serenejournal/flickr

In my post on snagging free and deeply discounted food, I listed a meal swap (or meal sharing) as a way to save money on food. Here’s how to set one up.

The idea behind a meal swap is that each person makes a big batch of what they are cooking and then divides it into smaller servings, packing the food so it is freezer ready. Everyone in the meal swap meets once a week or once a month (whatever is decided upon) and swaps what they have made.

This is different than a food swap in that everyone

takes one of whatever each other makes. In most swaps, you don’t have to swap unless you want to. This is more like communal cooking and sharing.

The savings in this system is not only the cost of the ingredients, but also the amount of time involved in cooking.

There are stumbling blocks to making this work, so I want to address those here. I have never done a meal swap, but it is a great way to save money and time.

1. Get a group of people committed to doing this. If you have seven families in the group and two of them aren’t dedicated, then you end up with only five dishes. It won’t be enough to keep it going.
2. Check for allergies. If one person is allergic to soy and another to peanuts and another to dairy and another to gluten it will be hard to make this work. There will be so many restrictions! On the other hand, if you gather together a group with similar allergies, it would be VERY helpful.
3. Decide on standards for ingredients. Do you only want organic veggies or will regular veggies do? Free range eggs only, or will commercial eggs be okay?
4. Agree about the portions and cost. Will it be fair for one person to bring in a huge container of soup and another person to bring a jar of jam? How do you maintain balance? I suggest everyone make an entree. (Check out our recipes page for ideas). You might add a side dish if everything goes well.
5. Decide upon a convenient time and place to meet and swap. Ideally, members either live nearby or have a common meeting place like work or church. This will make it easier to keep your swap going.
6. Reuse storage containers so Tupperware is not an additional cost.
7. Consider a liability waiver for each participant to sign indicating that everyone promises to uphold to the highest level of cleanliness and take responsibility for swapping. In other words, no one can sue if they get sick from eating what you make. So… make sure that everyone is knowledgeable about how to handle the cooking and storing of food. You might even consider, as a group, taking classes on food preservation.

Have you swapped meals? I’d like to hear how it went for you.

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

Want to save money on your phone service? Try Ooma. It was recently named the best home phone service by Consumer Reports. Ooma offers long-term savings without having to sacrifice on high-quality phone service or affordable add-on options.

Ooma allows you to take control of how you communicate! Stay in touch with friends and loved ones for free with crystal-clear audio, and home and mobile services.

Here’s how it works: Ooma uses broadband Internet (Voice over IP technology) to provide free home phone service with voicemail, caller ID, and call waiting. All you have to do is plug the device, which costs $199.99, into your high-speed Internet connection and then you plug your phone into the Ooma unit. You don’t even need a computer. Note that many VoIP services can’t be used for emergency calls, but with Ooma you can make an emergency call!

All you pay is roughly $3.50 a month for taxes and fees. For an average family spending $30-$40 a month on home phone service, Ooma can pay for itself within 7 to 10 months, and continue to save them money year after year.

Calls between Ooma phones are always free from anywhere in the world. For those who have family outside the U.S., users can purchase 500 international minutes for just $4.99, plus the $9.99/month fee – that’s a penny a minute!

With Ooma Premier, an optional level of service for $9.99/month, you’ll get more than 25 advanced features including a second line, three-way conferencing, blacklisting and call screening.

To save money on your mobile plan, just download the Ooma Mobile Application, which uses Wi-Fi or 3G connections on Droid phones, iPhone, iPad or the iPod Touch. You’ll save minutes on your calling plan and save up to 90 percent on international calls compared to mobile plans.

This is dedicated content. Want to reach tens of thousands of savvy spenders? Read our blog marketing page.

Do you "envelope" budget? Credit: PinkMoose/Flickr

A friend emailed me with a bit of budgeting advice passed on from her mother, the professional organizer Janet Fishman:

Set up separate bank accounts for: living expenses, play, long-term savings, education, charity, and retirement and have either a percentage or fixed dollar amount from each paycheck go into these accounts. Most all companies that offer automatic deposits for payroll have the ability to automatically deposit into multiple accounts. Figure out how much you need to pay taxes, divide by the number of weeks you work, and that constitutes the dollar amount to set aside for each week. Repeat this for the categories above and you will be fully prepared and organized year round!

This ads up to six accounts – or more if you set up one for taxes and other categories. Phew! That strikes me as a lot to manage. Plus, you would have a harder time hitting minimum balance requirements to keep your account free or low cost.

On the other hand, how much money you have to spend on any given thing would be crystal clear. No pushing money earmarked for one expense to cover something else. Plus, retirement is singled out, which makes it more likely that you will save for retirement.

