Frugal Friday

In tune with last week's tip...try to only buy what you need (or at least what you went to the store for).

How many of us run into the grocery store for a gallon milk (strategically placed in the back) and come out with two bags full of cookies, ice cream, and chips?

So for those quick, pick-up trips to the store:
First, NEVER go to the grocery store hungry....EVER!

Secondly, make a list (at least in your head).

Third, pick up a basket, canvas bag, or grab a large box from the produce shelves. NO CART.

This will limit the items you pick up since you have to use your arm strength to carry them through the store...especially if milk, juice, or laundry detergent is on the list.

Frugal Friday

My tip this week is simple. Eat what you have.

Despite the fact, I feel the need to go grocery shopping each week, we actually have enough food in our house for more than a week.

Before you shop, take a serious look at your cabinets, pantry, and freezer.
First, clean out anything that is expired or past its prime. And although I hate to throw anything away, if there is no way will will ever eat it, toss it or donate to a food pantry.

*Pick 5 items out and plan 5 meals around them (1 for each weeknight).

*Limit your shopping to milk, bread, and fresh produce for two weeks.

*Eat your leftovers (or tranform them into a new meal).

*Make an omelet! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner....scramble three eggs and fold in any leftovers or ANYTHING in your freezer (shrimp, chicken, sausage, veggies).

*Spend a day cooking and freeze. We have a lot of items that we buy for a recipe and then never get to. Spend a weekend day cooking 3 full meals. Put 1 in the fridge and two in the freezer.

Frugal Friday

Especially after my last two posts involved spending money...and they involved movies....

I love going to the movies and so do my kids. But we all know, it is crazy expensive.

Here are some tips....
*Many local theaters offer free or reduced family movies. Check your local theaters for details.
(In CU, over the summer, both theaters offer $1 movies M-F mornings)

*Many theaters have reduced concessions on a slower weeknight...often Tues or Wed.
(In CU, the Bev has $1 night on Tues and the Savoy offers a bucket program and punch-card system)

*Many theaters offer a frequent movie-goer programs (e.g. see 10 movies, 11th is free)

*Always see movies before 6pm! Matinees are always cheaper and some theaters offer Twilight fares between 4-6pm.

*Try to eat before you go. (and sneak in a granola bar)

*Avoid movies in 3D...there are more expensive and usually don't offer kid's or reduced prices.

*Read reviews ahead of time and make sure you are making the most of your movie time. Even with movies I thought I really wanted to see, I make sure they are either really good or really fun. (So sorry, Mr. Depp Public Enemies will have to wait for DVD).

*Over the summer, check out your local park districts, pools, parks, libraries, community organizations for movies outside! They usually don't start until at least 830pm but they are almost always free.

*Read local blogs, online magazines, event sites, newspapers for movies being shown. The university shows lots of movies on campus for a couple bucks or free. This is also a great way to see some independent films and documentaries.

*Of course....check out DVD's from the library and have your own home movie night.

Frugal Friday: Clothing

There are some super cute kids' clothes out there...there are also some very expensive kids' clothes out there. I fully understand that you want your children to look 'acceptable' while going out in society but there is no reason to pay a lot of money for it. I find it very challenging to pay a lot of money (more than $25) for a single item of clothing for anyone in the house. Adult-sized jeans are about the only thing I will pay money for.

There are a couple reasons I refuse to pay a lot of money for children's clothing.
1. They only wear each item for up to 6 months before it is too small.
2. They trash their clothing (and should) while playing, painting, eating,potty training, etc.
3. There are so many resources of inexpensive and free clothing.

Where to get clothes.
Cheap option...Target, Walmart, Meijer, and Old Navy are good sources for reasonably priced new clothing. The quality is good enough to last handing down to multiple children and the styles are current.

