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Teach Kids About Money With The Money Confident Kids Website

January 23, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

This is a sponsored post written by me for T. Rowe Price. All opinions are my own.

Give your kids the tools they need to make smart money decisions using Money Confident Kids® website.

It has always been a huge priority to me to teach my kids about money. My goal is to send them out into the world with the tools they need to make wise financial decisions.

This goal has always been a little daunting. I mean, how do you teach them everything they need to know about investing, retirement, saving, budgeting, etc. There are just so many important subjects, where do we even start??? How will we ever cover it all??? Anyone else feel this way?? Just me???

This is exactly why I was SO happy to find the Money Confident Kids website. All of my worries have been answered, and I finally feel like I have found the perfect resource to help my kids learn money smarts.

What is Money Confident Kids?

Money Confident Kids is a completely free (yes, free!) website created by T. Rowe Price. This website was built to give parents and educators the tools they need to help kids gain financial wisdom.

Money Confident Kids has 5 detailed lessons to help you teach kids about money. The lessons are: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money and Inflation, Asset Allocation, and Diversification Simplified.

Each lesson includes a series of exercises and activities to help your children understand every concept. These activities include hands on games and worksheets. The activities are both fun and educational, making everyone happy!

Who is this for?

There is honestly something for everyone on the Money Confident Kids website. Even I learned a thing or two (for real)!

The lessons are geared for kids ages 8-14. You will find information beneficial to kids who don’t know anything about money and for those who are more knowledgeable.

I have been using Money Confident Kids this week to teach my three kids (ages 7, 11, 14) a few important money lessons. I thought I would share some of their favorite parts.

My 7 Year Old

My 7 year old is still very much a beginner when it comes to money. He already knows that we can’t buy everything we want and that it’s important to save, but he still doesn’t understand all of the reasons why.

So, I helped him set up a savings goal and went through a few of the Decision Making Activities. My son especially loved this heads and tails game where he learned why it is important to always make wise money choices.

My 11 Year Old

I went over a few different lessons for my 11 year old. She especially enjoyed the object lesson about inflation. It was so much fun to see that little light click on in her head.

This brought up a very good discussion about how to plan financially for the future and what to expect in regards to inflation.

My 14 Year Old

I allowed my 14 year old to look through the website on her own. Fortunately, she already knows a lot about saving and spending and has proven time and time again to make wise money choices.

She especially enjoyed the Money Confident Kids Middle School Magazine. The graphics were visually entertaining and truly taught the skills on her level. She was so shocked when she read the section, “Twin Tales of Spending” and asked some good questions about it afterwards.

How should I use Money Confident Kids?

I could not believe just how much free and helpful content is available on the Money Confident Kids website. It’s more than just a cute little parents guide, it is a complete guide to take you from start to finish as you prepare your kids for the real financial world.

For Educators:

Use Money Confident Kids to assist you as you prepare money lessons for the classrooms. You can teach each lesson step by step or pick and choose a few favorites here and there to supplement your

This is seriously the best resource for parents. Everyone should be able to pick out one or two (or in my case allll of it) to help your kids understand money concepts.

Here are a few ways to implement them into your family’s routine:

Choose one night each week as “Money Night.” Go through one of the lessons together as a family discussing each part to ensure understanding.
Pick one or two activities that you feel will be most beneficial to your kids. Sit down together one night and go through those activities while relating it to their lives.
Use a school break (such as summer vacation) to go through each of the lessons with your kids. This could easily be added to a morning routine.
If you homeschool start a unit on money education. Use this website as part of your money curriculum.

We decided to go through the Money Confident Kids website during my kids Christmas break. I picked out a few lessons for each of the kids and spent a few hours going through the different activities and discussions with them.

My kids weren’t thrilled with the idea when I first brought it up. But, once we got started they found they actually enjoyed the info more than they thought they would. Plus, they learned a lot! Huge win in our household!

What I love about Money Confident Kids.

There were so many things I loved about Money Confident Kids!

I think my favorite part though was the fact that these lessons were taught in ways that each of my kids could easily understand the concept. The free hands on activities made these lessons a breeze to teach, and gave me new ideas that I had never thought of before.

What I dislike about Money Confident Kids.

I always want to present my readers with an honest, unbiased view of the items I review. Mostly, as a way for you to see the whole picture and make the decision for yourself if it sounds like the right fit for you.

In this situation I could only think of one thing (seriously, only one) I didn’t like about the Money Confident Kids website, and that has to do with access to the printables.

I was truly excited to print out everything they offered, but being able to do so wasn’t easy. It took me a while to figure out how to print them at the right scale, it involved reopening the image in a new window, saving it to my computer and then printing it out. I think a user friendly instant download option would be much more convenient. With the help of my husband, we were able to figure it all out eventually, but it was a little more time consuming than just clicking and downloading.

In Conclusion

If you are unsure where to start when it comes to teaching your kids about money, start at Money Confident Kids. This gives you everything you need to raise your children to make smart money choices today and every day!

Start teaching your kids about money today!

8 Cheap Ways To Update Your Yard

January 20, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy ways to update your yard, without spending a ton of money!

There is just something so refreshing about an updated yard. It gives your house some extra curb appeal, and makes for an enjoyable outdoor space. I love spending quiet summer evenings in our backyard. We live in a new house, which means empty plain yard. Slowly, we have been trying to update our yard and give it some extra spark. The only problem, is that yard updates can get expensive! I’ve been doing a lot of research this past year and wanted to share some of that knowledge with you. So, today here are 8 cheap ways to update your yard for cheap.

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1. Outdoor Rug

Give your yard an update with a new outdoor rug. Rugs add color, charm and a sense of home to any space. Consider getting a new rug to put on your porch, patio or deck. I found a few cute and affordable options below!

