I was recently asked by a college student how she could spend $20.00 per week on groceries

I was recently asked by a college student how she could eat 3 meals a day 7 days a week on $20.00 and eat semi healthy. Well now let me tell ya that was a challenge. And I actually did not do it, she had to purchase some items in bulk that should last her 2 weeks. 21.75 is what I came up with per week. A large jar of off brand peanut butter $4.50 from Wal Mart or the dollar store, 3 lb bag of apples, $2.50, These 2 items had to last 2 weeks.

peanut butter 4.50/2 weeks
3 lb bag apples 2.50 /2 weeks
dozen eggs 1.65
jelly dollar store large jar 1.85 and it is as good as Welch's
pan cake mix dollar store 1.65
top romain 3/1.00
roast or chicken to bake one or the other $5.00 on sale
bag of frozen vet. mixed California style 2.50 Wal Mart
Syrup large bottle off brand 1.85
2 loaves of bread 2.25
1 small onion .50 only if you have the roast.
or 1 lemon .50 to slice and put in her water.

I told her about how to use top roman noodles, to use the noodles as your starch and put other stuff on top. And she could use the season packets to flavor her other meals, like soups, or chicken or roast.

I also suggested to her to buy a package of mint seeds, plant them and grow her mint to put into her water.


Then we sat down with the Phoenix Sunday paper found all the specials, clipped out the coupons she could use for the next couple of weeks and we went shopping.

We went to Safeway, Fry's, Wal Mart and the Dollar General Store. I had her fill out the application for Safeway and Fry's dollar value card.

With her coupons and the dollar value cards, Wal Mart and Dollar General Store and I even found her a Holsum Day Old Bread Store. When our shopping was done we spent $33.17 including tax I might add. The only thing she needs for the following week would be nothing. Except maybe some fresh fruit or something to drink besides water. We bought a roast and a roasting chicken. From the bread store wheat bread and cinnamon rolls. They fit perfectly in the freezer in her apartment.

I was even surprised at myself. I thought I would share it with you.







var googleSearchDomain = "www.google.com";
var googleSearchPath = "/cse";

Do You Know What the average American Family Spends on Eating Out

Food is one big area where many families could be more thrifty. Families spend an average of $2,434 on food away from home, according to the Consumer Expenditure Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you (and your spouse and your children) eat lunch out every day of the week then try brown bagging at least one of those days. If just one of you does it you may save up to $400 a year and if you can double or triple that savings you could finance a family vacation with it.

Simple, inexpensive and healthy lunches.

Lunch should be only about 400 calories. Buy large bags of pretzels, rice cereal, a large jar of peanuts, celery sticks, carrots, large bag of apples, a large jar of peanut butter, couple of favorite jellies or jams, a large block of cheese, a large box of crackers.

Pack my Cranberry Date Breakfast Bars or Peanut Butter Granola Bars.

A lunch maybe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a small bag of pretzels, and some apple wedges, sprinkle with a lemon juice, cinnamon sugar to keep them from turning brown. A healthier yummy lunch. Or pack a mixture of rice cereal, pretzels, peanuts mix with Worcestershire sauce, add some garlic salt if desired warm in oven 350 degrees for 10 min. cool and divided into bags for a great lunch snack. Pack a Peanut Butter Granola Bar and slice the block cheese into thin sliced cubes and crackers.

Lunch can be a great way to include younger children in letting them help prepare their lunch the night before.

10 Simple Steps to Save Money

Saving Money has always been something we American's should do. No Matter What.
And now it is more important than ever.


1. Make a list of all your expenses:

Which includes, utilities, house payment, car payment, rent, property taxes, insurance on your house, autos, medical insurance, donations, entertainment, golfing, clothes, etc. I mean everything.

Put the list in 2 categories: Name the first category Needs: Name the other category wants/pleasures and be honest.

An example of a need is housing and transportation, an example of a want/pleasure is golfing 3 days a week and a cappuccino every day.

