Cheap summer fun for the family

My kids know I'm cheap. I don't like to spend money on anything, but this can be difficult - and not fun - sometimes.

So how about a few ideas for cheap summer fun?

I'll share a few of mine - you share a few of yours. We all win.

1. Spend $5-10 on cheap and silly items from your local dollar store. I spend a total of $10 at our local Dollar Tree for water pistols, glow sticks, water baloons, popsicles to stick in the freezer, a jump rope, a couple of flinging fliers (Spiderman) and some of the snap pops (you know - those thingys you throw down on the ground for a popping sound for the 4th?). Add my kids, some water and a sunny day and it's cheap and entertaining fun.

2. For water fun - save squeezable condiment bottles, like ketchup, mustard, relish. Clean them out well and fill them with water. The kids will have tons of fun squirting each other - OUTSIDE - on a hot summer day. No spending money on chintzy water pistols that will break (and trust me, the bottles work so much better for a good dowsing!). Cheap and easy - the way I like it.

3. Visit your library! Most local libraries hold summer reading programs for kids that are lots of free fun. Find out what's available in your area. Encourage your kids to read during the summer. Check out books - lots of them. For movies, most libraries have videos and DVDs available for check out, free of charge. Choose a few fun, family movies and plan a movie night.

I'll be sharing more cheap summer fun ideas soon, but in the meantime - what are some of your faves?

Planning Ahead

I like to plan ahead for financial issues, but this week I've come up against something I haven't planned for.

My husband is facing a possible medical issue that is very serious. We are currently awaiting test results to know for certain and it is nerve wracking.

What it has made me realize, though, is how woefully unprepared we are for a serious medical event that could cause financial chaos.

I found myself pondering these questions and coming up short on the answers:

What if he has to have surgery?

Do I have enough money put back to finance trips to a hospital in another town?

What if he had to miss a lot of work, which meant not getting a paycheck?

Do I know where all of the payment books and financial paperwork are located?

And, I have to realistically consider the one question that I don't even want to think about: What if something happens to my husband and I am left alone with our three children - what will I do?

I am hopeful that none of these questions will actually need to be answered, but right now I know that no matter what happens, I need to start asking and thinking about these questions. Planning ahead is so important and these issues must be considered - no matter what.

Summer Recession Chic at Your Local Dollar Stores

I love the dollar stores in my town. We have three and I love to take time to just walk through them and check out what they've got.

Sure, some of the stuff is really junky - but most of the stuff I find are great bargains and pretty decent items.

During summer, the dollar stores are my choice when it comes to garden decorations.

I'll admit it, when I'm an old lady I'll probably be one of those who clutters up the yard with ceramic tigers and pink flamingoes. I love sticking little treasures in my butterfly garden.

Since I'm a tightwad, I don't want to spend a lot of money on such things and I've found the local dollar stores to be a buffet of cheap treats.

I've shopped at the dollar stores for household items, birthday treasures, assorted holiday decorations, and lots of other stuff.

Since I have two little girls, we have always gone through lots of hair baubles and hair bands. . .and we've lost lots of them. The dollar stores have the cheapest prices around so I don't get too bent out of shape when they disappear.

In truth, most things are cheaper at the dollar stores - but you do have to be careful: Not everything is cheaper. It pays to know what regular prices at Wal-Mart or KMart is.

I found this neat slideshow promoting summer treasures for under $20. Take a look.

My question: Do you do the dollar store shuffle and if so, what are some of your favorite bargains found there?

Hot dog! A new site - Money Saving Parent

I've found another cool site - a website and a blog - to share:

The site is Money Saving Parent and the blog is Money Saving Parent Blog.

These are written by husband and wife team Bryan and Lisa Carey (Lisa happens to be one of my Facebook friends *waves* Hi Lisa!).

The Careys offer all kind of great tips and advice on saving money (one of my favorite things!) as well as being green while saving green.

So head on over and see what you think.

And as usual, send me links to great money-saving sites and blogs - I'm always looking for new stuff!

Living on one income?

Nope, it's not easy at all, and you need all the help and advice you can get.

Check out this blog - Living On One Income for some great info and tips.

Be sure to bookmark it - and come back often!

I'm always on the look out for great blogs and articles about saving money. . .so help a gal out! Send me your links so I can blog about them!

Follow me on Twitter!

Okay ladies, I need help with my newest addiction. . .

I have a new addiction or obsession or whatever you want to call it.

No, it's not something horrible or shameful (I don't think), and I'm not asking for rehab help.

I'm addicted to my new BlackBerry and I need a name for her.

Read all about it here.

Help me out ladies - I need the perfect name for this pink lady that has enslaved me.

Help a gal out?

How often do you have "buyer's remorse?"

You know how it is: You see something that you fall head over heels in love with, you slap down the money for the honor of taking it with you, you get it home and the thoughts start nagging.

"I shouldn't have bought this."

"I can't really afford this."

"I should have used that money to buy groceries/pay the water bill/put gas in the car/whatever."

"Do I REALLY need this?"

Those thoughts are followed by "Maybe I should return this and get my money back."

You scramble to make sure you still have the receipt, just in case. . .

How often does this happen to you?

Do you listen to the nagging doubts urging you to return your prize?

What items have you bought that caused you to have buyer's remorse?

Oh so cheap!

Okay, I admit it: I'm cheap.

I pinch pennies and split hairs frequently when it comes to money.

If you want to go overboard with cheapness, here are a few of my (tongue-in-cheek) suggestions. And no, I don't actually do these things :)

1. Forget about toilet paper. Use leftover newspapers. Be aware that newsprint does run.

2. Become creative in your home cooking. Dig into the bottom of the barrel (or pantry) for new and tasty dishes. How about Spaghettio-Applesauce Casserole or Pasta-Fruitloop Surprise?

You can read more here.

So what are your thoughts? What is your nuttiest idea for living frugally?

Can you top mine?

What's your addiction?

With a recession going on, you might find that you don't have as much money to spend on items you might be addicted to.

Whether it's cigarettes, alcohol, movies, magazines, chocolate or whatever (and I'm only discussing legal things here!), you may have less money to feed your needs.

My personal addiction is Diet Dr. Pepper. Here's an explanation of my Diet Dr. Pepper Addiction.

Yes, I scrape up pennies, quarters, nickels and dimes to make sure I have my Diet Dr. Pepper every day. They like me best when I've fed my Tallulah (as I call my little addiction).

My other addiction is to the Internet. Oh yes, the lure of electronic addiction of almost as strong as Diet Dr. Pepper.

So what are you shamelessly addicted to? How do you you budget for your guilty pleasure?

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Ah, the joys of electricity!

Last Friday my area (Southern Illinois) was hit by a massive weather event. It's being called an inland hurricane because on the radar it actually looked like a swirling, rotating hurrican with a definite eye in the center.