I love the natural look of this basket weave area rug. It’s less than $55 with free shipping!

I have my eye on this beautiful black and white striped rug and just might purchase it! It’s super trendy and would match my house perfectly! Plus, it’s on sale for just under $27!

If you are looking for a rug with a little more color, check out this pretty vintage geometric rug. I love the splash of color it will give to any space and it’s less than $50.

2. Build an Outdoor Fire Pit

We love sitting around an outdoor fire with family and friends. It’s such a fun spot for making memories, especially with little ones around.

You can buy an outdoor fire pit, but I think it’s much cheaper to build your own. We were lucky enough to find bricks being given away for free and built our fire pit using those. It didn’t cost us anything! I found a great tutorial from Home Depot here.

3. Add a Path

Adding a path to your yard is an easy way to add some style and uniqueness to your layout. You can easily do this yourself for cheap!

A budget friendly garden path can be made using rocks, mulch or even stone. I’m sharing a few inspiration pictures below! Search YouTube for video tutorials. You will find plenty!

Rock Paths

Mulch Paths

Stone Paths

4. Mood Lighting

Everything looks better with the right lighting. You can really change the mood of your yard if you add some pretty lights.

Consider hanging a string of lights like these trendy string lights. They are only $32.95 and super cute! Perfect for a patio.

Another fun lighting option are these solar garden lights. They are a cute addition to flower beds or garden paths. Plus, they are priced under $25 with fantastic reviews!

How cute are these solar hanging mason jar lights??? I just added them to my wish list and can’t wait to hang them up! These lights would look cute lined up on a set of stairs, hanging from a tree, or around your patio.

Related: Fabulous DEALS Friday: 10 Farmhouse Decor all under $20

5. Add a Trellis

A trellis is a very frugal way to add variety to your yard. You can easily build your own trellis using the tutorial found here. Or, buy a cheap one from amazon. I love this pretty trellis below!

But, the very cheapest way to add a trellis to your yard is by looking for free materials to re purpose. You can easily transform vintage metal into a beautiful trellis. Keep your eyes out for materials at garage sales, thrift stores, or on free facebook share groups.

Look at this cute vintage metal gate! It would make a perfect trellis! When decorating, always keep your mind open to new ideas!

6. Clearly Define Spaces

Make your yard more visually appealing by separating it into different spaces. This gives your yard variety and interest.

There are so many different ways to define spaces. You might not even need to buy a thing! Look through your garage, shed, and house to find items you already own that you can use.

One easy way to make a distinct space is to use furniture to block off a specific sitting/visiting area. Look for used yard furniture on facebook marketplace. If you are patient you should be able to find a good deal!

I love this backyard below. They have a few different patio sets making for distinct visiting areas and a beautiful yard.

Another frugal options is to add mulch to a playground area. This looks much nicer than putting the play equipment straight on the grass. You can usually find mulch for fairly cheap from your local garden store.

Here’s another cute space example. I love how they used pavers to make a fun sitting area. This would make a great DIY project!

7. Containers with Annual Flowers

Annual flowers are much cheaper than perennials and are a great addition to all yards. They stay colorful all summer, providing you months of enjoyment.

Plant some annuals in containers to set around your yard. This is an easy way to brighten up any space!

Look for items you already have around the home that can be refurbished as a planter. Some of the cutest containers are those that have been refurbished.

Always remember to use your patience and creativity when updating your yard on a budget!

It can take time to shop around and find the best deals for a yard, but when you are on a tight budget the extra time is worth the effort! Shop garage sales, facebook marketplace, thrift stores and your garage to find items that can be turned into something beautiful. You can upgrade your yard, without having to spend a lot of money!

Don’t forget to pin for future reference!

Make your yard look new again with these cheap yard update ideas!

How to Make a Zero Based Budget

January 14, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to set up a zero based budget, for beginners.

I have been getting so many questions lately about how to set up a successful budget. I decided it was about time I talk about this important subject! Today, I will be teaching you exactly what you need to do to set up and maintain a zero based budget.

What is a zero based budget?

A zero based budget is a form of budgeting where you budget all of your expenses to equal the same amount as your income. The simple formula is: Income – Expenses = 0.

Why do I need a zero based budget?

This form of budgeting forces you to think about every single dollar. When you have to scrutinize exactly where, how and when to spend each of your hard earned dollars you will look at your spending differently. A zero based budget will keep you on track with your money goals and encourage you to spend less, while saving more.

How to set up a successful budget:

Setting up a zero based budget is really easy once you learn the basic steps.

Step 1: Write down your income.

Write down all the income you expect to receive over the next month. Don’t forget to include any money you might receive from side hustles!

Need a budgeting worksheet? Download one for free by clicking the link below!

Step 2: Write down all monthly expenses.

This is the most time consuming part of making a zero based budget, but don’t let that scare you away! You need to write down every expense you will be making over this next month. And when I say everything…I really mean everything! That $2 shake you get on your way home from work??? Yeah, include that in your expenses.

Spending plan

Fixed Expenses

First, write down all of your “fixed expenses.” A fixed expense are the bills that cost the same amount every month. The most common fixed expenses you should include in your budget are:

Mortgage or rent
Insurance, including health, car, home, life
Utility bills
Debt payments

Variable Expenses

Next, you will write down all of the variable expenses you will have throughout the month. Variable expenses are the items you spend money on regularly, but the amount changes month to month. Here are a few of the most common variable expenses:

Groceries
Entertainment
Eating out
Fuel
Clothing
Hair care

Seasonal Expenses

Now, write down all seasonal expenses. Seasonal expenses are those expenses you will have to pay sometime throughout the year, but usually not every month. Don’t forget these seasonal expenses in your budget:

Home repairs
Christmas
Birthdays
Tuition
Dental/Medical work
Vacation
Property taxes
HOA fees

It’s so important to plan ahead for these expenses. If you start saving for them now, you will already have the money set aside when the time comes.

