slack: If you slip a little, don’t be too hard on yourself. Focus on of your goals one day, and on the next goal tomorrow. Soon it will be easy to lose weight and gain wealth at the same time.

I had the pleasure of attending Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership event last week in Charleston, South Carolina. It was a day packed full of great lessons for entrepreneurs. I’d like to share a few of my favorite parts from the day staring with the lesson on time management and organization.

Going through this lesson highlighted some big ways that I waste time throughout my day. For starters, I constantly check email. I basically have my email account open and every time a new message appears I read it. This is a huge time-waster for me because it distracts me and throws me off course, taking me away from more productive activities. I have a similar problem with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Rather than setting aside specific blocks of time for these activities, I use them as a crutch for avoiding tasks that may not be quite as enjoyable, but that are far more important. So now I am setting aside certain times in my day for brief email and social networking checks. Dave says each task falls into one of four quadrants:

I. Quadrant of Necessity: Things like a crisis at work or an emergency fall into this category. It represents tasks that are both important and urgent. These are activities you should do.

II. Quadrant of Leadership: Items that fall into this area include preparation, planning, relationship building, reading, prayer, and exercise. The items in this quadrant have low urgency but are very important. These are activities you should do.

III. Quadrant of Deception: Examples of tasks that fall into this category include someone else’s crisis, phone calls and interruptions. These are activities you should delegate.

IV. Quadrant of Default/Waste: These items are not important or urgent. They include watching TV, gossiping or doing anything in excess. These items should be discarded completely or delegated.

One point to consider is that everything that is in the second quadrant will be moved to quadrant one if it is ignored. For instance, if you ignore your health by eating poorly or not exercising that will become an urgent situation. Dave Ramsey highlighted the importance of a to-do list saying that studies have shown spending 15 minutes every morning on a To-Do list will give you an average of two hours a day in productivity. Some tips for saving time and being more productive include:

* Avoiding meetings that wander
* Preparing for meetings ahead of time
* Keeping your desk organized daily

Next Lesson: Finding Financial Peace in your Business

Our next Twitter Tuesday Profile takes us to Canada to meet Fabulously Broke, also known as @Brokeinthecity. She’s a freelance IT consultant who sometimes calls Montreal home and sometimes calls Toronto home. She’s paid off a whole lot of debt and blogged about it in the process from FabulouslyBroke.com.

OODC: How did you get started blogging and tweeting?
@BrokeintheCity:I started blogging in 2007, and tweeting just followed as soon as I realized what an interesting communication medium it was. I didn’t even know what a blog was. I only knew it was called a “blog” because the name of the platform I used was “Blogger”. For me, it’s still a continuous learning process on how to become a “blogger”. I’m not even sure I really feel like a genuine “blogger” yet, because it just feels like I’m writing & doing this for fun, and not as seriously as some folks out there who want to (and do it!) for a living.

OODC: You are self-employed. What’s your best piece of advice for other self-employed people when it comes to managing money?
@BrokeintheCity:Keep your expenses low and save for the days, months and even years when money will be slow to trickle in.

OODC: You have a lot of information about budgeting on your blog. Why is this so key? Could you have erased your debt without budgeting?
@BrokeintheCity:Well I couldn’t have erased my debt so quickly without tracking my expenses, budgeting and earning a pretty good salary. It’s just simply impossible to get out of debt, without knowing your numbers & watching your spending habits. For those of us seasoned expense trackers and budgeting gurus, it’s like second nature for us now to budget & watch our expenses. However, in the beginning, I will admit that I failed a lot at budgeting & tracking expenses. It took me 3-6 months before I started to feel comfortable because it’s easy to say that budgeting is no sweat, and it isn’t, but the hard part is to execute your budget and to do it diligently and consistently.

OODC: How do you suggest people get started with creating a budget?
@BrokeintheCity:People should budget & track their expenses so they can see where they stand, rather than as a way to compare with others and feel either inferior or superior. Your money is exactly that — your money, and you should learn as much as you can about how to handle your money. From there, it’s just a simple decision (after seeing your numbers) to either make more money and/or cut back. There are no other ways that have been more tried & true. There is no magic 8 ball for the stock market, special set of numbers to help you win any lottery or a white Knight or Princess to come swooping down to your financial rescue. There’s just you, your income and your expenses. If you don’t think you can do it, start with the basics: rent, minimal utilities, food & warmth …… and you will find that you have a surprising amount of money left over to make decisions with.

OODC: Who are some of your favorite money tweeters?
@BrokeintheCity: I’m not really a hardcore PF money tweeter myself, so my choices are somewhat lifestyle/money related: @RevancheGS , @krystalatwork , @Monevator , @mrsmicah , @singlema .. are just a few of the tweeters I enjoy interacting with on occasion.

Thanks again to @BrokeintheCity for being part of this week’s Twitter Tuesday Profile. Want to be considered for an upcoming profile? Just tweet me.

There are always things you can do right away to help you save money, according to Joe Sangl, my church’s financial pastor.

#1: Use Coupons

When you are shopping for groceries and other items, there are plenty of sites out there to help you save money. Check out Grocery Freak, Southern Savers and Coupon Mom.

#2: Call Your Cable Company

Pick up the phone and call your cable company. All you have to do is politely ask for a discount. You never know if they might have a special offer. It doesn’t hurt to try.

#3: Shop the Car and Home Insurance

Many people haven’t gotten new quotes in several years, says Sangl. Go ahead and get some. It could save you as much as $700 per year. Check out NetQuote to get fast quotes from agents in your area.

#4: Look at your Home Property Taxes

You can get a homestead exemption in many states. It’s a reduced rate of taxation on a personal residence. Visit your local government tax office for more information.

#5: Get Rid of Your Home Phone

I don’t know too many people that still have a home telephone. My husband and I just use our cell phones. Sangl says to ask yourself why you still have a home phone. You may not really need it!

#6: Go on a One-Month Spending Fast

Try to find ways to avoid spending money. You may surprise yourself and come up with some fun activities.

#7: Do as Much as You Can Online

Pay your bills online, buy postage stamps (at Stamps.com), make check deposits and try shopping online. It’s a fun online world out there!

#8: Use Coupons When Eating Out

My husband and I recently bought a book similar to the Entertainment book which offers up tons of restaurant coupons. Use the book, coupons that come in the mail and log onto Restaurant.com.

#9: Cut an Entertainment Item by One Per Month

I know this may be difficult to do, but it can really make a difference. If you take piano lessons once a week, try skipping one week per month. Or if you are a golfer and play every weekend take a break one weekend a month.

#10: Use Cash Envelopes

Sangl knows using cash envelopes in his life has made a big difference in helping him stick to a budget. Use these envelopes for the items you tend to impulse spend on. Use them for groceries, clothing and restaurants.

Last month my husband and I committed to not spending money for two whole weeks. That gave us time to reevaluate our budget and launch The Envelope System. The Envelope System is a simple way to track your budget. Here’s how it works:

1. Get On a Budget: Write down your expenditures and income. Plan out your bills and find out exactly where your money is going.

2. Estimate Spending Categories: Once you know how much you spend, create categories such as groceries, entertainment, and gas. Figure out how much you will need for a two week period or for an entire month in each category.

3. Get Cash: Fill each envelope with the amount of cash you’ve allocated. Once the cash in that category is gone– it’s gone. At least until your next budget period comes around.

This is my first time using The Envelope System. In the past I strayed away from the idea for a few reasons. First of all, I thought I was good at saving money so that meant I really didn’t need the envelope system. Neither my husband or I are big spenders so it seemed unnecessary. Secondly, I thought it seemed too strict. I worried about what would happen when the money ran out. Finally, I thought it seemed like a big hassle. It seemed like a lot of extra work when I was already decently good at saving money.

Finally we decided to give it a shot and it turns out I was wrong. Not only is The Envelope System easy, it actually offers a lot of freedom. I don’t have to worry about whether I’m spending too much on groceries or gas. And we actually have money that goes into an envelope for clothing and entertainment. I don’t have to feel guilty about buying clothes or going out to eat because there is money set aside for that. I will say that because we had some house guests we spent more in some areas. I’m trying not to focus on the mistakes and instead just try to get on track.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the envelope system. What do you do when demands require additional spending? What do you do with extra cash at the end of a budget period? Would you recommend or be willing to try The Envelope System?