What do you think of this modern take on the “envelope” system? Would you use it?

sean dreilinger / Flickr

I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.

Living the frugal life – Donna Freedman shares why frugality is the right choice. (MSN Money)

Moving on a budget – Moving? Check out this guide to cutting packaging and moving costs. (MoneyCrashers)

Financial disaster – Learn how to deal with divorce from a financial standpoint. (Bargaineering)

Money 101 – The Silicon Valley Blogger shares a basic financial plan for those starting out. (The Digerati Life)

Save money on your wheels – The Thousandaire shares ten ways to stop wasting money on your car. (Thousandaire)

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA.

tchuntfr / Flickr

I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.

Understanding your credit – What is good credit? Learn what your credit ratings and ranges mean. (MoneyCrashers)

Hilarious tax stories – CPA’s reveal tax writeoffs that didn’t work. Yup, someone actually tried them. (Bargaineering)

Budgeting solution – Hate planning? Here’s how to budget for those who don’t like to prepare in advance. (Wisebread)

Surviving a layoff – Find out what to do after losing your job. (The Digerati Life)

Nonfans win big – Here are 4 Super Bowl deals for non-football fans. (MainStreet)

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA.

A baby nursery for less than $260!

Remember my post from October about looking for a pregnant Halloween costume? Well, the time has *almost* come. Here are nine ways I’ve saved money in preparation for parenthood.

• We compared the prices of popular baby gear on Amazon, Babies R Us, and Target to make sure we got the best deal on a car seat and other items we wanted to buy new. You’d be surprised which retailer was the cheapest!

• I stalked craigslist, Freecycle, and my local Mommy & Me consignment store to furnish our nursery, pictured above, for less than $260. I can’t believe how much used baby stuff is free or extremely cheap. Here are more places to look to avoid paying retail for baby clothesand gear.

• We cooked five dinners ahead of time and froze them, including turkey spaghetti, chicken corn chowder, and pork and hominy stew. I also made a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough, which freezes really well for up to a month. Everything but the turkey spaghetti recipe came from my favorite cookbook, America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.

• We considered using disposable diapers but the environmental and dollar cost convinced us to go with washable cloth diapers. We’re using the Gdiaper system and were lucky to find a huge stash of them at a garage sale for $.50 a piece!

• We planned family visits to get extra help cooking and cleaning, reducing our take out bill and sleep deprivation. Not sure if this will save us that much, but it will certainly be nice to have the company!

• We updated our budget to live on one salary, nixing a lot of luxuries we used to enjoy.

• We skipped a lot of baby gear money traps. It’s obnoxious how many manufacturers use parents’ fear to sell worthless crap.

• I bought most of my maternity clothes second hand from a local consignment shop, and found hot deals at Sears for new items. In one trip, I paid $133 for two pairs of pants, two sweaters, two bras, and three tops. That averages to $14.78 per item.

• We fully stocked our kitchen pantry and toiletry closet so we won’t have to pay full price if something runs out.

Anything else we should do before baby arrives?

EE Homepage / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Last year, my aunt underwent dental surgery that could have cost her thousands of dollars. The cheapest quote she got in the U.S. was $45,000. To get affordable health options, and save money, she sought out-of-country care. She told me she saved more than $20,000 when I told her about my dental emergency.

I was surprised to learn she’d had her teeth fixed because all I’d heard was that she’d gone on vacation to Mexico during the summer. I interrogated her over the phone.

“What did you get done?”

“Gum surgery and implants” she said.

“Ouch! Guess bad teeth run in the family. How did you pick the dentist?”

“I got quotes last time we went to see your grandma.”

“So how much did you end up paying in total with travel?

“The round-trip cost $500, which we already planned to pay to go visit. The bill was $24,250. Everything was $24,750.”

“What if there would have been complications?”

“That’s why we stayed over the whole summer just in case I had to go back. But everything went well. Plus the dentist studied and worked here [in the U.S.] so I knew he had experience.”

Things worked out well for my aunt. She didn’t have to worry about losing hours at work since she gets the summers off. Housing was also not a problem since she stayed with relatives. These are all things you must take into consideration because they will add to the expenses.

Would I travel to another country to get inexpensive dental or doctor care? I’m not sure. I guess it depends on the kind of care I needed. I wouldn’t do it to take care of a cavity or two. Normally, I’d jump at the opportunity to save that kind of money. But I’m hesitant to say yes because I’d be scared something would go wrong and I’d find myself in a country I know little about.