Wind gusts from the second half of the storm were clocked at over 106 miles per hour. It caused major damage over at least three counties and left me and my family without electricity for almost five days.

Consequently, because of the power outage, the majority of my refrigerated and frozen food were ruined. It felt like pouring money into a trash bag as I cleaned them out.

Not only that, but once the power was restored I discovered today that my large freezer isn't working right. Some of the items that were left in the bottom of the freezer (but need to be pitched) are frozen solid, while other items are soft and mushy - and there is a layer of about two inches of slush and liquid in the bottom. Those are good signs something isn't working right.

I'm not complaining, though, my family is safe and things could have been so much worse.

Our home was not damaged, we just had several large trees and limbs down in our yard.

Here's a link to pictures I've posted from the storm and the resulting damage - check them out here.

Is there such a thing as being too frugal?

I consider myself frugal, and yes, a tightwad. I admit that I'm very cheap.

My husband shakes his head often at my cheapness and the fact that I will pick up things from the side of the road and out of dumpsters. I have to do that when he's not with me though, because he won't stop the Suburban when I spy a treasure.

I recently read this piece, Extreme Frugality: Taking Cheapness to the Extreme and I had to shake my head.

I guess I'm not into that kind of extreme frugality. Oh I appreciate some creative thinking when it comes to saving money, but some ideas. . .nope.

So what do you think?

Neat potato growing idea

I recently planted my potatoes before I read this article, DIY: Grow Your Own Potatoes in Small Spaces and I love this idea!

I may grab a few more seed potatoes and give it a try.

Have you already planted anything?

Tammy how does your garden grow?

Yep, I've started my garden (for those of you who have asked).

At least, I've gotten a start on it.

I uncovered my strawberry patch the other day and now I have blossoms!

Now I know that I am supposed to pinch off the first blooms in order to promote and stimulate lots of blooms later.

I did that, but not before I snapped pics of my strawberry blooms.

I have also gotten my potatoes planted, but that's as far as I've gotten.

My neck of the woods has been known to get hard frosts late in April, so I try not to plant much until after May 1.

I hope to grow lots of tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, squash (my spaghetti squash went wild last year!), pumpkins, and several other things this year.

As soon as it warms up just a bit more, I'm going to get my chicken house cleaned out and pile up the litter and chicken poop to make excellent compost for my garden.

Here's a great piece on compost from chicken manure.

So if you're planning a garden this year, what do you hope to plant and harvest?

Are you planning a garden?

It's that time of year again - Spring is here and in order to save money and eat healthier, it's time to think about planting a garden!

Woohoo!

Can you tell I'm excited?

I look forward to digging in the dirt every year and have found that even a few tomatoes, strawberries, and squash grown in my garden can save a few pennies.

The more you grow, the more you can save. Fresh tomatoes in my local area have climbed to as much as $2 per pound - and that's at the grocery store. Those have been shipped in from somewhere else.

Anybody remember the tomato scare last year? The more homegrown items you have, the less you'll have to worry about foodborne illness from unknown sources.

Grow a few tomatoes (they are easy - even with limited space), a strawberry plant, a pepper plant, corn and more.

This year, I'm planning to have a much larger garden and family members are growing more as well. If you have gardening friends or family members who live nearby, coordinate with them so you're all growing different things - then you can swap and share.

Last year, my brother grew scads of sweet corn, cantaloupe and watermelon. The whole family got together to harvest and put up the corn - not only was it productive because we all filled our freezers with fresh corn, but we all had a great time and made a wonderful memory (brought back memories of doing the same as a kid!).

So, get out there and plan to grow something this year!

Spring is here!

I am so happy Spring is finally here!

Even though it's raining in my neck of the woods today, I'm happy because of what is to come.

Coming soon will be my garden, my flowers and the butterflies that visit my yard every year.

Just when winter seems like it will never end, Spring comes forth and brings the promise of hope to come.

It's the same way with our personal financial picture. This has been a hard winter for my family. My husband's hours got cut, a part-time job was lost. But Spring is here! A few of his hours have tentatively been restored (and we're saving every extra penny we can) and there might be a few things on the horizon to look forward to.

So, I wanted to share a picture I took a couple of summers ago. I take lots and lots of pictures of my flowers, butterflies and other critters that visit - this one is one of my favorites!

Enjoy!

Are you a tightwad?

If you had to call yourself a tighwad, would you do it?

Everyone who knows me calls me a tightwad and I'm okay with that - they usually ask me for tips on pinching pennies.

With the current economic crisis, do you consider it an insult to be called a tightwad, skinflint, cheapskate, etc. - or a badge of honor?

What word would you use to describe your current moneysaving philosophy?

Check out clearance racks

Right now is a great time to get bargains on seasonal clothing.

In my neck of the woods, the weather is wishy-washy and it's not uncommon to still need to wear long-sleeved shirts and sweatshirts on certain days.

Stores (including thrift stores) are trying to clear out that cool-weather clothes to make room for spring and summer items, so now is the time to buy!

One local thrift store is even holding a "buy one get one free" sale on all clothing - just to make more room. Excellent bargains!

At our local Wal-Mart, I did find some short-sleeved shirts and shorts that had been put on clearance just to make room for some of the newer stuff.

I found a few bargains there for $1 and $3. You can't beat that!

So be sure to check the clearance racks and make sure you dig through them carefully! Some stores are even reducing prices down from the lowest ticketed price.

Zero Balance

I'm celebrating because I've paid off a credit card! Woohoo!

While my first word of advice to anyone wanting to cut their budget is to get out of debt, sometimes it's hard to get by with no credit cards.

I have two credit cards with very low limits - so I won't be tempted to rack them up and over spend. Because the limits are low, I can't go on a manic shopping spree (even though there are days I'd love to!).

The best way I've found to get those credit cards paid off or down is this:

1. Start with the credit card that has the lowest balance.

Focus on that one because the small milestones will give you incentive. Sure, others say focus on the one with the highest interest rate, but that one might also be the card with the highest balance. It'll take much longer to make a dent and is easy to lose motivation and get frustrated. So start with the smallest balance.

2. Pay more than the minimum payment.

Yes, when money is super tight you may have no choice but to only pay the minimum. If you can squeeze out an extra five bucks per month on that payment, it will help. And you will feel better knowing that you are making SOME progress, even though it is small.

3. Don't use your credit cards.

Put them away and don't use them - for anything. Don't be racking up more charges on them while you're trying to pay them down or off.

4. Work on a cash-only basis.

If you don't have the cash for something, you don't buy it. Save your money until you have enough to buy that item with cash.

Believe me when I say it's a great feeling to accomplish paying off a credit card or other debt.

It's very freeing - and you should all try it!

Canned good prices going up?