Between birthday parties, anniversaries, baby showers, and weddings there are constantly demands pulling at our pocket books. My husband and I have really focused on staying on our budget this year, but it seems that just as soon as we commit to spending less, more requests pop up that threaten to attack our bank account. Because I don’t want to seem stingy and I believe in celebrating life’s important events, I try to reduce the impact of gift giving on my budget using these tips.

Plan Ahead

I have a birthday book that tracks my family’s important dates. I look ahead in this book every month so I know what gift giving obligations are coming up. That way I can be thinking of the perfect gift idea and searching for the best deals.

Keep Back-Ups

To avoid last minute gift shopping I usually try to keep back up gifts in our home. These are things like candles, spa items or gift cards that will be suitable for a wide variety of people. It reduces the chance that I’ll end up spending more on a gift than I would have wanted to just because I’m in a rush.

Go Practical

Sometimes practical gifts really are the best option. If you have friends who are expecting start looking for good deals on essentials like baby wipes, diapers and other needs. They’ll appreciate the gift and you’ll appreciate the savings.

Say No If Needed

Through church and other associations we get a lot of invitations to showers and parties. Sometimes we just have to say no and we can’t be afraid that someone will be offended. If someone invites you to an event, don’t necessarily feel obligated to attend. It’s better to politely pass than to spend money you don’t have on a gift.

I just wrapped up what I called the Two-Week No Spending Challenge. For two weeks my husband and I committed to not spending a penny. Other than the $10.12 we spent on some medicine to treat my nasty bug, we succeeded. We ate the food that was already in our fridge and pantry. We entertained ourselves with freebies. And we learned some valuable lessons along the way.

* Fun Can Be Free: I must admit, I was a little nervous that we would get bored during the two week challenge, but I was wrong. We rented free movies using codes we found for Redbox and Blockbuster Express. We played games. We hung out with friends and family. We baked. We read books. We worked on projects around the house that we already had the supplies for. Truthfully, we accomplished quite a bit because rather than starting new projects we worked on finishing ones we had already started.

* There is Freedom in Not Spending Money: Normally our weekends include running errands, shopping and other activities that involve spending money. When we forced ourselves to not spend money we were actually giving ourselves an excuse to just relax and enjoy what we already have.

* We Can Do Better: Although neither of us are big spenders, my husband and I realized that we can do better with our budget. The Two-Week No Spending Challenge highlighted areas where we can cut back. Some of those areas are small, but I believe they will be noticeable. For instance, we ran out of pancake mix so I quickly looked up a recipe for making my own. I realized that this is much cheaper than buying a box of ready-made mix so from now on this is how we’ll do it. We also used this time to reevaluate our budget and start using The Envelope System. Every two weeks we will fill designated envelopes with cash for that budget item, such as food, entertainment and gas. Once that money is gone, it’s gone. But if there is money leftover we can roll it into the next two-week period or put it into savings.

We decided that we would not make the Two-Week No Spending Challenge a one-time event. In fact, we decided we would challenge ourselves in this way every two to three months. It’s a great way to refocus your priorities, save money and simplify.

According to Real Simple magazine, housing costs an average of #17,109 per year. The magazine has offered up some advice this month on saving around the home.

Ways to cut your mortgage or rent:

Appeal your tax bill, says the article. You might be paying way too much in property taxes. Grab a copy of your home’s assessment and compare it with assessments on similar homes in your area. Believe it or not, 75 percent of appeals often result in a reduction of taxes.

Look into refinancing. Interest rates continue to be at historic lows for home loans. Check out the calculator at Bank Rate. It can help you figure out how much you can reduce your payments by locking in a lower interest rate. It will also tell you how long it will take you to recoup the cost of refinancing your home.

Renegotiate your rent. Log onto Rentometer to see if you might be paying way too much for your area. Then go and discuss it with your landlord. It never hurts to try.

Reduce your payments. You might be eligible for a Home Affordable Refinance or Modification if home values have dropped in your area or if you’re having trouble making payments. The federal program allows home owners to refinance at a lower rate or modify their loans. Check out Making Home Affordable for more information.

Ways to cut your home owner’s insurance:

Install safety devices. You can often get discounts of about 5 percent from insurers if you add smoke alarms and dead bolts to your home. Make a call to your provider to discuss your options.

Boost your deductible. You can save up to 25 percent on insurance costs each year by increasing it from $200 to $1,000. Real Simple says the average person files a claim once every 8 to 10 years, so you’re better off putting the amount of your deductible in an interest-bearing savings account.

A few others ideas for saving around the home include auditing your bills. The average cell phone user can save up to $331 per year if they would shop around for a better plan, according to a recent study. Go to Bill Shrink or Lower My Bills to compare cell phone plans. Also, don’t forget to look at your cable bills. There might be some services you can really do without like those premium movie channels.

Are you familiar with Dave Ramsey’s envelope system? It’s a basic way of budgeting that will help you live below your means. You start each month with a written budget and put cash in various envelopes based on how much you’ve allocated. For instance, you might have a “groceries” envelope and inside you would have the cash you’ve set aside for your grocery budget. When you buy groceries you pull out that envelope and use the cash that’s inside. When the money is gone, it’s gone– no more spending.

If you’re thinking about instituting the envelope system at your home, here is another incentive to do it. Kelleigh from Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs is offering up free templates and a tutorial for making your own envelope system using scrapbook paper you may already have around the house. Simply print out Kelleigh’s templates and follow her instructions so that you can create a beautiful and organized envelope system like she did:

If you’d rather buy an envelope system that is ready to go you can pick one up through Dave Ramsey’s site for $19.95. Crown Financial Ministries also sells a Cash Organizer with 12 tear-resistant envelopes inside an expanding file. It’s on sale right now for $15. Of course, you could also use plain old envelopes you’ve got stashed in your desk, or even envelopes from bills you receive that are paid online. It doesn’t matter what you use as long as you stick with the plan.

This month the magazine Real Simple has plans laid out on how to save money on food, healthcare, entertainment, the home, transportation and clothing.

The first area you can focus on is food. The average household spends almost $4,000 on groceries per year, says the article. First, use some coupons. Sign up with Coupon Mom, become a member of eCoupon’s Grocery Coupon Trading Club and check with your local supermarket to see if the will match other store’s discounts.

How can you save up to 50 percent on bread? Head to one of the local outlets for baked goods like Entenmann’s. Go to Gwbakeries for locations.

Stay away from some prepackaged foods. Save $4.50 per pound by purchasing large green apples instead of already sliced apples. Buy a head of romaine lettuce instead of a bag of greens or a regular package of cookies instead of small snack-packs.

Real Simple discusses six other ways to cut grocery bills:

1. Track your food budget. Keep an envelope by the refrigerator and drop in your receipts when you take a trip to the grocery store. Then analyze your spending at the end of each month. See if you can spend no more than $125 per week for a family of four.

2. Cut your meat. You can always cut back on the amount of ground beef that a recipe calls for. It can add up quickly.

3. Buy more fruits and veggies. When these are added into your meals, families save money as well as shed some pounds.

4. Make friends with the store managers. They can tell you when the food will be marked down in price.

5. Stick to your list. Try to avoid impulse buying and save on your grocery bills.

6. Join a food co-op. Check out Coopdirectory to find a co-op near you to become a member of a locally-owned grocery store.

I am definitely trying to save money at the grocery store, but it can be difficult. Buying on impulse is easy to do, clipping coupons may seem like too much work and comparison shopping takes time. I recently came across an article in AARP Magazine about top ten tips for paying less at the supermarket.

Tip #1: Make Shopping A Job

When you get ready to grab your groceries, think of it as a job. You need to complete it on time and under budget.

Tip #2: Take Stock

Before I take a trip to the store, I try to take a peek in the pantry to see what I already have. According to the article, many people reported that they already had in the pantry, freezer or fridge 15 percent of the foods they bought at the store. Check your stash of food before you go shopping. Plan meals ahead of time and stick to them.