My aunt’s surgery went without a glitch, but if something had gone wrong her health and dental insurance from work wouldn’t have covered expenses. Since all her expenses where covered out of pocket, she would’ve had to fork over more money. Not only that, according to this NPR story, if something goes wrong in surgeries abroad there may not be much you can do. At least, in the states we have malpractice laws and medical standards that can help right a wrong.

Would you consider going out of country to get low-cost medical or dental care?

Urban Woodstalker/flickr

Do you know the main idea that separates people who live over-budget from those who live under-budget?

People who go over-budget do so because they think they must have NEW stuff. This often translates into buying at the highest price. Go to the mall and buy a new shirt. Top dollar. Go to the car dealer and buy a new replacement part for your car. Super top dollar. Go to the bookstore and buy a just published book. Very expensive.

Some people feel that it is “bad” or “uncool” or “low class” to buy recycled, used, or discounted. Well, if you are super rich and have money to burn, then, be my guest and buy retail. I surely want to go to your yard sales and I certainly don’t want to try and balance your budget.

People who live under-budget think new stuff is a waste of money. They would rather get used stuff and re-purpose it.

So where are the best places to get great re-purposed stuff? Here is my top 7 list:

1. Yard Sales – You just can’t beat a yard sale for great prices and wild diversity. I love the adventure of yard sales. Go to a family neighborhood for kid stuff. Go to an area with lots of artists for cool and unique items. Utilize Yard Sale Treasure Map to find the yard sales in your area.

2. Thrift Stores – You never know what kind of great buys you will get in a thrift store. I’ve seen designer suits for $9.95 and service-for-12 Noritake china for $29.95. It’s important that you check for nicks, tears, broken zippers, stains, etc. when buying at a thrift store. There is no returning. On the flip side, I love donating to my local thrift store. I get a tax deduction plus I know I’m putting treasures into someone else’s hand and out of the landfill.

3. Swaps - Find a swap, attend a swap, create a swap. Just swap! The best way to recycle and re-purpose and end up with new-to-you stuff. Many swaps have some sort of minimal entrance fee plus you need to bring stuff to swap. I’m hooked on swaps.

4. Your friends and/or co-workers – Have a closet clean out with your friend. Get your co-workers to swap clothing, books, electronics. It can be as simple as putting a basket in the office lunchroom for a book exchange.

5. On the curb of the sidewalk – I have found the most wonderful stuff on the curb. I’ve gotten a great light table for graphics, an end table and a treadmill. Keep the universe happy and put your cool stuff out on the curb for others to find.

6. Consignment stores – Not as good as a thrift store, but sometimes you can get GREAT deals on very high quality designer clothes for young and old.

7. Specialized consignment sales – Some sales, like the LA Kids Consignment sale specialize in public such as kids, plus size or sports equipment

Learn to love the re-purposed lifestyle and do what you REALLY want with the money you save. How do you re-purpose?

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

Jasonwoodhead23/flickr

By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.

Per Southern California Gas Company, home heating is 65% of a residential gas bill during the winter months. (That’s what it said in my bill insert this month.) Wow! If that is true in Southern California, what is it in actual cold parts of the country?

With so much of your utility budget going toward keeping your home warm, anything that you can do to retain heat in your home or keep the heat from leaving is a money saver. Here are 5 tips that will help you to lower your heating bill:

1. Open your drapes when the sun is shining into the window. This allows the sun to heat your home. Close your drapes (the heavier the better) when the sun is not shining in the window. This will help to hold the heat in the space and keep it from literally going out the window. Follow the tips in the winterize your home video to keep those windows from being drafty.
2. Clean or replace the filters in your heating system. Ensure you do not have furniture or storage in front of your heating vents, especially if you have floor vents. Remember heat rises and it can’t rise if it is covered by your sofa.
3. Get an annual inspection for your furnace.  Yes, heating systems need to be maintained just like your air conditioner. An annual servicing of your furnace can not only save you money but it can also prevent a fire by cleaning out lint build-up and ensuring that your system is operating properly and efficiently. Per the Chicago Tribune, if your system is only 60% efficient, then that means that you are loosing 40 cents on every dollar!
4. If your health will allow, wear more clothes and lower the temperature a few degrees. Place lap rugs around your house so that you can place one over your legs or over your shoulders to keep you warm. If you are in Southern California… it’s time to take off the flip-flops and put on socks and shoes.
5. Wear a hat.  Remember how Scrooge had on a sleeping cap when he went to bed in every version of Charles Dicken’s Christmas classic? Scrooge was saving money by not heating his house. So, he wore a hat to keep him warm. You don’t have to be Scrooge to wear a comfy sleeping night cap. They really do keep you warm.

