Lőrinc / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
My secret to having an arsenal full of specialized cooking utensils without going broke is the hardware store. In many cases, the only difference between a hardware store tool and the kitchen version is price. Read on to see what cheap kitchen tools you can find at your local hardware.
Cooking Twine
Skip the small packages of kitchen twine sold at supermarkets and buy a cheap roll of twine at the hardware store. Just make sure to look for cotton twine only as nylon and other synthetic twines will melt. Twine comes in handy for trussing up poultry, tying together bouquet garnis, and holding roasts together.
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?
pt101 / Flickr
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Pay Yourself First – Putting yourself first is a must when it comes time to save money. Here’s how to do it. (Wisebread)
Student loans – Can’t pay your student loans? Find out what happens if you default on federal student loans and get tips to avoid it. (Money Crashers)
Coupons for snobs - The expansion of Groupon Reserve continues. Don’t know what it is? It’s the company’s luxury offerings. (Time Moneyland)
Tax audits – Here are 11 red flags you’re going get a tax audit. Plus, tips to avoid them. (CNN Money)
Student discounts – Check out this long list of student discounts. You’ll find some major savings! (Main Street)
This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
EvelynGiggles/flickr
My kids recently went to see “The Lorax” and when they came home, my son proudly told me that he discovered a great bargain. From opening until 11:59 a.m., tickets for any movie are $6. After noon, the price jumped almost twice as much.
This got me thinking about the various ways to save money on movie theater tickets. Yazmin also has 12 easy ways to save money at the movies.
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Stop wasting money and food! The folks over at All You shared a handy inforgraphic that compares the shelf life of food kept in the freezer and the pantry so you know how long items keep. Taking advantage of sales and stocking up is a good way to save money on groceries, but throwing food away is wasteful.
This weekend I’m taking inventory of everything that’s in our pantry. I want to cut down on my grocery bill even more and this is the first step to lowering my food budget. The fridge also needs a good scrub down. I’m using baking soda to leave it smelling fresh. Check out these other secret uses for baking soda.
Winner announced below!
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I was surprised that only 17 readers entered our book giveaway contest. I’m assuming it’s because “Money Saving Blueprint” by Bryan Bowers is a Kindle book and not many have the e-reader. Those who entered had a higher chance of winning, but I could only pick one person!
I initially wanted to give the book to reader Kay, who said the Great Recession has greatly affected her family. She said after reading the book she would share it with her book lending club for other local families to benefit from her win. There was only one problem – it’s a Kindle book. Rats!
Win a Kindle version (or PDF version) of this book!
Today is your last chance to comment for a chance to win Bryan Bowers’ “Money Saving Blueprint.” Only 6 readers have entered, so your chances of winning are super high! Bowers shows you how to cut down expenses in his easy to read, 39-page book.
Bowers’ family had to trim expenses after being hard hit by the recession. He wrote the book to inspire others. He writes:
401K / Flickr
This post is brought to you by Bankers Life and Casualty Company.
Creating a financial budget that puts you first is essential for women who faced with the decision to help themselves or others would opt for the latter. Guilty.
Most of my life I’ve been told that a person’s budget is a reflection of their beliefs and morals and because of that I’ve struggled to put myself first. I’d be lying if I said I’ve figured out the perfect budget because there isn’t a one size fits all. What I’ve come up with is a budget that takes care of me first and also supports my beliefs. Here’s how I’ve allocated my money.
Win a Kindle version of this book!
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
In “Money Saving Blueprint,” Bryan Bowers teaches you how to save hundreds of dollars each month with practical advice. Win a Kindle version of his book! Details are below.
In the 39-page book, Bowers reveals how his family cut expenses after being hard hit by the Great Recession. To deal with the blow of a dramatic loss of income his family reduced and eliminate expenses. He shares his journey to inspire others to save money. He writes:
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
celesteh/flickr
I cook from scratch everyday. My kitchen cabinets and drawers are FULL of gizmos and gadgets. Save yourself money and don’t buy things you don’t need for your kitchen – no matter how enticing the infomercial. If you feel like you MUST get it, wait until it shows up at a yard sale.
There is nothing on this list that I have not seen or purchased at a yard sale or thrift store.
Tackle financial resolutions with Mint
There are 31 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase through Ebates. Free to join! Don’t miss exclusive coupons we share on the BargainBabe.com Facebook page. “Like” us today!
Free cat food - Get a freebie sample of Meow Mix cat food via Walmart. US residents only. You must be 18 or older. One per household.
Free cappuccino - Get a free sample of Hills Bros cappuccino though Facebook when you “like” their page. While supplies last.
Freebie American Baby mag – Get a free subscription to American Baby magazine when you fill out a simple request form. The number of free issues you will receive depends on your due date and birth date.
catd_mitchell / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Seems like every year we make resolutions only to break them, but could it be that in the end we are saving money by not sticking to them? Below I calculate the amount of money spent on meeting New Year’s resolutions and share tips to getting them done on a budget.
Check out Best Buy's current holiday sale!
There are 37 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase through Ebates. Free to join! Don’t miss exclusive coupons we share on the BargainBabe.com Facebook page. “Like” us today!
HOT! Last minute flight deals - Southwest has a bunch of last minute holiday travel deals when you book by Dec. 19 and travel Dec 14-21, 2011. The best flights and prices will go quickly.
Tomorrow! Free ice cream cupcake - Grab a free ice cream cupcake at Marble Slab Creamery and MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream & Treatery on Dec. 15, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. to celebrate National Cupcake Day.
Free Christmas music download - Get a free Christmas song from Tim McGraw to the tune of “Christmas All Over the World.” Unclear how long this will last.
This laptop is on super sale at Office Max today only! Credit: Office Max
There are 31 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase through Ebates. Free to join! Don’t miss exclusive coupons we share on the BargainBabe.com Facebook page. “Like” us today!
THIS WEEKEND! Free museums with B of A card - On the first full weekend of every month, get into more than 150 museums nationwide with your Bank of America/Merrill Lynch debit or credit card as part of its museums on us program. The freebie includes general admission and excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows and fundraising events. Only the cardholder gets in free.
$25 mag credit - Join the online magazine newstand Zinio and get a $25 credit that you can use to buy any of their 5,000 titles. It’s all in digital format, so you can read your mags on your Kindle Fire, iPad, Android, and many more. Ends March 2012.
Free holiday music - Amazon has plenty of free holiday music to download. Check back because the selection changes frequently.
Grocery University is on sale for less than $10!
If you missed yesterday’s super sale at Grocery University, a 19-part coupon class, the sale has been extended! The audio class usually sells for $24.95 but today it is on sale for $9.95. That’s 60% off!!!
This sale only comes around every six months, so if you have any interest in using grocery coupons to save money, or want to take your couponing to the next level, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GROCERY UNIVERSITY. I use it, and it has really helped me fine tune my couponing. I’m even getting my husband involved!
Here’s a sneak peek at Grocery University, taught by my blogger friend Carrie.