Tip #3: Bring a Calculator

Try to keep a tally of how much you are spending. This will help you save money and start really paying attention to prices.

Tip #4: Start at the Center

Phil Lempert, author of the article, suggests starting your shopping in the middle of the store with the boxes, cans and jars. A lot of the bargains can be found in this area.

Tip #5: Compare Aisles

Each department in the store operates differently. You can sometimes find the same product cheaper in a different location. For example, some cheese may be found on a fancy cheese table, but is often more expensive than what you find in the dairy case. Take a look at the freezer cases. Sometimes frozen items can still be just as good and cheaper. When it comes to ground beef, consider buying frozen in a vacuum-packed “chub.” It can save you 25 percent. Fresh refrigerated pasta is always nice, but dried Italian pasta is usually just as good and a lot cheaper.

Tip #6: Go Back to White Eggs

Brown eggs can cost 50 cents more per dozen than white.

Tip #7: Select “Select” Beef

There are three quality categories for beef. Prime is the highest and most expensive, Choice is the middle grade and Select is the least expensive and least fatty.

Tip #8: Try Store Brands

I used to buy mostly name brand items, but I have found that store brands are often just as good. Store brands can save you 20 to 30 percent.

Tip #9: Customize Your Cereal

Try buying a basic high-fiber store brand and save 20 percent instead of buying an expensive name brand cereal. When you buy the store brand,  you can then add what you want such as fruits, nuts and sweeteners.

Tip #10: Skip Fake Convenience

Take a closer look at what looks like a great idea, but may not save you any money. For example, you can buy oatmeal in single serving packets, but they can be expensive. Try buying oats, add in your cinnamon and other ingredients and you’ll save money. Also, buying pre-washed salads may make more sense than a head of lettuce which can spoil quickly.

Just about every wedding gift I give is accompanied by a copy of Dave Ramsey’s bestseller The Total Money Makeover. The concepts in the book helped my husband and I get started on a great financial path when we were first married and I want other couples to have the chance to experience that same success. But this book would make a great gift for a lot of people on your Christmas list, too. And the best part is the books are now on sale for just $10 a copy in the Dave Ramsey book store. I can think of several family members and friends who could really use the powerful message in this book.

The book talks about Dave Ramsey’s baby steps which start with creating an emergency fund and end with paying off your mortgage. He is adamant about eliminating debt and increasing your savings so that you can one day give like no one else and live like no one else.

While you’re visiting the Dave Ramsey website, take a moment to enter for your chance to win one of the daily prizes Dave and his team are giving away through the month of December. This year Dave wants to give like no one else which is why he’s handing out prizes every day. You can win prizes like $1000 emergency fund or a free pass to Financial Peace University. The prizes are different each day so make sure to check back regularly and enter often!

While most of us get bills and catalogs from the mailman, hardly a day goes by that Greenwood, Indiana resident Cherie doesn’t get something for free in the mail. But that’s not the only reason she’s known as the Queen of Free (@Thequeenoffree on Twitter). This wife and mother of two little princesses has worked in various forms of ministry and now she spends a lot of time keeping up her blog, QueenofFree.blogspot.com, something she sees this as another kind of ministry.

OODC: How did you get started blogging and tweeting?
@Thequeenoffree: I’ve blogged on and off for about six years for personal enjoyment and family connections. I officially launched Queen of Free in August of 2008 to share deals and free items with my friends and family and it somehow morphed into something much larger than I’d ever imagined. I’ve been in the paper several times and on the Indianapolis NBC affiliate which obviously made my readership explode. Twitter was something I picked up early in 2009 and I’m so thankful to have made such great connections and friends through this channel of social media. I have learned a ton and built wonderful connections with people that live in the Indianapolis area that I would have never “bumped” into without Twitter. It’s great to meet other natives who speak geek.

OOD: How did you get the name “Queen of Free”?
@Thequeenoffree:It was kind of a joke between a friend and I when I told him where he could score a free meal out on the town. He remarked, “You’re like the queen of free.” and I thought, I like it. Royalty which is kind of fixy but with a powerful edge. I’m down with that. But it really represents much more than scoring free items to me. I chronicle our family’s journey of paying off all debts we owe (credit cards, medical, cars, student loans – the whole shooting match) with over $46K paid toward debt in 20 months. AND I also seek to be free of those things that impede me from being who I’ve been made to be – whether it be consumerism, negative thoughts, or things that simply aren’t the best for our family. So yes, I enjoy getting things for free but I enjoy being free much more. And as a person of faith, I feel strongly that the only way to be truly free is through Jesus. I know I have readers who are believers and those who are far from God, too. I feel strongly that God has blessed me with a place to share His truth about freedom and I’m not afraid to do that with grace and love.

OODC: What is the value of the things you get for free in an average week?
@Thequeenoffree:Wow, that’s a rough question because it varies so greatly but I can definitely say that I receive something on average every day in the mail and many times several things.

OODC: What’s the best freebie you’ve ever scored?
@Thequeenoffree:Last week I scored dinner for nine at a local restaurant for free. It was rather fabulous to take out friends, letting them order anything off the menu and paying nada. It might be the best freebie but honestly I get just as excited about free band-aids as I do “big” scores.

OODC: What do you hope people get out of your Tweets and blog posts?
@Thequeenoffree:Encouragement and joy. Perhaps some inspiration and a few laughs. And of course a few free things, too. I get more feedback when I share the victories and challenges of paying off debt (or simply living for that matter) than I do a really great freebie. People love to know there are others who are striving to do the same thing that they are. And if our story can inspire others to change, I’m all about sharing it – both the pretty and not-so-pretty aspects. Odd things seem to happen to me at an alarming rate, too. Whether it’s running into a parking meter with a full cup of coffee or unknowingly walking through the mall with my shirt buttoned down to my navel, I always have a good story to share that hopefully makes people laugh as hard at me as I do at myself.

OODC: Who are some of your favorite money tweeters?
@Thequeenoffree:Well I *heart* the following ladies for many reasons, money saving tips included: @BargainBriana, @Mommysnacks, @FrugalFemina, @Inexpensively, @jennyitup.

OODC: As we head into the holidays, what’s your advice for our readers?
@Thequeenoffree:I always encourage my readers to do two things: change their worlds one penny at a time and spend time– not money– on those they love. I think these are great principles for people to ponder as they head into the holiday season.

Thanks again to @Thequeenoffree for being a part of this week’s Twitter Tuesday Profile. Interesting in being a part of an upcoming profile? Just tweet me!

This week we travel to a farm in Kentucky for our Twitter Tuesday Profile. Katie Hostetter, also known as @FrugalFemina, is a pastor’s wife and stay-at-home mom to her little munchkin Bradley. She lives in a little cabin on a Kentucky farm with her family which also includes two rescued pets– a black lab named Casey and Riley the cat. She owes her coupon addiction to Stephanie, the woman behind CouponMom.com. Stephanie’s appearance on Oprah a few years ago sparked Katie’s love of saving money. Besides keeping up her own blog, FrugalFemina.com, Katie is a contributor at Inexpensively.com. Katie explains how her faith is reflected in her frugal lifestyle and how we can all keep from overspending during the holidays.

OODC: How did you get started blogging and tweeting?

@FrugalFemina: My husband was basically unemployed for the first two years of Bradley’s life. He was finishing up his Ph.D. and had the hardest time finding a job once he graduated. I laugh at all the things he tried just to earn a few bucks! He is a very academic kind of guy. He loves teaching, preaching, and counseling. But he sold insurance. He got his CDL. He applied to deliver pizzas. He was a bank teller. You name it.

I had subscribed to Coupon Mom’s list when we lived in Georgia, but I didn’t understand it. I got e-mail after e-mail about free Trident, free shampoo, etc., and I just said, “How?!!!” When we moved back to Kentucky and I saw that Stephanie (the Coupon Mom) was going to be on Oprah, I decided I needed to figure it out! I have been seriously couponing ever since.

