Smart Money

September 20, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

3 Online Courses To Grow Your Business

Have you been thinking about starting a blog?

Are you a stay at home Mom looking for the perfect job to fit in between school drop off, laundry and after school activities?

Blogging is great. I will admit that it is hard work. But it is so rewarding. I have met and gotten to work with some amazing people and some great brands.

Creating an income that I can work around my family is great.

The opportunities available to bloggers today are limitless.

Did you know you can create a great income using Pinterest? Read more on how to make a full time income with Pinterest in your spare time.

Are you looking to take your blog to the next level?

Are you looking to grow your business? Yes?! I am going to walk you through the courses that changed my blogging life and income.

In the beginning I struggled I thought I could rewrite the book and DIY all the things I needed. After a lot of hair pulling and sleepless nights I gave in and spent the money.

I invested in me and my blogging future. And to this day I do not regret it. In fact if I could do it all over again I would have taken all these courses sooner.

These 3 courses helped me:

Grow my Pinterest following
Increase my repins & traffic
Double my pageviews
Triple my income
Learn SEO & gain new followers
Broaden my income and affiliate sources
Turn my blog into a business

These three courses helped me take my blog to the next level.

If you are just starting a blog.

Invest in yourself and purchase a Genesis theme wordpress platform through a valid host. This was my first mistake in blogging I chose a pretty platform that was not Genesis and oh did I regret the choice. Genesis is a must.

I am currently hosted through Bluehost and their web services and 24/7 technical support department are great. You can hop over to Bluehost and checkout all the options available to you. Bluehost also offers a great introductory special to new bloggers. You could be up and running with in the half hour.

Click here to checkout the current deals on Bluehost.

Now that we have gotten all the preliminaries out of the way.

I want to tell you more about the courses that have made all the difference in my blogging career.

Please note I am not going to tell you that I went from zero to making $10,000 in my first four months of blogging. Like I said I flustered and tried and I finally found these great courses that made all the difference.

So I want to be clear that I am recommending products that I have used and believe in. Products that have helped me get to where I am today.

Elite Blog Academy

If you want to learn the steps to take your blog to the next level this is the course for you. Ruth Soukop is amazing. Together with her team she has created a well thought out, easy to follow course that walks you through each step of creating a profitable blog.

Broken down into easy to follow videos, reading sections, worksheets, activities and Q&A’s. You learn exactly what your blog needs to succeed.

EBA is a take at your own pace course. Step by step Ruth will guide you through building, changing and altering your blog to bring out its best value.

Elite Blog Academy isn’t just a read and do worksheet course. You will bring all your studies back to your blog, alter and upgrade what you need to before moving on to the next level.

If there is one course and only one course you take out of all the courses I suggest this is the course to take if you are looking to bring your blog to the next level.

Important note.

Elite Blog Academy is only offered once a year and space is limited so if you are thinking about it make sure you sign up here.

Click here to learn more about Elite Blog Academy.

Pinterest Presence

If you have been around blogging even for a short time you have probably heard of Pinterest.

Pinterest is a digital image bulletin board whos main audience is women. It is also an amazing search engine and traffic driver for bloggers.

You can hop over and checkout Saving & Simplicity’s Pinterest page here. Pinterest in essence is a visual feed of images linked to blog posts and articles. Users click the images and are directed to the desired posts.

Pinterest Presence will teach you how to master Pinterest and drive traffic to your website, increasing growth and profitability.

With six comprehensive modules, an interactive workbook, live Q&A’s, bonuses and more Pinterest Presence will help you explode your traffic.

If you are looking to put your blog in the forefront, grab your readers attention with your amazing digital imagery, get your blog noticed and increase your pageviews and traffic than Pinterest Presence is for you.

Click here to learn more about Pinterest Presence.

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing

Bloggers make money in a variety of ways. Through advertisements, networks, products and affiliate marketing.

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing teaches bloggers how to use affiliate marketing to increase their income without being salesy. You will learn how to relate to your audience and search out products they need and will be willing to buy.

Bloggers, blog primarily to make a difference. To write a post that resonates with their audience. There is nothing wrong with making a great income at the same time as making a difference.