2. Make a budget and stick to it. Take the 2 list from above and apply a dollar amount to each item. Look at what you are actually spending for each and take a look at your income.

3. Stop buying on credit: credit cards, auto loans, pay day loans are the worst.

4. Eliminate debt first: stop paying late fees. And do not incurre more debt. Once debt is paid it will free up more of your money.

5. Trim your expenses: this is much easier than you think:

Take the 2 list from above: Start with the wants/pleasure list first. I am not saying completely cut everything out but take a look at it and cut 30% of the cost out. Still enjoy life find different ways that are less expensive to do the same things you enjoy. If you must golf go the a least expensive course. And for your favorite drink make it at home most of the time and buy it out only 1 per week.

Then take list 1 from above: Your needs are different but those expenses can be cut as well. If your house payment, rent, car payment is more than it should be, sale the house, rent out a room to help with expenses, find a less expensive place to rent, trade in that auto for something less expensive and do not buy another car until this one is paid off. A car payment is like flushing your money down the toilet. Most cars today will last 10 years with just the normal maintenance.

Then look at your food budget. Or make a food budget. Stop spending for fast food and eating out all the time. Cook at home. My book Save Your Money Save Your Family will be in book stores soon. You really can feed a family of 4 for $250.00 per month with a little planning and cooking more at home. Make it a family affair. And by doing this you will be eating much healthier.

6. Always record your expenses: As soon as you use that debit card. (Which is another great way for consumers to loose track of their finances and for banks to capitalize on making more money) write down the purchase immediately, you know as well as I do we loose that little pieces of paper that are called receipts for the transaction. And do not use a credit card.

7. Always know where your money is to the penny: With online excess today for your bank account, there is no reason for you not knowing where every penny is. And you should never overdraft your account. You are only making the bank money. And killing your cash flow and credit.

8. Set a time frame for you and your family: This will help you to meet your goals in a realistic manner.

9. Pay yourself first: Take 10% of your check each time you are paid and put it in the bank. Include it as one of your needs items. And once it is in the savings DO NOT TAKE IT OUT. CUT SOMEWHERE ELSE. Remember it is your money, you worked for it, you should have some of it for your tomorrows, and no one else is going to help you save your money, only you and your family.

10. SAVING MONEY IS YOUR GOAL: Follow the steps above and you will be successful. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! STAY FOCUSED, KEEP THE OBJECTIVE ALWAYS IN MIND, HOW GREAT IT WOULD BE TO HAVE YOUR HOME PAID FOR COMPLETELY IN A SHORT FEW YEARS OR TO PAY CASH FOR YOUR NEXT CAR.

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.

Create Healthy Habits for you and your family:

Eat Breakfast:

According to a Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital study of children from Philadelphia and Baltimore, there was a clear link that showed children who usually ate breakfast performed better in mathematics and they had fewer cases of hyperactivity in the classroom. The children also attended school on a more regular basis, compared to their peers who missed out on breakfast. (Pediatrics, January, 1998; Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, February, 1998) Suite101.com
Preparing breakfast takes very little effort: It will take a little more organization and 10 more minutes in the morning:


Make sure you have several breakfast items on hand: Not just cold cereal.


Oatmeal eggs
cream of wheat bread
pan cake mix butter
syrup jam/jelly
yogurt
fruit/fresh/frozen
milk
juice

when making pan cakes make them 3" in diameter. make 2 dozen more than you will eat and freeze them. When you are short on time pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

Turkey Chili

Turkey Chili recipe

1 Cup chicken broth
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 large yellow onion
1 green pepper chopped
4 cups tomatoes chopped
1 green chili chopped
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper

1. In large sauce pan brown turkey, in a small amount of chicken broth. Add onions, and the rest of the chicken broth. Saute until onions are tender about 5 minutes.

2. Add green pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, green chili, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.