The best way to plan for seasonal expenses in advance is through sinking funds. A sinking fund is like a savings account within your budget. You will add to these funds each month, and then when that home expense comes, or your HOA is due, you will already have the money saved for it. You can learn all the nitty gritty about sinking funds here.

Savings

Don’t forget to include setting aside money for saving. I highly encourage you to always be saving a little bit here and there. You might want to be saving for retirement, a rainy day, or college. Don’t forget to include these in your monthly expenses.

Step 3: Subtract Your Income from Expenses To Equal Zero

Once all of your income and expenses have been written down you will want to subtract the income from your expenses. The goal is to get the number to equal zero. This might take some trial and error, but you will find what works for you.

If your expenses are higher than your income, try to rework your budget and find areas to cut. Here are 5 things we cut from our budget to save thousands each year. Don’t think you have anything left to cut? Check out these ways to cut your budget when you don’t have anything to cut.

If you find your expenses are lower than your income, this is great, but you will still need to keep working the budget. Every dollar in your budget needs a job, don’t leave any of them sitting around with no where to go! If this is the case for you, find a category within your budget for those extra dollars. Add more money to a category, save the extra for a rainy day, or use it to pay more towards your debt.

Step 4: Track Your Spending

Now that your budget is ready to go, it’s time to track your spending! Throughout the month you will need to write down everything that you buy. Yes, everything!

Tracking your spending is important because it helps you see if you are staying within your budget….or if you are overspending in certain categories. I have also found that when I know I have to write down my spending….I think twice before spending!

Related: How to Get Your Spouse to Budget

Step 5: Check In With Your Budget

You must be checking in with your budget regularly. I recommend taking a quick glance at your budget at least once every day. Get into the habit of checking your budget before making any purchase. This helps you be sure that you have the money available.

Have a more thorough budget check in once or twice a week. This thorough check in will be the time to look through your budget and make sure your spending is right on track. Your weekly check in should take about 15-30 minutes.

Step 6: Close Out the Budget

It is now time to close out the budget! This should be done at the end of each month (or budgeting period.)

Closing out the budget simply means to make sure all spending is accounted for. You will look through your spending tracker, fill out your budget to report how much you spent in each category, and make adjustments as needed.

This is an important step to learn more about your spending habits. If you find yourself continually going over budget in groceries, you might decide you need more money in that category. Perhaps you notice a lot of overspending on clothing each month, you can use this knowledge to make a plan to spend less. Thrift shopping or using cash envelopes are both great ways to keep the clothing budget down!

At the end of each month you will rework each of the 5 budgeting steps. This is the time to rewrite your budget and assess your needs and living situation. Your budget will change from time to time, and that is necessary!

Be willing to work through these changes and put in the work to keep your budget properly maintained.

The goal is to have the amount spent equal the amount budgeted. Through time and adjustments, you will find what works best for you!

Budgeting FAQ

How much should I put into each budget category?

I like to follow Dave Ramsey’s advice when it comes to budget categories. You can find how much he recommends in each category here. We don’t follow these suggestions completely, but they make a great guideline to help us budget.

What should I do if I go over budget?

It happens to all of us! Don’t get discouraged if (and when!) you find yourself in this situation. There are a few things you can do to fix your budget.

Use money from another category. If you have already overspent in groceries, but still have money left in your entertainment category, you can use that entertainment money to cover the cost of your extra grocery spending. This will mean less entertainment for the month, but it might be necessary to keep your budget on track.
Sell something. Look for items in your house that you can sell right now to earn some money. I highly believe everyone has a few things they could make money from. This extra cash can be applied to the area you overspent in.
Side hustle. Try to find a way to earn extra money to cover your extra expenses. Need a few ideas? I have a great side hustle list here.

The most important thing is that you find a way to cover that overspending. Do not pull out a credit card. You can fix this!

What should I do if I go under budget?

The very first thing you should do if you go under budget is give yourself a big ‘ol pat on the back. Be proud! That’s great!

But. We don’t want to leave that hard earned money just sitting around. Give it a job!

Here are a few suggestions (in order of priorities) for your extra cash:

Pay extra towards your debt.
Build up your emergency fund.
Put it in one of your sinking funds. Perhaps a vacation or car you might be saving for.
Reward yourself. Treat yourself to something fun! It’s ok to use that extra cash on you!

How can I make checking my budget a habit?

Habits are so hard to form! If I’m being completely honest with you, it took us years (yes, years) to form a good budgeting habit. I hope it doesn’t take as long for you! Here are a few suggestions to make budgeting a habit:

Set an alarm on your phone. This alarm will be your daily reminder to check your budget and stay on track.
Schedule it. Write “budget” write into your daily planner/schedule. Set aside a time each week that is your budget time, and no matter what stick to this schedule. Sunday evenings are a quiet time in our house, so we use it to look over the budget.

Need more budget help??

Be sure to check out my Quick Start Guide to Frugal Living for even more in depth lessons, including video tutorials to help you make a budget and stick to it!

It’s now time for you to make your zero based budget!

Frugal Cell Phone Provider; My Honest Tello Mobile Review

January 8, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tello Mobile. All opinions are my own. I will receive compensation from purchases made through links in this post.

Read my Tello Mobile Review to learn everything you need to know about this awesome phone provider!

