I don't know how well it's working yet, but teaching my boys about personal finance, budgeting, and general money management seems to be working. We have a system where the boys can earn up to $5/week for good behavior. There are also additional chores that they can do to earn additional money.
One of my sons has taken to it pretty well, and generally finds ways to make more money, another one seems to simply whine when his brother can buy something and he cannot! I suppose that is a great life lesson, something that will haunt them for the rest of their lives if they don't learn it now.
Now, teaching them to not squander it all away with candy and junk food will be another lesson entirely!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Food Budget Maximization
Last week, my total grocery bill was $28.27. I fed my family of 5. Well, ok, ONE of them is still nursing…but the rest of us all ate well for that amount. I was asked by a few people how I did it, so I’m giving some advice. My only qualifications on this are experience, so take what you want from this and leave the rest!
1. Use Meal Planning to Organize Your Needs
Start with a Breakfast Menu. We have two weeks (M-F) of menu that we flip back and forth. There is no question of what’s for breakfast for the kids, and it takes stress out of the mornings.
Next, plan your dinners. Dinner is the most expensive meal (usually), so take that to heart when you’re looking at what you want to cook (or eat!). I usually plan mine a few weeks or months out, but you can do it week by week too.
2. Incorporate a Vegetarian Day Each Week
Beans are cheap! Learn to cook and eat them! I hated beans growing up, but now that I see the price of meat, I am broadening my horizons. Buy a pound of different kinds until you see which ones you can stomach (I can’t do pinto!). Buy them dry, since they are even cheaper than canned ones, and they don’t have the added salt and potential preservatives.
3. Make EVERYTHING from Scratch
Don’t buy pre-packaged anything. This includes Hamburger Helper, Uncle Ben’s, Bisquick, Pancake Mix, etc. All of these things can be made with the staples you probably already have in the cupboard, for pennies on the cost of their packaged and preservative-laden counterparts. Plus, buying ingredients instead of packages is better for the environment!
4. Buy Generic!
There are not many things that I buy that are name-brand. Does flour, sugar, and oil really need a brand name on it? I’m not saying that you have to give up everything that you like here, I mean, if you just have to have Kraft Singles, buy them. But when you can, buy the generic version of everything. You’ll find that couponing becomes impossible because stores don’t publish coupons for their own brands usually (Target is the exception here). I still look for coupons though, because there are some things that I like to have the “real thing” on, and if you can combine a sale with a coupon, then you can get the name brand for the price of the generic or less.
5. When Shopping, Use a List
This is easy when you have a meal plan in place! Make your list from your plan, and stick to it! Don’t buy anything that’s not on your list. If you want a candy bar, it better be written down.
6. Use Your Reusable Bags
It sounds piddly, but you get a refund at most stores! Even if you get $.50 back, hey, it’s better than nothing at all. And, you’re being “green” too.
1. Use Meal Planning to Organize Your Needs
Start with a Breakfast Menu. We have two weeks (M-F) of menu that we flip back and forth. There is no question of what’s for breakfast for the kids, and it takes stress out of the mornings.
Next, plan your dinners. Dinner is the most expensive meal (usually), so take that to heart when you’re looking at what you want to cook (or eat!). I usually plan mine a few weeks or months out, but you can do it week by week too.
2. Incorporate a Vegetarian Day Each Week
Beans are cheap! Learn to cook and eat them! I hated beans growing up, but now that I see the price of meat, I am broadening my horizons. Buy a pound of different kinds until you see which ones you can stomach (I can’t do pinto!). Buy them dry, since they are even cheaper than canned ones, and they don’t have the added salt and potential preservatives.
3. Make EVERYTHING from Scratch
Don’t buy pre-packaged anything. This includes Hamburger Helper, Uncle Ben’s, Bisquick, Pancake Mix, etc. All of these things can be made with the staples you probably already have in the cupboard, for pennies on the cost of their packaged and preservative-laden counterparts. Plus, buying ingredients instead of packages is better for the environment!
4. Buy Generic!
There are not many things that I buy that are name-brand. Does flour, sugar, and oil really need a brand name on it? I’m not saying that you have to give up everything that you like here, I mean, if you just have to have Kraft Singles, buy them. But when you can, buy the generic version of everything. You’ll find that couponing becomes impossible because stores don’t publish coupons for their own brands usually (Target is the exception here). I still look for coupons though, because there are some things that I like to have the “real thing” on, and if you can combine a sale with a coupon, then you can get the name brand for the price of the generic or less.
5. When Shopping, Use a List
This is easy when you have a meal plan in place! Make your list from your plan, and stick to it! Don’t buy anything that’s not on your list. If you want a candy bar, it better be written down.
6. Use Your Reusable Bags
It sounds piddly, but you get a refund at most stores! Even if you get $.50 back, hey, it’s better than nothing at all. And, you’re being “green” too.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Purpose of This Blog
The purpose of my Blog is to give out information that people request of me!
Some of the recent requests include recipes, budget tips, food storage, organization, Cub Scouts, and more!
If you want to know information on something that you think I can help with, leave a reply and I will get back to you!
Thanks,
Jessica
Some of the recent requests include recipes, budget tips, food storage, organization, Cub Scouts, and more!
If you want to know information on something that you think I can help with, leave a reply and I will get back to you!
Thanks,
Jessica
New Blog
Good Morning!
This is my new Blog. I haven't had one of these before, so bear with me as I learn as I go!
Welcome, and thanks for reading along!
- Jessica
This is my new Blog. I haven't had one of these before, so bear with me as I learn as I go!
Welcome, and thanks for reading along!
- Jessica
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