Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Upside App Honest Review

By: Sweet Frugal Life17 Comments

How to get cash back on gasoline with the Upside App!

Here is my honest upside app review!

This article contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated by purchases made using links in this post.

A few months ago, one of the members of my Facebook Frugal Community Group told me about an easy way to earn cashback on gasoline purchases called Upside.  I immediately loved the idea of getting cashback on gas, because gasoline prices have gotten so expensive the past few months!  After hearing about the app it only took me a few seconds to download it and start searching for offers near me.  And so far, I have LOVED using this app!  I wish would have started using it sooner!  Here is my honest Upside App review!  Let me know if you have any questions!

 

What Is The Upside App?

The Upside App is an app that rewards you with cashback when you shop at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.  (Disclaimer: I have only used it at gas stations and that is what my Upside app review will be focused on.) 

How Does It Work?

One of my favorite things about Upside is that it is so so easy to use!  Here’s how it works:

1.  Download The App

The first thing you will need to do is download the Upside app to your phone.  The app is completely free to use and download!  Once you sign in, make sure to enter code BRANDCYCLE25 to get a BONUS 25 cents cashback/gallon at the gas station using your first receipt. 

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2.  Find Offers

Next, you will need to search for offers in your area.  This is easily done using location services and the in app map.

The map will show you each of the offers near you and how much cashback you are eligible for.

3.  Claim Offer

When you find the offer you want, click the “Claim” button.  You will be given 4 hours to redeem the offer you selected, so make sure to use it within that time frame.

I have found it works best to claim the offer when you are sitting at the gas station about to fill up.  This way you won’t forget about it!

 

4.  Earn Cashback

Before earning cashback with Upside, I recommend filling in your credit/debit card information.  This info is only used to verify purchases, it will not be used to charge you for anything.

After you buy your gas, you will get your cash back in one of two ways. 

It will either be automatically applied to your Upside account when you use the card in your account.  Or, you can scan your receipt to verify your purchase.  

Your cashback will be added to your Upside account within 24-48 hours.

5.  Cash Out

Now for the fun part!  You get to redeem your earnings!  Yay!  When you are ready to get your earnings, just click on the “Cash Out” option.  You have a few different ways to redeem.

  1.  Cash Out:   Upside lets you cash out via paypal or direct deposit to your bank account.  You can choose this option whenever you want, no minimum amount required!  However they will charge a $1 processing fee when requesting cashback under $15, so I recommend waiting until you have $15 or more to redeem using this method.  Which honestly, it didn’t take very long for me to get to $15 earnings.
  2. Digital Gift Card:  The next option is to redeem your earnings for a digital gift card.  Upside offers a big selection of gift cards.  You will find a selection of gift cards to retail shopping, restaurants, Walmart, and even Amazon!  Here are a few of the options available currently:

6.  Bonus Cashback

If you like using Upside make sure to share your referral code with your friends and family.  This will benefit both of you! 

When you share your referral code your friend will get an extra 15 cents/gallon cash back the first time they use an app and YOU will get a bonus 15 cents/gallon cashback.  Win-win!

 

Does Upside Really Save Money?

I get asked a lot if  Upside is actually a good way to save money.  The truth is, it depends.

Yes, Upside can be a great way to earn cashback when filling up your car.  This is free money and a great way to offset the rising fuel costs.

But!  There have been times when the cashback offers on Upside were actually more expensive than other gas stations (yes, even after the cashback!).  These types of offers are not worth it!

I recommend you always check the GasBuddy app to find gas prices in your area and compare those prices with the cashback offers on the Upside app.  Choose whichever one is cheaper.  Sometimes it might be cheaper to use Upside and other times it won’t be.

 

 

Upside Cash Back App Pros

I love so many things about using Upside.  Here are a few of my very very favorite!

  • The app is very user friendly and easy to navigate.
  • I love the map that shows the offers nearest me, it’s so helpful for finding gas stations.
  • Free money!  I love earning cashback on items I would be buying anyways!  Gas for my car is necessary, so I might as well get a kick back at the same time!
  • The referral program is amazing.  When you refer Upside to a friend you will get a bonus 15 cents/gallon cashback to use within the app.  PLUS!  You will get 1 cent/gallon cashback on every gallon of gas your friend buys using the app….forever!  It’s the referral program that just keeps on giving!

 

Upside Cash Back App Cons

I love this easy to use cashback app, but their are some cons!  Below are some of my biggest cons with using Upside.

  • It does not work with cash.  You can only redeem a receipt if you pay with a credit or debit card.
  • The app is not available everywhere.  There are some location where Upside does not offer cashback options.  I wish it was more global friendly.
  • Upside can be more expensive than other gas stations.  Occasionally the cashback received from Upside is still more expensive than competitor gas stations, I wish that it would consistently be a money saving option.
  • Prices aren’t always accurate.  I love that Upside tells you the price of gasoline, along with the cashback offer available.  However, there have been a couple of times when the prices Upside quoted me was not the actual price at the gas station.  This has been rare, but it has happened.

Is The Upside For You?

Well, there’s my honest Upside app review!  If you are still wondering if Upside is for you or not I recommend you download the app and look to see the offers in your area, if you find some good offers, try it out!  You have nothing to lose!

 

Related Articles:

How To Save Money On Gas

The Best Cash Back Apps

10 Ways To Save Money On Electricity This Summer

 

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I hope you enjoyed this honest Upside App review!

Frugal Living Tips From The Great Depression

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best money saving tips we can learn from our grandparents.

I have many fond memories of sitting in my great grandmothers home while she shared stories with my family about living during the great depression.  She explained that growing up during this time taught her to always be frugal, even if it isn’t always necessary, it’s still a wonderful way to live.  Her example taught me so much about mindful spending, and I think everyone can learn many frugal living tips from the great depression.

I admire everyone who went through the depression, it was such a hard and difficult time for many people.  But, through that process they learned how to be creative with the things they owned, resourceful with their belongings, and prudent with their earnings.  They learned to never waste, and to always think long and hard before spending any money.

Today I’m sharing a few of their frugal tips, and I hope these tips can help you live frugally and save more money.  We can all be a little more frugal…even if it isn’t a necessity!

1.  Make Your Own Household Cleaners

It was almost unheard of to buy a household cleaning product at the store during the depression era.  Most households knew the basic ingredients to whip up their own cleaning recipe, they saved a lot of money simply by making their own.

The best part is that you probably already have every ingredient you need to make your own household cleaners. 

Check out a few of my favorite recipes:  Homemade Household Cleaning Recipes.

2.  Repurpose Materials

With money scarce during the great depression, most people tried to figure out ways to repurpose items they already owned, rather than tossing them aside.  

We can easily repurpose as well!  Here are a few suggestions of things in your home you can repurpose to use again:

  • Empty Milk Carton:  Clean out your milk cartons and reuse them to store water or as a mini garden greenhouse.
  • Egg Cartons:  Egg cartons are easy to repurpose as a planter for starting seeds, or as a way to organize beads or any other small items in the home.
  • Toilet Paper Rolls:  Toilet paper rolls make great crafts!  Check out these easy toilet paper roll crafts for some great ideas.
  • Glass/Plastic Containers:  Reuse your sour cream containers, mayo jars, and everything else in between for storing small objects.
  • Grocery Bags:  Turn your plastic grocery bags into trash liners for the small trash cans in your restroom.
  • Clothing/Bedding:  Don’t let your worn clothing or bedding to go to waste.  All you have to do is cut the cloth into small pieces and use them for rags!