A few months ago my husband and I decided that my oldest needed a cell phone number. This was honestly not an easy decision to come to. The problem was that we didn’t want to add a lot of money to our already expensive cell phone plan. I really didn’t want to spend another $40 a month! But then, I heard about Tello Mobile. “It’s awesome!” My friend told me, “It only costs $5 a month! His phone is still locked down, but he at least has a way to reach us, and it hardly costs us anything!” Immediately I knew this was exactly what we needed! To my happy surprise, Tello emailed me the very next week and asked me if I would like to try out their service for one month in exchange for a review. I was so excited to give it a try! This is my completely honest Tello Mobile review.

What is Tello Mobile?

Tello Mobile is an MNVO (Mobile Virtual Network Provider), meaning it rents space on a larger provider network and sells it to the consumer at a discount. This gives us, the consumer, an affordable option on high quality cell phone providers, which is amazing for all of us!

Tello uses the Sprint Network to offer 4G LTE coverage throughout the entire United States. This network is prepaid, meaning no contracts and no hidden fees (a huge plus in my book!). If you are looking for a no strings attached cell phone plan, Tello is where it’s at!

Tello Mobile FAQ

What plans can I choose from?

Tello offers two different types of plans, a “Build Your Own” plan or a “Pre-Built” package.

The Build Your Own plan offers a huge variety of options, making it easy to customize for your individual needs. The choices are endless! Feel free to choose from no minutes or up to unlimited talk and text. You can choose a no data plan or unlimited everything plan! Once you reach the 25GB limit your 4G LTE data will be reduced to 2G speeds! The sky is the limit when it comes to these plans, so feel free to choose what is best for you!

If you don’t want to customize your plan, the pre-built packages are a great option! Tello offers four packages to choose from and these plans vary from $10/month and up to $39/month.

We opted for a “Build Your Own” plan. Our plan consists of 1 GB of data and unlimited minutes with free texting. This plan is only costing us $10 a month! Seriously, ten bucks!

How much is the activation fee?

Zero! That’s right, there is no activation fee! As a matter of fact, there are no hidden fees whatsoever! With Tello Mobile what you see is literally what you get.

Can I call international?

Yes! But, there are some limitations.

Calls within the United States, Mexico, Canada and China are included with your Tello Mobile plan.

However, if you want to make a call to another country you will need to add pay as you go credit to your account. Use the Tello website to check all of the international rates.

Related: How to Cut Your Budget; When There is Nothing Left to Cut

Will I be able to keep my own phone?

Yes! If your phone is compatible with the Sprint network you can totally keep using it with your Tello Mobile. My phone is meant for use with Verizon, so Tello provided me with a $10 SIM card to use. This was such a cheap, easy way to keep my phone while switching providers.

However, if you want a new phone, Tello can totally set you up with that as well! They have a wide variety of different types and models of phones (yes! both android and iphone!) to choose from.

How is the coverage?

Because Tello uses the Sprint Network, you can count on coverage similar to Sprint. We haven’t had a single dropped call or problem. The data has been a little slow from time to time, but for the most part it hasn’t felt any different than our old cell provider.

If you’re feeling unsure of the coverage quality, be sure to use Tellos website to check the coverage in your area. It’s super easy to do, just enter your address and Tello will tell you exactly what type of coverage you can expect in your area.

Can I keep my same phone number?

Absolutely! Simply contact customer service and they will transfer your phone number to your new plan. Easy peasy!

What type of contract should I expect?

Because Tello is a prepaid service there are absolutely no contracts!! This means if you are unhappy with the service you can cancel, upgrade or downgrade your plan at anytime! I love that with Tello I am not stuck in a 2 year contract I can’t get out of. I love that it gives me the freedom to change my plan when I want and how I want.

Tello Mobile Is For You If You:

Are looking for a low priced cell service. The cheapest plan is just $5/month.
Don’t need a lot of data or minutes.
Have good Sprint coverage in your area.
Are looking for a good starter phone plan for your teen.

Tello Mobile is Not For You If:

Sprint Network has poor coverage in your area.
You use a lot of data on your phone.
You travel internationally and you need roaming services.

So, what is my honest Tello Mobile review?

Our one month trial is officially complete and I can honestly tell you that I have loved Tello Mobile. I kept expecting something to go wrong with the phone service, but it just never did! It truly hasn’t felt any different than our much more expensive phone provider. Tello has been exactly what we needed! I love that I have been able to provide my daughter with a phone number without having to spend a lot of out extra money If you are looking for a more frugal friendly cell phone plan I highly encourage you to look into Tello Mobile today!

Don’t waste any more time and sign up for Tello Mobile today!

Mock Champagne Recipe

January 7, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Our family favorite easy non alcoholic drink recipe.

My mom used to make this delicious drink for us on special occasions. It was something we all looked forward to. She called it Mormon Champagne Punch, but I am renaming it to JoAnnes Mock Champagne. You may call it whatever you like! When she passed away this recipe passed with her. I tried for years and years to remember the right ingredients and tested many different concoctions. After many fails, I finally rediscovered this delicious mock champagne recipe. We are all so happy to have it back in our family and want to share it with you! I know it will soon become a family favorite in your household!

This is a great reminder to all of us to write recipes down! Recipes are meant to be shared. There is beauty in a recipe loved and shared by many with many.

Related: Easy Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

easy mock champagne punch recipe

The great part about this recipe is that it is so incredibly easy to make! A few minutes of stirring and mixing and you have your non-alcoholic punch all ready to go!

Print Recipe

Mock Champagne

Ingredients

1 can White Grape Juice
1 can Lemonade
1 tsp Almond Extract
1 tsp Vanilla

Instructions

Make juice according to can instructions.
Mix juices, almond extract and vanilla together in large pitcher.
Serve cold and enjoy!

I have heard of others who add a can of ginger ale or sprite to this recipe, but we like it just like this! It is the perfect blend of juice and extracts (oh how I love almond extract!)