I have always had the journalism itch in me. I love to write, so I got a degree in church music and media communication. I started blogging in 2005 just to share family stories and photos. In April of 2009, I decided to take my couponing addiction to the next level with Frugal Femina, and I love it!

Tweeting, on the other hand, is another story entirely. My friend Cherie at Queen of Free encouraged me to start tweeting. And by “encouraged,” I mean she pulled me kicking and screaming all the way there. I didn’t understand why people tweet about what they just ate for lunch. But I used it for about a week, and I realized it is a super-duper way to connect with other bloggers in my field, companies, moms, readers, and others. As we often say on Twitter, these are friends I’ve been looking for my whole life!

OODC: How is your faith as a Christian reflected in your frugal lifestyle?

@FrugalFemina:I love the reminder we have at church every week when we recite after the offering “for all things come from You, and of Your own gifts we have given to You.” I love seeing Bradley put our tithe in the offering plate. God has blessed us with a steady job, great health insurance, and so much more. I want to be responsible with all of it! I love to donate from my stockpile, and I love seeing the look I get when people realize I’m donating brand-new items. That is priceless. My friend Amy at The Finer Things in Life likes to say we can’t out-give God, and it is so true! I get back way more than I could ever give.

Also, it is easy to let your desire/need for saving money cloud your judgment when you’re couponing. There are ways to cheat the system. But there are plenty of deals to go around, and it’s ok if you miss some! Believe me, free toothpaste will come around again!

OODC: We are coming into the time of year when many of us overspend. What are your suggestions for keeping within our budgets over the holidays?

@FrugalFemina:Well, my family doesn’t usually give Christmas presents. We try to do activities together as a family instead. We also have a family picture taken together at this time of year. We do get little things for the kiddos because my sister and I think stockings are the best! My gifts for my niece and nephew cost under $10 each. I personally think my niece’s gift will rock her socks off. But I’m not biased or anything.

If I have other presents to buy, I try to shop throughout the year. Even if I can’t do the actual shopping, I at least set some money aside each month specifically for gifts. I estimated what I thought I would spend on gifts for a whole year, divided it by 12, and stick that amount in an envelope each month.

And let’s not forget how many great freebies there are at this time of year-especially on toys. There is no reason to pay full price!

OODC: What do you hope people get out of your Tweets and blog posts?

@FrugalFemina:On Twitter, I just hope they have fun chatting with me and connecting with other like-minded people. I hope the information at Frugal Femina encourages my readers to keep learning and doing the best they can with what they have. I’m especially excited this week, because I just switched over to WordPress. I’m very thankful to Joy at Five J’s for helping me make the move!

OODC: Who are some of your favorite money tweeters?

@FrugalFemina:There is a large group of frugal bloggers that I interact with and love. A few of my favorites (other than those mentioned above) are: Andrea at MommySnacks, Marcy at StretchingaBuck, Alyssa at KingdomFirstMom.

Thanks again to Katie (@FrugalFemina) for being our Twitter Tuesday Profile this week! Want to be considered for an upcoming profile? Just tweet me!

Money can be a touchy subject and one that may cause stresses on a relationship. One way to help combat problems is to communicate with one another. According to a Wall Street Journal poll, 75 percent of Americans have disagreements over money or household finances with their significant others. Money issues are also a contributing factor to divorce. In the November issue of Real Simple magazine, the money section talks about these conversations to have with your spouse.

Where does all of our  money go?

The article suggests that every couple have this discussion. Overspending is often a problem in relationships and needs to be addressed. If it seems everything is fine, it’s good to check in and make sure things are still okay. One suggestion is to keep a monthlong spending journal to track expenses. When it’s the end of the month, sit down and take a look. Create a list of goals and look at ways to cut back spending if necessary.

Do we need to change who does what?

My husband is the one who handles our finances and he’s very good at it. However, in some relationships the husband or wife may not want to handle everything themselves. Real Simple suggests you compile a list of all financial decisions or tasks that are made in your home. Maybe hold a monthly time to sit down and go over your list and see if the responsibilities need to be switched.

Are our retirement plans on track?

With 401K’s taking hits and other problems, make sure you discuss this topic. Take a look at your account statements (as painful as that might be).  Be honest and discuss concerns or fears about the future. The article suggests using an online calculator. Maybe you need to schedule an appointment with a financial planner to offer advice. To find a licensed one check out Fpanet.

What is our risk tolerance when it comes to investments?

Work as a team when discussing investment goals. Whether you are risky with investments or like to be conservative keep your emotions in check and find a middle ground. Check your portfolio online and read some articles or books on investing.

I have to admit that I am just so excited to have found all of these websites in magazines that I regularly read. I’m always looking for more resources when it comes to saving money. Here is the second list of sites from Woman’s Day magazine.

Lynda: If you need some extra training in programs such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Office and the basics on photography or web design, this is a great place to start. The Online Training Library helps you keep your skills current and starts at $25 per month. Last month, they announced a partnership with Microsoft to be a training partner for Office 2008.

BigHugeLabs: Are you interested in photography? This site helps you do fun stuff with your photos, such as create posters, photo collages, special effects, jigsaw puzzles and magazine covers.

Dafont: Let’s say you’re working on a project and need to download a cool font quickly. There are more than 9,000 fonts to choose from and it’s free!

Fix It Club: Sometimes I get in a jam and wish I knew how to fix something around the house. Well, look no further. The Fix It Club offers free repair help for things from appliances to electronics and apparel to exercise equipment.

Budget Simple: Budgeting your money can be tricky and this website it designed to help for free. Budget Simple offers software to keep track of monthly spending and current income and expenses.

Annual Credit Report: This credit report is free and it’s available once a year. The site works with three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies. Reviewing your credit regularly is important and this helps you do it at no cost.

Dinky Town: Looking for financial calculators? You can calculate just about anything, such as mortgages, loans, automobiles, retirements, personal finances, credit card uses and savings.

Bloomberg: Need more financial calculators? Bloomberg.com helps you figure out how to pay off your car loan, convert currency, check out your investments and mortgage.

Discover America: This is the official travel and tourism website of the U.S. It can help you find great deals to just about anywhere and offers information about each state. It can also put you in touch with a travel specialist to help you book the trip.

Mouse Savers: If you love Disney World, this is the place to go for savings on everything Disney. You can get park and cruise discounts, save on shows, hotels and even books, movies and music.

Whether you are approaching retirement or still have a way to go, an article from CNNMoney is something everyone should pay attention to. Retirement is going to happen faster than you think and there are ways to help keep you from running out of cash. According to the article,  you need a variety of investments that will give you stable income, protection from falling markets and ways to get cash if needed for emergencies etc.

Here are some strategies to help:

1. Traditional Stock and Bond Portfolios are one that may be viable if you have enough income from social security and pensions for basic expenses. For this one, you invest in diverse stocks, bonds and cash. CNNMoney says you pull out money as you need it with a 4 percent annual withdrawal and then increasing the dollars by the inflation rate. This can help you make your income last 30 years.

2. Stocks, Bonds and Immediate Annuity is the second strategy is for those who need additional income for basic expenses than they’ll get with social security and pensions. This will require investing your savings in a lifetime immediate annuity. This option will give you longer income security.

3. Number 1 and 2 plus a variable annuity is the third idea. This one can work if you want more access to your savings than the first two options. You’ll need to invest some of your savings in an immediate annuity. You choose the investments and you can have access to the account when needed. The article says it’s more flexible than an immediate annuity.

CNNMoney has a quiz “Will You Be Ready For Retirement.” Although I’m a bit younger than the age groups that you click on, I’m on my way, but need to kick my planning up a notch. When taking a look at the article, you can also check out their Ultimate Guide to Retirement for information on 401(k)s, IRAs, estate planning, social security and many more.

For more details with graphics and advice click on the article link above.

It’s the first official day of fall. That may mean it’s time to put away the swimsuits until next year, but you may want to think twice about giving up all of your summer habits. Here are five summer habits that you should actually carry with you into fall.