3.  Eat At Home

Families rarely, if ever, went out to eat during the depression.  Money was just to tight to spend it on a night out.  Every meal was spent together, at home, enjoying food made from scratch. 

Cooking at home will make a huge difference in your budget each month.  Make sure to check out some of my quick, family friendly dinner ideas here.

 

4.  Trade Skills

Another common frugal living tip from the great depression is to trade skills with each other.  During the depression era, neighbors, friends and acquaintances were often bartering their skills with each other in an attempt to save money.

We can still follow this example today.  If you are great at photography, you could offer to take your neighbors pictures and in return they could donate a service to you, like teaching your kids a musical instrument, cutting your hair, or anything else you need that they can do.

5.  Make Do With What You Have

Something breaks? You don’t have the exact ingredient that you need?  Make it do!

If you can be content with what you already have, you will be much more likely to make it do, rather than spending on the “next big thing!”  I have two personal examples for you.

Example 1:

We spent years watching “everyone” around us switching from flip phones to smart phones. I would be asked regularly why I still used such an “old fashioned phone”. My answer? “Because this one still works fine.”

Of course I would have RATHER of been using a flashy smart phone with all those cool apps and emojis….but I was on a small budget, so the flip phone was all I needed.

Now, I’m not saying that you should get rid of your smart phones. What I am SAYING is that I want you tostart looking at what you have in your home differently.

Example 2:

Last year we wanted to update my 13 year olds bedroom, to give her more of a teenage room, and less of a young girl room. She had requested more coral and less yellow.

Our goal was to only use what we already had around the house all while giving her room a completely new look.

We made a tassel garland out of scrap fabric. She searched through old decorations that we had put in the storage room to find pieces she liked. We decided to paint over a yellow sign, but didn’t have any coral paint. So, we mixed pink with orange and came up with the perfect coral color.

Long story short: we MADE IT WORK! And, she now has a teenage room that she loves.

5 Ways to Make It Do

  1. Take good care of what you already own. Make rules like no shoes in the house, no jumping on the furniture, etc.
  2. Rearrange your furniture for a new look. Swap decor amongst different rooms to switch things up!
  3. Set a grocery budget and stick to it, no matter what. Make whatever you have in your pantry and fridge last for as long as you need to. 
  4. Keep your electronics in good condition and use them until they break, even if they are old and uncool.
  5. Stretch your meat further by using 1/2 the meat called in your recipe and substituting it with beans.

6.  Learn How To Sew

Sewing clothes was very common during the depression.  While, I’m not suggesting you need to start making all of your own clothes, I do recommend that everyone learns a few basic sewing skills.

Being able to sew on a button, hem a dress, or mend a rip will save you a lot of money and help you prevent waste.

7.  Have Fun For Free

I am so passionate about the ability to enjoy life, have fun, and make memories without spending any money.  Our great grandparents were excellent at this skill!

Here are a few ways you can have fun for free:

  • Play games (we love fish bowl)
  • Go for a walk
  • Read books from the library
  • Listen to music

Remember to be creative when trying to find cheap fun.  It’s out there!

8.  Hang Your Laundry To Dry

You will save a lot of money on electricity just by simply using your dryer less and hanging your clothes to dry instead.  An outdoor clothes line is the most traditional method to drying clothes.  However, you could also dry them in your house.  I really like this foldable laundry rack and I personally have this wall mounted drying rack in my laundry room.  It works great during the cold winter months.

9.  Learn To DIY

Another way to a lot of money is by learning to DIY.

I know the phrase DIY brings out a lot of different feelings to different people. Some feel excited and motivated (yay! hand me a hammer, I’ll show you how it’s done!). Others might feel a sense of panic and worry (what!?!? I’m not handy….I don’t know how to DIY!).

Do you WANT to learn more DIY but feel stuck or confused about where to start??? I understand! And guess what, learning to DIY is actually incredibly easy!

All it takes is a quick search on google, and a few minutes reading blog tutorials and watching YouTube videos.  That’s really it! It’s exactly how my husband and I have been able to successfully complete dozens of our very DIY projects.

Start small, go slow, and ask questions. You just might surprise yourself with a few new talents and a big savings in your budget.

10.  Grow Your Own Food

During the great depression it was common for everyone to have large gardens.  Not only was it necessary to grow your own food, it was also the way of life.

I believe that it is just as important to grow our own food today as it was back then.

We don’t have any control over grocery prices (and they just keeeeep on raising), so the more we can do to save money in the kitchen- the better!

If gardening scares you, don’t worry!  You don’t need to grow a lot of food to begin saving money.  Even a small window garden will help you lower grocery costs.  Here are a few of the easiest things to grow in your first garden.

11.  Preserve Garden Produce

Speaking of growing your own food, it’s equally important to understand how to preserve the food that you grow.  A freezer/pantry full of preserved garden produce is one of the best ways to save money all year long.

I taught myself everything that I know about canning and preserving using the Ball Book Of Canning and Preserving.  It is an amazing guide and resource and recommend it to everyone!

 

While you will need to spend money to buy canning supplies, this initial investment has paid off over and over for my family.

12.  Save Leftovers

I have to admit something to you.  I use to throw away all of my leftovers…..every last crumb.  When I first started dating my husband he would watch me in complete disbelief as I chucked my uneaten food down the drain.  “I don’t like leftovers,” I would casually say to him.

Well, I have learned a lot since then….much to the example of my husband.

Now, when I see leftovers I see the money that I spent buying that food…..and there is no way I am going to throw my hard earned money down the drain.

Be like new me, not old me and save your leftovers to use again!  

Leftovers can be:

I also love to freeze a lot of my leftovers in an ice cube tray for easy use later.  Try it!

13.  Cook From Scratch

Our great grandparents cooked almost everything they ate from scratch.  They avoided buying preprepared foods as much as possible, because they knew that they could make it for much less money.

We can follow this example by making our own bread, enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, salad dressing, granola, pizza, lasagna, pancakes, tortillas, yogurt, coutons, muffins, BBQ sauce, and so much more!  The list is never ending.

If cooking is not something you feel comfortable and confident with, then start small.  Making pancakes in the morning is really easy!  Then work up to more difficult things….like baking bread.  

Also, keep in mind that you do not have to make every single thing from scratch to save money.  Choose a few staples you like to make, and be consistent with them.  Every little bit of frugal living will add up and save you money.

14.  Stretch Your Meals

Another important frugal living tip from the great depression is to be intentional about stretching your meals.  Sometimes all it takes is adding a can of beans to make one meal turn into two meals.  

Using simple methods to stretch your meals is a great way to cut your grocery costs.  Click here for more easy to follow tips to help your meals stretch further.

15.  Be Your Own Handyman

Skip hiring someone to do simple repairs and household maintenance.  Watch a few YouTube channels and learn how to fix it yourself!

