SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

With the economic down turn, more and more families are feeling the pain of the economic crunch.
families are having to cope with the job loss of one or both parents. Families are having to re-evaluate everything in their every day lives:
from where they eat, how they shop for food, which grocery stores to buy grocery from, how, when, where and how much
their budgets will allow them to spend on everyday necessitates. Even family trips, vacations, eating out, movies are a luxury for many families in today's world.

I have a few suggestion on how to help you and your family cope. Just because things are hard and I know they are hard. It does not mean that you and your family should not or can not enjoy
each others company, companionship,and re-bonding.

1. Set aside a time, day or night. That is family time: for you to cook together, have something for each family member to do.
2. Have each person write down what each one would like to do on a family night. You may have each person have a family night each week.
for example. Big brother chooses to have homemade pizza and movie night on his week. And little sister chooses to have home made chicken tacos and a Mexican party on her week.
3. Also there are several board games that are very and I am going to say cheap because they are cheap, for you to purchase and play with your family.

We can get through this one day at a time. I encourage you to take a step back and appreciate what you have. The most important asset you have is each other period.

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

Tip # 2: Spend Less, Get More – 5 Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store

The five ways takes you very little time and can save you hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill each year.

It’s no secret that groceries take a huge chunk out of the family budget. The more people in your house, the more you spend each week at the grocery store. Saving money on groceries is one way you can actively affect the amount of money you spend every week, month and year. The good news is that you don’t have to make huge sacrifices to find huge savings. In fact, the following five simple steps take you very little time and can save you hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill each year:

1. Take the time to look at coupons, ANY coupons: store coupons, manufacturers’ coupons, local coupons, coupons from magazines and coupons that you print off the internet. If at all possible, use them. It may not be the brand you normally buy but many off brands come from the same place as the more well known brands. Check to see what is on sale - and I mean really on sale. For instance, some grocers place some offers at “10 items for some dollar amount.” Well, you have to ask yourself: is it really a bargain? Bring a calculator and do the math; if it IS a bargain, snatch it up. If not, walk on by.
2. Stick to your lists. DO NOT BUY IF IT IS NOT ON YOUR LISTS. You took the time to prepare your menu for the week or month. (See my book Save Your Money, Save Your Family coming soon) and made a lists of food items that you need. Stick to it.
3. Eat before you go. Even if it is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk. This will keep you from impulse buying because you are hungry.
4. Don’t buy non food items at a grocery store. Toiletries, laundry, paper products, make up even spices, bread, wine are to be purchased from a discount store, 99 cent store or day old bread store.
5. Always remember: the bigger companies that can afford to have their products at eye level pay to be there. So this convenience costs you, the consumer, more money. If you don’t believe me, try this simple experiment the next time you go shopping: look up above eye level and look down at the knee level, these companies are smaller companies but have as good as or better food products for much cheaper prices.

Tip # 1 Take Control of your Life

I mean literally take control of your life. Yes bad things are going on in our economy, but let's face it no one is going to bail you out but you. So TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK.

Sit down and take a look at your family, finances and the way you live everyday.


Get rid of things that costs you money that you really don't need ( if you can not decide what those are think back 10 years ago what luxury items did you not have then well I am sure today you still don't need them so get rid of them).


Right now needs out weigh wants. Make sure the entire family is part of the costs saving actions, it could be a little as a smaller child making sure all the lights are turned off when no one is in a room.

Continue to read my blog for more tips. Look for my book SAVE YOUR MONEY, SAVE YOUR FAMILY in book stores soon.

In Book Stores Soon Continue to read my blog for Tips and Ideas for helping your family in todays world

There is a silver lining you just have to look for it. Millions of people world wide are in the same mess you are. Even those rich and famous are filing bankruptcy, homes being foreclosed on, and loosing jobs, just because they make more money only means they have more stuff and more debt so everything is relative.

This is the time that families need to pull together by getting back to basics. Learning to appreicate what you have. This is the time in your life you will find out what is really important. Don't be surprised to find it is family and don't be surprised to find that you and your family can enjoy the more simple things in life again; each other.

My book Save Your Money, Save Your Family does just that. Look for it. Continue to read my blog for Tips on helping you and your family.

Look for my book Save Your Money, Save Your Family coming soon in book stores.