Cheaper option....Goodwill and Salvation Army resale stores are good sources. It takes a bit more time to sort through to find the best quality but the prices are unbeatable. Consignment shops are a good option if you want higher quality or high-style clothes. You may also be able to trade your own used clothing. Garage sales (this is the season) or One-week Boutique-type community sales are great but are hit-or-miss.

Cheapest (Free) option...find someone in your inner-circle with kids on either side age-wise of your own. Then hand the clothes around. It never hurts to ask someone you know if they have any clothes their kids have grown out of. Also, obviously, if you have multiple children, invest in some storage bins and save everything. This also helps me justifying buying clothes since I know it will get at least two kids worth. Lastly, check your local Freecycle group.

Final tip...reconsider buying special occasion clothing. Even at a Christmas party, my kids will spill juice, crawl on the floor, and wet their pants. Instead go with 'nicer' play clothes (jeans and a non-stained t-shirt). Kids look cute all the time...they don't need velvet and lace.

Frugal Friday

I've had people asking so here is the answer....what to do with my kids over the summer and how do I pay for it?

First of all...I am home all summer so if you are a working family, my suggestions might not be valid. I apologize.

Many programs have financial assistance available in the forms of scholarships. For summer camps, Child Care Resource subsidy can be used.

Contact the appropriate offices early to find out about funding.

To Camp or not to Camp...that is the question.

Both Champaign and Urbana park districts as well as the YMCA offer a variety of summer day camps with half-day preschool camps as well. I have sent my kids to some and worked in some. Obviously, it depends greatly on what you are looking for and what the staff brings to the camp (typically the camps are staffed with high school and college students). Honestly, I was not impressed with the Champaign preschool camps. I felt they were very crafty with product-driven artwork. My easy-going daughter enjoyed herself enough but it doesn't fit my younger ones personalities. I liked Urbana's nature camps more since the kids were walking in the woods, learning about animals, etc. At the time, I knew the camp staff well (they were teachers) but staffing changes each summer. I recommend CU Special Recreation Camps for kids with and without disabilities. They are inclusive programs with staff that typically has more experience with development.

Prairie Farms offers many programs both free and reasonably fee-based that sound fabulous but my kids have not been interested in them, so I don't have an opinion on them.

Unfortunately, since the programs only run in the summer, you can't really check them out in advance. Overall, I find the programs to be too expensive for the quality (if you are looking for a good learning environment...if you are looking for childcare, its a good deal). But each summer is different, and the programming and staff may be fantastic this summer.

Swimming Lessons

If your child does not like water or is fearful of it and you would like them to like it...I recommend the swim programs for the young ones through the park districts. They play games and get them used to the water with fun and developmentally-appropriate activities.

If you want your child to be a young Michael Phelps (minus the drug habits), swim lessons for young children are a waste, in my opinion. Of course, it will vary from instructor to instructor (high school and college-age life guards) but I don't feel like the kids learn a lot about strokes and kicks. Swimming is actually very natural and most people can figure it out on their own. Now that my daughter is older, 12, I would recommend learning how to really swim (e.g. freestyle, breaststroke).

Indian Acres also offers swim lessons and programming I believe, but I don't know much about it besides it is expensive.

Pool Passes

If you plan to head to the pool on a regular basis of any kind (e.g. 10 or more times over the 3 months), get a pool pass (and before May 22nd). In Champaign, kids 3 and under are free. This is our major investment each summer. A pool pass allows you to go anytime and stay for any amount of time you want (If I pay $24 for a visit to the pool, we are staying for awhile but if I used a pass, if the 3yo throws a tantrum or the 5yo throws up after 10mins, we can go and I don't feel like I wasted money).

Children's Theater

Our community offers several theatrical opportunities. I highly recommend the Urbana Youth Theater Program which is doing The Sound of Music this summer. The program does take place in the evenings but the schedule varies upon their role. There is no fee for the program but there is a script fee and often a costume fee. My daughter loves this program. There is a program for 6-9yos and 9-18yos.

Champaign offers a few programs as well but as camps that run during the day and come with substantial fees. This year they are doing The Jungle Book and High School Musical

So What to Do?