I popped into the grocery store yesterday because the cupboard was getting bare.

I was unpleasantly surprised by what I found.

This was the local WalMart Supercenter, mind you, and it is the first of the month - but the price on canned goods has gone up to 56 cents!

Not only that, but I noticed that many items were out-of-stock and several shelves were bare or had very little on them (not just food, though - dog food was what I noticed first).

So I'm curious - has anyone else noticed anything like this?

What is the average price of a regular can of corn, tomato sauce, green beans, etc. where you live?

Ideas for supporting a friend

Your friend may be going through a tough time. A financial crisis. A layoff. A cutback. A foreclosure. Whatever.

You'd like to let her know you're there for her, but you're not sure how.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Make a phone call. A simple phone call to check in with your friend with the words "I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you. How's everything going?" is a great way to start. You've opened the door for your friend to talk and share her feelings and frustrations - if she wants. She can also choose to not share if she's not feeling like it. Either way, she knows you care.

2. Send an email. Emails are great ways to share feelings because you don't get hung up on choking up, tears, cracking voices and the like. A simple email to your friend saying "Thinking about you. Everything okay? Anything I can do?" can be enough to let your friend know you're willing to listen if she needs to vent.

3. Send a card. Whether it's an e-card or a good old-fashioned card in the mail (gasp! people still do that?), your friend will appreciate you going to the trouble. If you send a funny card, even better. A chance to laugh in the midst of pain has healing qualities. If you choose e-cards, you can set up to have cards sent regularly on specified dates - schedule a card every week for the next few weeks for your friend.

4. See what you can do. Granted, in tough times, most of us don't have the extra cash to pay bills and heap on the money for our friends (even though we'd like to do so), but if you have a few extra bucks you could buy a gift card for your friend. How about a $5 gift card to a favorite fast food place for a treat? Or 20 bucks worth of movie money? Or a gift card to the grocery store?  How about a 5 or 10 dollar card for a local gas station? Or a coupon for a free movie rental? Sure, fast food and movies sound frivolous during a financial crisis, but don't underestimate the value and need for stress relief.

5. Offer to help. Maybe you can't contribute financially, but you could offer to let your friend do her laundry at your house one week instead of spending money and gas to go to the laundromat. You could invite your friend and her family to your home for supper one night. Or host a pizza and movie night at your house.Offer to pick up her kids to save her some gas

6. Have a girl's night. It doesn't have to cost much - if anything. Line up babysitters if needed (or make arrangements with family members to watch kids) and grab your girlfriend and a couple of others then head to the mall for window shopping. Maybe stop to grab a cup of coffee or an ice cream cone somewhere. Going out doesn't have to be expensive, and your girlfriend might appreciate the diversion.

7. Think outside the box. There are plenty of tangible ways to help your friend without breaking your own bank. 

Give it a try - your friend will appreciate your efforts!

How to be a good employee

When I was a career lady, I'll admit – I wasn't the best employee. Looking back now, I see the mistakes and errors I made.

Today, with a shaky economy, layoffs and cutbacks in the workforce are inevitable. You certainly want to keep your job, but how can you make yourself a valued employee to your boss?

Check out this link for a few tips I wish I'd known 15 years ago.

Stockpiling Secrets: Part 1

With a flagging economy, rising prices and a world of uncertainty, it's probably a good idea to do some stockpiling.

The question you might have is "How do I do it?"

Well, I'm going to try to give you some tips and pointers to get you started - based upon my own experiences.

One of my first rules of stockpiling is this: Don't go overboard at once.

I don't have an extra hundred bucks or so to go out and buy extra stuff to stockpile.

Instead, stockpile gradually.

When you are doing your grocery shopping, instead of buying one can of vegetables, buy two or three - as your budget allows.

Bring those cans home, put the one you'd planned to buy in your pantry, then store the other can (or two) in a separate place.

You can store your stockpile under beds, in closets, under the bathroom sink - wherever you have available. If you have a basement - excellent! If not, then look around to see what you've got available for a storage spot.

I wouldn't recommend storing canned goods in an unheated garage or shed - only because the heat and cold can affect the long-term storage and quality of the food.

Keep reading for more stockpiling tips coming up! And be sure to share your own ideas and experiences - I'd love to hear about them.

Stockpiling Secrets: Part 3 - What to stockpile

Everyone has different thoughts on what to stock up on and stockpile.

I'm just going to write about my own druthers.

First of all, only stockpile non-perishable foods. This is a given - you don't want to store up items that can go bad.

You also should only stockpike items with a long shelf life. My rule of thumb is an expiration date of 6 or more months away. Otherwise, I tend to forget it's there and it goes bad - not fun.

Canned goods are great. Stock up on items when they are on sale or when bulk buying is more cost effective.

Think about it - do you really need a two gallon can of ketchup or mustard?

In my area, cheap canned goods are currently priced at a low of 47 cents - most of the stores are priced higher. If they drop back down or go on sale for less than 47 cents - that would be a great time to stockpile that particular item.

Once again though, use common sense - if everyone in your family absolutely hates spinach - don't stock up on it just because it's food and it's on sale.

Stockpile items that have multiple functions - such as baking soda (cleaning teeth and surfaces, deodorizing, put on a bee sting or sore, use for heartburn), salt (iodized for the extra minerals, can also be used on icy walkways in a pinch - pun intended!),

Here are some of the items I currently try to stock up on:

Peanut butter

Honey (can be used medicinally and as a sweetener - just don't give to children under one year of age due to risk of botulism)

Canned vegetables/legumes/fruit (corn, tomato sauce, green beans, canned pumpkin, applesauce, baked beans, and other family favorites or foods with good nutritional value)

Canned meats - Spam, tuna, chicken

Other canned foods - spaghetti rings, ravioli, etc.

Snacks - pretzels, peanuts, popcorn (real popcorn - to be cooked on a stove or over a fire), crackers, etc. - whatever your family likes most. You also want to consider nutritional value - just in case you have to live off of your stockpile for a longer period of time (i.e. natural disaster, etc.). Dried apples, dried banana chips, other like items are a good choice.

Drinks - dry mixes such as instant tea, tea bags, kool-aid, chocolate powder, etc.

Bottled water - grab a six or twelve pack when you go into the store then just shove them under the bed or the back of the closet. If the water is stored too long it will become stale - but you can use that water for bathing and flushing toilets if there were a natural disaster. I reuse empty milk jugs - rinse them out and fill them 3/4 full with water then stick in the freezer. It helps the freezer run more efficiently and can be thawed out and used in an emergency.

Staples - these are a must-have. Choose items that can be used to make other items - flour (all-purpose), sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, rice, spices and flavorings such as cinnamon, vanilla, chicken and beef bouillion, oregano, pepper, etc., dry milk, pasta.

