Archive for Money & Finances

Flexible Spending Accounts Can Save Your Family 40%

FSAstore

It’s been a number of years since we did any health care “shopping” and it really isn’t a problem if you know your way around, however, it can get overwhelming because of the various options available. Something like, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), can offer relief from increasing health care costs, because these benefit plans rely on pre-tax money for qualified health expenses.

Not only can you save on FSA eligible products, but an FSA also gives you access to health care services and thousands of everyday products such as sunscreen, contact lens solution, band-aids, heat wraps and baby care – a bonus for families like ours.

How Does FSAs Work?

Each FSA plan year, employers take money out of your paychecks based on how much you choose to set aside. Beginning in 2013, FSA plan contributions are limited to $2,500 per person. Before you get an FSA, it is vital to calculate how much you want to spend using your FSA.

A word of caution…because FSAs are “use it or lose it” any money unspent is forfeited when your plan year ends. Some employers provide a grace period – or an extension of coverage – up to two and a half months. One big deadline coming up is March 15. Do you have FSAs? Better check to see if you need to use any of your FSA funds before March 15.

FSAstore-Logo-500x111

FSAstore.com is a one-stop-shop stocked exclusively with thousands of FSA-eligible products, a national provider database and a Learning Center that answers FSA-related questions. You can save on FSA-eligible products throughout the year with FSA Store’s special offers. Check these out before your grace period ends on March 15.

This is a featured post.

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Making Money from Junk

I am sure you have heard or read stories about people who are making money from junk or er…stuff. During hard economic times many people sell stuff for cash just to make ends meet.

Garage Sale

There are many ways to sell stuff for cash. Used clothing or furniture stores will often take things on consignment. Of course, the store gets a cut of the profit too. eBay has been a huge success for some people and some have even created a part-time or full-time eBay business out of their endeavor to sell their stuff. Craigslist and garage sales are other popular ways to make money by selling things that have been sitting for years or that have some value to pull in some quick cash. For those who have jewelry to sell Cash for Gold may be the way to go for that, but it’s always keep your gold pieces in sight at all times – at least that is what we have been told. We had a friend who had a “Gold party” and knew a reputable person who bought gold in exchange for cash. That is the way we would probably sell gold.

We have never actually been successful selling our stuff. We sold a car when Robert was laid off or just after he went back to work. We’ve been trying to sell some used counter tops that have been sitting in our townhouse garage for oh… 4-5 years and NEW wall paper but hardly any interest in either of those things. I understand the wall paper as that’s very personal and unique but the counter top I figured would get sold to a someone who does rehabbing.

Garage sales have not been profitable for us either, then again we’ve only had one and it was such a bust my husband said NEVER again.

So how do people make money from selling their junk? I don’t have the answer to that, I only know they can and do. If you know the secret, I sure would love to be privy to it so we can sell some of our unwanted junk.

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Raising Financially Confident Kids- A Revell Blog Tour

Money. Something that your child will have to manage for their entire life so why not start teaching them young? Teaching kids about money can be a long process filled this mistakes and life lessons, but a brand new book is making the process easier.

Raising Financially Confident Kids by Mary Hunt is a great book for any parent wanting to teach their kids how to manage money for the rest of their lives. This book doesn’t just teach you how to train your five year old to save, spend, and give-it also shows parents easy ways to get their teenager to manage their money wisely and to earn money without relying on mom and dad.

I loved Mary Hunt’s writing style. She is funny, yet shares her wisdom in such a way that you are never bored. I really enjoyed reading this book and gleaning tidbits from it.

There are quite a few lessons that you can learn from her stories about raising her own children as well as stories that she told about family members. I enjoyed reading about what worked and didn’t work for her family. Mary shared valuable life lessons that any parent could use in teaching their child how to manage money.

Raising Financially Confident Kids is available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

How to be a Frugal Online Shopper

I know most of us are watching our spending these days, especially with gas prices so high. That’s why when I learned of a new frugal website, I thought that you all would enjoy learning about it too, considering that most people desire to know how to be frugal when the economy isn’t at its best. The great thing is I got to speak with the founder as well.

Q & A Session

I spoke to Jon, founder of BeFrugal.com and asked him a few questions. Below you will find our short Q & A session about how to be a frugal online shopper:

TG: What was behind starting BeFrugal.com?

Jon: The whole purpose behind BeFrugal is how and where you spend money. Internet technology makes it all more efficient and getting a better deal when you do buy something. We first started with coupons and that was a huge success. Then we added restaurant coupons, etc. and the cashback on online purchases.

Get an average of 5% Cash Back at 3000+ Stores - BeFrugal.com

TG: What is Befrugal.com and how does it work?