Keep in mind that you won’t save money if the repair is done wrong, in those circumstances you might end up having to pay more to get it fixed.  So, do thorough research before starting any repairs/home maintenance yourself.

Here are a few fairly easy household maintenance ideas that I think *most* people can easily do themselves:

  • Paint walls
  • Patch drywall holes
  • Unclog drains
  • Change oil in car
  • Fertilize yard

The next time you are tempted to call a handyman, pause and ask yourself if this is something you can learn to fix yourself!  I bet you can!

16.  Give Something Homemade

During the great depression, most people didn’t have any extra money to spend on birthday or holiday gifts.  So, they made most of the gifts they gave to others.  I truly believe it is the thought behind a gift that means the most….and homemade gifts are my favorite because they take a lot of thought, time and love.

Check out this list of homemade Christmas gift ideas to help you get started!

17.  Ignore Fads

Our grandparents knew to ignore any trends/fads that would cause them to spend unnecessarily.  The fads come and go, and once they are gone all you’ll be left with is a pile of stuff you don’t need anymore and less money in your bank account (anyone remember the Beanie Baby era???).

Be mindful when you are spending your money and ask yourself if you are buying something just because everyone else is buying it….or if it’s something you will actually use, love and value for years to come.

 

 

18.  Use Electricity Sparingly

Did anyone else grow up with parents who were constantly reminding them to turn off the light???  It wasn’t just me was it????

Our parents learned from their parents that the more electricity you use, the more money you will spend.

Turning off unused lights is one way to conserve electricity.  You can also:

  • Unplug appliances when not in use
  • Use LED lightbulbs
  • Lower your thermostat
  • Seal leaks around windows and doors

There are so many ways to save money simply by changing the way you use electricity.  For more ideas check out these two articles:  How To Save Money On Electricity During Winter and How To Save Money On Electricity During Summer.

19.  Use It up

During the depression families learned to use everything up, rather than letting it go to waste.  If they had a small amount of ketchup left in the bottle, they would use a small spatula or knife to get it out and use it.

Be mindful of not throwing away small amounts of condiments, shampoo, soap, milk, etc.  Find ways to open up the container and use every last drop.

20.  Avoid Disposable Products

Disposable products have become more popular over the years, but they are not great for the wallet (or the environment!).

Try to buy products that can be used over and over again and skip purchasing anything that only has a one time use. 

A few examples of this are to buy:

  • Hand towels instead of paper towels
  • Tupperware instead of sandwich bags
  • Dishes instead of paper plates

You will have to spend slightly more money to begin with….but it will save you big over time.

21.  Forage

Yes!  You read that right, foraging is a great way to save money on food.  And, it’s actually really fun too!

Scout out areas in your community or nearby that has wild berries or other plants growing and go forage.  Every summer my family drives to a nearby spot and spends a day picking huckleberries.  We freeze these huckleberries and use them all year.  

22.  Turn Off The Air Conditioner

I know this is a tough one….but most homes did not have air conditioners during the depression years….and they survived.  I’m sure it wasn’t easy…but they survived.

Try to keep cool instead by using fans, sitting outside in the shade, using cool washcloths, and keeping blinds closed during the hot part of the day.

If turning the air conditioner off completely feels to much for you, then try to increase the thermostat a few degrees so that you are using it less often.

23.  Conserve Water

And my last frugal living tip from the great depression is to conserve water.  You can conserve water by:

  • Wearing clothes multiple days (as long as they are clean!)
  • Follow the mantra:  “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.”
  • Brush your teeth in the shower
  • Take short showers
  • Fix leaky faucets

Sometimes all it takes is a few simple changes to start saving money.

In Conclusion

Who’s ready to implement these frugal tips from the great depression!  I know I am!  Pick one or two new money saving tips to start saving more money today.

 

Related Articles:

How To Live Frugally

Things Frugal People Dont Do

Free Self Care Ideas

 

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How To Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy Ways To Get Free Amazon Gift Cards

I’ve been finishing up the last of my Christmas shopping the past few days.  And as I’ve been shopping I’ve been so grateful for all of my free Amazon gift cards I’ve been saving up during the year.  They help make Christmas much more affordable!

I get asked a lot about how to earn free amazon gift cards, and I decided it was time to share all of my favorite ways!  These hacks won’t make you rich, but they will help ease some of the financial burden you may feel.

Personally, I save up my Amazon gift cards all year to use for Christmas.  But, you could also use them to help pay for birthday presents, household expenses, back to school supplies, sports equipment, and everything in between!  

Sweet Frugal Life is a member of online affiliate programs.  I will be compensated for purchases and clicks made from links in this post.

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Earning Amazon Gift Cards

Before we get into how to earn free gift cards, let’s discuss a few of the most commonly asked questions.  Because if other people have asked me these questions….then I’m assuming you are wondering the same thing!

Can you actually get free Amazon gift cards?

Yes!  You can!  I know that there are a lot of scams and to good to be true deals out there.  But, the hacks I’m sharing with you today are all totally 100% legit.  I’ve earned Amazon gift cards using each of these methods and can vouch that they work and are safe!

Does it take a long time to earn a gift card?

This really depends on which method you are using, and how often you are using it.  Taking surveys through Swagbucks or Pinecone will probably help you earn gift cards faster then the reward apps.  However, it can take a while to earn a significant amount of gift cards cash.  Remember that slow and steady wins the race!

How do I redeem my gift cards?

When you have enough points to cash out for a gift card all you will need to do is select an Amazon gift card from the reward section of each of these apps/websites.

You will then be given a 14 digit code.  To redeem the code simply log into your Amazon account, and click on Gift Cards.  You will then enter the gift card code.  The money will now be available to credit to your next Amazon purchase!  So easy!

Ways To Earn Amazon Gift Cards

There are many easy ways to get free Amazon gift cards!  I like to use a mix of options to help the savings add up quickly!  Here are a few of my favorite methods.

1.  Swagbucks

Swagbucks was the very first rewards website I ever signed up for many many years ago.  They offer many different options to help you get Amazon gift cards.  You can earn points, called Swagbucks, for watching videos, taking surveys, searching the internet, shopping online, and so much more!  You can then redeem these points for gift cards to Amazon.

Sign up for Swagbucks here and get a $10 bonus!

2.  Survey Junkie

Another great way to easily earn free Amazon gift cards is to take surveys using survey junkie.  It’s so easy to do!  Just sign up for survey junkie here and fill out a profile to have surveys matched to your interests.

You will then be offered surveys to complete.  This is the perfect activity for when you are standing in line, watching TV, or have some time to kill.  Each survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and pay on average around $1-$3.

Each of your completed surveys will earn you points, these points can then be redeemed for Amazon gift cards.

3.  Upside

Do you fill your car up with gasoline???  Then you should be using the Upside app!

Upside gives you cash back, which can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards, at participating gas stations.  Most days I am able to get 5-20 cents cashback per gallon, but if you sign up using this link and use coupon code AFF25 then you will get a bonus 25 cents cashback per gallon!

Make sure to read my full honest review of the Upside app here.

4.  Pinecone Research

I recently started taking surveys on Pinecone Research and have loved everything about it.  It’s definitely my favorite survey website.