Items that are packaged in paper or cardboard - anything other than a can or jar - be sure to store in a tightly-lidded container to keep out mice and bugs. Better yet, I store dry good items like flour, dry milk etc. in the freezer (I have a really big one) to keep out bugs.

One idea for storage of such items could be this: Line a metal trash can (obviously, it needs to be new - I wouldn't reuse an old one, imagine the smell!). with a heavy trash bag (say a contractor bag or lawn/leaf bag) then place items that could be destroyed by water or critters into the trash bag/trash can. Once the bag/can is full, fold the top over then tape with duct tape. Then put the lid on tight.

Other non-food items to stockpile:

Toilet paper (my rule of thumb is I buy a package every time I go into the store)

Soap/shampoo - buy when it's on sale and for every one bottle or bar you buy, buy one more for the stockpile.

Feminine hygeine - also buy when it's on sale or with a coupon - if possible buy an extra every time you buy regularly. For this item, I try to stockpile enough for a 3-6 month supply over what I regularly use. I once had multiple coupons for free boxes of panty liners and ended up with about 8 boxes of panty liners under my sink!

First aid items - adhesive bandages (again, buy one - buy two), rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, ibuprofin/acetominophen, allergy meds (i.e. Benedryl), cold meds, itch cream, etc.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stockpiling. My next installment will discuss budgeting for stockpiling.

While you wait for Part 4, though - what items are your personal must-haves and what tips for stockpiling do you recommend?

Grocery shopping

I went grocery shopping with my list in one hand and my budget in my head. I had a specific budget that I had to stay within - no wiggle room. 

I sometimes take a calculator to keep track of every item that we put into the cart so I have no unpleasant surprises when I get to the checkout counter.I forgot my calculator this time so I had to keep track in my head - not the easiest thing when I've got a husband and three kids shopping with me.

When I got to the chekout, my husband asked how much I was guestimating. I told him I'd come up with a total of $117. When the cashier finished ringing up it came to $117.20! Boy was I gloating!

That left me with more to spend at the next two grocery stores. We have three grocery stores that we shop at in town, they are all within a one-mile radius so making a stop at each one is not a problem. I keep a close eye on prices at all three stores and usually know which store has the best price on certain items I buy.

By the time all was said and done from shopping at the three stores - I came in nine cents under budget. I was proud. My allotted budget was just under $200 - for a family of five. I shouldn't need to do any more grocery shopping for at least a couple more weeks. In November, my total grocery expenditure has been roughly $300.

So here are some of the tips I use to stay under budget and get the most for my money:

1. Set a budget - this is very important. Set a budget and stick to it.

2. Use cash. Sure it's more convenient to write a check, use a credit card or a debit card, but if you use cash there is absolutely no wiggle room for your budget. If you only have $100 on you, then you will keep track more closely what you pick up.

3. Make a list, and check it twice. Write down every item you need. Try to be diligent about sticking to the list. Sure, you might forget to write down sugar or toilet paper or some other item you know is desperately needed, but a list will help curb that impulse buying that can destroy your budget.

4. Compare prices. On my list I put an initial next to items so I know where it is cheapest. I know that chocolate chips are cheapest at the Save A Lot store in my area, so I put an S next to chocolate chips on my list. This just serves as a reminder to me to buy that item at a specific store. On my list there are several items marked in this way, indicating which of the three stores I shop at has the best price.

5. Don't take the kids. I love my children. I adore them. I don't like them much when I'm grocery shopping. They are distracting to me and they also beg for items that I can't afford to buy and it makes me feel bad to say no. If you have to take the kids with you, put them to work helping with the list. Sometimes if my husband is with me I'll have him take them somewhere to keep them occupied - another part of the store, maybe.

6. Take your calculator. Keep track of every item that goes into the cart - either in your head or with a calculator. If you are following the tip to use cash, you really need to do this. It's embarrassing to get to the checkout counter only to realize that total has come to $120 and you only have $100. Then you have to waste your time - and everybody else's - choosing items to remove to get the cost back under budget. Take it from me - it's better to keep track while you're shopping.

Help! I'm completely broke and payday isn't until next week!

The checking account is spitting up dust and the gas tank is almost dry - you're broke and need money! What do you do?

Well, first of all - you don't rob a bank! That will bring you more trouble than you'd ever imagined, but there are ways to make it through this crunch until payday.

Take stock of what the priority need for money is just before payday.

Is it gas to get to work and back this week?

Is it food to feed the family this week?

Is it money to keep the electricity turned on this week?

Once you decide what the priority is, you need to figure out how much money you'll need until payday. Will $20 for gas get you back and forth until payday? Will $10 buy a sack of flour, a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter for the week?

If you have appointments (dentist, doctor, hairdresser, etc.) scheduled that will use gas and/or money - reschedule them - unless they are a matter of health emergency.

If you have payments due during the week you're broke, don't take the chance of racking up more fees by writing checks that will bounce - call the creditors or businesses you owe money to and talk to them. Explain when your next payday is and see what you can work out with them.

If someone at work asks you to chip in for a gift, tell them no. Explain that you just don't have the money at the money - you don't have to go into the gory details. Just be honest.

Whatever you do, don't go to a payday loan place to borrow money - the interest payments alone will bring more financial heartache down the road.

To gather up a little extra cash look around to see what you could take to a pawn shop or sell to a friend. Go for a walk and gather up aluminum cans. It won't take long to gather up a trashbag full of aluminum cans - and while one bag won't bring in much money, it'll be a little extra that can help in a tough spot.

Collect your change. It'll add up. Dig around your house and see how much stray change you can find - you might be really surprised at how much you find. Don't forget to check under and down in the seats of the car. Three or four dollars worth of change is better than nothing.

If you have family members that you can ask, see if they would loan you $10-20 just until payday. Make sure you pay them back as soon as you get paid.

If you're in need of food for the week, check with charities and food pantries in your area. Now is not the time to be embarrassed by asking for help - your family is more important than your pride. Contact The Salvation Army, a local ministerial alliance, or local churches. Many churches have food pantries and/or benevolence programs to help people in your situation.

Accept help when it's offered. We all find ourselves in a tough spot at one time or another, and with a melting economy, it's more common than you realize. Times are tough all over - and it's the best time to help each other out.

When you get back on your feet, remember this incident and plan for it not to happen again. If it does, don't fret - just keep plugging away. When you find yourself in a better financial situation, make sure you remember what it's like to have hard times and help someone else out when they hit a rough spot!

Where are you getting financial advice?

Are you looking for some great websites that can give you financial information?

If you're like me, you don't want all the money-speak with figures flying and deep explanations of the recession - you just want good, solid advice and tips to help you weather the storm.

