STEP 1

Cut the monthly expenses down.  I did several things.  I took several things off my phone and asked for slower internet.  I paid 60 dollars a year for Skype for all my long distance, instead of using phone cards I sometimes lose.

I traded in my old gas guzzler that doesn’t work for a sweet sipper a Bashran 50 classic.  That alone saved me 136 a week in gas and 50 dollars a month in insurance fees.

I lowered my water bill by having sweet hubby fix all the leaks while he has been laid off.

I lowered the electric bill by shutting down nonessential components of our computer, unplugging unused appliances, and using fans to cool.

STEP 2

Cut entertainment expenses down.  I no longer rent from the rental store, I watch Youtube or borrow from the library.

I no longer buy books except for school, I borrow from the library.

STEP 3

Lower consumable expenses.  Cloth diapers and buying bulk has helped my family lower these expenses tremendousley.

The point is I didn’t do it all at once.  Don’t expect yourself to.  It is a step by tiny little step process.  Aim to save 50 dollars more each month.  If that is too hard, aim for 20 more.  The first monthdo something that will save 20 dollars a month every single month (lowering your internet speed).  The next month do another thing that will save 20 dollars a month every month ( switching to a scooter).  If you do this the savings will add up.

1.  Buy the traditionally cheap foods that are fresh.  This isn’t just potatoes either folks.  Cabbage is about 40 cents a pound most places and much cheaper in my area.  With a few pounds of cabbage you can make so much, saukraut, cabbage soup, pigs in the blanket, coleslaw, and more.  Cabbage is your friend too as it has anti cancer properties.  So instead of the traditonal fair, try to place some cabbage in two to three meals a week.

2. Look at the manager specials.  At Kroger they have Manager Specials on fresh foods that have a few bad spots or need to be used quickly.  If you are very ingenious you will know not only can you buy these for the nights meal, but with a little cutting, freezing, or “precooking” your whole basket can be managers specials.  For example: 6 heads of cauliflower are on special for half price.  3 of them are in very good condition, with only a little blackend ends here or there.  Snatch up all three, take them home, cut off the bad stuff, chop up, blanch, and then freeze for future meals.  You now have the same food for cheaper and prepared half way.

3. Foraging for fresh food is still a good option.  Even though the blackberries are all off the vines, the persimmons are coming in.  We picked several baskets today.  Find wild foods for each season in your area.  If nothing else you could bag a deer, even though it isn’t fresh fruits or veggies, it still lowers your food bill.

4.  Start looking at exactly what a serving is.  Instead of eating hog wild, actually look at what a sercing is when your eating and only eat a serving.  This works for all food, but it’s good for you and your bill.

2. Use extra blankets.  This way you can keep your thermostat lowered at night.  The best blankets for keeping warm are quilts, c0mforters, and knitted blankets.  My grandma always put a layer so thick that you would need help peeling the blankets off come morning.  The extra benefit was she could turn the heat off in the cold Pennsylvania winters.  I remember waking up to little icicles on the ceiling once or twice.

3. Heating stones or hot water bottles.  Depending on the era you grew up in this was either a soapsto0ne block at your feet or a hot water bottle at your feet in bed.  These help temporarily.  They make bed not so cold to jump into at least.

4.  Get the fireplace stoked.  Keep all those newspapers and jink mail envelopes your getting, they will be great kindling.  I am already buying wood, even though the nights are barely cool.  Use that fireplace.  Our house only has a fireplace for heat.  We can no longer afford kerosene at night.

5. Use draft doggies, weather sealents, and heavy drapes.  Plastic on the windows also works.  I will be adding very heavy drapes this winter.  I am sealing off parts of the house.  I am also making draft doggies.

I write on this wonderful site, today.com.  I love this site.  The owner is awesome, the people are awesome, and the site is very easy to use.  Not to mention I get $1 per post and a little for every unique visitor.  So to pay off one student loan, I write on Today.com.

I sell books on Amazon.com.  They are used books and most are from the early 1900’s, but that’s what I do.  Amazon.com is wonderful because they have everything you could ever need, a great feedback system so you know what your getting and who from, and a great payment system.  You can sell books for free at Amazon.com.  They only take a part of your profits.