After registering on the Pinecone website you will begin to receive emails inviting you to complete surveys.  The surveys are fairly easy to fill out and take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

You will be paid $3 for each completed survey which can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards.

5.  Ibotta

There are so many cashback apps that will reward you with free Amazon gift cards.  The app that I’ve been using the longest is Ibotta.  

Ibotta offers a huge selection of rebates.  I have earned cash back on a wide selection of products, including milk, apples, pantry staples, broccoli, beauty and household items.

One of my favorite things about Ibotta though is that they offer cash back on what they call “any brand” items.  For example, today they are having rebates on any brand of yogurt or diapers that you buy.  So you can buy your favorite brand, and get some money back at the same time.

Plus, they always offer a small cash back on “any item.”  So, I can buy anything in the store, and earn some money back.

Ibotta is super easy to use!

  • Just shop like you normally would.
  • Check the app for any rebates you earned.
  • Click on the qualifying items you purchased.
  • Scan your receipt.
  • Your cash back is instantly put into your Ibotta account.  Easy Peasy!

You can request your cash once you reach $20.  I usually get it deposited into my paypal account or redeem it for an Amazon gift card.

6.  Fetch Rewards

Probably the easiest app for earning Amazon gift cards is Fetch Rewards.   This app rewards you with points when you scan your gift cards, and then you can redeem the points for gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, Sephora, Best Buy, restaurants, and more! 

How it works:

  • Download the free Fetch Rewards app
  • Grocery shop like you normally do
  • Scan your receipt into the Fetch Rewards app
  • You will automatically be rewarded points based on what you bought.

One of the best things about Fetch Rewards is that you can start redeeming your Amazon gift cards at only $3, and it is so easy to earn that first $3.

7.  Discover Card

Another easy way to get free Amazon gift cards is to use a Discover credit card.  With each purchase made on a Discover card you will earn cashback.  You can redeem the cashback as credit on your card, or you can use it to purchase items from Amazon. We allow this cashback to accumulate throughout the year and only use it to help us pay for Christmas.

  • BONUS!  You can get a $50 bonus when you sign up for a Discover Card and make your first purchase within 3 months.  Just make sure you pay it off monthly!

 

In Conclusion

Now that you know how to earn free Amazon gift cards, it’s time to start earning!  There are so many things you could do with some extra Amazon cash!

 

Related Articles:

The Best Cash Back Apps

How To Listen To Audiobooks For Free

Legit Ways To Earn Money From Home

 

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Easily Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Holiday Expenses You Shouldn’t Forget This Year.

The holiday season will be here before we know it!  It seems that at every store I’ve gone to recently I keep seeing little pops and hints of Christmas, and I am SO excited about this.  Truly, Christmas is the most magical time of the year!  If you haven’t already started putting together your Christmas budget, I highly recommend you begin now.  Not sure how to do this or what belongs in a Christmas budget?  No worries!  That’s why I am here!  I’ll tell you exactly what a Christmas budget is and remind you of the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories.

What’s a Christmas Budget?

But, first things first, let’s talk about what a Christmas budget actually is!

A Christmas budget is a budget that you make for keeping track of all of your Christmas expenses.  It should include any gifts you want to buy for the year, parties you will attend, household decorations you might want to buy, food you will make, etc.

Why Do I Need A Christmas Budget?

We all know that the holidays can get expensive fast!  I recommend that everyone make a Christmas budget each year to help prevent them from going into debt and overspending during the holiday season.  A Christmas budget gives you the permission to spend in the way that YOU want.  So you can buy and enjoy what you need for the holidays, without having to feel guilt or buyers remorse.

When you commit to a budget you will be much more likely to spend the amount that you have already decided you can afford.

Not sure how to budget?  That’s ok!  Just grab my budgeting cheat sheets below and they will tell you everything you need to know to put together a successful zero based budget!

 

 

 

What Should I Include In My Christmas Budget?

When I first started making a Christmas budget I always seemed to forget a few items.  Sure, I remembered the gifts that I needed to buy, but then there always seemed to be random little expenses that kept popping up.

It took me a few years to finally figure out every category I needed in my holiday spending budget.  But, not to worry!  I’m going to share all of the commonly forgotten Christmas expenses so that you won’t have to wait a few years to figure it out for yourself!  You can make a successful Christmas budget today!  Yay!

Commonly Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

Below are the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories.  Use this as a guide when making your holiday budget, it should help you brainstorm exactly what expenses you will need to plan for this year.

1.  Holiday Travel

Do you have plans to travel for the holidays?  Maybe you are traveling far across the country, or perhaps you have a short road trip planned to visit family.  Either option will require some expenses.  Make sure to budget for any traveling you will be doing over the next couple of months.  You’ll need to budget money for gas, food, possibly plane tickets, lodging, and any activities or experiences along the way.

2.  Christmas Decorations

If you like to decorate your home for the season, don’t forget to budget some money for this expense.  This is one of the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget category!

You can find some fairly cheap decorations if you shop the after Christmas clearance sales.  I usually buy a few new decorations every year right after the holidays, and then when I pull them out the next December it’s a fun surprise because I forgot I had bought them!  It’s like a fun early present!

young child wearing santa hat looking at decorated christmas tree

3.  Gifts For Teachers

I love gifting my kids teachers a small gift every Christmas to let them know how much I appreciate their time and love they give my child.  The problem though is I would often forget to add this extra expense to my gift budget!  

If you want to give a small gift to any teachers or coaches in your life make sure to include it in your budget this year.  

4.  Christmas Dinner

Do you like to cook a big Christmas dinner each year?  You know the one with ham, potatoes, rolls, eggnog, and everything in between????  Make sure to include money in your budget for these pricier foods.  

Remember, it’s ok to splurge every now and then….just include it in your budget!

5.  Holiday Cards

Sending holiday cards to your friends and family is a long loved Christmas tradition.  Don’t forget to budget for sending out cards, you’ll also need stamps and envelopes!

 

 

6.  Gifts For Co-Workers

We love to give little gifts to my husbands co-workers each year…unfortunately this is one of those expenses I tend to always forget about it.  If you want to participate in any gift exchanges at work, don’t be like me and forget to include it in your budget.

7.  Christmas Traditions

Remember to budget for any Christmas traditions or activities your family will want to enjoy this year.  This might include going ice skating, going to the movies, decorating gingerbread houses, etc.

Keep in mind that Christmas traditions do not have to cost a lot of money!  Here are some of our favorite budget friendly Christmas traditions.

8.  Gift Wrap

Another commonly forgotten Christmas budget category is gift wrapping supplies.  Don’t forget to budget for wrapping paper, bows, tape and anything else you’ll need to wrap gifts.  The Dollar Tree is my favorite place to buy gift bags and tissue paper.  And I love to stock up on Christmas wrapping paper after Christmas each year.

christmas wrapping paper and ribbons on table

9.  Giving To Others

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is serve others.  It is truly what brings me the most joy and happiness and is the reason for the season.  Make sure to budget for any giving that you plan to do this Christmas.  

But, also remember that you don’t even need to spend any money to serve others.  Here are 101 frugal ways to give to someone else.

