Earn, Save & Live Smart
Going to college, or even taking a single class, can result in financial stress. This is especially true when hidden expenses, such as textbooks and lab supplies, start to add up. The frugal person will look for ways to pare down expenses so they can stay within budget while continuing with their education. There are … Read more
I’m convinced the winter blahs are a combination of freezing cold weather and credit card bills rolling in from Christmas! If Christmas bills are getting you down, it’s time to come up ways to save for next Christmas! It’s time to try The Budget Diet’s painless penny pinching plan. According to the American Consumer Credit … Read more
You don’t need money; you need creativity for a perfect Valentine’s Day! On Valentine’s Day, it isn’t the budget that creates the romance; it’s the intimacy! You don’t automatically have to choose the more expensive options—especially if doing so will hurt you financially. Here are some ideas for creating a fantastic date that won’t empty … Read more
Snow is falling and friends are calling. The holidays have arrived! You always put on a great Christmas party, and everyone is looking for your invitation in the mailbox. Unfortunately, your new budget doesn’t allow room for your annual celebration. Don’t cancel the party. Simply adjust the usual plans to a more thrifty approach. Follow … Read more
Christmas shopping? There’s more to saving money than just finding the sales. Don’t get me wrong…I love a good sale, but think of it as your starting point. There are so many ways to save money on Christmas shopping, and the key is to take advantage of all of them together! Follow these rules, and … Read more
Christmas is right around the corner (Where did 2012 go??) and many of us have already started thinking about holiday gift giving. It is getting more difficult, it seems, to stretch the budget while giving well thought out, elegant, but, most of all, memorable holiday gifts. Do you ever feel like you are a hamster … Read more
Have one last summer hurrah this Labor Day Weekend by finishing up your summer bucket list! What? You don’t have a summer bucket list? Enjoy some frugal family fun with an idea or two from The Budget Diet’s Summer Bucket List! Summer Bucket List #1 – Ice Cream Sundaes Make homemade ice cream and start … Read more
Leaving homework, dinner schedules, and bedtimes to chance has a tendency to create chaos and frustration during possibly the only family time of the day. Establishing a routine does not have to mean never allowing for flexibility, but it gives parents and children alike the feeling of comfort that comes from knowing what is expected. … Read more
We all have our systems for organizing and saving recipes, and I’ve always been an index card in the recipe box kind of girl until the internet became my primary source of new recipes. Over the past year, I’ve amassed quite a collection of recipes that were printed on full sheets of paper. For a … Read more
The holidays are over and there are still at least 7 days between holiday gift bliss and going back to school where you have to entertain your children! If you’re a recovering working mom like me who has no business entertaining your children because you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing, this can be … Read more