Hummm. All this writing about the cold is making me want a nice mug of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. Another great way to keep warm.

Time is almost out to win $175 budgeting software!

Today is your last chance to win a budgeting software package worth $175!!! One lucky winner will get a copy of You Need A Budget software, an hour of one-on-one coaching, the YNAB book, and their audio book!

So far only 55 readers have entered. Make this a Christmas present to yourself by entering no later than today, Dec. 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

YNAB will teach you how to get out of debt, save money, and stop living paycheck to paycheck. The personal finance software runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux so it’s easy to install and use. You can budget using the envelope system or download the companion iPhone and Android app. The best part is no forced upgrades or annual fees. Plus, YNAB offers totally free, education webinars almost every day.

To win the YouNeedABudget prize pack on BargainBabe.com:

• Join our freebie and deal email
• Like Bargain Babe on Facebook
• Share this post on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter @BargainBabe
• Like YouNeedABudget.com on Facebook
• Tweet “Win @ynab budgeting software on @BargainBabe http://bit.ly/uPLuTj”
• Follow @ynab on Twitter

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry so we know how many times you’ve entered! Can’t wait to get your hands on the You Need A Budget software? For a limited time, You Need A Budget is offering a 20% discount to Bargain Babe readers who buy the software through this link.

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA. This is dedicated content. Want to reach tens of thousands of savvy spenders? Read our blog marketing page.

Win a $175 budgeting software package!

One lucky reader will win a copy of You Need A Budget software, an hour of one-on-one coaching, the YNAB book, and their audio book! This prize package is worth $175!

So far only 17 readers – gasp – have entered. This contest is for the taking! Enter by Monday, Dec. 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

YNAB will teach you how to get out of debt, save money, and stop living paycheck to paycheck. The personal finance software runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux so it’s easy to install and use. You can budget using the envelope system or download the companion iPhone and Android app.

The best part is no forced upgrades or annual fees. Plus, YNAB offers totally free, education webinars almost every day.

To win the YouNeedABudget prize pack on BargainBabe.com:

• Join our freebie and deal email
• Like Bargain Babe on Facebook
• Share this post on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter @BargainBabe
• Like YouNeedABudget.com on Facebook
• Tweet “Win @ynab budgeting software on @BargainBabe http://bit.ly/uPLuTj”
• Follow @ynab on Twitter

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry so we know how many times you’ve entered! Can’t wait to get your hands on the You Need A Budget software? For a limited time, You Need A Budget is offering a 20% discount to Bargain Babe readers who buy the software through this link.

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA. This is dedicated content. Want to reach tens of thousands of savvy spenders? Read our blog marketing page.

My eye! Credit: Nieve44/La Luz

Are you having a hard time finding a great deal on a particular present?

Can’t think of what to buy for your _____?

Not sure where is the best place to buy a particular gift?

Struggling with how much to spend on a friend?

Unsure how to cross everyone off your list without going over budget?

Need help setting a Christmas and holiday shopping budget?

Let the Bargain Babe figure it out! Ask your question by leaving a comment and we will respond within 24 hours, if not sooner.

MCalatayud / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

I was sitting in the dentist chair looking into the light when he told me exactly what I didn’t want to hear.

“You need a root canal.”

Ouch! The thought of having the dentist drill my molar was not as painful as wondering how much this was going to set me back.

I immediately began blaming myself. If only I hadn’t put off

going to the dentist, or had actually sat down to research and purchase insurance. I was going to get to it, eventually.

It just happened out of the blue. There was no pain. I was having toast and cereal for breakfast and felt a hard piece in my mouth.

“Eww, what’s in this cereal?”

I’ll spare you the yucky details. It was a piece of my molar. I found out after running my tongue and feeling a sharp edge.

After freaky out, I texted my dad. He directed me to go to the dentist.

“If it’s not that big, they’ll probably just patch it up,” he said.

That’s how my Friday morning started. By the end of the day, I was so thankful I had at least been diligent enough to put money away in an emergency fund.

So how much is it going to cost me? $1,400. Not bad considering the bill started at $2,800 for the root canal, two fillings and deep cleaning.

I managed to negotiate a lower price by offering to pay cash upfront. It also didn’t hurt that my little sister recently got her braces with their orthodontist.

This shrunk my emergency fund and left me feeling irresponsible. It also left me wondering if I should have taken the money from my budget or savings (as a form of punishment as a percentage is for fun) instead of my emergency fund.

