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:
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
Most, if not all of us, have lived in an apartment or another rental at some point in our lives. Many of you may still be living in a rented home. When you rent your home, you’re often limited in what you can do to it, and the space may end up feeling not quite … Read more
Planning your next vacation usually means looking through the costs of plane tickets. For folks on a budget, the advent of cheap airfare is something that has enabled them to travel more than they may have otherwise. What you may not know (and I didn’t know either!) is that cheap airfare, may not be as … Read more
When my family and I decided to start living frugally, we found it frustrating to come up with fun things to do that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. We didn’t want to just while away our time in front of the TV for lack of funds so we got creative and found plenty … Read more
I love many things about summer–relaxed schedules, grilled dinners, sandal-clad feet–but I don’t care for the heat that rolls in like a smothering blanket and doesn’t let up for weeks or months. Some of us don’t have air conditioning at home to keep us cool, and others don’t want to foot the electricity bill that … Read more
Summer vacations are where memories are made. Traveling together strengthens family bonds and gives you the chance to explore places both near and far. Unfortunately, vacations can be major budget-busters. Camping to the rescue! Whether it’s for a single night or a whole week, a family trip to the great outdoors can be a budget … Read more
I went grocery shopping the other day and decided to reorganize my pantry upon my arrival home. When I was done, I was shocked to find how much money I’d wasted buying things I’d forgotten I already had. A disorganized pantry will do that. In all, I totaled nearly $100 in unnecessary grocery purchases since … Read more
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Or a free dog, for that matter. Just like children, pets are expensive. However, just as you can raise a child on a budget, you can also raise a pet the same way. Many people believe they need more money than they do to keep a pet … Read more
Let’s face it: clothes are expensive. When they’re outgrown or worn out, it’s time to replace them, but don’t you just hate to throw pricey pieces of fabric in the trash? I’ve got a little secret for you: You don’t have to pitch these old garments. Instead, you can repurpose and reuse old clothes. Read … Read more
You wouldn’t send your child to a new school without asking every pertinent question you can think of to make sure the school and your child will be a good fit. Similarly, you don’t want to send your child off to day camp this summer without asking very similar questions. Although your family situation may … Read more