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Farming is Hazardous

Posted by html404 on September 18, 2013
in Animals, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Money & Finances, Safety

This is a featured post.

I have a farmer friend who gets after me each time she comes to our farm. You see, I tend to wear crocs around the farm. Yep, even around our hooved animals who weigh 1200-1500 lbs. Not ideal to say the least but my feet really like to breathe in the summer months and rubber boots or steel toed boots just haven’t seemed necessary or appealing to wear. And no, that’s not my fashion sense speaking, it’s my comfort level doing the talking.

When my friend was here to help with fencing over a month ago a t-post nearly fell on my foot. Not a good thing. A couple of years ago while working on another farm I had a t-post go through the bottom of my croc giving me a pretty good cut all because I tried to put the t-post into the ground with my foot, seriously of all things to do, but I did it as an automatic reaction. Farming is hazardous if you are not careful. A lot can go wrong on a farm. Thankfully we do not own any heavy equipment yet, but the large animals pose a risk because you never know what they can or will do. It’s not like we have medical insurance or life insurance that covers accidents, for that matter. We don’t even have a retirement fund come to think of it. It’s not like we view these things as unimportant, we just haven’t had the budget for them in the past five years, not with two lay offs under our belt. However, it is a goal of ours to get these things in place as soon as our income increases to the point of making it possible.

We do have farm insurance, which is helpful and provides some kind of coverage. Nevertheless, it’s a tad bit worrisome at times thinking of all the things that can go wrong when we lack other insurance coverage or funds to cover extra expenses that could occur.

Do you have life insurance? What about medical insurance in light of Obamacare? Are you preparing for retirement?

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My Husband Lost His Job….Again

Posted by html404 on September 10, 2013
in Business, Family Stuff, Home, Money & Finances, News Worthy, Saving Money

Five and a half years ago my husband came home through our front door at about 9am, which was uncharacteristically early considering he left work at 5:30-6:00AM and usually returned at 3:30-4:00PM. When I asked him what he was doing home so early, he replied, “I was laid off.” It was such a shock. Robert had worked at the store since he was in junior high. We worked for the first owner from 1981-2005. Then when the second owner bought the shop in 2005, Robert at times felt he had less job security. But seriously, we never saw the lay off coming.

Robert was out of work for about 20 months. I cleaned houses for a couple of months and started our virtual assistant business. Then his original boss, whom he had worked for over 20 years called him saying he had a new buyer for the store. You see, the second owner still owed the original owner money so when he went out of business in 2009, the store reverted back to the original owner. Clear as mud, eh?

He’s trying hard not to crack a smile in this photo in case you didn’t notice.

My Husband Lost His Job….Again

We accepted the job because we had high hopes of the store succeeding under new ownership.

This current lay off was better in the fact we knew it was coming. Robert’s job allowed him to see the numbers in the reports he ran and I’d say early in the summer he called it by saying he gave the shop until mid-August. He was a little off in that he had a job until about the end of August, as he was officially done a week and a half ago.

It’s was a topsy, curvy ride waiting for the axe to fall, so to speak. It is a bittersweet end to a job Robert enjoyed. He really liked this last owner and we thought the store would make it but alas, the industry has changed so much with the advent of the internet. Mom and Pop stores cannot compete with their distributors or online competition. Just look at your home town’s main street. If you have empty store fronts like we do, you’ll see what we are living.

We are not sure what God’s plan is in all of this. It is definitely stretching us.

Robert is applying to jobs. I’m working more. I just learned that I have a job as a hostess of a new moms forum, which will help bring in a little extra money. We are trying to get caught up around the farm while Robert is home…but that is a never ending task because there is always something to do!

Have you ever been unemployed or faced a lay off? How did you survive?

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My First Trip to Mariano’s in Chicago

Posted by html404 on August 20, 2013
in All Natural Products, Deals, Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Fun Stuff, Health and Nutrition, Money & Finances, Parenting, Reviews, SALES, Saving Money, Shopping, Things to Do in Chicago, Uncategorized

It takes a lot to feed our family of ten. A huge reason we started farming was to grow our own food because buying all organic food for a large family is soooo expensive! There is no way we could do it by shopping at Whole Foods. We try to buy as much organic as we can, but it’s not always possible due to our budget. Enter Mariano’s. We had seen bags with Mariano’s on them but until we shopped there we did not know anything about this store or that they offered organic produce.

My husband and I went out ALONE to Mariano’s in Jefferson Park, Chicago. It was a rare treat to be alone but it was also a treat to go into the city for a change. We looked forward to purchasing organic milk, natural products and organic produce. First we went to Whole Foods in Sauganash, Chicago, then we went to Mariano’s in Jefferson Park. The stores are literally only a couple miles apart. We bought the exact same items at each store. The goal was to see how much money we could save by shopping at Mariano’s for organic produce and all natural products.

Mariano’s in Jefferson Park

Mariano’s in Jefferson Park is a large spacious store. There was lots of room to maneuver aisles, even though there were lots of people in the store. It was pretty easy to find everything. The only thing we couldn’t find right away was Kombucha but we found it just before we checked out because I almost forgot to buy it!

Shopping at Mariano’s was a good experience for us in that we discovered a new store we can shop for organic produce and all natural products our family loves and enjoys and SAVE money, which makes my hubby very happy!