Be sure to pin this recipe for safe keeping! I don’t want you to have to test for years like I did!

non alcoholic champagne punch recipe - easy non alcoholic drink recipe

Use this mock champagne recipe at your next New Years Eve party, Sunday Dinner or any other family gathering!

The 6 Step Plan to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

December 17, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

You don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck anymore, here’s how!

Are you tired of feeling like there is never enough money? Are you ready to stop living paycheck to paycheck? It IS possible and I’m here to tell you how!

Why Do I Need To Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

I had someone ask me this question a few months ago. I was encouraging my readers to save more each paycheck, and someone asked me, “Why? What’s wrong with living paycheck to paycheck?” I’m going to answer this question right now!

Here are a few benefits of having some extra cash every pay period:

Less Stress. If you have extra money each pay period you will no longer be having to worry during those last few days before you get paid. You won’t have to wonder whether you will have enough to get you through.
Prevent Debt. Emergencies come up. Unexpected expenses arise. This is just a simple fact of life. If you are able to save a little bit each pay period you will have the cash needed to pay for these emergencies, rather than putting it on a credit card.
Save For Your Future. More money means more opportunities to save for the future. This might mean being able to save for retirement or grow a sinking fund for a fun purchase.

Follow the easy steps below and you will have more money in your budget, and more importantly, more money in your bank account.

Step #1: Make A Zero Based Budget

The very first thing you need to do to stretch your paychecks is to make a budget.

A zero based budget is when you budget every penny of your paycheck so that your income and expenses are the same amount. This does NOT mean you spend all of your income. It simply means that every dollar has a place and a purpose within your budget.

To make a zero based budget you will need to first write down the amount of money you expect to earn this pay period.

Next, go write down all of your expected expenses, don’t forget contributions to sinking funds, retirement, etc.

Your goal will be to get your expenses to equal your income.

I explain exactly how to do this in much more detail and a full video tutorial in my Quick Start Guide to Frugal Living eCourse.

There are many different ways to budget! We prefer the You Need a Budget software. You can also use just plain ol paper and pen. feel free to download my budget worksheet below. This is a great place to get you started!

Step #2: Track Your Spending

Now that you have your budget made it’s time to track your spending. And, when I say track your spending I literally mean to track every.single.penny.

It’s easy to track your spending, but it does take time. You will need to write down everything that you buy and what budget category that item falls under.

This exercise gives you a huge amount of insight about how you are spending and exactly where your money is going. Sometimes, we don’t realize how much a few bucks here or there add up, but they do!

Step #3: Cut Out Unnecessary Expenses

The third step to stop living paycheck to paycheck is to cut out all unnecessary expenses. Look through your spending tracker and pick out a few items that you could cut out of your budget. This might be eating out, going to movies, cable TV, daily coffees, etc.

Need some inspiration about what to cut? Be sure to check out these articles:

How to Cut Your Budget; When There is Nothing Left to Cut

What we cut from our budget to save over $2500 a year

11 Things to do Today to Lower your Monthly Expenses

Don’t forget to look at the expenses that you can minimize on, rather than cutting out completely. Perhaps you spend $150 a week on groceries, could you reduce that to $130 a week? There is an extra $80 a month!

Step #4: Save Your Bonus

Whenever you are offered a bonus or raise at work save it! You are use to living on less, so use that bonus to bump up your savings account.

If you are offered a 5% raise, put that extra 5% into your savings each paycheck. This is one of the easiest ways to save more without having to sacrifice the life you are use to.

Step #5: Automate Your Savings

Set your checking account to automatically take a certain amount each month and deposit this into your savings account. This is an easy way to save for retirement, emergency fund, or anything else you need.

When your savings is automatic you don’t ever have to make the choice whether to save or spend on something else, that decision has already been made for you!

We personally have all of our savings automatically done for us and it makes the world of difference! This money doesn’t even feel like it belongs to me, because it goes straight to savings. It feels amazing to be able to watch that saving account grow at a regular basis.

Step #6: Make More Money Through Side Hustles

Last, but certainly not least is to find a way to make more money. You do not need to get a full time second job to bring in extra income.

All you need is a few hours each week to devote to a side hustle. If you are struggling finding that extra time, try to give up one thing in your life and use that extra time for side hustling. This might be your nightly 30 minute TV time, or maybe those few hours you sleep in on Saturdays.

When choosing your side hustle, be creative! There are so many possibilities! Look at your talents and interests first to find the perfect fit for you.

Are you crafty? Perhaps you could make crafts to sell on etsy. Do you like to write? Consider starting a blog! Maybe you enjoy teaching? Look into teaching kids in China (all from home)!

For even more side hustle ideas be sure to check out this article!

If there’s a will, there’s a way!

Follow these six steps and you will find more room in your budget and can finally stop living paycheck to paycheck.

Here is your friendly reminder that these steps aren’t easy! Nothing good in life is. It will take some time and sacrifice on your part.

But, I can also promise you that if you are willing to put in the work and the dedication you will find extra money in your budget each paycheck, and this can change your life!

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Have more money this month by following this simple 6 step plan so you can stop living paycheck to paycheck today.

11 Acts of Kindness This Christmas (without spending a lot of money)

December 13, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Giving Back To Others During the Holiday Season

My favorite memories from my childhood Christmas’ are the ones when we participated in simple acts of kindness to those in need. I remember one Christmas in particular when I wanted to deliver a 12 Days of Christmas to a family who needed a little extra cheer that year.

My dad helped me choose a family, and I tenderly picked out 12 special gifts with a note to go along with each one. I remember the excitement as my dad drove me to their house each night. We always left after dark and drove slowly over the gravel driveway.

My heart pounded as I tip toed up to the doorstep, quickly rang the doorbell and ran away.

