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:
As the temperature outside climbs, it becomes harder and harder to keep the inside of your house cool. On those days, the thought of standing over a hot stove or turning on the oven is almost enough to melt you into a puddle. And besides, do you really want to eat a warm meal when … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I like knowing what is in my food–and what isn’t, namely that it has not been genetically altered or covered with chemicals between field and store before landing in my kitchen. Well, Mom and some of my friends regrow produce from kitchen scraps, and my niece brings home classroom … Read more
With the heat of summer upon us, we’re constantly on the look out for ways to cool down. Whether you’re at a summer party, poolside, or just in your own backyard, nothing beats the heat quite like a cool, refreshing drink. Your favorite summer drink doesn’t need to come from the shop down the street, … Read more
I need family-friendly outdoor games for summer socials, festivals and fundraising events that kids and adults can play quickly. Perennial favorites for everyone, easy to set up, easy portability and compact storage is my goal. When possible, I choose designs that kids can help make for fun. Here are some of my personal age and … Read more
If your kids are anything like mine, they likely have a hoard of toys that would put a dragon’s treasure trove to shame. Quite likely, your kids don’t even play with half the things they already own, yet they constantly ask for new toys. What’s a frugal parent to do? Well, you could get rid … Read more
My favorite thing about potlucks is the bountiful assortment of side dishes that are usually available. I can pile my plate high with a little of this salad and a little of that one. And more often than not, these salads aren’t leafy lettuce ones but are instead comprised of a rich abundance of other … Read more
Being frugal requires self-control and discipline. We’re conscious about how often we go out, and we carefully manage our spending habits in order to stretch every penny as far as we can. While frugalness has its rewards, how we manage our money directly has an impact on how we unwind after a stressful day. Some … Read more
The biggest celebration of summer–the Fourth of July–is on its way, and it’s bringing star-spangled celebrations with it. Family, friends, food, and fireworks are just a few of the highlights of this holiday. But although the theme of the holiday is freedom, a day full of partying can end up leaving you a slave to … Read more
I love leftovers. They make my life so much easier because I can cook once but eat twice. I realize, however, that not everyone shares this sentiment. Some see leftovers as an unappealing burden, but I think that’s just because they haven’t yet learned these seven tips for maximizing leftovers. With some forethought, careful storage … Read more
When you have your first child, you want to do everything “right.” So you spend hours researching every parenting trick available – discipline, getting them to sleep through the night…and baby proofing. When I had my first child, I was shocked at how expensive baby proofing my house turned out to be. Let’s face it: … Read more