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing isn’t about just increasing your income, it is about relating to your audience and opening up doors. Opening up opportunities for your audience to try new things. And opening up doors for new income and business opportunities for yourself.

If you are looking for ways to monetize your blog Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is the course to take.

Click here to learn more about Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing.

Are you wanting to take your blog to the next level?

If you are wanting to take your blog from earning zero to making a part time or a full time income these courses are for you.

If you want to quit your day job and stop the 9-5 struggle these courses are for you.

If you are a Mom blogger looking to turn your hobby blog into a business and start earning an income from home these courses are for you.

Three courses all step by step from amazing teachers who have been blogging for years and have the experience to help you and guide you to a greater outcome.

Three courses you can take at your own pace. Step by step, no rushing. Fit them into your schedule on your timeline.

Three courses that will help you take your blog to the next level. Course that will help guide you to be a better blogger, a better entrepreneur and a better boss.

These courses will open up the doors to possibilities and limitless opportunities.

Click here to learn more about Elite Blog Academy.

Click here to learn more about Pinterest Presence.

Click here to learn more about Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Are you looking to get your finances under control and learn how to budget? You can get our free budgeting printable here.

Another great resource for budgeting and learning all the ins and outs of personal finance is The Total Money Makeover. This book changed our personal finances for the better and is a must read.

If you have read my blog before you have heard me talk about MyFreezEasy meal plans and how much I love them. You have also heard me talk about all the time and money meal planning saves me. I use to choose take out or drive thru coffee or dinner at a restaurant after a long hard day. Learning to meal plan effectively helped curb that habit and now we are enjoying yummy homemade meals that our family love.

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone. The Grocery Budget Workshop taught me how to save money at the grocery store. It taught me how to cook efficiently, manage a grocery budget, shop sales and coupon quickly. It also taught me how to save over $700 a month on items our family really didn’t need.

Are you ready to earn money while you shop? Yes, I said earn money while you shop. Have you heard of Ibotta? Earn cash back on everyday purchases. Simple select the items you will be shopping for in your easy handheld app, go shopping, redeem your rebates and earn cash. Simple and easy.

September 18, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

How To Set Up An Emergency Savings Plan

Simple and easy step by step emergency savings plan.

If you have read or heard about Dave Ramsey or any other financial speaker you have heard about the logical and financial benefits of an emergency savings plan.

Some may call it a rainy day fund. No matter what you call it, it is a set amount of money set aside for emergencies.

Examples of rainy day emergencies.

That new pair of shoes you saw in the store window or that new black dress aren’t exactly rainy day emergencies.

What I am referring to are real emergencies where you need cash fast. The radiator goes in your vehicle or your child gets sick or your car tire blows. These are unplanned emergencies that need to be dealt with and taken care of immediately.

Having an emergency fund.

Once you have an emergency fund set up you can pay for these type of emergencies right away without going further into debt or stressing about them.

I had to use a portion of my emergency fund this past summer. My radiator on my truck went on the hottest day of the year – go figure. But I had the money set aside for this type of situation. And honestly it was a big stress relief to have that money there when I needed it. Car full of kids and groceries and a broken radiator equals stressed Mom.

Setting up an emergency fund.

Setting up an emergency savings plan isn’t as hard as you think. You do need to set it up somewhere you can access it. So don’t put the money in a locked savings account or in a jar in the cupboard. You need to have access to this money in an emergency from where ever you are.

I suggest you set up a savings account or checking account at your local bank and link it to your debit card with the full understanding that this account is only for emergencies.

Step by step setting up your emergency savings plan:

Open your savings account at your local bank
Set an amount you want to save for emergencies such as $1000
Start saving a little bit each week till you reach your goal

Saving money for your emergency fund.

Now that you have your emergency fund account all set up and you have set an amount that you think will cover your possible emergencies. How do you save up that amount?

You save it step by step. Start small and take any extra money you have and put it in that account. Next you start saving small amounts from every paycheck to add up to your set amount. You could save $60 this paycheck or $100 next paycheck. Make a plan that works for you. If you need a printout to help you save you can grab one here.

Start making extra money for your emergency fund.