Jon: The first thing is to sign up for a free account on our website. Just an email is required, no credit card. Membership is free. Once your account is set up, then you are free to browse through the tabs. For example if you are looking for an online coupon for a store you want to shop at you can do a search for that store and find coupons. We have over 200 chains of stores. There are online coupons for 40,000+ stores. After you have your coupon, you click on complete purchase. There is an average of $27 off with coupons. We also offer an average of 7% cashback.(This was just recently updated here.) You can double up on cashback and coupons for more savings! The savings can be pretty significant.

The coupons savings is seen at the point of purchase. The cashback is credited to your BeFrugal account and needs to reach a $25 balance as that is the minimum withdrawl.

Shopping Tips

TG: What are some of the biggest shopping tips you can offer my readers?

Jon: The cool thing about online shopping is that you can do your research first online even if you do your shopping offline. You can print your coupons before going into the store.
1. Shop online as much as possible. No standing in lines with people behind you waiting. Online shopping saves time and gas, which equals money saved too.
2. Budget.
3. Use promo codes.
4. Use BeFrugal.com because it’s much easier to stay organized.
5. Use cashback and coupons.
6. Use a rewards credit card with your cashback and coupons. In most cases you can use all 3 together – $27, 7% and another 1-2% saved adds up.
All of these are available thru BeFrugal.com

I appreciate the time Jon took to speak with me. Please check out BeFrugal.com to increase your savings today.

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Informative Infographic on Debt Relief

The US economy is still not at a good place and I know many are struggling with debt. That’s why I wanted to share informative infographic on debt relief…

Debt Consolidation Management

This infographic shows the drastic change that occurs when divorce or health problems take a toll on a mom’s finances. The death of a spouse can also affect a woman’s income. I know a few years ago I heard a statistic that many women who lose their spouses to death ended up in poverty. At that time, there were 7 widows in our family – combined on either side, many of whom were struggling financially. It’s sad.

Unemployment is another factor to consider. As most of you know, my husband’s unemployment in 2008-2009 and reduced pay once he did go back to work has affected our finances.

How about you have you had a major change in your life that has upset your finances? And what do you think of this infographic on debt relief?

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

TOS Revives Molly Green – Saving Money!

TOS (The Old Schoolhouse Magazine) revives Molly Green Magazine / Econobusters!  Each week Molly Green is delivered to your inbox with tips, recipes and other inspiring ideas related to saving money!  Molly Green Magazine / Econobusters offers decorating tips, pet care, health and beauty care for less. Let’s not forget tips on coupon clipping and “Abundant Blessings” (large savings for large families). With a paid monthly subscription to Molly Green Magazine / Econobusters you will receive “FREE Menu-Planning E-Book and Home Work: Juggling Home, Work and School Without Losing Your Balance E-Book“.  Let Molly Green Magazine / Econobusters save you money too!!  There is also “A Minute with Molly” a free newsletter.


Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Prosperity Parenting

I thought this article had some interesting points and thought it might make for some good conversation, so feel free to leave your thoughts!

Prosperity Parenting
How parents sabotage their kids’ success and how they can ‘change the story’

Guest Post By Randy Gage

Every parent wants the best for their kids. Yet millions of adults unknowingly sabotage their children’s chances for success.

I grew up poor. I was jealous of rich people and didn’t like them. So over the years I kept trying to get rich, not realizing that my subconscious mind was telling me, “Better stop doing that, or you’ll become one of the evil, mean, nasty rich people!”

The messages against wealth and prosperity are all around us, in our culture, media, and religions. But how many parents stop to think about how their own views on getting ahead influence their children’s ability to succeed?

Your core beliefs about everything related to prosperity – money, relationships, health, and spirituality – are set by the time you’re 10 years old. And no one influences those beliefs more than parents.

Millions of parents do this by conveying a negative vision of prosperity and success. If you tell yourself things like “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all,” and “I’m always a day late and a dollar short,” you will, consciously or subconsciously, convey these messages to your kids.

The truth is it’s really not that hard to change your beliefs – If you are aware of them and make that choice. Here are some tips:

  • Identify negative beliefs you may be creating in your children — Do some critical thinking about what kind of beliefs you developed in childhood about money, rich people and wealth. Honestly ask yourself, are you programming your children with thoughts such as money is bad, rich people are evil, or it’s spiritual to be poor? I call these “mind viruses.” Defeating them starts with acknowledging you have them.
  • Help kids identify anti-prosperity media messages: Did you ever stop to think about how blockbusters like Titanic and Avatar portray wealth, and how those stories can set kids up with attitudes that sabotage their future success? Talk to your kids about the subliminal messages they receive on TV, in movies and other media. Help them to become self-motivated critical thinkers.

  • Create a positive vision of prosperity: Examine how you react to families with more wealth than yours when speaking to your kids. Do you discuss them with envy or jealousy, or admiration and respect? Talk to your kids about how their thoughts about wealth can shape their future.

People have a hard time believing they are sabotaging their prosperity at age 30, 40, or 50 because of a belief that was formed when they were six, but I see it all the time. And that’s the book that gets written, unless you become aware of the plotline and decide to change the story.

Whether you and your children are on the path to poverty or prosperity is determined by the thoughts you give precedence to. Your thoughts come from the type of vision you have.

Everyone has a vision. Millions have a negative one; many more have a neutral one. It’s vital to help your children develop a positive one.

About Randy Gage: Randy helps audiences recognize and reject roadblocks to wealth and prosperity with warmth, wit and wisdom drawing from his rags-to-riches story. A former high school dropout, Randy rose from a minimum wage job and spending time in jail as a teen to become a self-made multi-millionaire who has inspired millions of people around the world. He is the author of eight books on success including Prosperity Mind and Accept Your Abundance that have been translated into more than 25 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. Learn more about Randy at his public website: http://www.RandyGage.com and on Prosperity TV: http://www.youtube.com/randygage.

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Whew! Made it Through!

Business

It was a busy four days and I only ended up working 3 of those 4 days due to my compassionate husband working the holiday craft fair for me yesterday! It was in my favor that he knew our 15 month old was really missing me too.

There was a Chicago Bears game yesterday so let’s just say the fair was not as busy as Friday or Saturday. I had as relaxing a day as I could with five children under nine (insert rolling eyes here ;-) )

The business networking event and the weekend proved to be very beneficial and we met some interesting people. We are excited and grateful for the opportunities presented.

Appliance Woes Almost Fixed

We are still without an oven, at least for another week the repair man said, as he has to order the part. Hopefully it will arrive early and they can fit in an appointment earlier. How can I host a Cookie Exchange if I can’t bake cookies? I can’t, I know.

Christmas!

We are getting into the Christmas spirit around here and eager to decorate and get our tree! Just not sure how we are going to accomplish that since my mil’s car will not accommodate a tree. We took the children to cut down a live tree last year and it was such a memory making day that everyone is gung-ho to do it again this year. It was a neat family tree farm that offered fun activities for the children: candle making, wood carving, hot chocolate and more.

A Vehicle

A friend found a vehicle, we just have to decide if it is what we are looking for….beggars can’t be choosers but it is hard for us. Take on a car payment or not to take on a car payment? Buy an older car and have lots of repairs? Ugh….decisions like these are just not easy. Besides we have not even contacted our insurance to see what insurance will cost on the type of vehicle we are interested in getting. Everything costs money….

Home Life

Other than that same old same old. We cleaned the house today and did school. I worked. The girls and I are gearing up for a sewing spree hopefully starting on Friday. I have to wrap up some weekend stuff and have a couple of meetings this week before we can really get going on making some new skirts for the four girls.

Oh and if you are the praying kind, pray we find our camera. Odd request, I know but we think some little hands got a hold of it and left it in some obscure place in the house…hopefully still in tact. We need that for blogging and capturing every day moments of life so the children can look back in wonder and perhaps a little embarrassment too…..I can’t believe how many photos my oldest is embarrassed about when I was simply capturing a “moment”. Ah well, it was not my original intent to embarrass her, nor is it my intent with the rest either.

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Need to Vent About Gas Prices!

Light comes on and the car dings, ugg…..There’s nothing I dislike more than having to stop for gas!  Usually,  I just roll in – close my eyes and fill it up.  Take my little slip and get on with my day.  Today my daughter and I went out.  Thankfully I didn’t need gas, but looked at the prices.  They went up like $.17 cents in the past few days where I live.  That’s insane!  Which is what inspired me to check the history of average gas prices. I got this information off of www.thepeoplehistory.com.  By the way, this site has some cool information.  ANYWAY!  Here’s what I came up with:

1986 – $.89

1996 – $1.22

2001 – $1.46

2006 – $3.13

2007 – $3.38

2008 – $3.39

2009 – $2.73

2010 – $2.73

I had forgotten we had these insane prices a few years back. 

Whew!  That felt better.  I’m still not happy, because I know next time I visit the gas station I don’t even want to think about it! 

Cartoon Gas Station Attendant clipart

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Promo Codes, Promo Codes, Promo Codes

Being a single income family we do whatever we can to save money.  I do most of my shopping online and will never pay full price or pay shipping.  After all my items are in my online cart I go to checkout, then open another tab on my computer and search for promo codes that pertain to the store.  There are lots of websites that offer promo codes, some are good and some eh, are no so good.  Most stores will offer promo codes, Kohl’s you can use two (2) promo codes at a time!  By having two (2) browser windows open at the same time you can check which promo codes will best serve you.  Yea, it takes a few more minutes to finish your order, but it’s worth it to save a few bucks.  Better in your pocket than theirs, right?!

Share and Enjoy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS