7 ways to help your family adjust to financial stress and financial changes:

1. Plan vacations together:
You know what your budget is, so mom and dad sit down with your kids and discuss what your options are as far as vacations. For example you may be able to go father away from home but for a shorter period of time, or stay closer to home and go for a longer period. When you allow your kids to have input on these decisions it makes cutting costs and budgeting much easier for everyone. Make sure you have a Plan A, B and C.

2 Think Ahead:Once you have decided your 3 plans, put each into action. If plan A for example is to go to Disney for 4 days and 3 nights, which will include airline tickets and rental car and Plan B is to go to the mountains, for 7 days and 6 nights but you can drive, and Plan C is to go to the beach which is only 1 hour away for the weekend and then you can go couple more times. Start putting money away in advance. You have planned your budget and you now have 3 options in place. And everyone is happier.

3. Be your own travel/tour guide:
You have your budget, and your 3 plans. Get on the internet, there are many travel sites that allow you to customize your vacation and many of them especially right now have great deals, make sure you take advantage of them. Like no charge for kids to stay in the hotel rooms, continental breakfast, flight, room and car rental are included together in one price. And some give you rooms and things free if you can travel at certain times.

4. Don't go cold turkey:
If things change, don't just say we can not go at all. You have put into place 3 plans already but if you can not implement any of them, let your family know and have another plan in its place before discussing it with them. With your family involved from the beginning they may be disappointed but they will understand.

5. Avoid Surprises:
By planning together, thinking ahead, budgeting you will avoided surprises for the most part.

6. Set a Budget:
This is the most important step. Make sure you set a budget you can live with, and one that allows you to put money away for the vacation you and your family have planned. Most Importantly STICK TO IT.

7. Calm your kids fears:
The economy is in turmoil right now and will continue to be for sometime, make sure your kids are aware what is going on (up to age appropriate information)letting them know that we are family and no matter what we stick together and we are just fine.
www.saveyourmoneysaveyourfamily.com

9 Tips To Save Money By Keeping Your Vegetables Fresher Longer

1. Too much moisture can cause vegetables to mold and melt.

2. When Purchasing your vegetables at the grocery store dry off the excess water, before placing the item into the plastic bag. Most grocery stores provide paper towels that are located in the produce department.

3. When you get home do not just toss all the vegetables in the refrigerator. How many times have you found your green onions melting in the refrigerator: they have become liquid green yuk.

4. Most vegetables are not to be washed before use.
Except for carrots, beets and celery.
Carrots and beets cut off the roots, wash and dry them completely place them in a perforated plastic bag. Place them in the refrigerator they should last approximately 2 weeks. As for celery the green leafy tops are really very tasty for soups. Clean celery as you would carrots. Dry them completely place them in a perforated plastic bag.

5. Leafy greens, such as lettuce and spinach should be placed in plastic storage bags and put in the coolest place in the refrigerator. Should you notice to much moisture accumulating in the plastic bags wrap the leafy greens in a paper towel.

6. Cabbage, uncut, unwashed wrapped in plastic should last for approximately 10 days .

7. Cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, place in plastic storage bags and place in the refrigerator.

8. Peppers, onions, celery, scallions and tomatoes can be frozen. Thaw and use them in baking and in soups.

9. Potato and sweet potatoes, place in a brown paper bag. Put in a dark, cooler room. Potatoes should last for several weeks. Sweet potatoes contain more sugar, so they break down quicker than regular potatoes.

10 Steps in choosing the Kitchen items and cooking needs that are right for you:

Kitchen Items and small appliances are personal choice:


1. Convenience:
What is most convenient for your life style

2. Simpler the better:
Items that take the least amount of effort to use:

3. Clean Up:
Items that are the easiest to clean up:

4. Clutter or the lack of Clutter:
Space available for you to use in your kitchen.

5. Your type of cooking:
Baking, Grilling, Micro Waving, Crock Pot.

6. Watch out for the newest fad.
The newest gadget may look great but will it really be functional in your kitchen.

7. Is it really a need or just want.
It may be pretty, but think do I really need it. You will save money and clutter.

8. Do you freeze or save left overs.
There are items specifically for freezing and storing cooked foods.

9. Small children in the kitchen:
Safe items for small children that want to help. Cooking is a great way to teach, and build self confidence in small children.

10. Herbs and Spice Gardening:
Do you grow your own. It will determine what kind of spice racks and spices you may need.

Crowded Canoes a Kids favorite

* 4 celery Stalks

* Any flavor cheese spread

* 4 to 8 tables spoons crisp rice cereal

Cut leafy end and the stem away from the celery. Rinse under cold water. Pat dry with paper towel.

Spread cheese into grove of celery stalk.

On wax paper pile cereal in middle, push celery stalk with cheese into cereal. Cereal should stick to cheese.


makes 12

Tip # 7 How do you feed Unexpected Guest without blowing your budget:!!!!

When unexpected guest arrive you don't have to wait until they leave to eat.

Just improvise ! Add food items that cost the least to purchase and the easiest to add without making your guest feel they are an inconvenience.

Many food items fits the bill.

Potatoes, Long grain white or brown rice, barley,pasta, lettuce and many other .

Potatoes add 1 per additional person eating. Microwave: serve mashed potatoes instead of baked. Rice can be served as a starch by itself or added to increase volume. (ex: add to soup, burritos, casseroles as well as barley and pasta.

If serving a salad increase the lettuce and serve the salad into individual salad bowls.

And as far as dessert easy!! Always have a large jar of applesauce on hand, or a couple of boxes of vanilla and chocolate instant pudding, graham crackers or nil la wafers.

Pour applesauce into small individual serving dishes, sprinkle with cinnamon, stand 2 small graham crackers to one side like rabbit ears and serve.

Or make pudding according to directions, pour pudding into small individual serving dishes, layering each flavor, put a dollop of whip topping in the middle and serve.