I sell stuff on Ebay.  No lie I do.   I have sold books for many years on Ebay, used kids clothes, craft projects, hand made items, and even tarot readings.  When I was listing 8 hours a week, I made 60 dollars clear profit each week.  That’s minus listing fees, shipping, and handling.  60 dollars a week while in college isn’t small stuff for a mom of 5.

I am a citizen journalist for Associated Content.  I don’t make much, in fact it’s barely enough for a candy bar, but it gets me experience.

I have my own business, which I mentioned before, called Gifted Guidance at www.giftedguidance.com.  Don’t worry it’s tarot mostly, so unless you want a tarot reading this isn’t a plug.

I work at home answering phones for a lady’s company making about 18 dollars an hour 4 hours a week.

Okay that is the picture of a diversified work life.  On top of all this, until my husband was laid off he worked 40+ hours a week.  As you can see I wasn’t taking chances before he got laid off.  My point is this.  The scary financial news, the lay offs, the lack of funds, the foreclosures you hear about, they don’t have to be you.  YOU are in control.  You can decide to work your honey off at every opportunity that comes your way and shine!

1. Moonlight.  A side job that is needed for nothing more than spending money is your best ally in a tight spot.  Often times second jobs can take over as the main job until someone finds more or better paying employment.  Now is not the time to slack on the second job, it’s time to get busy, get noticed, and get extra hours.

2. Freelancing.  Again you are diversifying your income by doing a little side freelancing while you work.  Sure it won’t get all the bills paid, but it will help cover one or two in a tight spot right?

3. Sell it online.  Or in other words liquidate your useless assets.  Banks are doing it, shouldn’t you?  If your close to behind on your mortgage, electric, or water, take every single solitary thing you own that you don’t use at least once a month and sell it.  I am serious.  If money is tight take every thing you own that isn’t needed for day to day operations, (tvs, vcrs, dvd, etc… don’t count as needed) and SELL IT!  I saw a news program where people left 40 inch tv’s in their home that was taken by foreclosure.  SELL IT and the 3 computers that you have lying around, that’s one more months mortgage payment.  I was so ticked when I saw that.

4. Collect FREE stuff to sell online.  I know you just liquidated everything and now your supposed to collect free stuff to sell again?  It’s called making money without a job and it works.  Ebay and Amazon are your friends, get aquainted and learn to make a living off the new economy.

5. Don’t panic.  I would love to say it’s easy.  I would love to say everything will be alright, but it won’t.  Knowing this, don’t panic.   If your smart enough, you’ll figure a way out of it.

First make sure to lay ground rules.  There will be a birthday party and then a couple of friends may stay after for the sleep over part.  Make sure the birthday child knows not all of his or her friends can stay.  Set a limit to the amount of guests allowed based on your pocket book.  For my example I will say a total of 6 children including the birthday kid.  After the cake ($4)  described on my previous post HERE , and streamers and candles bought at the dollar store ($2), a mom or dad has to plan for the nights activities and at least a gift.  I would set a limit of $10 for a gift.  If you have a nice “get together” birthday party, the child shouldn’t notice the less expensive gift.  In general, it is my belief a child doesn’t need more than one good gift, but we always want to give more.

Make sure the birthday party itself is short and sweet, about an hour.  Also make sure that it starts at 7 or 8 pm.  Allow everyone to catch up and learn about one another.  Have a board game set up for the kids to play while they wait for the cake to be served.  This should be one you already own.  Board games are best because more players can play as opposed to video games which is limited to 4 at most.  Board games also stimulate conversation better.   Another game that is fun to play is “telephone.”  Where one person starts by whispering something in one persons ear and going around the room whispering the same thing from one child to the next.  At the end it will be very funny to see what the “secret” turns out to be.  Mom and Dad can play along with this one too, and should in fact initiate it.

At the dollar store you can find party favors, but I prefer to make my own.  For each child that can not stay at the slumber party, make sure they are given a goody bag.  This can be as simple as a little candy and a thank you note in a bag, or a certificate for fries at Wendy’s or something else.  In general candy and a bag are the cheapest, costing about ($2).

Once everyone leaves and only the kids that are staying over remain, the party really begins.  Make sure all the parents know that the kids must be picked up at 7 or 8 am, that way you don’t have to give them lunch or snacks.  Buy a pack of hot chocolate and candy canes ($3) for a winter birthday, or spiced apple cider and a how ever many apples as kids for a fall birthday ($5) , or buy a melon and tea ($5) for a summer birthday, or buy a carton of eggs and tea for a spring birthday ($3).  this will be the kids breakfast.  Of course, you will get the cheapest available in your area.

For entertainment there are several options.  Free videos are available over the internet at the following locations.  Veoh has several television shows.  Hulu has several free movies over the internet, and many tv shows. If you can’t find anything here you can always rent from your local movie rental place.  In general two movies is the maximum you will need if you started the birthday party at 7 pm.  ($7)

Of course while movies are playing, popcorn must be eaten.  Popcorn is only about $1 a bag.  Make sure you have enough for the whole tribe to stuff themselves silly.  For 6 children I recommend at least 2 bags.   ($2)  After the movies are done, tell a bed time story (scary is best) and send the little ones on their way.  Expect a night full of flash lights, giggles, bathroom trips, and in general whispers because no one ever sleeps on a sleep over.

Total cost with the most expensive options:   $32

Your pocket book won’t hurt and your kid will love you.  Also it can be a lot cheaper than this if you find a free movie you like, and only feed the kids eggs and tea for breakfast.  Finally, if your son or daughter complains about such a “little” birthday gift from mom and dad, explain the present isn’t their only gift…the whole sleep over was.  Then show them how much it costsed to host som many friends over night.  Good luck and let me know how this works.  My eldest daughter that is 12 says it is a dream come true,  may be your child will like it too.

Pick up party hats, streamers, and ballons at the dollar store for decorations.  You might even pick up a pack of candles and some wrapping paper if your budget isn’t extra tight.  This will cover most of you decorating needs and a couple games, depending on the age group of course.  Total: $5.00

When guests arrive, be sure to use your nice dishes and silverware for the adults.  Make sure everyone is comfortable and has a refreshment such as tea, water, or if you happen to have it on hand juice.  Using your normal dishes will take extra work due to washing, but it will be cheaper than buying throw away utensils and plates.

Until the birthday cake is ready to be served keep the children busy with games.  For ages 4 to 6 take a piece of poster board and draw a clown or other silly character missing a nose.  How the game is played.  Take a child, blind fold him, spin him around, and tell him to tape the “nose” on the clown.  Total cost: $2.00

For ages 7 to 9 a ballon stomp game can be fun and wild.  *Hint* (put away the breakables) Take (1) 12 inch length of string and tie (1) to each child’s shoe.  Attach a ballon to the end.  Tell them the last one with a balloon on the string is the winner.  Hilarity and bumps ensue.  Cost: $1.00

For ages 6 to 9, a water balloon fight is always fun, provided kids aren’t in their best outfits at the party and it is summer.  This should be supervised.  The balloon fight goes like this, to ensure it is a “fair” fight.  The children are divided into even teams with even abilities.  Basically that means two teams of three with a spread out age range.  Each team is given a set amount of pre-filled water balloons and a “base” to hide behind.  On the mark, they lob balloons at each other until depleted of ammo, or the other team is beyond soaking wet.  In the end there probably won’t be a clear winner, if the teams were evenly set up.

After play time is over, serve the cake with much fan fare.  Make sure everyone sings happy birthday and the birthday child blows out all the candles.   Of course after the cake comes presents.  Now this is the BIGGEST part of being frugal.  While I understand the want to give a little extra at a birthday, a limit should be set WELL ahead of the birthday for how much a birthday present can cost.  In our family it is generally 20 dollars.  If the child has plenty of family or friends, gathering up one or two more presents from the lot, he or she should be fine.

Total:  about $30.00

For me it takes almost 4 yards to cover everything, top to bottom, and back to front, but this  doesn’t have to be 60 inches material either.  I can make about anything I want with 3 yards.  For me I would guess anywhere from 4 to 16 dollars an out fit.

As you can see the price goes up for every yard of fabric, or special requirement needed.  The bigger a person is the more yardage they need, and the less stylish the clothes in my opinion.  From a purely economical fashion point of view, it is better to be the average petite size than a plus size when looking for patterns, price and availability wise.

So I am going to continue to aim for 4 to 6 pounds a month, until I am my proper weight, which I have found to be between  105 and 125.  I hope you will join me!