I constantly imagined their faces as they opened the door every night to the gifts. I wondered if they had any suspicions about who their “secret santa” was. Were they anxiously waiting for the doorbell to ring? Were they secretly peeking behind the curtain? More than anything I hoped that this act of service brightened their December.

Frugal Acts of Kindness

Ever since those young Christmas memories I have wanted to continue to serve and give to others each Christmas. I once thought that the only way to give back was to have a lot of money to spare. But, that’s just not true.

There are many many acts of kindness that you can do this holiday season, without even spending a lot of money, and I want to share those ideas with you!

1. Stock The Food Pantry

One easy act of kindness is to check with your local food pantry to see if they can accept donations. Most food banks love receiving canned goods during the winter months to help feed the community. Look through your cupboards and pick out a few cans you are willing to spare and drop them off.

A fun way to make the donation even bigger is to ask a few co-workers or neighbors to donate along with you!

2. Serve Food At The Homeless Shelter

Volunteer at your local homeless shelter to serve food to those in need. This is such a humbling experience to take care of others and be reminded of just how blessed your life is.

3. Visit Nursing Homes

Bring some joy to the elderly by visiting them in the nursing home. You can join them for a game of cards or simply sit and listen to their stories.

You can even bring your kids to sing a few carols while there. This is such an easy and rewarding way to brighten someones day!

4. Shovel Your Neighbors Driveway

My husband once told me, “If you are out shoveling your own driveway, you have time to stop by and shovel another neighbors driveway too.”

This has always stuck with me and I love when I look out the window to see him and my kids shoveling a neighbors driveway. The next time you get all bundled up to shovel your own driveway, consider shoveling one or two others while you are at it.

5. Send A Card

You do not have to buy expensive fancy cards to send out Christmas Cards. Simply, buy a pack of blank note cards from the dollar tree, think of a few people who might need a little extra love, and then send them a thoughtful note in the mail.

I love receiving mail and would be thrilled to receive a card full of cheer! Words are my love language!

6. Drop Off a Frugal Treat

I love when someone drops off a surprise treat or gift. It’s such a fun surprise and warms my heart. Check out this list of frugal gift ideas for some inspiration. Choose something cheap, yet thoughtful, and give it to a friend or neighbor who needs a pick me up. Remember, it’s the thought that counts when it comes to serving, not the price tag!

7. Bring Someone a Meal

Drop off a meal to someone in need. This might be someone who hasn’t been feeling well, or who might be extra busy, or just someone who has been on your mind. You can deliver a freezer meal for them to stick in the freezer to use another day, or a hot warm meal to eat immediately.

8. Donate Gently Used Clothing

Look through your closets and pick out a few items you can donate to others. A few places I like to donate are:

Local Thrift Store: Donate used clothing, toys, home decor, etc. to a local thrift store. A few common stores in my area are Savers, DI, and Goodwill. This is a great service to others because it gives them good clothing to buy for a cheap price.
Facebook Free Cycle: Search “Freecycle (type cities name)” on Facebook. Most communities have a free Facebook group to share and request items in need. These groups have a no selling allowed rule, I’ve given many items away through this resource.
Homeless Shelters: Call around and ask what your local homeless shelters need for donation. If you have any of the requested items laying around your house, consider donating to this great cause!

9. Light the World

My family loves participating in the Light the World campaign each year. This campaign runs through the month of December and shares easy ideas to serve others, without having to spend a lot of money.

I signed up for the daily text messages and each day I’m greeted with a simple prompt about how I can serve someone and spread goodness this month.

Some days I don’t participate in the prompt, but other days I do. Yesterday the prompt was to tell my parents I love them. So simple, yet so beautiful!

You can sign up for Light the World here!

10. Giving Jar

Fill up a jar with coins throughout the year. Use this jar to serve someone in need during December, we call this jar our Giving Jar. You can secretly leave the jar on someones doorstep, or exchange the coins to purchase presents for a Giving Tree around town.

11. Candy Cane’s on Windshields

Last year our family came up with one of our favorite acts of kindness ever!

First, we typed up a little note that says, “Merry, Merry Christmas and a Ho, Ho, Ho! You’re simply amazing and we want you to know! You’re loved beyond measure, you make the world bright! Happy Holidays to you and have a wonderful night! Love, The Candy Cane Bombers”.

We printed out a bunch of these notes and attached them to candy canes. That night we went out in the dark and put these candy canes/notes on random cars. We chose a few cars parked on the streets in our neighborhood and a few from a store parking lot.

This is such a frugal way to give! Candy canes are really cheap, and you can brighten so many people’s day without spending a lot of money!

Frugal Giving is Possible!

In short, it is possible to serve and give to others in need without having to drop the big bucks. Use your imagination, but most importantly use your heart! The moments that mean most to me in life are the ones when someone gave me a hug, a smile or a simple kind act of service.

What Christmas Acts of Kindness do you enjoy each year?

9 Money Books That Will Change Your Life

December 9, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The Best Finance Books

About ten years ago I randomly stumbled across a few money books at the public library. I have always enjoyed self help books, so decided to bring one home with me. I walked out of the library holding the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.

This book changed my life.

I have always been somewhat frugal….but I didn’t ever have control of my money.

I used shopping as a hobby, I didn’t have a budget, I spent what we earned without a second thought, and I had no clear plans for a successful financial future.

After reading the Total Money Makeover my mindset completely shifted. I realized what was possible, with enough self control, and how to prepare my family for a happy future. This blog wouldn’t even exist with that book!

In the words of Dr.Seuss, “The more that you read the more things you will learn. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Reading is powerful!

If you are looking for encouragement, advice, or direction about money, look in a book (anyone else remember watching reading rainbow?). Here are 9 of my very favorite money books!

1. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Of course number one on my list is the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. As mentioned above, this book changed my life, and I believe it can change yours too!