If you can’t save the extra money you need for your emergency fund that is fine. You have other options. You can start making money to fill that emergency fund.

What can you sell to make some money? What aren’t you using anymore? Believe it or not, I am sure you have something you could sell to start off your emergency fund. Any old books or games? Old or unwanted furniture or tools?

What about getting a part time job or a side hustle? Are you a stay at home Mom? If you are I might have the perfect job for you.

Think about it what could you do to save up or work to make $1000? Set your goal, make a plan and start saving.

Once you have your emergency fund set up full of cash what do you do?

You leave it, walk away, don’t think about it. Some day you will needed and your job is to make sure it is there when you do.

You don’t have to stop there. If your side hustle or your saving plan is working and you aren’t minding the frugality or extra work. Start routing the extra money towards your debt or your goals.

Do you have debt that needs to be paid off start sending the extra funds you are saving in the debt reduction direction.

Or do you have a big goal you want to save for? Why not save some of your hard earned money and start saving for it. Dream big.

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Are you looking to get your finances under control and learn how to budget? You can get our free budgeting printable here. Another great resource for budgeting and learning all the ins and outs of personal finance is The Total Money Makeover. This book changed our personal finances for the better and is a must read.

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

The Grocery Budget Workshop taught me how to save money at the grocery store. It taught me how to cook efficiently, manage a grocery budget, shop sales and coupon quickly. It also taught me how to save over $700 a month on items our family really didn’t need.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

September 15, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

Start Saving Money On Health Care

Are you spending a large portion of your income on health care?

On medical bills, prescriptions, weight-loss formulas and more. Well now is your time to save money.

I get it, I really do.

I get the medical bills, the special diets, the tests, the fees. I get it more than you know. As a Mom to a hearing delayed child with Celiac disease, I get it. I get the extra costs a special health related diet adds to your grocery budget. I get the Mom worry if you are doing all the right things.

Health care adds stress to our lives. And not only stress it costs us money. Money we may or may not have. Which adds more stress. As Moms, as parents all we want for our families is for them to be healthy and happy.

Now is the time to save money on health care.

Whether you are going through what we are with gluten free diet changes. Or whether you are searching out more economical ways to get healthy and lose weight. There are ways to save money.

Are you a parent looking for more natural based health care focusing on a healthy home and healthy kids? Or are you a woman adjusting to the changes our bodies go through as we age?

Natural health care.

A natural approach to health care doesn’t mean you are walking away from the main stream medical system. It simply means you are intertwining Eastern and Western health philosophies in search of better health for you and your family.

This could mean a change in diet and meal plan. Or use of natural skin care solutions. It could mean using a natural approach to healing your digestive issues.

Did you know?

That by adding more probiotics, green vegetables and meditation or yoga into your life you can be happier. Or did you know that you might be able to cure your digestive ailments through diet.

There are so many amazing natural resource solutions to our our health ailments. And these solutions could be saving you money on health care.

Given that I know the stresses and costs involved in health care issues. And the benefits of a natural approach. I am not thinking twice when I recommend the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle.

The Healthy Living Bundle.

The Healthy Living Bundle is a compilation of 68 ebooks, 28 ecourses, 10 printables, 1 membership and 1 summit.

Whether you are looking for Keto recipes or green smoothie ideas the Healthy Living Bundle is for you. Or whether you are looking to get more active or learn more about nutrition the Healthy Living Bundle is for you.

Honestly, for me at 99% off the regular price I am purchasing the Healthy Living Bundle for the DIY skincare products which are worth 10 times the cost of the Healthy Living Bundle.

The savings on this bundle are mind blowing. I will also be downloading the yoga classes to help lower my stress and help my back. There is also great kids recipes and paleo recipes I will looking into.

Everything in this bundle is great and at 99% off you can’t go wrong. Save yourself some money on healthcare and save some stress. Purchase the Healthy Living Bundle today.

Bonuses

And don’t forget your bonuses. You get 8 free bonus products when you purchase the bundle. Products you can use in your home, product subscriptions, product samples and more. The bonuses to this bundle are great.

Click here to learn more about the Healthy Living Bundle.