Here are three sites that I really like and feel that they would be beneficial to you - The Reader - as you try to deal with your own financial foibles.

www.crown.org is a Christian ministry that specializes in personal finance. Even if you have no use for the Biblical values on board, you will find a lot of the advice and the online tools useful. There are debt-repayment calculators, mortgage calculators, budget calculators, printable checkbook registers, and many other helpful tools to help you manage your budget.

My favorite tools on crown.org are the budgeting tools. One tool allows you to plug in your budget and income amounts and it will calculate in what areas you are overspending. Another tool helps you set up a workable monthly budget based upon your household size and your monthly income.

www.kidswealth.com is a neat site for helping parents teach money matters to kids. They've got some great information - and products if you'd like to buy - available to help the kiddos realize that money doesn't grow on trees.

The information on kidswealth.com is worth checking out if you're looking for ways to help your kids understand that in a recession, they can't just go out and buy everything they want just whenever they want.

www.investorsinsight.com is currently one of my favorite financial sites. I have found that it gives good advice, is enjoyable to read and is easily-understood by the average non-financial-wiz like myself.

All of these sites have emailed newsletters and information that is worth signing up for.

If you have a favorite site, post it in a comment - I'd love to check it out!

How have you changed your lifestyle to survive the recession

I'm just curious: What have you and your family done to survive the recession?

Maybe you or your spouse have picked up an extra job or some type of extra work to make ends meet.

Maybe you've stopped eating out or started cooking more from scratch.

Are you cutting back on your Christmas spending?

Are you starting to use coupons or using them more than you used to?

Are you shopping at thrift stores or yard sales more than you used to?

Have you learned to sew?

Have you started carpooling or driving only one vehicle for the whole family?

I'd love to hear what changes you've made and if it's helping. Here is what my family is doing:

We sold one vehicle (to get rid of the small payment and use the money to pay some bills) and share the one that we now have (my husband drives it to work and since I am at home most of the time, I take him to work on the days that I need to run errands).

I cook from scratch a whole lot more than I used to.

I make my own homemade laundry detergent and when the weather is nice I hang our clothes to dry.

I try to pick up as much extra freelance writing as I can find to add to our income.

There are more things we have done and I'll share more later. But now I'd love to hear what the rest of you have done - or are doing, or plan to do.

Get your Spam!

It seems as though the Hormel Company - makers of the timeless canned meat Spam - are upping their production to meet the needs of recession-hit consumers.

It seems as though Spam now comes in many flavors to please the palate and appeal to a wider audience. I personally like the Oven Roasted Turkey Spam.

Spam originally became popular during World War II when the military needed tasty food that wouldn't spoil on the battlefield. Shoppers on the homefront also made Spam popular because it was cheap and meat was hard to come by due to military rationing.

Spam has a long shelf-life and it's great if you're wanting to stockpile some food. I grew up in a Spam-eating family. I remember my Grandpa loved fried Spam sandwiches.

I picked up a can of Hickory Smoked Spam to try out in a recipe I've been thinking about making.

It's a lot cheaper than buying fresh or frozen meat - and if you've never tried it, Spam is actually quite tasty!

Who's going to bail me out?

I've been seeing it all over the news and Internet: The Big 3 automakers want the Federal government to bail them out.

I have to say, this is just contrary to what I teach my kids. I try to teach them that if you make bad decisions, there will be consequences. You will have to deal with the consequences and make the best of them - Mom and Dad won't be bailing you out and fixing your mistakes.

As an adult, I've made my fair share of goof-ups. I've had to deal with those mistakes. I've had to try to deal with and make the best of the consequences. I've never had anyone swoop in and bail me out. And guess what, I've learned from those mistakes. I try to be more careful when managing my money and making financial decisions. Because nobody will bail me out when I make a mistake.

I'm a little miffed that banks and big businesses can continue their shoddy and reckless practices and when things go bust, they can just say "Do over!" and wait for Big Daddy Uncle Sam to bail them out - with our money!

Sure, I understand what it could do to the economy - but rather than throwing money at the problem (which won't solve the underlying problem of mismanagement, by the way), come up with some better answers and solutions!

The fine art of regifting at Christmas

In a flagging economy, regifting isn't as taboo as you think.

We've all heard of White Elephant gifts - same thing.

Here are a few rules for regifting:

1. Don't regift an item to the person you received it from. This may seem like one of those "Well, duh!" moments. If you're not sure who the gift came from in the first place, do the right thing and donate it to a charity or thrift store. Don't guess.

2. Do clean up an item you tend to regift - it's tacky to give an item that's dusty or dirty.

3. Do rewrap your item in a new gift bag or wrapping paper. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I'll just state it anyway.

4. Try not to regift an item to a person you know will be offended. It might give you a giggle, but nobody likes to be made fun of.

5. Unless it's obvious that the item is regifted, don't make it news. Don't announce to everyone that you brought a regifted item - unless everybody else will be impressed. In which case, broadcast all you want.

6. When regifting, try to match an item to a recipient. If you received the item and won't use it (which is why are regifting) don't force someone else who won't like the gift to take the problem off your hands - gift it to someone who will appreciate it.

7. If you receive an item you know is regifted - respond with grace and dignity.

8. Above all, remember - it's the thought that counts. So at least make the wrapping nice (and don't forget Rule Number 6).

Layoff: Get your ducks in a row before it happens

Nobody wants to think about a job layoff - especially this close to Christmas.

The sad reality, though, is that it happens - and it's happening more and more everyday.

More businesses are laying off workers due to low demand, financial crisis and the recession.

If this hasn't happened to you then be thankful, but don't be complacent. A layoff could happen at any time and it's best to be prepared.

Caution is the best course of action in a depressed economy so, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Here are a few tips to help you:

1. Start saving every penny. Save your spare change, save every bit of extra income that you get.

2. Cut your expenses. Cut off the cable TV, cut back on your phone or Internet bills, cancel your gym membership or other memberships. Cut back to bare bones in every way. Don't go anywhere unnecessary - this will save gas and wear and tear on your vehicle (or the cost of public transportation).Stop eating out, start shopping at thrift stores, see if items you already have can be used for your needs (instead of buying new).

3. Stockpile. As you have extra money (and when you see them on sale or have a coupon - bonus if they're on sale AND you have a coupon!) buy necessary items to stockpile: Canned goods, toiletries, household items are all great candidates for stockpiling.

4. See what help is available if the worst-case scenario comes about. Will you be able to collect unemployment? If so, when? Will there be job assistance or retraining available? Will you qualiy for food stamps, energy assistance, medical assistance through your state? Do you have insurance on your loans that would make the payments in the event you lose your job?

5. Pay off your debts and don't incur any more. I know this is hard, but don't try to incur more debt - it'll only set you into a downward spiral. Work on paying off your credit cards one at a time - starting with the card with the highest interest. Stop using your credit cards - freeze them into a block of ice if you must - but don't use them anymore!