You see, although necessary and urgent, I’m having doubt about whether it’s an emergency as there is no pain or blood just a lot of worrying and extensive Google searches about broken teeth and root canals.

Where would you have taken the money from?

Related posts:

Should I dip into savings to meet my budget?
Your question: Affordable health insurance options?
Cash v. credit: easier to save money with paper or plastic?

Keng Susumpow/Flickr

I love presents! I love waking up on Christmas morning to a tree drowning in presents. My family spends the day opening presents, watching movies, eating good food and talking to friends and relatives on the phone. Heavenly.

However, creating that pile of presents without breaking the budget and without gathering ANY credit card debt is a trick. A trick that I have pulled off for many years, by the way.

Here are my top 8 No Debt Santa Claus secrets:

1. Shop all year long. Yep, you start shopping the day after Christmas. Grab up those very last 90% off clearance wrapping paper and store it for next year. Christmas DOES come once a year whether you plan for it or not.
2. Determine a “secret hiding place” for gifts that you collect throughout the year. When my kids were little, I kept boxes in the attic. Now, everyone knows where the secret place is and agrees not to look.
3. Buy gifts for yourself and give them to someone else to hold onto until the holidays. I don’t know about you, but I really am the best person to buy gifts for myself. I know what I want and I am out shopping for everyone else. When I see something that I like that is a great buy, I snatch it up and give it to my daughter to store for me. Then, I “forget” about it until I open my gift. One of the advantages of this tip is that I don’t have to return my gift because it is already the perfect present.
4. Buy gifts at yard sales. I have gotten some of the very best gifts at yard sales. I bought a $200 beaded lamp for $20. My daughter and I were both there and so we both “forgot” about it.
5. Redeem credit card points for gift cards. I do not have credit card debt, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t use my credit cards. I pay off my cards in full when I get the bill every month and I use the points for gift cards. My family particularly likes the movie passes and book store gift cards.
6. Make homemade goodies to give as gifts. It is well known that I make chocolate covered pretzels during the holidays. My hubby’s co-workers have been asking for them all year. These are a great way to give a little something to many people without breaking the bank. I purchase the necessary ingredients throughout the year when I see them on sale.
7. Learn how to create unique gift wrapping. The fact is that you can get gift wrap and tags super cheap at the 99 cent store. I use gift bags with tissue paper quite a lot. However, along with keeping to one’s budget, you also want to have the holidays be a time of creating beauty and memories with your family. Making handmade gift tags is a wonderful activity to do with your kids. Teaching them how to wrap a beautiful present is a lifelong skill.
8. Find out what your friends REALLY want as a gift. Perhaps what you mom really wants from you is a mother-daughter day of baking, shopping or just taking a long walk. Maybe your best friend would love to have you coming and help her reorganize her closet. Perhaps you co-worker would like to have a lunch together to talk about something other than work. Many times the very best gift is just your time and attention. Don’t under estimate the value of YOU as the best gift.

What do you think? Did I miss something important?

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

Jason Texter / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

I recently read a story in the LA Times about Hallmark adding unemployment cards to its sympathy line. The cards are apparently a good way to show compassion, but to me spending $3 to $5 on a card is ridiculous! This got me thinking of five frugal ways to show your support for those going through a rough time.

Not surprisingly, Hallmark is not the only company getting in on the action. You can also buy layoff cards from online companies Zazzle Inc. and Greeting Card Universe.

1. Provide a survival kit – Share our job loss survival kit which includes everything from keeping your health care while unemployed to tax brakes for job hunters. This is invaluable information that may be missed when they’re too shell-shocked to think straight.
2. Help them network – Offer up your contacts to begin the process of searching for a job and mention any job opportunities you hear about. You can also help your friend prepare a resume and cover letter, and get ready for interviews.
3. Help them stay current – If you have skills that will help your friend stand out from other applicants, then offer free lessons. A former coworker of mine taught me the basics of InDesign when I was looking for a job. It was very helpful and it was much appreciated.
4. Give a care package – Heading to the grocery store to buy necessary seems like a better use of money than buying a card. Getting a week’s worth of groceries (or whatever your salary allows) is helpful. Don’t forget to use My Coupon Database to  keep the cost down by printing off grocery and drugstore coupons.
   
5. Take the Person to Dinner – Treating your pal to a meal helps him/her enjoy the pleasures that are often the first to go when money gets tight. You don’t have to break the bank! Save 25-45% off your bill with Restaurant.com. Not only will you enjoy a night on the town, but it will alleviate stress, or at least push it away for an hour or two.

How else would you help a friend? Would you buy a greeting card for someone who just got axed?