Enjoying Simple, Low Cost Meals

Cooking in the summer can seem so simple– throw some hot dogs and corn on the cob on the grill and you’re good to go. Not only is this way of preparing food often less stressful, but it can also be very budget friendly. Keep this in mind as fall arrives. Just because cooler weather comes doesn’t mean you have to pack up your grill for good. Continue to prepare simple meals at home to save time and money.

Taking Advantage of Free Entertainment

Free entertainment seems so plentiful in the summer. Between free concerts and events, there is no need to spend money on entertainment. Chances are, there are still free functions that you can take advantage of. Check out your community website, the events calendar in the local newspaper and scan bulletin boards at a nearby coffee shop. There is still free fun to be had even though summer is over.

Visiting Natural Resources

No matter where you live, chances are you enjoy your natural surroundings more in the summer than just about any other season. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, the lake or a nearby park, this free fun isn’t just for when school’s out. Different seasons offer different benefits for visiting natural resources.

Exercising Regularly

It’s easier to exercise when the weather is nice, but keeping up this summer habit is important– especially when you consider that the holidays and all of the sweet treats that accompany them are coming up. Maintain your summer fitness regimen on into fall.

Using Sunscreen

Just because you’re packing up your flip flops doesn’t mean you should pack up your sunscreen, too. Even though it seems like the sun is more powerful in the summer, it can do damage all year. Keep wearing your sunscreen even when you pull out the sweaters and boots. You still have exposed skin that needs to be protected.

My church, New Spring, has an awesome member that is our Pastor of Financial Planning. Joe Sangl offers classes, books, financial advice and counseling. He recently held a Southern Savers Couponing Class that sold out and helped attendees to save tons of money on groceries, find freebies and other things. Southern Savers offers Extreme Couponing 101 workshops to guide those who are overwhelmed. The course teaches you how to gather and organize coupons, use online resources and how to actually use the coupons.

The website is overloaded with information that a stay-at-home mom has put together. She got hooked on saving money at local stores and wanted to share it with others. One of the main sections of the site is a list of nationwide and southern stores and their weekly sales. The stores include CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Publix, Bi-Lo, Ingles, Kroger, Food Lion and Harris Teeter.

Printable coupons are also available. The site features SmartSource Coupons and all you have to do is scroll through the items, select it and print. You can’t get much easier than that! Not only can you find coupons on Southern Savers, but also freebies. Scroll down a list of companies, click and you’re on your way to free stuff. This week you can get samples of Enfamil for babies, free samples of Remedy Life magazine and even a free workshop Thurs. Sept. 24 for women at The Home Depot.

Click on “Deals By Store” and you’re on your way to taking a peek at stores such as Wal-Mart, office supply stores, Target, Amazon and others. Another feature of the site is a regular blog that updates you on any other deals that have caught the eyes of the stay-at-home mom. This week she features a Special K savings booklet at Publix and the availability of a free Downy Wrinkle Releaser. Submit a photo of something wrinkled and get a coupon for a free bottle.

It may take a little bit of time to log on and cruise the site for deals, but in the long run saving a bit of money on groceries and other items can really help.

A friend of mine recently needed emergency dental work done, but after her husband lost his job it was almost impossible to afford it. But a saving grace was just around the corner… literally. She was able to find a dental clinic that provided affordable care based on her income. My friend saved about 15 percent by going to this clinic.

According to World Dental, 59 percent of low-income adults have no dental insurance and 38 percent have no health insurance coverage at all. A shocking statistic: for those with insurance 100 million people don’t have dental coverage.

Along with checking out a clinic that offers income-based dental care, you might want to contact local dental schools. You could end up paying one-third less than if you went to a regular dentist. Another piece of advice by experts are to talk to your dentist about payment plans, or discuss doing the work in steps. Instead of getting a crown, see if a temporary filling would last for awhile. Then you can save up for the procedure. The website Dental Health Insurance offers several bits of information and helps you compare different dental insurance plans so you can find the best one to suit your needs.

Believe it or not there are some free dental clinics out there. Most of them are sponsored by the government. According to World Dental, the American Dental Association continues to work with Congress on the availability of affordable care to everyone.  I found a website Free Medical Camps that allows you to search by your state and region for a list of medical and dental clinics and schools.

So keep smiling because help is available.

Who would have thought just picking up the phone could save you hundreds of dollars? Good Housekeeping magazine did some research and found that everything from automobile insurance to property taxes can be negotiated.

Phone Call #1: Your auto insurance company

Check in and see if you can get a low-mileage discount on your policy. Some companies, such as State Farm and Travelers, offer policy holders a discount of 10 to 18 percent if you drive fewer than 7,500 miles per year. One group, Progressive, offers its customers a discount through its MyRate program. You can save up to 25 percent based on the amount of miles you drive and if you are a safe driver.

Phone Call #2: Your credit card company

Reducing your interest rate is a definite possibility. If you have good credit, a low balance and good payment history, you may end up paying less. According to the article, a woman in Texas was able to reduce her rate from 18.99 percent to 12.49 percent. That’s a big savings! If your credit card company won’t work with you, consider switching to a different card.

Phone Call #3: Your cable company

Many providers now offer bundles that include your cable, Internet and phone all in one. That way you aren’t making separate payments each month. My city has Charter and they offer the three services for about $100.

Phone Call #4: Your gas and electric companies

Due to the falling wholesale price of natural gas, some companies are offering lower rates. If you are on a fixed-rate plan, call and see if there is a cheaper fixed plan or a variable plan. Your local electric company may have a load-management program. A free switch could be installed that cycles the AC on and off.  Also, they may have lower rates during off-peak hours. Ask the company which plans it offers. It could end up saving you more than $100 per year.

Phone Call #5: Your county tax office

Declining home values may be beneficial to you and lower your property tax. Find out if they are reassessing home values due to declining home prices. A woman in California called her town office and saved $750. All she had to do was provide them with her parcel number. But also make sure you can provide documents such as home sale data for your neighborhood. Saving up to $1,000 can really make a difference.

They may come in bits and pieces, but the money saved by making these phone calls can add up. Times are tough and any extra money in your pocket helps.

While her kids are napping, Ellen gets blogging. You might know her as @ThrifyChicMom on Twitter. She’s the woman behind ThriftyandChicMom.com. While being a mom is a full-time job in itself, Ellen takes the time to find and share deals with the rest of us. A resident of Columbus, Ohio, Ellen is happily married with two daughters and baby number three is set to arrive in a few weeks. For this week’s Twitter Tuesday Profile, Ellen tells us how she stays motivated to save and how finding deals helps her to experience more in life.

OODC: How did you get started blogging and tweeting?

@ThriftyChicMom: I started blogging about a year and a half ago to share deals with my friends and family in one central place, then I heard about Twitter as my blog grew and decided to join to be able to chat with other bloggers with similar interests as well as my readers. It’s a great way to connect with others!

OODC: You seem very adamant about the fact that being thrifty does not mean missing out on things. What kinds of things are you talking about?

@ThriftyChicMom: Being thrifty doesn’t mean you live a very minimalistic life– it means you spend wisely and with the savings you can buy what you want. I go shopping at the stores I want to, I just watch for sales and coupons. We eat out at restaurants when they have great deals or coupons or as special treats, just not every week.

OODC: What do you do to stay motivated to save money and be thrifty?

@ThriftyChicMom: My blog helps me to stay motivated even when I want to just go on a spending spree (I have a weakness for all things fashion!) and my great readers and friends on Twitter help motivate me too. Plus I get a thrill from finding an extra great deal, who doesn’t!?

OODC: It seems like you blog a lot throughout the day. How do you do that while taking care of two little kids? Does it ever get difficult to juggle?

@ThriftyChicMom: I blog when I have free time like before they get up or during nap time and of course at night. It can be tough to juggle with kids but they are my full time job and that comes first although hunting for deals and sharing them is important too!

OODC: What do you hope people get out of your Tweets and blog posts?

@ThriftyChicMom: I hope they find great deals and realize that being smart about how you spend your money is freeing and not binding, especially in this economy you can eat great, be well dressed and experience all the great things in life without going into debt!

OODC: Who are some of your favorite money tweeters?

@ThriftyChicMom: All the Top 30 deal hunters are great!