Are you looking to save more money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

September 14, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

Keep Your Denim Looking Like New

Just a girl and her jeans.

Dress them up, dress them down. Either way once you have found that perfect pair of jeans you want them to last a while.

Finding the perfect pair of blue jeans. That fit your curves in all the right places, hang at all the right angles. And fit with your favorite boots. Just a girl and her jeans.

To wash or not wash.

I am not going to tell you to skip washing your favorite blue jeans to keep them looking like new. Frugally and logically I would say wash them when they are dirty. Each to their own.

Note the more you wash your jeans the more they will fade. To decrease fading add vinegar to the first wash. You can also decrease the fading and keep your darks, dark by washing in cold water.

To dry or not dry.

If you are looking to prevent shrinkage skip the dryer and hang dry your favorite pair of jeans. Also if your jeans have designs or jewels on them hand washing and hang drying is the best route to keep them looking like new.

Now if you are looking to shrink a pair of jeans add them to the dryer and tumble dry but be aware of the possible outcome. Heat will cause shrinkage in denim.

Keep your blue jeans looking like new:

wash them on a cold gentle cycle
hand them to dry

Are you wanting to add rips to your favorite jeans?

The trick is to rub fine sandpaper over the desired are to create the ripped and frayed effect. Practice on a pocket or a used pair of jeans before you alter your perfect pair of jeans.

Saving money on blue jeans.

Great jeans don’t have to cost in the hundreds. Once you have found the perfect fit buy a few, store them for later. Shop the vintage or thrift store. Jeans never go out of style. Personalize your jeans with rips, frays, embroidery or jewels.

Dress them up, dress them down. Skinny, stretchy, bootcut or boyfriend jeans whatever your style. Take care of your jeans and keep them looking like new.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Are you looking to get your finances under control and learn how to budget? You can get our free budgeting printable here.

Another great resource for budgeting and learning all the ins and outs of personal finance is The Total Money Makeover. This book changed our personal finances for the better and is a must read.

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

September 13, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

Earn Extra Cash With Ibotta

Did you know you can earn extra cash while you shop?

Yes, you read that right. You can earn extra cash while you grocery shop. While you shop for clothes or household supplies. You can even earn cash back while you shop for back to school and Christmas gifts. And it is really easy…. real, real easy.

Have you hear of Ibotta?

Ibotta is a cash back redemption system that is better than coupons. You get cash back on real purchases. Things you buy every day. Ibotta was designed to be super easy to use and you can earn cash back on just about anything. You can earn cash on groceries, cosmetics, apps and so much more.

How does Ibotta work?

1. You will need to log in to Ibotta and register yourself.

2. Then scan through the rebates on products which is simple using the search mechanism.

3. Add these rebates to your account and go shopping.

4. Once you are done shopping take a photo of your receipt and send it to Ibotta

5. Ibotta will match up your rebates to your purchases and give you cash.

6. Your cash will be placed in your Ibotta account within 48 hours.

7. The balance of your Ibotta account can be redeemed as gift cards or simply send the balance to your Paypal account.

8. You can also link your loyalty cards to Ibotta and they will process all your purchases.

Making money couldn’t be easier. Simple register with Ibotta, select your purchases, shop, send in a photo of your receipt and earn cash.

You can even earn money with Ibotta while booking your next holiday.

Ibotta has teamed up with Booking.com to help take the stress out of holiday planning. Now you can earn money while booking your holiday. Simple sign into your Ibotta account and click on Booking.com and register your holiday and earn cash back on all valid purchases.

Earning money just got easier.

Sign up for Ibotta

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Link your loyalty card &/Or find rebates

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Go shopping for all the stuff you regularly shop for

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Take a photo of your receipt

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Send your receipt into Ibotta

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Redeem your cash for gift cards or transfer the cash to your Paypal or Venmo Account

More ways to earn money with Ibotta.

There are more great ways to earn money with Ibotta. If you have a smart phone you can download the Ibotta App and start earning extra cash right away.

You can also invite your friends and your social network to Ibotta and you can all start earning cash back on your purchases.

Ibotta also has a bonus system where you can earn extra cash back with bonuses. Simple follow the instructions listed in the bonus section to earn more money.