3. Cook over medium-low heat for 30 min., stirring frequently.

4. Serve.

serves 6 to 8

or adjust to using a crock pot,
complete
step 1. then pour into a crock pot.

2. crock pot temp. set to low heat.

Serve your Halloween guest from the crock pot.




/show_afs_search.js">

HALLOWEEN IS AROUND THE CORNER!!DON'T LET IT BLOW YOUR BUDGET.

HALLOWEEN IS AROUND THE CORNER!! HAVE FUN!!!
DON'T LET IT BLOW YOUR BUDGET.
BUYING TIPS FOR CANDY!!!

1. CHECK OUT THE LOCAL DOLLAR STORES.
2. READ YOUR GROCERY STORE ADDS ( they may have store brands on sale)
3. DON'T BUY STORE BRANDS
4.ONLY GIVE ONE PIECE PER CHILD

OR INSTEAD HAVE A HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
HAVE EVERYONE BRING ONE ITEM TO SHARE
SERVE HOMEMADE CHILI
HOME MADE POPCORN BALLS
HOME MADE CANDID APPLES
CROWDED CANOES
HAVE A LARGE BUCKET OR BARREL WITH WATER HAVE THE KIDS BOB FOR APPLES
HAVE A TREASURE HUNT
A COSTUME CONTEST
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOME MUSIC PLAYING
HAVE A DVD OR VIDEO MAKE SURE IT IS AGE APPROPRIATE

COSTUMES:

RECYCLE, EXCHANGE WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS OR MAYBE HAVE A SWAP WITH YOUR CHILD'S PARENT, TEACHER ORGANIZATION.
BRING A COSTUME GET A COSTUME.

OR CHECK OUT MY STORE FOR GREAT DEALS ON HALLOWEEN COSTUMES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY CLICK HERE.

SUMMER VACATIONS/LABOR DAY/HOLIDAY

SUMMER VACATIONS/LABOR DAY/HOLIDAY
AT THE BEACH, LAKE AND PARKS
PREPARING AND PLANNING FOR THESE ARE AS EASY AS 1, 2 ,3
CLEAN UP THE AREA BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
DON'T BOAT OR DRINK AND DRIVE.

1. ICE CHEST USE SOLID BLOCK ICE. IT LAST LONGER AND WILL KEEP YOUR FOOD AND DRINKS COOLER LONGER

2. DRINKS: SODA AND BEER WILL DEHYDRATE YOU. MAKE SURE YOU TAKE PLENTY OF WATER. ALSO REMEMBER TANG THE ASTRONAUTS. MIX AND POUR INTO A GALLON MILK JUG AND FREEZE AS IT THAWS IT IS COLD AND REFRESHING.

3. FREEZE GRAPES: THEY ARE DELICIOUS

4. PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARS (SEE RECIPE)posted 7/29/09

5. NATURAL FOODS (NOT JUNK)SEE BELOW HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCHES: CARROTS, CELERY, APPLE WEDGES SPRINLE WITH CINNAMON AND SUGAR, MIXED CERELS ADD RAISINS AND M & M'S.

6. MEATS: LEAN CUTS OF TURKEY, AND HAM, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP IT COOL.

7. EASY HEALTY SNACKS: CRACKERS AND NILLA WAFERS. FOR CHEESE AND CRACKERS. NILLA WAFERS WITH PEANUT BUTTER.

Easy Creamy Fudge

* 3 cups sugar
* 1/2 cup cocoa
* 3 Tablespoons butter
* 1 Teaspoon vanilla
* 1 1/2 cup milk
* 1/2 cup walnuts
* 1/2 cup pecans
* 1/8 teaspoon salt


1. Mix salt, sugar, coca together, then all the milk.
2. Cook until mixture forms a hard ball in cold water
3. Add butter while hot.
4. Remove from heat and cool until lukewarm.
5. Add nuts.
6. Pour into greased dish and cut into squares

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