10.  Christmas Parties

Do you have any holiday parties to attend (or possibly host) this year?  Budget for any expenses those parties will cost.  They might include gifts for the host, a white elephant gift, decorations, food to share, etc.

11.  Holiday Baking

And the last commonly forgotten Christmas budget category is holiday baking.  Baking is a fun party of any holiday, but especially during Christmas time!  Unfortunately, the price to buy the extra ingredients like chocolate, marshmallow cream, cream cheese, etc. gets expensive fast!  Make sure to plan ahead with these added costs and include them in your Christmas budget.

 

A Christmas Budget Brings Contentment

If you don’t normally budget for Christmas expenses I encourage you to begin this year.  Start today even!  Having a plan in place for how to spend your money during the holiday season will bring you so much peace and contentment and you will be able to enjoy the season so much more!

While you are planning your budget make sure to remember each of these commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories!

 

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Make to include these commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories this year!

The Best Deals At Dollar Tree

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

The best things to buy at the Dollar Tree.

I love shopping at my local Dollar Tree.  Not only are the items all affordable ($1.25???  yes please!), but they also have quality products!  However, the truth is that not all items sold at your local dollar store is a good deal.  We are often led to believe that because something is sold at the Dollar Tree, it MUST be the best price in town, right???  Well, this is not always the case!  Today I am going to share the best deals at Dollar Tree.  These are the items that you can always count on to be a better price than you can buy anywhere else.

Best Deals At Dollar Tree

The next time you are shopping at Dollar Tree, make sure to look for these amazing deals!

1.  Pregnancy Test

There is no need to spend a lot of money on pregnancy tests!  Just hop on over to your local Dollar Tree and pick up one of these tests for just $1.25.  They are just as accurate as the tests you can buy at the grocery store, but for only half the price!  Yay!

 

2.  Ovulation Predictor

Another great buy in the pregnancy sectioin is an Ovulation Predictor.  You can buy a big pack of these at Walmart for a good price, but the ones at Dollar Tree are still cheaper!

 

3.  Hair Scrunchies/Hair Ties

The Dollar Tree is a great place to buy hair scrunchies and hair ties!  They are not only affordable, but also super cute!  I love the huge selection available!

 

4.  Bleach

One of the best deals at Dollar Tree is their bleach.  For only $1.25 you can get a 96 oz. container of bleach!  That is a great price and I haven’t been able to find it cheaper anywhere else.

 

5.  Bandaids

If your kids are anything like my kids you probably go through a lot of bandaids.  Fortunately, you can buy them for a great price at Dollar Tree!

 

6.  Flip Flops

I love grabbing a few pairs of flip flops at the Dollar Tree every summer.  They are super cute and comfortable, plus it doesn’t matter if they break or get lost….because I spent less than $1.50 on them!

 

7.  Candles/Wax Melts

You really can’t beat paying less than $2 for a candle and a carton of candle wax melts.  Whenever you need to buy a candle, make sure to buy it at the Dollar Tree.

 

8.  Coloring/Activity Books

Dollar Tree has a huge selection of coloring and activity books perfect for kids.  I love to buy a few at the beginning of each summer to keep my kids entertained for the next few months.  The books are constantly changing and I love looking through the new selection regularly.

 

9.  Seasonal Items

Another great buy at Dollar Tree are the seasonal items.  Dollar Tree is wonderful at rotating through a large supply of seasonal toys, decorations, food and more.  It’s a great place to stock up on summer fun activities or stocking stuffers….and everything in between!

 

10.  Greeting Cards

The cheapest place to buy greeting cards is always at the Dollar Tree!  For only $1 you can get TWO greeting cards to give to your loved ones.  This is a great buy!

I also love to buy a package of blank note cards.  For $1 you get 6 blank cards, and can use them for any occasion!

 

11.  Gift Bags

The next time you are at Dollar Tree make sure to stock up on gift bags.  They are a fantastic deal and come in so many designs and sizes.

Want to know the best part of buying a gift bag???  It’s reusable, so the one time purchase can be used again and again!

12.  Sticky Notes

Another great buy at the Dollar Tree is the sticky notes.  I love using sticky notes for weekly planning and list making, so I always buy a package or two!

 

13.  LED Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs are expensive, buy can save you a lot of money in the long run!  Buy your LED lights at Dollar Tree so that you can still get the long term rewards, without the high price tag.

 

14.  Nail Polish

I have two girls in my home who LOVE doing their nails.  They buy a lot of their nail polish at Dollar Tree because the prices are MUCH lower than at other stores.

 

15.  Picture Frames

Did you know that you can even buy picture frames at Dollar Tree?  Because you totally can!  I love buying picture frames at Dollar Tree because they are so cheap, and have a lot of different styles and sizes to choose from!  Yay!

 

In Conclusion

The Dollar Tree has so many great deals, especially the ones listed above!  I have been able to save my family a lot of money by buying each of these things at Dollar Tree, and I hope this article will help your family save money too!  That’s what I’m here for after all!

 

Related Articles:

Dollar Tree Pantry Organization Tips

Dollar Tree Easter Basket Ideas

How To Save Money On Diapers

 

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I hope you enjoy the best deals at Dollar Tree!

 

How To Stretch Meals

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy ways to stretch your meals so you can spend less on groceries.

One of the biggest budget busters in most households is the grocery budget.  There is no denying the fact that food is expensive.  However, there is good news!  Groceries is one category in your budget that you can lower!  It definitely takes a little bit of extra work and effort, but it can be done.  There are a few different ways to lower your grocery expenses, and one of my favorites is learning how to stretch meals.

What Does It Mean to Stretch Meals?

Stretching meals simply means to make the food that you have last longer, feed more people and prevent waste.  It’s really easy to do too!  All it takes is a little more planning and creativity, but each of the following tips are so easy!

Here are 10 ways you can stretch meals so you can save more money.

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1.  Meal Plan

A smart meal plan is the first step to stretching meals.  When you make a meal plan, try to plan meals that will use the same ingredients.  This is an easy way to reuse ingredients before they go bad.

For Example:  Buy one head of lettuce and plan three meals that week you can use the lettuce for.  Or buy a rotisserie chicken from the store and meal plan several meals for chicken, like I did here.  These meals might be Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, etc.  Here’s how I use one Roast Beef for three meals.  It follow the same plan, buy once and use three times so it doesn’t go to waste.

2.  Use Less Meat

Meat is one of the most expensive parts of the meal.  Stretch the meat out for more meals by using less than the recipe calls for.

For Example:  If you are using a recipe that calls for 1 lb. of hamburger meat, use 3/4 lb. instead.  You probably won’t even notice the difference in your meal.  You can then use that extra 1/4 lb. hamburger for another meal.

3.  Souper Tuesday

Soup is so cheap to make and an easy meal to stretch!  I love making a huge pot of soup when I feed large groups or as a way to feed our family for several meals.

Consider turning Tuesday dinner into, “Souper Tuesday.”  This will be the day each week when you will make soup for dinner.  The pot of soup that you make should last your family for several meals.  You can even freeze the leftover soup to use for a later meal.  Just make sure to use it within the next 3 months.