Would you like to be featured in a Twitter Tuesday Profile? Go ahead and tweet me for your chance to be profiled.

I recently visited our local Humane Society and it hit home that overcrowding is beginning to be a problem and the economy seems to be the reason. According to Newsday and other news sources, there has been an influx in pets at animal shelters because their owners just can’t afford to care for them anymore. Some animals are even being abandoned due to home foreclosures. And some of those who can afford a pet are having to skip on the animal’s shots or treatments and cut back on food or toys.

Although the American Pet Products Association says that Americans spend an estimated $45 billion on their pets, that number may start to decrease due to cuts in spending. However, there is some advice out there to help you continue to care for your pet. A recent article in Family Circle magazine caught my eye: “Recession-Proof Your Pet.”

If you are a lucky one who is holding on to Fido or Fluffy, there are some things you can do to save money:

Payment plans

Some vets will allow you to pay off debt on a monthly or weekly basis and there are other resources out there to help you do that. Believe it or not, there is a credit card specifically designed to help you pay for the care of your pet. CareCredit is just for health care services and helps you manage out-of-pocket expenses. According to the website, it not only can be used for your pet, but also your dental needs, vision, hearing and cosmetic treatments.

Get in touch with a school

If you have a vet school nearby, they may offer services at a lower cost. The AVMA website will help you find a list of schools in your area.

Clubs for certain breeds

These groups can also be source for possible financial assistance. The American Kennel Club site may help you find a club nearby.

Do-It-Yourself Pet Grooming

You don’t have to pay $50 to have your pet groomed. Learn how to do it yourself and save money. Ask your vet for pointers and learn how to clip your pet’s nails as well.

Help with affording pet food

If you are struggling to feed your animal, contact your local shelter. Many of them offer pet food assistance programs. Website searches may also help. Check out Save Our Pets Food Bank. Or if you’re really creative, offer your pets some homemade treats.

Spay, Neuter and Shots

Yes, it can be an expensive procedure but there may be a clinic nearby that has low-cost or free treatment, according to the Family Circle article. The nonprofit group Friends of Animals also may be able to give you a much cheaper quote than your doctor. A certificate that can be used for a routine spay or neuter can be purchased and is honored by licensed veterinarians. I found a mobile group of vets that travel to different locations around town and offer discounts on shots. We took our cat Agent Orange recently, spent $45 and it covers him for three years.

If you can afford a pet during these tough times, there are plenty out there. Consider adopting and help to save an animal in your area.

According to a recent survey by American Express travel agents, people are being savvier travelers and keeping a close eye on costs due to tough economic times. My husband and I love to travel and have saved lots of money by using several websites and/or booking with certain companies.

Something that recently caught my eye was a video that shows you how to save even more money with Priceline. Joseph Sangl is a financial guru that attends my church and has pledged to help others with their finances through seminars, books and his personal blog. He’s created a great how-to video which shows Priceline users how to save more money when booking hotel rooms. Priceline also added a travel blog, The Travel Ekspert, which includes travel news, Q & A’s and special deals.

Some websites that I have personally used and benefited from include:

Travelzoo – This site includes Top 20 Travel Deals each week, best last minute travel packages, and specials for hotels and flights. We used this site to book a last minute trip to Paris in 2005 and got a terrific deal.

Gate1 Travel – This website offers a Build Your Own Vacation feature that allows you to choose worldwide destinations with information on airfare, hotel and cruiseship deals. This was also a site that helped us with our trip to Paris.

Dooley Vacations – If you’re looking for a vacation to Ireland, Scotland, the UK, London and Italy this group specializes on trips to these locations. We took a trip to Ireland Summer of 2006 and received a great package deal.

Of course always read the fine print when booking on these sites, but so far I’ve had some great experiences. People are also tapping into their frequent flyer miles and grabbing deals at the last minute – things that are there to help save you some cash.

My favorite online couponing strategy has always been quite simple but tremendously effective. As I go through the check-out process, I look for a field that says ‘promo code’ or ‘coupon code’. I view these fields like a challenge: if it’s there, I know that somewhere is a coupon that could help me pay a lot less for whatever I’m buying. I’ll then go to Google and search for the merchants’ name and coupon code (i.e. “Mary’s Pie Store coupon code”).

Without fail, there are tons of results and unfortunately many of them are just garbage. They either don’t actually have coupon codes for the merchant I’m shopping with or offer coupon codes that have either expired or no longer work. I’ll of course find some great coupon codes from time to time, but lately it seems that I’ll spend ten minutes wading through eye-straining sites that leave me empty-handed.

But now that I’ve discovered Coupon Chief, I don’t go hunting for coupon codes at Google anymore. Coupon Chief is a beautifully designed Web site that has thorough listings for well over one thousand retailers, both large and small. The offers and coupon codes are very clearly listed and easy to sort through. Just copy, paste and save. Plus, they have a rating system that shows you if the codes are working or not, so you can stop wasting so much time on bogus or expired ones.

Coupon Chief also let’s you create email alerts for your favorite stores as well, so you’ll instantly be updated whenever they make a new coupon available or announce a sale.

So the selection of coupons is nice and the site is comprehensive and easy to use. Very nice, but I haven’t told you the really great part yet: The reason they have so many interesting and accurate coupon code is because they pay their users to find new coupons!

They call it the Pays-2-Share program and if you are an avid coupon hunter, you will definitely want to take part. Just be the first to discover a new coupon from one the retailers enrolled in the program (which appears to be most of stores on their site) and then upload then just fill out a simple online form to upload its details to Coupon Chief. Then, whenever someone uses the coupon to make a purchase, you earn 2% of the purchase price!

If you are the first to find a really popular coupon or a great offer on a high ticket item, your earnings can add up quite quickly. I’ve uploaded a few and it’s fun and easy to do. You need to earn $25 to get paid, but I hope to cross that mark shortly. I’m sure the top coupon hunters hit that mark quite often — last week’s top submitter added 483 new coupons to the Coupon Chief site!

Coupon Chief is a much easier way to save money when you shop online and perhaps you’ll even use it to earn a few extra bucks as well!

Twitter can be a great way to get a regular flow of tips, ideas and information about money, budgeting and investing. But with so many people on Twitter, how do you know who to follow? Check out this list of 20 Twitter people to follow if you’re looking for tweets about money.

1. @WhatToKnow: WhatToKnow tweets about information and resources that can help consumers make wise decisions. Most of the tweets promote articles published on WhatToKnow.org. Not all of the articles are about money, but most of them cover financial topics such as education, insurance and real estate.

2. @KeepCash: Passionate about coupon codes? So is KeepCash. Follow them for a flow of sales and deals on gadgets and electronics that they also post on their website, KeepCash.com.

3. @CollegeMoneyGal: She’s young, she’s a college student and she blogs! Follow CollegeMoneyGal for tips on the best coupons to print and how to choose the best bank account. Much of the material on her website is geared towards younger readers, but it’s very interesting stuff.

4. @Freebies4You: Sandra Niziolek is the woman behind the tweets at Freebies4You. From fruit snacks to iPods, she’s got the best freebies from the web on her website, FreebieZone.

5. @FreeSampleLady: Everybody loves free stuff. If you like trying out new products be sure to add FreeSampleLady to your follow list and check out her website, FreeSampleLady.com.

6. @MomSavesMoney: She’s frugal and loves to tweet about it. Follow MomSavesMoney to track the latest deals and giveaways. She also writes about it on her website with the same name.

7. @FrugaliciousMom: Don’t let the name fool you– FrugaliciousMom is actually a mother/daughter team, hunting down bargains one at a time. You can also track their findings on their website, FrugaliciousMommy.com.

8. @SavingSense: Whether you need encouragement or insight into the coupon game, SavingSense can help. You’ll find even more information on her website, SavingCentswithSense.com.

9. @Couponing101: Her name gives her tweets away. She’s a coupon addict, excited to share her passion with the Twitterverse. You can also track her coupon use on her blog, Couponing101.com.

10. @MissBargainista: If you thought saving and style didn’t go together, try following MissBargainista’s tweets and blog posts.

11. @Publix4Pennies: Attention Publix shoppers! If you are a regular at this southeastern grocery store chain, follow Publix4Pennies for tips on saving big on food.

12. @ChristianPF: The leading Christian personal finance blog (for now!) ChristianPF.com is a great resource for advice on investing, debt reduction and money matters from a Christian point of view.

13. @SweepStakesGirl: If you’d like to have a shot at winning cool prizes, follow Sweepstakesgirl. She’s also got a blog that will keep you informed about the best giveaways the web has to offer.

14. @FreeFromBroke: Working to get out of debt? Follow FreeFromBroke for helpful hints and encouragement. His website has great information, too.

15. @NotMadeofMoney: NotMadeofMoney is a mom to four kids who also blogs about personal finances at NotMadeofMoney.com. She writes and tweets about everything from homeowners insurance to how to have a successful yard sale.

16. @YourFinances: YourFinances tweets about what else– your finances. Interesting posts can also be found at thetruthaboutyourfinances.com.

17. @bargainr: Jim Wang is a popular personal finance tweeter and blogger. For information and inspiration, add him to your follow list.

18. @DebtKid: Feeling bad about your mounting debt? Follow DebtKid and you might feel a little better. Through tweets and blog posts, you’ll be able to follow DebtKid’s attempt to tackle more than $300,000 worth of debt.

19. @MoneyMatters: For another Christian approach to personal finance, track MoneyMatters on twitter and in the blogosphere.

20. @ChristianDebt: That’s us! We do our best to share the latest and greatest information on personal finance through our Tweets.

While most of the time I try to offer valuable information and advice to the readers of this blog, sometimes I need a little of it myself. I am a bridesmaid in a wedding in early August. Last night I got an email from the maid-of-honor, a close friend of mine, planning out the two days of activities before the wedding. The more she started to talk about the cost of everything the more sick I felt. I started to add up what this wedding is costing my husband and I. You see, not only am I a bridesmaid, but my husband is the best man. He’s not even particularly close to the groom, but most of the groom’s family and friend are unable to attend the wedding for financial reasons. So here is a rundown the current expenses that I am aware of:

My dress: $130
My accessories: $30
Hotel for Three Nights: $300
Plane Tickets: $700
Total: $1160

We still haven’t been told what my husband will have to buy for his outfit, but I know they will not be renting tuxes. My guess is that we will be spending between $100-$150 on the outfits. Add to this total food, gas money for getting from the airport to the lake where the wedding is being held, and a gift and we are probably over $1500. The made-of-honor is planning a pre-wedding day of manicures, pedicures and parasailing. So here’s my question– the made-of-honor is asking us all to chip in to pay for the bride’s day of fun. She says it’s up to us whether we want to pay for ourselves to have manicures, pedicures and to go parasailing, which would add about $150 on to my expenses. I don’t really want to do it, but do you think it’s ok to just be an observer for the day? Or will it take away from the bride’s experience? We also aren’t sure whether my husband– who is technically the best man– is responsible for paying for any activities with the groom.

According to manners-guru Peggy Post, bridesmaids are not responsible for paying or participating in any pre-wedding activities. That actually seems a little harsh to me, but tell me what you think. I know for my own wedding we paid for everyone to have their manicures and pedicures because they were flying in from out of town. We also paid for their hotel rooms and I picked out $30 bridesmaid dresses from Target. But then again, I also know I am probably more frugal than the average person and because of that I am likely more sensitive about putting a financial burden on others. So go ahead– give it to me. Should I just fork over the money and forget about it? Or should I back off from participating in extra and expensive activities?

I recently read Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy. Even though I’m not a mom, the book gives a lot of great advice for anyone looking to save money on household expenditures. THe book was originally published back in the early 1990’s and apparently the publisher, Bethany House, felt many people would be interested in the valuable information this book offers in light of the recession.

McCoy does a great job of mixing in couponing tips with low-cost recipes and fresh tactics on saving money. One of the topics McCoy touches on throughout the book is the cost of working. At first that may seem like an incorrect statement– don’t you make money by holding down a job? McCoy argues that while you do earn a salary working, there is also a price you pay– and often a big one at that– for having a job. For example, McCoy argues that in order to have a job you pay more in transportation, wardrobe, and child care. Factor in the cost of tolls, parking, gifts for co-workers and occasional housekeeping help and it adds up quickly. She says that you also spend more money eating out because there’s less time to work and you may end up paying more for groceries because you don’t have time to use coupons or shop in multiple stores to take advantage of the best deals.

McCoy says that when she left her job she was able to save her family $595 a month by reducing expenditures in the following categories:

Groceries: Reduced by $250 a month
Not eating out: Reduced by $125 a month
Clothes: Reduced by $75 a month
Haircuts: Reduced by $60 a month
Automobile gas and insurance: Reduced by $50 a month
Medical Insurance: Reduced by $25 a month
Cleaning Supplies: Reduced by $10 a month
Total Reduced Spending: $595 a month

Combine that with the cost of working which McCoy says was $915 per month for her and she saved a total of $1,510 each month by not working. That equals out to $18,120 to not work. So if you’re considering staying at home, or if you’ve been laid off, consider the cost of working as well as the earning potential you have.

I started using coupons over a year ago. I can’t remember exactly how it began, but I do remember how it evolved. I’m wondering if other coupon users have gone through a similar evolution? Here’s a look at the stages I went through:

Phase 1: Sale Shopper

My hunt for savings at the grocery store started by chance. I’d show up one afternoon with a short list. I’d spot things that were on sale, buy one get one free, and I’d purchase a few of those items. My receipt would tell me I saved $20 and that got me really excited.

Phase 2: Using the Sunday Paper

Slowly I started picking up a Sunday paper– when I remembered to do so. I’d sit on the couch with a pair of scissors and clip out the coupons that interested me. I left behind the coupons of products I didn’t think I’d use. Just because I was clipping coupons out doesn’t mean I always remembered to bring them with me.

Phase 3: Organizing Coupons

After many shopping trips where my coupons (and my reusable shopping bags) were forgotten at home, I decided to take the next step. I bought a coupon organizer and started sorting my coupons. Not only did I file them away, but I bought a purse big enough to hold this coupon organizer so it would be with me wherever I went.

Phase 4: Combining Sales and Coupons

Soon I started to realize the power of combining the coupons I had with the products that were on sale. I even wrote about the excitement of this process on this blog when I found toothpaste on clearance at Target. (This is especially funny now since I no longer pay for toothpaste, but always get it for free.) Even though I was finding great deals I did little planning. My grocery shopping trips often lasted well over an hour because I’d walk the aisles, keeping an eye out for what was on sale. If I saw something on sale I’d flip through each coupon in my file to see if I had one that I could use. While I was saving more, my grocery shopping was time consuming.

Phase 5: Research and Planning

I started to realize that the information about what was on sale at my grocery store of choice, Publix, was already on the web. This allowed me to research ahead of time, pull out the coupons I needed and create a grocery list before I even left home. I started planning my meals around what was on sale and stockpiling some items when I found a great deal.

Phase 6: The Drugstore Game

After months of resisting it because it seemed like a hassle, I started to get involved in the drugstore game. It was a deal for Dove soap that roped me in. The soap was $1 a bar and when you bought ten you got $8 back in Register Rewards at Walgreens, which meant you could essentially get 10 bars for $2. I came home with 40 bars which quickly lead me to the phase number seven.

Phase 7: Buying for More Than Just My Family

It struck me that me and my husband could spend a year going through all of that soap. Meanwhile there were plenty of other people who needed it now. I started keeping a donation bag in our kitchen and every time I bought something that was either free or super cheap that we didn’t need, I put it in this bag. Typically I get a bag full of items each week or every other week. This has been one of the most gratifying parts of my shopping evolution because it is no longer just about saving my family money, it’s about helping others.

Has your coupon use gone through an evolution? If so, which stage are you at? I know I still have more to learn which makes this entire process so fun. I can say that throughout this evolution, couponing has become a hobby for me which is why I think I am able to be successful at it.