6. Work on a cash-only system. Don't write checks or use your debit card for 30 days - pay with cash only. You might be surprised at how much less you'll spend when you can only use the cash you have on hand or make a trip to the bank to get more cash.

Even if your job (or your spouse's) doesn't end in a layoff, putting even one of these tips into action will make a difference in your budget - and your way of thinking.

Current projections from experts are saying that we're going to bein a recession for at least another year - if not more - so now's the time to dig in and plan to survive.

Looking for a new career in 2009?

If you're looking for a new career in 2009, you might be interested in this.

U.S. News and World Report recently reported a list of the 30 best careers for 2009 - those that had the best and strongest outlook for stability and growth as well as job satisfaction.

What made the cut?

Here are just a few: Clergy (certainly understandable in these trying times), firefighter , hairstylist, ghostwriter, landscape architect, librarian, registered nurse, pharmacist.

I've read several reports that stated health care careers are already in high demand and the trend will continue. From my own experience, it's not just the highly-trained health care professionals but also the clerical personnel who are needed.

I used to work in health care in the clerical field and even though that was several years ago, the demand is still pretty high in my area for people with some medical knowledge and good clerical skills. Medical transcription is a growing industry that you would be wise to look into.

Another interesting trend I just read about is the increase in demand for  green jobs. According to Yahoo! Hot Jobs, the economy and energy crises worldwide are combining to create the need for environmentally-friendly jobs.

What are green jobs? Some of those listed are energy rating auditor, permaculture specialist and urban arborist as well as others.

Better yet, read my recent article about turning your hobby into a career for ideas about turning what you love into a new career - or at least a side business.

Girlfriend - I'm here for ya!

Chances are you have a friend who is currently (or will be in the future) going through their own financial crisis.

Maybe they or their husband has experienced a layoff or job cutback.

Maybe they're dealing with a foreclosure.

Whatever the reason, your friend needs emotional support.

I can tell you from my own past (and even current) experiences that financial difficulties can make you feel lonely. And embarrassed. And may be afraid to tell others about it.

Just recently, a dear friend of mine received a notice of foreclosure on her home.

At the same time, her husband received notice that his job was being eliminated.

I only knew because she asked for help from her friends.

Not financial help, but advice and support.

In discussing things, she said that after posting about her situation on a local user group (full of friends) and asking for advice and help, she received a lot of "if there's anything you need let me know" which didn't feel very helpful to her.

She also received info from a few friends who directed her to websites, counseling groups and the like that really helped in her situation.

Keep reading, because next I'm going to talk about tips for helping your friend in financial crisis, and tips for asking for help if you yourself are in financial crisis.

Budget cuts - not just for the government!

Now that cutbacks have hit my household, the ax must fall somewhere.

The budget must be cut and cut deep! There must be no mercy! Yes, it is a bloody thing and we will all get messy from it, but it must be done. And done quickly.

Our household budget has always been tight, but now - thanks to cutbacks at hubby's work - we're having to tighten up even more.

*gasps* Can. . .you. . .hear. . .me. . .gasping. . .for. . .air. . .it's. . .so. . .tight. . .!. . .Can. . .barely. . .talk. . .

Anyway, how to cut a budget?

First, there are things that are static and can't change.

The house payment for example. That amount won't change - can't cut anything there.

I only have one credit card that I'm paying on, so instead of paying the minimum monthly payment plus more, I'll drop back down to the minimum. That payment can't be cut back anymore - until the card is paid off.

We have no car payment, but we do have insurance. Since our cars are old, we have the minimum required state liability insurance. That's as cheap as it gets - no cutting there.

We have a property payment, set amount - no cutting.

We don't have any loans, so no problem there.

So what does that leave?

Utilities first of all.

Cell phone bill (we don't have a land line) - I've looked it over up and down, left and right - it is cut back as far as we can go. We're still under contract and can't - and don't want to - buy out the contract to cancel the service. Obviously, if we were starving the cell phones would go, but since it's our only method of phone service, we keep it.

Electric bill - this is a big one. In our state, the big electric company has continually raised rates, so our electric bill is high. We just invested about $25 in an electronic thermostat. We're hoping it will help regulate the heat and lower the electricity bill. We'll see - more on that later.

We have the compact flourescent bulbs in all fixtures. We have a ceiling fan to circulate and more evenly distribute heat. We make a concerted effort to turn off things when they're not being used.

We are air drying more clothing. We hang up things to use less dryer time. In addition, I've been trying to NOT run the dryer between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. - which are peak electricity times for our electric company. That means they charge more during those times.

We're hoping the thermostat will make a difference.

Water bill - With five people needing showers and lots of laundry, I need more ideas for cutting back on our water. I already have a front-load washing machine to save water.

Keep reading - I'll have more about the budget cuts - I'm just getting started!

Job Cutbacks

Well, it's happened.

My husband's place of employment has had talks of layoffs and cutbacks for the past couple of months. Last week it became official.

Thankfully, to avoid layoffs, Sam's bosses decided to cutback on hours. They shortened the hours of operation by one hour each day and employees will no longer get paid lunch hours.

What does this mean for us? It means about $200 less per month in his paychecks.

At the same time - actually, during the same week - Sam found out that one of his part-time jobs was ending. The company was having to cutback on services, thus eliminating his job.

Yes, Sam - my wonderful husband - works a full-time job and has most recently also worked two part-time jobs (one was monthly, one was weekly) to make ends meet and allow me to be home with our kids.

I do freelance writing to supplement our income and because I love to write. Now, I'm going to be looking for more freelance writing opportunities to help make up for the loss of income.

So, guess what I'll be writing about in upcoming posts?

Adjusting your budget to income loss

Creative ways to make money

Cutting expenses

Recipes that slash your food budget

And more. . . so keep reading!

What are you still spending money on?

Forbes magazine came out with an interesting article regarding what Americans are spending money on. The article is actually a list of 10 items Americans are still buying.

It seems as though retail spending is down 2.7 percent - but obviously there are things we still have to buy.

Some of the items on the list?

Personal care items

Movie tickets

Car maintenance

Videogames and game players

Gym membership

Shoes

So what items have you cut back on and what are you still buying?

Stockpiling Secrets: Part 2 - Expiration Dates

The question has been asked about how to stockpile without losing items to expiration dates.

That's one of the tricky parts of stockpiling. You hope and pray you'll never need to use the items you stockpile (using them could be due to natural or financial disaster - and none of us wants that!), but you don't want your hard work and money to go to waste.

Here are my tips:

First, keep a journal or log book with an inventory of items you stockpile. Include expiration dates for each item or batch of items.

Take a look at your canned goods. Most have a 2-4 year shelf life. I just bought a can of corn that has an expiration date of December 2011.

Items like drinking water and canned or bottled juices should be replaced about every 6 months (or sooner if expired).