  • Freezing Tip:  Freeze broth based soups simply by pouring it into a Ziploc freezer bag.  Squeeze out all of the air, seal tight and place in your freezer.  This will stay fresh for 3-6 months.  To thaw:  place frozen soup in fridge and let it defrost overnight.  Warm it up over the stove and enjoy!

Get creative with your soups!  Most soups can be made just by tossing together a few ingredients you already have in your pantry.  A little bit of chicken, broth and veggies will make a fantastic soup!

4.  Include More Side Dishes

Usually the main dish is the most expensive.  You can stretch the main dish out by adding more sides to your meal.

Try using a variety of side dishes and mix it up daily to keep the meals more interesting.

A few of our family favorite side dishes are:

Each of these ideas are budget friendly (especially if you shop sales) and very filling.  Encourage your family to take a few sides along with the main meal.  This will fill the family up quicker, making you able to use your main dish for a few other meals throughout the week.

5.  Use a Filler

Try adding a “filler” ingredient to your recipes.  A “filler” is just a cheaper ingredient, one that the recipe doesn’t call for, that you add to a meal to make it more filling and bigger.

A few of our favorite fillers are: pasta, rice and beans.

Beans

A can of beans is one of the cheapest and easiest ingredient to add to recipes as a filler.  All it takes is opening up a can!

You can use any of your favorite kind of beans, we prefer black beans, pinto beans or refried beans.

These can be added to a wide variety of meals including:  enchiladas, soups, or tacos.

Pasta

Pasta is cheap and filling.  You can easily add it to soups to make them more filling.

Rice

Rice can be mixed with beans or meat to use in burritos, tacos, or enchiladas.  This is also a great filler for soups!

Use your imagination and get creative when choosing fillers!

6.  Meatless Monday

Try incorporating less meat into your meals.  We do this by having Meatless Monday each week.  This is one day of the week when I prepare something, well, meatless!

A few of our favorite Meatless Monday dinners are:

  • Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Homemade Mac n Cheese
  • Bean Burritos
  • Pasta Bake
  • Spaghetti

Grab a few of these recipes in Mel’s Home Cooking Recipe Book!

7.  Appropriate Servings

Many of us (definitely me!) eat larger servings than is necessary.  Stretch your meals by eating smaller portions.  It’s important to eat enough, just focus on not over eating and this will help you save more for the next meal.

Our eyes might want two large spoonfuls, but remind yourself that one large spoonful will be enough to fill your hunger.

  • Tip:  Eat on smaller plates to help keep the portions smaller!

8.  Meal Prep

Meal prepping in advance is an easy way to ensure you have smart portions for every meal.

I like to set one day aside each week as my Meal Prep day.  This is the day when you will cook your meat, chop your vegetables, and separate all the ingredients into daily meals.

When we prepare the food in advance it’s much easier to plan out the servings and ensure nothing goes to waste.

Store your dinner portions in Tupperware, Ziploc bags or, I really like these containers.

9.  Add Water

Stretch meals by adding water to the recipe.  Water is FREE, making it the cheapest ingredient you own!

You can add extra water to soups or stews to stretch the broth a little further.  Your family won’t even notice the difference, and your soup will last much longer!

10.  Save All Leftovers

All food can be reused!  Try to get into the habit of saving any and all leftovers from each meal.  This food can all be used for a different meal in different ways.

Freeze It

If you don’t think you will be able to use up the leftovers within the next few days you can easily freeze it for later.  Just let the food come to room temperature, put it in a Ziploc bag, get out all of the air, and toss it in the freezer.

For a full list of what can be frozen check out this list from Lauren Greutman.

Reuse It

If you have enough leftovers for another meal, consider saving it to eat the next day.  We love to have leftovers for lunch, and sometimes even dinner.

Re-purpose It

If you don’t have enough extra food for an entire meal, add the leftovers with some other ingredients to make a complete dinner.  You can turn most leftovers into a soup or casserole, simply by mixing it with something else!

We love to use leftover taco meat for soup the next day.  I just mix the taco meat with some cans of beans, tomatoes and water and wah-lah-Taco Soup!

 

In Conclusion

Try think outside the box when you are stretching meals.  There are so many different ways you can save money on groceries and make the food you have at home last longer!  You can do it!

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Lower your Grocery Bill

Freeze Chicken in Bulk and 6 Freezer Chicken Recipes

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

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How To Stop Emotional Shopping

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

9 Ways To Stop Spending Money When Life Is Getting Hard.

We’ve all been there.  We had a hard day at work.  Life is feeling stressful.  We are looking for something, anything to take our minds off of the worries of the world.  Soooo….we turn to shopping.  Anyone else see themselves in this scenario???  Just me???  It has taken me years to learn how to stop emotional shopping, and now I get to share what I have learned with you.

If you are unsure if you are an emotional spender or not, take a quick look at the list below.

You Might Be An Emotional Spender If….

  • You shop because you are bored.
  • Spending makes you feel fulfilled.
  • You feel guilty after shopping.
  • Shopping makes you feel happier.
  • You go over budget regularly.
  • You hide purchases from family members.

Do any of these sound like you??  Well, the good news is that you can kick this bad habit to the curb.  Today I am sharing how to stop emotional shopping!

stop emotional shopping - how to stop impulse spending

How You Can Stop Spending Money When Life Gets Stressful

Try one of these tips below to stop emotional spending.  I hope they help you like they have helped me!

1.  Identify Emotional Spending Triggers.

The first step to stop emotional spending is to find out what emotions are causing you to shop.  Once you can pin point the exact emotion, you will be closer to overcoming it.

The easiest way to identify your emotional spending is to pay attention to the feelings you have while shopping.  Are you shopping after a disagreement?  Do you feel jealous of someone and are trying to buy items to keep up?

Take notes of the feelings you find.  Write these down and start paying attention to the actions that follow each of the emotions.  When you find yourself at the store after feeling one of the emotions that you wrote down, stop yourself.  Remind yourself that what you are feeling will not be cured from spending.

2.  Shop With Cash

My number one secret to avoiding impulse shopping is to leave your debit card at home and shop with cash envelopes instead.  If the cash is gone, you can’t buy anything, problem solved.  The visual of using envelopes can make a big difference when it comes to impulse spending.

Cash envelopes can really help with emotional spending as well.  When the emotions start coming you might find yourself tempted to start shopping, however, if your debit card is stashed away and your cash is gone….you will have no money to spend!  Try it!!

3.  Stick to the List

Start getting into the habit of  making a shopping list.  If you shop with a list you will be much less likely to impulse buy other items.

The next time you want to go shopping, stop yourself first and make a list.  Write down exactly what you need to buy (need is the key word here).

Commit to only buying what is on the list and nothing else.  If you are feeling emotional this might be difficult to do, but stay strong.  Promise yourself a reward (free reward) if you can stick to your list all month.

4.  Find a New Coping Mechanism

We already identified your emotional spending triggers in step 1, now it’s time to find new ways to cope with these feelings.

If you are shopping because you are bored…..find a new hobby.  Something that will keep your mind stimulated and busy.  Maybe this could even be a hobby that will earn you money with these side hustle ideas.

Or maybe you shop when you are feeling a lot of stress?  Find a new stress reliever.  This might be exercising or a warm bubble bath.  Substituting a new stress reliever is a great way to stop shopping when stressed.

It doesn’t matter what you choose to help you cope, as long as you are finding something that doesn’t involve spending money.

5.  Make it Hard to Spend

Stores are really great at making it easy for us as consumers to spend money, which is great…..except for if you have a spending problem!  Another way to learn how to stop emotional shopping is to follow a few of these easy steps below to make it harder on yourself to spend money.

  • Leave the Debit/Credit Cards at home.

Just don’t even bring your cards with you.  If they are at home, you can’t use them….making spending much harder!

  • Delete Debit/Credit card info from store websites.

Take all of your saved credit or debit card info off of store websites.  Having to manually enter in the information each time you want to make a purchase gives you that extra moment to pause and decide if you truly need to buy it.

  • Keep your savings in a separate bank.

Transfer your money into a separate account or bank and make it harder to touch.  Keep your budgeted spending money in your checking account, while putting the savings and sinking funds into an account that is not connected to your debit card.  This makes getting the money out that much harder.

6.  Unsubscribe from Store Email Lists

There was a time when my email inbox was full of “50% off at this store” ads.  These sales were a huge spending trigger for me.  Especially during times when I was bored.  I would often find myself spending hours browsing this sale and that sale and before I knew it I had spent to much.

The solution?  I started unsubscribing from every store email I received.  It was no longer in my face tempting me during my boredom moments.

If you find yourself consistently spending through these sales emails….try unsubscribing.  It is so freeing!  If you don’t know the sale is happening, you won’t feel sad missing out on it!

7.  Distract Yourself

Find something to do that will distract you from emotional spending.

You might want to sign up for a class, read a new book, or find a hobby.  Choose something that will peak your passions and help you focus on something other than spending.

Starting this little blog has been a great distraction for me.  I am so busy typing and learning that I rarely have time to shop.  My bank account (and husband) thanks me….and all of you readers!

8.  Use the 48 Hour Rule

The 48 Hour Rule has saved me time and time again.  It’s simple to follow really.  When you find something you want to buy, but it is an unplanned purchase, WAIT for 48 hours before buying.

The 48 hours gives you time to decide if you truly want to buy the item and time to research if you can find a better deal somewhere else.

9 times out of 10 I realize I actually did not want to buy it in the first place.  But, sometimes, after 48 hours I go back into the store and buy it…..and there is nothing wrong with that!

Start living by the 48 hour rule….I promise you will thank me later!

9.  Find a Support System

All emotional spenders need an accountability buddy!  An accountability buddy will call you out on your spending mistakes, encourage you to stay strong and be there for you when you are feeling tempted.

When I have used an accountability partner we committed to calling each other whenever we were tempted to spend money.  This friend would then talk to me about the emotions I was feeling and help me find a different way to cope.  And, I would do the same for her.

I honestly never wanted to bother her…..so I really quit spending!!!  It worked like a charm!

Having someone who you will hold you accountable will help you stay within budget and stop unnecessary spending.

In Conclusion

I hope this helped you learn how to stop emotional shopping.  Pick a few of these suggestions and start implementing them today!  The sooner you begin working through these steps, the sooner you will have more money in your wallet!  You can do it, I believe in you!

Related Articles:

Fix Your Budget After a Day of Impulse Shopping

How To Save Money On Kids Clothes

The Best Frugal Living Tips You Need to Know

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Now you know exactly how to stop emotional shopping!  You can do it!

How To Negotiate Your Bills

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How I negotiate my bills!

Do you want to save more money?  I am pretty confident that we ALL want to save more money.  Well, I am here to tell you that you can save money on your monthly bills today!  That’s right, most of us are paying to much on our monthly bills.  But, the good news is that you can easily negotiate bills.  All it takes is a little research, time and diligence.

Why Negotiate Bills?

There are so many reasons to negotiate your bills.  The most important reason for me personally is to have more money!  I’m always looking for places to scrimp and save.  I mean, who doesn’t want more money????

Imagine the things you can do with some extra money each month?

  • You could pay off your debt faster!
  • You could grow your sinking funds at a quicker rate!
  • You could spend that money on something FUN (because we all know bills are not a fun way to spend money…amiright????)
  • You could use that extra money to save towards your future.

There are so many possibilities.  The most important thing though is that you will have the extra money to choose to spend in the way that is best for YOU!  There is nothing better than that!

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What Bills Can I Negotiate?

If you are wondering exactly which bills you can negotiate, I say all of them!  I like to follow the rule that it never hurts to ask!

You will never know if it’s negotiable or not if you don’t ask!  The worst thing that can happen is they will say “No.”

Here are a few bills I recommend you start with!  Each of these service providers are all well known of allowing negotiating.

Cable/Satellite TV

We personally got rid of our cable TV years ago, but if you haven’t made that cut yet you can try to get a better deal.  Most cable services will let you negotiate to a lower rate.  It’s worth the phone call!

During this phone call be sure to bring up how long you have been a customer.  If you have been devoted to the company for years they will be much more likely to give you a discount!

It’s also helpful to ask for any promotions they might have at the time.  Cable companies usually rotate different promotions throughout the year.  However, if they by chance don’t have one you qualify for, mention a promo their competitor might be offering.  Most cable companies will match a competitors deal, which is great news for all of us!

Credit Cards

Your credit card balance is your responsibility, however you can negotiate a lower interest rate!  A lower interest rate will mean paying that card off quicker and cheaper!  This is what we all want!

Credit card companies like to reward loyal and responsible behavior.  If you have been on time with your payments, tell them this!  Explain how many months you have been on time and then kindly ask for a lower interest rate.

Medical

Did you know that medical bills are negotiable?  Many people don’t realize this, but they totally are!

If you can pay your bill in full up front, ask for a discount.  Every single time I have asked, I have been told “yes!”.  This discount is usually between 15-25%.  Which can be a significant savings!

If you are unable to pay in full, ask for an interest free payment plan.  This is a great set up because you can pay your bill at your own pace, without having to pay extra in interest.

Internet

Negotiating your internet bills is easy and very similar to negotiating your cable/satellite bills.

When negotiating, be sure to ask for current promotions and mention the promotions their competitor is offering.

Another good strategy is to ask for a cheaper internet package.  This might mean slower internet, or less services.  But, if you need the extra cash it will be worth it!

Insurance Premiums

Negotiating your insurance premiums is another excellent way to save on your monthly bills.  Most insurance agents are willing to work with you on these bills.  Never be afraid to ask!  They want your business!  It’s their job to make you happy!

There are a few things I suggest to bring up during this meeting.  The first is to ask if you can pay once a year, rather than monthly.  Many companies prefer to be paid in one lump sum and will give you a discount if you pay this way.

The other suggestion is to ask your insurance agent for a bundling discount.  This means that you will “bundle” or group your insurances (life, home auto) together with one company.  You can almost always get a discount for bundling.

Bill Negotiating Tips

Negotiating does take a little bit of time and bravery.  It can be intimidating to call these companies up; so I am helping you out with a few bill negotiating tips.

Do Your Research

Be diligent with researching before calling up a company.  Research competitor prices, look over your bills to check your consistency on your payments.  Know what you are talking about before asking for a favor.  They will be much more likely to listen.