Dave Ramsey does a fantastic job explaining exactly what you need to do to manage your money. I love his straightforward real talk and easy to understand concepts. If you are new to money management this is the book for you! It was written for the novice!

Be sure to check out Dave Ramseys website here for even more amazing info!

2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki blew my mind, for reals! This book will change your mindset about what it means to be rich and what it takes to become rich.

If you are looking for a book about how to be more frugal, this is not the book for you. But, if you are looking for ways to be financially successful, to grow a business, and earn a higher income, this is the book for you.

3. You Need a Budget by Jesse Mecham

I am obsessed with all things You Need a Budget! Their budgeting program is my favorite thing ever, and this book has helped propel our finances forward.

In his easy to understand writing Jesse Mecham outlines four rules to financial success. These rules will change your money mindset and help you understand the big picture of budgeting.

If you are looking for good budgeting software be sure to give the You Need a Budget website a look.

4. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

In The Millionaire Next Door debunks the myth that the only way to be wealthy is to be born into it or to earn an extremely high income. This book explains exactly how everyone, no matter what they were born into, can become a millionaire.

It’s not easy and it takes planning and sacrifice, but it is possible! I love the motivation that this book gives me to reach my dreams!

5. Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins

Oh, I just love Tony Robbins. He has such a great way with words and always motivates me. In his book, Money Master the Game, Tony Robbins teaches his 7 steps to financial freedom. It’s filled with so many tips and advice.

My favorite parts of this book is when Tony Robbins shares his knowledge about investing. Investing can feel a little intimidating to the beginner (or is that just me….), but he teaches it in a way that is not only easy to understand but practical to implement.

6. Complete Guide to Money by Dave Ramsey

Another amazing book from the great Dave Ramsey. I like to think of the Complete Guide to Money as your guidebook for the popular baby steps taught in Total Money Makeover.

In the Complete Guide to Money Dave Ramsey gives you more detailed instructions about how to implement these baby steps into your life and see success. This book truly brings you closer to financial peace.

7. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle

This is one of the very best books out there when it comes to learning investing. In the Little Book of Common Sense Investing John C. Bogle teaches everything that you need to know to start investing in the stock market.

He uses a conservative, long term approach to give you the tools you need to start investing today. If you have been wanting to start investing, but haven’t been sure where to start….start with this book!

8. The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins

The Path to Wealth is one of my all time favorite money books. It covers all the personal finance topics from debt to investing and everything in between. JL Collins writing is so easy to follow and fun to read, he makes money feel easy! (which is not an easy thing to do).

This book is for you if you are new to personal finance and are looking for a good road map to get started.

9. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman

I just love Suze Orman, I truly enjoy her straight to the point method of teaching.

The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom teaches you more than just the personal finance basics, and that is why I love it so much! Suze Orman teaches you to have a healthy relationship with your finances and helps you to understand your feelings and emotions attached with money.

There is more to smart spending and frugal living than knowing the numbers, and this book will help you understand just that! If you struggle with emotional spending read this book!

Liked what you read? Don’t forget to pin it for future reference!

I would love more suggestions! Share a few of your favorite personal finance books below!

11 Things to do Today to Lower your Monthly Expenses

December 5, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Reduce your Monthly Budget with These Easy Hacks.

Are you feeling stressed about your monthly bills? The expenses keep coming in yet the income is staying the same? I have been there! I have felt the stress of not feeling like we will ever have any extra money. It’s not fun! I learned quickly, and a little begrudgingly that in order to eliminate this finance burden in my life I would need to cut some things from our monthly expenses. And guess what! It worked! I was able to eliminate a few things and clear up some extra room in our budget! Here are 11 Things you can do TODAY (yes, do them now!) to lower your monthly expenses and save more money!

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How to Lower Your Utility Expenses

1. Reduce Your Home Thermostat

Consider lowering your house thermostat by 1 or 2 degrees during the day and 10 degrees at night (just pile on those blankets and flannel pjs!). We keep ours at around 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer. By making this one simple change you can save up to 10% on your electricity bill! Quick, go lower that thermostat asap!

2. Switch to LED Light Bulbs

If you haven’t switched the traditional light bulbs in your home for LED light bulbs now is the time to do so. LED light bulbs are more expensive upfront, but through time the savings is huge and well worth the initial cost! This 6 pack on Amazon is a good deal at $14.

The great thing about LED light bulbs is that they last forever! Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit here…they don’t really last forever. But they do last for a very long time! As a matter of fact LED light bulbs lasts 5 times longer than regular light bulbs. This means buying less light bulbs which will save you money!

The other great thing about LED light bulbs is that they use much less electricity, which brings down the cost of your electric bill. Just one regular light bulb will cost you $15 a year. One LED light bulb will only cost $6 a year. Multiply this number by the amount of light bulbs in your home and you will see huge savings.

3. Lower The Temp on Your Hot Water Heater

Double check the temperature on your hot water heater. Lower the temperature down to 120 degrees. This is low enough to see a savings in your monthly bill, but high enough that your showers will still feel warm and your dishes will get cleaned. Every 10 degrees you lower your hot water temp will save your family about 3%.

Related: 8 Ways to Save Money on Utilities This Winter

How to Lower Your Household Expenses

4. Switch your Cell Phone Carrier

Shop around to multiple cell phone carriers. If you have been with the same cell phone carrier for a while it might be time to switch. Most cell phone carriers will offer you a good deal for being a new customer.

Your original cell phone provider might even match the deal when they find out your considering switching. Don’t be afraid to negotiate a little!

5. Negotiate Your Homeowners Insurance

Ask your insurance provider for special discounts on homeowners insurance. Most will be willing to offer you a deal if you bundle with your auto insurance.