Keep items stored in a place where the room temperature isn't extreme. Under the bed in a plastic underbed box or cardboard box is great.

After you've recorded expiration dates, make yourself a note somewhere about those dates: A reminder on your PDA, cell phone, email calendar, the wall calendar. Remind yourself about one month before the expiration date to replace those items with new and use the old ones before they expire.

I've stockpiled stuff before and not paid attention to the dates, then opened up my box later only to find that most of the items had expired!

Frustrating - and wasteful!

In the next installment of Stockpiling Secrets I'll discuss what to stockpile - so keep reading!

Tips for Dealing With an Unexpected Financial Crisis

Two things are certain in life: Things will happen, and not all of those things will have been planned.

That's the way life works: People die unexpectedly, jobs are lost, fires happen, natural disasters occur, babies come along, cars break down, and kids get sick.

Sometimes, life happens when you least expect it.So what do you do when an unexpected event happens in your life and your finances are not ready to meet it?

1. Take a deep breath. Sit back and think about what this unplanned event means to your life. A job loss can be devastating, but it can also open doors to a better career. A baby can be a surprise, but is also an unexpected blessing.

2. Take stock of what resources you already have available: Do you have enough money to cover this unplanned expense? Do you have a support system (family, friends) to help you if needed? Do you know where to look for outside help (agencies, organizations, etc.)?

3. Brainstorm ideas to deal with this unplanned event. Recruit friends or family to help you brainstorm.

4. Make phone calls! There are probably lots of agencies and organizations in your area that can help, but often they are unknown to the general public. Check with your local health department or social services agency for direction. Call around - explain your situation, see what information they can give you or who else they can direct you to.

5. Take an inventory of your financial picture: Cash on hand, savings, change in the sofa cushions and under the car seats (don't laugh - it can really add up!). Look over your budget for the next month or two: Write down your bills and the dates they are due in one column, in another column write down the amounts of your expected pay checks. Look over a calendar to see if anything can be juggled to a different date to help you meet your bills. Call the people to whom you owe money; explain your situation and ask if they will work with you on due dates and minimum payments due. Not all creditors will be willing to work with you, but some of them will. After all, it is in their best interest to be flexible with you in order to recover the money owed to them.

6. Check with your current (or former) employer or school to see what programs they have available to help you. See what grants, extensions, and other assistance is available.

7. Look at your budget to see where cuts can be made. Can you reduce your cable bill by cutting down the number of channels? Can you live without cable? If you smoke, can you cut back on how much you smoke each day or quit smoking altogether? Can you cut down your cell phone minutes? Can you reduce the number of video rentals per month or rent for free from the library? Can you find a cheaper Internet Service Provider or use free internet service at your local library? Can you sell your car for a less expensive one - one that may not have a payment attached or use public transportation? Can you cancel magazine or newspaper subscriptions, split them with someone else or borrow them from the library? Can you buy generic food and household items? Can you cook more homemade and scratch meals instead of buying convenience food and eating out? Can you cancel your landline telephone service and only use your cell phone? Can you reduce your car insurance premiums by increasing your deductible or dropping down to liability only? Can you get any government assistance (medical insurance, food assistance, energy assistance, phone assistance, school vouchers, job assistance or unemployment assistance)? If you're renting furniture or appliances, can you let them go back to the rental place?

8. If ends just won't meet, look into ways to earn extra income. Sacrifices may be required to make the new situation workable. Do you have items that you could sell to bring in more money to cover this expense? Have a yard sale, advertise items for sale in local newspapers, or if you need financial help immediately, check into local pawn shops. Avoid payday cash loans if at all possible - they may cost you dearly in the long run. Are there jobs you can do from home? Check the Internet, your local newspapers and friends and family for possible job opportunities.

9. Don't be afraid - or too proud - to ask for help. If there is a local church or house of worship you attend, bring your needs to the attention of the pastor, priest or rabbi and ask for assistance. The Salvation Army provides food and some financial assistance to families and individuals facing financial difficulties. Local ministerial alliances and food pantries exist to help people experiencing such unplanned situations.

An unplanned event doesn't have to leave you devastated. Stay calm and focused on getting through this situation. You'll make it!

Homemade laundry soap saves money

If you're looking for another way to save money, make your own laundry detergent. It's not hard at all, and it really is cheaper.

Liquid Laundry Soap

1/2 cup borax (I use 20 Mule Team)

1/2 cup washing soda

1/3 bar Fels-Naptha soap (or you can actually use any bar soap - even homemade lye soap - if using homemade soap, use entire bar)

Grate Fels-Naptha bar then add to 6 cups water. Heat on medium until dissolved, then add borax and washing soda. Stir until dissolved completely.

Pour this mixture into a bucket, then add one gallon plus six cups of water. Stir, then let sit for 24 hours. This will resemble a gelatinous goo (as my friend Theresa calls it) - so don't freak out when you see the finished product.

Use approximately 1/2 cup per heavy load (I use a little less because I have a front-load washing machine). Can also be used as a stain pretreatment - rub a small amount on the stain. A few drops of your favorite essential oil can be used to scent this soap. Store in lidded bucket or container (I use an old cat litter bucket).

Makes approximately 2 gallons.

Granulated Laundry Soap

6 bars Fels Naptha soap

1 cup borax

1 cup washing soda

Grate Fels Naptha soap, mix thoroughly with borax and washing soda, store in lidded container.

The Fels Naptha soap has a strong smell which some people find unpleasant, some actually like. It's really a matter of personal preference.

Regardless of whether you scent the laundry soap or not, your clothes will come out smelling fresh and clean.

Cost comparison (may vary from region to region and with price fluctuations): 1 5 1/2 ounce bar Fels Naptha soap, $1.29; 1 76-ounce box 20 Mule Team Borax - $3.59, 1 55-ounce box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda - $2.09.

Above liquid recipe makes 256 ounces, worth approximately 64 loads (using 1/2 cup per load) while granulated recipe makes 49 ounces, worth approximately 98 loads (2 tablespoons per load). Cost to make: liquid - $0.79 per 2 gallons (.012 per load); granulated - $8.46 per 49 ounces (.09 per load).

Note: Washing soda is NOT the same thing as baking soda (baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and washing soda is sodium carbonate - it is not safe to ingest).

All of these ingredients can be found in the laundry section of your local grocery store, usually on a top shelf. Ask if you can't find them - they may be hard to see.

I make and use the liquid laundry soap all the time - I can't remember the last time I actually bought laundry detergent!

Keep a close eye on the things you buy!

In case you haven't noticed this neat new trick food manufacturers are playing, I'll tell you about it.

Check the amount of food in your faves - chances are it's been reduced, but the price has stayed the same or has even risen slightly.

For example, I bought a couple of frozen pizzas the other night - Tony's Pepperoni - and noticed after I'd opened one up that they have shrunk!