Be Polite

When negotiating it is important that you are firm and diligent in your requests.  However, you can be firm while also being polite and considerate.

The people on the other end of the phone are real people with feelings.  You will be listened to more if you are polite.

Be Willing to Leave

If you really want to lower your bills, you need to be willing to leave your current provider.  When you threaten to leave your current service provider, they will usually listen up and honor your request.

But, you have to mean it!  There is a chance they will say, “Ok, then leave.”  And you will need to be willing to live with those consequences.

Today’s Challenge

Make a list of all of your monthly bills.  Choose two of them to try to negotiate to a lesser amount.  You can do it!

If you find success with those two bills, negotiate another one!

Remember, the worst thing that will happen is you will be told “No.”

Liked what you read?  Pin it for use on even more bills!

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It’s time to negotiate your bills!

Best Financial Books For Beginners

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Best Books On Money Management.

One of the things I most recommend to others who are trying to learn how to manage their money is to read more money books.  I have spent years studying and researching how to live frugally and I’m excited to share the best financial books for beginners with you!

Over ten years ago I randomly stumbled across a few money management 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 and my life was forever changed.

I have always been somewhat frugal….but I didn’t ever have control of my money, and my budget was suffering because of it.

If I’m being honest……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 plan 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 the best financial books for beginners!  I hope they will benefit you as much as they have helped me.

 

Best Money Books

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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 and have debt you are trying to pay off then this is the book for you!  It was written for the novice, and the steps are easy to follow and understand.

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.  It is so motivating and makes become rich feel achievable!

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.  I like to brag that I loved YNAB before YNAB was even cool….because I really have been with them since the very beginning!

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.

And, while we are on the subject, if you are looking for good budgeting software be sure to give the You Need a Budget website a look.  It does cost money to use, but it’s been worth it for me!

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

 

The Millionaire Next Door is one of the best books about money for beginners.  It 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!  Anything is possible!

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 packed full with so many great 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.  After I read this book I felt like I could actually start investing with confidence!

6. The Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clason

One of the very best financial books for beginners is The Richest Man In Babylon.  It gives super easy to follow principles to help everyone save money and build wealth.  The author, George S. Clason, uses fictional characters and short stories to teach each of these principles, which makes the book a very fun read.

This is a very relatable book, perfect for anyone who knows very little about money, or someone who feels like they know it a lot.  The perfect book for financial beginners!

 

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 books about money for beginners.  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 know her style isn’t for everyone, but 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!

In Conclusion

There are literally thousands of great money books for beginners out there.  Try to set a goal to read one or two of them each month.  I really think you will be surprised at just how great of a difference they will make in your life!

 

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Best Personal Finance Books to Read

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What are the best financial books for beginners that you have read?

 

How To Host A Clothing Swap

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Everything you need to know about hosting a clothing swap.

Who doesn’t love free clothes???  I LOVE free clothes.  But, do you want to know what is even better then free clothing???  Helping all of your friends score free clothes too.  It makes for the perfect girls night!  Time with friends plus free clothing equals everyone is happy!  Want to know what the heck I am talking about???  I’m talking hosting a clothing swap!

What Is A Clothing Swap?

A clothing swap is a party where everyone can bring their gently used clothing/accessories to exchange for other gently used clothing/accessories.  Each clothing swap will differ from each other in terms of rules and expectations, but the simple motive stays the same:  to help others get rid of clothing no longer loved and find new clothing to love again….without having to spend any money!

Why Host A Clothing Swap?

There are many reasons to host a clothing swap!  I’ve already mentioned the chance to get new to you clothing for free!  But, here are a few other great reasons:

  • A clothing swap is an environmentally friendly to recycle clothes and reduce waste.
  • It’s a fun way to spend a night out with friends and make new friends!
  • Attending a clothing swap will motivate you to clean out your closet and get rid of items you rarely wear.
  • It encourages you to try new clothing that you normally wouldn’t wear.

How To Host A Clothing Swap?

A clothing swap is fairly simple to host, and the best part of hosting is that you get to make up the rules!  Here are a few things to consider when planning your event:

1.  Choose A Location

The first step to planning a clothing swap is to choose a location.  The location will depend based on the number of people attending.  Most of the clothing swaps I have attended have been small and held in a friends living room.

If you have a bigger crowd attending you might be able to find free rental space at a local library or church.

2.  Set The Rules

You should spend some time deciding what the rules for your swap will be.  This is an important step to ensure that everyone knows what to expect from the party and you can all be on the same page.  A few rules I recommend are:

  • Clothes should be in good condition.  No stains, holes, broken zippers, etc.
  • Clothing should be freshly washed.
  • Encourage guests to bring 10-15 high quality clothing items.  Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to hosting a clothing swap.  If to many clothing items are brought, the swap can become overwhelming to sort through.
  • Set a theme.  Make sure to set a theme for the types of clothing to be swapped.  Some swaps focus on trading children’s clothing, others might be just for women’s clothing.  Decide what type of clothing you want at the swap and let your guests know ahead of time.

3.  Invite Guests

Now that you have your rules set, you can start inviting the guests.  If you are wanting a small clothing swap, limit your guest list to your closest friends and family.  If you want a bigger swap, try branching out and inviting acquaintances along with your friends.

4.  Set Up

It’s important for the clothing to be dropped off before the actual event is set to begin. You might want to ask for clothing to be dropped off the night before the official swap, to give you plenty of time to set up.  But, asking for donations 1 hour before the swap can also work!  It will depend on how many people and items you are expecting.

When setting up the swap, make sure to organize clothing items by size and category to make it easier for your guests to sort through.

It’s also a good idea to have a place for guests to try on items during the swap.  If you are hosting at your home, a guest bathroom works great.

5.  Swap Time

When it’s time to swap you can organize it a few different ways:

  • Free for all:  Let everyone shop and grab items to their delight.  This works best for small groups or close friends.  If the group is to big it could cause problems with some people grabbing the “favorite” items first and others leaving without anything.  The goal is for all attendees to leave happy!
  • Lottery:  Another way to arrange the swap is to use a lottery.  Write all guests names down on separate pieces of paper and put them into a bowl.  Draw names out one at a time and assign each name a number in the order they were drawn.  Next, let the first 1-5 names drawn shop for the first 15-20 minutes.  Then the next 5 names can shop for the next 15-20 minutes, and so on.  This gives all guests a fair chance at the clothing.
  •  Swap For Swap:  Another way to ensure fair swapping is to give each guest a ticket for every item of clothing they bring.  If one person brings 7 clothing items, they will receive 7 tickets.  For each ticket they are given they will be able receive that many items of clothing to bring home.

Now, all that’s left to do is enjoy the clothing swap and watch everyone leave with a pile of new to them clothing!

6.  Donate Unwanted

After the party is over, make sure to donate whatever clothing items are leftover.  Choose a charity, such as Goodwill or Salvation Army to donate the leftover items to.

 

In Conclusion

A clothing swap is such a fun way to hang out with friends and get some new articles of clothing.  They are totally addicting though!  Once you start going to these activities, it’s hard to stop!

 

Related Articles:

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I hope this helped you learn how to host a clothing swap.

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