Instead of camps, etc., we do sports (which I have had very good experiences with) or water programs that only run a couple weeks.
We go to the library for storytime every week and make several visits in between.
We go to the gym that has a playroom and outside play space.
We go to the park.
We set up playdates.
We go to Prairie Farms.
We go to the beach.
We head out to community festivals, concerts, farmer's markets.

Overall, if you are looking for some kind of childcare or drop-off program for your kids, camps are ok. If you just want your kids to do something outside the house, the community offers a lot of options and many that our free. Summer is a great time to find free activities because they are everywhere....check your local newspapers and blogs for information!

Frugal Friday!

Beauty doesn't cost a thing...or at least that $100 trip to the salon. Most families can save hundreds by reducing their beauty-related costs. I'm not saying stop trying to look fabulous...just do it for less.



*No one in our house gets regular haircuts outside the family. I cut the boys hair, my sister-in-law trims the ladies' locks. (I do head the the salon when I am drastically changing my hair....once every 2 years when I donate my hair). Get a haircut that is easy to maintain and find someone to do it.



*No one here colors or perms their hair.



*My husband uses hair product but we buy them at the drug store. I wear a little makeup which I buy at the drug store (on sale, of course).



*No special creams or potions. Rest, exercise, good food, and fun.



*Shampoo and conditioner should only be purchased either on sale at your grocery/drug store OR from a big store (Sam's, Costco). As well with body lotion and soap. I do not use 'kids' shampoo or soap now that the kids are older. (I actually use really cheap shampoo for the boys since it often gets poured into the bathtub by the bottle).



*No pedicures, manicures, massages, wraps, scrubs, waxing, tanning.....my husband is a great masseuse, I do my own pedicures, the kids love to do their own nails, you can make your own scrubs out of your kitchen.

Frugal Friday

Let's eat ... we all have to, right?

My tip for today is to really analyze and plan your grocery shopping. If you have no idea how much you spend on grocery shopping, consider getting a store credit card (I use a Meijer card). I love that I can simply look at the monthly statement to see how much we've spent at a glance. Otherwise, take a few minutes to look through your bank or credit card statements.

If you need to cut out some spending, here is what to do: buy as much as you can ON SALE. Look at the weekly ads (most stores have them online). Stock up on things you buy when they are on sale (even if you are not currently out of them). If you wait to buy things when you need them, you will pay whatever the price is at the time, when maybe two weeks ago it was half off! This is a great strategy for basic stock items like toilet paper, cereal, juice (a brand is always on sale), and meat (freeze!). The brands I prefer are often on sale once a month or so but you might consider being flexible on brand names. I also keep an eye on a couple other stores. For example, Walgreens has great prices on many things. This week milk is $1 cheaper than the regular grocery store and our laundry detergent is buy one get one free!

I kid you not: this method cut almost $200 out of our monthly grocery budget. It really isn't that much work ... maybe 30 minutes per shopping trip.

Frugal Friday

My frugal tip of the week is timeliness.

Return library and rental materials on time. Yes, the overdue fee is small but it adds up quick. Many libraries have online systems so you can renew items from home. And remember that it needs to be returned by the time the library closes that day to count.

Pay your bills on time. Mail them at least a week earlier or set up automatic payment. The credit card company doesn't care when you meant to send it...if it is not there on the day...not only do you get a fee but you have to pay finance charges on the balance. I also try to pay bills when I get them in the mail or on payday. Have a designated place for bills in your house so you don't loose or forget about them. Set up automatic payment for all of your regular monthly bills (power, water, cable, mortgage, school loan).

Also, make sure your bank account has money in it. Overdraft fees are incredible and you may not even know you are overdrawn. Each transaction produces a fee. You can also avoid this by getting overdraft protection on your account for a small monthly fee (which is smaller than even 1 overdraft penalty fee). Many banks offer online account information...check your account a couple times per week.