The box was the same size, but the pizza inside was smaller. The price had not shrunk with the product, in fact the price was a few cents higher.

Manufacturers are betting that consumers won't notice and will continue to buy the products.

In fact, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon that seems to be occuring in all consumer products - not just food.

I went to buy ink for my printer the other night at WalMart. I needed a color cartridge but I was pricing the black as well.

The cartridges for my printer could be purchased in a combo pack (one black and one color), a individual color cartridge or individual black cartridge.The color cartridge was $14.47, and the black cartridge was $9.97. The combo pack (1 color, 1 black) was $24.97.  Do the math - to buy the two cartridges separately the cost would be $24.44. The store is counting on the consumer assuming that a combo pack is a better deal without actually breaking it down.

Sugar and flour at my local stores is the same. It is cheaper to buy 5 five-pound bags of flour than to buy one 25-pound bag of flour. Same with sugar.

So, my best advice would be to take a calculator with you when you shop so you can figure out what the best deal really is - and be sure to keep an eye on the sizes.

I'm dreaming of a white (elephant) Christmas. . .

As a great way to save money on Christmas gifts and declutter your house at the same time, why not plan a White Elephant Christmas with friends and family?

In various parts of the country, such gifting is also called Yankee Swap and Dirty Santa but it all means the same: Giving gently-used gifts from around the house you no longer want or need.

Not all family members or friends will be on board with such an idea, so you need to plan ahead to see who will join in.

Here are a few tips for great White Elephant giving.

Look around the house - especially in the backs of closets and cabinets for potential gifts.

How about that gift basket of bath stuff you got a couple of years ago? You know, the one you took the shower gel out of but left the rest? Wrap it up!

Or how about that manicure kit the came as a freebie with that nail polish set? You've never used it and don't need it. Wrap it up!

Other possibilities for White Elephant gifts could include (but are not limited to) unused candles (how about that candle jar you bought two years ago but have never used?), DVD's and CD's, and books are all candidates for White Elephant gift-giving.

Make gift collections!

Does Aunt Ethel have a beloved cat? Maybe you've got a couple of cans of cat food your Fluffy doesn't like and a decorative collar Fluffy despises. Throw in a cat toy and you've got a gift basket!

Do you have a stockpile of soaps, shampoos, and conditioners? Make a basekt with one of each and a bath sponge or poof.

The ideas are endless, so be creative!

Upcoming for 2009

I'll give you all a sneak peak into some of the subjects I'm working on for future articles here on Tammy's Tips.

Hubby and I are planning to buy a new (to us!) used car in the next couple of months and I plan to write about our search. I'll include tips for those of you who are in the same car. . .er, boat.

Are you planning a wedding for this year? I'd like to do a feature on saving money while having a nice wedding.

Are you planning to have a baby this year, or maybe you just discovered an unplanned surprise? Don't fret - it's possible to add to your family without breaking the bank. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt - plan to write about it.

Gardening season may seem far away, but (hopefully) it'll be here before you know it. Even planting in a pot on your porch can save you a few pennies - and it's fun too! I'm already drooling over the seed catalogs I've received, so keep reading!

This is just a taste of the many ideas rattling around in my scattered brain - so keep reading - and I'm always open to suggestions!

Keep cash on hand

Where I live, we've been indirectly affected by the recent winter ice storms.

We had a two-inch coating of ice that was then covered by about five inches of snow.

We live in southern Illinois and the really bad stuff just barely missed us by a few miles - it's much worse a bit farther south.

Turns out, that several banks in my area are all fed from a satellite that is located in Kentucky to keep them online.

That satellite apparently went down thanks to the storm and because of that, several area banks are now offline - or at least suffering some annoying glitches.

My parents have had trouble using their debit cards and accessing their accounts - and my grandmother's - online. These are two separate banks.

Another bank in my town told a customer (a friend's husband) that they were offline and couldn't cash checks, verify deposits, very balances - anything.

So, my advice: Be sure you have a stash of cash in case of emergency. You never know when you won't be able to access your bank account or use your debit card.

Stockpiling Secrets: Part 4 - Budgeting

Boy I wish I had the money in my budget to buy everything I want to stockpile in one trip!

Since I don't (and you might not either), I try to plan a budget - and a plan - for my stockpiling.

Here's what I do.

For certain items, I make a point to buy one of those items each week. For example, I pick up a cheap package of toilet paper every week - more often if there's a great sale.

I also try to buy one can of tomato sauce, one can of whole kernel corn and one other canned good each week.

These items all get stockpiled in the box under my bed. Except for the toilet paper - I stockpile that in the cabinet under my bathroom sink.

As far as budgeting: Set an amount. It could be $5 per week, $50 per month, $10 every other week - whatever works for your family. It could be as little as you planning to spend 50 cents on one item to stockpile every week (that's the price of one canned good in my area).

Whatever you determine to be your budget and plan of attack - whether it's a little or a lot - anything is better than nothing.

Stockpiling isn't just in case of emergency. It's also storing up while you have the money to do so for the possibility that you won't have the money for those items later (due to layoff, cutbacks, etc.).

Whatever the reason - start small and see how you do.

Happy stockpiling!

Recession vs. Depression

What's the difference between a recession and a depression?

We've been hearing both terms, sometimes interchangeably, along with "economic downturn" all over the place.

The truth is, though, a recession does not equal a depression. They are in fact, two different things.

Actually, they are different levels of the same thing.

In a nutshell - or "Tammyspeak", a recession is an economic downturn with a decline in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP - keep reading in the coming days - I'll be explaining in Tammyspeak what that is) for two or more consecutive quarters. A recession lasts three years or less and also will see an unemployment rate of 9 percent or less.

On the other hand, a depression is characterized by a period of downturn where real GDP declines by more than 10 percent. A depression lasts more than three years and has an unemployment rate greater than 9 percent.

Are we in a depression?

Not according to these definitions, at least not yet. I know, I looked it up!

As of 12/23/08 the GDP was down .5 percent for the third quarter of 2008 (sorry - I messed up the link - here it is - http://www.bea.gov/newsrelease/national/gdp/2008/gdp308f.htm ).  According to the United States Department of Labor, the unemployment rate as of November 2008 is 6.7 percent.

As I was researching this info, I found an interesting forecast for the U.S. unemployment rate. According to this report, between November 2008 and July 2009, the unemployment rate will steadily climb from 6.7 percent to 7.6 percent.

For a short history lesson,  things might be scary right now, but it's been worse.

The worst recession in U.S. history after the Great Depression of the 1930s occured between November 1973 and March 1975. During that time the GDP fell 49 percent.

The longest depression in U.S. history: The Great Depression of 1873-79. This one lasted 65 months.

So have hope - things have been worse than they are now.