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

September 11, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

50 Cheap & Frugal Meal Ideas

Are you stuck on what to make for dinner?

Well you have come to the right place. Keeping costs low and providing your family nutritious meals are important.

But what do you cook when you have spent the grocery budget or your income is running low?

For starters don’t stress it. Take charge and check the cupboards. What do you have? What can you make?

Dinners don’t have to be perfect to be pleasing. You could make beans and rice or breakfast for dinner and you are still providing a nutritious meal for cheap. My favorite frugal meal would have to be either eggs on toast or soup.

There is nothing like homemade soup on a cool fall evening for dinner.

Soup is an amazing frugal meal. You can make soup out of just about anything. Cream of vegetable soup, beef and barley soup, egg drop soup. Your options are endless. Soup is cheap to make, filling and nutritious. Bone broth is a great meal anytime as well, and even cheaper to make – you are using leftover bones and vegetables. Bone broth is great for your body and could be used for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack.

50 great frugal meals:

Baked ziti
Homemade pizza
Quiche and salad
Beans on toast
Hamburger soup
Tacos
Stew
Beans and rice
Rotisserie chicken
Vegetarian curry
Cabbage stew
Egg drop soup
Spaghetti
Cereal
Fajitas
Finger food appetizers
Quinoa and beans
Tortilla soup
Sausage and beans
Meatballs
Egg salad
Cabbage rolls
Chicken and rice bowls
Ramen and vegetable bowls
Bunwiches and soup
Chili and cornbread
Homemade soup or bone broth
Chicken pot pie
Goulash
Sloppy joes
Salad
Stirfry and rice
Shepherd’s pie
Tuna casserole
Breakfast for dinner
Meatloaf
Spanish rice
Lasagna
Nachos
Burrita bowls
Pancakes or waffles
Baked potatoes
Sandwiches
Omelettes
Freezer meals
Pesto pasta
Quesadillas
Chicken fried steak
Stroganoff
Orzo pasta salad

Simple easy planning.

If your pocket book is running low or you are simply planning frugal meals to save money. Improvise, use what you have on hand. Some of the best meals are thrown together with what you have in the cupboards and fridge.

Meal planning can help you save a ton of money. Learn how to meal plan and stretch your grocery budget with MyFreezEasy. Simple easy money saving meals.

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

September 6, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

How To Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Where there is a will there is a way.

You can stop living paycheck to paycheck or coming up short and adding to your debt. The solution is in the planning and the changes you need to make. Simple easy changes that will save you tons of money.

Where is most of your money going?

Do you have a budget? Do you know where your money is going? Do you know how much you are making? The most important step in stopping the paycheck to paycheck cycle is setting up a budget. You can grab a free budgeting printable here or you can checkout this great money book. This book made all the difference when we were restructuring and learning to budget.

Spend a few minutes and figure out your expenses and your income. This free printable can help you organize all the information.

So where is all your money going?

Is a majority of it going to your rent or your mortgage? Or is it the grocery bill? Are grocery costs driving you into debt? School and children’s activities are they eating up your money?

Or is it eating out and entertainment? This was ours, eating out was wrecking our budget and basically eating up our money. Or are you shopping your money away with new shoes and new clothes?

Here are some amazing fixes to help you save money.

If it is your mortgage or your rent that has got you living check to check have you thought about downsizing or talking to your mortgage company and altering your payments. You can live well on less in less space, downsizing can be an option that saves you money and makes you happier. Also nothing hurts with talking to your mortgage company, the worse that could happen is they say no. If this is the case you look for other ways to save money.

Is the grocery bill getting you down? Honestly, this one has been getting me lately. Where we live the cost of goods is on the rise which means cutting back on a few groceries or looking for alternatives. You can learn great ways to save money at the grocery store with the grocery budget workshop or checkout these amazing ways to cut your grocery bill in half.

Simple changes like opting for new brands or cooking home cooked meals can save you money at the grocery store. Or cutting coupons or shopping store sales. Simple easy changes you learn in the grocery budget workshop can make a huge difference on your grocery bill.

