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:
No matter your income, statistics say you’re probably living paycheck to paycheck. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, as it were. Little Timmy needs new cleats for soccer? Well, there goes half the electric payment. That’s how we were living for the longest time. When I started a more frugal lifestyle, one of my first steps was … Read more
I’m always looking for ways to save money on meals, so leftovers are a no-brainer at our house. Of course, eating the same meal day after day can get awfully boring. That’s why I’m glad I have a standby list of meal ideas for leftover chicken. When I pull a recipe from my idea file, … Read more
It’s just another Manic Monday… We all know the words, and we all know the feeling. Whether it’s hustling sleepy-eyed kids out the door to school or rushing off to work, we all suffer the Monday Blues doing it. But does it have to be that way? Why does Monday have such a bad rep? … Read more
No matter how frugal you are, there’s one necessity you can’t avoid: laundry day. I scrimp and save wherever I can, but having clean clothes is just something I can’t get around. Although you can’t avoid spending money on doing laundry, you can be smart about your approach. Follow these tips to save money on … Read more
Garage sales are my favorite way to get rid of things we no longer need. However, there are many ways holding a garage sale can go wrong. How can you have the best sale possible? Is there a formula for this? Well, there is now! I present to you the Ultimate Guide to Holding a … Read more
I want to feed my family nutritious meals, but like most of us, my food budget is limited. Grocery costs seem to go up and up, but there are still healthy foods that cost less than a dollar. When I base my meal plan around these ingredients, I can put a filling dinner on the table for … Read more
I love my kids, and I want to fill their lives with happy memories, meaningful experiences, and plenty of family fun. I don’t want money concerns to hold me back from these good things, but sometimes, the cost of family activities can really add up. The truth of the matter, however, is that expensive doesn’t … Read more
My husband and I started our married life as renters. We enjoyed the freedom that came with not worrying about a mortgage payment. Eventually, we moved away to put down roots in another town, we felt ready to purchase a home that we could truly call ours. I’m generally pleased with that decision, but I sometimes … Read more
Easter is barely a week away. How can we celebrate this special holiday without shelling out too much cash? Countryliving.com has 60 inexpensive craft ideas that are ideal for little hands. Not only are they enjoyable for kids, these projects also make great decorations for your home. 60 DIY Easter Crafts for Kids
While coffee is my must-have morning drink, tea has become my favorite afternoon pick-me-up. At first glance, tea bags seem like a better value, but I get the best flavor and most bang for my buck when I use whole leaves instead. Here’s what I’ve learned about how loose-leaf tea can help trim down my … Read more