Earn, Save & Live Smart
If financial fitness starts with making and saving money, Smart Money is about learning how to make those savings grow. Here at The Budget Diet we have full categories and resources on:
Your electric bill is an inevitable monthly expense. Even though you probably can’t knock out this bill entirely, you do have some control over how much it costs. Simple changes around your home can reduce the amount you pay to the electric company each month. Some of these tricks can be accomplished in just minutes. … Read more
I’m all for driving my cars as long as possible, so it’s been a while since I’ve bought a new one. When I do, though, I can almost guarantee you that it will be a pre-owned vehicle. I’m convinced that used cars are smarter investments. Here’s why buying a used car is better than buying … Read more
The entertainment category of my personal budget is pretty small. Some might call it tiny. In fact, less than 1 percent of my family’s take-home pay is dedicated to entertainment. However, we certainly don’t sit at home in boredom all of the time. Instead, we’re pretty good at staying busy on the cheap. We’ve learned … Read more
I am a huge fan of quick meals. After a long day of work, chaperoning children around, housework, and general errands, I don’t always want to cook an elaborate meal. I do want my kids eating healthy, though, so fast food and flash frozen grocery items are pretty low on my list of “Let’s try … Read more
Have you ever looked at a bill or maybe even just an item in a store and thought “I wish this didn’t cost so much”? Good news! It doesn’t have to! As my grandfather says, everything has a price, but most things are negotiable. While you might know certain things (like car prices at the … Read more
I may say that I keep snacks on hand for my kids, but truthfully, I love snacks too. Everyone in our family is happy when we have tasty bites to munch on between meals. Of course, like meals, our snacks should be good sources of nutrition. Many processed snack foods are high in sugar and … Read more
I’ll be honest: One of my favorite reasons for buying items in bulk is that it saves me trips to the store. For me, the fact that I can save money with bulk purchases is just a bonus–albeit, a very nice bonus. While not every bulk buy is a good purchase (for example, a vat … Read more
Most people pitch the peels and rinds from their fruits and vegetables, but as a money-wise cook, I’m here to tell you that these supposed scraps are actually valuable sources of nutrients. Even better, they’re packed with delicious flavors. Next time you chop produce for dinner, save the scraps so you can turn them into … Read more
There’s a small but charming farmers market that’s held just minutes from my house each weekend. Lately, it’s been my prime source for leaf lettuce and hot peppers. If you think local markets have to be expensive, think again. Savvy shoppers can learn how to get the best deals at the produce market. Become Familiar … Read more
When it comes to my landscaping, I’m pretty frugal, but I still want my lawn to look nice. Fortunately, with some money-saving tips and tricks, I can maintain a gorgeous backyard without hurting my budget. In fact, I can even save myself time and effort in the process. Now, that’s what I call a gardening … Read more