Are school or extra curricular activities hurting your pocket book? Have you looked at cheaper more cost effective after school activities? Library and community centers offer great budget friendly activities.

Or is it child care that is hurting the budget? Child care can get expensive. We do babysitting time exchange with a friend. I watch their kids and they watch ours, no money exchanges hands just time. Sometimes you have to think outside the box to find the right solution to decreasing your expenses.

Is dining out and entertainment hurting your budget. It was hurting ours until we found meal planning. The problem was after a long hard busy day I didn’t have anything prepared for dinner so we ordered out or we felt entitled to a nice meal out on the weekend.

A meal out here and a meal out there add up. If you are looking to decrease your meal budget and save some money checkout this meal planning service their recipes are easy to follow and crowd pleasing.

Entertainment can get expensive. Let’s say you go to the movies, you have tickets, popcorn and maybe dessert afterwards. It all adds up. Here are some great cost effective alternatives to the expensive entertainment bills.

Are you shopping your way to debt? Have you thought about organizing your closet and seeing what you have before you go shopping? Most people will go out and buy something they already have. What about buying thrift or vintage before buying brand new and saving some money? Or what about holding off and saving some money till you can fully pay for the items you want.

Some other great posts that will help you save money and help you stop living paycheck to paycheck.

You can stop living paycheck to paycheck and live the life you want. Simple changes to they way you shop or the way you do things can make a huge difference to your pocket book. Make a plan and stick to it.

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

August 28, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

10 Ways To Lower Your Grocery Budget

Lowering your grocery budget is easier than you think.

I have got some amazing ways for you to save money at the grocery store and they are all real easy to do.

But first….

What is the one thing that you think costs you the most money at the grocery store? What do you do while grocery shopping that adds money to the bill? Do you aimlessly shop the store? Do you shop without a list? Do you shop hungry?

Think about it what do you do that adds more stuff and more costs to your grocery bill? In our house it is food allergies, lack of time and forgetting the grocery list. I am the worse for checking the flyers for sales, this is why I love online shopping. The flyer is right there while you shop and click.

Did you know that the grocery store plans for you to spend more money than you need to?

Ever wonder why the fresh flowers are placed at the front of the store or why the bakery is just beyond what you need? Marketing. Stores are marketing to get you to spend more money and to go over your grocery budget. Yes, there are some great grocery stores out there that save us lots of money but they are also in the business of making money and in order for them to make money we need to spend money.

Five ways stores help you spend your hard earned money.

Sales that aren’t really sales. Marking up items then placing them on sale or advertising the item as being on sale and enticing you to buy it when really it is just regular price.
Placing the bakery, the deli and the dairy departments at the back of the store causing you to pass all sorts of items on your way to get milk or bread or dinner meat.
Case lot sales, bulk buys. Are you really going to use that 1 gallon container of mustard? The store doesn’t know but they will promote it so you think you will.
End caps, hanging displays, eye level shelving. The grocery store places yummy looking, must have items on end caps and at eye level hoping you will buy.
Item placement. Does a cookie display really belong in the milk department? It does if it prompts you to buy cookies to have with your milk.

Grocery stores are adding more and more ways to entice you into spending money and adding items to your cart. The one that gets me is placing children’s books and toy cars on the ends of aisle. And yes I have fallen victim to this grocery cart add. I have added a few books to my grocery buggy over the years but I can say at least we read and enjoyed them. What have you added to your cart that wasn’t on your list?

How to lower your grocery bill and start saving money.

You can save money at the grocery store. In fact you can lower your grocery bill by a quarter if not a half if you shop with a plan and learn a few great saving tips. If you are looking to learn more about saving money on your grocery budget checkout the grocery budget workshop. Erin the host of the Grocery Budget Workshop has helped a record number of people save money on groceries and she knows her way around the grocery store.