You might also get a deal if you have a security system, retired, been with the same company for a long time or updated your home to make it more disaster proof. My motto is that it never hurts to ask! Remember, everything is negotiable!

Don’t be afraid to shop around to different providers while you are at it. You might be able to find a cheaper rate somewhere else.

6. Pack a Lunch for Work

One of the quickest ways to lower your monthly expenses is to stop going out to eat. Make a meal plan each week and stick to it.

A simple switch is to start packing a daily lunch for work. Give your co workers a polite, “no thank you” to the lunch invites and eat a lunch from home.

My husband loves to take dinner leftovers in his lunch. Whenever we have leftovers, we just proportion them into lunch sized servings and stick them in the fridge. This makes it easy to grab and bring to work.

How to Lower Entertainment Expenses

7. Cancel All Subscriptions/Memberships

Look through all of your monthly subscriptions and memberships. Pick a few (or a lot) of these subscriptions to cancel immediately. You just might be surprised how quickly the extra money adds up from this simple switch.

Don’t forget these common subscriptions/memberships:

Gym Membership (work out at home using YouTube free videos, or take up running, hiking and biking)
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Hulu
Disney Plus
Magazine Subscriptions
Music Streaming Services
Beauty Box Subscriptions

If this feels like a huge sacrifice to do all at once, try cancelling just one or two per month. This will help you ease in to the change.

8. Cut Your Cable

Do you still have cable TV? Get rid of it to save an extra $40-60 every month. We did this a few years ago and I thought we would miss it (especially the DVR). Fortunately we actually haven’t missed it at all! There are so many other affordable ways to relax and watch TV. We rent movies from the library and use Netflix.

Related: What we cut from our budget to save over $2500 a year

Other Ways to Save

9. Increase Your Auto Insurance Deductible

Consider increasing your auto insurance deductible. This will result in a lower monthly premium, saving you money each month.

Just be sure you have enough money in your emergency fund to cover the deductible in the case of an accident.

10. Ask for a Lower Credit Card Rate

If you have any credit card debt call these credit card companies and ask for a lower monthly interest rate. Most companies will be willing to honor this request if you have been paying on time each month.

11. Sell Clutter Around Your Home

Take an hour today to sort through your home and use a few online platforms to list a some of your clutter for sell. My favorite quick-to-sell place is Facebook Marketplace. Use this extra cash to help pay for your bills this month.

Make a goal to sell a 2-5 items every month. If you have any debt this is a great way to get this debt paid off a little faster.

Related: 10 Items In Your House You Can Sell Quickly To Make Money

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How will you save on your bills this month??

Cheap Gift Ideas for Teen Boys All Under $25!

November 22, 2019 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Need a gift idea for a teen boy?? Check these out!

Are you looking for a gift idea for a teen boy? Trying to find something he will like and use without spending a lot of money can be a little stressful (ok maybe very stressful)! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I’m sharing 18 Gift Ideas for Teen Boys, and everything is under $25!

Sport Gift Ideas for Teen Boy

Bring soccer indoors for the sport lover with this Light Up Air Power Soccer Disk. It’s sure to bring hours of fun and enjoyment to your teen. And, it’s less than $20!

Another fun gift for the sport lover! This hanging basketball hoop can provide hours of fun, without even having to leave his chair! Great deal at under $15!

Even I want to play with this Light Up Football! No need to end the football game when it gets dark if you are playing with this ball! It costs less than $25 on Amazon!

Gifts to Read

I had someone gift me the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens years ago and I was so appreciative. I think all teens should read it. It is full of so much wisdom and good advice. The paperback is less than $10.

Every teen needs to learn how to cook, right???? This is a fun recipe book to get teens cooking in the kitchen. The paperback costs less than $12.

This Big Life Journal is a fun interactive way to encourage your teen to journal and learn more about themselves. It’s just under $25 and a great deal as a hardcover high quality book!

Gifts for the Room

What about this awesome waterproof Bluetooth speaker? It’s perfect for the shower, or a day at the lake or pool. It’s only $10!

Get your teen something he will use regularly with this clip on light. It’s perfect for clipping on a table or next to the bed. If he’s heading to college soon, this light will be put to good use for sure! It’s currently on sale for $15!

Gifts to Wear

Does your teen boy love tacos? He just might love these hilarious taco socks for just $12!

I love this shirt for any gamer lover with a sense of humor! It’s a good buy priced at less than $15.

Stranger Things is all the rage among teens. If your teen loves this popular show he might enjoy this Stranger things hoodie. $9 on Amazon!

How cool is this bluetooth wireless headphones beanie??? I mean does it get any better? This is perfect for all outdoor use or for someone who likes to stay active year round. It’s currently priced at $24.

A lanyard is both hip and convenient, two important things for teen boys. I loved the subtle yet cool look of this lanyard for only $12!

This leather wallet is stylish and functional. I’m all about teaching kids how to manage money and a wallet is the right step in that direction! And, it’s less than $20!

Related: Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Girls under $25

Fun Gift Idea for Teen Boys

Codenames is one of our family favorite games! It’s fun for teens and requires some thinking, which is a fun challenge. It is actually on sale right now for $13!!

Do you have a Star Wars fan in your home? He just might love this Star Wars paper planes kit! It’s a great deal at $14!

Escape rooms are so fun, what’s even more fun is having an escape room on the go! This game includes three different escape rooms in one for your teen to enjoy with friends, wherever they want! It’s only $24, much cheaper than going to an actual escape room!

Outdoorsy Gifts

For the outdoor lover get him this portable hammock. It’s lightweight making it perfect for hiking and camping use. This hammock is a great deal at under $15.

It’s always fun to get something personalized and this engraved pocket knife is perfect! There are so many different styles and colors to choose from so you can find the right knife for your teen. Only $24!!