Here’s a list of items we bought:

Organic Valley Milk
1-1.5 lbs Organic Tomatoes
2 lbs Organic Carrots
2 lbs Organic Blueberries
2 pkg.Applegate Organic Bacon
1 bottle of Kombucha (fermented tea that is carbonated)

Below is our receipts from both stores to show you how much we saved by shopping for organic produce at Mariano’s. We saved a whopping $12.24! We were impressed.

This past weekend was customer appreciation at Mariano’s. In celebration of this they featured over 3,000 roses on display at all stores – just $1 each. Over 100 varieties – a rainbow of color and called it their Rose Extravaganza! It was truly a gorgeous display of roses. Robert and I loved looking at the roses and we even took time to stop and smell them.

Customer appreciation at Mariano’s includes a FREE rewards card with the potential to earn rewards!

We are looking forward to shopping at Mariano’s again in the future.

Please mark your calendars because you are invited to Mariano’s Twitter Party which will be on Thursday, August 29, from 12-1pm CT/1-2 pm ET RSVP link: http://cbi.as/5bh5f #cbias #MyMarianos. Consider “liking” them on Facebook as well.

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Credit Cards

Posted by html404 on July 30, 2013
in Education, Money & Finances, Tuesday Tip, Uncategorized

This is a featured guest post.

What type of credit card is right for me?

If the time has come to get a new credit card you might find you’re presented with a slightly overwhelming number of options to choose from. This can make it hard work knowing where to start, which is why it’s a good idea to educate yourself about how best to go about it.

Know the different kinds of card

When credit cards are mentioned, many people will think of them in simple terms – a piece of plastic that lets you purchase goods or services and pay for them at a later date. However, there are different types of cards to suit different circumstances.

Balance transfer cards – if you have existing debts then the 0 per cent interest period offered by a balance transfer credit card could help you pay the balance off at a more manageable rate. The interest free period can vary, so be sure to know how long it lasts before signing up.
Rewards cards – if you’re able to regularly pay off your balance each month and want to get a little something back then it might be worth going for a card with a reward scheme. What you get in return for your spending is likely to vary so be sure to compare credit cards to find the best one for you.
Platinum cards – a range of additional benefits are typically offered along with this kind of product, such as insurance. They normally offer a higher credit limit and are only those with a good credit rating are likely to be approved.

Pre-paid cards – if you’re travelling overseas or want a little added security while shopping online then a pre-paid card might be the right option for you. It can be loaded with a set amount of cash, so might be a good option for parents to give to older children heading on school trips.

Compare fees and interest rates

Perhaps the easiest way to get an overview of the interest rate you’re likely to pay on a card is to compare the Annual Percentage Rates (APR). In terms of your monthly repayments you’re always best paying for what you’ve spent by covering the full balance each month, but if you can’t do this then it’s typically better to find the lowest APR on offer. It’s also worth looking in to the charges you will face for any missed payments, or for using your card in another country.

Time to apply

Once you’ve done all this it could be time to apply. Make sure you’re aware of your credit rating before doing so and avoid making multiple applications, as this is one of the things that could harm your chances of getting accepted.

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Sell DVDs Online – Movie & Music Lovers

Posted by html404 on July 11, 2013
in Deals, DVDs & CDs, Money & Finances, Movies, Music, Saving Money, Shopping, Thrifty Thursday, Uncategorized

This is a partnered post.

It’s Thrifty Thursday and it appears to have been a while since we posted any money saving tips. However, this week I came across something that is great for music lovers, gamers and movie addicts. Are you or someone you know huge music buffs? What about movies or gaming? Do you have extra CDs, games and DVDs you no longer use? This post is for you! I will reveal a way for you to get rid of unwanted stuff and make a little money while you are at it.

My husband loves music and has quite the collection of CDs….somewhere in boxes he still has vinyl records and 8 tracks! We still have boxes in our bedroom from our move nearly two years ago and I found out one or two of the boxes are part of Robert’s CD collection. Sigh. I so want the boxes gone from our bedroom. If I was a conniving little wife I might be tempted to sell them on him and try to make some cash. But I am not. I wouldn’t do that to my husband. Nevertheless, if he knew he could make some money off of his stuff, I think he’d go through it all and see what he could let go of just to make a little extra money. That’s just the way he is and he’s done it in the past with other collectible items, etc.

That’s why my interest kind of peaked when I thought about selling stuff online. This new-to-me website that allows you to sell DVDs online, as well as CDs, and even games. musicMagpie is the solution to music lovers and their spouses! This site allows you to swap all those unwanted CDs, DVDs and games in exchange for cold, hard cash. Strapped for cash? Tap into your music, movies and DVDs!

With the advent of the internet, anything truly is possible. We can sell and swap books, clothing and even our music and movie collections.

What are some ways you have created extra cash for your family?

Happy Thrifty Thursday!

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Flexible Spending Accounts Can Save Your Family 40%

Posted by html404 on March 6, 2013
in Family Stuff, Health, Money & Finances, Saving Money, Uncategorized

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.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.

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Making Money from Junk

Posted by html404 on February 19, 2013
in Business, Money & Finances, Uncategorized

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.

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.

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Raising Financially Confident Kids- A Revell Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on August 11, 2012
in Books, Money & Finances

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.

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How to be a Frugal Online Shopper

Posted by html404 on July 12, 2012
in Coupons, Money & Finances, Saving Money, Shopping, Thrifty Thursday

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.

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.

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Informative Infographic on Debt Relief

Posted by html404 on June 15, 2012
in Money & Finances

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…

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?