10 Ways To Lower Your Grocery Budget:

Always shop with a grocery list, your grocery budget cash envelope and a plan.
Checkout the store flyers, the store sales and coupon offers before you go shopping.
Meal plan your meals and shop according to the foods you will need.
Avoid the store marketing tactics we spoke about above.
Stockpile sale items. Bulk buying items you know you are going to use is a great way to save money.
Try cooking meatless meals once or twice a week. Add a beans and rice meal into your meal plan to save money.
Cook from scratch and avoid the processed foods. Bake your own breakfast muffins and pastries and avoid added costs.
Buy cheaper meat cuts and use a slow cooker to tenderize the meat and create yummy meals.
Shop multiple stores. Each store has a different deal on items, some may offer great produce prices others may offer great meat prices. Shop around.
Don’t be brand specific. I know we all love our brands, but you can save money buying generic or purchasing the brand on sale.

My favorite ways to save money on groceries.

Is to meal plan. I know it sounds corny but I love meal planning I love knowing what’s for dinner before the day starts. I know by mid day the boys in the house will ask what’s for dinner and 98% of the time I will have an answer for them. Meal planning helps me save money by having all the right ingredients in the house. I am not wasting money buying foods that won’t be eaten or go to waste sitting in the fridge.

I also save money by shopping around a few different stores where I know the prices are cheaper. I bulk buy the items I know we use on a regular basis. Like when toilet paper goes on sale 75% off. I will opt for a cheaper brand if it means saving a large amount of money.

I have also gotten into the habit of cooking and baking more which cuts down on the costs of to go meals in our house. We have found some great breakfast to go recipes we like and cooking from scratch isn’t that hard even with food allergies. You just need to plan and make time.

There are lots of ways to save money at the grocery store more than the ones we have listed here. To learn more about ways to cut your grocery budget checkout the Grocery Budget Workshop.

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

August 25, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

How To Raise Money Smart Kids

Most young children don’t have any concept of money.

If you asked your five year old or your seven year old where money comes from what would their answer be? Logically they might say it comes from the bank or from your purse. In the bigger picture of things do they really know where money comes from and how hard you have to work to get money?

Children as they age start to understand that money buys food and toys. They grasp the concept that you have to pay for things. But they still get upset when you say no and they really, really want you to buy something.

As a child grows it is important to teach them about money.

It is important to teach them the value of each coin and bill and how to do money math. Such as how do you make up a dollar or twenty dollars with the given coins and bills.

It is also important to teach them where their money actually comes from. How hard did they work for it? Did they get the money from Grandma or Grandpa – how hard did they work for it? I believe that teaching a child that money is commission or compensation for work done is important.

I also feel that teaching a child how to handle money and to manage it is important. Teaching your child the value of a twenty dollar bill and what that twenty dollars can buy for them or what they can save for is important.

It is important for adults, parents to have a healthy attitude about money and budgeting and share that with your child.

Did you know most college students have no concept of budgeting, making money and how to save? Raising smart money children is important.

How to raise money smart kids:

1. Be honest.

Being open and honest with your children about money is a great gift and one that will help them well into the future. Explaining to your children what you can and can’t afford instead of just saying no. Communication is important.

For example Johnny asks you for the $20 transformer while you are in the grocery store. Instead of just saying no, explain that his birthday is a month away and we can put that on his wish list or explain that while you know he really, really wants that toy maybe he can save up for it because right now getting groceries is the reason we are shopping.

2. Teach them about money.

Children learn through play, watching and education. Teach them about money. As our son was growing we purchased a money kit and played store and taught him that he could buy this with fifty cents or a dollar. He also learned through school the value of a dollar through money math education.

Children also learn by watching. If you buy everything with plastic your child will grow up thinking that everything should be bought or that it is ok to buy things with plastic. Start using cash more often if your budget allows. If you need to learn more on budgeting check this book out.

3. Explain spend, save, share.

Money makes the world go round and it is important to explain that not all the money you have should be spent. I know lots of people who spend all their money and more, as I am sure you know people who do the same.

It is a great gift to our children to explain to them that yes they may have $20 in their pocket but they don’t have to spend it at all. They can save it, spend it or share it. Save it for a rainy day or save it for buying something big in the future – make a plan. Spend it, but they don’t have to spend all of it just because they have it. Or they can share it. They could use that money to make a difference in the world.

4. Set up a bank.

It doesn’t have to be a bank account. I think spend, save, share piggy banks or jars are great. I think children learn better when they can handle and see things versus money being hidden in a bank account. Set up homemade piggy banks or purchase a spend, save, share bank. When your child gets money as a gift or for work (chores) done let them decide where the money goes.