When you first discover the road to financial freedom, it’s exciting, exhilarating even. You’re fired up about saving money, spending less and getting your finances in order. But then time goes by. Life throws you some curve balls. And the sparkle wears off. Here are five ways to reinvigorate yourself to get motivated once again when it comes to becoming debt free, saving for retirement and just being financially fit.

Keep Tabs on Those Who are Doing It

Whether you read blogs, use Twitter or listen to Dave Ramsey, keep close tabs on people who are still working hard towards their own financial freedom. Read stories of people who have recently become debt free. Their excitement will surely rub off on you.

List Your Goals

Perhaps you’ve forgotten why you started caring about your finances in the first place. Make a list of your goals. Is it a vacation in Europe? A paid-for house? A wallet free of credit cards? Make a list and post it somewhere prominently in order to keep your goals at the top of your mind.

Think About How Far You’ve Come

Whether you’ve been focused on finances for a month, a year or ten years, think about how far you’ve come. Take inventory of your progress. How much debt have you paid off? How much money have you saved? How have you slashed your monthly expenditures? Celebrate your successes.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Did you make a couple of mistakes? Maybe you went out to dinner a few times, spent money at the mall you shouldn’t have, or got slapped with a late fee. No matter what your blunder was, shake it off. Move forward. Leave it in the past and don’t beat yourself up about it. Holding on to your mistakes will make it harder to reach your goal.

Give Yourself a Reward

Maybe you’re losing your motivation because you’re not rewarding yourself enough. Try honoring your hard work with a treat, like dinner out or movie tickets. Set a reasonable goal and if you achieve it, make sure to give yourself a reward. You’ve earned it.

Summertime can be a tough juggling act for working parents with school age children. Finding the right care and activities can be expensive. The good news is that there are many day camps that can offer both at a price that you can afford and these day camps have benefits that you may not have thought about.

Unexpected Benefits of Day Camp

1. Tax credits and deductions – child care is one of those deductions that you may not get to use if your children are school aged. The good news about day camps is that if you are working while they children are at camp then the fees for the day camps could be deductible. Overnight camps do not qualify.

2. New friendships – many times the children will be teamed up with other children from different schools or different towns. This allows them to foster new friendships that they might not get outside of the day camp experience.

3. New skills – even when they attend day camps where you think that you know what they will learn they children often learn so much more. Many instructors teach character and discipline on top of the skills mentioned in the brochures.

Day camps could be the answer to your summertime blues.

Our family tries to avoid eating out. It just costs too much money when you are feeding a family of boys. Even the three year old can eat his weight in gold on some occasions. The other day we were forced to make an exception and we were pleasantly surprised.

1. We ate a late lunch or early dinner so we were still eligible for the lunch specials. The same meals that were available at dinner but at a HUGE discount.

2. Kid’s meals were only $2 including the drink. The oldest son was too old to take advantage but getting two meals at only $2 definitely helped decrease the over all costs.

3. We shared the side items so that everyone ended up getting more than enough. Most restaurants ALWAYS give big side portions and sharing meant that there were no left-overs to bother with later.

Different restaurants have different specials. Our choice was the Santa Fe Cattle Co. which not only provided great food at an affordable price but let the kids (and parents) throw peanut shells on the floor. Sometimes just knowing what is available can be the easiest way to save money while eating out with the family.

It’s nearly impossible to avoid talk of the dismal economy, massive layoffs and plummeting housing prices. But even if you can’t help but hear about the recession, you do have a choice in whether you’ll be participating in it. I’ve seen a lot of talk lately from business owners and regular Americans choosing NOT to participate in the recession. But how do we do that? Here are five ways:

1. Live Life: It CAN be that simple! Live your life as you normally would– whether there’s a recession or not. Don’t worry about things you can’t control (economy included!) and just go about your business as if life was all blue skies and sunshine. This doesn’t mean ignoring your finances. It means getting them under control and living within your budget.

2. Keep Buying: As long as you’ve got a budget and you’re sticking to it, it’s OK to buy things. After all, we are consumers. Just make sure you are living well within your means, not racking up credit card debt and setting aside some savings.

3. Support Local Businesses: The money you spend in local businesses is more likely to stick around your community. When you can, support them.

4. Stay Positive: There’s enough negativity on the news, Internet and radio. Stay positive by keeping your focus on the good news in your life. Don’t freak out when you look at your 401K or stock portfolio. Instead, focus on the things that really matter: family, friends and God. Share your positive outlook with others and your positive attitude will spread.

5. Trust in Your Lord and Savior: Remember, He is not affected or changed by the economy. He is the same now and forever. Put your trust in Him– not the stock market, Washington lawmakers or the housing market. He loves you and will take care of all of your needs.

How are you NOT participating in the recession?

April is Financial Literacy Month

The first step is simple: take the pledge. Join thousands of people who have already taken the pledge by making a commitment to your financial future.

Once you take the pledge you can get on your way to completing the rest of the 29 steps that include tasks like:

* Assessing your financial situation
* Clearing out financial clutter
* Setting yourself up for financial success
* Getting copies of your credit report

At FinancialLiteracyMonth.com you can also find great tools including:

Income Worksheet – Use this worksheet to help you determine the amount of income you can realistically count on.

Net Worth Worksheet – Calculating your net worth easily with this worksheet that helps you compare what you owe (liabilities) and what you own (assets).

Goal Certificate – Create a “fridge friendly” personalized goal certificate to help you stay motivated throughout the entire 30-day process.

Record of Daily Expenditures – Knowing where your money is going is critical for a successful budget. Track your daily expenses and then figure out if you’re spending your money wisely.

Are you taking this 30-day challenge? If so, let us know how it’s going. We’d love to hear about your journey towards financial success!

I never know what to do with books I’m done with. I hate throwing them out and have had too many disappointing trips to the used bookstore, which only seems to want to buy current hot sellers in tip-top condition. Thus, I have a collection that I’ve hauled around from home to home over the years, with few of them ever getting opened again.

I finally went through them today and managed to cull about 2/3 of them out, sorting them into three piles: Keep, Donate and Sell.

Everything that wasn’t a definite Keeper went into a big pile. Then I went to Amazon and typed in the ISBN number of each book into the search box. (The ISBN number is the unique identifier of each book, and it’s usually conveniently printed on the back cover.) Amazon doesn’t just sell new books, but allows anyone to sell used ones as well. For each book, you immediately see the current lowest price for both used and new editions. It only takes about 30 seconds to go through each book.

Most of my books have a current market value of penny, so they went straight to the Donate or Trash piles. However, about a dozen were still worth something. Since Amazon takes a pretty good commission out on each sale, I decided to just sell those where the lowest price was over $10, which left me with seven that were worth listing. It just took a few clicks and they were listed for sale. Once someone buys them, Amazon emails you a packing slip and deposits the money into your bank account (minus commissions but plus postage) within a few days. All you need to do is drop the book into the mail to its new owner. It’s one of the easiest ways I’ve found to sell things online, though obviously with thinly sold titles it could take a while before your book finds a buyer.

My biggest surprise? It was the oldest and dustiest books that had the highest value. Some of my religious and text books that were well out of print are still selling for nice prices, and in a few cases, substantially more than I paid. See, I knew it was worth holding onto them for ten or twenty years! Plus, nothing beats getting paid to do chores you’ve been putting off forever too.

Working as a freelance writer is an amazing life. I get to work when I want to work and I get to work as much (or as little as I want to work). I am my own boss – mostly. Getting paid is still a primary need and sometimes the paychecks to not come on a regular basis. It is important for me to learn some tricks that let me budget my income no matter how unusual that income may be.

1. Budget for last month or two months ago. You need to be working from what you do have and not from what you expect to get.
2. Set aside 1/3 of all income that you make. This will pay for taxes and other year end expenses.

3. Save what you don’t spend. Ever dollar that isn’t budgeted and even those budgeted dollars that are spent should go into savings.

4. Horde the unexpected payments. Any bonuses, gifts and other unexpected payments should go into a special account until you are around six months ahead with your savings.

The freelance life is something most people are interested in but few actually want to live. It can be unnerving not knowing where the next check will come from. Having a solid budget and following that budget helps make the freelance life much more peaceful.