5. Be there, let them make mistakes and help them learn, answer their questions.

It is important to make mistakes, you learn valuable lessons from mistakes. Making mistakes should never be looked at as a negative, it should be looked at as a learning experience. Let your children make learning experiences. Be there to help them up, be there to teach them what the next step might be. Answer their questions, ensure that communication is open. Just like you teach them to tie their shoes, teach them about money.

The average college student will graduate in debt with no concept of how they will pay all their bills.

Teaching your children when they are young the value of a dollar and how to make it work for them will help them way beyond their years. The best lesson I think, no I think there are two money lessons I wish I was taught when I was younger.

Lesson one quit trying to keep up with everyone else, stop buying things to impress people. Lesson two don’t buy it unless you have the money for it. These two things would have made a world of difference…

A couple of amazing books to help you teach your children about money are:

Smart Money, Smart Kids

Junior’s Adventures

Some great tools to help you raise money smart kids are:

Financial Peace Junior

Spend, Save, Share Jars

Money Kits

Some great books for Mom and Dad:

Total Money Makeover

Love Your Life Not Theirs

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Are you looking to get your finances under control and learn how to budget? You can get our free budgeting printable here. Another great resource for budgeting and learning all the ins and outs of personal finance is The Total Money Makeover. This book changed our personal finances for the better and is a must read.

If you have read my blog before you have heard me talk about MyFreezEasy meal plans and how much I love them. You have also heard me talk about all the time and money meal planning saves me. I use to choose take out or drive thru coffee or dinner at a restaurant after a long hard day. Learning to meal plan effectively helped curb that habit and now we are enjoying yummy homemade meals that our family love.

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

The Grocery Budget Workshop taught me how to save money at the grocery store. It taught me how to cook efficiently, manage a grocery budget, shop sales and coupon quickly. It also taught me how to save over $700 a month on items our family really didn’t need.

Are you ready to earn money while you shop? Yes, I said earn money while you shop. Have you heard of Ibotta? Earn cash back on everyday purchases. Simple select the items you will be shopping for in your easy handheld app, go shopping, redeem your rebates and earn cash. Simple and easy.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity

August 23, 2017 by Saving and Simplicity

Chicken Fajitas Freezer Meals

I love, love, love fajitas and I love the simplicity of freezer meals.

Who wouldn’t love a freezer full of meals to choose from? No more wondering what’s for dinner. You simple pick a meal, cook and enjoy. If you are thinking about sampling or looking into a freezer meal plan I suggest you take a look at MyFreezEasy. Their meal plans are simple, yummy and full of options.

Now, I chose to make chicken fajitas, but you could do steak or seafood.

You just need to switch up the protein content in the ingredients below. Or you could do a vegetarian fajita by adding shredded carrots or zucchini. Fajitas are great because you can use and add what you have, alter the recipe to suit your needs or the ingredients you have in your pantry.

Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

3-4 chicken boneless chicken breasts
1 onion chopped
2 peppers sliced (orange, yellow or red)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 fajita seasoning package

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients in a freezer bag and mix to disperse flavors.
Freeze
Remove from freezer and defrost.
You can cook this recipe various ways:
- Place all the ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours
- Place all ingredients on a rimmed cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 36 minutes
- Place all the ingredients on a frying pan and stir fry until chicken is browned and vegetables are cooked

Either cooking method you choose will be great. Serve with tortillas and/or rice, salsa and guacamole.

For other great freezer meal ideas.

Checkout MyFreezEasy for great gluten free meal options and other meal planning ideas. Let them do the work for you. MyFreezEasy provides you with all the recipes, grocery lists, cooking instructions and meal plans. They take all the complication out of meal planning and make dinner time about family and conversation.

You can checkout all the great recipes at MyFreezEasy.

Are you looking to save money? Checkout these money saving resources:

Is your grocery budget stressing you out? Are you trying to figure out how to feed our family healthy meals while you watch the price of groceries rise? You are not alone.

Have an amazing day,

Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity